Near the brook: 16th July Saturday: 4: 25 am:

Harry was gradually feeling a black curtain dropping in front of his eyes as Micky kept on increasing the pressure on his neck.

“Alex…do something. Micky will kill him.”

Billy restlessly pushed Alex.

“So?... He deserves this. And think about it otherwise. If Harry had a chance; would he have spared Micky? NO...he would have killed him then and there. So why should Micky show any mercy?”

Cody said rigidly.

“Because he is not a killer like Harry and it is his chance to overcome his untamed anger. We always had issues with his uncontrollable anger. So, this is the time for him to know whether he can control it or not. Let him face his flaws alone.”

Peter sounded determined. His eyes were shining with hope. They observed Harry rubbing his legs on the rough ground helplessly for the last time. Slowly he shunned resisting and loosened his grip on Micky’s hands which were throttling him and stretched them to either side. His body became loose. He perhaps lost his conscience. Observing his condition, Micky immediately withdrew his hands. He was panting in rage, pain and exertion. He looked at Nina who was standing a bit far with wide eyes. It seemed that she couldn’t believe the situation until now. Micky shifted his gaze at Harry’s stone face. He brought his fingers near his nostrils to feel his breath. There was no sign of breathing. He leaned forward trying to observe him closely. All of a sudden, a gush of dust hit his eyes.

“Ahhhh……”

Micky whined and palmed his face in irritation. His eyes were burning. In the next moment, he felt a jerk and was propelled to the ground. Harry sprung and stood on his legs rubbing his hands to remove the dust which he threw on Micky.

“MICKY…”

Nina screamed and ran towards him but was caught by Harry in the distance. He gripped her with one hand by her waist and at the drop of a hat kicked Micky’s ribs.

“Ahhhh…..”

Micky writhed with a whine. He helplessly curled himself to hold out against Harry’s further attack.

“Stop it, you bastard…!”

Nina yelled while struggling to free herself.

“Stop it, you bitch…!”

Harry clutched her more tightly and roared. He again kicked Micky. This time on his back. Micky rolled on the ground just to control the intensity of his pain.

“I beg you…STOP. Leave him…I will go with you.”

Nina wailed still scuffling into Harry’s iron grip.

“Not enough, you…minx. You will definitely go with me but after I smash this rat.”

Harry hissed and dragged Nina to Micky for another strike.

“We don’t think so. Because Micky is not alone anymore. Another scratch on him and we will show you the real hell, Harry.”

Alex yelled as all of 7 circled three of them. Harry got alarmed and looked around. He stepped back from Micky still clutching Nina in his grip. His evil mind swiftly calculated the situation.

“He is unarmed. Although he is stronger and more strategic than these youngsters; 9 verses 1 matter in a fight. It won’t be wise to fight with naked hands with these 9 hostile brats. But it is still in his favour until Nina is with him. She can be his escape pass.”

Harry quickly lined up his next move.

“Hello, kittens. Finally, we all are under the same sky. Unfortunately, my deal with you all didn’t work. But don’t worry. I planned something different this time. I planned to make your friend my new Queen Bee because very soon I am going to rebuild my gang.”

Saying this Harry clasped Nina more tightly and kissed her jawline lustfully. Nina wriggled to be free and turned her face in disgust.

“Harry…leave her…or else we will dig your grave right here right now.”

May growled and approached him rancorously. Harry immediately tethered Nina’s neck with his elbow indicating his deadly intention. He wobbled his head in negative and addressed Maya with a diabolic grin.

“Don’t show any smartness, popsy. Your one step ahead can put your friend’s life at stake. So, be intelligent and lemme go or try to stop me and be the reason for her last breath.”

He lightly twisted his elbow making Nina gasp in pain.

“Stop…don’t hurt her. We won’t do anything with you. Just leave her and go. We won’t stop you.”

Cody and Billy said simultaneously. They broke the circle in order to convince him. Harry immediately turned and took a view of his escape way.

“You dimwits…do you think I am on your mercy? I am Harry…the notorious gang leader of The Vulture Gang whom even the police never have seen. Even if I lost my gang, I have that power to rebuild it and again remain incognito forever. But how can I spare you all without punishing? You all have destroyed my gang, marred my all plans…even Maddy died for this Micky Morgan….”

He turned at Micky with revengeful eyes but his vengeance immediately converted into fright. All the other people were so involved in saving Nina that they didn’t notice Micky until then. All veered to Micky just to witness a terrifying sight. Micky was holding a revolver aiming at Harry. It was the revolver that he got from Maddy’s hand after his death. Fortunately, he fell near that place where he kept it before that drowning incident. Micky was still panting and flinching in pain. He was still having difficulty seeing properly. His whole body and face were covered with dust but his determination didn’t have any grime.

“LEAVE HER….OR I WON’T THINK TWICE TO BORE A HOLE IN YOUR HEAD….”

His voice sounded like a lion roared in the jungle. All of a sudden, Harry’s face drained all blood. His hand loosened on Nina’s neck. In a blink of an eye, Nina pushed him back and freed her to run towards Micky. The other boys approached Harry to subjugate him but he immediately sat on the ground and at the next moment a pistol shined in his forwarded hand. At last, he found his lost gun.

“Let’s see…who will win the duel…”

Harry hissed. Nina clung to Micky and hid her face in his chest in fear.

“No need of this…both of you…put the gun down. The police have surrounded you from all sides. Harry…put your gun down and surrender. The game is over.”

The metallic voice came from the dark side. Within a second, a team of police encircled them. The ACP appeared holding the mike and his gun.

“It’s a miracle. Police have come on the time just unlike the movies. We unnecessary blame and make fun of them.”

Cody whispered in Peter’s ear which he glared at him.

“He is impossible. Because who can make fun in this dicey situation.”

Peter muttered in mind while Cody completely ignored him and turned to the main climax. Harry and Micky were still looking at each other despite hearing the warning. It seemed that they won’t leave the matter without settling it down on their own. The other FAB 5 and Fusion 4 members retreated and stood making a distance from the hostile due. The police came nearer. Now, they were nearly 5 meters away from Micky and Harry.

“Don’t force us to take drastic steps. Step back and surrender. Both of you…”

The ACP again commanded.

“Micky…”

Nina meekly requested while slowly lifting his face from his chest. However, Micky didn’t move his eyes from Harry rather shackled Nina by her shoulder and pulled her closer.

“I won’t…because I don’t believe this bastard. He doesn’t deserve any faith or mercy. He dared to lay his dirty eyes on you…so, I only will punish him…not the police.”

He uttered with grinding teeth. Harry’s eyes ignited with demonic fire. He slowly started retreating still aiming his pistol at Micky and Nina. The police except the ACP tried to approach him but The ACP showed them his hand gesturing to stop. He couldn’t put Micky and Nina’s life in danger. Secondly, he had been ordered to nab Harry alive as he would be the main source of information about drug dealing, human trafficking, illegal arms smuggling and many more. Harry kept on pulling back and eventually, reached the edge of the brook. He slowly lifted his one leg and stood upon a boulder. Now, he was almost 12 to 15 ft away from the police and Micky. The surrounding was quiet as a graveyard. Only the crackling sound of the bonfire and the murmur of the brook were keeping the place alive.

“Not this time, kitten. But don’t worry…I will give you the chance when we won’t be under any law. Only you and me and our game of punishment.”

Harry gritted out. He shifted his gaze at the ACP.

“Mr ACP…Sorry to disappoint you but Harry won't surrender as a rat. You can’t catch me alive. Harry was a mystery and he always will be a mystery. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN...”

He mocked with an evil smile. Micky noticed that Harry hung one of his legs in the air intending to fall into the water of the brook.

“WATCH IT….he is trying to run away…”

An alarming call let out Micky’s mouth. Simultaneously, three gunshots shattered the silence of the surrounding. A moment of pin-drop silence. Suddenly, two horrifying sights shattered all to the core. The boulder where Harry was standing was empty and Nina slowly knelt down on the ground. A trail of blood stained her shirt.

“NINAAAA…….”

Micky’s high-pitched scream fragmented the silence of the jungle. The birds started chirping indicating the dawn finally came.