Home / Urban / The Million Dollar Janitor / Chapter 2 Figth or Flight
Chapter 2 Figth or Flight
Author: Loner
last update2025-02-25 22:38:26

Evan Creed crouched in the park, wet grass soaking his knees. The thug’s shadow loomed closer, lit by the SUV’s headlights cutting through the trees. “Got you,” the guy snarled, his voice rough like gravel. Evan gripped the brick tight, heart slamming against his ribs. He wasn’t a fighter—just a janitor caught in something big. That phone in his pocket buzzed again, but he didn’t dare check it. Not now. Not with a gun probably aimed at his head.

The thug stepped forward, a big guy with a scar across his cheek. Evan saw the glint of metal—a pistol in his hand. No time to think. Evan lunged up, swinging the brick with everything he had. It smashed into the guy’s arm, hard. The gun flew, landing somewhere in the bushes with a thud. The thug cursed, stumbling back, but he was quick—too quick. He swung a fist, catching Evan’s jaw.

Pain exploded in Evan’s face. He hit the ground, tasting blood. The world spun, but he rolled fast, grabbing his mop—he’d dropped it running. The thug came at him again, growling like a mad dog. Evan jammed the mop handle up, catching the guy’s knee. A loud crack sounded, and the thug howled, dropping to one leg.

Evan scrambled up, panting. “Stay down!” he yelled, voice shaky. The thug glared, clutching his knee, but didn’t move.

Headlights flared brighter—the SUV was rolling closer, engine loud. Evan turned and ran, legs wobbly but pumping. He didn’t know where he was going—just away. Away from guns, away from that crazy text: You’ve inherited the Syndicate.

Branches snapped under his boots as he bolted through the park. The phone buzzed again, insistent. He yanked it out, dodging a tree. New message: Keep moving. They’re not done. Evan wanted to scream. Who was this? Why him? He shoved the phone back, breath ragged.

The docks were miles off, and midnight felt impossible. But stopping wasn’t an option.

He hit the park’s edge, spilling onto a quiet street. A flickering sign read 24-Hour Diner. Light poured from the windows—people inside, normal people eating fries and coffee. Evan slowed, chest heaving. Maybe he could hide there, blend in. He wiped blood from his lip and stepped toward the door, but tires squealed behind him. The SUV roared around the corner, headlights pinning him like a spotlight.

“Crap!” Evan dove behind a parked car, hitting the pavement hard. The SUV stopped, doors slamming. Two voices now—one barking orders, the other muttering. Evan peeked out. The scarred thug was back, limping bad, with the second guy from the alley. They scanned the street, guns out. Evan’s stomach sank. They weren’t giving up.

He crawled along the car, keeping low. His janitor uniform—dark blue, stained—wasn’t much cover, but it might help in shadows. He spotted an alley across the street—narrow, dark, a chance. The diner wouldn’t save him; those guys wouldn’t care about witnesses. He waited, holding his breath. The scarred thug turned away, yelling at his buddy. Now.

Evan bolted, sprinting across the road. A shout rang out—“There!”—and a gunshot cracked. The bullet whizzed past, smashing a diner window. Glass shattered, people screamed inside. Evan didn’t stop. He hit the alley, running blind, walls closing in tight. Footsteps pounded behind him, fast and angry.

The alley twisted, trash bags piled high. Evan’s lungs burned, but he pushed harder. He knew the alleys—years of hauling garbage taught him that. He grabbed a trash can lid, spinning to fling it like a frisbee. It sailed back, smacking the scarred thug’s chest. The guy grunted, slowing, but the second thug kept coming, gun raised.

Evan ducked around a corner, spotting a fire escape—rusted, low enough to jump. He leaped, grabbing the ladder. It creaked under his weight, but he climbed, fast as he could. The thug rounded the bend, firing again. A bullet sparked off the metal, inches from Evan’s hand. He hauled himself onto the platform, heart in his throat.

Below, the thug cursed, aiming up. Evan kicked a loose bucket off the escape—it dropped, bouncing off the guy’s head. He yelped, staggering. Evan didn’t wait—he ran across the platform, jumping to the next building’s roof. It was flat, littered with junk—pipes, old chairs. He crouched behind an air vent, sucking air, watching the alley.

The scarred thug limped up, shouting, “He’s on the roof!” The second guy rubbed his head, pissed. They split—one heading for the ladder, the other circling the building. Evan’s mind raced. He couldn’t outrun them forever. The docks were still far, and his watch said two hours to midnight. That text—Claim it or die—felt heavier every second.

He crept to the roof’s edge, peering down. The SUV idled on the street, driver inside. Three against one. Evan wasn’t a hero, but he wasn’t dead yet. He spotted a stack of old pipes—long, heavy. An idea hit. He grabbed one, testing its weight. Not a mop, but close enough.

The ladder rattled—someone was climbing. Evan moved fast, dragging the pipe to the edge. The scarred thug’s head popped up, eyes locking on him. “You’re done, punk!” he spat, pulling himself onto the roof. Evan swung the pipe like a bat, hard and low. It slammed the guy’s bad knee again. He screamed, tumbling back, crashing down the ladder.

The second thug yelled from below, gun firing wild. Bullets pinged off the roof. Evan dropped flat, crawling to the vent. His hands shook, blood dripping from his lip. He wasn’t winning—just surviving. The phone buzzed once more. He pulled it out, desperate. Docks. Midnight. Prove you’re worth it.

“Worth what?” he whispered, voice hoarse. The SUV’s horn blared—short, sharp. A signal? Evan risked a look. The driver leaned out, waving at the second thug. “Leave him! We’ve got a tip!” The thug hesitated, then ran back to the car. Tires screeched as they peeled off, vanishing into the night.

Evan slumped against the vent, chest tight. They were gone—for now. But why? A tip? His hands trembled as he checked the phone. No new text. Just that last one: Prove you’re worth it. He wiped sweat from his eyes, mind spinning. The docks were his only shot—whatever “it” was, it beat dying here.

He stood, legs shaky, pipe still in hand. The city stretched out, dark and mean. Midnight was coming, and so were more fights. Evan took a deep breath. He’d made it this far with a mop and a brick. Maybe he could make it further.

Then he heard it—footsteps, soft but close. Someone else was on the roof.

Related Chapters

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 3 The Underworld Unvelled

    Evan Creed froze on the rooftop, pipe clutched tight in his hands. The soft footsteps echoed behind him—someone new, not the thugs who’d just peeled off in the SUV. His jaw throbbed from the fight, blood still wet on his lip, but he turned slow, ready to swing. The city hummed below, lights flickering like a trap closing in. He wasn’t safe—not yet. A figure stepped from the shadows—a woman, sharp and cool in a black suit. She was tall, dark hair pulled tight, eyes like knives cutting through the dark. No gun, just a smirk. “Easy, janitor,” she said, voice smooth but firm. “You’re swinging at the wrong person.” Evan didn’t drop the pipe. “Who are you?” His voice cracked, hoarse from running. The phone in his pocket felt heavy—Claim it at the docks. Midnight. This had to be tied to it. “Name’s Lila,” she said, stepping closer. Her boots clicked on the roof. “Syndicate business. You’re Evan Creed, right? The heir nobody saw coming.” She tilted her head, sizing him up like he was a st

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   chapter 4 Cleaning House

    Evan Creed crouched behind the mailbox, the black sedan’s headlights washing over him. His breath fogged in the cold Chicago air, heart pounding like a drum. The car crept closer, engine low and mean. He clutched the black card Lila gave him—his ticket to millions, maybe—and the rusty pipe he’d grabbed on the roof. Midnight was inching near, the docks still miles away. He wasn’t sure who was in that sedan—Syndicate suits, . A guy stepped into the streetlight—tall, bald, suit crisp like he’d walked off a movie set. No gun yet, but his hand rested on his hip, ready. “Come on out, Creed,” he called, voice smooth and cold. “We know you’re there.” Evan’s stomach dropped. They knew his name. Not just some random chase—this was personal. He stayed low, mind racing. Lila said the Syndicate’s council wanted him dead—five bosses fighting for Hale’s throne. Was this one of their dogs? He couldn’t fight a bullet with a pipe, but he wasn’t giving up either. The bald guy took a step, scann

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 5 The Traitor's Game

    Evan Creed stood frozen, the cop’s voice cutting through the night. “Drop the weapon, Creed,” the guy said again, hand on his gun. The sedan’s headlights blazed behind Evan, boxing him in on the dark Chicago street. Pipe in one hand, cash stuffed in his jacket, he felt like a rat in a trap. Midnight loomed close—the docks, his shot at claiming the Syndicate, slipping away. But this cop wasn’t normal. No lights, no backup. Syndicate, Evan thought. Had to be.“I said drop it!” the cop barked, stepping closer. His badge glinted, but his eyes were cold—bought, not brave. Evan’s mind raced. The sedan’s engine growled, doors clicking open. Two hunts, one prize—him. He wasn’t dying here. Not yet.He tossed the pipe, letting it clang loud on the pavement. The cop smirked, relaxing a hair. Big mistake. Evan bolted sideways, diving behind a parked van. A gunshot cracked—the cop’s, not the sedan’s. The bullet pinged off metal, missing him by inches. Evan scrambled up, sprinting down the street.

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 6 Building the crew

    Evan Creed stared at the silver-haired man stepping from the limo—Kane, one of the Syndicate council’s five bosses. The street near the docks felt colder now, wind biting through his torn janitor uniform. The gun in his hand shook, aimed loose at Kane’s chest. Lila stood beside him, her own pistol half-raised, eyes darting between Evan and the man. Midnight had hit—the docks were steps away—but this wasn’t the plan.“Lower that,” Kane said, voice calm, like he was ordering coffee. His suit gleamed under the streetlights, sharp and expensive. “I’m not here to kill you, Evan. Not yet.” His smile was thin, a snake’s promise.Evan didn’t budge. “You know my dad. Talk.” His jaw ached from the night’s fights, blood crusting on his lip. The black card in his pocket—loaded with Syndicate cash—felt heavier every second. Kane’s name rang from the cop’s chatter: the brainy one, cautious, watching. Dangerous.Kane clasped his hands, unruffled. “Tommy Creed was loyal—Hale’s rock. Smart too. Kept t

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 7 The syndicate's Test

    Evan Creed spun toward the crash, gun shaking in his hand. Glass shards glittered on the club floor as men in suits stormed in—five, maybe six, all packing heat. Russo, sprawled by the table with a busted arm, laughed through the pain. “Told you, kid. Council doesn’t play.” His gold chains clinked as he struggled up, smirking like he’d already won. Evan’s heart slammed. Ricky loomed beside him, bat raised, eyes wide but steady. The back room felt smaller now, walls closing in. Neon lights flickered outside, bass thumping through the chaos. These weren’t street thugs—too sharp, too synced. Syndicate muscle, sent by the council—Voss, Russo, Kane, Elena, or Marcus. Maybe all of them. “Out!” Evan yelled, shoving Ricky toward the door they’d pried open. A gunshot cracked—wood splintered above his head. He ducked, firing wild with the cop’s gun. The suits scattered, diving behind tables. Evan’s shot hit nothing but air—he wasn’t a shooter, just a janitor with luck running thin. Ricky sw

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 8 Power Plays

    Evan Creed froze in the warehouse, the bag of Syndicate cash and guns heavy in his hands. Voss’s voice cut through the dawn like a blade—“Find him! Tear it apart!”—sharp, mean, and way too close. Headlights sliced through the grimy windows, three cars unloading suits faster than Evan could count. Ricky crouched beside him, bat dripping with sweat and a little blood from the guards they’d just dropped. The air stank of oil and danger, and Evan’s heart pounded like it wanted out of his chest.“Boss man himself,” Ricky whispered, grinning despite the odds. “You pissed him off good.”Evan peeked around a crate. Voss was there—short, scarred, built like a pitbull with a bad attitude. The council’s muscle king stomped toward the warehouse, barking at his crew. Dawn grayed the sky outside—Evan’s deadline to “eliminate the traitor” hitting hard. He’d raided Voss’s stash, but the traitor hunt was still a mess—Russo, Kane, someone else? No time to guess now.“Plan?” Ricky asked, gripping the b

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 9 The Council's Gambit

    Evan Creed stared down ten guns in Elena’s penthouse, the Syndicate’s trap snapping shut around him. Marble floors gleamed under chandelier light, a sharp contrast to the blood pounding in his ears. Elena stood cool and smug, red dress hugging her like a warning, wine glass back in hand. “Game’s mine now,” she repeated, voice smooth as silk but hard as steel. Ricky gripped his bat beside Evan, breath heavy, ready to swing despite the odds. Ten suits—big, trained, Syndicate muscle—fanned out, blocking every exit. Evan’s pistol felt small, useless against this.“You set us up,” Evan said, voice rough, gun steady but heart racing. Elena killed Hale, maybe Tommy too—her quiet game outplayed Voss’s fists and Russo’s noise. The council’s power dance just got real, and Evan was the pawn caught in it.Elena tilted her head, smirking. “Set up? No, Evan. I waited. Voss and Russo ran wild—you hit them, stirred the pot. I just scooped the prize.” She sipped her wine, eyes glinting. “Hale’s empi

  • The Million Dollar Janitor   Chapter 10 The Watcher's Game

    Evan Creed hit the penthouse floor hard, bullets tearing through the air above him. Glass shattered, Elena’s scream cut short as Kane’s suits stormed in—five of them, guns blazing, loyal to the silver-haired snake who’d just flipped the table. Kane stood calm, suit unruffled, that thin smile still on his face. “Council’s mine now,” he’d said, voice cool as ice. Evan rolled behind a flipped couch, pistol gripped tight, heart slamming. Elena scrambled for cover, red dress streaked with wine and panic. Kane wasn’t just a player—he was rewriting the game.Evan fired—two wild shots, clipping a suit’s shoulder. The guy grunted, stumbling, but the others fanned out, pros not punks. Kane’s crew—sharper, quieter than Voss’s bruisers or Russo’s loudmouths. Evan’s earpiecrackled—Mia’s voice, frantic: “Evan, cops closing—Voss and Russo too! Get out!” The Syndicate’s chaos was colliding, and Kane stood above it, watching like a hawk.“Kane!” Evan yelled, popping up, gun aimed. “You set this up—h

Latest Chapter

  • Chapter 33 Fractured Lines

    The chaos around Evan spiraled into an overwhelming storm of confusion and fear. Gunfire cracked through the dimly lit park as shadows moved like specters among the trees. Evan held Kayla tightly, her breath shallow beneath his fingers, her face pale and glistening with sweat. “We need to get her to safety,” Mia shouted over the din, urgency punctuating her voice. “Right!” Evan replied, trying to keep the panic from flooding his own heart. “Ricky, help me lift her. Mia, stay close!”They worked quickly, but as they stood to retreat, the masked figure loomed nearby—an ominous harbinger of chaos. “You think you can escape?” he laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers through Evan’s spine. “I won’t let you hurt her!” Evan growled, feeling an instinctual surge of protectiveness. He felt the weight of the fight pressing down on him, but he couldn’t let the shadows win now. Not when they had come so far.Suddenly, a shot rang out once more, ricocheting dangerously close. The masked ma

  • Chapter 32 Echoes of Deceit

    The air hung thick with tension as Evan crouched low, eyes darting through the chaos unfolding before him. Sirens wailed in a cacophony of alarm, the piercing sound blending with the panicked cries of the crowd. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, the instinct to protect those around him racing to the forefront of his mind. “What just happened?” Mia whispered urgently, her expression a mixture of fear and determination as she clutched Evan's arm.“I don’t know, but I think we need to find out,” Evan replied, keeping his voice low even as the atmosphere crackled with unease. “We have to regroup and figure this out. Everyone stay close.”They moved cautiously, edging toward the perimeter of the chaos where law enforcement was attempting to manage the growing panic among the residents. The crowd swelled in confusion; people were pushing and shouting, their faces etched with anxiety. “Stay together!” Kayla urged, her eyes scanning for any potential threat. “We can’t

  • Chapter 31 Gathering Storms

    The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the city as Evan and his friends fanned out to engage with the community. The streets were bustling with life, and the air hummed with the kind of hope that only followed a significant victory. People were beginning to gather, drawn by stories of the recent conflict and the promise of a brighter future. Evan felt the pulse of excitement in his veins, a vibrant rhythm echoing the newfound resolve of everyone around him. They were no longer mere shadows lurking in the corners; they were becoming agents of change. As he exchanged ideas and built connections with the townsfolk, he could feel the beginning of a movement taking shape—an uprising against fear, oppression, and the ideological chains that had held them back for so long.“Evan, over here!” Mia called, her voice slicing through the ambient noise as she approached him alongside Kayla and Ricky. They had spent the previous hours mingling with the residents, garnering

  • Chapter 30 After the Storm

    The dawn broke over the horizon, casting a warm glow that filtered through the dusty windows of the underground hideout. It was a new beginning—a moment of pause after the storm had raged, leaving in its wake debris, uncertainty, and the hope of something better. Evan stood at the center of the chaos, surrounded by the faces of his friends and comrades as they surveyed the aftermath of their hard-fought battle.The air was charged with a mixture of exhilaration and exhaustion. A few officers remained, securing Holt and collecting statements from those involved. The reality of their victory began to settle in, resonating like a rhythmic beat in Evan's heart.“It’s amazing we actually did it,” Mia said, breaking the silence as she leaned against the wall, her breath finally slowing down. “I can hardly believe he’s in custody.”Evan nodded, the weight of their struggle still pressing down on him. “This is just the first step,” he replied. “We have a lot to do now, but at least we’ve stop

  • Chapter 29 The Crumbling Mask

    As the chaotic energy of battle shifted, the underground space echoed with the sounds of gunfire, shouts, and the unmistakable ferocity of conflict. Evan squared off against Holt, the man embodying the very darkness they fought to eradicate. Every muscle in Evan's body was taut with anticipation as he and Holt circled each other like wolves preparing to strike. The tension was electric, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. The memories of all the suffering caused by Holt’s ruthless ambition surged in Evan’s mind like a tide pulling him under—but he also felt the solid foundation of camaraderie amongst his allies behind him, a force that kept him steady.“Do you really think you can stop me?” Holt growled, baring his teeth. The veneer of control he had clung to was cracking, and Evan could see the desperation bubbling beneath the surface. “I’ve spent years building my empire. You think a group of misfits like you can take it down? This city belongs to people like me!”Evan’s gaze

  • Chapter 28 The Siege of Shadows

    The atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation, a palpable tension hanging in the air as the front door quaked under the pressure of footsteps from the outside. Evan steadied his breath, a sense of calm enveloping him as he glanced at his team—each one a pillar of strength, a unifying force pinned against the oncoming tide.As the sound of multiple bodies approached, new revelations hit Evan: this was it. They were poised at the brink of confrontation. Holt’s empire, once a behemoth cast in shadows, now faced the light of their defiance. “Prepare yourselves! They’ll breach the door any second now!” Evan commanded, his voice steadying the shaking hands among his crew. The door shuddered violently, muffled voices rising under the clamoring storm of confrontation. “Get ready!” Mia murmured, her eyes sharp and focused. “Ricky, stand by the door. Jay, back him up. Kayla, cover from that angle,” Evan instructed, pointing to strategic positions that would allow them to maximize their effecti

  • Chapter 27 The First Light

    The sirens wailed in the distance, signaling the arrival of law enforcement. The rhythmic flashing of red and blue lights sliced through the smoke curling above the docks, illuminating the chaos that was slowly beginning to settle. Evan stood at the forefront of a tangled mess of emotions—relief, anger, and an indomitable resolve.Holt’s struggle beneath the grips of his captors conveyed a mixture of aggression and panic, the remnants of his former power dissipating with each passing moment. Evan could feel the air humming with the realization that they had made a significant statement against a tyrant—their voices, once whispers in the chaos, were now rising in a defiant crescendo.“Keep moving!” Evan shouted, urgency driving him forward. The sounds of new arrivals echoed closer, and with each moment, the stakes climbed higher. They had to secure Holt before law enforcement got involved—there was still so much left to do.Jay gripped Holt's arm firmly, pushing him down the alley, whi

  • Chapter 26 The Fire Within

    The winds howled across the dock, whipping up ashes and debris as the fires from the recent explosion crackled, causing shadows to stretch and contort across the ground. Evan battled fiercely with Holt, the tension between them mounting like an impending storm. Each blow exchanged echoed the struggles of everyone involved, a chorus of defiance and resistance against tyranny. Holt grappled, desperation clawing at his features as he pushed back against Evan, fueled by anger and the need to maintain his grip on power. “You think you’re the hero?” he spat, his breath hot with rage. “You’re a fool, Creed! You have no idea what happens when you challenge the established order!”“I know precisely what happens,” Evan shot back, feigning left and driving an elbow into Holt’s gut. “People like you crumble when faced with those who refuse to bow down. Your days of control are numbered!” Holt stumbled backward, clutching his midsection, hatred swirling in his eyes. “You’re too blind to see the

  • Chapter 25 The Fissures of Power

    The struggle against Rayne erupted into a ferocious chaos, each movement a collision of raw energy and pent-up rage. Evan wrestled with the man who had played puppet master for too long, their bodies grinding against the gritty asphalt of the dock, each breath becoming a rallying cry against the din of their surroundings.Evan grunted, swinging a fist toward Rayne’s face. The impact felt like striking solid steel; Rayne was propelled, gritting his teeth in a snarl of fury. They rolled, kicking up dust and debris, but Evan pressed forward.“Your games are over!” Evan bellowed, the determination in his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle. He twisted Rayne's arm behind him, feeling warmth radiate from their struggle as Rayne struggled to break free. “You’re going to pay for everything you’ve done!”Meanwhile, the battle around them surged—a chaotic tide where clashing bodies mirrored their own violent clash. Gunshots rang out like thunderclaps, and Evan felt the pull of the sto

Scan code to read on App