That morning, Eric woke up with his hair in absolute chaos, like the world had ended overnight. He glanced at his phone, eyes still half-closed. Noah had already spammed him three times:
> NOAH: WAAAKE UP. We're heading out today.
NOAH: Don't go back to sleep.
NOAH: Eric, I swear if you ghost me—
Eric smirked and replied, "Still alive, relax."
He swung his legs off the bed, tripped over his hoodie, almost fell. Eric glared at it. "You wanna fight me this early?"
When he got to the living room, Noah was already there with a coffee in hand, face full of impatience.
"Noah…" Eric muttered lazily.
"You're three minutes late."
"You counting?"
"Yes. You think I don't value my time?"
Eric shook his head and took a sip. "You're old in a kid's body."
They stepped out together. Noah had said they were going for a "mind-clearing walk," but Eric knew better—Noah wanted intel on S9. Just two steps outside, Noah began.
"So… do you think the people looking for S9 are many?"
"How should I know?"
"But if—"
Eric stopped and shot Noah a look. "Do you die if you don't talk for a day?"
Noah just smiled. "Yes."
Despite the teasing, their conversation stretched on. They talked about the S9 case, last night's incidents, Eric getting chased. Noah was worried but masked it with jokes.
At one point, Noah said, "Wait, I'm gonna get ice cream. You wait here."
"Ice cream at 10 a.m.?"
"I'm an unpredictable boy."
Noah dashed to a small shop at the end of the street.
Eric stood alone. The breeze was soft, the morning quiet. He scrolled his phone casually.
Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.
Eric barely had time to turn—before a man lunged at him with a small knife. He dodged partially, but the blade grazed his arm.
Eric staggered back. "Hey—what the hell!"
The man struck again. Eric countered, punching him in the stomach. He was strong, but Eric managed a knee kick, sending him half-kneeling to the ground.
Eric was about to strike again when he didn't notice a second shadow approaching from behind. This one held a metal baton, ready to swing.
He felt the wind behind his head.
"ERIC! BEHIND YOU!"
The voice was loud. Eric recognized it immediately.
In one swift motion, a hand yanked Eric's collar to the side. The baton clanged against the railing. Eric almost lost balance.
Carl.
Out of nowhere, face tight with tension, Carl immediately grabbed the second attacker's hand and twisted until joints cracked. The baton fell.
"Carl?! You—"
"Don't speak," Carl cut him off. "Look forward."
The first attacker rose again, attempting to strike. Eric ducked and elbowed him in the stomach. "Your timing's dramatic, seriously."
Carl slammed the second man against the wall. "Two seconds later and you'd be history."
"Hah, don't be dramatic."
"I'm saving you, genius."
The two moved almost in sync—as if they'd fought together countless times, though this was their first. Punches, thuds, and labored breathing echoed.
At one point, the second attacker tried to escape. Carl grabbed him by the collar and pinned him to the ground. Eric kicked the weapon away.
When all was quiet, Eric looked at Carl, catching his breath. "You okay?"
Carl glared. "Should be me asking that."
They stood close, shoulders almost touching. Carl lifted his hand to check Eric's wound but stopped halfway.
"Show me the cut," he said lowly.
"Just a scratch…"
"I didn't ask 'how small.' Show it."
Eric lowered his gaze, embarrassed.
The first attacker crawled to rise again. Eric struck him down immediately. "Go back to sleep."
Carl smirked slightly. "You really invite trouble."
Eric smiled faintly. "Lucky I had a dog coming to the rescue."
Carl feigned indifference. "Shut up."
They both took a deep breath.
---
Eric lingered in thought after the attack. Noah came running, panicked, holding a half-melted ice cream. "No, no, no, no—Eric, what happened? I was gone for two minutes! Are you some kind of trouble magnet?!"
Eric shot him a look. "I didn't call trouble here."
Carl, observing both, raised a brow. Noah kept rambling, pointing to Eric's wound. "Does it need stitches? I can't handle blood—if you get stitched, I'll faint, then you have to take care of me—"
Carl cut in, calm but firm. "Enough." Noah went silent, still worried.
Carl pulled Eric's arm gently. "Sit," he said curtly. Eric sat on a nearby bench while Carl grabbed a wipe and began cleaning the blood slowly. Eric winced, face tense.
Carl glanced at him. "Not even a complaint?"
"It hurts, duh—" Eric started before Carl interrupted, "Speak properly."
As the wound was cleaned, Eric's mind raced. Why did they attack me? Did they know—
Noah glanced. "Why them..?"
Eric quickly covered his meaning. "I mean… why did someone suddenly try to kill me? I didn't bother anyone."
They fell silent. Carl looked at Eric attentively before continuing to wrap the wound. "Do you owe anyone?"
"No."
"Any gang problems?"
"No."
"Any… enemies?"
Eric just shook his head, unwilling to reveal too much. Carl paused, looking Eric in the eyes. "The people who attacked you… they weren't thieves. They were aiming for you."
Noah nodded slowly. "Yeah. They came like they studied you first."
Eric exhaled. He couldn't explain fully but didn't want to lie either.
Carl drew a long breath, serious but gentle. "I don't know what's going on. I don't know who's after you. But if this happens again… you can't face it alone."
Eric blinked. Carl continued, "If you need help, just say it. I can watch your back."
Noah chimed in, teasing slightly, "Oh? New bodyguard for Eric?"
Carl just turned to him, and Noah immediately went quiet. He then said softly, "Your face… it makes people want to attack you."
Eric replied, "What's wrong with my face?!"
Noah nodded, laughing lightly. "He's right. You have that… 'come fight me' look."
Carl added, "That's why you need someone like me."
Eric smiled slightly, serious but appreciative. "Confident, aren't you?"
Carl replied tersely. "Always."
Eric looked at both—Noah worried, Carl protective. It felt strange, never having anyone care like this before. He exhaled slowly and said softly, "I don't know what's happening… but thanks for helping."
Carl replied simply, firm, "Not the first time."
They sat for a moment, enjoying the brief relief after chaos, all aware that danger still lurked outside.
---
Meanwhile, Liam and Jay stepped out of the house. The fresh air was calming, though Liam's eyes stayed alert, scanning their surroundings. Jay, still yawning, grabbed his jacket and teased Liam.
"You woke up late, huh?" Jay nudged Liam gently.
"If you don't remember, I told you not to sleep too long," Liam replied, tone firm, with a slight smile.
"Come on… just woke up. Relax, it's morning. Chill."
Liam shook his head slowly but couldn't hide a small smile. They walked together, playful nudges and banter bouncing between them. Jay deliberately twisted Liam's head to look at a shop display; Liam teased Jay for his slow walk.
Soon, Liam's eyes landed on a circular wolf-and-snake symbol on an old wall. "Hey… isn't this like what Eric mentioned?" he murmured. Jay looked, widened eyes, and slapped his forehead.
"Seriously… did Eric talk about this? Are we on some clue, or are you just showing off?" Jay said, grinning.
Liam smirked, patting Jay's shoulder. "Quiet, let's see first."
They paused, studying the symbol while still lightly joking. Jay tapped Liam's back; Liam brushed him away gently. Then they continued their morning mission.
Finally, they arrived at an Italian restaurant. The scent of fresh bread and rich tomato sauce welcomed them, coaxing a smile even as they stayed alert. Thin-crust pizza with fresh toppings and fragrant carbonara awaited at their table. Liam inhaled the aroma deeply, while Jay grabbed a slice with a satisfied grin. Light laughter erupted when one choked slightly or the crust crunched too loudly.
Each bite brought warmth to the morning, even as they remained vigilant of their surroundings—the footsteps of others, distant noises, everything filtered through careful awareness.