Manhunt

Henry stood in the park, hands in his pockets, tapping his foot impatiently. The dim glow of the sunlight cast long shadows on the pavement. He had been waiting for a while now, but finally, he saw a group approaching.

Luke walked ahead, his signature cocky grin plastered across his face. Behind him were nine guys, all of them from Henry's baseball team or their extended group of thugs.

Henry crossed his arms. "Took you long enough."

Luke shrugged. "Had to round up everyone I could. Some couldn't come."

Henry's eyes flicked over the group. "You bring the bats?"

Luke smirked and gestured to one of the guys, who was carrying a duffel bag. "Bats and knuckles, boss. We're ready."

Mark, one of the stronger guys on the team, cracked his knuckles. "So where's Liam's place?"

Henry pointed toward the street corner. "Right around there."

Mark grinned. "Man, I've been waiting for this. We gonna wreck that bastard."

Luke chuckled. "You and me both. I've been wanting to smash that guy's face in for a long-ass time."

Henry turned to the group. "Let's go. Follow me."

The mob of thugs moved through the dimly lit streets, their presence enough to make the few remaining pedestrians cross the road in fear.

As they walked, Henry leaned closer to Luke and muttered, "You really brought your girlfriend here?"

Luke barely glanced at the girl walking alongside him. "She wanted to come, boss."

"What if things get messy?" Henry hissed.

Luke smirked. "Don't worry. She's just a hooker to me."

Henry sighed, shaking his head. He didn't care what Luke did in his personal life. All that mattered now was Liam.

They reached Liam's house.

Jake, another one of Henry's guys, stepped up and pounded his fist on the door.

Silence.

He knocked again.

This time, the door swung open.

Liam stood there, in his pajamas and his messy hair sticking out in every direction. His eyes were half-lidded, like he had just woken up.

Liam blinked. Then he looked around at the dozen guys in front of his house.

Liam rubbed his eyes. "What the fuck? Is there a party going on? Am I invited?"

Henry stepped forward. "Shut up, Liam. You know why we're here."

Liam squinted. Then a slow smirk spread across his face. "Ohhh, right. Is this about how I kicked your ass in front of Kate?"

Henry's face twisted with rage. He grabbed Liam by the collar and yanked him forward.

"I'll kill you."

Liam didn't flinch. "Try."

Henry clenched his fist but held back. He had questions first.

"Where's Noah?"

Liam tilted his head. "Noah? Who?"

Henry growled. "Don't play dumb. Where is he?"

Liam blinked. "Who?"

Henry's patience snapped. He punched Liam straight in the face.

Liam hit the ground, his lip split open.

Luke stepped forward, about to pounce, but Henry held up a hand.

"Not yet."

But Liam was already moving. In one quick motion, he kicked Henry's legs out from under him and sent him crashing onto his back.

Liam leaped to his feet and ran.

Luke lunged after him, but Liam was already dashing up the stairs inside his house.

"Go after him!" Henry shouted.

Luke didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted inside, bounding up the stairs two at a time.

Liam burst through a window and onto the roof. He didn't stop.

He jumped.

Luke didn't hesitate. He followed.

---

The cold air slapped against Liam's face as he landed on the neighbor's garage roof, rolling to absorb the impact. He sprang up and bolted across the rooftop, his bare feet light against the surface.

Luke landed behind him with a heavy thud. He was bigger, stronger—but Liam was faster.

Liam saw the first obstacle coming: a gap between two buildings.

Without hesitation, he pushed off and soared over the alleyway. His feet barely landed on the other side, his arms flailing for balance before he kept running.

Luke jumped right after him.

He landed hard, almost slipping.

Liam's heart pounded as he raced toward a rusted water tank. He vaulted over it in one smooth motion.

Luke didn't bother. He kicked it over, sending it crashing toward Liam.

Liam barely ducked in time.

"Asshole!" he shouted, glancing back.

Luke just grinned.

Next obstacle: a rooftop drop.

Liam leaped, tucking his body mid-air and rolling onto the rooftop below. He barely felt the impact before he was running again.

Luke jumped—but he wasn't as graceful. His knee slammed into the ground, and he grunted in pain.

Liam was gaining distance—but not for long.

Luke lunged.

And tackled Liam mid-air.

They crashed onto the rooftop, rolling in a tangled mess.

Liam kicked Luke off and scrambled to his feet.

Luke was up in a second, throwing a brutal right hook.

Liam dodged—but barely.The wind from the punch brushed his face.

Liam retaliated with a quick jab to Luke's ribs.

Luke barely flinched. Instead, he swung again, this time aiming low.

Liam hopped back,dodging a fist to his stomach.

Then—Luke charged.

Liam sidestepped, but Luke grabbed his collar and smashed his knee into Liam's stomach.

Liam gasped. Then—an elbow to the jaw.

Liam stumbled. Blood dripped from his lip.

Luke cracked his knuckles. "What's wrong, funny guy? Out of jokes?"

Liam wiped his lip and smirked. "Nah, just trying to count your brain cells. Not many left."

Luke growled and swung.

Liam ducked.

Then—he countered.

A vicious knee to Luke's side. A spinning elbow across Luke's face.

Luke staggered—but he wasn't done.

He grabbed Liam's wrist and yanked him forward.

Then—a brutal headbutt.

Liam saw stars.

His body wobbled.

Luke capitalized—slamming his fist into Liam's ribs.

Liam collapsed onto one knee.

Luke loomed over him. "Game over, asshole."

Liam's brain screamed at him to move.

So he did.

With one last burst of energy, Liam kicked Luke's shin and shoved him backward.

Luke stumbled—just enough.

Liam turned and ran.

Luke cursed, but Liam was gone.

Luke stood there, breathing heavily, blood dripping from his nose. His knuckles ached from the punches he threw, and his ribs throbbed from Liam's counterattacks.

Footsteps.

The rest of the gang finally caught up.

Henry, baseball bat in hand, looked at Luke and narrowed his eyes. "You okay?"

Luke wiped the blood off his face with the back of his hand. "Uhhh… fuck.Yeah, I'm fine."

Mark, still holding his bat, glanced around. "Where did that bastard go?"

Luke gritted his teeth and looked down the alleyway. The shadows stretched long under the streetlights, but Liam was nowhere in sight.

Luke growled. "He can't be far. Must be around the corner."

Henry turned to the group. "You heard him. Go search and kill him."

The gang spread out, scanning the rooftops, peering into alleys, checking behind dumpsters.

Henry turned back to Luke. "Is he injured?"

Luke cracked his neck. "Yeah, I think I landed some pretty decent shots on him."

Henry smirked. "Good."

Then he glanced at Luke again, his smirk fading just slightly. "You sure you don't need backup?"

Luke scoffed. "Nah. I'm fine."

Henry smirked again and patted Luke on the shoulder. "Can you still run?"

Luke rolled his shoulders, wincing. "Let's fucking go."

With that, the group scattered into the day,their hunt for Liam far from over.

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