The dim light illuminated a tiny living area, just over half a person’s height, about two to three square meters. A corner had an iron plate covered with cardboard. The boy took a box of cookies from a nearby iron rack, bent down, and sat near the cardboard, tearing open the packaging and eating.
Suddenly, a sound came from the warehouse’s main door. The rumbling of the continuously rising roller door sounded ominous.
The boy’s expression changed. He put down the cookie box and patted himself down, finding a tracker sewn into his coat’s inner lining. They had hidden a tracker in his coat!
No wonder they had found him in the alley before. But the tracker could only locate a general area, not precise positioning.
The boy took out a small knife, cut open the coat’s inner lining, and removed the tracker. Then he picked up the iron pipe, carefully approaching the maintenance door, and dropped the tracker near the entrance. He crouched behind the door, holding his breath and listening intently.
The footsteps suggested multiple people spreading out, seemingly searching for something.
The boy remained vigilant, praying they wouldn’t discover his hidden living space. They began opening every possible door, box lid, and panel… the searching sounds gradually drawing closer. The boy gripped the iron pipe tightly, tiny beads of sweat forming on his nose.
The maintenance door opened. The boy remained motionless in the dark behind the door, even holding his breath.
A flashlight beam swept inside, causing the boy to instinctively shrink back.
“He discovered the tracker!” a man outside shouted. A tattooed arm then reached in, picking up the tracker the boy had just dropped.
The men gathered, whispering among themselves. Since the boy had found the tracker, he certainly was no longer here.
“The tracker was moving not long ago. He can’t have gone far. Hurry and chase!”
The men hastily departed.
The boy, hearing their footsteps fade in the warehouse, slumped down, hugging the iron pipe.
Though temporarily escaped, this place was no longer safe. He must find another location. He needed to take the cookies and canned food he had stored here.
Just as the boy was about to stand, a cold voice from outside said: “I see you.”
The boy’s breath stopped, his entire body becoming rigid.
“Come out,” the voice continued.
