The final bell rang, slicing through the lazy afternoon air like a signal to war.
Austin looked at Sellzen and gave a firm nod. Sellzen returned the gesture without a word.
Without hesitation, Austin sprinted to the classroom window and vaulted through it. He caught the flagpole mid-air, sliding down with practiced ease. The moment his feet touched the ground, he bolted toward the street.
Right on cue, the familiar roar of an engine tore through the silence.
A truck emerged from around the corner—fast, reckless, and unmarked.
Students froze, some gasping, others watching in awe. Sellzen strolled out of the school behind them, unsurprised.
Austin's timing was everything. He launched himself high, the truck smashing into him just as he reached rooftop height. He crashed onto the cab with a brutal roll and coughed up blood, groaning.
"Argh... That was risky... but, as they say… you gotta beat fire with fire—or in this case, tire with tire..."
From the distance, Sellzen laughed as he jumped on his bike, speeding after the truck.
"Ayy, suicidal dumbass! We'll hit her house in ten minutes! Get ready to jump on, Fast & Furious-style!"
He weaved between pedestrians with near-miraculous control, staying parallel to the speeding truck.
Ahead, in the truck's path, a young child stood frozen in fear. The crowd screamed.
Sellzen surged forward, one foot lifting off the pedal as he leaned out, snatching the child with one arm. He launched himself off the bike mid-motion and rolled safely to the grass, clutching the kid.
Austin, still on the truck's roof, rose to a crouch, eyes sharp.
"Now or never," he muttered.
He leapt.
Landing unsteadily on the back of Sellzen's almost-toppling bike, he struggled to regain balance, then kicked off to stand on the frame. With a hard push, he lunged for the truck's cab door.
It opened with a creak.
Empty.
No driver.
Austin's breath hitched, eyes darting forward—straight ahead, a baby stroller was rolling into the street.
Heart racing, he gripped the wheel and slammed the brakes, jerking it hard to the left.
Tires screeched. The truck skidded sideways, stopping just inches from the stroller.
The baby inside remained asleep, unbothered. Austin slumped in the seat, panting. Sellzen whooped behind him.
"Yo! Vin Diesel, eat your heart out!"
The baby's mother rushed over, scooping up her child with shaking hands. She looked at Austin, eyes full of gratitude.
"Thank you—thank you so much! I didn't see it roll away. You saved my baby!"
Austin stood awkwardly, hands raised, face red.
"I-It's really nothing—please don't bow, ma'am, seriously..."
Applause broke out. A few bystanders recorded with their phones. Someone even whistled.
The woman leaned in and kissed Austin's cheek.
Sellzen appeared beside him, panting and grinning.
"Well, that's another chapter in your legend, huh? Anyway... we're nearly there. Phoebe Valentine's house."
Austin blinked as they turned and began walking down the quiet residential lane.
---
Okinawa Street – Phoebe's House
They stopped outside a modest two-story home nestled between flowered hedges. A sleek black car idled at the gate—its windows tinted, the engine still running.
Austin's expression darkened slightly.
Before they could knock, the door opened. A man stepped out, head lowered beneath a cap, dressed like a delivery driver. Austin's sharp eyes caught a faint shimmer—something metallic glinting on the man's neck.
The man gave a brief bow and passed them without a word, slipping into the black car before driving off.
Sellzen tilted his head, watching the vehicle fade down the road.
"Was that a delivery guy? I thought they used trucks... weird vibe, though."
Before they could speculate further, a voice called from inside.
"Who's there?"
A woman stepped into view—graceful in a floral sundress, hair braided, though there was something off in her posture. Her lipstick was slightly smeared, and her breath came a bit too fast.
Austin's expression subtly sharpened, but he remained composed. He bowed politely.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. I'm Austin Moon, a classmate of your daughter, and this is my friend. We'd like to speak with you—just a moment of your time."
Sellzen, unusually respectful, bowed as well—matching Austin's tone.
The woman blinked in surprise, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Phoebe's classmates...? Oh. Of course. Please... come in."
Austin gave Sellzen a look—one that said stay sharp.
Something wasn't right here.