Chapter 259 I Need a Favor
+8 Pearls
“He’s a kid who lives on this street,” the bald man said slowly, recalling as he spoke. “Small build. Likes to sit on that bench and space out for no reason.”
“It’s too dark to see clearly, but I think it’s him… just a guess, really.”
Jean smiled and nodded gratefully. “Thank you, sir. That’s actually very helpful.”
Then she hesitated, unable to stop herself from asking. Do you happen to know where this boy lives? I’d like to talk to him.”
“Just across the street, in that little alley over there.” The man pointed in the direction behind Jean.
After saying goodbye, Jean crossed the road and entered the alley.
The moment she left the bustling main street behind, she was surrounded by quiet. The narrow alley was lined with dilapidated buildings–crumbling walls, random clutter piled up like a junkyard. The whole place reeked of decay and old rot.
It felt like a hidden slum in the middle of Blairford’s glitzy modern shell.
Hard to imagine such a rundown corner could exist in a city like this.
From the man’s description, the boy seemed to be a student–likely still in school today, since it wasn’t the weekend.
Which meant even if she found the right place, he probably wouldn’t be home yet.
With some time left before school let out, Jean picked a quiet spot beside a tiny patch of neglected flowers and waited.
No one passed through the alley while she sat there.
It was so quiet she could hear the flutter of wings from a bird overhead.
Bored out of her mind, Jean nearly drifted off.
Then- A steady rhythm of footsteps echoed from down the alley.
Jean snapped to attention, her eyes flying open and zeroing in on the sound.
A boy in a black hoodie stepped into view.
He wasn’t tall–actually, he looked a little frail. His whole outfit was jet black, hoodie pulled up tightly over his head, white wired earphones looped into his ears, The bright white cord stood out starkly against his dark clothes, giving off a sharp, almost cold aura.
He looked quiet Distant. Detached.
It had to be him.
Jean felt almost certain–this was the same boy who appeared in the corner of the shop’s surveillance® footage.
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Chapter 259 Need a Fayor
He didn’t seem to notice fer at all.
Or maybe… He had noticed her–just didn’t care. Like she wasn’t even there.
He walked right past her without so much as a glance.
Jean clenched her fist.
+8 Pearls
“Hey, excuse me-” she called out, her voice urgent, trying to force her presence into his awareness.
But the boy didn’t slow down in the slightest. He kept walking, straight ahead, getting farther with every
step.
Was it the earphones? Or was he just ignoring her?
Jean hurried forward, breaking into a jog until she caught up and stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
The boy finally came to a stop.
And for the first time, he looked at her.
His eyes were cold and quiet–like the still surface of a winter lake, untouched and unmoved.
“Hey,” Jean raised her voice, gesturing toward her own ear. “I need to talk to you. Can you hear me?”
He stared at her for a long moment, lips pressed into a tight line.
Then, in silence, he pulled the left earbud out, one brow lifting just slightly.
“What is it?”
Jean hesitated, wetting her lips and choosing her words carefully. “Actually, I’m here because I need your help. Just a little of your time–if that’s okay?”
Her voice was gentle. Sincere. Her eyes carried a quiet intensity, asking not just for time, but for trust.
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