Night is the best cover——
For some people, they have already fallen asleep; but for others, the day has just begun. Those nocturnal animals wake up one after another, leave their homes and wander the streets.
The Bronx area is completely different from the daytime prosperity and bustle, like an underground city with ghosts and monsters appearing everywhere.
It's near the subway entrance, that's it.
The lights in convenience stores, bars, repair shops, gyms, and grocery stores are still bright. People gather in groups of three or four in front of different shops, one or two of them wearing hoodies and headscarves, chewing gum.
Different positions, different roles——
Some are responsible for keeping watch; some are responsible for attracting customers; some are responsible for transactions ; and some are responsible for inventory.
In addition, there is someone responsible for the muscles. Judging from the position, the thug should have hidden the weapon on the front tire of a vehicle parked on the side of the road.
That way, even if the police raid, they are not carrying weapons or goods and often will not be convicted.
A small subway entrance, full of all kinds of people.
Perhaps, the only exception is the liquor store that specializes in selling alcohol.
A cream-yellow halo fell lonely and desolately on the small area in front. The pedestrians coming and going never stopped, and even the hooligans who occupied the streets did not disturb them easily. Amid the hustle and bustle, there was a hint of the flavor of a foreign land.
But I don’t know whether it is the real foreign land or the headquarters behind the scenes.
Even the local residents living here lowered their heads and focused on the road in front of them, refusing to make eye contact or stop. They hurried forward and returned straight to their homes to avoid any trouble.
Occasionally, you can see one or two people stopping, stuffing a small ball of banknotes into a person's hand with ease, then walking around the intersection to take a small bag of leaves from another person, stuffing it into their pockets deftly, and continuing on their way. They are gone in less than twenty seconds.
The noise at the subway entrance lasted only a few minutes before settling down again.
Of course, there are a few exceptions.
Groups of hooligans came forward to greet each other familiarly, shaking fists and bumping shoulders, looking for their familiar corners in different locations.
Wallace is a special case.
He did not blend into the streets like a gangster, but he also did not rush by like the others. Wearing headphones, he looked a little calm, walked lightly among the crowd, and entered the convenience store unimpeded.
Complete your shopping.
He reappeared with a plastic bag in his hand, as if he had met an acquaintance. He greeted him with a giggle and a happy smile on his face. He even stood at the door of the convenience store and chatted with him, perfectly adapting to the noise and chaos at the scene.
Kirk himself has experienced Wallace's friendliness, and the yoga woman who visited the restaurant tonight should also have a deep understanding of it.
Wallace seemed to have an innate sense of intimacy and gentleness, and he could lighten the atmosphere with just a few words.
And win the trust of others.
Kirk is no exception. Until now, his first impression of Wallace is still very good.
It seems that it's not just them. Wallace is also popular in his own base camp. He walks on the streets like a fish in water without any obstacles. He can come and go freely even in the gray area where good and bad people mix.
However, Wallace did not stay for too long. After a brief chat, he waved goodbye to his friends and walked away.
Approaching Kirk's position.
In front of us is a "T"-shaped intersection, which runs north-south and is open to vehicles, but not east-west.
To the west of the intersection, there is a four-lane road that leads directly to Hangz Point; to the east, there is also a highway, but it cannot accommodate vehicles. Instead, it is a flight of stairs that lead up the hill. On both sides are apartments built , and the only way to get there is on foot.
Wallace's residence was just two streets away from the end of the steps, while Kirk chose to park on the west side of the T-intersection, facing the steps.
Lush shades were cast by the trees, and Kirk quietly parked the car on the side of the road to hide his tracks.
However!
Wallace did not turn toward the steps, but crossed the T-junction and headed west, approaching Kirk.
Getting closer.
Wait, did Wallace discover Kirk's whereabouts? Or was Wallace going to another store to shop and happened to be heading in this direction?
Closer.
In the quiet of the night, you can even hear the sound of approaching footsteps echoing in the street, and your heart curls up little by little.
Keep coming!
Moreover, judging from the direction of Wallace's sight, it seemed... he was aiming at Kirk.
Kirk was caught completely off guard.
I never expected that even though I arrived and hid early, my tracks would be discovered?
How did Wallace do it?
So, is this a coincidence, or is Wallace very observant, or... has he been exposed long ago?
If Wallace had discovered Kirk there in Chinatown, where did reality begin and where did the performance begin?
Save the Golden Retriever?
Feeling hoodie?
True and false, real and fake, fear and evil are spreading in the darkness. I cannot think too deeply about it. Just the thought that arises is enough to make me shudder.
"Kirk thought he was in control, but he was passive from beginning to end." The possibility of the hunter becoming the prey stirred up a storm in his brain.
Wallace's figure was becoming clearer and clearer, leaving Kirk with little time to react.
So, what should we do now?
Closer again——
At this moment, under the light of the street lamps, one could see that Wallace's mouth corners were raised, revealing a big smile, and he even waved his hand actively.
Speculation is evolving into reality.
Perhaps, at this moment we should sing a song, "I should be under the car, not in the car."
But obviously, it was too late to roll under the car now.
Anyway, life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills——
The key is to be thick-skinned enough.
So Kirk did not avoid, nor did he look embarrassed or panic, but instead he showed an expression of surprise at the right moment.
There is some helplessness, some surprise, some panic, and also some bitterness.
Actually, it’s not entirely acting, because strictly speaking, Kirk really feels this way now, and he just needs to show it truthfully—
It’s an experiential performance without having to put in too much effort.
"Wallace?" Kirk raised his voice.
"Kirk!" Wallace showed a surprised expression. "I was just thinking that the man looked familiar. I guess it wasn't my eyes that were blurring my vision."
Wallace's voice was filled with passion, and the heat waves of flowers and flowers came to him, "So, what are you doing here?"
Kirk raised the pizza in his hand, with a mouthful of food still in his mouth, and said incoherently, "Sorry, please forgive my impoliteness, I think it may not be convenient for us to shake hands."
"Haha." Wallace laughed happily.
Everything is very natural.
Kirk did not quibble, but responded according to the current situation, nine parts truth and one part falsehood -
The surprise is real, the panic is real, and the pizza is real.
No flaws.