Chapter 2 — Tracing the Kings
The sun had barely risen over Evereign City, casting a soft golden glow across the streets. To the casual observer, it was just another busy morning, with school buses honking and students rushing along the sidewalks. But for Ethan Walker, every shadow, every movement mattered. The quiet streets hid danger, and tonight, that danger would face justice.
Aaron Blake sat quietly in the backseat of Ethan's black taxi, clutching the small folder of notes and screenshots Chloe Matthews had gathered overnight. His hands shook slightly, but his eyes carried a hint of hope — something he had not felt in a long time. The bruises on his arms and the haunting images in the folder were proof of the cruelty he had endured, but they also fueled the fire that would soon ignite against his tormentors.
The taxi pulled into the unassuming garage that served as NightShade's headquarters. From the outside, it looked like a typical taxi station, run-down and quiet. But inside, it was the heart of their operation. Screens lined the walls, computers hummed quietly, and the faint smell of oil lingered from Lucas Bennett's workshop.
Chloe was already at her desk, fingers flying across the keyboard. Lines of code and intercepted messages flashed across the monitors.
"I've traced Derek Ames' phone," Chloe said without looking up. "He's hosting a small gathering at his father's townhouse tonight. The others will be there too. Security is minimal, and I've found a few overlooked cameras we can exploit."
Lucas leaned against the workbench, munching on a sandwich. "Sounds like fun. Just tell me when to park the car nearby, and I'll make sure no one leaves without seeing what's coming."
Ethan ignored Lucas' grin. Humor had its place, but tonight required focus.
"Chloe, how reliable is the footage?" he asked.
"Messy, low-res," she admitted. "But enough to prove Aaron's claims. They're careless. They always are. One stray post or backup is all we need."
Ryan Carter stepped forward, glancing at Aaron. "Aaron, can you remember every place, every moment they attacked you? We'll need details — times, locations, even the smallest gestures. Nothing is too minor."
Aaron nodded, swallowing hard. "I… I think so."
Over the next hour, Aaron recounted everything. Each attack, every mocking laugh, each private video they had sent among themselves. Chloe mapped the locations on her screen, tracing patterns and noting blind spots. Lucas adjusted the taxi, installing hidden cameras, reinforced bumpers, and emergency devices. Ethan absorbed it all, planning their approach with military precision.
By late afternoon, the plan was clear. Aaron would remain calm and compliant, staying close to Ryan while Ethan executed the operation. Chloe would handle all digital tracking, hacking into overlooked devices and monitoring communications. Lucas would manage the vehicle, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
As night fell, Ethan drove through the quiet streets of the Old Harbor district, the black taxi blending seamlessly with the shadows. The townhouse loomed ahead, its windows glowing warmly. Inside, the Royal Club Kings laughed and celebrated, oblivious to the storm waiting just outside.
Ethan parked a few houses down, engine off. Through the rearview mirror, he studied their movements. Derek Ames held a phone, showing the others videos from last night. Oliver Hayes laughed, Marcus Voss leaned back arrogantly, Trent Locke smirked, and Henry Price barely looked up from his drink.
Chloe's voice came softly through the earpiece. "Got it. One of the boys posted a clip to a secondary account. Low quality, but Aaron's jacket is visible. Perfect confirmation."
Ethan's hand tightened on the steering wheel. It was real. The thread was caught, and soon, the whole knot would unravel.
Aaron, sitting quietly behind him, finally allowed himself a small breath of hope. He was not alone anymore. The Retaliators had stepped into the shadows to fight his battle. And tonight, the Royal Club Kings would learn that cruelty always has consequences.
The city streets were silent, the night waiting. The hunt had officially begun.