The dawn crept in and the light it cast was warm golden, over the chaos of the previous night. The living room was a mess, overturned furniture, broken glass, the lingering smell of fear. A heavy blanket of urgency had settled over him, they had to act fast before the intruders came back.“Rick?” He heard Laura’s voice. Stepping into the room she was pale but resolute. “What do we do now?”Rick’s mind raced, we need to strengthen our defenses. “We can’t afford to sleep again.” Today, I’ll have some security cameras installed, and we’ll have to find a safe place for you and Elvis.”Laura gave a nod, her face set. “I’ll call Charles and ask him for help. He’s got connections in security; he can recommend someone reliable.”She was determined, Rick registered. “Good idea. First, let’s see how Elvis is doing.”They tiptoed toward the bedroom where the blissfully unaware son slept, stretched out on his bed. Rick watched Elvis, his small profile under the covers, and felt a strong wave of p
Rick’s thoughts raced and the cacophony of chaos simply drowned them out. Facing the intruders coming out of the shadows his heart pounded in his chest and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He’d been taught to fight, to survive, but nothing could ready him for the mix of desperation and rage that was his instinct now.He roared, charging at the closest intruder, “Get away from my family!” They collided and the man lunged at him, grappling for control.Rick took over and he quickly maneuvered his body to bring himself on level terms, delivering a punch which sent the man reeling backwards.More figures appeared, and Rick was out numbered. Another intruder swung a crowbar at his head and he ducked to avoid a potentially fatal blow. He sent his assailant sprawling to the ground with a kick of his own.He shouted again, ‘Laura!’ hoping for the best.He heard her voice, full of panic, in the distance. “Rick! I’m here!”He screamed, “Stay where you are!” He couldn’t afford to l
Rick's shoulders squared as he narrowed his focus to the figure of Mark, still outside the chaos, pleased grin all over his face.“Mark!” The noise of the ongoing skirmish was cut through by Rick. “What are you doing here?”The rest of the chaos around them was a total contrast to Mark's casual gait as he stepped forward. He replied, his voice dripping in sarcasm, “Just thought I’d come see how the night was going.” “It’s not like you’re having the best of luck.”Rick had reared his fists and was hanging in spite of anything. “This isn’t a joke. You’re the one behind this, aren’t you? You set us up.”“Me?” He even raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning now in feigned innocence. “I’m just an interested party.” I’d be more worried about your little family if I were you. ‘It’s a dangerous world out there, Rick.’”Rick could feel Laura's unease beside him and then the tension thickened in the air. “We’re done playing games, Mark.” No matter what you think you’re going to do here, it
His heart raced as he twisted against the rubble that was pressing him to the ground. Every frantic movement reminded him of the gravity of his situation, the sharp pain in his arm pulsed. In a cloud of dust and debris the world around him creaked ominously, threatening to collapse further.Desperation clawed at his throat, “Laura!” he shouted again. Trying to shift the debris, it felt like you were trying to move a mountain. He felt panic and was absolutely helpless, trapped in some kind of nightmare to which he had no way out.The darkness grew darker, beginning to press in, when a voice pierced through. “Rick! Are you there?”His voice was hoarse. “I’m here! I’m stuck, but I’m okay! Where are you?”“I’m... I’m not far. Hold on!”He could hear her voice, shaky but determined.“Just stay there! I’ll find you!”Rick once more started pushing against the debris, using every ounce of strength he had left. His body screamed in protest, but the metal beams were heavy. Not now. He had to g
The smoke of the collapsed warehouse's embers slowly died down.Laura, Rick, and Elvis stood back from the wreckage, for they were still catching their breath. The momentary relief of escape was not on Rick’s mind. He knew Mark wouldn’t stop. They would only get more desperate. It wasn’t just strength against strength, it was strength against power, strength against manipulation, and in some cases revenge. He needed to stay ahead and Rick needed to do it.Silence broke when Rick muttered, “We can’t stay here.' Charles had been standing by, silent and vigilant as always, and he glanced at him. “We have to get somewhere safe.”Her eyes showed concern, Laura tightened her grip on Elvis. “But where, Rick? Nowhere feels safe if Mark is still out there.”He wiped the dust off his face and frowned. “He just won’t stop until he gets what he wants. I have something he didn’t expect though—resources. We’re going somewhere he won’t think to look for us. We have to regroup and plan for now.”Char
Rick stood in the doorway, watching the approaching headlights cut through the darkness, growling louder as the roar of engines got so deafening. The safe house was surrounded by dozens of cars closing in fast. His thoughts went wild, thinking of his next move. This time he had reinforcements, and Mark was here.“Charles!” He snapped into action, Rick barked. “Get Laura and Elvis out the back!” And take Naomi with you and take a safe route through the woods.”Charles nodded and moved toward Laura, who was clutching Elvis tightly, as he always was under pressure. “Come with me, madam. We need to go now.”“Rick, what are you going to do?” Laura's voice was trembling with fear and she asked.Rick's expression was firm. “I’ll hold them off. Elvis and you need to be safe. Right now, that’s all that matters.”Laura’s eyes watered, but she didn’t protest. Rick wouldn’t back down when it came to protecting his family regardless of the cost, so she knew. Turning, she followed Charles to the ba
It was quiet in the safe house after the confrontation with Mark’s men. The air was still tense as if a storm was about to break. Rick walked around the living room, his mind going over everything that could go wrong next. Mark wouldn't back off, he knew, and not after the stunt Rick had pulled tonight. Mark would humiliate him back, with everything he had.Laura sat on the couch with Elvis asleep in her arms, wrapped up protectively, but now Elvis was awake and still groggy. His small, innocent eyes looked up to his father as he did, not knowing what was going on around him.Charles walked in with a grim face, and Rick stopped in front of the large window and stared out into the night, but was interrupted by his thoughts.Charles said, in his calm, but urgent tone, “We need to leave.It's no longer safe here. I wouldn't be surprised if Mark's already planned his next move, and he knows where we are."Rick clenched his jaw. "I know. But where can we go? There’s only so much we can run.
Mark Eldwolf sat in his private study nursing a drink and staring out at his city as dawn broke. Since the cruiser party where Rick had humiliated him, publicly, his once calm demeanour had become more and more volatile. It haunted him with the memory of being struck in front of his peers, the memory of watching his carefully built business deal collapse. Rick was beneath him, he had worked too hard to be brought down by him.He gripped the glass in his hand and shattered it. The pain didn’t bother him and blood dripped down his knuckles. His thoughts were only of revenge.A voice from behind him said, “Sir.”His bloodshot eyes narrowed at the man who had just come in. Lucas was his right hand man, just as ruthless as Mark, but much more calculating... Without flinching, Lucas took in the sight of Mark’s bleeding hand.His voice was steady, “Rick has aligned himself with the Black Viper Syndicate,” Lucas told him.He looked at Mark’s eyes widen and a cruel smile stretched across his f