Karen wandered through the city alone, aimless as she traveled along the sidewalk of a busy street. The chatter of passersby and the roars of car engines continuously hit her ears. But still, she was in her own world. As Karen thought over the incident at Lang Cafe, she brushed past several individuals as if they weren’t there.

  "He is a good man. I know it," Karen thought.

  Karen witnessed three little girls playing hopscotch in front of her. And watching them, she dropped onto a bench, crying.

  "But no one else does. It's not fair.” Karen punched the bench. “Even without knowing he's the knight, he's more than proven himself. I shouldn't have to choose between my friend and him.”

  One of the girls accidentally threw the rock onto the street. She hurried to pick it up, but a car sped by her as she did, its engine roaring like a hungry beast. However, Karen hastily dove after her and pulled her out of harm's way as the car raced off.

  "Will it be like this when I tell Father and elder brother?” Karen sighed. “Love did try to warn me."

  Karen quickly forced the girls into their home, a nearby apartment building.

  "I suppose it doesn't matter. I love Daniel. But more than that, I've seen him grow from a vain and cynical man to a kind and noble one. A man who understands the value of life."

  Karen dropped back onto the bench.

  "I can't pretend I haven't."

  Karen rested her head on the bench, shutting her eyes. But as she did, the sound of approaching footsteps on the pavement awakened her. As she turned to see who was coming, she saw a large man readying to place a black bag over her head. The man continued the act, doubling his speed as he saw that Karen had noticed him. Still, as he did, Karen retaliated by punching him in the nose.

  The man staggered back, gripping his bloody nose as two more men came, running at Karen. The civilians in the vicinity swiftly ran away screaming in different directions as they spotted the impending battle. Karen stood up from the bench, prepared to defend herself. The first one drew a knife as he approached Karen. However, before he could attempt to slash her, Karen punched him in the teeth, grabbing him by the head as she slammed his skull on her knee. The second assailant succeeded in punching Karen in the face and drawing blood from the corner of her mouth. But as he attempted to push his advantage, Karen regained control. As he shot another punch, Karen caught his arm and bent it the wrong way. The sound of bones crunching was followed by his screams before Karen silenced him, delivering a knee to his stomach.

  The man with the bloody nose finally regained his senses as the pain subsided. He witnessed his two comrades lying on the ground in agony from Karen’s assault. Still, he ran to her for retribution. But Karen quickly subdued him like the other two. Karen again punched him in the nose and as he reeled from the strike she delivered two more to his stomach, flinging him at the bench.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Now, would you boys mind telling me who you are?” Karen asked.

  Karen heard footsteps again. But this time as she turned around to look, a red-haired woman beat her in the face with a blunt object, knocking her unconscious.

  ***

  Daniel enjoyed a celebration after a day's hard work at the Kord apartment building. He, Michael, and Miyamoto sat by the dinner table, enjoying a feast crafted with love. The Diaz family provided him with Quesadillas and Carne Asada tortas to feast on. And Juana, a woman of seventy, Michael's grandmother, happily served plate after plate as he devoured the delicacies.

  "Such a good boy. Do you need any more?" Juana asked.

  "Thanks, but this is enough, Juana." Daniel burped.

  "Please, I insist, let me make some for your trip home.” Juana fired a glare at Michael. “That grandson of mine hardly eats my food."

  "Why's that?" Daniel asked.

  Gabriella, a curvaceous Hispanic woman of twenty-six, Michael's wife, quickly sat in his lap.

  "Because no one cooks for my husband but me," Gabriella said.

  Daniel laughed, looking at Gabriella sitting in Michael’s lap. “I can see why.”

  "Hey, Danny, I have to ask you something,” Michael said.

  “Shoot.”

  “What are you going to do with the prize money?"

  "Nothing. I spent it all."

  "What? Already? I don't believe it."

  Miyamoto frowned, making his face age several years in a few seconds. "After seeing the inflation rate, I do."

  "Is that what happened?" Michael nudged his head at Miyamoto.

  "Not really. I just had a lot to do. Buying furniture, getting a weight set for my girl—“ Daniel breathed in sharply as he cracked his neck. “Paying off my crooked mechanics, etc."

  "Wait, you have a girl? Do you have a picture?"

  Daniel took out his wallet, revealing a picture of Karen to the others.

  "Wow. She's pretty," Miyamoto said.

  "You can say that again."

  Gabriella pouted." You're not getting envious, are you?”

  "W-what? Of course not, beloved.” Michael nervously kissed Gabriella repeatedly. “I'm yours forever."

  Daniel chuckled, seeing Michael and Gabriella."Why don't we do this at my place next time? I'll ask Karen to cook something nice."

  Michael sighed. "It's a deal."

  Suddenly, screams echoed through the apartment from outside. Daniel ran to the nearest window, gazing below at the perpetrators. Seeing a group of men beating down several victims. But analyzing the assailants, his heart skipped a beat, recognizing their faces.

  "I recognize some of those crooks. They're the same guys who took me to Hermes," Daniel thought.

  Michael and the others quickly pulled Daniel back into the apartment.

  "Danny, did any of the guys outside see you?"

  "No. I don't think so."

  "Thank god."

  "Michael, where's your phone? I'm calling the coppers."

  "No, you can't."

  "Why not? They're beating someone to a pulp."

  "Doesn't matter without evidence. And you won't get it from anyone around here," Gabriella said.

  "What?"

  Michael took a deep breath, pulling Daniel to some chairs as they sat.

  "Here's the story. Two years ago, a pharmaceutical company called Hygieia came near the Lang cafe. You see people around here have trouble affording medicine."

  "Now I get it. Hygieia is extorting its customers. But you're keeping it quiet because they're the only game in this part of town. And the goon squad is an extra incentive."

  "Close. There were a couple of cheaper shops, but Hygieia took care of the competition," Gabriella said.

  "And the goon squad sometimes grabs anyone who looks at them the wrong way," Michael added.

  "To where?"

  "Danny, I don't know. But please keep out of this."

  "You have my word. Regular old Daniel Jones won't get involved."

  "Thank you."