As Harry considered the situation, a thought flashed through his mind. 'Louis must know more than I do. He's always had his ear to the ground. Who knows what I might learn from him?'
With a plan forming, Harry made his way back home.
The house had changed a bit since he'd joined the Red Bird Dojo a year ago. The money he'd secretly taken from the Czech family had gone a long way in easing his family's struggles. Though it wasn't a fortune, it was enough to make a real difference. His earnings from the school allowed them to climb out of the worst of their poverty, and he had even used his connections to secure jobs for his father and brother at the school. The income wasn't much, but compared to their old life, it was a vast improvement.
The effects of this steady income were clear. The once shabby decor in the house had been updated, the furniture polished, and the table was now regularly set with more than just the bare essentials. They even had meat a few times a week. His mother, Molly, had been so thrilled by their improved circumstances that she'd saved up to buy a new television, a gleaming piece of technology that played a few local channels. Now, the whole family gathered around it every night; it had quickly become the center of their evening routine.
As Harry took his seat at the dinner table, he looked around, noticing someone was missing. "Is my sister not back yet?" he asked casually.
His brother, Mir, barely looked up. "Nope. She's always off somewhere. You know how she is; don't worry about it." Then, with a serious expression, he looked at Harry. "But enough about Karina. You're the one we're all proud of, Zack."
Mir leaned forward, eyes bright. "I heard you officially joined the Red Bird Dojo?"
Their parents turned away from the television, anticipation lighting up their faces. When Harry nodded, they broke into smiles, sharing a look of pure joy.
Their father clapped a hand on his shoulder. "This is incredible, son. You have no idea what this means for us."
"Just imagine," his mother added, her voice filled with pride. "Teacher Morris even stopped by a few days ago. She said the college entrance exams are approaching and she's certain you'll be admitted to a top school. Zack, you'll be the first in our family to go to college 'and' be part of the Dojo."
His father smiled broadly. "You're securing a future not just for yourself but for all of us. Your hard work is already changing our lives. We're so proud of you."
Harry listened quietly, a mix of emotions stirring in him. Their excitement was infectious, and he could feel the pressure on his shoulders, the hope they were placing in him. He was grateful, of course, but he couldn't help but feel the responsibility bearing down on him.
In the midst of their celebration, Karina's absence was barely noticed, and no one seemed concerned about where she might be.
After dinner, Harry slipped away from the lively atmosphere and headed to Karina's room. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, unsurprised by the emptiness that greeted him. The room was untouched, as though she hadn't been there in weeks.
"It's been almost two months since she's been home," he murmured to himself, gazing around the room. Unlike the rest of the family, Harry had a close bond with Karina. Her rebellious nature and unconventional actions might have caused friction with others, but to him, they were understandable; even refreshing. In a world full of rigid expectations, she was one of the few people he felt truly connected to.
Sighing, he quietly closed her door and walked to the window, staring out into the dark street. Shadows lingered beyond the dim streetlights, thick and unmoving. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking in those shadows, something watching, waiting.
The next morning, Harry met up with Louis at school, eager to learn what he could about Wendy.
"Wendy hasn't been to school in over a month?" he asked, trying to mask his concern.
Louis nodded, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Yeah. I wanted to tell you earlier, but we kept missing each other. She just... stopped coming one day."
"Did any of the teachers say anything?" Harry pressed.
Louis scoffed, shaking his head in frustration. "This school? They barely care. No one said a word, just like she vanished without a trace. We're just kids to them, easily replaceable. But…" He trailed off, lowering his voice, "some of the rumors I've heard… they're not good."
Harry's eyes narrowed. "What kind of rumors?"
Louis shifted uneasily, looking around to make sure no one was listening. "I heard some people say she got involved with the wrong crowd. Maybe she got in trouble, or maybe she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, people say she's in danger."
Harry felt a chill crawl up his spine. Wendy, the friend who'd once been like a sister to him, was caught in something dark and dangerous. And now, after learning about Jenna's warning, it was clear this wasn't just schoolyard gossip. Something real was threatening Wendy and maybe even those close to her.
"Thank you, Louis," he said, clapping a reassuring hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll find out what's going on. If there's any way to help Wendy, I'll do it."
Louis nodded, a faint look of relief on his face. "I knew you would. If anyone can help her, it's you."
As the two friends parted, Harry felt the weight of a new purpose settle over him. Wendy was out there somewhere, tangled in trouble, and he couldn't let her face it alone. Whatever it took, he would find her and bring her back safely.
With resolve hardening in his heart, he set off, ready to uncover the secrets lurking in the shadows of Malu City.
Louis scoffed, "The teachers here would be thrilled to see fewer students around. Less work for them, right? They're hardly going to raise an eyebrow about Wendy missing school."
He shook his head, his voice laced with bitterness. "Honestly, it's not unusual at all. Prayer Academy's an official school, but the student body is… mixed, to say the least. You've got serious students like you, Harry, but then there are others who end up in gangs as soon as they can, like Jack used to. And the teachers? Most are just here for the paycheck. Only a few, like Morris, actually care."
Louis's words struck a chord with Harry. At Academy, students disappearing was almost routine. Some stayed away for weeks, others for months, and the administration rarely took any notice. But Wendy? She was different. She wouldn't just vanish like this unless something serious was going on.
A flicker of worry passed through him, combining with the warning he'd received from Jenna. Whatever was going on, it wasn't just a case of skipping school. Wendy was in trouble, real trouble.
The class soon ended, but Harry had no intention of going home. Instead, he headed directly toward Wendy's neighborhood.
"I'll come with you," Louis offered, already rising to follow.
But Harry shook his head, signaling for him to stay back. "This might be more dangerous than we think," he said quietly. "For now, it's best if you stay safe. Try not to be out alone after dark, okay?"
Louis hesitated, then nodded, a hint of concern flashing in his eyes. "Alright. Just… be careful, Harry."
With a final nod, Louis turned and disappeared down the path, while Harry continued on alone.
When he reached Wendy's home, he found it exactly as he feared: the place was deserted. The house, already old and worn, looked even more abandoned, with broken windows and weeds creeping up the walls. There were no signs of life, no indication that anyone had been here for weeks.
Harry's gaze lingered on the house, his mind racing. Should he go inside and search for clues? Maybe there was something; a letter, a note, a sign that might tell him where she had gone.
Just as he was about to step forward, he felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. He glanced to the side and spotted a familiar figure peeking out from behind a nearby wall. It was Jenna.
She was half-hidden, her face pale and tense, and she was waving her hands frantically in his direction. Her expression was one of pure terror, and she seemed to be mouthing something, though he couldn't quite make it out. But her gestures were unmistakable, she was trying to tell him to run.
Harry frowned, confused but instantly alert. Before he could process it, a chilling wave of danger washed over him, and the air around him grew thick and heavy.
Suddenly—BANG!
An explosion of force erupted nearby, shaking the ground beneath him. Harry spun around to see a massive figure crashing toward him, descending with terrifying speed. He barely had time to dive to the side as the enormous impact shattered the rock he'd been standing in front of, sending shards of stone flying through the air like deadly shrapnel.
Gravel scattered in every direction, cutting through the air and embedding itself in the dirt around him.
"Hahahahahaha!" A booming, wild laugh filled the air, and Harry looked up to see a towering man, easily over two meters tall, standing amidst the debris. The man was built like a fortress, his body thick with muscle and bulk, his face twisted in a savage grin.
Jenna's voice trembled from where she hid, her tone laced with despair. "It's… it's Samuel. Oh no… it's really him."
Harry's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. He'd heard of Samuel; the "Stone Samuel," a notorious enforcer in the area, known for his brutal strength. He was rumored to be an elite fighter, feared even among seasoned warriors. A man with such power that few dared to face him directly.
Jenna whispered again, her voice carrying a note of hopelessness. "This… this is over. There's no way we can face him."
Samuel let out another mocking laugh, his booming voice filling the empty street. Without hesitation, he reached down, his massive hand aiming to pull Harry from the rubble like a helpless rag doll.
But just as his fingers closed around Harry's arm, something unexpected happened.
Samuel's hand stopped. His laughter faded into a confused grunt as he realized he couldn't pull Harry free. Harry's arm, though much smaller and leaner than Samuel's, had clamped onto Samuel's wrist in an unyielding grip.
Samuel's smirk twisted into a frown. "What the—?" he growled, attempting to pull his hand back, but Harry held firm, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.
"Not so fast," Harry muttered, his voice calm but edged with steel. "You came looking for me. Let's see if you can handle what you've found."
A flicker of surprise crossed Samuel's face, but it quickly gave way to amusement. "You think that little grip of yours is gonna do anything? I'll crush you, boy!" He flexed his muscles, attempting to overpower Harry with sheer force.
But Harry held his ground, his grip unwavering. Beneath Samuel's brawny exterior, Harry could feel his confidence turning to confusion, then frustration, as he realized his strength wasn't having the effect he expected.
With a twist of his arm, Harry shifted his weight and, in a fluid motion, pulled Samuel off balance. The hulking brute stumbled, his footing momentarily lost. Harry didn't waste a second. Using Samuel's own momentum against him, he sent a fierce strike to Samuel's elbow, forcing the giant back a step.
Samuel regained his balance, his face now twisted in rage. "You little—" he snarled, his voice seething with fury.
But Harry just stared him down, his expression unflinching. "You came here to attack me, and yet you're the one struggling. Maybe you should think twice before underestimating your opponent."
From her hiding spot, Jenna watched in awe, her fear now mingled with a hint of disbelief. She'd seen fighters collapse under Samuel's strength, but Harry was handling him with a calm precision that left her speechless.
Samuel roared in anger and lunged again, but this time, Harry was ready. With a quick sidestep, he evaded the brute's charge, using Samuel's own momentum to throw him off balance again. For every wild swing, Harry countered with a precise, calculated movement, wearing Samuel down bit by bit.
Samuel's rage grew, his attacks more desperate and reckless. Finally, with one final, frustrated roar, he swung with all his might, but Harry ducked and struck, landing a solid blow that sent Samuel reeling back.
Breathing heavily, Samuel stumbled, his chest heaving, realizing he had underestimated his opponent. Harry's gaze remained sharp, calm, his stance steady as he awaited Samuel's next move.
But instead of attacking, Samuel took a wary step back, his face now laced with uncertainty. He sneered, attempting to save face. "You think this is over, kid? You've only delayed the inevitable."
Without another word, he turned and lumbered away, his massive frame disappearing down the street.
As the dust settled, Harry turned to Jenna, who was still frozen in place, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his tone softer now.
Jenna swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. "You… you stood up to Samuel. No one does that. I thought we were done for."
Harry gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Let's just say I'm not as easy to break as I look."
Jenna nodded, still stunned but visibly relieved. Harry glanced back at the house, his mind returning to the mission at hand.
"Wendy needs help," he said, his tone resolute. "And it's clear that there's more to this than I thought. If Samuel's involved, then we're dealing with something bigger."
Jenna nodded, understanding the weight of his words. Whatever was happening to Wendy, it wasn't just a personal problem, it was something that had drawn the attention of dangerous people.
Harry took a deep breath, steeling himself. This was just the beginning.