*BOOM!*
In the past, Locke always thought that a car flipping through the air after a tire blowout was just a movie effect.
But now?
Locke understood!
It was real.
Without the rear right wheel, the fiery red sports car—which wasn't exactly top-tier quality to begin with—instantly took flight with a violent *bang*. In the split second it was airborne, a man and a woman leaped out of the open doors!
*CRASH!*
Locke drifted, narrowly avoiding the stray wheel bouncing across the road.
But the Ford Raptor following behind wasn't so lucky. With a heavy *thud*, the wheel, trailing sparks, slammed directly into the Raptor's windshield.
*BANG!*
*SPLAT!*
Locke raised an eyebrow, stabilizing his car even as his own tires felt the strain.
The next second.
Locke focused on the man in the Raptor. Cross had already punched through the shattered windshield, raising his pistol.
*BANG! BANG! BANG!*
*CRACK!*
Locke ducked. His own windshield shattered instantly under the barrage.
The next second.
Locke kicked his door open and stepped out. At that exact moment, Cross floored it, steering the Raptor to ram him directly.
*SMASH!*
The Raptor plowed into Locke's Audi R8, flipping it over. With a deafening roar, the Audi followed the Maserati's fate—crashing into the grass and erupting into a sudden fireball.
Cross threw open the Raptor's door, reaching out to grab Wesley, who was just struggling to find his footing.
*BANG!*
*UGH!*
A bullet tore straight through Cross's arm.
But...
Cross didn't flinch. He grabbed Wesley by the collar and hauled him in. The Raptor roared, the engine screaming as it tore away from the scene instantly.
It was as if Cross was telling Locke: 'I only want Wesley.'
Want your mother!
Locke narrowed his eyes, watching Cross escape with his prey.
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
Locke snapped back to reality, looking toward Fox, who was already firing. One of his shots intercepted her bullet mid-air. He withdrew his gaze from the distant Raptor.
Once I finish up here, I'll come for you.
Locke cracked his neck. Behind his dark sunglasses, his expressionless eyes locked onto Fox.
The next second.
Close-quarters gunfight!
Six shots, each fired at impossible angles, collided with one another as if by fate, dropping to the ground in a synchronized metallic rain.
They were evenly matched.
But after twelve rounds, the victor emerged.
Locke won.
Because...
He didn't need to reload, but Fox did!
*BANG!*
*CLANG!*
The silver pistol in Fox's hand was hit directly, clattering to the ground a distance away.
The next second.
Another shot rang out, precisely striking Fox's knee just as she prepared to abandon her guns and charge for a melee engagement.
How stupid.
Who's going to play hand-to-hand with you?
Locke's mouth curled into a smirk. He watched the "Ice Queen" tumble to the ground, her sophisticated image replaced by that of a battered runaway. He tilted his head.
Fox's eyes seemed to be searching for something, a question lingering in her gaze.
Locke's smile widened. "I don't like wasting words."
*BANG!*
*THUD!*
A blossom of blood erupted from Fox's chest. The warmth of the blood began to spread, and the inquisitive light in her eyes slowly flickered out.
Clearly.
Locke had fired.
The killing intent had risen; he was invincible!
Locke liked beautiful women; that was a common trait among men.
But...
Locke wouldn't love unconditionally, and he certainly wouldn't kneel for any woman.
He appreciated the flower.
But he would also crush it with a ruthless hand!
"Drop the weapon!"
"..."
Locke, still in his sunglasses, turned to look. George Stacy—having arrived ahead of the main force—stepped out of his car. He roared at Locke, leveling his pistol at him. "Now! Immediately!"
Locke laughed.
It was another classic movie cliché.
The police were always late!
"And if I don't?"
"...What?"
Dressed in his sharp suit and sunglasses, Locke wasn't the least bit worried about George recognizing him. He looked at George with a smile. "I said, what if I don't? Look around. Your backup hasn't arrived yet."
George remained vigilant. "Sin Hunter, you're under arrest."
Locke burst into laughter.
George didn't want to say it either, but the Texas police and the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit had spent two years failing to find the Sin Hunter's true identity. What else could he say?
Locke shook his head with a laugh and prepared to walk away.
He still had to chase Cross.
No one...
Could snatch away his prey.
Locke noted that the quest hadn't been marked as complete yet. Obviously, Fox had come with Wesley; since it was a pair, they had to be dealt with as a set.
He couldn't leave one behind.
*BANG!*
"Freeze!"
Locke looked at the sparks kicking up from the pavement three meters from his toes. He looked back at George, narrowing his eyes. "I don't want to kill you."
The tragedy of the Stacy family was supposed to be brought about by the Spider-Man.
Locke had just complained recently that he wouldn't be the Spiderman. He couldn't exactly turn around and kill George right after saying that.
Gwen would be heartbroken.
Locke didn't have many friends in Texas; since coming here, Gwen—the one who actually bothered to talk to him—counted as one.
"I am a police officer!"
"Indeed."
Locke's ears twitched. He had about two minutes before the reinforcements arrived.
That was enough.
But...
Locke looked up at the news helicopter hovering nearby.
Gun out!
*BANG!*
*BANG!*
The helicopter's windows shattered, and the pilot immediately pulled up, retreating.
Locke then looked back at George and gave a soft laugh. "Do you think your gun is faster, or mine?"
George was a wall of pure caution.
Locke chuckled. "It's been a long day, Captain Stacy. Go home."
George's face shifted instantly.
But...
His expression changed.
His gun didn't move.
Locke sighed. "Go ahead and shoot."
George frowned.
Locke stared at him. "Either you shoot now, or you wait for your backup. Guess how many bullets are left in this gun, and how many of your colleagues' lives I can take before your people take me down?"
Killing bad people gave Locke no psychological pressure.
But...
Locke wouldn't show mercy to anyone blocking his path either!
Locke looked at George. "Do you dare to gamble, Captain George Stacy?"
As long as George dared to fire.
Locke would act.
Of course...
He would end George's life the moment George tried to take a second shot.
Nothing more.
Locke might give George one chance because of Gwen.
But he would never give a second!
He would never forgive anyone who truly tried to kill him.
He wanted to live.
Live until the end of time!
***
Read 30 Chapters early on P-atreon.com/Redestro666