Manhunt (8)

The night air felt heavy as Kevin, Maiya, and Ethan ran through the dimly lit streets, their breathing uneven from exhaustion. They had barely managed to shake off Henry's men, and now they had only one destination left—Ryan's house.

Ryan's home wasn't anything extravagant—a middle-class, two-story house with a neat but small garden surrounding it. A dim porch light flickered above the door, casting eerie shadows across the wooden steps.

Kevin didn't hesitate. He rushed up and pounded on the door.

No answer.

He knocked again, harder this time. "Ryan, open up!"

Still nothing.

Ethan glanced around nervously, his instincts telling him they didn't have much time. "Kevin, we shouldn't stay out here too long."

Kevin ignored him and slammed his fist against the door once more.

This time, they heard shuffling from inside, followed by the sound of a lock clicking open. The door creaked, revealing Ryan's irritated face. His brows furrowed as he took in their ragged appearances.

"Oh, for fuck's sake," he muttered. "What now?"

"We need to come in," Kevin said, pushing past him without waiting for permission.

Maiya and Ethan followed, and Ryan groaned. "Yeah, sure, come in, make yourselves at home. Not like this is myhouse or anything."

Once inside, Kevin wasted no time. "Where's Liam?"

Ryan scoffed, shutting the door. "Why?"

"Just answer the damn question," Kevin snapped.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "He's shitting."

Kevin blinked. "Where?"

Ryan gave him a deadpan look. "In the toilet, dumbass."

Maiya rubbed her temples. "Alright, alright, let's not fight each other right now."

"I agree," Ethan added quietly.

Ryan plopped onto his gaming chair, arms crossed. "So, Liam really did it, huh? Pissed Henry off so bad he wants him dead?"

Maiya hesitated. "I guess?"

Ryan narrowed his eyes. "Then why the hell are you guys dragging me into this?"

Kevin frowned. "No one's dragging you into anything."

Ryan scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then explain why you're all in my house right now looking like you just ran from a crime scene." He leaned back. "Be real with me. You seriously expect me to cover for you? If Henry finds out I helped, I'm dead."

Kevin exhaled. "Nothing's gonna happen to you."

Ryan gave him an incredulous look. "Are you even listening to yourself? 'Nothing's gonna happen'—like Henry's gonna say 'oh, Ryan didn't mean to help them' and let me off with a handshake?" He shook his head. "No. If he finds out I helped, I'm fucked. Simple as that."

Liam walked out of the bathroom just then, drying his hands. His usual smirk was gone. He looked exhausted.

"You're right," Liam said quietly. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have messed with Henry."

Ryan smirked. "See? Even Liam admits it. So, please, all of you, get out."

Maiya turned to Liam, then back at Ryan. "That's enough. Why are you being such a coward?"

Ryan let out a bitter laugh. "Oh, I'm a coward now? Thinking logically makes me a coward?" He pointed at Liam. "Look, I don't know what you did, but just go to Henry and apologize. Maybe he'll rough you up a little, but you deserve it."

Ethan spoke up, his voice firmer than usual. "He can't do that."

Ryan scoffed. "And why not?"

"They'll kill him," Ethan said simply.

Ryan's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly forced a smirk. "Kill him? Come on, wake up. You guys think this is movie? No one's getting killed."

Ethan's face darkened. "You don't know Ryan. You don't understand."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Then enlighten me."

Ethan hesitated. He clenched his fists. "You weren't there."

Ryan frowned. "There where?"

Ethan exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Forget it."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Great. Real convincing argument."

Liam sighed. "Look, Ryan, I don't blame you for not wanting to be involved, but—"

Ryan cut him off. "I don't want to be involved. That's the whole point. And you know what? You guys are idiots for not just going to the police."

Kevin shook his head. "That's not an option."

Ryan threw up his hands. "And why? "

Kevin's tone hardened. "The Crimson Gang's involved. The cops ride their dicks."

Ryan let out a bitter chuckle. "So what? You're gonna fight an entire gang now?"

No one answered.

Ryan exhaled. "I don't care what you all do, but you need to leave."

Kevin opened his mouth, about to argue, but then—

A voice outside.

"They went this way."

The entire room froze.

"I saw them."

Kevin's eyes flickered toward the window. "Shit."

"Check that house."

Ryan's face turned pale.

Kevin moved toward the window, carefully parting the blinds. His face tensed. "There's only thirteen of them."

Ryan gawked. "only thirteen?? Excuse me??"

Liam rolled his shoulders, his expression sharpening. "We can't keep running."

Maiya turned to him. "What do you mean?"

Liam cracked his knuckles. "We fight."

Ryan's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "We What?Oh, no. No, no, no, not in my house."

Ethan, who had been quiet most of the time, nodded in agreement with Liam. "He's right. We can't always hide."

Ryan looked around at all of them, his jaw tightening. "You people have lost your minds."

Kevin sighed. "It's happening either way. They're already here."

Ryan muttered under his breath, gripping his hair. "I should've locked the damn door."

Outside, footsteps approached.

Liam turned to Ethan. "Ready?"

Ethan nodded.

The front door rattled.

And then—