Chapter 10: The Hunt Begins
The sky was a dull gray as Kenny walked home from school, his backpack slung over one shoulder and his phone pressed to his ear. He grinned as Alice's voice came through the line, upbeat and full of pride.
"It's done!" Alice said, almost giddy. "I'm not gonna lie, Kenny, this isn't something I usually make, but I really enjoyed the challenge."
Kenny's grin widened. "Alice, you're amazing. Seriously."
Alice chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you're happy with it. But, you know, I've been thinking… since I went all out on this, I think it's only fair to cash in a favor."
"Anything you need," Kenny said quickly. "You name it."
There was a pause, and Alice's voice softened slightly. "How about… you take me to the new ice cream shop this weekend? My treat, if that sweetens the deal."
Kenny blinked, the meaning of her words flying right over his head. "Wait, you're treating me? I'm the one who owes you! You just made a custom superhero suit!"
Alice laughed nervously. "Well, maybe I just like ice cream. So, what do you say?"
"Of course! Whatever you want," Kenny said enthusiastically. "But seriously, I can't wait to see the suit. When can you bring it by?"
Alice sighed, clearly amused. "I'll swing by your place later tonight. Just… don't forget the ice cream thing, okay?"
"Done deal," Kenny said, oblivious to the fact that she was dropping hints. "Thanks again, Alice. You're the best!"
As Kenny ended the call, he was too excited about the suit to notice the man following him. Slade Masters, clad in his usual leather jacket, trailed Kenny with a cold, calculating expression. Another man walked beside him, carrying a sinister smirk. Slade nodded toward Kenny, and the two moved in.
Kenny didn't even register the presence behind him until it was too late. Slade grabbed him by the arm, yanking him into a narrow, empty alley. The second man shoved him hard, sending Kenny tumbling into a pile of garbage bags. His glasses slipped off his face, landing with a crack on the concrete.
"Hey, Kevin," Slade said calmly, sliding on a pair of leather gloves. "We need to talk."
"My name is Kenny," he stammered, his voice trembling as he tried to push himself up. "Is it… is it possible this is a case of mistaken identity?"
Slade exchanged a look with his companion, who shook his head. "No mistake," Slade said flatly. "I just have a few questions."
"I don't know anything," Kenny said quickly, his voice rising in panic.
Slade sighed, cracking his knuckles. "I didn't ask you anything yet."
The rest was a blur of pain and fear. Kenny couldn't remember the exact moment the punches started, but they didn't stop for what felt like an eternity. The other man joined in, holding him down as Slade methodically worked him over. Blood dripped from Kenny's broken nose, and his screams echoed through the alley, muffled by the cold, unfeeling walls.
When Slade and his companion finally stepped out of the alley, Slade pulled off his gloves, wiping them clean with a cloth. "Call Raven," he said calmly. "Let him know the kid didn't know anything. If he did, he would've talked."
The other man nodded. "What's next?"
Slade glanced back toward the alley, where Kenny lay crumpled in a pile of garbage. "We get her son next."
Kenny lay still, his breath shallow and uneven. His right eye was swollen shut, his pinky and ring finger bent unnaturally on his right hand. His glasses were shattered, his nose bloody, and his shirt torn. Around him, the remains of his backpack were strewn about—his laptop in pieces, his phone crushed beyond repair. Pain radiated through his body, but the humiliation cut even deeper.
Across Town

Jay was walking home, his thoughts still on the morning conversation with Kenny. He had resolved to go through the flash drive that evening, determined to uncover something—anything—that might lead to answers. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice the black car pulling up beside him until it was too late.
The car door opened, and two large men stepped out, grabbing Jay before he could react. They dragged him into the back seat, tossing his backpack in after him. The door slammed shut, and Jay found himself face-to-face with Max Raven.
"Jay Hunter," Raven said smoothly, his voice calm but carrying a dangerous edge. "Nice to finally meet you."
Jay glared at him, his heart pounding. "Who the hell are you? Let me out of this car!"
Raven smiled, unbothered by Jay's outburst. "Relax, kid. I just want to have a little chat."
The car began moving, and Raven's men flanked Jay on either side, preventing any chance of escape. One of them grabbed Jay's backpack, rifling through it while Raven watched with an amused expression.
"I don't know what you think you're gonna find," Jay spat, his voice dripping with defiance.
The man shook his head after a moment, looking up at Raven. "Nothing in here."
Raven's smile widened. "Sloppy, kid." He leaned forward, reaching into Jay's pocket and pulling out the flash drive. He held it up, his expression triumphant. "But not sloppy enough."
Jay's heart sank. He lunged forward, kicking the thug across from him square in the chest. The man grunted as he slammed into the car door, momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Jay shoved the door open and threw himself out of the moving vehicle.
Jay hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet as adrenaline took over. The car screeched to a halt, and Raven's men spilled out, chasing after him. Jay darted into a narrow alley, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he sprinted toward the fire escape.
The thugs were fast, but Jay was faster. He leaped for the ladder, pulling himself up with surprising ease. One of the men raised a gun, but before he could fire, Raven's car pulled up behind them.
"Leave him," Raven said coldly, from the car. "He doesn't matter. We have the flash drive. He has nothing."
The men hesitated, then reluctantly lowered their weapons and climbed back into the car. Jay crouched on the rooftop, watching as the vehicle sped away, Raven's smug expression burned into his mind.
Jay sat on the rooftop, his chest heaving as he stared down at the empty street. His mind raced with anger, fear, and determination. They had the flash drive now, but he wasn't going to let this go. "Sloppy, huh?" he muttered to himself, his hands clenching into fists. "We'll see about that."
Jay's journey wasn't over—it was just beginning.