Elise and I were standing at a street corner. I was peeking around it at the Sasaki residence, diagonally across the street in front of us.
No one was on the streets. The curtains to the windows in the houses nearby were drawn closed. No one would likely notice our suspicious behavior, but it was best to hurry anyway.
I watched Ken's house looming still. Fear has also taken root there, like the rest of the neighborhood.
And that fear had let Ken's parents lock him up against his will, and we would free him.
The question was how?
It was broad daylight, the driveway was wide open, they had a front door camera, doors were locked, windows were closed and the parents' locations were unknown.
There was only one advantage I had. That I knew Ken was in his room, and that his room was in the front of the house.
I looked at his closed window, and thought about the best approach.
Sneaking in had too many unknowns, and those meant risks. I determined that the least risky approach was the quickest and most direct.
When I used my powers and had flown that bookcase upwards, unpinning the officer, I learned that my acceleration generated force beyond my natural strength.
I was sure that meant that I could use my powers to jump straight into Ken's room, if he opened the window for me first.
I had to get close first to do that, so I had to destroy the camera. Using my power to throw a rock I had picked up earlier would be sufficient. However, once I did that, I had to assume there would be a time limit before the parents investigated the noise or loss of footage if they were currently watching the feed.
With that, getting down quickly again was the bigger issue, since the height was too great to jump down safely. I was sure I could climb down the house outside again, but I was not sure if Ken was capable of that.
I thought he could do it. He had been following my training regime for a while after all, but it would be best to communicate that beforehand through my hidden phone. I could send the instructions, and Elise could read it and communicate back to me without the shadow being any the wiser.
I was sure that was the correct approach, but there was one thing I was still doubtful about.
Elise. Even if I moved quickly, I would leave her behind for a short while. And she had some danger on her mind that I was unaware of. Would she be alright if she were alone?
I could only ask her, so I turned my attention to her.
"I have something in mind, but I'll have to leave you here for a little bit. Are you okay with that?"
Elise's eyes went wide. She showed a conflicted expression, thought deeply, and then reluctantly spoke.
"I… I'd rather not. I'm not really comfortable with it," she said with a slight tremble in her voice.
…I maintained my composure, but inside, my panic reached its apex.
Because she basically confirmed it. The shadow was the only danger that could be present in these quiet streets. And she had been panicking all this time because she believed my father was after Ken.
HOW!?
The phone call, what tipped her off!? She…, my father had blown up my house! Did she know that beforehand too!?
Did… DID SHE NOTICE MY FATHER HAD SEEN THROUGH MY DEFIANCE!?
NO, no. She could be overreacting. It could all be a terrible coincidence because she worried too much.
I… I had to assume that, otherwise there was no saving us.
I'll just get Ken quickly, and the three of us can go find that stalker, to put my father on the back foot for once.
And Elise…, I can compromise.
"You can come with me halfway. Then I'm still quick enough to protect you if something happens."
Elise's expression changed to fearful doubt. But then, bravery took over.
She nodded, agreeing.
Good, then the plan is settled.
I shifted my attention back again to the house, and froze.
My heart screamed inside my chest.
The scene was different.
Something had changed.
Ken's window was wide open.
He was standing in front of it.
With some kind of big sheet in his hand?
WHAT!? WHY!?
I HAVEN'T EVEN TEXTED HIM YET! WHAT'S HE DOING!?
I watched, as Ken placed his foot on the windowframe.
WAIT!
He jumped.
My body moved on its own. I grabbed the rock from my pocket, threw it at the camera while sprinting towards the front of the house!
*Crash*
I heard the sound of the camera's shattered glass, just before I crossed the driveway!
I kept running towards Ken's estimated landing spot!
I'd catch him!!!
I arrived. I wasn't too late.
I immediately looked up.
Ken was still in the air, holding the large sheet above his head with both hands.
He was… slowly floating down!?
W… What!?
That sheet was acting like some sort of parachute?
I… my mind went blank. I couldn't compute.
I just stared for a few seconds until Ken gently landed in front of me.
He let go of the sheet. It floated away in the gentle breeze.
…I could get no words out.
Ken watched the sheet float away, before turning his attention to me.
We stared at each other for a second.
Then Ken raised his chin slightly.
He spoke.
"Hey Jack. Were you planning to catch me? Never heard of a superhero landing," he said with confidence in his voice.
"…"
I couldn't give a response. I was questioning if I was hallucinating.
HOW COULD YOU MAKE SUCH A TERRIBLE JOKE AT THIS MOMENT!
I… he hadn't splattered on the ground and my mind was now playing a trick on me, right?
N… no. My mind could never conjure up a terribly inappropriate joke like that.
And be proud of it…
…I should really give him a joke book for his birthday.
"So…, you have superspeed? Kinda cool, but you two could have just stayed in that corner you know. And did you just break our front door camera," he asked while turning around to look at the damage in question.
…You two? …ELISE!!!
I turned around.
My heart eased in relief as I saw her just running up the driveway towards us, her face filled with worry and relief as she was watching us.
She was alright. They were both alright. Thank god.
And Ken…, I'll scold that inappropriate bastard later! We should first get out of here right now.
"Ken, your parents might investigate. We should run back to my car."
"Uh, they aren't yet. But we should indeed get out of here," he said, turning towards me again. "But at regular speed, please?"
"Yeah yeah, come on."
I turned around and we started running away from the house, intercepting Elise.
Before she could speak, I gestured with my hand to interrupt her and pointed towards the general direction of my car.
She got the message. We would talk when we were back at the car, not now.
She did an about-face and started running side to side with us.
The three ran away from Ken's prison, which was standing slightly less pristine than before.
***
We arrived back at my car, standing in a circle on the sidewalk in front of it.
It was a short run. Ken and I were fine, but Elise was panting.
I'll give her a moment before discussing what comes next.
And Ken…
I looked at him.
The short and slim Asian boy was looking around at the empty streets through his thick glasses. His dark brown eyes were full of curiosity and judgment.
His facial expression wasn't strained. His short curly black hair looked the same. His long black coat didn't have any red on it. He stood straight with ease with a backpack on his back.
That insane stunt he just pulled hadn't maimed him as far as I could see.
I looked at Elise as I heard her regain her breath. She was also aiming her gaze at Ken.
Good. Now I can finally say what's on my mind.
"Ken, next time don't…"
"YOU INSANE BASTARD. WHAT DID YOU THINK, JUMPING OUT LIKE THAT!?"
Agh, my ear!
I covered it with my right hand to protect my hearing from Elise's voice immediately when she spoke.
Ken quickly snapped his attention to her, his face full of fear at her fury.
"Wh… what do you mean? I knew I'd be fine."
"WE DIDN'T, YOU IDIOT! WE WERE SCARED SHITLESS! NEXT TIME, TEXT US FIRST!"
"I… I…"
Ken looked at me, pleading.
"I'm with her. I wanted to say the same thing."
I snuffed out Ken's last hope, and the realization hit him.
He then spoke, accepting his mistake.
"I'm sorry you two. You're right. I didn't take you two into consideration."
"It's fine," I responded before Elise did. "Nothing happened this time, but we'll have to communicate properly to trust and depend on each other, okay?"
"…I understand. You're completely right," he said to us, taking the lesson to heart.
I looked at Elise. Her rage was subsiding, she was satisfied. I could take my hand off my ear again.
…Well, with that out of the way, I should continue with my plan for the shadow.
I looked at Ken again, but my words halted upon seeing a question mark in his eyes.
"Something wrong?"
"No. I mean, what's with that smile?"
…What? I was smiling?
…Just roll with it now. The truth makes it look more natural anyway.
"I'm just happy we're all together again," I said, taking a step towards Ken.
And then, I hugged him.
"I'm glad you're fine."
"I… I should be the one saying that, after all that happened to you," he awkwardly said, moving his hands awkwardly around my waist before settling on sort-of hugging me back.
After a moment, we let go of each other. We've done what we needed to do, it's time to move again.
"Let's go. We'll discuss the rest in the car."
"Alright. But shouldn't you give Elise a hug too? She has the same smile you had on her face."
What!?
I turned around, and Elise was indeed staring at me with a cute smile. Although, I only caught it briefly, because she immediately looked away shyly when I caught her.
Damn it! I wanted to see more of her cuteness!
…Oh! Maybe I could do that!
I looked towards Ken again and spoke.
"Well, she is a better hugger than you, so I guess I should."
Ken's eyes went wide.
I turned around again with a grin on my face.
!? My smile froze. Elise was looking at me a bit angrily.
"Enough with your mischief! Get in the car, we're in a hurry!"
She had seen right through me…
"Sorry, you're right. Let's go."
I grabbed my car keys from my pocket and unlocked it.
Elise and Ken opened the door closest to them.
She stepped in the passenger's seat, and he in the right side of the back seat, while I walked around the front of the car to the driver's seat.
Before Elise got in, I sneaked one last glance at her face.
!? She… she had that cute smile on her face again.
My heart started beating loud in my chest.
She gave me that loving smile, even though she saw right through me.
***
We had started driving again back towards my former house, at normal speed this time.
We had just crossed the first intersection. It was time for me to break the silence.
"FUCK," I yelled while hitting the steering with my hand.
Elise flinched in the corner of my eyes, but I was staring in the rear-view mirror all the while.
Ken hadn't flinced. He had moved his left hand immediately upon my yell.
He drew Elise's knife from his pocket and slashed the air beside him!
There was no resistance in the last remaining empty seat of my car.
He slashed a few more times at different heights and angles, with the same result.
"That shadow isn't here. It… it hadn't caught on, right?"
"No. The hug was natural enough. And the car blocked the view. Did you see anything," I asked Elise."
"No. I didn't see Ken take the knife from you at all."
"That's good. So, we can finally speak freely then," I said with a sigh of relief.
My friends also relaxed a bit. Ken put the knife back in the sheath very carefully, but he seemed satisfied once it was completely sheeted.
I'm sure we had many things to say and discuss with each other, but I wanted to first get the most essential thing out of the way.
"Elise, I wanted to ask all this time, what did you catch from that phone call that made you want to hurry so much towards Ken."
"Oh, yeah. I… didn't really catch anything. I was just worried that your father might take revenge on you, Ken or me for unexpectedly leaving behind damning evidence like that."
…? She hesitated a bit there, in her voice and expression, like she was finding the right words. …It was likely because she had been acting on a feeling.
Although, I can't blame her misconception. She thought my father was a person, so taking revenge seemed natural to her.
"I understand, and I think you acted correctly. But I hadn't told you enough about my father yet. He's someone who doesn't have any emotions. Taking revenge and such for emotional reasons would never cross his mind. He blew up my house just to get rid of that evidence."
"What!? He blew up your house!?" Ken interrupted.
"Yeah, but we'll come to that later. Elise, do you understand."
"I… yeah. It's hard for me to imagine, but I trust you know best. But…, but I also think you can be wrong."
…What!? Wrong!? Me!?
My heart rate increased. Why did she think that!?
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, did you predict your father would blow up your house? He might just do random stuff so you can't predict it."
"Wh… why would he possibly do that?"
"I… I don't know. Just because. To test your reaction. I… I don't think you can fully predict anyone."
"He wouldn't do that. He hasn't caught on yet that I know he's constantly spying on me yet. If he causes chaos around me, he knows I'll realize that fact."
"…"
Elise stayed silent? I looked at her.
She was looking at me conflicted…, but her lips moved when she looked deep into my eyes.
"Are… are you completely sure your father hasn't figured it out yet."
…!? My breath got caught in my throat.
I kept staring silently in her eyes for a moment, searching for something.
She shifted her gaze briefly in front of her in worry.
Shit! I was driving! I focused on the road again before responding.
"As I said, he blew up my house because…"
"And he avoided the trap you had set."
"Because…, my brother…"
"Jack. You promised me to speak the truth. Please tell us, are you completely sure?"
…I …I …I started shaking.
I couldn't look at Elise anymore. But I had to respond.
The truth. I… I…
"I don't know."
"…"
The car was silent. I didn't dare to look, so I continued talking.
"But I have to assume I'm completely sure. Otherwise, there would be no way to save us."
The truth filled the car.
I was too scared to see their reactions.
I could only await their judgement.
After a few seconds, Elise spoke softly.
"I understand. But even in the worst case, I believe in you."
…My eyes went wide. I was completely stunned.
"And Ken believes in you too, right?"
"I… don't really know all the details. But of course I believe in him too."
I looked at them again. They were both looking at me with trust in their eyes.
And… I didn't know how to respond to their trust.
"I… don't know how to respond. But thank you for believing in me, and I believe in you too."
Elise and Ken both nodded with a smile.
I focused on the road again, and hoped that they didn't notice.
That I had no trust in myself to save us, if my father had really caught on to me.
"So… now we got that out of the way, mind filling me in about everything that I don't know yet?" Ken asked from the backseat.
"Yes…, so we're going back to my house at the moment…"
I explained together with Elise all that had happened and what we had done since we got separated.
We didn't talk about the personal developments between Elise and me. I was glad she didn't air out my dirty laundry. And…, I wanted to tell Ken myself that I have been acting like my mother the entire time I had known him. I think Elise caught that sentiment.
Anyway, even leaving that out, Ken got the full picture. And once he did, he had something to say.
"Gods, you've really been through a lot. But, with me joining you, I'm sure we'll pull through."
…Elise and I looked at each other. We had the same feeling in our eyes.
Wasn't he too overconfident?
Well, for my part, I at least think I know the reason. I'll just have to confirm it.
"Ken, I'm glad you're confident, but you'll have to tell us your superpower first so we can work together."
"Oh, you're right. Well, in simple terms, I can enhance a property of an object with a supernatural effect."
…Huh. How fitting for a son of famous engineers. So that's what that was all about.
"So you gave that sheet more air-resistance and… your glasses make you see through walls?"
"Yes. You're right on the sheet, but there's more to the glasses. I enhanced the frame and one lens to be very durable, and I enhanced one lens so that it always gives me clear sights from obstructions. I intended for it to just mean that the glass won't fog up, but it unexpectedly made me also see through obstacles like walls."
…Wow. He's really excited. Although, his power seems incredible. There's gotta be limitations, right?
"That seems incredible. But did you test it properly? Is there something your powers can't do?"
"Of course I tested it properly. What else was I supposed to do in my room? So I can only enhance an object once with an effect, and can't change it, although I can deactivate it. And…, I can't enhance everything. I'm still figuring that part out."
"Can you give some examples of what you can and can't enhance? And…, what did you do to Elise's knife?"
"Oh, you noticed. Well, I made it super sharp, and the sheet very durable. Luckily, the knife didn't cut through the sheet. Do you want it back?"
"No, keep it for now. Everytime we go back in this car, we'll perform the same trick."
Ken nodded, putting the knife back in his pocket. Then, Elise asked him something.
"So…, can you enhance a floor so it always stays clean."
"What? Why would I possibly do that? Never heard of a Roomba?"
"Well, can you enhance a Roomba?"
"I…, no, I don't think so. From what I tested, it's only simple objects like coins, pencils, and such."
"What did you do to them?" I asked.
"Various things. I made some coins more shiny and made some produce more sound, but it both annoyed me pretty quickly. I made some pencils write more smoothly and made the lead in some of them inerasable…"
"Okay, okay. So, what can't you do?" I asked, interrupting his tirade.
"Yeah well, that's the weird part. I can't enhance complex machinery. Nor can I make a pencil cut through paper and such. But, what has me puzzled is that I also cannot enhance some materials like paper or my clothes. The first and second I can understand, but the latter has me puzzled. It doesn't feel like I can only enhance simple things, and even if, why not some materials?"
…I looked at Elise. She looked at me too. I saw that she had no answer. …I'd hazard a guess then.
"Is your glass frame made of metal?"
"Uh, yes."
"So, paper and clothes are made from many different fibres. Maybe you can only enhance relatively homogeneous materials like metal, glass and wood?"
"…What about that sheet then? It was made of plastic."
"Maybe it was a homogeneous sort of plastic?"
"…Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll have to test that. Thanks, you two."
"Sure." "Of course." Elise and I spoke in tandem.
"…So, you have superspeed Jack?" Ken asked me.
"Well, yes and no. I can speed up basically everything, even my thoughts."
"What! Really!?" Ken gasped, looking at Elise.
"It's true! He solved a difficult multiplication instantly!"
"Oh that's just great. Now he could slack off even more during school."
"Hey, time still moves regularly for me when I use my powers. I still have to put in the same effort as you guys."
"…Huh, isn't that odd? How does that work," Ken asked me.
"I… I'm not sure actually. I haven't had the time to really think about it. Do you guys have an idea?"
They both thought about it for a few seconds, and both shook their heads. No luck.
Nothing came to my mind either. I couldn't really think deeply since I was focused on driving. I'd have to do it later when I have time.
"Anyway, my power aside, Elise's is also pretty cool."
"Oh yeah?" Ken asked, shifting his attention to her.
"Well… I've… accidentally made Jack and me more pretty."
Ken's eyes went wide.
"It's true. She even removed that scar from my hand, and a bruise from my chest," I added, moving my left hand behind my headrest so that Ken could see it.
He looked alternatively between Elise and me. And even from the backseat, he seems to have noticed now.
"I think I can see it, yeah. …Can you make me more pretty too?"
"I… don't know. If you give me your hand, we can try."
I heard some hesitation in her voice. I interrupted.
"Elise, you don't have to if you're not comfortable with it."
"No, it's not really that I'm not comfortable. But…, well anyway, let's just try. Ken, give me your hand."
Ken obliged. They held each other's hand, looked deep into each other's eyes, and…
"Sorry, nothing's happening," Elise said after a few seconds.
"It's okay. Do you know why?" Ken asked her.
"No, I… just had a feeling that it wouldn't work."
"…Well, it seems like for all three of us there is more to our powers that we still have to figure out," Ken finished with.
"That about sums it up, yeah," I added.
"Yeah…," Elise added too, but in a slightly somber tone.
I glanced at her briefly. I… still hadn't the courage to ask how she felt about her power. And even if I had it, I couldn't now, since our speaking time was almost up.
"We're almost back at my house. Does everyone know the story we'll tell to the officers?"
Elise and Ken nodded. That's good then. I could move on to the final subject then.
"Once we leave the house, I have a plan for my father. It involves my mother's stalker I told you about previously. We have to find him as soon as possible."
I explained to them the oddities I heard during the phone conversation with officer Rock. What I thought about how my father likely controlled the police department. And that I wanted to bring the stalker to the Red Party and make them move against my father.
Elise and Ken listened silently, sometimes interrupting for clarification. Once I was done explaining, I asked them.
"So, what do you think?"
Elise was the first to respond.
"If you can do it, I believe that's better than killing your father."
I looked at Ken. He was hesitating, but then spoke his mind.
"I think that can work too. But honestly, I think that bastard deserves to die for what he did to you and your mother. And it's less risky if you killed him yourself instead of leaving it in others' hands. Who knows if he can weasel his way out of it and retaliate?"
Elise looked at Ken with a conflicted expression, but she held her tongue. She looked at me, wanting to hear my response.
"It's not like we must choose either one. Honestly, killing him is also my preferred option, but if I'll get the opportunity is another question. That's why I want to move ahead with the stalker, and meanwhile try to think up a killing method."
"That sounds good to me," Ken said immediately.
Elise looked at me a while longer. I looked briefly into her eyes.
She wasn't entirely convinced, but spoke nevertheless.
"I'd rather not want you to become a murderer, is what I honestly feel. But…, if you and Ken think it's best, I'll agree."
I nodded. The plan is settled then. Now, as to the execution.
"We first have to find the stalker. We'll have to scour the town to do that. Are you two fine to do that immediately after we speak to the officers and leave."
"Immediately…, uh…"
"What's wrong?" I asked Ken.
"Well, I… haven't eaten yet. It's almost lunchtime…"
"We can pick something to eat along the way somewhere. Time is of the essence."
"Oh… yeah, that's fine too."
"Okay."
I looked at Elise. She was conflicted yet again.
"I… want to go home first for a little bit."
"Why?"
"I promised Beth…"
"You can just call, that something came up and you can't help at the clinic now."
"I wasn't finished yet! I… I want to tell dad what's going on."
My eyes went wide.
I immediately pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. This is a serious conversation. We might not finish it before I arrived at my home if I continued driving.
"Elise, I…"
"Jack, I know what you're going to say. But please. I know my father better than you do. I want him to know the truth. I believe he can help us. I… I don't want to lie to him. If we explain things properly to him, it will be fine. Trust me, okay?"
I looked into her blue eyes. She was confident. Was… was she right? Did she know her father better than I could predict him? I… I didn't know.
"I'm not sure your dad can be convinced and wants to leave things to me. And he'll be put in danger too. But…, if you believe otherwise, I'll…, I'll trust you."
Elise sighed in relief. And then, her expression changed.
My heart raced. I quickly looked away. I still had things to do. I didn't have time to get lost in how she now looked at me.
I looked at Ken through the rear-view mirror and roped him into the conversation.
"What do you think about informing her dad?"
"I think it will be fine. And we can have a proper lunch in the meantime. Half an hour shouldn't make a difference."
"Alright, let's go back to Elise's house first then."
"Yeah. And…, if you're hot, you can turn the AC on," Ken said with a teasing smile.
!!!
"L… let's continue driving. We're almost back at my house," I responded while looking in my left side mirror.
I continued driving, and luckily my blush soon subsided.
I was too embarrassed to look at Elise and see if she had noticed…
After crossing a few more intersections, I took a right turn. My burned down house came into sight in front of me.
There was a firetruck and firefighters present. My house had almost completely caved in, but it wasn't on fire anymore.
I also saw that there were more officers and police cars present than before.
…I hoped that the officer that was pinned under that bookcase was fine.
With that sentiment, I arrived back at my former home with a sense of melancholy.
***
We were driving back to Elise's house, in the same seating configuration, after being interrogated by the officers.
The shadow was not here. Ken and I used the same trick as before to determine that.
Nevertheless, the car was silent, because we were all thinking back on all that was said back at my house.
I was replaying it in my head too.
Once we had arrived at my house, some officers came to talk to us, including officer Rock and Sprout. Sophia was also among them, and she took the lead when talking to us.
She began by saying that she and the entire department were glad that I saved that officer, who was luckily fine and rushed off to Elise's place to get looked after by William.
The rest of the officers were fine too. The only damage that occurred was to my house, which was basically uninhabitable now.
They were now once again investigating the wreck, looking for evidence.
They already had something. What had caused the explosion.
It was a gas explosion, originating from my mother's room.
As for who caused it, no physical evidence was found. But a lack of such evidence was evidence in itself, considering the likely motive.
To destroy the physical evidence that was previously there, and specifically blowing up my mother's room. That means that the culprit was likely known too.
The shadow had struck again. Something Elise and I had realized immediately, which was why we rushed to Ken's house because we were worried about his safety.
They believed us, and then officer Rock and Sprout asked what we did at Ken's house.
Ken explained that part, that he jumped out his own window and escaped his parent's locking him up against his will. We had committed no crime.
Well, I did destroy that camera, but we neglected to tell that part of the tale. It would only likely lead to a fine anyway.
Ken asked if the police could do something for him, and they responded that he can be placed under witness protection in a secure place. Something they wanted to do with all of us, at Elise's house. They wanted to turn it into a sort of police safe house.
Because that shadow might indeed also be after me, and extension us, now that it showed up repeatedly, and has proven to be extremely violent and dangerous.
It was an option the officers wanted to consider, and discuss back at Elise's house with William soon. So because of that, officers Rock and Sprout asked us to go back there first, inform Elise's dad, and they would follow up soon after they handled things here.
We obliged. There was no sense to refuse them now. So hence we were driving back again.
Regarding my sentiment about turning Elise's house into a safe-house, my conclusion was clear. But I wanted to hear what they thought of it too.
"Hey, regarding that safe house thing that was suggested. I completely disagree, but I want to hear your opinions about it too."
"What do you disagree with?" Elise immediately asked.
"I have to assume my father is behind the suggestion. If those officers can constantly keep their tabs on me, I can't move freely. And without that, I can't do anything against my father."
"I… I get that. But I thought they also wanted to keep that place safe because dad is the only doctor in town."
"I thought about that too. But it doesn't make sense to me. They would have done so earlier, and besides, what lunatic would harm William?"
"I… I don't know." Elise muttered.
I shifted my gaze to Ken.
"What do you think?"
"…I don't like the idea of the police being near if your father has them in his pocket. So, I agree with you."
I looked back at Elise. She looked at both me and Ken, and yielded.
"Fine. But we'll have to properly explain to my father. He's the one who has to refuse them."
"Yes, we'll do that," I said to her with a kind smile.
She nodded, relaxing again somewhat. And looked ahead again.
I kept driving. We were almost at her house.
I crossed an intersection. A car was stopped on the left street.
And then, it suddenly accelerated towards me!
My eyes went wide! I pushed in the gas!
But it was too late.
The car crashed against the side rear.
"AAH"
Elise shrieked as my car spun out.
I managed to control it to avoid flipping over.
After spinning around a few times, the car stopped facing the culprits.
I looked at Elise and Ken. They seemed shocked, but otherwise fine. I asked to be sure.
"Are you two alright?"
"Y… Yeah." "I'm fine." They responded at the same time.
Good. Good. They're fine. I didn't have to suppress my feelings anymore.
MY GODDAMN CAR! YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WORKED FOR THIS THING! I'LL LYNCH THEM DRY OF THEIR INSURANCE!
I gazed angrily at the car in front of me. It was a red lowrider with tinted glass, its front bumper heavily damaged. I memorised the licence plate.
…? That car… looks familiar?
*Badump* *badump* *badump*
No no no, that can't be.
"Ken, knife, now!"
"Wh… what?"
"NOW!"
"Y… yes"
He took the knife out of his pocket and handed it to me.
"Jack, what's going…"
"Stay in the car. They might be dangerous. Drive away if things escalate," I said interrupting Elise.
"Wait!"
I didn't. I stepped out of the car.
I closed the door, and walked with the sheathed knife in my right hand forward.
After a few steps, three doors in the other car opened, and three muscled guys stepped out.
I stopped. My eyes were wide.
The three men walked towards me. They had sports attire on, and their heads were covered in black mist.
But I didn't need to see their faces to know who they were. Their body movements, posture, demeanor and behavior coincided with three high-school guys from my memory.
Absolute fear filled my being.
The sins of my past had come back to haunt me.
And the fear wasn't because they were here for me.
They were after Elise.
Because of me.