Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

A notification from her phone snapped Samantha back to her senses.

She looked at the screen and saw a WeTalk message from Harmony.

[Ignore whatever those netizens say on Waybo. Your strength is obvious for all to see. I did make a mistake, so I fully accept the results of this round. I’ll just continue to do my best in future rounds. The competition may be important, but I think it’s equally as important to maintain such a good friendship. I hope the comments on the internet won’t affect our relationship.]

After reading that, Samantha had to admit that—if nothing else—Harmony had a very high emotional quotient.

It was difficult to get a bad impression of her when she spoke on Samantha’s behalf on Waybo and even expressed her goodwill privately through WeTalk.

In that case, Samantha would appear petty if she felt any further dissatisfaction.

Samantha thought for a moment and replied: [Yeah, let’s do our best in the competition.]

Harmony returned a smiling emoji in seconds.

Samantha did not reply and considered the matter settled.

…

The second round started five days later.

At nine o’clock in the morning, the seven contestants who made it through gathered in the studio. After Walter did a headcount, the three judges assumed their places.

The rules were announced on the spot, just like the previous round. One of the judges stood up to face the crowd, but as soon as he cleared his voice and prepared to speak, he heard a commotion outside the door.

Everyone exchanged glances and was taken aback. Everyone wanted to know what happened.

The judges’ stopped and looked at Walter, “Did something happen, Walter? Would you like to go out and have a look?”

Such noises were not permitted during any broadcasts and recordings done within a TV station!

Walter nodded. “I’ll head out and have a look.”

A staff member barged in all of a sudden as soon as Walter finished his sentence. There was a look of anxiety and panic on the man’s face. “Things aren’t looking good, Mr. Schuck. A madman forced his way into the station and he’s at studio one right now. Some people have been held hostage and the situation is extremely dire. He asked for a reporter or an anchor, but there’s a convention today and all our reporting staff is now out on duty. I can’t contact anyone now. Do you have anyone here?”

“What…” Walter was shocked to hear a madman coming in.

Similar incidents had recently been reported but Walter never expected it to happen before his eyes.

As someone who had gone through enough stormy situations, Walter forced himself to calm down and replied, “I don’t have anyone on my end. I’ll make a call to see if I can get someone.”

The staff member said anxiously, “There’s not enough time. The madman is taking a child hostage. If the child gets too scared and the madman is pissed off, there might not be hope for the child’s life to be saved.”

He then glanced across the contestants. “Aren’t they anchors? Can’t they go?”

“NO!” Walter retorted without thinking. “They’re anchors with no actual experience in the field, plus they’re women! If something happens…”

The staff member did not seem to hear what Walter was saying and looked directly to the contestants while asking, “Would anyone like to go over to interview that madman and listen to his demands?”

The contestants practically took a step back in unison. There was fear and unhappiness on everyone’s faces.

Criminals were inhumane. Who would not feel scared if they went crazy?

‘A child is in the madman’s hands.’ When those words appeared in Samantha’s mind, she clenched her fists as her arms hung on either side of her body. A resoluteness appeared in her eyes and she took a step forward. “I’ll go.”

Everyone could not help but look at Samantha and there was a myriad of emotions in each of their faces.

Walter, as the person responsible for the competition, was obligated to protect the lives of the contestants. He advised, “Please think long and hard about your decision, Samantha. This isn’t a joke. There’s a possibility you’ll get injured…or worse…die.”

“That doesn’t mean we can just leave the child alone!” Samantha looked at the staff member, “Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”

The staff looked touched and merely said, “Okay, come with me!”

After a pause, he said to Walter, “Mr. Schuck, you’re in charge of evacuating everyone. Leave the TV station as fast as you can and keep yourself safe!”

Samantha did not hesitate and followed the staff.

Walter shouted at her from behind, “Be careful, Samantha.”

He then turned around and looked at everyone. “Everyone, follow me.”

Harmony spoke suddenly, “Mr. Schuck, I’m worried about Samantha and I want to help too. I’m going to studio one.”

She dashed off as soon as she spoke and without waiting for Walter to reply.

Walter was unable to stop her and immediately felt a headache coming on. There was nothing else he could do except to take care of the group of people in front of him. “As for the others, please come with me.”

…

Samantha followed the staff to the door of studio number one. The employees had been evacuated inside, leaving only the madman and the child he held hostage.

The staff and the security guards in the station were all surrounding the door, but no one dared to act recklessly. Security had attempted to enter earlier, but the madman immediately pressed a knife on the child’s neck and drew blood, startling all the guards into retreating.

The staff held Samantha and explained in detail, “We already have him surrounded. The police and the special police unit are about to arrive soon. Remember to calm the madman’s emotions after you enter, stall him as much as possible, protect the child, and make sure to cooperate with us. Don’t provoke him or else you and the child will be in danger!”

Samantha nodded, “Okay, I understand.”

On a final note, the staff added, “If things go south, then you should…prioritize your own life.”

“Yes.”

The staff handed over her anchor card, a microphone, and a Bluetooth earpiece to her. “Be careful!”

Samantha put the Bluetooth earpiece on and let her hair down to cover it. After making sure it was nowhere in sight, she put on her anchor credentials and grasped the microphone. “I’m going in!”

Everyone reminded her, “Be careful.”

Samantha knocked gently on the door before opening it slowly and taking slow steps in.

As she walked in, she saw the madman holding an eight-year-old boy and sitting on the newsroom table. He was pressing a small knife on the child’s neck and it was quite clear that there were already several red marks on the child’s neck. The child had a tear-stained face but was too scared to cry.

The madman had a fierce gaze, and as soon as Samantha walked in, he stared at her like a predator looking right at its prey. She could not help but feel a chill down her spine.

When Samantha was three steps into the room, the madman ordered sullenly, “Close the door and lock it!”

Samantha pursed her lips slightly.. Before she could even reach for the door, the madman immediately yelled, “Lock the door! Or I’ll cut the boy again!”