[Since Today is my breaktime I give you an extra chapter that you can read today. Enjoy!!!]
.....
It was 1950, and Loe Halloway, a 17-year-old with a secret life as a vigilante, stood in front of his bedroom mirror. The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. The reflection staring back at him was of a young man dressed sharply in a crisp white shirt, slim dark slacks, and a leather jacket—a nod to the latest trends. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and a smirk played on his lips as he adjusted the collar of his jacket.
"I'm so handsome," he murmured to himself, tilting his head slightly, as if inspecting every detail of his appearance. "If I break up with her, she won't be mad, right?" The smirk deepened, though there was a coldness in his eyes. Loe had always seen relationships as distractions, something to fill the time when he wasn't out patrolling the streets at night. Today, he was going to end one such distraction.
His room was sparsely decorated, reflecting his practical nature—just a bed, a dresser, and a few scattered books. A faint smell of old wood lingered in the air, mixed with the scent of his aftershave. The ticking of an old clock on the wall was the only sound, marking the passage of time as Loe made his final adjustments.
Satisfied with his appearance, Loe turned and grabbed his keys from the dresser. The cool metal felt solid in his hand, a reminder of the mundane responsibilities he had to juggle along with his secret life. He headed for the door, the floorboards creaking softly beneath his polished shoes.
As he descended the narrow staircase, the walls lined with both of Loe and Thomas photos seemed to close in on him—a silent testament to the life his adoptive father had given him. At the bottom of the stairs, Thomas Halloway, his father, was seated in a worn armchair near the window, the morning paper spread across his lap. Thomas was in his seventies now, his hair white as snow, and his eyes, though dimmed with age, still held a sharpness that came from years of experience.
"Loe, where are you going?" Thomas asked without looking up, his voice gruff but laced with concern.
"Just somewhere, old man.." Loe replied, his tone casual but with an edge that hinted at his impatience.
Thomas gave a slight nod, a sigh escaping his lips as he returned to his newspaper. "Okay.." he said quietly, sensing there was more to his son's words than he was letting on, but knowing better than to press him.
Loe paused for a moment, looking at his father, before shaking off the lingering feelings of guilt. "Here we go.." he muttered under his breath as he opened the front door and stepped outside.
The cool autumn air greeted him, crisp and invigorating. The streets of the small town were alive with the bustle of a Saturday morning—children playing, neighbors chatting, and the distant hum of a radio playing jazz from an open window. Loe walked with purpose, his footsteps steady and deliberate, as he made his way to the local cafeteria.
The town was familiar, every street and corner etched into his memory from years of patrolling it at night. The trees lining the sidewalks were ablaze with autumn colors, their leaves crunching underfoot as he walked. The sky was a clear blue, with a few scattered clouds drifting lazily by, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Loe's mind.
As he approached the small, quaint cafeteria, the bell above the door chimed softly, announcing his arrival. The interior was cozy, with checkered tablecloths and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The clinking of cups and the murmur of conversations filled the air. His girlfriend sat at a corner table by the window, a soft smile on her face as she waved at him.
Loe walked over, his face composed, but his heart was steeled. He returned her smile with a polite one of his own, knowing that in a few moments, that smile would fade. Taking a seat across from her, he noticed the way the sunlight caught in her hair, the hopefulness in her eyes, and he felt a brief pang of regret.
The girl sitting across from him had long, flowing black hair that framed her face perfectly. Her eyes lit up with joy as she saw Loe, and her smile was radiant. She had been looking forward to this moment, one of the rare occasions when Loe had initiated spending time together. The warmth in her voice was unmistakable as she exclaimed, "Loe, honey! You really initiated a date with me!"
Her excitement was palpable, her hands clasped together on the table, as if holding on to the moment. The sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her face, highlighting the happiness that radiated from her. She had dressed up for him, wearing a light blue dress that matched the color of the sky outside, hoping to make this day special.
But Loe's expression remained unchanged, his eyes cold and distant. The weight of his decision pressed on him, but he refused to waver. Without a hint of emotion, he replied, "Let's break up."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy and final. The smile on her face faltered, her eyes searching his for any sign of hesitation, but there was none. The lively chatter of the cafeteria seemed to fade away, leaving only the deafening silence between them. Her hands slowly unclasped, falling to her lap as the reality of his words began to sink in.
For Loe, this was just another task to be completed, another loose end to tie up before he returned to his vigilante work. He watched as the light in her eyes dimmed, her happiness replaced by confusion and hurt. But he had already steeled himself against the emotions that might surface. This was necessary, he told himself. He needed to be free, unburdened by attachments that could compromise his secret life.
She looked down at the table, her voice barely a whisper as she asked, "Why, Loe? What did I do wrong?"
Loe sighed, leaning forward slightly, trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible. "It's not you," he said, the words sounding rehearsed, even to him. "I'm just not the kind of person who can give you what you want. It's better this way."
His thoughts . (I'm sorry, Mae, I can't give you what you want. After all, I don't even know how to manage a relationship to begin with. I'm just a kid who lived in the slums for too long... and I'm also a vigilante.)
But Mae wasn't privy to his inner turmoil. All she saw was the coldness in his eyes, the indifference in his voice. The frustration and pain she had been holding back for so long finally broke free. Her eyes flared with anger as she snapped, "You're always like this!" Her voice trembled, caught between hurt and fury. "Disappearing at night, rarely spending time with me, and now you want to break up with me?!"
Before Loe could respond, she stood up abruptly, her chair screeching against the floor. In one swift motion, she grabbed her glass of water and, without hesitation, flung it at him.
Loe's reflexes kicked in, honed from years of vigilante training. "No, not my face!" he exclaimed as he ducked to the side, narrowly avoiding the splash. The water splattered across the table and floor, but his precious face remained dry.
Mae's anger only intensified. Her hand shot out, aiming to slap him across the cheek, but Loe was quicker. He caught her wrist mid-air, holding it firmly. "Sorry, Mae," he said with a smirk that only fueled her rage. "But you can't slap my face either. It's too handsome, so you could—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Mae's knee shot up, aiming squarely for his groin. The move caught Loe off guard. He barely had time to react before pain shot through his body. "Aurg!!" he groaned, his voice strained as he doubled over, clutching his crotch.
Mae glared at him, her chest heaving with anger, but her eyes now glistened with tears. "You deserve that//" she hissed, her voice shaking.
Loe gritted his teeth, still reeling from the pain. " Aurgg ...This is better " he muttered through clenched teeth, trying to maintain some semblance of composure as he held himself. The pain radiated through him, but he knew this was the consequence of his cold, detached attitude.
Mae turned and stormed out of the cafeteria, leaving Loe hunched over in pain, struggling to catch his breath. The few patrons in the cafeteria who had witnessed the scene quickly turned away, pretending not to have seen anything, but the awkward tension hung in the air.
Loe slowly straightened up, wincing as the pain subsided slightly. He looked around, his face flushed—not just from the pain, but from the embarrassment of the situation. He'd underestimated Mae's reaction, and it had cost him.
With a sigh, he reached for the napkin on the table, dabbing at the spots of water that had splashed onto his jacket. As he made his way out of the cafeteria, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, he deserved that kick.