Everything happened so fast that Noah didn't even have time to think. In a matter of seconds, the guy who was about to kill him had been sent flying, and a guy wearing a red cape had knocked him out with one punch. Now, the attacker lay on the ground, totally unconscious.
That guy must be ridiculously strong. That lunatic was incredibly strong too; I couldn't even budge him, no matter how hard I tried, Noah thought for a moment.
Did he call me 'snack'?... Damn it... he cursed to himself.
The guy who had saved him diligently tied the lunatic's hands as if it were the most normal thing in the world. He still wore his mask, but gray hair could be seen from the back. He wore black jeans and a tight black t-shirt under his cape. Noah still couldn't process everything that had happened. Soon, a great weariness took over his body. Although he knew he should leave as soon as possible, his body wouldn't respond. He was just a sack of potatoes on the floor, devoid of dignity, watching the guy now lean the lunatic against a wall and leave him sitting there, unconscious.
Should I call the police? Noah thought, his mind clouded by exhaustion.
The guy finally took off his mask, and Noah's fears came true: it was Lucian. His blue eyes looked particularly dark, his pale skin glowed in the night light, and his lips looked soft and pink. His beauty was particularly captivating and hard to ignore. How was it possible that out of all people, he was here? His face looked somewhat worried. He took his phone out of his pocket and slowly walked towards Noah, carefully sitting him up and supporting him against his chest.
"Hey, idiot, get away from me," Noah slurred.
"Give me a moment, snack," he added in a calm tone.
He seemed to be making a call. A few seconds later, someone answered. Noah tried to wriggle out of Luc's grip, but he held him tightly, not letting him move.
"Hello," his tone was sharp.
"Yeah, I've already taken care of all of them."
"Julian, I left something for you in zone three. Come pick it up right now. We'll deal with him tomorrow." His tone was impassive. Noah wondered what relationship he had with this "Julian."
"Something came up. I have to take care of it tonight. I can't go back with you guys," he said, fed up.
"Goodbye." He hung up and sighed.
Although Noah had resisted at first, in a few seconds he had fallen asleep leaning against Luc's chest. He looked tired, and his face was covered with some bruises and bloodstains.
"Hey," Luc said, stroking one of his cheeks.
"Let go of me," Noah managed to say in a sleepy tone.
"Don't fall asleep."
"Leave me here, I don't need your help." Noah could barely keep his eyes open.
"You're a very aggressive snack. Let me take you home." His tone was soft, almost a murmur.
"I don't want you to know where I live. Leave me here."
"I can't leave you alone. We don't know if this guy was with other people."
"What do you care? I can take care of myself." Noah was starting to get fed up. He was right, but Noah would rather die than owe anything to this lunatic.
Lately, do I only attract crazy guys into my life? He thought to himself.
"Let's go," Luc added, picking Noah up in his arms.
"No! No! Let me go!" His voice sounded desperate and on the verge of tears.
"Hey, calm down. Let me take you home and heal your wounds. That's all."
"I already told you I can take care of myself. Put me down right now."
Resigned, Lucian gently lowered him. Noah tried to stand for a few seconds, but then collapsed like a log. Luc caught him before his face hit the ground.
"This is humiliating," Noah muttered, almost a whimper.
"You're really cute, snack," Luc added, laughing.
"Shut up for a second, and stop with the 'snack' thing."
"You are a snack. That's what I should call you." His voice was playful.
Noah sighed in resignation. This guy was carrying him as if he were a bride, which was humiliating for him. He wasn't the biggest or strongest guy, but not so small that he needed to be carried home like a princess.
"Okay, take me home and then get lost."
"Your wish is my command," he added cheerfully.
"I need to make a call." Noah quickly remembered that he still didn't know anything about Kai.
"Sure, let's head that way, and then you can make the call while I get you some water."
"It's not necessary." His cheeks and neck burned from being carried that way by this guy.
Lucian walked calmly, carrying Noah in his arms. The streets seemed quite peaceful. Some people were walking leisurely. Noah thought that was a bit strange; moments ago, everyone was running desperately as if no one was chasing them. Now they were so calm? Little by little, they approached the park. As soon as Noah noticed they were nearing it, his heart began to pound. In that place, everyone had been running. He remembered seeing people on the ground, vividly recalled the blood spilled on the floor, and that creature carrying someone into the darkness.
"What's wrong, snack? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"This... umm... we shouldn't go to the park." The words caught in his throat.
"Don't worry, it's all over now."
"What do you mean, 'it's all over'? I... there were people on the ground, blood... creatures."
"Don't worry..."
"But... Everyone's calm. Why?"
"They can't remember what happened. That's why they're calm."
"What the hell? How is that possible? And the people who were on the ground?" He felt like he was going crazy; he knew perfectly well what he had seen.
"Some survived; they must be in the hospital, but without remembering anything."
"But... I don't understand. Why do I remember, and they don't?"
"I don't know." His gaze seemed worried and sincere.
"Ah..." He wanted to know more, but he felt he didn't have the right to demand explanations from this guy.
"If everything's calm, just leave me at the park. I have to look for someone." Noah added, feeling frustrated. As he spoke those words, he noticed Luc's grip tighten.
"I'll take you home." He didn't seem to want to say anything else.