Caleb leaned against the counter in his apartment, his eyes fixed on the map spread out between him and Ryan. The Hamilton Hotel was circled in red ink, a crumbling relic of a place hidden in Hell's Kitchen. It had taken him weeks to find it, yet Ryan didn't look convinced.
"Doesn't it seem... too easy?" Ryan muttered, eyebrows knit together as he scanned the map. "I mean, all of them holed up in one place, knowing you're out here hunting them?"
Cal ran a hand through his hair, suppressing a sigh. His friend had always been cautious, but lately, it felt like every move was being overanalyzed. "You're overthinking this. They're desperate. They're not going to sit around in the shadows forever."
"But shouldn't they be more careful?" Ryan pressed, pacing a little. "You've hit them hard, Caleb. Why would they all gather in one spot now? It feels too... convenient."
"Doesn't matter. Even if it's a trap, I can handle it. You know that."
Ryan stopped pacing, eyes locking onto his friend's. "Let me come with you. I'll watch from a distance, make sure you come out alright. Hell, I can even call the cops if it gets too ugly."
Cal shook his head, his tone firm. "I'm not dragging you into this. Not now." His blue eyes softened briefly as he leaned on the counter. "I can't have you on my mind during the fight, man. It's risky enough."
Ryan exhaled, conceding. He knew when to back off, though unease still etched across his face. "Fine. But if things feel wrong, don't wait to pull out."
Cal gave a brief nod, already focused on the task ahead. As the night fell deeper, he prepped his gear—a black compression shirt that fit like a second skin, gloves, and joggers. His mask, now a tight ski mask, completed the look. He stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, barely recognizing the person staring back. His face, more defined than ever, gave away little of the man who once doubted his every move. His lean, muscular body spoke volumes of the power he carried now, even though he still looked deceptively light. At nearly 190 pounds, he moved with ease, strength rippling through his frame.
He barely glanced at his reflection before stepping out into the cold. New York stretched out before him, endless blocks of apartments and alleys. He walked through the night, the air biting at his skin, though it felt strangely calm. Nights like these had become more frequent—streets emptied of shady figures, fewer groups huddled in dark corners. It was as if his presence had started to clean up his neighborhood without him even knowing it.
As Cal neared Hell's Kitchen, his senses heightened. He avoided the streets, choosing instead to scale the buildings lining the way. Each leap carried him farther than any normal man could hope to manage, and climbing felt effortless with his enhanced strength. He moved like a shadow across the rooftops, inching ever closer to the Hamilton Hotel.
When he finally reached his vantage point, the hotel loomed below, bathed in faint light from within. The windows, though cracked and dirty, gave off a dim glow, but there were no guards. Not a single figure patrolled the outside. It should've set off alarms in his mind, but instead, he felt a flicker of excitement. A trap, maybe. But a challenge.
He forced the thought away, brushing off the warning signs. A thrill ran through him as he readied himself. This was what he'd been waiting for.
Without a second thought, Cal made his move. He descended toward the side door, slipping into the shadows before vanishing into the hotel with a silent, fluid motion.
---
Ryan arrived just in time to see his friend disappear into the building. The unease he'd felt earlier now morphed into a gnawing certainty—something wasn't right. No guards. No lookouts. Nothing. He had seen enough to know when things didn't add up.
His heart pounded in his chest as he crouched near the alley, watching the hotel from a distance. They're expecting him.
Worry twisted in his gut. What if they had found a way to take Cal down? What if they had something—someone—that could hurt him?
There was no time for second-guessing. Ryan crept toward the door Cal had slipped through, staying low and quiet, eyes darting around for any sign of danger. As he reached the entrance, he glanced around one last time before pushing forward, determined to keep his friend from walking into a trap alone.