The engine's susurration was barely audible. Cobly sat at the drivers seat, next to it's owner, observing the multi-storey building which had been gutted for demolition. It had been a multi-national company once, then an office space before being finally abandoned. Now, the doors and windows had been stripped away so all that could be seen was a mournful brick skeleton with a gaping doorway. The twigs and vines from the forest already encroaching.
Cobly observed some more, the rich smooth hum from the engine relaxing, her silent presence serving to perform the opposite; like the north and south pole of a magnet. There was a Sedan parked some kilometers away but the building remained resolutely dark. They knew he was coming, so they waited in darkness.
Cobly killed the engine. Waited for something–nothing. He let himself out, and while she remained in the passengers seat, he began making his way into the gigantic darkness. He turned up the broad cement stairs to the right. Groping absently to the left of the staircase and reached for support of the banister. On an afterthought, he produced a flashlight, it's dull light bouncing dully off the concrete stairs and next into various deserted floors and offices.
At the top was an escape ladder that led to the roof. He clambered up into the night. He walked slowly, until he could make sight of the bare expanse of the roof when suddenly, a strong beam was placed on him. He shielded his eyes being bathed in bright, florescent light.
"You came."
In stages, light began to floor the entire roof.
Cobly saw Sarah. Her hair scattered about, one of 4ink's thugs gripping her roughly by her upper arm as she hung limply. Cobly studied her, praying to see any movement or catch any sign of air escaping her nostrils. She heaved and he was more than satisfied with that.
There were five men apart from 4ink. Mean gazes and hard bodies. Their bulky frames and stance told him they were not your average thug. These men were used to violence, and from the glint in their eyes, they thrived on it.
Next to 4ink was a man with skull tattoo drawn on his bald head. He was larger than the rest. The veins in his upper body stood out prominently that you would think they were etched to his skin. Him apart from 4ink, unsettled Cobly the most.
"What did you do to her?" Cobly asked finally.
4ink smiled. "Nothing. We have been waiting."
"Am here. Now, release her. Why is she like that?"
4ink spared Sarah a glance. Her body slanting like an arc. "Just a slap from my man," he aired dismissively, pointed funnily at the man with the skull, "Roy doesn't like noise, and that exactly what you are doing."
"So, I am here. Now take me and let her go."
4ink looked at him as if he had grown two heads. "No!" he said with that queer smile still on his mouth, "after the trouble I went through for this. You will fight till I see you drop dead. Dead, as you should've be. Then I'll be happy, the wife will be happy and San will absolutely be happy."
Cobly unbuttoned his shirt. Got rid of it. His chest expanding from long, deep breaths, his muscles bulging. He began walking intently towards the man with his hands around Sarah.
"Let her go you sons of bitches!"
The men scoffed, chittering, as they began spreading out. Cobly's eyes trained on the prize and on them. The first man rushed out, Cobly dodging the quick aim, catching the man in the stomach with a punch that sunk deep into his stomach and made him cough out blood. Colby wasn't finished. He raised the man's head, and began decking the man's nose until he was sure–through the haze of blood streaming–that it was smashed in.
He let go and the man dropped to the floor. Two men charged after, both with good build, in suits, their attacks coordinated. At Cobly front and back, they attacked harmoniously. Hit after hits, Cobly trying to dodge but it seemed impossible. Their attacks worked as well as a well oiled machine. The man in front grinned, and as he did, Cobly precisely jabbed two fingers forcibly into his eyes. As he tried to withdraw, hissing, in seconds, Cobly grasped the back of his sleek blonde hair as support, jamming his fingers all the way in. A sucking sound with flooding screams was heard. The other coordinating from the back grasped Cobly shoulder trying desperately to pull him back. Cobly withdrew his blood coated fingers, sure it had done the job. The man fell like a cut timber to the floor and Renshaw stood rooted to the spot, frozen, staring at his brother bleeding staunchly from both eyes.
Cobly refusing to acknowledge the Renshaw sorrow, went on to floor him, Caging Renshaw's body between his strong knees, he raised the man's head. Renshaw offering no resistance as his head connected back with the unforgiven concrete.
On another attempt to finish the job, a savagery kick caught Cobly back head. Cobly rolled on the floor. Stood back up. The kicker sprang. Cobly stepping back. The kicker's legs quick, strong, that every flying kick to Cobly head felt like a hundred men punches.
"You will pay for these men's dignity," the kicker said. He swung again towards Cobly's head, Cobly's hands in place to defend. The kick never came. The kicker running to Cobly's back instead and directed delivering strong kick towards Cobly's knee joint that forced Cobly to bend the knee. At such disadvantage, the kicker began battering Cobly's body. The assault kept on. The kicker without any mercy, saying what a fool Cobly was, not yet up to his standards. And other unprintable insults. A kick came to slow and Cobly didn't miss the opportunity. Catching the legs firmly in-between his arms. The kicker realizing he had made a grievous mistake, balanced his right leg before rotating his body to land another kick.
Cobly dodged while still holding the left leg in a vicious grip. "You talk a lot," Cobly said.
Moving swiftly, Cobly placed his hands on the man's knee and other held round the ankle. His right hand moving down while his left moved up, he successful broke the kickers leg. That done, Cobly pushed him off and the kicker held onto his knee in pain, shuffling towards the edge
Now, those who wanted to kill him remained only three. The man with the skull tattoo shook his head, stepping in. He was huge, his body made from pure muscles. His lips eternally swollen from one of his endless fights. His scars and burnt marks glinted like a trophy as he flexed his arms.
"He talks too much you say. I guess we both hate the same things. I'm Ruff." Ruff bounced a bit before charging. He was like a raging bull released on a hunt. His weight creating an earthquake. Chips of ancient cement flying up in a starburst as he raced towards Cobly, who couldn't even maintain a stance as the concrete beneath his feet trembled and thrummed.