Night shift

The night was still above the rooftops of the city.

Alex sat on the edge of the building, a warm cup of coffee in his hands, the wind playing with his hair.
Alex (with a faint smile): Ah... I'll never get
He raised the binocular, and his eyes caught two figures moving in the darkness below the street. Their steps hesitant... their looks suspicious.
Alex adjusted the binocular slightly, and the image became clearer: two people walking down the street.
They were students from his school, their faces tense, exchanging anxious glances while one of them carried a small black bag.
Alex (muttering): This... looks very suspicious. That can't be just an ordinary bag.
He followed their movement from the rooftop until they disappeared behind the buildings. Then he stood up quickly, tossing the empty coffee cup aside.
After minutes of chasing, the two students stopped in front of an old bowling alley.
Alex (raising an eyebrow): Bowling? ... What are those idiots doing here at this hour?
The two students stood in the dark alley, whispering nervously.
First student (nervous): Man... we didn't sell the whole batch. The boss will kill us!
Second student (biting his lip): Shut up... I know that. But... there's nothing we can do.
On the opposite rooftop, Alex was watching them through the binocular.
Alex (in a sarcastic whisper): So... you really were dealers. Great.
He pulled out his small camera. Click - he snapped a picture of them holding up the suspicious bag.
It wasn't long before they slipped inside the old bowling alley, its dim lights shining in the dark like a trap waiting for its prey.


Inside the abandoned bowling alley, the dim lights flickered intermittently, revealing a harsh scene.
In the middle of the hall, a man was chained, his body swollen, his face covered in bruises. He was breathing with difficulty... it was Makreji
From the shadows, a faceless man stepped forward. His voice was deep, dripping with threat:
Mysterious man: So, Mr. Makreji... you still refuse to confess, even after all this beating?
Makreji slowly raised his head, his eyes half closed, his voice hoarse:
Makreji: I told you... I wasn't the one who leaked the information.
The mysterious man smirked sarcastically, then slapped him hard, blood splattering from his mouth.
Mysterious man: Damn you... how tough you are.
The door of the hall creaked open, and two terrified students entered, their faces pale, their clothes soaked with sweat.
One of the gang members approached the mysterious man and bowed slightly:
Gang member: Sir... these two fools have returned.
The man turned slowly, his sharp eyes piercing the darkness.
Mysterious man: So... how was your work?
The two students exchanged a trembling glance, then the first quickly bowed:
First student (stammering): Ah... Mr. Shio... we only sold half the batch.
Silence filled the place. Then a cold smile appeared on the man's face.
Shio (in a frightening calm tone): Half the batch...? Very well. We'll talk about that later.
He gestured with his hand, and his men dragged the two students to the seats, while he continued speaking coldly:
Shio: Now... Mr. Makreji, don't you think of changing your mind? I hope you do... because a special guest will be joining us soon.
The back door slowly opened... the sound of small footsteps echoed on the wooden floor.
One of the gang members appeared, holding the hand of a small girl with short brown hair and wide eyes. She trembled as she saw the flickering lights and the armed men surrounding her.
As soon as Makreji's eyes fell on her, he screamed, his hoarse voice choking with pain:
Makreji: Nina!! You bastard, Shio! Why... why are you dragging my family into this hell? Wasn't I loyal to you?!
Shio advanced calmly, bent slightly in front of the girl, smiling coldly:
Shio: Oh... little Nina. You really grew up. How old are you now? Four years?
Nina trembled, looking toward her chained father, tears shining in her eyes:
Nina (in a trembling voice): Daddy... why are you tied up like this?... I'm scared.
Shio's smile widened, his voice becoming even more terrifying:
Shio: Don't be afraid... we'll play a little game.
Suddenly, Shio stopped speaking, his eyes narrowing toward the window.
In a flash, he pulled out his gun and fired a bullet through the glass - Bang!
Silence filled the hall for a moment. Then one of the gang members appeared, dragging Alex by his hair inside. Blood ran in a thin line down the side of his head, a deep scratch from the bullet.
Shio (slightly surprised): ... A child?
He slowly approached, picked up the camera that had fallen from Alex's hand, turned it in his fingers with a sarcastic smile.
Shio: Ha... just a high school student. And clearly you're nothing but one of that filthy pig's underlings. Sorry about the gun... bad luck.
He gestured to his men:
Shio: Sit him there... let him rest a little.
On the ground, Alex pressed on his wound, his heart pounding wildly.
Alex (thinking while breathing heavily): Damn... if I hadn't slipped... that bullet would have pierced my head. How did he hear the sound of the camera?! What incredible hearing...
Shio stretched out his hand coldly, signaling to one of his men.
Shio: Put her there... in the middle of the hall.
The man advanced, dragging the small girl toward the bowling lane. The dim neon lights reflected in her tearful eyes, and the scattered balls on the floor looked like strange objects in front of her trembling steps.
Makreji (screaming as he twisted): Ninaaaaa!! Don't touch her! Stay away from my daughter, you bastards!!
His voice echoed against the empty walls of the hall, but it sounded helpless, useless.
Shio slowly raised his gun, placing it coldly on the side of Makreji's head. He smiled slightly, as if it were just a game:
Shio (in a frightening calm tone): Shut up... you will stand here.
Then he slowly looked at the rest of those present:
Shio: And if anyone moves... I'll blow your father's brain out right in front of you, little girl.
The gang members sat on the seats as if in a theatrical show.
Shio (coldly, smiling): Come on, Riho... show us your skill. Make this night unforgettable.
Riho stepped forward, lifted the heavy bowling ball, and swung it in his hands.
In the middle of the hall, Nina stood frozen, her wide eyes staring at the massive objects rolling toward her. Her tears glittered under the neon lights.
Makreji (screaming from the depths of his soul): NINAAAAAA! Stay away from her, you devils!!!
First man: The first strike!
The ball rushed across the floor with its thunderous sound... but it swerved slightly. It passed by the little girl's foot, hit the wood, and bounced back.
Shio (grinning wickedly): Oh... you almost hit her. Try again.
Riho lifted the second ball. Sweat poured from the father's forehead, while Nina gasped with a trembling voice.
The ball rolled, this time scratching her leg. The little girl screamed in pain and fell to her knees.
Makreji (voice torn): NINAAAAAAAAA!!!
Shio (with a quiet laugh): A good hit... but not enough. Come on, the third will be the decisive one.
Riho grabbed the third ball, turned to prepare...
Suddenly, Alex and Rin rushed together, knocking him down before he could throw.
Alex (angrily shouting): I won't watch this any longer!!
Rin (shouting at Shio): Brother! Stop! This is madness!!
Before Riho could catch his breath from the fall, Shio had already moved with deadly agility.
He extended his arms and grabbed Rin and Alex by their necks with an iron grip, lifting them off the ground as if they were just weightless dolls.
Shio (coldly, sarcastic): I see you both need... some discipline.
Suddenly, a faint steam rose from his hands. His temperature increased frighteningly, until the air around them burned the skin.
Alex (screaming and struggling): Aaaah!!! My neck!!
Rin (gasping, trying to resist): Brother... stop... you'll burn us!!
The smell of roasted flesh spread in the place, white smoke started rising from the boys' necks as their skin turned a dark red.
Shio (smiling as he tightened his grip): What a beautiful scream... how I missed this music.
Alex kicked the air frantically, Rin tried to hit Shio's arm, but his grip was iron, unshakable.
Their groans bounced off the walls of the hall, but all they met was a calm laugh from the man who did not burn.
Gang member: Watch out!!!
Suddenly the glass window shattered with a deafening sound, shards raining down like rain, and the darkness revealed three figures who fell inside the hall.
Two men in black suits streaked with blood-red lines, strange masks hiding their faces, their eyes glowing with a cold gleam. And between them...
He was standing.
The shadow who had saved Alex before. A strange man, tall, his body covered in old scars, his gaze sharp as a blade. From that moment, his name began to be whispered in the shadows: Jashin.
Strange man 1 (with a hoarse voice): Catch him!
The two rushed at Jashin at once, one pulling out a long scythe, the other waving a crooked dagger.
Jashin took a step forward, his eyes glinting with deadly coldness, then-
BOOOOM!
He kicked the first in the chest with such force that he slammed into the wooden wall, the panel shattering under his body.
But the second was faster, stabbing his scythe into Jashin's leg, sinking deep. Blood burst from the wound, yet he did not stop.
Jashin grabbed the man's arm and swung him around, then smashed his body against the floor with such force that the tiles cracked.
He stood amid blood and shattered glass, his leg bleeding heavily, but he remained upright... like a beast that did not know the meaning of falling.
Screams suddenly rose. Shio's men rushed from every direction, blades and pistols gleaming under the neon lights.
BOOM!!Another window broke, and more strangers entered in their black-and-red suits, distorted masks, their voices rough as if they had come from a nightmare.
In the middle of the chaos, Jashin was stepping back slowly, not out of fear... but to draw them toward him.
Jashin (in a deep voice): Come... one by one.
One of the gang members charged at him, but Jashin tore his throat with his bare hand. Blood splattered on the floor, and the others screamed, firing wildly.
Bullets ripped the walls, neon lights flickered, and blood mixed with the sound of bowling balls shattering.
Amid this hell... Alex crawled between the broken tables until he reached the chained Makreji.
Alex (whispering as he cut the ropes): Hold on... I'm here.
Rin held Nina in his arms, the little girl trembling hard, her face wet with tears.
Rin (whispering to her): Don't cry... we'll get you out of here.
Makreji collapsed to the ground exhausted, but Alex helped him stand.
While Jashin fought like a demon in the middle of the blood, the small group slipped through the side door... only to find outside, waiting for them, one man.
Shio Wu.
He was standing in the shadows, his gun dangling from his hand, a cold smile etched on his face.
The air outside was suffocating, the dim streetlights casting long shadows.
Shio Wu took a step forward, his smile never fading, as if he already knew the outcome was decided.
Alex (cautiously stepping forward): We won't let you take them...
Rin (raising his fist): Even if we die here!
Shio let out a short laugh, then tilted his head slightly. His eyes gleamed strangely, as if they could sense the movement of air before anyone moved.
In an instant, he was behind Alex, his fist slamming into the boy's stomach with such force that Alex doubled over in pain and collapsed to the ground.
Rin turned in shock, but before he could lift his arm-
BOOM!
A bullet tore through his shoulder, blood burst out, and he dropped to his knees screaming.
Shio didn't stop. He grabbed Rin's wounded shoulder and unleashed his ability. The heat rose violently, until the flesh began to char beneath his hand.
Rin (screaming in unbearable agony): Aaaaaaaaah!!!
His eyes rolled back, his body convulsed, then collapsed unconscious into a pool of his own blood.
Shio slowly raised his head, aiming his gun at Alex, who was crawling on the ground, struggling to rise.
Step by step, he approached, pressing the barrel of the gun coldly against the boy's forehead.
Shio (with demonic calm): Be a lesson... to the others.
He pulled the trigger-
CLANG!
Something metallic struck his gun, knocking it from his hand to the ground.
He spun sharply, and there... within the shadows, stood Jashin.
His body was drenched in blood, several blades stabbed into him, yet he was pulling them out one by one with terrifying calm, crimson spilling between his fingers.
His eyes were cold, as if pain meant nothing to him.
Shio (smiling with interest): ...You? Still standing?
Jashin (hoarse voice): ...I'm not done yet.
Suddenly, the two shot forward like bullets.
Jashin delivered a brutal kick, slicing through the air and slamming into Xiu's face, sending him flying back two meters. Without hesitation, he lunged in with a barrage of punches, each blow echoing violently through the air.
BOOM! BAM! CRACK!
A wall in the hall cracked under the force of the strikes, blood spewed from Shio's mouth as he staggered.
Alex (stunned, whispering): My God... he's a monster...
But Shio's smile never disappeared. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes glowing with a deadly chill.
Suddenly, his movements changed-lighter, sharper... as if he could read Jashin's strikes before they landed.
He caught Jashin's arm, twisted his body, and unleashed a flurry of kicks and punches.
BOOM! BAM! THUD!
Jashin fell for a moment, but Shio gave him no chance. He shoved him violently into the wall, splintering the wood and shaking the entire place.
Pressing his burning palm against Jashin's chest, the heat surged, white smoke filling the air.
Jashin (screaming for the first time): Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!
Jashin's screams filled the place, his chest burning beneath Shio's hand.
Suddenly-
BANG!
A bullet tore through Shio's shoulder from behind. His body jolted, blood splattering onto the floor.
He turned in shock, only to find Alex standing weakly on his feet, the gun trembling in his hands, tears welling in his eyes.
Alex (shouting at the top of his voice): Stay away from him!!!
For a moment, Shio's face changed, rage igniting in his expression.
But before he could move, Jashin had broken free.
His hand clamped around Shio's neck with unnatural strength, then hurled him to the ground with brutal force.
BOOM!
The floor shook beneath his body.
Jashin pounced on him like a beast, his fists crashing down like hammers on Shio's face without pause.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Blood sprayed, teeth scattered, the wall smeared with red.
Alex (crying out in fear): Jashin! Stop... you'll die too!!
But Jashin heard nothing. His eyes were filled with madness, as if his humanity had been stripped away, leaving only a killing machine that nothing could halt.
The blows rained down endlessly-until suddenly, Shio's knee shot up with violent force, slamming into Jashin's body and knocking him back two meters.
Shio stood with difficulty, half his face drenched in blood, one eye barely open. And yet... he smiled.
The two exchanged one last brutal punch to the face, then slipped and staggered on the blood-soaked floor.
After a tense moment, Shio rose again.
Shio (hoarse, yet mocking): ... That's enough. I didn't expect to find such pleasure tonight.
He spat blood onto the ground, wiped his mouth, and slowly stepped into the darkness.
Shio (glancing at Alex with his one good eye): ... Next time... I'll tear you both apart.
Then he vanished into the alleys, swallowed by the night.
Jashin tried to rise but collapsed to his knees, his breathing heavy, his hands trembling from the ferocity of the battle.
Alex crawled toward him in fear, his eyes locked on him.
Alex (voice shaking): ... You... what have you become, Jashin?
There was no reply. Jashin's eyes were empty, drowning in blackness.
The silence was heavier than any blow.
The bowling alley floor had turned into a lake of blood, gunpowder smoke drifting in the air, the metallic stench overwhelming.
Alex rushed to Rin, lying on the ground, his shoulder bleeding heavily.
Alex (panicked): Rin! Hold on... don't close your eyes!
He tore a strip from his shirt and tied the wound clumsily, his hands trembling, tears threatening to fall.
Behind him, Jashin collapsed to his knees, blood dripping from his mouth, one hand clutching the deep wound in his leg.
Jashin (weak, broken whispers): ... It's not... over yet.
He raised his head for a moment, his dark eyes meeting Alex's. There was something strange there... something inhuman lurking behind his gaze.
Alex froze in place, his heart pounding.
Alex (whispering): ... Are you still you? Or was I wrong all along?
The hall shook with the roar of gunfire.
Jashin was standing amidst corpses, his face drenched in blood, his hands trembling around the gun. Each shot tore through a scream, a plea, an attempt to flee... until silence consumed everything.
Alex ran toward him, clutching at his arm with all his strength.
Alex (shouting): Stop!! That's enough!!
But Jashin didn't hear. His eyes were dark as a bottomless abyss. He raised the gun toward the head of the last wounded man... and fired.
In desperation, Alex whispered:
Alex (softly): ... Theodore.
Jashin's hand froze for a moment. He slowly turned, looking directly at Alex, then raised the gun toward the boy's forehead.
Click... Click... Click...
He pulled the trigger again and again, but the chamber was empty.
Alex fell to the ground, his body trembling, tears streaming down his face from terror... even his legs refused to carry him.
Suddenly, the scene shifts.
Alex is now sitting in the seat of a luxurious car, his hand still trembling as he stares at the dark window.
Beside him sat a refined man in a black suit, smiling a cold smile.
Man (in a calm tone): You did well tonight, Alex. But you came too close to gang territory... and that is dangerous.
Alex turned slowly, realizing that the man was none other than... the Vice Principal.
Alex (shocked): You...?!
Vice Principal (with quiet mystery): ... Yes. I'm the one who sent to pick you up. We don't want any misunderstandings between our group... and Shio and his sector.
Alex sat in the club room, tapping his fingers on the table in boredom. His eyes never left the person sitting across from him.
Alex (with a sigh): ... I didn't expect to see you here.
Rin lifted his head, a tired smile forming on his face.
Rin (calmly): I know... you didn't expect me to end up away from my brother.
Alex (coldly): You said you left his gang... why should I believe you?
Rin fell silent for a moment, then revealed a red scar on his shoulder - the burn mark Shio had left.
Rin (in a low voice): Because he taught me himself... what it means to be nothing but a puppet.
For a moment, silence reigned. Alex found nothing to say in return. But then he handed him a thick file and opened the map pinned to the wall.
Alex (seriously): This is our plan for the week. Monitoring some suspicious individuals... an arms dealer, a drug broker, and a businessman connected to the gangs.
His finger moved between the photos pinned up, then he turned to Rin:
Alex (coldly): If you want to be with us in "Night Club"... you'll have to prove yourself.
A faint, mysterious smile spread across Rin's face.
Rin (confidently): ... Just show me the first target.
Soft whispers rose among the other members of the club, while the tense atmosphere of suspicion slowly began to fade.
At sunset
Theodore stood on the rooftop of the school, his hand in his pocket, dried blood still clinging to the sleeve of his shirt.
He looked toward the distant horizon, where the city lights glimmered like dying embers.
Theodore (whispering): ... How long will I remain trapped between these two worlds?
He clenched his fist tightly, a sad smile passing across his lips before vanishing.
Behind him, a black crow took flight, its cry piercing the silence, as if it were an omen of what was to come.
[ To be continued ]