"I told you not to teach the kid Kung Fu, Henry," Jack's mother snapped as she frantically searched through her purse.
"It's not Kung Fu," his father corrected, arms crossing defensively. "It's Taekwondo. And kickboxing."
She shot him a death glare. "Are you serious right now?"
Henry looked away, guilt creeping in. "I just thought he'd use it responsibly…"
His gaze shifted to Jack. The boy stared out the car window, jaw tight, anger simmering underneath.
I can't wait to meet that guy again. I'll show him who's boss, he thought, fists clenching.
Henry flicked Jack's forehead sharply.
"Martial arts are for self-defense. For real danger. Kidnappers. Criminals. Not beating up teenagers who talk trash."
Jack folded his arms, lips pursed in rebellion.
"And besides," his father continued, "I thought you were only doing basketball so that girl would like you?"
Jack's head snapped around, face red. "Daaaad!"
"Hey, guys? Have either of you seen the car keys?" his mother interrupted, still digging through the bag.
Henry pointed casually toward the locked car door.
Jack's mother froze. "…No."
Henry's face dropped into his hands. "Oh my God…"
"Okay, you two need to figure this out, or we're all walking home," she snapped.
"Nooo! I can't walk home!" Jack whined, pressing his cheek with his hand. "I'm just a kid…" He looked up at his mother with pleading eyes.
"I don't give a f—"
"Hey hey hey, Mary! No bad words," the father cut in as Mary slapped a hand over her own mouth.
"Besides," the father said proudly, puffing out his chest, "this is the perfect moment to show you all how martial arts works."
He stepped back, dramatically took off his jacket, then did a somersault followed by a flashy 90-degree kick—shattering the door handle.
He landed with a smirk, expecting praise.
Mary just pointed toward the coach. "You know what? I've seen enough for today." the coach says as he walks towards his car
Without another word, he slammed the door.
"Weird-ass family…" the coach muttered
Jack and his mom watched his father laugh nervously.
Meanwhile, Waze was on his way home, phone in hand.
Waze: "Almost home, Mom."
Mom: "How far away? I don't want you to miss dinner."
Waze: "I promise, I'll be quick."
There was no time to waste. He started running — and slammed into someone.
He stumbled, hit the ground hard. A tall, dark figure turned slowly toward him.
A scream ripped through the street.
"HHHAAAHHHHH!!!"
An old man jolted awake from his porch chair.
"What was that!?"
He grabbed his flashlight, scanning the street — just in time to see Waze dragged into the shadows.
"Someone call 911!" he shouted toward the nearby houses.
The dark figure crouched over Waze, forcing its way inside him — through his mouth.
Waze's voice broke, choking on his words:
"Help… me… Mom… Jack… h–help me…"
Back in the car, Jack was holding the door while his father sat beside him.
Father: "Come on, honey. It's dangerous to let him hold the door."
Mother: "It's his punishment. And besides — why are you sitting with him?"
Father: "I thought you didn't want me in the front."
Mother: "Yeah, for both reasons. Please stop talking. I need to focus."
The car made a strange noise — weeeshhh.
Jack: "What was that?"
Mother: "I said stop talking! It's probably the door your father shattered."
Father: "Oh, come on. We both know that came from the engine."
The noise grew louder.
WEEERRHHH… FRROOBB!
The front of the car burst into flames.
Mother: "Oh shit—oh shit!"
With quick reflexes, the father kicked the door open and shoved Jack out.
Jack hit the ground hard.
"Dad—what's going on?"
Then — BOOOOM!
The car exploded. Nearby vehicles screeched to a stop. One slammed into another.
Driver 1: "Hey, move it! I'm calling my insurance!"
Driver 2: "Shut the hell up! I just saved your life, you idiot!"
Woman: "Someone call 911! There's a kid out there!"
The first man muttered, fumbling for his phone.
"What's wrong with women driving these days? The kitchen's always open."
Woman: "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
She slammed her door and ran toward Jack, who stood frozen, staring at the burning wreck.
Jack: "Mom… Dad… please no. Please, God, no… Mom…"
The woman reached him, voice shaking.
"Hey, buddy—are you okay?"
Before she could say more—BOOM!
A second explosion tore through the night.
They hit the ground as debris flew. A charred hand landed in front of them — still burning — a necklace dangling from its fingers.
The woman screamed.
"HHAAAAHHHH!!!"
Jack stared blankly, tears streaking through ash and smoke.
He stepped closer, eyes locked on the necklace — his mother's.
End of Chapter 2