Chapter 1201: The Sniper

Hannah picked up the hemp rope and handed it to Manuel, a slight hesitation evident. Manuel looked at her.

"Manuel, please take care of my parents. I'm sorry," Hannah said.

Manuel understood. She wanted him to leave with her parents, leaving her behind with Doyle. He struggled with the decision, but force was futile, and he was unaware of Oscar's preparations. Had the sniper been positioned?

Seeing Hannah's sincerity, he nodded, took the rope, and bound her securely. Whispering close to her ear, he murmured, "Southeast." Hannah's eyes flickered. He offered no further explanation, leaving her side as Doyle approached, tugging at the rope. Doyle sneered, "A professional's work. Nicer and tighter than mine."

"Can you release my parents now?" Hannah asked.

Doyle nodded. Under Hannah's watchful gaze, Manuel untied her parents. "Easy," Doyle cautioned, noticing their agitation. "If the bomb falls, it might explode, killing everyone."

Threatened, Miguel and Michelle remained calm as Manuel carefully removed the bomb.

"Put it on the ground," Doyle commanded. Manuel obeyed.

"Two minutes to leave my sight, otherwise..." Doyle played with his black handgun, "...the barrel has no eyes."

"Hannah," Michelle cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Mom, you and Dad go. I'll be fine," Hannah replied.

"Hannah..." Miguel echoed her name.

"If you don't leave, we all die," Hannah urged, agitated. "Hurry! Salem needs you."

The thought of Salem broke their hearts—a heartbreaking parting for Hannah and Salem, a recent acquaintance, as well as for Miguel and Michelle, facing another imminent loss of their daughter.

"Uncle and Aunt, we should go," Manuel said, sensing Doyle's impatience.

Doyle spared Hannah's parents, deeming it unnecessary. However, in his volatile state, provocation could have deadly consequences. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Miguel and Michelle left under Manuel's urging. Michelle fainted as they exited, and Manuel carried her while Miguel followed, heavy-footed.

Alone in the cabin, Hannah, bound hand and foot, was at Doyle's mercy. He looked down at the bomb, then at her.

"Bomb, or a shot, then suicide? Your choice," he asked.

"We don't have to die," Hannah said.

Doyle laughed, a cynical sound. "Hannah, don't play games. I'm not falling for it."

"You want revenge for me leaving. I won't leave anymore. I'll return to Jolencami with you, never returning to Northfield."

"You think I believe that? Do you think I can even make it back from Northfield?"

"Hold me hostage; you can go back."

Doyle paused, considering.

"Oscar won't touch you while you're holding me," Hannah assured him.

"Even in Jolencami, my mother won't approve," Doyle said coldly.

"She will," Hannah affirmed. "You've come this far. Queen Carol has seen your feelings. No mother wants to harm her child."

"Is that so?" Doyle mused.

"Yes."

"I'm… swayed."

Yet, he’d never intended to return to Jolencami alive, having altered his appearance to this end.

"But Hannah," he hesitated, "you don't love me."

"I'll try."

"You won't."

"I can!"

"You'll only hate me. Better to end it now. I won't torture myself, and you'll always be with me, in a way." Doyle's conviction wavered.

"Doyle, why always death?"

"Isn't it the easiest solution?" he countered.

Hannah glared, feeling powerless against his unwavering resolve. This was his nature, immutable. She wondered if it was a form of designer's paranoia.

"Stop it, Hannah," Doyle said, "You won't change my mind."

Hannah gritted her teeth.

"Let me kill you, then myself," Doyle said, drawing his pistol and aiming it at Hannah.

Hannah met his gaze unflinchingly.

"If I live and you die, I'll be a restless ghost," Doyle said, pulling the trigger.

Meanwhile, Oscar, on a distant mountain range, observed with a sniper.

"Commander, I can't guarantee accuracy," the sniper reported. "The target's too close to Hannah, and too far away."

Oscar, through his telescope, saw Doyle raise his pistol. A slight deviation could hit Hannah. The sniper hesitated.

"I'll do it," Oscar declared, taking the sniper's place. A miss would cost him his life, a sacrifice for Hannah.

Through the cabin window, Oscar aimed at Doyle's head. His eyes narrowed, and he pulled the trigger.