Chapter 108: Harlem
"Woof! Woof!" The estate's patrol dogs suddenly began barking loudly.
A three-person patrol team worked quickly: one tried to calm the dogs so they wouldn't disturb the residents, while the other two went to investigate where the dogs had barked. However, after searching, they found nothing.
"That was close. How am I supposed to escape?" Frank pressed against the wall, watching the patrol team through the window, his heart pounding.
He had barely opened the window before attracting the dogs' attention.
Frank also noticed that the patrol members seemed to be wearing night vision goggles, making the darkness no obstacle to their sight.
"Mr. Frank," a voice suddenly called out from behind him as he was checking other windows.
"!!" Frank jumped in surprise.
"Oh, it's you, the butler. You walk so quietly," Frank said, turning to see the butler standing behind him.
"Sorry to startle you. But it's quite late. Is there something you need, Mr. Frank?" the butler asked, stepping back.
"Oh, nothing much. I just have a bit of insomnia and wanted some wine. I'm out in my room," Frank replied casually.
Thanks to 'Frank's' life experience, he could lie without hesitation or a hint of nervousness, likely even fooling a lie detector.
"My apologies for the oversight. What kind of wine would you like?" the butler asked, bowing slightly.
"Red wine will do," Frank replied, heading back to his room.
Shortly after, the butler delivered the wine Frank requested.
"Trying to escape the villa at night is indeed difficult, perhaps even impossible. I'll have to figure something out from outside," Frank thought as he poured himself a glass of red wine.
"The missing people were probably devoured by that creature, but it seems to have a cycle," he mused, taking a sip.
Frank calculated that about every three days, someone vanished, suggesting the creature had a pattern—feeding every three days.
Tonight, the creature had just taken someone, giving Frank a three-day window of safety.
From what happened tonight, it seemed the butler decided who would be sacrificed to the creature.
Given Frank's recent actions, he likely caught the butler's attention, making him an easy target for the next sacrifice.
Of course, Frank might be overthinking it, and he might not be the next victim, but he couldn't take that chance.
Frank needed to find a way to escape within these three days—he couldn't stay here any longer.
"Hmm? What's that smell?" As Frank calmed down, he noticed a faint odor similar to the pungent smell from the basement.
The odor was so faint that it would have gone unnoticed if not for the red wine's contrast.
Frank sniffed cautiously and discovered the source—a fine yellow powder on his hand.
"What's this?" He raised his hand to see a thin layer of yellow powder, which he must have picked up when opening the basement door.
Frank brushed the powder off his hands.
He couldn't sleep all night, haunted by thoughts of the eerie basement and the heart-extracting creature.
At dawn, the group realized another companion was missing.
However, perhaps because Frank had shown interest in the others' disappearances, or because too many had left without a word, the butler had prepared a recorded message from the latest victim, claiming they were going home.
The others laughed it off, drinking and feasting without concern. Only Frank knew the truth, keeping his face neutral and showing no reaction.
"Heading out again today? If you need anything, you can tell us," the butler remarked as Frank donned his coat.
"I'm just going out for a stroll, not shopping. I haven't even seen a tenth of New York yet. Today, I plan to check out Manhattan," Frank replied lightly.
After a brief exchange, Frank got in the car and left.
"Some of the master's rings and necklaces are missing again," a maid said to the butler as they watched the car leave the estate.
"I see. The valuables must be in the 'guests' rooms. Mr. Frank's frequent outings might be to move the loot. It's nothing to worry about," the butler replied.
After leaving the estate, Frank wandered around Midtown Manhattan, appearing to stroll aimlessly, occasionally buying snacks, with the driver silently trailing him.
As he walked, Frank accidentally bumped into a skinny Black man, causing both to stumble.
"Watch where you're going, man!" the skinny man grumbled.
"Unlucky," Frank muttered, but before the man could say more, the driver approached, and the man, sensing trouble, muttered and walked away.
"No worries, let's keep strolling," Frank said, moving on with the driver.
"Huh?" The skinny man hadn't gone far when he felt something extra in his pocket. He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
Unfolding it, he found a gemstone ring inside.
Stunned, the skinny man quickly ducked into a nearby alley, examining the ring and the note.
After some time, he left the alley and headed to a jewelry store.
Throughout the morning, Frank 'accidentally' brushed past several people on the street.
"Let's check out Harlem this afternoon," Frank said to the driver over lunch.
"Harlem?" The driver, who had been unresponsive until now, frowned at the mention.
In every city, there are places known for unsavory activities, like Chicago's Southside. In New York, places like Hell's Kitchen and Harlem fit the bill.
Despite America's claims of democracy and equality, it's well-known that what is most emphasized is often what is most lacking.
America boasts equality, yet it remains a nation rife with racial discrimination, from skin color to culture and ethnicity.
Ironically, America is a nation of immigrants, with its population largely composed of immigrants. For example, just across the border in Mexico, countless Latino Mexican refugees dream of a peaceful life in America, attempting to cross the border each year.
This leads to internal 'chaos' in America, with a high number of immigrants. In a country where racial discrimination is rampant, survival often means sticking together.