Josh moved through the quiet streets, the hum of the city fading into the background. His day had been long, filled with training sessions and drills at the gym. This evening walk home had become part of his routine—a way to clear his mind and prepare for the next day. He liked the silence, the peace that came when everything around him slowed down.
But tonight, something felt off.
A scream pierced the quiet. It wasn't just any scream; it was sharp, terrified, and coming from an alley just ahead. Josh stopped, muscles tensing as he listened closely. Whoever it was, they needed help.
Without hesitation, he moved toward the sound. As he rounded the corner into the alley, the scene unfolded in front of him: two men closing in on a woman, her back pressed against the wall, fear etched across her face. Her clothes were far too expensive for this part of town, and her presence here didn't make sense.
Josh acted without thinking. His body moved on instinct, the years of training kicking in. The first man didn't even see him coming—Josh's grip on his wrist was quick and brutal, sending the thug sprawling to the ground with a cry of pain. The second man lunged at him, but Josh dodged, landing a precise blow that sent the man stumbling back into the wall.
The whole thing was over in seconds.
Josh barely spared the woman a glance. She stood frozen in place, her wide eyes locked on him, her breath coming in quick gasps. But he wasn't here for gratitude.
"You shouldn't be walking around here alone," he muttered, turning away.
"Wait!" she called out, her voice shaky but desperate. "Who are you?"
Josh didn't stop. "Doesn't matter."
With that, he disappeared into the night, leaving the woman standing alone in the alley, the two men groaning on the ground behind her.
This is Lily Hart: Hours Earlier
Lily Hart wasn't just any woman. She was a superstar.
Her face was on billboards, her name in every headline. Fame had always been part of her life—photoshoots, red carpets, endless interviews—but tonight, she needed to get away from it all. After a long day of filming and constant attention, she felt suffocated. The city was full of bright lights and loud voices, and for the first time in a while, Lily needed silence.
Against her team's advice, she slipped out of her hotel, leaving her security detail behind. She wanted a moment to breathe, a walk where no one recognized her, no flashing cameras, no screaming fans.
But what was supposed to be a quiet escape turned into a nightmare.
She wandered into the wrong part of town, lost in unfamiliar streets. The quiet she had craved now felt menacing, and when she realized she was being followed, it was too late. Two men blocked her path before she could even turn around.
Their smiles were cruel, their intentions clear.
"Well, look at what we've got here," one of them sneered. "What's a pretty little thing like you doing out here?"
Fear gripped Lily's heart as she tried to back away. "I don't want any trouble," she said, her voice shaking.
The second man laughed, stepping closer. "Too late for that."
Her scream cut through the alley, but she knew no one would hear her. At least, she thought no one would.
Then, out of nowhere, he appeared. A man—quick, precise, and strong. Before she could fully register what was happening, the two attackers were on the ground, groaning in pain. It all happened so fast that Lily barely had time to react.
She looked up at her savior, but he was already walking away.
"Wait!" she called, still shaken. "Who are you?"
He didn't even turn around. "Doesn't matter," was all he said before vanishing into the night.
The Next Morning: Lily's Determination
Back at her luxurious apartment, Lily couldn't shake the thought of the man who had saved her. She sat at her dining table, scrolling through her phone, her mind still replaying the events of the previous night.
Her assistant, Claire, walked in, as usual, without knocking. "You've been quiet all morning. What's going on?" she asked, sitting across from Lily.
Lily looked up, distracted. "I went out last night."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Out? Alone? Are you crazy?"
"I just needed space," Lily said, brushing it off. "But I got into trouble. Two guys tried to—well, they tried to mug me. But someone saved me."
"Saved you?" Claire repeated, clearly confused. "Who?"
Lily shook her head. "I don't know. He didn't tell me his name. He just appeared out of nowhere, took down the guys, and then… he left."
Claire leaned forward, intrigued. "He didn't ask for an autograph or anything?"
Lily smiled slightly. "No, he didn't care who I was."
"And now you're trying to find him?"
Lily nodded. "Yeah. There was a logo on his gym bag—something about a martial arts gym. I think I can track him down."
"And when you find him?" Claire asked.
"I'm going to thank him," Lily said, determined in her voice. "And maybe… I'll ask him to teach me. I can't keep relying on someone to save me."
To Be Continued...