The trio stood in a quiet alley, away from the busy city streets. The walls on either side were old and covered in faded graffiti and torn posters. A few garbage cans were scattered around, and the air smelled damp and a bit like trash. The alley was dim, with only a little sunlight coming through the gap between two tall buildings, creating long shadows on the uneven ground. Puddles of water, left from the recent rain, reflected the cloudy sky above.
The alley was quiet, with only the faint sound of traffic in the distance and the occasional drip of water from a nearby gutter. Even though they were in the middle of the city, this alley felt different, like a hidden place that people had forgotten or stayed away from.
Loe turned back to Mindy, his gaze steady and reassuring. "Now, stop being anxious and trust us." he said firmly, his voice carrying a note of confidence.
Mindy looked at Loe, and when she heard his bold statement, she couldn't help the blush that crept up her cheeks. She glanced away for a moment, her heart racing, and thought to herself, (Like I thought, he's really handsome.)
Mark, trying to put Mindy at ease, said, "Mindy, you can trust us now. We're not bad people, so stop looking at us like we're going to..." He paused, glancing at Loe and Michael before continuing, "...do something bad to you."
Mindy, who had been tense and uncertain, was taken aback when they removed their masks. She had assumed they were adults, but seeing their faces revealed they were all teenagers, just like her. Her thoughts raced as she took in their appearances.
(That blond-haired guy, has such a handsome face) she thought, her eyes lingering on him. But then her gaze shifted to Loe Halloway, and something inside her stirred. (But why do I feel like he's even more handsome?) She couldn't shake the feeling that Loe was more attractive, despite Michael's striking looks. It was as if something deeper was pulling her toward Loe—an instant connection, perhaps even love at first sight.
Loe, noticing her gaze, looked at her with a puzzled expression. "What are you looking at?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Caught off guard, Mindy quickly turned away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She could feel her heart pounding, and she cursed herself for being so obvious.
Michael, observing the interaction, suddenly realized what was happening. He thought to himself, (Don't tell me... Did she fall for Loe? Is this really love at first sight? But what about Kyle Richard?) He chuckled internally, finding the situation amusing. (Well, sorry, Kyle. Looks like you've been NTR'd by my friend without even knowing it. Hehehe.)
Michael cleared his throat, redirecting the conversation. "Anyway, back to the topic... Now that we know the only way to take down Alphonse is to wait a week until they do that shady transaction at the warehouse, as Mindy said. And since that warehouse is in Chicago..." Michael looked at Loe and Mark, his expression serious. "Since I can't go due to some... circumstances, it's up to you two—Nightwing and Angel."
Mark nodded confidently. "Leave it to us, Spider-Man. We've got this," he said, glancing at Loe for reassurance.
Loe smirked, crossing his arms. "Of course. Who do you think I am?"
Michael chuckled at Loe's response, appreciating their determination. "There's something I want to give to both of you, but before that, we've still got things to handle."
Michael's gaze shifted to Mindy, who had been silently observing the conversation. "Mindy... So it all started with that company, the Chicago Outfit, right?"
Mindy nodded, her expression tense as she recalled the events. "It all started with that company... My friend introduced me to it, and I thought it was a decent job. But after a few months of working there, everything changed when I met the manager of the Chicago Outfit. He ordered me to deliver packages to certain locations. At first, I thought it was just regular deliveries, but then I discovered the truth through my telepathy..."
Mark's eyes narrowed. "You found out through your telepathy?"
Mindy nodded again, her voice trembling slightly. "Yes. My telepathy... I can't control it very well. Sometimes, when I'm anxious, I accidentally read people's minds. That day, I was really nervous about messing up the delivery, and that's when I read the manager's thoughts. His mind was full of disturbing thoughts about the package..."
Loe's expression darkened. "And what was inside that package?"
Mindy hesitated, her face pale. "It was... a human dead body."
The revelation hung in the air like a dark cloud, the weight of it pressing down on them. The secluded alley, already a place of shadows and secrecy, seemed to grow colder with the knowledge of what they were up against.
Mark's fists clenched at his sides, his mind racing. (This is worse than I thought,) he mused. (We're dealing with something far more sinister.) He looked at Michael and Loe, their faces hard with determination.
"Alright," Michael said, his voice firm. "We need to be prepared for anything. This isn't just about stopping a crime; it's about saving lives. Let's make sure we're ready when the time comes."
Mark and Loe nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Mark then turned to Mindy, concern etched on his face. "First, we should hide her, Mike."
Michael, lost in thought for a moment, scratched his head, trying to come up with a solution. "Hide her... hmm..." He glanced at Mindy, who stood a few feet away, her wide, anxious eyes reflecting her uncertainty. She looked out of place in this grimy alley, her delicate features and innocent demeanor contrasting sharply with the rough surroundings.
Michael sighed, the weight of responsibility pressing on him. "She'll be safe at my house, but... it's awkward, you know? My father and mother are there. And my mom, she's always asking questions whenever a guest arrives. What should I even say? And don't get me started on my dad—he's a police officer."
Mark sighed, understanding the dilemma. "What about my house? My aunt is on vacation right now, so it's just my sister and me there."
Michael's eyes lit up at the suggestion, his voice filled with relief. "That's a good idea, Mark. We could put her there."
Mindy, who had been silent, suddenly shook her head, her voice trembling as she spoke. "No, no, I can't bother you, sirs."
Loe, who had been silent for a moment, looked at Mindy sternly. "Stop being such a baby..." he said, his tone firm.
Mindy bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the ground. The tension in her body was evident as she struggled with her fear and uncertainty. She glanced back up at Loe, her eyes full of questions she didn't dare ask.
Loe sighed deeply, his expression softening slightly. "No, Mark, she can't stay at your house."
Mark and Michael exchanged confused glances, trying to understand why Loe had changed his mind. They looked at Mindy again, taking in her appearance—her disheveled hair, the way she held herself as if ready to bolt at any moment. It became clear that she was in more danger than they had initially realized.
Michael's eyes widened with realization. "Now that I think about it... Mindy, you're being chased, aren't you?"
Mindy nodded, her face filled with fear and uncertainty.
Mark chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood as he nudged Loe's shoulder. "Damn, Loe, you outdid us there."
Loe shrugged, not taking much credit. "It's not a big deal. I'm from the slums, so I've been through this kind of thing before."
Michael looked at him curiously. "Just what kind of life did you have to experience things like this?"
Loe's expression hardened slightly, his eyes look in distant sky. "Nothing much, just stealing and doing shady things, one after another."
Mark shook his head in disbelief. "Damn..."
Michael's thoughts churned as he tried to process what Loe had just revealed about his past. (Well, I know Loe was from the slums, and I knew that many people from there experience harsh things, but I still have a hard time grasping those things... I've never experienced anything like that myself,) he reflected,then his gaze drifting to Mindy. The way she held herself, despite everything she had been through, struck him deeply. (This girl, despite being so young, is already capable of handling things like this... What a strong woman.) Michael couldn't help but compare his past self to her, feeling a mix of admiration and inadequacy.
Mark cleared his throat, snapping Michael out of his thoughts. "So, what should we do if my house and Mike's house aren't options?"
Mindy's gaze dropped to the ground, her eyes reflecting a mix of anxiety and determination."Thank you for your concerns, but don't worry, I can handle myself." She didn't want to burden them any further, especially since they had already done so much to help her.
Loe, who had been standing a few feet away, leaned against the opposite wall with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But there was a certain intensity in his eyes as he looked at Mindy. His voice, when he spoke, was low but firm. "I told you to shut it..."
Mindy tried to protest, "But... but..."
Loe sighed, his tone firm but caring. "No buts..."
Michael and Mark exchanged a glance, both of them sensing something different in the way Loe was interacting with Mindy. There was an unusual tension, a connection that hadn't been there before.
Mark leaned closer to Michael, his voice dropping to a whisper that only Michael could hear. "Why do I feel like they're a couple?"
Michael couldn't suppress a small smile, nodding slightly. "Same, I feel it too."
Loe, catching sight of their exchange, shot them a glance that was half-annoyed, He pushed himself off the wall, stepping forward slightly. "She's safe at my house.." he declared, his voice carrying a finality that made it clear he wouldn't be swayed.
Michael thought for a moment, weighing the options. The idea of Sir Thomas, Loe's adopted father, came to mind. "Now that I think about it, Sir Thomas is there, so... that place might be the safest for her.." he said, his tone more contemplative.
Mark nodded in agreement, his arms crossing over his chest as he considered the plan. "Yeah, I agree. Teacher Thomas is strong, even if he's older now."
Loe smirked, his usual tsundere attitude surfacing. "You two really overestimate that old man. He's already old—what can he do?" Despite his words, there was a warmth in Loe's smile, a hint of pride that his adopted father, Thomas, was being praised by his friends.
Mindy's thoughts swirled as she glanced at Loe Halloway, her gaze lingering on him longer than she intended. (Despite his blunt responses and the way he talks, he really is a kind person... And he's even doing all this for me, someone who doesn't deserve it) she thought, feeling a warmth spread through her chest.
Mindy's gaze lingered on Loe Halloway, standing in the sunlight that streamed into the alley. The way the light caught his features—his sharp jawline, the determined set of his brow—made him appear even more handsome to Mindy.
"Despite his blunt responses and the way he talks, he really is a kind person... And he's even doing all this for me, someone who doesn't deserve it," Mindy thought, her heart softening as she continued to look at him.
As she continued to observe him, Mindy couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and something else, something she wasn't ready to name just yet. The way Loe carried himself, the way he spoke with conviction despite his casual demeanor, made her feel safer than she had in a long time.
For a brief moment, the chaos and danger that surrounded her seemed to fade, replaced by the quiet realization that she wasn't alone in this. Loe's presence was a source of comfort she hadn't expected. And as she looked at him, Mindy found herself hoping that maybe, just maybe, she was worthy of the kindness he was showing her.
Now the alley felt a little less cold and dreary as they shared a quiet moment, their bond strengthening as they faced the challenges ahead. The distant sounds of the city seemed to fade, leaving just the four of them in that secluded space, planning their next move with a newfound determination.
To be continue