"Well, well. It's time," the man spoke, his voice filled with dark enthusiasm. "Meet us at the old abandoned building down town. Come alone, and don't be late. You got that?" the line disconnected right after.
Don't worry, Stacy. This'll all be over soon. Kayden thought, feeling his chest tighten with each passing moment.
He wasted no time in explaining the kidnappers' request to his uncle.
"Alone? No way. There's no way I'm letting you go and meet with them alone. In an old abandoned building, nevertheless," John protested, waving his hands. "This could all be a trap. A clever trick to get the money and have you both hostage. I'm already bleeding funds just to help complete the money you already have. I can't afford to have another dept on my head after this!"
"I get how you're feeling about this, Uncle John, but that's their demand. We can't just do whatever we like in this situation. Remember, they have Stacy. If they realized that we went against their request, then who knows what they might do to her," Kayden explained. "They've already had her for twowhole weeks now. I can't even imagine how hard things have been for her. If we want to ensure this goes smoothly, then we have to do exactly as they say.
"Besides, have you forgotten that I now have an ability? I'm not the same person I was two weeks ago. If they try anything, I'm confident I can at least grab Stacy and get the heck outta there."
Sometimes your persistence annoys me… John sighed, rubbing his nose as his brows furrowed deeply. "Alright, fine. Do it your way, but please, don't get captured, and bring back Stacy safely. That's all I'm asking from you."
"I promise, Uncle John. I'll make sure nothing bad happens to her," Kayden replied, his gaze filled with conviction.
________
Later that night…
This must be the place. Kayden thought, standing in front of a rundown building on the other side of town. Alright, here goesnothing. Taking in a deep breath, he forced his rattled nerves to calm. Right after, his eyes slowly opened, and he walked into the building.
The acrid stench of decay wafted into his nostrils. His lips moved in disgust as his heightened senses took in the full force of the odour. Of all places we could meet, did it really have to be here? I can barely tolerate this smell.
His steps wavered, arm clutching onto the briefcase as though it could vanish at any moment. And it could. He was in the kidnappers' territory, after all.
Here, anything could happen.
"Seems like I misjudged you," a voice echoed in the shadows. "You showed up, after all, and I believe my money is complete?"
"Yes. Now, where is she?" Kayden asked straight away.
"My my. What an impatient youngster. Haven't you ever heard of the saying 'the patient dog eats the fattest bone?' Why the rush?"
Kayden didn't bother replying to the man's words.
The silence stretched, until finally, a figure emerged from beyond the light.
Dark shirt and pants, with a similar dark trench coat that lightly scraped the ground as he walked. A scar ran across his right eye, rendering it useless. And a couple of his teeth were missing, signs of the unforgiving life he had to live.
"Guess you ain't interested in a little chit-chat, huh?" The man continued, shaking his head. "Well, can't blame ya. Guess family comes first. Boys!"
Right after, more men in black began to emerge from the darkness. In total, seven goons stood within the abandoned building, their leader standing in front as a symbol of authority.
To his right, one of his men held a blonde-haired girl by the ropes binding her arms. Two handkerchiefs were used. One to blindfold her, and the other to keep her mouth shut.
Sweat trickled down her face, causing strands of hair to stick to it. Her breath was uneven, skin reddened by whatever harsh treatment she was forced to endure.
"Stacy!" Kayden yelled, his mask of self-control crumbling instantly. "What…what did they do to you…?" His voice cracked, tears streaming down his eyes.
"Enough with the feelings, boy! Hand me the money!" Their boss yelled, clenching his fist.
As though a command was given, the man keeping Stacy restrained whipped out a sharp object from his hidden pockets. The object flashed in the rays of light leeking into the room. A dagger.
With practiced efficiency, he brought the dagger close to her throat, and made a slight stab wound through her neck.
Her muffled screams were enough to regain Kayden's attention.
"You… you BASTARDS!" his eyes shone a bright yellow. Fur emerged from beneath his skin, covering his body from head to toe. His snout elongated, forming menacing canines, and his size doubled right before their eyes. "How dare you harm her?!!!" His voice came out in a gritty tone, claws bared as he charged towards the leader of the kidnappers.
"What the heck?!" The man scrambled out of the way, just in time for Kayden's hulking frame to crash into the dirt. His goons looked on in shock as they witnessed the boy, the little brat who had walked in hoping to save his dear cousin, transform into a beast that could give even grown men nightmares.
"What's going on? I never thought that kid could do something like this." One of the goons said aloud, his voice filled with shock.
"Does it matter, though? Remember, we still have his cousin. If he tries anything, she's toast," another replied.
"Oh, yeah? And what about us? If we kill the girl, then what's gonna stop him from killing us?" another guard interjected.
"Boys!" Their leader's voice broke through their train of thought. "Forget about the other plan! Toss girl over and grab the money so we can get outta here!" he barked.
In the first place, I only targeted that brat because I thought he was powerless. Just some naive civilian who'd do anything to protect the people he cares about. The leader thought, scattering to his feet as he witnessed the terrifying creature return to its towering state. How could everything go so wrong so fast? I clearly remembered what happened that day. We ganged up against the kid. I humiliated him. Where did he get this power from? Why didn't he show it to us back then? Why would he go through all this trouble to get us the money if he could whip our asses back then?
None of this is making sense. Unless this is a power he only obtained recently. But still… His eyes narrowed. Right after, the beast turned towards him, nostrils flaring.
"YOU!" Kayden roared. "You're the reason Stacy had to suffer for two whole weeks! I'll fucking kill you!!!" Kayden sprinted towards the man before he could react. Within seconds, his jaws opened wide, biting into the man's neck with enough force that the bone itself got severed.
Right after that, his gaze swept across the dim space. The goons didn't hesitate. Instantly, one of them ran towards the briefcase, grabbing it with shaky hands before dashing towards the shadows.
"Not so fast!" Kayden gave chance. And between the man's speed, and Kayden's monstrous persistence, the goon didn't… couldn't… make it far.
A deep claw strike to the head was enough to rip through his skull, ending the man's life instantly.
Two lives had already been taken. The kidnappers had no chance of making it away with the girl, or with the money.
Still, Kayden didn't stop. Ever since seeing that person stab Stacy, it seemed like something within him snapped.
This was no longer Kayden Williams in control.
Within the dark space of the abandoned structure, stood a creature with an uncontrollable urge to kill.
And seconds later, his eyes locked onto his next victim.
One more fell.
Then another.
Until there was no one left alive to fight or flee.
The only two that remained were Kayden… and his frightened cousin.
Feeling like the threat had been eliminated, the overwhelming sense of bloodlust that overcame him began to subside, and with it, his transformation.
As his body returned to normal, his eyes settled on Stacy sprawled against the dirt. Weak, defenceless… scared.
It's over, Stacy. He said to himself. Let's go home.