Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Orr, who only knew a few streets in the Fish Tail district and had never been to the neighboring Shell district, quickly understood the routes and key locations from the map. Mrs. Belen’s handwriting was exceptionally beautiful, not because of any fancy lettering but because each curve of the letters offered visual appeal.

"Mrs. Belen must have received a higher education. It’s a wonder how she ended up in such dire straits."

"Additionally, was she only acquainted with Mrs. Torey, which is why Mrs. Torey helped her and previously looked after Danny?"

"However, these were all unrelated to Danny's disappearance, and Orr had no right to satisfy his curiosity at such a time."

"Based on the map, paperboy Danny's routine was as follows: in the morning, he delivered milk and newspapers to all the policemen at the police dormitory. After that, he would take the remaining newspapers to sell in Shell District's White Brick Road—just next to Horseshoe Street. While selling newspapers, he would look for odd jobs along the shops of White Brick Road, taking up whatever work he could find. If there was no work, he would get some fresh flowers from the old flower seller to sell."

"Around five in the evening, Danny would head home. If he was lucky and had worked at a restaurant that day, he might bring home not only his wages but also leftover food from customers."

"Orr recapped the key locations on the map to ensure no mistakes, then folded it up."

"'I will start looking for Danny tomorrow,' Orr said, looking into Mrs. Belen’s eyes."

"'Please... be careful with your safety,' Mrs. Belen’s eyes now held a trace of regret, 'Actually, everyone is in the midst of chaos, you could wait until this turmoil settles down.'"

"It was probably Orr’s youthful appearance that was having an effect. After talking and crying, Mrs. Belen had vented some of her sorrow and realized that she was seeking help from a young man."

"'I'll be careful, and you too, please stay safe.'"

"'Thank you.'"

"Mrs. Torey escorted Orr to the door: 'I'm sorry, but out of everyone, you were the only one I could ask, because you are probably the only one who would help Anita, and you are the only one who is single. I am very sorry.'"

"Mrs. Torey, usually so assertive, showed vulnerability for the first time, driven by guilt."

"'I am happy to help, Mrs. Torey. But it’s too dangerous outside now, how will Mrs. Belen get home? Do you need me to escort her?'"

"'Don’t worry about Anita’s safety, she will be staying with me for a while.'"

"'That’s great, if I find anything, I’ll come to find her immediately.'"

"'Be safe, Danny is already... So, take care of yourself.'"

"'I will, thank you.'"

"Returning home that day, Orr felt much more settled than the previous days."

"On the sixth day of the gang war, Orr arrived at the police station early as usual, but instead of heading to the upstairs lounge, he went to the basement armory, thinking to get more bullets before heading to White Brick Road."

"However, his actions reminded the others. Not only did Big Mike’s group follow, but Fis Derrick and his men also came rushing down. They had already ruined several decks of cards in the lounge, and even those who loved playing were tired of it. Going to the armory for target practice seemed like a good idea."

"But they were met with a closed door."

"The entrance to the armory had no door, but as you descended the staircase, there was a door at the bottom. Previously, this door was always open, but now it was firmly shut, secured with a bolt thick as a man's leg, and guarded by two patrolmen carrying rifles."

"'Sorry, Big Mike, Derrick, the chief said the armory is temporarily closed.'"

"'Don't make this hard for us, guys.'"

"Old Maxwell really covered all his bases. Big Mike and Derrick didn't hassle the guards; after all, it wasn't their decision. The mood of the patrolmen, both coming and going, was even more somber."

"Halfway up the stairs, Big Mike realized someone was missing. He noticed Orr heading in a different direction and had a bad feeling: 'Mondale?!'"

"'I'm going to the restroom!' Orr pointed towards the direction of the first-floor bathroom."

"Big Mike watched Orr enter the restroom. He thought about waiting because something felt off, but Derrick started taunting, 'Hey, Big Mike, did you find yourself a lover?'"

"'Did you piss your brain into the toilet when you got up this morning?' Big Mike retorted quickly."

"'Since you're always staring at a rookie's ass,' Derrick shrugged."

"'I've been watching your ass too, always wanting to kick it!' Big Mike decided to follow the others upstairs, to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Finally, Orr could come out of the restroom. Every visit to the police station's restroom was a trial. With hundreds of burly men in the station every day and only a dozen or so stalls between the upstairs and downstairs bathrooms, well..."

"No, better not to talk about it, too disgusting."

"Exiting the restroom, under the occasional glances of a few patrolmen, Orr walked straight out the main door."

"Mondale?" That seemed to be Bandinick's exclamation.

"Standing outside, he quickly ran towards the bank. Taking a turn beside it and another couple of bends, he reached one of the 'shortcuts'."

"'Hey! Mondale! Stop!' someone shouted from behind, but Orr didn't even turn his head."

"For fear of being expelled from the police station and losing the few privileges of a patrolman, he had always played it safe, like a turtle retracting into its shell. But perhaps it was his inherent defiance against societal beatings that he could no longer suppress."

"Mrs. Belen’s plea the day before was the last straw, but without it, Orr would have only endured a few more days."

"Worst case, he could join a gang! With his strength, he could easily be an enforcer for a small gang. If his stingy foster father stopped providing for his meals, he would just loiter around the hospital every day."

"Orr ran so fast that two corpulent patrolmen saw where he entered but chose to stop. One continued to stand guard, while the other went to report."

"The alley Orr entered was as dark and damp as the ones on Changgou Street a few days ago, looking like dusk even in the early morning."

"There were people here, their condition seemingly worse than the refugees on the streets, with even more tattered clothes and thinner figures. Most were leaning against the wall or lying on the ground, faces covered with ragged clothes. If not for their chests heaving with breath, the place would look like a field of corpses."

"Approaching closer, Orr saw something worse: exposed skin was inevitably covered in sores, boils, or dense rashes. Looking at them made Orr's skin crawl, a feeling he wouldn't have even if the alley was filled with burly men."

"These people heard the commotion and some peeled back the clothes covering their faces, peering out with eyes filled with malice. Orr also heard strange laughter and cries behind him; the atmosphere was akin to a horror game."

"'Have mercy, sir!' A shadow suddenly raised its hands, shouting and lunging towards him."

"'Thud!' Orr kicked the shadow away, who collided with a few others who were just a step too slow. Four or five people tumbled together, their concealing rags fully unraveling, revealing faces that seemed to belong in a nightmare."

"Orr turned around; he had heard footsteps behind him, but now the people behind him were crouching quietly on the ground, showing no signs of having moved recently."

Ollie turned back to find that the people who had lunged at him were now lying back on the ground, appearing weak and harmless once again.

Ollie identified the ringleader and rushed over, kicking him in the back, forcing him to the ground, and then stood firmly on his back.

Be ruthless, be ruthless, you must be ruthless!

Muttering to himself, Ollie, with a stern face, demanded, "Did you hurt a child five days ago?!"

"Ah! Ease up! I'm dying, my good lord!"

"Talk!"

"What, what child? We don't know, we don't know anything!"

"..." Ollie was at a loss. He couldn't tell if the man was being stubborn or truly ignorant. He couldn't bring himself to torture these people for information, and even if he did, would their words be trustworthy? Ollie released his foot, and the ringleader immediately crawled away.

"I'm looking for a child! A poor family's child! His mother might not have long left before she joins you here! Before she loses everything, she just wants to know where her child died!" Ollie spoke loudly, deliberately making Lady Belen's story sound more tragic, "I know you're not interested in this! Whoever helps me find that child, I will give them two pieces of bread every day for the next half month! Or at least the equivalent in food!"

"I swear in the name of the God of Light! If I break my promise, then within a year, I'll be joining you here!"

"Anyone willing to earn this reward?"

The area fell silent. Ollie sighed quietly, ready to continue forward.

"Twenty days," a hoarse voice spoke up from behind him.

Ollie turned to see a person standing up, evidently a woman due to her skirt. She was so weak that she could only lean against the wall, gasping for breath.

Ollie pulled a small bag from his waist. Inside was an egg-stuffed pancake and the usual two slices of dark bread with pickled cucumbers. The pancake was for himself, and the bread was for Adam, but today Adam would have to go hungry.

"Orr handed over a slice of bread, 'This is the advance payment.'"

"The recipient grabbed the bread, devouring it hungrily. Some commotion stirred among the onlookers, but Orr drew out his baton, and only a few closest to him scrambled on the ground for the crumbs."

"The woman's ragged cloth opened up as she ate the bread, revealing her face, horribly disfigured by fire—no nose, no hair, and a hand with only three fingers."

"After biting into the bread, she realized her appearance was exposed to Orr. She quickly reached to cover herself, looking at Orr with fear. To her surprise, there was no shock or disgust in Orr’s eyes. He looked at her calmly, as if she were any normal person."

"The woman couldn't help but touch her face, feeling the extensive scars and the absence of her nose. She hadn’t miraculously healed; she was still herself, unchanged. The only difference was the man in front of her."

"No longer trying to hide her face with the rag, the woman bowed her head slightly and continued eating her bread."

"'I'll help you too, sir!' As the woman neared finishing her bread, driven by hunger, others began to speak up."

"'Only the first person gets the advance payment,' Orr said firmly, clutching his small leather bag, expressionless."

"Most of them shrank back, apparently only interested in a free meal."

"'I'm looking for a child named Danny, Danny Belen. He delivers milk and sells newspapers. He was wearing a brown top and blue trousers when he disappeared, about this tall. You know, Fish Tail district has been troubled these days. He disappeared five days ago while heading home early out of concern for his mother.'"

"'I know! I know that kid! He was robbed and his leg was broken as he passed through here that day! Come with me! I'll take you to him!'"

"'I know too! The boy in blue trousers, a woman took him away! Give me something to eat, and I'll tell you who she is!'"

"The people eagerly provided Orr with clues, shouting over each other. Orr watched them clamor, but anyone who dared reach out to him received a swift hit from his baton."

"Eventually, they fell silent."

"Orr said, 'Danny is very ugly.'"

"'Right, right!' 'He has a big nose!' 'His mouth is crooked!'"

"Orr continued, 'On his face, right here...'"

"'There's a big mole!' 'A knife scar!' 'A birthmark!'"

"Orr swung his baton, hitting those who were spouting nonsense on their shoulders, 'Get out!'"

"His abrupt and forceful manner of driving people away scared off some of the more timid ones, but Orr didn't care. He kept his gaze focused on the burn victim."

"'People here have lost track of time,' the lady said, seemingly unfazed by the recent commotion, 'It's been a long time since any child came this way, but you can come with me to look around nearby. I can ask others for you.'"

"'Okay.'"

"The woman, limping and leaning on the wall, began to move forward. Orr followed her, with a few people trailing behind him. He paid no attention to the followers, focusing instead on the woman ahead."

"Occasionally, the woman would prod someone in the dark; sometimes she seemed to mistake the person, with no exchange of words, and other times, she found the right one and asked a question or two."

"Her voice wasn't loud, but the alley was quiet enough for Orr to hear clearly. She kept asking about Danny."

"Gradually, the quiet of the alley was broken. A beam of light pierced through from the end of the alley, leading to White Brick Road. As Orr wondered whether to feel relieved or anxious, he heard someone say, 'A few days ago, there was a child who ran into the alley. I don't know if he's the one you’re talking about.'"

"'What did he look like?' Orr immediately turned to the speaker."

"'A pretty boy, could have been a girl dressed as a boy, with blonde hair, blue eyes.'"

"The lady looked at Orr, who nodded in response. The man extended his dirty hand with long, black nails, rubbing three fingers together. Orr pulled out 0.5 Echo."

"'I don't want money, where can we buy anything? Who would sell to us? I want food! Food!'"

"Orr broke off another half of the remaining slice of bread and handed it over."

"The man took the bread, biting into it with a nearly toothless mouth—it was almost as dry as an over-microwaved bun on Blue Star, suitable for scraping teeth."

"Chewing on the bread, he mumbled unclearly, 'He only stayed at the entrance of the alley for a while, then ran back out. At least, he was fine when he came in and left.'"

"'Which way did he go after leaving here?'"

"'Uh...' The man set down the bread, thinking carefully. Orr heard him mutter, 'I was lying there, saw him from there, and then he... he went east! He headed east!'"

"From his demeanor, it seemed what the man said was likely true."

"'Thank you,' Orr expressed his gratitude, finally having a clue. The man was already engrossed in eating the bread, so Orr handed over the other half along with the pickles."

“？！”

"'Yes, all yours.'"

"The man took the remaining bread, but his look at Orr was a mix of mocking a fool and acknowledging a good deed. He sighed, 'Hey! Wait! There's something else. When the kid came in, he hid in a corner. You understand, he wasn't deciding whether to go through here; he was hiding from someone.' He remarked sentimentally, 'Whether boy or girl, that was a pretty child.'"

"Both stayed only for a while, but the reason for staying made a significant difference."

"Orr felt a tightness in his chest: 'Thank you, very much so.'"

"Standing at the alley entrance, a step away from the sunlight, Orr said, 'Lady and sir, my name is Orvitzka Mondale. Thank you for your help. I don’t know if I’ll return this way, but I’ll come back around noon to discuss how to pay the twenty days of rewards.'"

"'Twenty days of rewards?' Both were surprised by Orr’s words."

"'Yes, didn't we agree? Even though I didn’t find Danny, you provided the most leads.'"

"'Alright, I’ll be here waiting for you.' The woman still didn't reveal her name. She pulled her rag higher to cover herself and squatted down in a corner."

"As Orr left the alley for the last time, he glanced back. Those people huddled in the corners resembled large mushrooms secretly growing in the darkness…"

"Just a step away, outside the alley, the world was prosperous and bright."

"This was the world most familiar from the original memories, with men and women strolling along the street. The ladies wore long dresses, holding parasols, while the gentlemen donned top hats, tailcoats, wearing... tight pantyhose or short silk stockings."

"Right before Orr’s eyes, a man in a pink dress and a woman in a grass-green long skirt walked arm in arm, clearly a couple and not just friends."

"Even when straight men flaunt, gays can only watch helplessly."

"'Isn’t it said that two gangs are fighting here? Why don’t I see anything?'"

"'That’s in Fish Tail district, this is still Shell district.'"

"'I know that, but I thought they were close. I thought I could see something from here. I don't want to set foot in that dirty place.'"

"'Maybe if we go to the top floor of the Signet Department Store, we can see a bit of it!'"

"A group of young people casually chatting passed by. In their conversation, the gang war seemed like a drama to be casually observed."

"Orr headed in the opposite direction, towards the area the man pointed out for little Danny. He preferred to think Danny had an accident or even lay unconscious and injured, possibly found by someone kind who took him to the church welfare hospital. But being kidnapped... whatever the child was going through, it couldn’t be good."

"Were those people who told Mrs. Belen they saw nothing, really oblivious?"

"After all, the boy had worked there for a long time and was a likable child, surely known to many. But why didn’t he seek help from acquaintances when in danger, instead choosing to hide alone?"

"However, one couldn’t fully trust the information from the alley. Those people were already desperate, devoid of morality. Maybe that man deliberately misled Orr in the opposite direction."

"Ahead was a bookstore marked on Mrs. Belen's map. Danny occasionally got odd jobs there, like moving books. Next was an ink shop, with two vendors in front—one selling pens, the other matches, both marked on the map, likely knowing Danny."

"Orr asked along the way, but his uniform seemed to have a counterproductive effect on the vendors, who turned pale and claimed ignorance, eager for Orr to leave quickly. However, the staff in the formal shops were more respectful and willing to spend more time thinking."

"The vendors’ reactions were suspicious, but the store staff’s professional smiles didn’t seem entirely honest either. In any case, Orr got no useful information."

"Then... he saw colleagues—two rotund royal policemen in red uniforms."

"'Hello, young sir, lovely weather today, isn’t it?' the two approached Orr, greeting him first."

"'Hello, I’m from the neighboring area. I'm looking for a missing boy from Fish Tail district, named Danny Belen.' Being in another jurisdiction, Orr introduced himself. He knew from the news on Blue Star about the territorial nature of the police in the Beautiful Country and how crossing boundaries could trigger conflicts, 'I know I'm crossing boundaries, but I’ll leave as soon as I finish asking.'"

"'Looks like we scared you, don’t worry, young man, we won’t do anything to you,' the brunette said with a sympathetic face."

"'I heard there’s some trouble in your area?' the black-haired one leaned in curiously."

"'There is some trouble, but I don’t know the details.'"