Inside the dimly lit confines of the warehouse, tension hung thick in the air as the Nightstalkers and their allies gathered around Dominic and Marco, eager to learn more about the boys they had rescued. Lucas, the leader of the Nightstalkers, approached Dominic with a sense of curiosity, while Chloe, the medic, tended to Marco's injured arm nearby.
"Tell us, Dominic," Lucas began, his voice measured yet filled with curiosity. "What were you and Marco doing out there? Why were you being pursued by those men?"
Dominic hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully as he struggled to maintain the facade of innocence. "We... we were just passing through," he replied, his tone carefully neutral. "We got caught up in something we shouldn't have, that's all."
Lucas nodded in understanding, though a flicker of doubt crossed his features. "And why were those men after you?"
Dominic's gaze flickered towards Marco, who stood nearby with a scowl on his face, his arms crossed defiantly. Sensing the tension building between them, Dominic sighed inwardly before turning back to Lucas. "It's... complicated," he hedged, unwilling to reveal too much.
Meanwhile, Marco's patience wore thin as he grew increasingly frustrated with the barrage of questions. "Why do you care so much?" he snapped, his voice tinged with anger. "We don't owe you anything!"
Lucas raised an eyebrow at Marco's outburst, his expression growing stern. "We saved your lives, Marco," he reminded him firmly. "The least you could do is show us some gratitude."
But Marco remained defiant, his temper flaring as he bristled at Lucas' words. "I didn't ask for your help," he retorted bitterly. "We don't need you or anyone else."
Dominic, sensing the situation spiraling out of control, stepped forward, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. "Marco, please," he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation. "We can't afford to make enemies, especially not now."
But Marco's anger simmered beneath the surface, his pride wounded and his defiance unyielding. With a sudden burst of frustration, Dominic lashed out, his fist connecting with Marco's jaw with a resounding thud. Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Marco stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with disbelief and betrayal.
"Behave yourself, Marco," Dominic warned him sharply, his voice low and threatening. "We're in enough trouble as it is. We don't need you making it worse."
But Marco, nursing his bruised jaw, refused to back down, his own anger boiling over as he launched himself at Dominic, his fists flying in a blind rage. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Dominic fought back instinctively, their scuffle devolving into a chaotic brawl as they grappled with one another. As Dominic and Marco's brawl threatened to escalate further, the Nightstalkers sprang into action, their instincts for conflict resolution kicking in. Lucas, his voice firm and authoritative, stepped between the two boys, his arms outstretched to keep them apart.
"Enough!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife. "We don't have time for this."
Dominic and Marco, still seething with anger and frustration, reluctantly backed away from each other, their breaths heavy and labored as they glared at one another with smoldering resentment.