No Way Out

After walking for several minutes past rows of shops and food stalls filled with the distinct aroma of spices and fried snacks, they arrived at a small internet café on the street corner. A flickering neon light above the entrance seemed to welcome the customers who stepped inside. From within, the rapid clatter of keyboards filled the air, interspersed with cheers and frustrated shouts from gamers deeply immersed in their digital worlds.

Navies stood at the doorway, hesitating as he gazed inside. The bluish glow of the computer screens reflected in his eyes, casting faint shadows on his tense face. This was his first time setting foot in a place like this.

Rendra, already a step ahead, glanced back and noticed his expression. He chuckled. "Don't tell me this is your first time in an internet café?"

Navies paused, considering his response. Finally, he let out a soft sigh, choosing to keep his personal life private. "My parents would rather spend money on daily necessities than things like this," he said flatly.

Hearing that, Rendra patted his shoulder enthusiastically. "Relax, from now on, it's on me!" he declared, pulling Navies inside.

As they stepped in, they were greeted by the glow of computer monitors and the overlapping sounds of video games. Several kids their age sat intently in front of their screens, fingers moving deftly over keyboards and mice. The distinct scent of electronics mixed with the aroma of instant noodles steaming from a corner of the room.

Rendra quickly chose two adjacent computers and eagerly launched a popular first-person shooter game. "This is my favorite game," he said with a wide grin. "Let's see how good you are."

Navies studied the screen for a moment, letting his fingers get used to the controls. In the first match, he played somewhat carelessly, allowing Rendra to win without much resistance. Rendra laughed triumphantly and patted his back. "Haha! See? I'm the best!"

But in the next match, everything changed.

Navies' initially stiff movements became more fluid. He began to grasp the game's patterns, his sharp eyes catching the small gaps in Rendra's strategy. One by one, he won round after round, watching as Rendra's confidence gradually faded, replaced by confusion and frustration.

"Wait... What? How?!" Rendra exclaimed in disbelief as he found himself losing yet again.

Navies merely smirked. "Maybe I just needed a warm-up."

Rendra furrowed his brows before laughing. "Damn! You're way better than I thought. We have to play again sometime!"

Navies nodded slightly, his eyes still fixed on the screen. He hadn't expected gaming to be this enjoyable even for someone like him.

For a moment, he felt like an ordinary teenager.

But deep down, he knew reality would never allow him to live an ordinary life.

The sky had begun to darken as Navies and Rendra walked home. The golden hues of dusk stretched across the pavement, slowly fading into long shadows creeping between the buildings. The streets were relatively quiet, only the sound of their footsteps accompanying the whisper of the wind rustling dry leaves. Occasionally, a car passed by, its headlights reflecting off the shop windows as their shutters began to close.

Rendra shoved his hands into his pockets, exhaling deeply before speaking in a casual tone or at least, trying to. Yet, there was an undeniable bitterness beneath his words.

"I live with my mom," he said, kicking a small pebble along the sidewalk. It bounced a few times before settling near a storm drain. "My dad is still alive, but to me, he's as good as dead."

Navies glanced at him briefly. The orange glow of sunset illuminated the side of Rendra's face, revealing an unreadable expression. There was something there restrained anger, or perhaps an old wound that had never fully healed.

"Why?" he asked. Not out of curiosity, but out of a desire to understand the person walking beside him.

Rendra shrugged. "He's the head of research at one of the biggest tech companies in Aratsun. His job is more important than his family. Sometimes, I forget he even exists."

Navies didn't respond immediately. He stored the information in his mind, knowing full well what it felt like to grow up without a father, even if his situation was different from Rendra's. Silence wrapped around them for a moment, filled only by the sound of their footsteps echoing against the cooling pavement.

As they passed through a dimly lit alley, an uneasy feeling crept up Navies' spine. Something felt off. Whether it was the sudden heaviness in the air or the abrupt silence of footsteps behind them, he couldn't tell. His instincts tensed.

Then, the sound of a motorcycle engine roared in the distance, growing louder with every second.

Navies turned his head. At the alley's entrance, several men in leather jackets and dark helmets stood in their path, like shadows emerging from the darkness. They didn't move. They simply waited.

Navies' heartbeat pounded faster. His eyes darted, counting their numbers, assessing the situation. The only escape route was behind them, but it was too risky. They needed to think fast.

"Navies…" Rendra's voice was tight. He swallowed hard, inching closer to Navies. "I think they're after us. Lily's people. We need to run!"

Navies barely had time to react before Rendra yanked his arm. They bolted, dashing out of the alley and crossing the street toward the open park. Their breaths raced against the adrenaline surging through their veins.

But something was wrong.

Just as they neared the park, a shiver ran down Navies' spine. His eyes caught figures lurking between the trees. They stood there, hidden in the shadows, arms crossed, smirking—as if they had anticipated every move Navies and Rendra would make even before they made it.

They were trapped.

In the distance, the smooth hum of a car engine sliced through the night's stillness. A black Mercedes glided to a stop not far from them. The dim glow of the streetlamp reflected off its sleek surface, casting an ominous silhouette.

Inside the car, behind a slightly rolled-down window, Lily sat in perfect composure. In her hand, a small pair of binoculars, through which she had been watching Navies and Rendra. A smirk curled on her lips as she saw them ensnared with no escape.

Navies drew in a deep breath, his eyes sharp as they scanned the rough-faced men encircling them. From the corner of his vision, he caught Rendra gritting his teeth, his body tensed, ready for a fight.

"Rendra," Navies said, his gaze never leaving the threat before them. "Can you fight?"

Rendra turned to him, his expression hard but determined. "I can. Trust me."

Navies let out a small smirk, as if finding amusement in the dire situation. "Good. Don't die."

The night wind howled, swirling dust and dried leaves into the air. The rustling branches and whispering foliage added to the tension hanging between them. The elongated shadows of the gangsters flickered against the asphalt, foreshadowing the inevitable.

There was no way out.

A moment stretched long and heavy in silence. Then, without warning

The thugs charged.

Rendra moved first, his body launching forward like an arrow, landing a solid punch on the nearest thug, sending him staggering backward. Navies didn't hesitate. With swift precision, he blocked an incoming strike and countered with a sharp kick to the stomach, knocking one of them to the ground with a groan of pain.

The night transformed into a battleground. Ragged breaths, the shuffle of feet, and the brutal impact of blows filled the air. The dim streetlights bore silent witness to the uneven fight.

From inside the Mercedes, Lily watched, her expression filled with curiosity. Slowly, she lifted her wine glass, taking a delicate sip. Tonight, it seemed, would be quite the entertaining spectacle.