Welcome to Forge Town

City A police station, on a sunny and beautiful morning, anyone could tell that Natalie was in a happy mood.

She walked into the office humming an unnamed tune.In his hands, he hugged two cups of coffee like his own children, and wrapped them properly in scarves.

Regardless of the suspicious eyes cast by the others, she stepped on her high heels and walked all the way to the innermost room.

As one of the top forensic doctors in the country, Natalie is sure that she can easily analyze thousands of ways of death.But when it comes to coffee varieties, she is really clueless.

Fortunately, as a modern person, she at least understands the Internet.So an hour ago, she had traveled several blocks to hear that the best espresso was sold there.She ordered two glasses, pretending she was just buying them along the way.And in order to let that person taste the best temperature, she almost fell on the revolving door.

But it doesn't matter, Natalie raised her proud chin: in order to get that man, she would go to the Antarctic to extract a piece of ice.

Now, standing in front of the heavy wooden door that symbolizes ancient history, Natalie first checked her appearance, and after making sure that every strand of hair was perfect, she knocked twice and pushed the door open to walk in.

"Good afternoon, Chief Superintendent." She said arrogantly, "Unfortunately, I bought too much coffee again. Who knows that store always has special deals." She complained bitterly as she put the coffee away On a glass low table.The clear and crisp sound is like an alarm bell in the dark night, awakening someone's thoughts that have been sinking for a long time.

In my impression, this office always seems to be unlit, and in the dim environment there is only a faint light coming in through the gaps in the curtains.But this thin obstacle still allowed Natalie to focus on the person at the desk.

A man was sitting at the table.The faint light reflected his knife-like profile, as if covered with a halo, which felt unreal.His thick black hair is like splashed ink, connecting with Hu Qing on his chin.Tanzanite-coloured brooding eyes are always captivating.It is conceivable that if one is lucky enough to be watched by those eyes, one's soul will be frozen in an instant.

But obviously, Natalie came at the wrong time.

"That's really bad news, Natalie." The man lowered his head and said perfunctorily.Beside him is a mountain of files, symbolizing his busy hell life. "Just put it there for me, thank you." He frowned impatiently.At the same time, he quickly flipped through the materials in his hand.At this time, I was reading to a critical juncture, and I didn't get distracted for a moment.

Knowing this person for many years, Nitali understands this person's life principle of "not saying thank you easily", and his usual routine is being vitriolic.So as smart as Natalie, she naturally heard his hidden order to evict guests—like dismissing an insignificant servant.But unfortunately, she was not a woman to be manipulated, and she had things she had to ask.

"So Vincent, are you free tomorrow?" Natalie said unwillingly, and without any surprise, she received the man's probing eyes. "Tomorrow is the Christmas holiday, maybe we can have a meal. I have a friend who opened a French restaurant and always asks me to join in. You should have a holiday this long holiday, right?" She raised the corners of her lips and offered to invite.But in fact, she had checked the other party's shift schedule a long time ago—God see you!Made this workaholic for a few years and was finally willing to give myself three days of respite!

Brandon looked up at last. "Your friends?—I don't mean to offend, but is there anyone alive on your buddy list?" he asked suspiciously.But I didn't want to know more about it, so I lowered my head and said, "I'm sorry, I have something to do tomorrow, and I have to go to see an old friend in the distance - Natalie, thank you for your coffee. But as you can see, I am very busy now , I really can’t entertain you. The exit is right behind you, remember to close the door when you leave.”

But he doesn't have to say it.As soon as Brandon's first and last words fell, there was a loud "bang" sound from the door of the office.The drama of force caused dizziness on the wall, fully showing someone's strong negative emotions.

Seeing Natalie's aggressive reaction, Brandon sighed, got up and walked to the door.He picked up the coffee on the low table, feeling its remaining warmth.In fact, he knew what Natalie wanted, but he knew that he couldn't easily accept any relationship, so he had to use euphemism as the cruelest rejection.

Thinking of Natalie, and thinking of himself, Brandon suddenly thought of a passage: "It's one of the sad things in life. When you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out that both of you There is no destiny, so you have to let go. (#Note)」

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The next day, Brandon took the wheel on a winding two-lane road.

At this time, there will always be fine snow flakes falling in the north.Especially in the Thomas Mountains, the ghostly mist always refuses to stop.They plunder every inch of air domineeringly until they occupy everything.

And watching this stereotyped landscape is undoubtedly a tiring thing.So Brandon had to turn on the stereo and switch to a station at will.

At this time, a song was playing on the radio, the title of the song was not clear, only a magnetic female voice was heard trying to sing: "If you are looking for the truth, please don't look for me. It is best that you are always innocent. Because you can only live in your own world , you can keep the pure land..."

In the past few years, Brandon didn't know how he lived.

After that incident, another seven years passed in the blink of an eye.During this period, Brandon committed crimes and meritorious deeds as he wished, and because of his years of handling cases day and night after his reinstatement, he was promoted all the way, and now he is distributed to a prosperous first-tier city, which is also City A where Eric once lived.However, at the age of 30, he took on the extremely high-ranking post of chief superintendent.

In social situations, people always admire his fortune.For these insincere polite words, Brandon only accepted with a modest smile.But only he himself knows that his condition is not as good as it seems—for some reason, Brandon has always felt empty in his heart all these years.And this is a void that cannot be filled no matter how many unsolved cases are solved, how many hostages are rescued, and how much money and praises are earned.

In fact, Brandon has always known what the reason is, but he has never been willing to face it-maybe humans are always like this, unwilling to admit the wound, lest they realize that they are not indestructible.So every night when he wakes up from a dream, Brandon just keeps hypnotizing himself and rushing to work; forget about that night, forget about that person, and forget about everything.

Unexpectedly, the wound was like a highly reproductive bacteria.Once you don't face it, it will take root and live forever.When I suddenly woke up, the depths of my soul had already been eaten and festered.Even the best doctors can't recover.

So gradually, Brandon didn't dare to sleep any more—he still couldn't forget those green eyes, as if when he closed his eyes, the red flowers splashing in the air were still vivid in his memory.

In order to solve this situation, he even bought the house where Eric once lived in City A, hoping to eliminate the slightest sense of uneasiness.But at the same time, he also knew that he was unable to resist the growing demon after all.So this Christmas holiday after seven years, he finally made up his mind to arrange a long-lost rest time for himself, to face up to the origin of everything.

In general, Fogg Township has not changed much in seven years.Walking in the gray-brown lanes that lack clarity, you will hardly meet pedestrians.There are no closed stores, and no new ones.There is no change of birth and death, as if this is the real death.

After arriving in the town, Brandon first went to the police station.Today, he specially put on a suit, hoping to cover up the blackness under his eyes with the brilliance of the surface.He has a box of donuts in the passenger seat that he had lined up for this morning.He believes that with its high popularity, it will definitely be able to match what it likes.

But unexpectedly, Peter Rowan actually told him that he had given up his donut addiction.After a friendly hug, he smiled and said that he had completely quit after the medical examination the year before last.But even so, thank you Brandon for your kindness.

After nearly an hour of hustle and bustle, Brandon learned that Miranda Monica had left this town seven years ago.And a month later, Mayor Dylan, whose term had not expired, was also missing.At this time, as a matter of course, some rumors began to circulate in the market again.But whether it is true or not, what is certain is that no one can say exactly where they went.

After visiting Peter, Brandon went to the residence of Jill Phelps—since the house was swallowed by Zhu Rong, Jill lived alone in an old apartment near the entrance of the town—because he had contacted Jill Phelps before departure Yes, when Brandon approached his destination, Jill was standing at the door waiting for him.

Through the glass window, Brandon could see Jill waving at him.But Brandon noticed that Jill, who used to be very inferior to her appearance, had all her hair tied up behind her head.Even though the fire pattern has not receded, the left and right faces are still not equal, but that smile is so bright that it can melt the cold temperature of winter.

Brandon couldn't help but think with a smile: It turns out that everyone has moved forward, but he is still standing still.

But he also sincerely felt relieved for Jill.At the age of 22, she is in the best period of her life.Once God played a cruel joke on her, causing her to lose the love of her life and her wonderful student life.Now it's clear that Jill has overcome it all, and her courage is a personal testament to the tenacity of life.

After saying hello to Brandon, Jill went back into the house and came out with two bunches of lisianthus in her hand.Brandon looked at her without knowing it. She handed a bunch to Brandon, smiled along the way and didn't say much, and led him mysteriously to a place on the outskirts of the city.

After a journey of about 15 minutes, Jill stopped.At this time, Brandon also saw a particularly abrupt black stone tablet standing on the top of the snow-covered hillside.But as if he understood something, Brandon opened his eyes wide in disbelief, picked up his pace and ran close.He stood in front of the stele, looking at the words engraved on it, and suddenly felt a sore nose.

My existence is an eternal miracle, this is life - 2000.01, Eric Winston.

He thought he would never see him again.

"Mr. Walton once said that this is his favorite sentence in "Wandering Birds." Jill said softly, and placed Kikyo in front of the monument.After taking a deep breath, Brandon put down his too. "After I came back from the hospital, his body had long since been expelled from Fogg Town. But I couldn't bear him. A person like him shouldn't have to suffer like this. So I lent him to me, The coat and books that I will never have time to return are secretly buried here. Over the past few years, I have come to visit every other month to share my mood or the changes in the town. It seems that every time I meet, I be braver."

Looking at Brandon at the back, Jill handed over the handkerchief thoughtfully, and said with a smile, "They all thought I didn't know about those things—the reason why this town doesn't welcome him. But for me, No matter what happened to him or what he did. In my world, I know he saved me."

"Alan, saved me. Saved you too. Mr. Davis, please believe that he will go to heaven." Looking into Brandon's eyes, Jill repeated.

Knowing that Jill was comforting herself.Brandon then nodded with a grin. "I know, Jill dear. I know," he said softly.Even Jill's face, the stele, and Alan's bright smile in memory have long been blurred in his eyes.

But he knew very well that at this moment, they were all redeemed.

-End of full text-

Note 1: Asadthinginlifeiswhenyoumeetsomeonewhomenansalottoyou, onlytofindoutintheendthatitwasnevermeanttobeandyoujusthavetoletgo.

Note 2: If you're looking for truth/Don't come looking forme/You're better off not knowing/Cause your own story/Is the safest place you'll ever be...--〈SafestPlace〉, Echosmith

The author has something to say:

Thank you all, this is the end of the full text.

This is my first completed work, thank you for your support and company during this time!For the rest of April, I will compile the physical book and prepare for traditional Chinese publication, and will not publish new stories for the time being.But I sincerely invite friends who are interested in magic literature to bookmark my column first, and our new pit "The Path to God" will open in May!