In the heart of Hell's Kitchen, a burst of chaotic footsteps echoed off the grimy walls as figures emerged from the shadows.
"Bastards, I finally found you!"
Five imposing men materialized, each wielding a long stick, their eyes locked onto the terrified brother and sister huddled behind a staircase. Trouble had clearly found them, and in a place like Hell's Kitchen, that was hardly surprising. This neighborhood was a lawless paradise for crime.
"Bray, I saw those two bastards!" shouted one of the thugs.
The black young man named Bray glared fiercely. "I'm not blind! Catch them!"
With a battle cry, the gang surged forward, sticks raised high, a terrifying display of raw power aimed squarely at the siblings.
"Run!" The sister yelled, grabbing her brother's hand as they bolted.
But their bodies, starved and weak from long-term malnutrition, faltered under the weight of panic. Before they could get far, they were already being pursued, the gang closing in fast.
"Strange, why didn't she run out of the block?" Gwen asked, observing the girl's erratic escape route.
Luya, a sharp-eyed observer, noticed how the girl and her brother didn't attempt to flee from Hell's Kitchen, as if something outside terrified them even more. "Many people here are undocumented. If they leave, they risk being sent back," he explained.
Though Hell's Kitchen was dangerous, it was a sanctuary for those without identities. The best outcome for the siblings would be a return to their grim reality if they ventured outside.
Suddenly, one of the thugs turned his gaze toward Luya and Gwen. "Hey!" Bray barked, anger boiling in his voice. "You two! Get out of here now!"
Luya shrugged nonchalantly, bending down to pick up a fist-sized stone. He weighed it thoughtfully in his hand. The next moment, as one of the black men lunged for the girl, a sharp whoosh sliced through the air.
THWACK!
A look of shock replaced the thug's rage as the stone struck his leg. He staggered, collapsing to the ground with a howl of pain, clutching his injured limb.
The remaining gangsters turned their attention to Luya, who had inadvertently drawn the spotlight. The siblings paused, gasping for breath, but their escape route remained blocked.
The girl stared at Luya, her eyes a mix of surprise, gratitude, and caution. In Hell's Kitchen, trust was a luxury, especially with strangers.
"What's your plan, superhero?" Gwen teased, twirling a lock of her hair. Her playful tone echoed in the tense air, a stark contrast to the threat lingering before them.
Bray's face twisted in fury. "You're in over your heads! If you dare interfere with our Iron Clan, you won't leave Hell's Kitchen alive!"
Bray's gang may not have been the most notorious, but they still had a reputation to uphold, and now one of their own lay groaning on the ground.
"Boss!" One of the thugs tugged on Bray's sleeve, his voice shaky. "Look over there!"
Bray followed the finger pointing into the shadows, where the bodies of the first wave of Yin Prey Men lay lifeless, slain by Luya's hand.
The sight chilled Bray to the bone. He recognized Myron Toynbee, a notorious enforcer for Kingpin, the underground emperor of New York. Just two days prior, Bray had seen him collecting debts on South Street. To see him dead now sent a wave of dread washing over Bray.
"This... this can't be happening!" he stammered, recalling the power Kingpin wielded. Hell's Kitchen was his territory—his garden. If Myron was dead, they might be in serious trouble.
"Hey, kid," Bray demanded, eyes narrowing. "Did any of you see who took down those guys? If you give me a lead, I might let you go. Just might."
Bray's mind raced. Myron's body still looked fresh, which meant the killer couldn't be far away. Maybe, just maybe, some intel could save them.
Luya smirked, unfazed. "Those guys? They're just scum. Dead or alive, they don't matter to me."
Bray's expression darkened. "Do you know who you're dealing with? Myron Toynbee worked for Kingpin! You really don't want to get on his bad side."
Luya's nonchalance only fueled Bray's anger. "Kingpin is the boss of all bosses in New York! He could squash you like a bug! You really don't know what you're messing with!"
But Bray was just a small fry in the grand scheme of the criminal underworld. Kingpin was tightening his grip over New York, expanding his empire beyond the city. The stakes were higher than ever.
And so the battle for survival in Hell's Kitchen unfolded, where the clash of power, fear, and unexpected alliances would lead to unforeseen consequences. Would Luya and Gwen rise to the challenge, or would the darkness of the streets consume them all?