His heart pounded hard.
Something grabbed him from behind. Big. Strong-like steel coils.
He knew who it was. He had been wary of the big mans size since they entered the house. It was foolish of him to think a fall from the second floor would incapacitate him.
He struggled. The arms grew tighter as he did. Nearly crushing his ribs.
Then-
he was airborne. A testament of the man brutal strength. Through the door and back into the house. His spine slammed against the cracked floorboards.
His body ached all over. Before he could stand, a crushing blow landed in his gut-sending him flying, smashing into a broken shelf. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
Pain blossomed across his body. His vision blurred. He made an attempt to stand, but fell to his knees. he had not seen the blow coming, even his danger sense didn't give a warning.
Was he being beaten by a ghost?
No he thought. It had to be one of their abilities.
Then a laugh echoed-low and mocking.
"I like the look of despair on your face."
The voice was thick, cold, deliberate.
"Surely, you do not imagine to see me with your unholy eyes."
"I've been blessed by the almighty with the gift of stealth."
Another blow came before Chike could react. He folded over, coughing blood.
The air in the room grew tight- barely passing through his lungs.
Ofor had been silent.
He could barely think, maybe because he was distraught-danger sense wasn't warning him. His head rang. His ribs burned. His limbs went numb.
"you will die here," the voice hissed. "your thirst for virtuous souls ends tonight"
"I do not weep for my friends, they carried on their righteous duties faithfully."
"But your soul will burn."
Chike's lips curled into a grin. He laughed-half mad.
He was certain of one thing at least- he wouldn't die tonight.
The laugh triggered the enemy. A misstep.
Chike felt him now- a disturbance in the air.
He ducked, spun, and mustering his strength, he dashed outside. Hoping for some help from the shining moonlight.
The air outside was lighter. Fresh. Hopeful. He took a deep breath in. A faint energy began to fill his body with it.
He felt a movement. The overgrown lawn to his advantage as the whistling of grass, alerted him of his approaching foe.
He listened. Then it became fast. Little distance between then.
His danger sense tinged. He ducked. And drove a punch forward.
His fist connected with something solid. Good.
He could feel the man's shock. His stealth could cover the range of emotions now leaking out of him. Danger sense cue was emotions--rage.
"Why do you resist."
"How far do you think, you can go."
Chike paused. For a moment he had thought to run. But it made him realized, he'd have one less person to worry about if he dealt with this here. Stealth is a dangerous ability if another person had been distracting him--and the man was as sturdy as hell.
He would need a miracle to win this. He tried to gain distance between them again. But the man was as fast- if not faster.
His legs were barely holding up. But for the strange energy that began refilling them- gave him just enough strength. Or so he thought. he had no idea how much time he had.
Time to end this.
He charged for the man. Surprising even himself.
The man didn't dodge, trusting both his gift and build-a big mistake.
Chike punched-driving at full strength- it landed on the mans side, crushing one of his ribs.
He arched, blood spilling onto the grass in front of him. A hint remaining on his face. His invincibility didn't cover it.
Chike charged in assault, giving not the man, a breathing space, or a chance to recover from his shock. Punching with both hands.
Then-
He caught his left hand.
"Playtimes over."
His giant knee went up, straight into Chike's side. Sending him flying backwards. Landing on the tarred road. It brushed his skin, blood flowing freely.
Chike lay down. His entire body numb.
He could still feel his attacker approach.
His mind still strong but his body wouldn't move.
"fucking move." he yelled to his body.
The man laughed. Loud.
"There is no escape or salvation."
The man now stood barely an inch from him.
He close his eyes.
"Maybe this was the end."
Emma's face.
For a moment he saw where his fresh energy was coming from. There was a source inside the house. He'd been unconsciously shutting it out.
Then he let it in.
A jolt of energy exploded within him.
His attacker now bent over.
He moved at blinding speed. Driving in a punch at full speed.
The man blocked-- but the force had surprise even Chike, breaking both the mans arms. Sending him flying. He crashed into the old tree outside. The impact bent it's trunk.
The enemy now lay stilled, half-buried in the dirt. The invisibility shimmered- then failed.
Chike saw his arms fall wobbly to his side.
His size looked more terrifying up close.
But that wasn't what stunned him.
Chike felt it.
A reeling reification of the power he'd just use.. it hadn't come from his rage.
His source had been…..
Ofor's voice returned. Cold.
"It doesn't matter that you know where that strength came from."
Chike turned, towards the house. His hands trembling.
"Greater power comes from sacrifice."
Chike froze.
He had drawn strength. From death.
The boy he had killed.
He rushed over to the big mans side.
He was still breathing.
Chike was relieved. He couldn't stomach another death tonight.
He spotted the man's phone on the ground. Screen broken from the impact. His hands shook as he picked it up. For a moment, he forgot the pain threading through his limbs, but it quickly returned-sharp, unforgiving.
He dialed a number. Victor's.
He ended it before it rang.
Not yet. He thought.
Before he could drop the phone. It buzzed violently. Incoming call.
CAPTAIN GREY.
The name snapped him back. The stern face tiny man from the hospital. His mind hover over the size of the big man and Grey.
Captain!
Grey was worse than this.
A chill spread through his body. His knees gave way. Exhaustion crept in. His vision dimmed. His knee gave way.
Darkness clawed at his mind. Then a familiar voice.
"You did well."
He collapsed.