妻子与冒名顶替者

Encounter

Chicago.

Several old cars were parked haphazardly along the street, their colors long since eroded by time. The once shiny paint had become mottled, and rust crept out from every corner.

Some windows were shattered, and the bodies were covered with scratches and dents.

Graffiti of varying colors and disorderly designs covered the already weathered walls. Bullet holes in the walls spoke of past turmoil and chaos.

If one looked closely, fresh bloodstains on the walls would indicate a recent intense gunfight.

A blond man staggered forward, his body bleeding profusely, staining his white shirt red. He pressed his hand tightly against his wound, hoping to slow the bleeding.

Suddenly, he spun around, moving quickly and decisively, and pulled out a handgun.

"Come out! You've been following me for a while now. What do you want?"

Despite his trembling from the injury, his eyes were as sharp as a beast's.

A young, beautiful woman emerged from the shadows, her hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

"Please don't be alarmed. I mean no harm. I'm just heading in the same direction as you."

The man narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinizing her.

Her demeanor seemed harmless, but under these circumstances, who could easily trust a stranger? His brows furrowed, and his eyes were full of suspicion.

"If you don't tell the truth, I'll shoot," the man said coldly, like a venomous snake ready to strike.

The woman sighed softly.

"Alright, the truth is, I don't know where I want to go. You might not believe this, but I have lost all my memories of the past. I don't remember my name or where I live.

When I woke up, there was a gunfight, so I hid. I only dared to come out once everyone had left. For someone like me, staying here alone for half a day would certainly lead to no good outcome. Besides, you seem familiar to me, so I decided to follow you."

Her voice carried a tone of sincerity and helplessness that made the man's gaze soften slightly, but he continued to stare at her, trying to determine if she was lying.

The woman's gaze met his steadily without flinching, which made him waver a little, but he remained vigilant.

"You seem to be losing a lot of blood. It looks like the bullet passed through without hitting any vital organs," the woman continued, her eyes lingering on the man's wound before looking up at him with a calm, professional demeanor.

"If you don't get treated soon, you might pass out from blood loss."

She seemed surprised by her own words, as if confirming her familiarity with medical knowledge.

She thought to herself, "Looks like I've had professional medical training, maybe a nurse or a field doctor?

Wait!

Stay focused!

Now is not the time to reminisce.

She silently reminded herself: This man seems smart and tough; he won't be easy to deal with. I need to survive first.

"If I were your enemy, I would've killed you already. You're just hanging on by a thread.

Here's the deal: I'll help you get out of here safely, and in return, you provide me shelter until I recover my memory or can fend for myself. Deal?"