Chapter 314
The two thugs hunched their backs and tucked in their necks, looking like beaten quails.
Sean Waters swung the fire poker down with force, only to hear a loud crack—the poker snapped in half.
He gaped in disbelief.
The poker was thicker than his arm, and he hadn’t even used that much strength. How had it broken?
If the poker had shattered, then the man must be—Sean frantically looked down.
The young man he had struck straightened up, stretched lazily, and dusted the flour off his clothes. "Bro, did you skip breakfast? That felt like a tickle."
The other man burst into laughter.
Only then did Sean realize—it wasn’t the poker’s fault. These men had real skills!
He opened his mouth to shout.
A hand like an iron vise clamped around his throat instantly.
"Make a sound, and I’ll snap your neck," the young man said coldly.
Sean stared in horror as the man drove five fingers straight through the fire poker, leaving five gaping holes.
William Cooper caught a whiff of something foul. He glanced down—Sean’s pants were soaked, and a puddle had formed beneath him.
The thug who had once bullied others was now pissing himself in fear.
"Ah—!" Sean’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious.
"Disgusting," the young man muttered, tossing him aside. "Find some rope and tie him up. Gag him too."
William quickly said, "There’s some in the storage room. I’ll get it."
Old Harold trembled in fear. William reassured him, "Don’t worry. They’re here to save us."
Andrew Smith observed the situation outside. Most of the thugs were gathered near the mine shaft, leaving the main gate lightly guarded.
"Send the signal," he ordered firmly. "The three of us will rush the gate, take out the guards, and open it. It’ll take them a minute to get here from the mine—we need to move fast."
The two soldiers snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes, Captain!"
Just as the three armed themselves and prepared to move, William returned with the rope.
"Where are you going?"
"To let our people in. You and Old Harold hide in the storage room and lock the door."
William panicked. "Three of you aren’t enough! Send the signal first!"
Andrew shook his head. "The gate’s locked, and the walls are wired. If we don’t open it from inside, forcing an entry will cost lives."
Finally understanding, William grabbed a fire poker. "I’m coming with you!"
"You can’t," Andrew said gently but firmly. "Staying safe is how you help us."
William looked down at his frail frame and reluctantly gave in. "Be careful!"
A flare shot into the sky, cutting through the darkness.
William pulled Old Harold into the storage room and peered out the window.
"William, can we trust these men?" Old Harold fretted.
"Relax. They’re professionals." Suddenly, William remembered something. "Damn it! Sean’s still in the kitchen!"
He moved to drag the unconscious thug inside.
Old Harold stopped him. "Don’t go out there! It’s chaos!"
The two pressed against the window, but all they could see were blurred figures locked in combat.
William silently prayed: Andrew, please stay safe...