In front of Wood, Nancy tore open the paper cup and stuffed the chocolate cake into his mouth, saying while chewing, "See? There's nothing wrong with it."
But—
I don't like your Black colleague.
Nancy, who was eating the cake quickly, muttered, "He gives me a very unfriendly feeling, but you are different—the first moment I saw you, I took a liking to you—if the person knocking on the door was you, I would let you in without hesitation, prepare black tea and cookies for you, your looks are exactly my type.."
Ms. Nancy, I—
Wood's tongue trembled with fright.
Seeing this, the woman let out a chuckle. "Don't be afraid. Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm looking to develop an immoral relationship with you. I just wanted to tell you—you are very welcome here. I'd like to invite you inside for some coffee, by the way—ah! What an adorable puppy!"
Nancy was captivated by Little Anubis, who had suddenly popped his head out, couldn't help but ask, "Is this cute child also a police dog? May I pet him?"
“This..”
Wood was worried that Little Anubis would attack Nancy and was about to decline—
Little Anubis had already placed his forepaws on the car window, struggling to press his head toward Nancy's outstretched left hand.
Oh! Good boy! You are so cute!
Nancy stroked Little Anubis's furry head with excitement, letting out bursts of cheers.
Little Anubis also rubbed vigorously against Nancy's palm, showing intense interest in the cake box held in Nancy's other hand.
—Do you want some cake?
Woof!
Puppies can't eat chocolate.
Woof! Woof!
Alright, alright! If your master is willing to come inside and chat with me, I can give you some of the cookies I made yesterday and some of my homemade smoked sausages. Do you want to eat them?
Nancy teased Little Anubis half-jokingly.
Little Anubis turned his head and bit Wood's finger with his small milk tooth.
“Wuwuwu! Woof! (Hurry and follow his into the house!)”
But—
Wood felt that Nancy was being somewhat overly attentive, besides—
My partner hasn't returned yet; I cannot leave alone.
I don't like your Black partner; if he is present, I won't say a word.
Nancy's attitude was resolute.
Wood said helplessly, ".. Can you let me make a call to him first?"
Yes.
Nancy said calmly.
Wood took a breath and used the Emergency Communicator Jason had sent him to contact Peterson: "Hello, Peterson, Ms. Nancy wants to invite me and.. Little Anubis inside for coffee. I can.."
(—You mean to say your surveillance was discovered by the subject! He invited you inside for coffee! And instead of deciding whether or not to accept the invitation, you call me?!)
On the other end of the communicator, Peterson cursed him out.
S-sorry, but Ms. Nancy is standing right outside the car window, she wants me to give his a clear answer as soon as possible.
You're asking me about this? Agree to his immediately! Remember, wear the tracker when you enter the house—that way, even if you are taken hostage or even turned into a sacrifice by the people inside, we can arrive in time to rescue you!
Alright! Alright!
Wood nodded repeatedly.
The call ended.
He took a breath and said to the friendly-looking Mr. Nancy, "My partner just scolded me; he thinks I shouldn't have declined a lady's invitation."
—So?
I'm getting out of the car now.
The honor is mine.
Nancy smiled slightly, but there was a strange stiffness to his smile.
..
..
Please, have a seat. Make yourself at home.
Nancy smiled as he led Wood, who was holding Little Anubis, into the living room, then turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go to the kitchen to get you some cake and cookies. By the way, do you prefer coffee, black tea, juice, or milk?"
A glass of milk for me, please.
Wood said cautiously.
Milk? You have peculiar taste.
Nancy revealed a subtle smile.
Wood hurriedly explained, "I'm calcium deficient, the doctor instructed me to drink more milk."
Oh.
Nancy nodded as if he understood, then entered the kitchen.
Wood took the opportunity to scan the living room, which was filled with cheap and crude imitations of Ancient Egypt artifacts, but he found nothing. Instead, Little Anubis in his arms suddenly pricked up his ears—
No matter what that woman serves, you must eat it!
“..”
[Don't look at me like that!]
“..”
[Fine, I admit there is something wrong with this room. I can smell Set's scent.. He is interested in you..]
So..
[That's right, you are our fishing tool.]
“Us?”
Wood muttered softly, a slight chill running down his back.
(So, without me even realizing it.. I have already..)
The process might be a bit harrowing, but don't worry, your life will definitely not be in danger.. Isis, the Goddess, I will both protect you—
“..”
Wood did not believe Little Anubis's promise and raised the puppy, intending to—
—Oh my God, its shadow on the wall looks like Anubis from Ancient Egypt!
Nancy's voice suddenly rang out, interrupting Wood's movement.
Wood gave a wry smile as he pulled Little Anubis back into his arms. "Little Anubis does indeed have Egyptian blood."
No wonder he has such beautiful pointed ears.
Nancy placed the milk and cookies in front of Wood, then broke the honey cake into small pieces and fed them to Little Anubis: "Baby, have a bite~ Just one bite, okay~"
Little Anubis twitched his nose, opened his mouth elegantly, ate the honey cake Nancy was feeding him.
Good boy, such a good boy.
Nancy smiled tenderly, taking Little Anubis from Wood's arms and cradling him in his bosom. As she stroked him, she sighed with emotion, "I have loved animals since I was a child; I always wanted to raise a puppy, but I am a very fragile person. I cannot bear the life and death separation from animal friends—they live for twenty years at most, while I would have to wait for a very, very long time to be reunited with them.."
So—
“That is why I love animals so much, yet I never consider keeping them—to avoid facing separation and pain.”
I can imagine your pain.
Wood carefully agreed with Nancy.
Nancy shook his head. "No, you don't understand, you never will. —Is it that the milk and cookies I prepared don't suit your taste?"
Ah..
Hearing this, Wood quickly picked up a cookie and put it in his mouth, then took a large gulp of milk, making an expression of intoxication: "Extremely delicious."
If you like it, you can have some more.
Nancy looked at Wood with affection: "If Mike and I had a son, he would be about the same age as you now."
You—
We have no children, neither boys nor girls.
Nancy's expression turned slightly sorrowful: "We are devout believers, following God's teachings in every detail of our lives, but because we are so devout, we almost.. in short, we have no children to this day, we never will.."
Ugh..
Wood looked at Nancy uneasily, his vision beginning to double: "I, I.."
Feeling sleepy?
Yes, I.. I..
Want to sleep?
Mm..
Wood answered indistinctly, his vision growing increasingly blurred and his body feeling heavier and heavier. The last thing he saw before falling into a slumber was Little Anubis, held in Nancy's arms, drooping his head as well.
..
..
.. Go to sleep, dear child. When you wake up.. you will return to the embrace of the gods.. You are a lucky child.. You were blessed by angels from birth..
A melodious singing voice sounded intermittently in his ears, as if coming through a thick fog.
Wood opened his eyes in distress, finding himself in a dim, enclosed stone room. There were no windows in the four walls, the only light came from a candle in the corner. Beneath him was a hard, cold stone platform, above him, a ceiling shrouded in darkness. His hands and feet were bound to the stone platform with coarse ropes, his neck was tightly constricted by a thick rope passing through a hole below. Forced to lie on the stone platform like a sacrificial offering, he could only manage to turn his head slightly to survey his surroundings.