Chapter 26: The Misunderstood Logger Vick

"Officer, I—I am not a kidnapper!"

"You've got someone tied up like a dumpling, and you say you're not a kidnapper?"

"Young man, don't be afraid. I'll get you out of there immediately. Hey, put your hands up, now!"

Seeing that the officer mistook him for being kidnapped by Logger Vick, Su He quickly waved his hands. "No, no, you've got it wrong. I wasn't kidnapped." Before he could finish, the officer interrupted him with a gesture.

"Young man, I know you're being threatened. You don't have to be afraid with me here."

Su He saw that the more he explained, the worse things got, so he simply sat back and stayed silent. Meanwhile, Logger Vick pulled out a knife, intending to cut the ropes binding Dudu. However, in the officer's eyes, this was a clear attempt to threaten the child with a blade.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing? I told you to put your hands up! Why are you pulling out a knife?" The officer pointed his gun at Vick and pulled out his radio. "Headquarters, headquarters! I have located a kidnapped child and another male, looks about eighteen or nineteen, who appears to have been assaulted by the suspect."

Watching this, Logger Vick grew extremely agitated. He pointed the knife at the officer, panic rising in his voice as he tried to explain. "No, Officer, it's really not like that! Please, listen to me!"

"Hey! What are you doing? Are you trying to attack a police officer?" The officer spoke into his radio again. "Headquarters, headquarters! The situation has escalated. The suspect is highly unstable and is now brandishing a weapon." Before the officer could finish, Vick, in his nervousness, accidentally flung the shears he was holding, which landed squarely on the officer's cap.

Seeing the blade embedded in his hat, the officer screamed into his radio, "The suspect has launched an attack! Requesting backup!"

[Headquarters acknowledged. Backup is on the way.]

Logger Vick's heart sank. "Oh no, what do I do? What do I do?" Panicked, he looked at the steering wheel, lost his cool, slammed on the gas, and charged the car forward.

"Trying to run? Not a chance!" The officer jumped into his cruiser and gave chase.

"Damn it, Vick, we're finished. The charges are officially set in stone now."

"What are you worrying for? It's me who's being misunderstood, not you!"

"Oh, right. Fair point." Su He leaned back in his seat, crossed his legs, and started whistling.

"Hey, you brat! If it weren't for you bringing this little rascal here, would I be playing 'Fast and Furious' right now?"

***

Logger Vick heard the distant whistle of a train. "It's over, there's no escaping now."

"Vick, since we're already here and the charges are set, let's just go for it. Listen to me: step on the gas!"

Vick steeled himself. Recalling his glory days from the S1 season—when he didn't even fear the police—he figured he had nothing to lose. He floored the accelerator, smashed through the barrier, and shot across the tracks just a second before the train roared past.

The pursuing officer watched in shock, coming to a halt at the crossing. "Running won't help. I will catch you eventually!"

Vick drove through the forest and returned to his cabin. He dumped Dudu onto the sofa, locked all the doors and windows, and collapsed on the floor. Recalling the events of the day, a wave of panic washed over him. "It's over, it's over. I've actually offended the police. What am I going to do?"

Su He started to comfort him, but a noise from inside caught their attention. They hurried to check and found the room covered in crayon scribbles; it was a total disaster.

That was bearable, but then Vick saw his hat—the one Dudu had trampled underfoot. He could take no more and erupted in fury. "That hat was sewn for me by my mother!"

"Who are you anyway? I'll let the mess slide, but you got me mistaken for a child kidnapper! You little troublemaker, you little menace!"

"You little brat!"

"Uh, Vick, maybe stay calm? I think she's about to cry, and we won't be able to handle it if she starts." Su He had barely finished speaking when Dudu burst into loud sobs, the sound echoing through the forest and startling Briar and Bramble, who were out foraging.

Vick was completely rattled. "Oh no, what do I do? Don't cry, my little princess! Su He, stop just standing there! Come help me think of something. If the police show up because of this, I'm done for!"

"Vick, I think she's hungry. She's been fussing all morning."

"Fine, I'll go get some food. You try to soothe her."

A while later, watching Dudu eat with gusto, Vick finally let out a sigh of relief. "Phew, finally got this little ancestor settled." Just then, the phone rang.

"Su He, keep her entertained for a bit while I take this call."

Su He scooped Dudu into his arms. The little girl leaned against him, playing with his long, snow-white hair, feeling that he smelled nice and was very comforting to be around.

"Hey, you're quite the clingy little thing, aren't you?"

***

Vick picked up the phone. "Hello, who is this?"

"Why are you shouting? Trying to deafen me?" a gruff voice came from the other end.

"Oh, Dad."

"Hey, give me the phone. Hello, Vick? It's Mom. Just wanted to tell you, your third uncle had a grandson yesterday!"

"Really? He must be thrilled!"

Meanwhile, Su He suddenly caught a whiff of something foul. He looked around and then slowly glanced down at Dudu. "Ugh, it stinks! Did you have an accident?" He placed Dudu on a chair, put on gloves, changed her diaper, and took her soiled clothes away to wash.

Vick, having finished his call, walked back in. "I was wondering why it smelled so bad in here." He glanced at the clothes and saw the name 'Dudu' written on them. "So, this kid's name is Dudu."

"Vick, I washed her clothes, but she has nothing to wear now. Don't you have some small shirts among your old logging gear? Maybe we can alter one for her?"

"Yeah, alright. Give me a minute."

After a flurry of activity, evening fell. Su He and Vick watched Dudu sleeping soundly on the bed and finally caught their breath.

"Vick, honestly, don't you ever plan on finding someone, settling down, and having a kid to make your parents happy?"

"Sigh, you think I don't want to? But look at this shack I live in. I have no stable income; sometimes I can't even afford a decent meal. Who would ever look twice at me?"

"Hey, don't say that, Vick. It's just that the right time hasn't come yet. You'll meet the right person eventually."

"Forget it. Su He, you sleep here with Dudu. I'll go buy her some daily necessities tomorrow. But you're paying—after all, you're the one who brought her here!"