Ethan's senses were on high alert as he walked through the dimly lit alley. The faint echo of footsteps behind him confirmed his suspicion—he was being followed. He quickened his pace, but the steps behind him matched his speed.
Reaching a secluded spot, Ethan stopped and turned around, his eyes scanning the darkness. Six men emerged from the shadows, each armed with a gun.
"You are lucky that you survived so far. But it will not continue anymore." one of the men mocked, his voice dripping with malice.
Ethan took a deep breath, his mind calm and focused. "I don't think that's going to happen."
The men exchanged glances and laughed. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," the leader sneered. "But guts won't save you."
Ethan shifted his stance subtly, ready to explode into action. The leader stepped forward, raising his gun. In a flash, Ethan moved, closing the distance between them with lightning speed. He disarmed the leader with a swift, precise movement, sending the gun clattering to the ground.
The other thugs reacted, raising their weapons. But Ethan was already in motion. He spun and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to the nearest thug, sending him sprawling. Another thug lunged at him, but Ethan sidestepped, grabbing the man's arm and using his momentum to flip him onto the pavement.
A shot rang out, but Ethan anticipated it, ducking low and rolling towards the shooter. He sprang up, delivering a series of rapid punches to the man's torso, each strike precise and devastating. The thug crumpled, gasping for breath.
Two more men tried to flank him, but Ethan was a blur of motion. He grabbed a nearby trash can lid and used it as a shield, deflecting a bullet before hurling it like a discus at one thug's head. The impact knocked the man out cold.
With only two men left, Ethan moved in, his movements fluid and graceful. He disarmed one with a wrist lock, breaking the man's grip on his gun and then using it to strike him across the jaw. The last thug, seeing his comrades defeated, hesitated, fear evident in his eyes.
Ethan closed the gap, his expression calm yet intimidating. He delivered a final, powerful blow, dropping the last man to the ground.
Ethan stood amidst the fallen men, breathing steadily. He looked around to ensure there were no more threats before calmly walking away, disappearing into the night as silently as he had fought.
Ethan reached his small apartment building, his mind still on the events that had just unfolded. As he stepped into the lobby, he noticed the receptionist, Linda, watching him with a curious and doubtful expression. She had always been polite but distant, never engaging in more than necessary small talk. Tonight, however, she seemed different—nervous, almost hesitant.
"Good evening, Linda," Ethan greeted, trying to sound casual as he walked towards the elevator.
"Ethan, can I talk to you for a moment?" Linda's voice was soft, but there was an urgency in it that made him stop.
"Sure, what's up?" Ethan replied, turning to face her.
Linda glanced around, ensuring no one else was nearby. "It's just... I've noticed you've been coming and going at odd hours. And tonight, you look... I mean, is everything okay?"
Ethan forced a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, just had a rough night. Work has been keeping me busy."
Linda nodded slowly, but her eyes betrayed her suspicion. "If there's anything you need to talk about or if you're in trouble, you can tell me."
"I appreciate it, Linda, really," Ethan said, his tone sincere. "But everything's under control."
She gave a small nod, but her expression didn't change. Ethan offered a brief smile before heading to the elevator. As the doors closed, he couldn't shake the feeling that Linda knew more than she was letting on.
After Ethan disappeared behind the elevator doors, Linda picked up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed a number.
"Hello, it's me," she whispered once the call connected. "Yes, about Ethan. I don't know what exactly is going on, but something's different. He's changed. He's hiding things. Tonight, he came back looking like he had been in a fight."
The person on the other end responded, their voice inaudible to anyone but Linda. She nodded along, her eyes darting around the empty lobby.
"Yes, I'll keep an eye on him," she said, her voice low. "But you need to find out what he's involved in. It's not safe to have him here if he's bringing trouble."
She hung up the phone, her heart pounding. She had done her part, but the unease lingered. Something about Ethan had shifted, she could not point it out, but these days he seems too confident and mysterious.
Ethan stepped into his apartment and locked the door behind him. The familiar surroundings offered a sense of comfort, a stark contrast to the chaos he had just left behind. He headed straight for the bathroom, eager to wash away the grime and tension of the evening.
The hot water cascading over him was a welcome relief, soothing his muscles and clearing his mind. He let the shower run for a long time, relishing the moment of peace. Once he felt sufficiently rejuvenated, he stepped out, dried off, and changed into comfortable clothes.
As he was toweling off his hair, his phone buzzed on the bathroom counter. The screen displayed Mary's name. He smiled, knowing it was probably about the restaurant.
"Hey, Mary," Ethan answered, his voice warm.
"Ethan, I'm so glad you picked up," Mary said, her voice tinged with worry. "I've been trying to reach you. I'm really concerned about the license situation. We still haven't received it, and I'm afraid we might have to delay the opening."
Ethan took a deep breath, trying to ease her anxiety. "Don't worry, Mary. I spoke to the officials earlier today. They assured me we'll have the license by tomorrow. Everything's going to be fine."
Mary sighed in relief. "I hope you're right. I've been so stressed about this. Thank you for handling it."
"Of course," Ethan replied. "Why don't you come over tonight? We can have dinner and take a break from all the stress."
"That sounds perfect," Mary said, her voice brightening. "I'll be there in half an hour."
Ethan quickly set about preparing a simple yet delicious meal, opting for pasta with a homemade marinara sauce and a fresh salad. He had just finished setting the table when there was a knock at the door. Ethan opened it to find Mary standing there, her smile brightening the hallway.
"Hey," she greeted, stepping inside and giving him a hug.
"Hey yourself," he replied, holding her close for a moment before leading her to the dining area. "Dinner's almost ready."
They settled at the table, the atmosphere warm and relaxed. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and shared stories. For a while, the troubles of the world seemed far away.
"I'm really glad you invited me over," Mary said as they finished their meal. "I needed this."
"You are always welcome here, Mary. I know it is hard for you to deal with everything alone. But what if I say that I have a solution to your problem?" she looked at him and her eyes flickered. At that moment he knew their meeting was not as coincidental as he had thought.
"Then I will give my life to you. I will do anything you want as long as I do not need to face them anymore." to prove her point. Her hands reached for his thighs and she squeezed them hard.
Ethan took a deep breath, deciding how much to share. "I ran into some trouble on my way home. Nothing I couldn't handle. But it looks like your enemy and mine are the same now. And i am not fond of keeping my enemies around."