The next morning, the town seemed normal. The sun spilled gold across cracked rooftops, children ran along the streets, and vendors shouted over the clatter of carts. But Frank—Spenser now fully aware of the shadows lurking around him—felt the tension beneath the surface.
It started with a scream.
Frank and Leo were near the marketplace when the shrill cry cut through the morning bustle. They ran toward it, hearts pounding. Smoke curled from the eastern edge of the town, where a small warehouse had caught fire. People were trapped inside, desperate for help.
"This isn't a prank," Frank said under his breath. "Someone set it on purpose."
Leo's eyes widened. "What do we do?"
Frank gripped his stick. "We save them. First, we get everyone out, then we deal with whoever did this."
They rushed to the warehouse. The flames had begun to spread, but Frank noticed weak spots in the structure: windows cracked open, debris leaning against walls. He quickly directed the townsfolk to pull out trapped people through the safer exits.
Leo followed Frank's commands, guiding children and the elderly to safety. Together, they moved with urgency but calm—no panic, only action.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the doorway, hooded and imposing—the same type of attacker from the alley. He brandished a crude weapon, attempting to intimidate the rescuers.
Frank stepped forward. "Leave them alone!"
The attacker charged. Frank sidestepped, using the stick to knock the weapon aside. Leo backed him up, pushing trapped people safely out of harm's way.
It was the first time Frank realized being a hero wasn't just about fighting; it was about strategy, protection, and quick thinking under pressure. Every movement, every command, mattered.
Within minutes, the last of the trapped townsfolk were safe. The hooded figure fled when Frank and Leo advanced together, a warning: this would not be over.
Frank's chest heaved. The heat of the fire, the adrenaline, the weight of responsibility—it all settled inside him, shaping him. He looked at Leo, who was trembling but smiling.
"You did well," Frank said quietly. "But this is only the beginning. If we want to protect this town, we have to be ready for more than just one attack."
Leo nodded. "I want to be ready. I'll follow you, Spenser."
Frank's eyes scanned the streets. Somewhere, in the shadows beyond the smoke and ruins, others were watching. They were waiting. Testing. Calculating.
And now, Spenser wasn't just standing for himself. He was standing for the town.
The real fight had begun.