Manhunt (9)

The front door burst open.

Thirteen guys stormed into the house, their heavy footsteps echoing through the hallway. Ryan yelped and dove behind his couch, but Ethan was already moving. He charged forward, trying to shove them back out the door, but there were too many.

One of the guys—a tall, broad-shouldered brute—grabbed Ethan by the collar and hurled him backward. Ethan crashed into the coffee table, knocking it over with a loud THUD.

Liam was next. He didn't hesitate. He slammed his fist into the nearest guy's face, sending him stumbling back, then turned and drove his knee into another's gut. A third came at him from behind, but Liam spun, dodging a punch and cracking his elbow into the guy's jaw.

Chaos erupted.

The fight was messy, brutal, and fast-paced.

Ethan, despite being dazed, forced himself up and joined back in. He threw himself at the group, grabbing one guy by the shirt and yanking him down before delivering a sharp kick to his ribs. Someone tried to grab him from behind, but Ethan ducked and threw a wild punch, barely missing.

Liam was surrounded. He fought like a cornered animal, using anything he could—his fists, elbows, knees, even headbutting a guy when he had no other choice. He wasn't as fast as usual, not with his injuries, but his sheer aggression made up for it.

Kevin stood frozen at first, his hands clenched into useless fists. He wasn't a fighter. He knew that. But then—

One of the guys spotted Maiya.

She had been backing away, trying to avoid the brawl entirely, but a man turned toward her, his expression twisted with something ugly. He lunged—

Kevin moved before he could think.

He shoved Maiya aside and intercepted the attack, taking a hard punch to the ribs. The impact knocked the breath out of him, but adrenaline took over. He swung wildly, his punch landing awkwardly against the guy's cheekbone. It barely did any damage.

The guy recovered fast. He sneered and swung again. Kevin barely ducked, throwing another clumsy punch that actually connected this time. He had no technique, no power behind it—but it was enough to stun the guy for a second.

And that was all Liam needed.

Liam grabbed the distracted man by the shoulder and slammed his knee into his stomach. The guy gasped in pain before Liam followed up with an uppercut, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

"Nice one, Kev," Liam muttered, before dodging another punch.

Kevin didn't have time to process what just happened. Another guy was coming at him. He braced himself, but Ethan stepped in, grabbing the man and flipping him over the arm of the couch.

The fight raged on. The living room was trashed—lamps knocked over, glass shattered, Ryan's laptop flung onto the floor.

Ryan, from his hiding spot behind the couch, peeked out. "Holy shit, my house—"

He didn't get to finish. Someone tripped over the fallen coffee table and went crashing into him. Ryan yelped and scrambled away like a terrified animal.

Liam elbowed another guy in the face, panting heavily. There were still too many of them.

Kevin, breathing hard, looked at the remaining few. They were slowing down. A couple were clutching their sides, groaning in pain. The tide was turning.

Liam gritted his teeth. He was tired, but he pushed forward. He punched, kicked, dodged—until finally, the last of the attackers collapsed, either unconscious or groaning on the ground.

It was over.

For now.

The silence that followed was deafening.

They barely had time to catch their breath before they heard voices outside.

"They went this way!"

"Shit," Kevin muttered, glancing out the window.

Ryan's face was pure panic. "No shit!"

They ran.

Liam, Ethan, Kevin, Maiya, and a reluctant Ryan bolted through the back door and into the streets. They stuck to the shadows, slipping through alleys and cutting through empty lots, but Henry's men were everywhere.

They encountered more along the way—some fights they won, some they barely escaped.

One guy swung a bat at Ethan, but he ducked and kicked the guy's leg out from under him before sprinting away.

Liam tackled another into a wall, slamming his fist into his face before shoving him aside.

Kevin, despite his lack of skill, managed to throw a few desperate punches when needed. Ryan, on the other hand, mostly ran and screamed when anyone got too close.

It felt endless.

They ran. They fought. They ran again.

But eventually, their luck ran out.

---

Luke and Henry arrived at the scene where their men had been beaten.

Luke stared at the groaning bodies on the ground, then at the guys still standing. He was unimpressed.

"You guys are fucking useless."

One of the bruised men scowled. "They were strong."

Luke barked a laugh. "Strong? The thirteen of you couldn't take down some guy I already injured?"

The man's jaw clenched. "I don't like your tone, boy. Be happy we're even helping you for free."

Luke smirked. "Pathetic."

The guy snapped. "Oh yeah? You want a piece of me, fucker?"

Luke's grin widened. "Bring it on, motherfucker."

He cracked his knuckles, ready to throw down, but Henry stepped between them.

"We don't have time for this," Henry said sharply. "We need to move."

Luke glanced at him, then back at the guy. He scoffed. "Fine."

Just then, Mark came running toward them, panting.

"Good news!" Mark shouted.

Henry and Luke turned to him.

"What is it?" Henry asked.

Mark grinned. "We got 'em. Liam and his crew are surrounded in an alley."

Luke's eyes gleamed. "Where?"

"No time for chit-chat. Let's go."

Luke didn't argue. "Finally."

---

Liam and the others were trapped.

The alley was a dead end. Dozens of guys blocked the only exit. The only other way out was past three guards, but Liam and Ethan were too injured to take them on. Maiya wasn't a fighter. Kevin was too slow and sloppy. And Ryan—

Ryan was useless.

The men surrounding them moved in slowly, carefully. They knew Liam was dangerous, even injured. But numbers were on their side.

They were done.

Liam exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to his ribs. Ethan clenched his fists, but even he knew this was bad.

Ryan, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with fear. "We're so fucked," he whispered.

The guys moved in closer.

Liam swallowed. This was it.

Then—

A hiss..filled the air, followed by agonized screams.

The guards at the exit reeled back, clutching their burning eyes.

Liam blinked in confusion before looking up.

Standing there, holding a can of pepper spray, was Sarah.

Behind her, Noah.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Sarah called out, shaking the can. "Come on! RUN!"

For a moment, Liam just stared.

Then—

He ran.