Brown and Davis, the two goons, moved with an air of cautious suspicion, their eyes darting around the empty park.
They felt uneasy; something about the stillness of this place seemed almost alive, watching them.
"Don't you think this place feels a bit too... suspicious?" Davis muttered, glancing sideways at Brown.
Brown nodded, blowing out a plume of cigarette smoke. "Yeah, but orders are orders. We need to carry them out. We don't have a choice."
Exchanging wary glances, they pushed deeper into the park, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves.
They stopped a few yards away from a cluster of dense bushes. Brown pulled out another cigarette and lit it, inhaling deeply.
The glow from the cigarette briefly illuminated his face, showing the lines of weariness etched deeply across it.
Davis scanned the area, squinting through the darkness. "I don't see the girl anywhere..."
Brown exhaled smoke, his expression a mixture of frustration and impatience. "Let's split up. You check that side, and I'll go over there."
Davis nodded, and as they separated, he unknowingly moved closer to where Adam lay concealed in the bushes.
Adam was just a few feet away from him, completely hidden in the darkness, his form blending seamlessly with the shadows.
He tightened his grip on the two small vials of poison he'd prepared earlier, feeling the cool glass against his fingertips.
Adam adjusted his black mask to ensure it was secure and checked his surroundings one final time.
'This is it,' Adam thought, his senses heightened as he silently rose from his hiding place.
Davis remained oblivious, peering into the dark, unaware of Adam's presence mere inches away.
In one swift, calculated motion, Adam launched himself from the shadows, delivering a powerful kick directly into Davis's midsection.
Davis gasped as the impact sent him sprawling backward onto the ground, the force momentarily robbing him of breath.
Taking advantage of the moment, Adam pulled one of the vials from his pocket, crouched over Davis, and pinned him down with a knee pressing firmly onto his chest. Just as he prepared to force the poisonous liquid into Davis's mouth, he heard a voice in his earpiece.
"Lord Adam, watch out! Move to the side!" Pratham's voice crackled in his ear, sharp and urgent.
Instinctively, Adam twisted to the side, just in time to see a glint of metal flash past where his head had been seconds before.
Brown had flanked him, aiming to strike with a steel pipe. The blow missed, clanging against the ground with a resounding echo that shattered the silence of the park.
Adam rolled away, springing to his feet in a low, defensive stance, his eyes narrowing beneath his mask.
Brown quickly rushed to help Davis, extending a hand to pull him up. "Are you okay?" he asked, a concerned furrow in his brow.
Davis groaned, clutching his stomach where Adam's kick had landed. "I'm... I'm fine. But I'm going to make him regret that."
Brown nodded, clenching his fists as he glared into the shadows, unable to make out Adam's form clearly in the dark. "Who are you?" he shouted. "Why are you attacking us?"
In the dim light, Adam's figure remained obscured. His black attire melded into the night, the faint outline of his hood and mask only visible when he moved.
He stayed silent, his mind racing as he evaluated his options. 'This plan is falling apart faster than I expected. I didn't anticipate second goon showing up so soon.'
Steeling himself, Adam murmured, "Pratham, focus on Brown's movements. Let me know where he's aiming. Assist me with directions."
Pratham's calm, measured voice replied, "Understood, Lord Adam. I'm ready."
Brown, frustrated by Adam's silence, threw his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his boot. "Fine. If you won't talk, we'll just have to take you down."
Davis stepped forward, fists clenched, his face twisted in anger. "No, this one's mine."
Brown shrugged. "Then let's both handle him. It'll be quicker that way."
Hearing their exchange, Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out several smooth, round stones he had picked up earlier. 'These stones could come in handy...' He clenched them in his fists, ready for his next move.
Brown and Davis closed in on him, advancing with slow, deliberate steps, their bodies tense and ready. Adam whispered, "Pratham, stay alert."
"I'm with you, Lord Adam," came Pratham's steady response.
Adam didn't retreat; instead, he moved forward, the faint moonlight casting a sharp glint on his masked face.
Just as he came within range, he hurled one of the stones straight at Davis, targeting him specifically.
Davis, still slightly slowed from the earlier hit, barely had time to react as the stone struck him squarely in the face, drawing a pained yell as he stumbled backward, clutching his nose.
Brown, more alert and quicker on his feet, dodged instinctively, leaping to the side, mistakenly thinking the stone was aimed at him.
As Brown moved, Adam's confidence grew; he could sense Davis's weakness from the earlier blows and planned to exploit it further.
"Now's the time, Lord Adam!" Pratham's voice urged in his earpiece, guiding him as he zeroed in on Brown, who was still recovering from his dodge.
With swift precision, Adam delivered a punch to Brown's jaw, catching him off-guard. Brown staggered, his hand flying up to his face.
But Adam was relentless; Pratham's voice alerted him again.
"Left leg, Lord Adam!"
Without hesitation, Adam struck Brown's left leg with a powerful kick, sending him crashing to the ground with a pained grunt.
Adam kept his momentum, moving fluidly as Pratham's guidance filled his ear, each command sharpening his attacks.
But Davis, though injured, was not yet down. Blood trickled from his face, staining his shirt, and a furious growl escaped his lips.
He charged at Adam, aiming to tackle him from behind.
Sensing the movement, Adam ducked just in time, Davis's momentum carrying him forward.
He stumbled, landing face-first on the ground with a heavy thud.
Adam seized the opportunity, striding over to the fallen Davis.
He yanked him up by his collar and swiftly uncorked the vial, tipping its contents into Davis's mouth.
Davis struggled, eyes wide in terror, but the liquid flowed down his throat as Adam held him firmly, ensuring every last drop was swallowed.
Just as he let go, Brown staggered to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes.
He lunged at Adam, swinging wildly, his fist connecting hard with Adam's shoulder. The blow sent Adam skidding back, his body twisting as he fought to regain his balance.
He heard Pratham's voice cut through the pain.
"Stand up, Lord Adam. Quickly!"
Adam clenched his jaw, pushing himself up. The sound of footsteps thudded nearby as Brown approached, intent on finishing him off.
Brown raised the steel pipe, aiming for the spot where Adam lay moments before. But Adam had already moved, his body slipping into the shadows side.
To be connected . ...