American comics: I am full of martial virtues and I love to be kind to others.

“Okay!” Evan said loudly. “Yes, I sometimes do other things. But it’s nobody’s business!”

"What kind of thing?" Lynn asked gently but firmly.

Evan walked to the window, his back to Lynn. “My salary is low, barely enough to live on. Those children need help, but the rehabilitation center has limited funds. Sometimes I need extra income to buy treatment supplies.”

Are you saying you have other sources of income?

“Not entirely.” Evan turned around, his eyes filled with shame. “I have metal manipulation abilities. Not very strong, but enough to open some locks.”

Lynn was shocked. "You mean you committed burglary?"

“It wasn’t breaking and entering!” Evan quickly denied. “I never enter places where people live. I just occasionally go to some stores at night to take some cash. It’s a very small amount; I’m not a greedy person.”

Lynn's feelings became complicated. The "innocent" victim he had come to protect turned out to be a thief. Although the motives may have been good, theft was still a crime.

"Which stores do you usually go to?" Lynn asked, a terrible suspicion already forming in his mind.

“Mostly convenience stores, and occasionally small restaurants,” Evan said. “I’m always careful, never taking too much, and never hurting anyone.”

Do you remember the specific name of the store?

Evan hesitated for a moment. "Blackwood convenience stores are one of them. Their safes are easier to open."

Lynn felt a chill. Blackwood convenience stores—this couldn't be a coincidence.

"Mr. Ross, when was the last time you went to the Blackwood convenience store?"

“About a week ago,” Evan replied, “but I swear, I only took two hundred dollars, no more.”

Lynn's suspicions were confirmed. The Blackwood organization had apparently been monitoring their own store and discovered Evan's theft. But instead of calling the police, they decided to settle the "problem" with vigilante justice.

This strategy is very clever. If Evan is killed, the police investigation will attribute it to criminal revenge—a thief killed by other criminals. No one will suspect it's an organized attack against mutants.

“Mr. Ross, the situation is more complicated than we initially thought,” Lynn said. “I need you to come back to the FBI field office with me. We can better protect you there while we handle these legal issues.”

"What? You're going to arrest me?" Evan asked in horror.

“I want to protect you,” Lynn emphasized, “but you have admitted to the crime. We need to address this in a safe environment.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Then you’ll likely die tonight or tomorrow,” Lynn said bluntly. “These people won’t give you a chance to explain or apologize.”

Evan's face turned deathly pale. "You mean, they're going to kill me because I stole money?"

“They didn’t kill you because you stole the money,” Lynn explained. “They killed you because you’re a mutant. Stealing the money just gave them a plausible excuse.”

This explanation only confused Evan more. "I don't understand."

“This organization specializes in killing mutants, especially those with beneficial abilities,” Lynn said. “Your work at the rehabilitation center made you a target. But your thefts gave them the perfect cover—they can claim it was criminal revenge, not genocide.”

Evan sat on the sofa, covering his face with his hands. "I messed everything up, didn't I? I wanted to help those kids, but now I'm a criminal."

“Your motives are good, but your methods are wrong,” Lynn said. “The important thing now is to protect your life, and then deal with the legal consequences.”

What will happen if I cooperate with you?

“We will provide you with protection, and then you will need to face theft charges,” Lynn said honestly. “Given your motives and the relatively small amount involved, you may receive probation or community service. But first, we need to make sure you see the court alive.”

Evan pondered for a few minutes, then finally nodded. "Okay, I'll go with you. But I need to pack some things."

“Hurry up,” Lynn said. “The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes.”

While Evan was packing his things in the bedroom, Lynn contacted the other agents through his earpiece.

"The target has agreed to cooperate. We will leave in ten minutes."

“Received,” Sarah Chen’s voice came through. “The surrounding environment is normal; there is no suspicious activity.”

"Wilson, drive the car downstairs and prepare for a quick evacuation."

"Understood, Inspector."

Evan quickly finished packing, grabbed a small backpack, and walked out of the bedroom. "I'm ready."

“Very good.” Lynn walked towards the door. “We’ll leave Philadelphia as soon as possible and return to our safe haven in New York.”

Lynn remained highly vigilant as they descended the stairs. Although the sniper hadn't reported anything unusual, his intuition told him something was wrong. The street seemed too quiet; the few cars parked on the side of the road were empty.

“Detective, the car is ready,” Wilson reported through his headset.

Lynn and Evan stepped out of the building and walked quickly toward the black SUV waiting by the roadside. Just as they were about ten meters away from the car, Lynn noticed a detail—the side window of a van parked across the street had just been closed.

"Watch out!" Lynn shouted, lunging at Evan and shoving him to the ground.

Almost simultaneously, gunshots rang out. Bullets struck the spot where they had just been standing, sending sparks flying on the sidewalk.

“We’re surrounded!” Sarah’s voice came through the headset. “At least four firing positions!”

More gunshots rang out, and Lynn pulled Evan behind a parked car. The young man was clearly terrified, cowering on the ground and trembling.

“Wilson, how’s it going?” Lynn shouted.

“I’m pinned down in the car!” Wilson responded. “Their firepower is too strong; I can’t move the car!”

Lynn quickly assessed the situation. They were trapped on an open street, and the enemy was clearly prepared, occupying several advantageous positions. This was not a random attack, but a well-planned ambush.

“Mr. Ross, do you know how to use a gun?” Lynn asked Evan.

“What? No way! I’ve never touched a gun!” Evan replied in a panic.

Lynn pulled a spare pistol from his coat and handed it to Evan. "Just in case. The safety lock is on. Aim at the bad guys and pull the trigger."

“I can’t kill people!” Evan protested.

“They won’t have the same concerns as you,” Lynn said coldly.

Gunfire continued, bullets denting the car they were hiding in. Lynn realized they needed to move, or they would soon be surrounded.

“Sarah, how many shooters can you see?” Lynn asked through the headset.

“At least six, spread across three buildings,” Sarah replied. “They were well-equipped and looked like professionals.”

Can you provide covering fire?

“Trying, but they’re well positioned. Give me a few minutes to clear a firing position.” Lynn heard the sound of sniper rifles coming from a distance, followed by a cessation of fire from one of the firing positions.

"Well done! Keep it up!"

But just then, Lynn heard an unsettling sound—the sound of a vehicle engine approaching. He cautiously peeked out from behind cover and saw a black SUV speeding toward their position.

"They're going to ram us!" Lynn grabbed Evan. "Run!"

The two men sprang from behind the car and ran toward the nearest building entrance. A loud crash followed behind them; the SUV had smashed into the car they had just been hiding in.

"This way!" Lynn pulled Evan and rushed into a small alley.

But when they entered the alley, they found it blocked by another group of armed men. Three men in black tactical gear, holding automatic rifles, were waiting for them.

“Drop your weapons!” one of them shouted.

Lynn quickly assessed his options. The front was blocked, more enemies were behind them, and high walls stood on either side. They were trapped.

"What abilities do you have to help us get out of this predicament?" Lynn asked Evan in a low voice.

“My metal manipulation skills aren’t very strong,” Evan said, his voice trembling. “I can only affect small objects, like door locks or coins.”

Lynn looked around and suddenly had an idea. "What about the drainage pipes? And the fire escape ladders?"

Evan followed Lynn's gaze and understood what he meant. "I can try."

“Wait for my signal.” Lynn raised his pistol and aimed it at the armed men in front of him.

Just then, Sarah's voice came through the earpiece: "Detective, I've cleared another firing position, but reinforcements are on their way. You need to get out of here as soon as possible."

“Roger that.” Lynn nodded to Evan. “Now!”

Evan focused, and Lynn could see a faint metallic glint appear in his eyes. Suddenly, the fire escape ladder on the side of the building began to sway violently, emitting a loud metallic scraping sound. Seconds later, the bolts securing the bottom of the ladder came loose, and the entire structure tilted downwards.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Lynn opened fire. His firing forced the gunmen in front to seek cover, giving them a chance to escape.

“Come with me!” Lynn pulled Evan and ran in another direction, where there was an exit leading to the main street.

But they hadn't run more than a few steps when they heard footsteps behind them. Their pursuers were approaching.

“I can’t run very far,” Evan said breathlessly. “I’m not an athlete.”

Lynn realized they needed another strategy. "What metal objects here can you control?"

Evan looked around and pointed to a trash can. "And those streetlights."

"Can you make them move? Create obstacles?"

“I’ll give it a try.” Evan refocused.

The trash can began to slide across the ground, blocking part of the alley. The streetlights began to sway; though they didn't fall over, the noise was enough to disrupt the pursuers' auditory positioning.

Using these obstacles, Lynn and Evan successfully reached the main street. But as soon as they emerged from the alley, they saw even more men in black surrounding the area.

“This is a massive operation,” Lynn realized. “They’ve mobilized a huge number of people.”

Just then, Wilson's voice came through the earpiece: "Detective, I've successfully started the car! Moving towards your location!"

Lynn saw their SUV speeding down the street, followed by two enemy vehicles.

"Get ready to get on the bus!" Lynn shouted to Evan.

As the SUV passed by, Lynn opened the back door, pushed Evan into the car, and then jumped in herself.

"Drive faster!" Lynn yelled at Wilson.

"That's already top speed!" Wilson replied, jerking the steering wheel to avoid the obstacle ahead.

The pursuing vehicles were close behind, and the passengers in one of them were firing at them. Bullets struck the rear window of the SUV, leaving spiderweb-like cracks.

"How long can the bulletproof glass last?" Lynn asked.

“Not long!” Wilson replied. “We need to shake them off!”

Lynn fired at his pursuers through the rear window, attempting to disrupt their fire. But the enemy, clearly well-trained, quickly adapted to his counterattack.

"Checkpoint ahead!" Wilson reported. "Local police have set up roadblocks!"

Lynn could see police cars and roadblocks ahead. But he wasn't sure if the officers were friendly or hostile. Local law enforcement might have been infiltrated under Blackwood's influence.

"Charge!" Lynn decided. "We can't trust anyone right now!"

The SUV sped towards the roadblocks, and at the last moment, Wilson swerved the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to skid through a gap between the barriers. Behind him, shouts from police and more gunfire rang out.

“Now even the police are chasing us!” Evan said desperately.

“He might not be a real policeman,” Lynn said. “Blackwood is capable of masquerading as anyone.”

The chase lasted twenty minutes, with the SUV speeding through the streets of Philadelphia, pursued by multiple vehicles. Wilson displayed excellent driving skills, but the car was running out of fuel, and the bulletproof glass in the rear window was beginning to crack more deeply.

“We need backup!” Lynn called over the radio. “Any federal agents in the Philadelphia area, please proceed immediately.”

But his words were interrupted when the rear window finally shattered. Cold wind and gunshots rushed into the car.

"Detective!" Evan pointed ahead, "There's an underground parking garage over there!"

Lynn saw the entrance. It was a risky choice, as they might be trapped inside, but it could also be their only chance to escape.

"Go in!" Lynn commanded.

The SUV sped into the underground parking garage, its tires screeching against the concrete. Wilson skillfully weaved between the pillars, trying to shake off his pursuers.

But when they reached the deepest level of the parking lot, they found themselves in a dead end. There were no other exits except for the elevator.

"We're trapped," Wilson reported.

Lynn could hear the pursuing vehicles entering the parking lot. Soon, they would be surrounded.

“Evan, what metal objects here can you control?” Lynn asked eagerly.

Evan looked around, his eyes suddenly lighting up. "The elevator! And those supporting beams!" (End of Chapter)