Manhunt (10)

They ran.

Their footsteps pounded against the pavement, breaths ragged, adrenaline still pumping through their veins. The sounds of distant shouting faded behind them as they slipped through dark alleys and cut across empty streets.

Sarah led them, glancing back every few seconds to make sure everyone was still on their feet. Ryan tripped once, nearly face-planting, but Ethan yanked him up by the collar before he could slow them down.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Sarah stopped.

They had reached a safe spot—a quiet backlot behind an abandoned building, hidden from street view. Everyone collapsed against the walls, sucking in deep breaths.

Sarah was the first to speak.

"What the fuck is going on?"

Her voice was sharp, demanding answers.

Liam ran a hand through his hair, trying to catch his breath. "Henry."

Noah blinked, still trying to process what was happening. "Henry?"

"Yeah."

"How?"

Liam exhaled, looking at Noah. "Remember when I told you Henry was going to come back for revenge?"

Noah nodded hesitantly. "Yeah… That's the whole reason I stayed at Sarah's place."

Kevin's eyes widened. "Wait—you were staying at Sarah's place?"

Liam shot him a look. "Yeah, since you fuckers didn't listen to me, I had no choice."

Kevin raised his hands in defense. "Alright, damn, no need to yell at me."

Sarah cut back in. "So Henry's really doing all of this over revenge? Jesus Christ."

Liam sighed. "Yeah. I expected him to come after me, but I didn't expect him to bring this many guys.

Sarah frowned. "How many?"

Ethan answered grimly. "At least a hundred."

Noah's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "What?!"

Maiya, still breathing heavily, checked her phone. "What time is it?"

Sarah glanced at her own. "Last I checked, it was 3:36."

Maiya muttered a curse under her breath. "Goddamn it."

She looked up at Liam. "You think they're gonna keep hunting you through the night?"

Liam nodded. "They won't stop."

Noah leaned against the wall, rubbing his temples. "This is a mess."

Liam sighed. "Exactly."

Noah's voice grew firm. "What do we do?"

Ethan shook his head. "We can't keep running forever."

Maiya's frustration exploded. "No—no, no chance! You guys are on your limits. You can't fight anymore.

Liam ran a hand down his face. "Well, tell that to Henry."

Kevin stepped forward, his voice more serious than usual. "Look, bro, Maiya's right. You all need to rest. You're fucking injured right now."

Liam clenched his jaw. "Henry's not going to stop hunting us just because we're injured, Kevin. We need to end this."

Maiya threw up her hands. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that?"

Ethan answered before Liam could. "By beating the three heads."

Noah looked between them. "Three heads?"

Liam's expression hardened. "Mark. Luke. And... Henry."

Ethan nodded. "If we can take them out, maybe—maybe—we can put an end to this."

Maiya exhaled sharply. "No way. Y'all will die."

Liam didn't blink. "If we don't do anything, we're going to die anyway."

Maiya threw her hands up again. "This is crazy."

Liam's voice was steady. "This is our only hope."

Maiya laughed bitterly. "Our only hope is fighting to the death with Henry, Luke, and Mark? How does that make any sense?"

Ethan shrugged. "What other choice do we have?"

Maiya shook her head. "I don't know. Maybe wait until things calm the fuck down?"

Liam scoffed. "That's the thing, Maiya. They're *not* going to calm down."

Silence hung between them for a second.

Then Ethan cracked his knuckles. "I'll take on Mark."

Kevin's head snapped toward him. "Dude, you can't."

Liam spoke next. "I'll take on Luke."

Maiya's eyes widened in horror. "Wait—wait, no."

Kevin hesitated before sighing. "Fine. I'll take on Henry."

Before Liam could argue, Noah stepped forward. "No."

Everyone turned to him.

Noah's fists clenched. "Let me take on Henry."

Liam's heart stopped for a second.

Then he let out a sharp laugh. *What? No fucking way. You can't beat Henry."

Noah's voice shook, but his eyes were firm. "Liam, please. I have to do this."

Liam's face darkened. "It's too dangerous. You can't fight him, Noah."

Noah stepped closer. "Please, Liam. I have to."

Liam stared at him, searching his face for any sign of hesitation.

Before he could answer, Ryan's voice cut through the tension.

"Just let him die. Why do you care?"

The words hit like a slap.

Liam's head snapped toward Ryan, his eyes burning with fury. "Shut the fuck up, Ryan."

Ryan didn't back down. His voice shook, but it was filled with bitterness.

"Wow, look at you, mister hero. You care about some goddamn nobody you met a few days ago—but when I told you I didn't want anything to do with this shit, you dragged me into it anyway. You didn't give a fuck about what I wanted, but he gets a choice?"

Silence.

Ethan exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. **"Ryan's got a point."**

Liam shot him a sharp look. **"The fuck are you saying?"**

Ethan sighed. **"I'm saying Kevin's injured. He can't take on Henry. And Noah… might be our only shot."

Liam clenched his fists. His mind screamed at him to say no.

Noah held his gaze. "I can do this, Liam."

Seconds stretched.

Then—

Liam exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine."

He met Noah's eyes, his voice quieter now. "Then I'm trusting you to kick Henry's ass."

Noah nodded. "I will."

The weight of the decision settled over them.

Noah was going to fight Henry.

And there was no turning back.