A Date With The Danger

Chapter 6

The car came to a stop in front of Zane’s modest apartment building. He stepped out, glancing back at Yamada through the lowered window.

“Stay here,” Zane said, pointing to him. “I’ll only be a minute.”

Yamada gave a short nod but rolled his eyes the second Zane turned away. “Don’t take too long. This neighbourhood gives me the creeps.”

Zane smirked to himself, climbing the steps to his door and unlocking it. As he pushed it open, the faint creak of the hinges echoed through the quiet apartment.

Inside, the space was exactly how he’d left it—almost. He began grabbing clothes and shoving them into a duffel bag, but as he moved around, little things caught his attention.

A chair was slightly out of place. A mug he’d left on the counter was now sitting in the sink. The closet door he always kept closed was ajar.

He paused, his hand on a pile of clothes, and called out, “Hello? Anyone here?”

The silence stretched for a moment, and Zane let out a shaky breath.

Then, slow, deliberate clapping echoed from the far corner of the room. Zane spun around to see a man stepping out of the shadows, his heavy boots thudding softly against the floor. His eyes gleamed with amusement under the brim of his hat, and his scarred face twisted into a mocking smile.

“Well, well,” the veteran said, his voice rough like gravel. “Didn’t expect you to notice me. You’ve got a good eye, kid. I’m already starting to like you.”

Zane tensed, dropping the clothes in his hand. “Man, I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

The veteran chuckled, cracking his knuckles. “You’re coming with me, boy. That’s not up for discussion.”

Zane sighed, raising a hand in mock apology. “Yeah, can’t do that. Sorry about the inconvenience, sir. Door’s that way, though. Feel free to use it.”

The veteran’s grin widened. “I don’t think you understand, kid. This isn’t a request.”

In an instant, he lunged at Zane, his fist coming down like a hammer. Zane reacted just in time, blocking the hit with his forearm and springing backward across the room.

The veteran paused, surprised. “Not bad. Didn’t think you’d be this quick.”

Zane’s hand sparked faintly as he held it up. “Come on… how did she do it again?” he muttered to himself, and then his fingers lit up with dark, crackling lightning. His body surged with energy as he grinned. “Oh yeah. Like this.”

The two charged at each other, exchanging blows that left the walls trembling. Zane’s movements were swift, his strikes sharp, but the veteran was relentless, his attacks powerful and precise.

Within minutes, Zane was on the defensive, sweat dripping down his face. The veteran smirked, towering over him. “There’s no need to make this harder, boy. Just come quietly, and I won’t have to rough you up too much.”

Breathing heavily, Zane suddenly stepped back, letting the lightning around him dissipate. He stood at a safe distance, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender.

“Look, man,” Zane said, his tone casual. “I have a girl waiting for me. We’re about to go on a date, and I just need to grab some clothes and make myself look presentable. You know the drill. Can’t we just forget this happened? I promise I won’t press charges for you breaking into my place. Are we good, big dog?”

The veteran stared at him, visibly confused. “…What?”

Zane nodded earnestly. “Come on, big man. We Gucci?”

The veteran blinked, his hand twitching toward his weapon. “Sorry, kid. Can’t do that.”

“Figured,” Zane said, his grin returning. “I just needed a breather.”

Before the veteran could react, Zane’s lightning flared back to life, and he struck with a burst of speed, knocking the man off balance. Without hesitation, Zane turned and leapt through the window, shattering the glass and vanishing into the night.

Out front, Yamada sat in the car, idly scrolling through his phone. The faint sound of breaking glass caught his attention, and he glanced up, noticing shards scattering onto the pavement.

“This neighbourhood is not safe,” he muttered, rolling up the car window and checking his watch. “Hope he hurries up.”