Zeus Ring

Chapter 4: Heroes Without Cape

Ethan trudged under the rain, his jacket tighter around him. He couldn’t get home to face his aunt and uncle again.

Soaked, he sat on a damp park bench, the night air cool against his skin. His clothes were soaked through, clinging to him uncomfortably as he stared out at the empty park.

The scene with Lily and Kyle replayed in his mind. He felt like a fool, a pawn in their cruel game, discarded without a second thought.

Everything he’d worked for, everything he’d believed in, had been a lie. The love he thought was real had been nothing but a façade. And Kyle’s betrayal. He should have known he would eagerly take the one thing that he liked.

As he sat there, wallowing in his misery, a muffled shout reached his ears. It was faint, almost lost in the sound of the rain, but it was enough to catch his attention.

He looked around, his gaze scanning the dimly lit park. The shout came again, louder this time, followed by a crash.

Instinctively, Ethan stood up, his heart racing. He followed the noise, his steps quickening as he neared a dark alley at the edge of the park. His breath caught in his throat as he saw a group of men surrounding a young woman, their faces twisted with cruel intent.

“Get your hands off my purse!” the woman shouted, her voice trembling but defiant. She struggled against them, clutching her purse to her chest as one of the men tried to yank it from her grasp.

Another man loomed over her, blocking her escape while the third one circled around, eyeing her with a predatory grin.

“Come on, sweetheart,” the first man sneered, “just give us the purse and the keys to the car, and maybe we’ll let you go without too much trouble.”

The woman’s eyes flashed with anger, and she kicked out at the man in front of her, catching him in the shin. “I said get off!”

The man cursed, stumbling back, and for a moment, it seemed like she might break free. But the second man grabbed her arm, twisting it painfully, and she cried out, her purse slipping from her grasp.

Another latched onto her hair and pulled but she wrestled against them. “I won’t give you my purse or car, never!”

Ethan couldn’t help the anger he felt at the sight. Without thinking, he rushed forward. “Hey!” he shouted, his voice louder and more confident than he felt. “Leave the lady alone!”

The street was quiet and his voice echoed over the sound of the rain and wind.

The men turned toward him, surprised. The girl’s eyes widened as she caught sight of Ethan, her expression shifting from fear to something like hope.

“And who do you think you are to tell us what to do?” A stocky man stepped forward from the shadow. He had his left arm tattooed entirely and two teeth were missing.

Ethan knew he was outnumbered, and he wasn’t exactly in the best shape to fight off three men. Still, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Who looked like the leader of the group, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered at Ethan. “What’s this? You think you’re some kind of hero, kid?” he mocked, his voice dripping with contempt.

Ethan wasn’t threatened, he squared his shoulders, staring pointedly at the man. “Let the lady go.” He repeated, stepping closer. His fists clenched at his sides, ready to fight them off.

The scarred man exchanged a glance with his companions, then laughed. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that,” he said, stepping forward. “But guts aren’t going to help you here.”

“Let her go, pick on someone your size,” he snapped. He’d had enough oppression in one night, he couldn’t stand it anymore.

“We’ll teach you a lesson you might not live to learn.” One of them sneered and stepped forward.

Ethan was ready for his attack, he deflected his blow and grabbed his collar, punching him square in the face and shoving him into the trash can. The crunch was sickening.

The girl gasped and stepped away from them, running to hide behind Ethan. She was dressed in a fancy white jumpsuit and blonde hair that looked dyed.

“You’re dead.” Then the man lunged at him, swinging a heavy fist. Ethan dodged, but not fast enough. The punch caught him in the side, knocking the wind out of him. He staggered, gasping for breath, but forced himself to stay on his feet.

The girl cried out, trying to help Ethan but the second man pushed her off. “Noo!” she shouted, her voice filled with panic.

Ethan turned just in time to see the second man coming at him. He barely had a chance to raise his arms in defense before the man’s fist slammed into his jaw, sending him crashing to the ground. Pain exploded in his head, and he tasted blood in his mouth, spitting.

“Stay down, punk,” the scarred man growled, kicking Ethan in the ribs. Ethan curled up, trying to protect himself as the man delivered another brutal kick. He gasped in pain, his vision swimming as he struggled to stay conscious.

Summoning what little strength he had left, Ethan forced himself to his feet. His body protested, every muscle aching, but he ignored it. He had to help her. He had to do something.

“Stop it!” the girl screamed, her voice breaking as she stood, shaken, then raced across the street, screaming.

“Get her!” The leader yelled.

The scarred man smirked, clearly enjoying the violence. “You should’ve minded your own business, kid. It’s your fault she’s run away. I’ll make you pay for it,” he said, swinging another punch at Ethan. This time, Ethan managed to duck, but the movement sent a wave of dizziness through him.

He threw a desperate punch of his own, catching the man off guard. It wasn’t strong. The man head butted him and grabbed his chin.

Ethan doubled over, coughing as the air was knocked out of him again. He tried to stand, but his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. The world around him blurred.

Through the haze of pain, he heard the girl Ethan’s vision faded, his body refusing to move as the men closed in on him. He felt a rough hand grab his collar, dragging him across the asphalt floor. “Heroes die,” the man snapped and kicked his head.

He fell into oblivion.