Manhunt (6)

The café was dead silent. The only sound was the faint crackle of a broken tooth skidding across the floor.

Ethan flexed his fingers, his knuckles still throbbing from the punch. The guy he just knocked out lay crumpled at his feet, groaning in pain.

The bull-sized guy stepped forward, rolling his thick shoulders. His neck cracked as he tilted his head from side to side, eyes locked onto Ethan with pure hostility.

"You got guts, buzzcut," the guy said, voice deep and guttural. "But you just fucked up bad."

Ethan met his gaze, unimpressed. "That right?"

The guy smirked. "Yeah. 'Cause now, I'm gonna break you."

And just like that, he lunged.

The bull guy moved fast—way faster than a guy his size should. His fist swung like a wrecking ball, aiming straight for Ethan's ribs.

Ethan barely dodged, shifting back just in time. The air whistled as the punch missed, but before Ethan could counter, the bull guy was already moving again, throwing a second punch, then a third.

Each strike was brutal, heavy, and precise. Ethan dodged the first two, but the third clipped his side, sending a shockwave of pain through his ribs.

"Shit-"

The second he staggered, the bull guy drove a knee into his gut.

Ethan doubled over, eyes widening.

The bull guy grabbed Ethan by the collar and threw him across the café like he was nothing.

Ethan crashed into a table, knocking over chairs and sending silverware clattering to the floor. His back ached, and his vision blurred for a split second.

Maiya and Maira gasped.

Mr. Patel tried to step in, but one of the gang members grabbed him and shoved him back.

Ethan wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. "Alright," he muttered, pushing himself up. "That fucking hurt."

The bull guy cracked his knuckles. "That's just the start."

Ethan exhaled slowly. "Okay then… round two."

This time, Ethan attacked first.

He feinted left, making the bull think a punch was coming, then twisted and kicked him in the ribs. The impact made the bull guy grunt, but he barely moved.

Ethan frowned. "What the hell are you made of?"

The bull guy grinned and swung again. Ethan ducked, dodging the punch by inches, and landed a counterpunch to his jaw. Then another. Then another.

Three clean hits.

The bull guy stumbled back, shaking his head. "Not bad," he admitted. Then, without warning, he charged.

Ethan had no time to dodge. The bull guy tackled him, slamming him straight into the café wall.

The entire wall shook from the impact. Plates fell from shelves. The wooden frame groaned under the weight.

Ethan felt something crack in his back.

"Ugh—!"

The bull guy grabbed him by the throat and started squeezing .

Ethan's breath hitched. His vision darkened at the edges.

"Oh fuck—"

"You're dead," the bull guy growled, tightening his grip. "I'm gonna squeeze the life outta you."

Ethan's fingers clawed at the bull guy's arm, but it was like trying to pry open a steel clamp. His lungs burned. His legs kicked against the wall.

Maiya screamed. "Let him go!"

Maira tried to rush in, but another gang member held her back.

Ethan's vision blurred.

His heartbeat slowed.

His arms weakened.

Then—

Crack!

Ethan headbutted the bull right in the nose.

The guy's grip loosened for half a second.

And half a second was all Ethan needed.

He yanked his knee up and slammed it into the bull's ribs.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The bull guy finally let go, stumbling back, blood trickling from his nose.

Ethan gasped, hands on his knees, sucking in lungfuls of air. "Holy… fuck…"

But he had no time to rest.

The bull guy wiped the blood from his nose, grinning.

"That all you got?"

The bull guy charged again

Ethan, still breathless, braced himself.

This was it.

No more dodging.

No more testing.

He had to end this.

The second the bull guy got close, Ethan twisted his body and delivered a brutal uppercut to his gut.

The bull guy wheezed,doubling over.

Ethan immediately followed up with a spinning elbow to his jaw. The impact sent shockwaves up his arm.

The bull guy staggered.

One more hit.

Ethan took a step back, inhaled deeply, then launched himself forward, putting everything into one final punch.

BAM.

The bull's head *snapped* back. His legs buckled.

And then, like a collapsing building—

He fell

The café went silent.

Ethan stood there, panting, watching as the massive guy lay motionless on the floor.

"Fuck," Ethan muttered, shaking out his sore fist. "That guy was tough."

Maira ran over. "Are you okay?"

Ethan nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah. Just… never fighting someone built like a truck again."

Maiya exhaled in relief. "Holy shit, Ethan, I thought you were dead for a second."

Ethan smirked. "Nah. Just almost dead."

Then Kevin's voice rang from upstairs.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON DOWN THERE?!"