Manhunt (7)

Kevin's breath was uneven as he dashed down the stairs, his heart pounding harder with each step. The moment his feet hit the café floor, his eyes widened at the sight before him—Ethan stood near the counter, blood trickling down his lip, his knuckles bruised, and a few unconscious bodies scattered around.

"What the hell happened here?" Kevin blurted, his voice sharp with alarm.

Ethan, despite the clear signs of exhaustion on his face, frowned at Kevin. "I should be the one asking that question."

Kevin blinked, confused. "What?"

Ethan wiped the corner of his mouth and took a slow breath, his usual calm demeanor cracking just a little. "I came here because I noticed a group of guys lurking near my house. I asked what they wanted, but they jumped me. I had to fight them off. Then I went to your place, but your mom said you were here, so I came—and now I find this mess. What is going on?"

Kevin hesitated, knowing Ethan wasn't going to like the answer.

"It's Henry," Kevin finally said, watching as Ethan's expression darkened.

"Henry?" Ethan's voice was unusually sharp. "He's behind this?"

Maiya, who had been standing near the counter, stepped forward, still shaken from everything that had happened. "They know," she said quietly. "They know we're hiding Liam."

Ethan's expression hardened. "And where is he?"

"Ryan's house," Maiya answered.

Ethan exhaled slowly. "Alright. Let's go."

Kevin's eyes darted around the café nervously. "No, we can't just walk out like this. Henry's guys are probably watching the area. If they find us, we're done for."

Maiya turned to her parents, who sat at a table, whispering frantically to each other while dialing the police.

"Mom… Dad…" she hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I need to go."

Her mother looked up, eyes wide with worry. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"

Maiya forced a smile. "It's complicated. Maira knows a little bit. She'll explain later. I promise I'll be back before dinner."

Before her parents could protest, Kevin grabbed Ethan's wrist and pulled him toward the door. Maiya followed, throwing one last glance at her family before disappearing into the streets.

---

The city was unnervingly quiet as they moved. The sky remained gray, the sun completely swallowed by thick clouds. Every shadow, every alley, every parked car felt like a potential ambush.

Ethan kept his head down, hands in his pockets, his mind working through everything Kevin had told him. Liam had gone too far this time. Henry wasn't playing anymore—he wanted blood.

They turned a corner, only for Kevin to suddenly yank Maiya and Ethan back against the wall.

Three men stood at the other end of the alley, casually smoking, but their posture was alert.

"They're blocking the way," Kevin muttered under his breath.

"We'll have to go around," Maiya whispered.

Ethan looked at them, his face unreadable. "No. We don't have time."

Before Kevin could stop him, Ethan stepped forward, his usual quiet, non-confrontational nature momentarily set aside.

One of the guys noticed him and scoffed. "Oh, great. Another one."

The others turned, sizing Ethan up.

"Move," Ethan said simply.

The guy laughed. "Oh, this one's got some guts."

Kevin was about to intervene when Ethan suddenly struck. His fist connected cleanly with the guy's jaw, dropping him in one hit. The other two barely had time to react before Ethan delivered a precise elbow strike to the second man's ribs, making him stumble.

The third guy tried to swing at him, but Ethan ducked, stepping inside his guard before delivering a sharp knee to his stomach.

Kevin and Maiya watched, wide-eyed, as Ethan adjusted his jacket, stepping over the groaning men. "Let's go."

Kevin blinked. "...Right."

Maiya shook her head in disbelief but quickly followed.

---

They finally reached Ryan's house after nearly an hour of running, hiding, and narrowly avoiding more of Henry's guys.

Ryan's house stood in a quiet neighborhood, surrounded by a well-kept garden. It was a two-story, middle-class home, painted in a deep blue with white window frames. The front yard had a small pathway leading up to the entrance, flanked by neatly trimmed bushes. A wooden fence enclosed the property, giving it a private, somewhat isolated feel.

Kevin let out a sigh of relief. "We made it."

Ethan, catching his breath, nodded. "For now."

They stood there for a moment, the weight of everything sinking in.

Inside that house, Liam was waiting. But outside, the hunt was still on.

And they were running out of time.