Kai tried calling back Mike, but there was no answer.
As the taxi sped through the streets, Kai's mind raced with thoughts of Mike's desperate call. What danger had his friend gotten himself into this time? Their bond, forged in a moment of shared struggle, flashed before his eyes.
He remembered the day they met like it was yesterday. Kai had been walking home from school when he saw Mike, then a stranger, being harassed by a group of boys. Without hesitation, Kai intervened.
"Hey, bro, what's going on? Need help?" Kai asked, stepping between Mike and the would-be thieves.
Together, despite their small stature and fragile bodies, they fought off the attackers, emerging bruised and battered but victorious.
That moment sparked an unbreakable friendship. Now, as Kai rushed to Mike's aid, he felt a surge of determination.
"Step on it," Kai urged the taxi driver.
The driver accelerated, weaving through traffic. Kai's anxiety grew with each passing mile.
What awaited him at Mike's house? Would he be in time to help his friend?
Kai's thoughts swirled, his heart pounding in anticipation.
As they approached Mike's neighborhood, Kai's senses went on high alert. Something felt off.
"Stop here," Kai instructed the driver.
He paid the fare and leapt out of the taxi, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
The street seemed quiet, but Kai's instincts screamed warning.
What was waiting for him ?
As he stepped out of the taxi, Kai's eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of trouble. What was waiting for him?
The street seemed eerily quiet, with only a few flickering streetlights illuminating the deserted pavement. The houses stood like sentinels, their windows dark and uninviting. Kai's skin prickled with unease.
He approached Mike's house, noticing the gate hung crookedly from its hinges, creaking softly in the gentle breeze. The paint had chipped off, revealing weathered wood beneath. Kai's anxiety spiked.
Pushing the gate open, Kai stepped onto the overgrown lawn. Weeds sprouted through the cracks in the pavement, and the once-manicured garden now resembled a wild tangle.
As he reached the front door, Kai's heart pounded in anticipation. He rapped sharply on the door, calling out, "Mike! You okay, man?"
The door creaked open, revealing a sliver of dimly lit hallway. Kai's instincts screamed warning.
"Mike?" Kai repeated, his voice firm but laced with concern.
No response.
Kai's grip on the doorframe tightened. Something was off.
Kai pushed open the door and went in. He looked right and left, but didn't see Mike, and wondered where he could be. He told himself it was urgent, but one moment he heard a muffled sound, though it wasn't in the sitting room. The room was cluttered, with a worn couch and dusty TV.
As he explored further, he saw two bedrooms and entered one. Just as he opened the door, a man was standing beside him. Two burly men flanked Mike, one with a knife and the other with a bat. Mike's face was badly beaten, and Kai thought, "What is happening?"
His instincts kicked in as he felt a rush of wind at the back of his head. He ducked just in time, and saw the bat fly over his head. "Whoa!" Kai thought to himself, "If I didn't duck, that bat would've hit me right at the back of my head. They're tricky."
Kai looked right and left, his eyes locking onto the burly men. "Whoa, whoa, why are you doing this, bros?" he asked, trying to reason with them. "Why you hitting me? I just came here to get my friend out of this dilemma he's in right now. So tell me, how much does Mike owe you?"
One of the men sneered at Kai and said, "You're a quick fellow to dodge that. You could be talented. How about you come and join our Fire Phoenix gang? You'll be paid greatly."
Kai sneered back, "I have no wish to join your old, scrawny gang. Just tell me, how much does Mike owe you?"
The man laughed, "Look at this little punk. You think you're tough? You think you can take on us?"
Kai stood firm, his eyes locked on the man.
The man mocked, "Mike owes us five hundred thousand rand."
Kai's mouth went open. "What? Five hundred thousand rand? How?"
The man smirked, "Well, you see, this little bro owed us three thousand rand. So every month, the interest went up by a thousand percent. Now he owes us five hundred thousand rand."
Mike exclaimed, "You must be crazy! How could it be? That amount is outrageous! Are you mad?"
The man shrugged, "I'm not mad. I just want my money."
Mike warned, "Well, you won't get your money. You'll get trouble."
The guy sneered, "Huh, you little punk, come here." As he stepped forward to grab Kai, Kai swiftly twisted his hand, rendering him immobile.
"Ah, let go of my hand!" the man yelped.
Kai seized the opportunity, delivering a swift kick to the man's face.
The other guy, wielding a knife, lunged at Kai, but Kai was prepared. With lightning-fast reflexes, Kai batted the knife away and landed a solid kick to the man's abdomen.
Next, Kai grasped the man's throat and slammed him into the wall.
Meanwhile, the third attacker, armed with a bat, crept up from behind, aiming to strike Kai. But Kai was vigilant.
With a single, piercing glance, Kai anticipated the attack. Defying odds, Kai punched the bat, sending it flying back at least a meter.
Kai swiftly closed the distance and struck the bat-wielding man in the chest.
The man spat blood, stumbling to his knees.
"How...how did you do this?" he stammered, stunned. "I'm a martial arts expert. How could this little punk...this boy...overpower me?"
Kai stood tall, his confidence and prowess evident. "I told you, you won't get two hundred thousand or five hundred thousand. You'll only get trouble."
The Fire Phoenix gang members exchanged nervous glances, realizing they had underestimated Kai.
One of the gang members, still shaken, stood up and warned, "Oh, do you know who you're dealing with? We're the Fire Phoenix gang! How could you beat us up like that? Do you know Boss Romano?"
Kai remained unfazed. "I don't care who you are, or who Boss Romano is. All I'm telling you is to leave Mike alone and get out of here."
The man glanced at his battered friends and nodded hastily. "Okay, okay."
The three gang members quickly retreated, carrying their unconscious companion who had landed on the wall. They scrambled to escape, eager to flee Kai's formidable presence.
Mike watched them flee, then turned to Kai with newfound admiration. "Wow, bro, you're amazing! How did you do that? I knew you practiced taekwondo, but your martial arts skills are incredible!"
Kai brushed off the praise. "Nah, it's nothing, bro. Are you okay?"
Mike nodded, wincing in pain. "Yeah, they just beat me up a bit. But I think they'll be back with more reinforcements."
Kai's expression turned resolute. "Let them come. Let them try again. From now on, you owe nobody nothing, bro. I've got your back."
Mike's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thanks, Kai. I owe you one."
Kai smiled, clapping Mike on the back. "No need to thank me, bro. That's what friends are for."l
As they walked away from the scene, Mike asked, "But, Kai, how did you take down those guys so easily?"
Kai's smile hinted at secrets untold. "Let's just say I've had my share of training."
The dynamics between Kai and Mike had shifted, their bond strengthened by Kai's heroic display.
Kai looked at Mike with concern. "Mike, how did you owe those guys so much money? Why didn't you ask me for help? You know I'm your bro."
Mike shook his head. "I didn't want to trouble you, Kai. With your dad's cancer and your parents working hard at the grocery store, I didn't want to add to your worries."
Kai's expression softened. "You're my bro, my friend. I would have helped you. You shouldn't have gone to those loan sharks."
Mike nodded in agreement. "You're right, bro. I won't do it again."
Then Mike said, "Still, bro, you were amazing."
As they walked, Kai noticed Mike's battered face and said, "Shut up, let's patch up those bruises."
Kai's tone turned stern. "Promise me, Mike. Never go to those guys again. They're not to be trusted."
Mike nodded vigorously. "I promise."
After tending to Mike's wounds, Kai suggested, "Bro, I think we need new clothes. What do you say?"
Mike chuckled. "You're crazy, bro. We don't have money for that."
Kai smiled mischievously. "Just trust me, bro."
Once Mike's face was patched up, Kai did something unexpected. He dipped his hand in water, and as the cloth touched Mike's face, a strange energy coursed through Mike's body.
The bruises on Mike's face healed instantly.
Kai's eyes widened in shock.
Mike, oblivious to what had just happened, asked, "Bro, what's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"
Kai struggled to find words, his face pale. "Uh...it's...I...can't explain."
Mike's confusion deepened. "Bro, what's going on?"