Chapter 24: Will's stipulation

"Okay, now I didn't say that." Will finally answered. "Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of kidnapping. Let's see..." he said pensively. Again, there was a pause, followed shortly by a snap of finger. "Oh, right. I was about to be kidnapped by four guys who wanted to milk some cash from my dad. Unfortunately, you two caught sight of them, so they had to bring you in as well. They brought us here while they plan the call. Good for me, I was able to escape from their clutches, call the police and thus rescue you." He laughed, satisfied at his own plan. "How's that for a spin?"

Obviously, Will's creative thinking totally made up for whatever he lacked in other departments.

"Of course," he quickly added, "we have to, you know, make it look convincing." There was a sudden clap of hands. "Okay, so why don't we start? I can – "

"Cut the bullshit, Coulson," Louis angrily interrupted. "Do you really think I'm just gonna stand here and patiently wait for your sorry ass to do that?" Louis knew that Will could only care less about his reputation. What Will really wanted was revenge, and he'd rather have Louis and Ren standing like stones while he's at it. "Why don't we just settle this right now, man to man? Winner gets to walk away and do whatever he wants."

Ren gulped hard. Louis," she hissed, tugging his right sleeve. "I really don't think that's a good idea right now." This was not the perfect time to pick a fight with Will. They weren't actually at an advantage here.

"No, Ren. I have had enough of this guy." He didn't even bother to lower his voice. "Who does he think he is?" Louis turned to where he thought Will was standing. "Come on, man, what do you say?"

Silence answered him.

"What, you'd take on my sister but you wouldn't take on me?" Louis snorted. "Just as I thought: you're nothing but a big stinking coward." That did the trick.

"I always knew your sister was the smartest one in the family. Guess I wasn't wrong." Will suddenly answered back in a tight voice. "You're in way over your head, kiddo." He whispered menacingly. "You should have listened to dear old sister on this one."

Louis instinctively backed away a few steps. His eyes had finally adjusted to the darkness, but there was still no sign of Will anywhere. Adrenaline was pulsating throughout his body.

Ren's head snapped to the left. The hairs on the back of her head started to rise. She swore she saw a shadow moving out of the corner of her eye.

All of a sudden a fast, pounding footsteps emanated from behind them.

"Louis!" Ren cried out as realization hit her.

Before the two of them could turn around, Will had already shoved Ren aside and used his momentum to tackle Louis to the ground.

There was a loud crashing sound as both of them landed on some crates. Louis felt it breaking underneath him.

Almost immediately, Will started pounding on Louis.

He did not have time to defend himself. Pinned beneath Will, Louis tried his best to protect his head against Will's blows.

"What's wrong with you, Stevens?" He said in a mocking tone. "Your sister put up a hell lot better of a fight than what you're doing right now."

Hoping against hope, he gathered all his strength and punched into the air. Fortunately, it landed square on Will's jaw, shutting it tight. The force of the impact temporarily stunned Will.

Taking advantage of this, Louis shoved him away and stood up. He breathed heavily, wiping the sweat and dust that has now covered his face.

Will stood ten feet away from Louis, glaring furiously. He spat some blood on the floor. "I'm going to enjoy beating the hell out of you," he said, wiping his mouth. "And when I'm done, I will be enjoying your sister as well." Will charged forward.

This time, Louis was already prepared for his punches and was throwing a few ones of his own.

Ren watched from the sidelines in despair. Louis was barely holding up against Will. He was just taller, bigger, and stronger than her brother was. She knew Louis was fighting a losing battle.

Louis gasped for air as Will held his muscular arm around his neck. His face was flushed from lack of air. "Ren," he croaked, while desperately trying to suck oxygen. "Go on, get the hell outta here."

"I – I can't leave you here!" She quickly protested.

"No! Stay right were you are!" Will quickly turned around and wildly stared at her. "Step out of this room and I'll kill your brother right here, right now. I MEAN IT!"

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