73 New York Crusade (2/2)
In an instant, Ava felt the temperature in the small alleyway grow warm. Not unbearably hot, but more like the warmth one would expect from a campfire. She could feel that temperature rising towards the men who assaulted her. The heat radiated surprisingly just like one would expect being near a fire.
Simultaneously, Ava heard shrieks of pain and surprise. All five of the men were clutching their now empty hands while cursing. She looked at the weapons on the ground and noticed a faint glowing red on each of the pistol grips. She gasped in surprise when she realized they must have been warmed to an unbearable temperature in a matter of seconds. What the hell are they? She mimicked the assailants thoughts as she looked at the two men.
”I've been on the receiving end of those things before,” the unnamed man said as he tsked at the unarmed men. ”I'd rather avoid having to go through death again.”
The man just said those words as if death were just an unfortunate waste of time. Ava couldn't believe what she was hearing. She thought of loved ones who had already passed away. She couldn't believe that someone could come back from such a fate.
Trying to move closer to the two men who came to her rescue, Ava noticed the two men who dragged her into the alley still had her by the arms.
Noticing the same time as Ava, the unnamed man with the red jacket furrowed his brow, obviously disappointed that they were still clueless.
”I commend you for your bravery, gentlemen.” The man said with mock approval. Ava could sense his sarcasm almost as strongly as she could feel the power within him.
Pointing to the sky, he continued. ”You just saw two men drop from the sky,” he said with an interested tone. ”Who disarmed you in a matter of seconds with nothing but a thought, yet you still won't let the lady go.”
”I don't know if that's bravery or stup-” he was interrupted when one of the men built up enough nerve to charge forward.
”I'll gut you!” The man yelled as he brandished a knife from his pocket.
Two feet before he reached the two mysterious men, he slammed into solid air. His hand was still up as if to strike the one talking in his gut. His hand shook with effort as he tried to gain any ground.
The man slowly took the knife from the thugs grip. ”I wasn't done speaking.” He said in a dark tone. He dropped the knife, at the same time, he sent the thug flying back with nothing but a look.
”As I was saying.” He coughed once into his hand to clear his throat. ”Are you stupid?”
As the others witnessed how easy it was for the stranger to throw their associate, their nerves began to waver. The two men holding Ava let her go as if their hands were burned.
Turning to run from the alley, one of the men looked back to Ava with promise in his eyes. ”This isn't over,” he said as he nodded in the strangers direction. ”They won't be around next time.”
Ava suppressed a shiver, they knew where she worked. There was even a possibility that they knew where she lived.
Knowing he had gotten the response he wanted, he turned once again and disappeared around the corner, following his friends.
”There's no need to worry, ma'am.” The man said with a half smile, though Ava could tell it was sincere. ”They won't be bothering you or anyone else again.”
Almost following his last words, Ava heard screaming from a block down. Following the calls, she saw the men rising in the air over their heads, being carried away by three men and two women in similar attire. They were all wearing the same red leather jacket.
”Might I ask what your name is?” The man questioned.
Ava snorted, obviously taken aback by the situation, but trying not to let it on. ”Usually the one asking the name has already presented their own.” She said.
The man laughed for a brief moment. ”I suppose you are right.” He straightened himself as bowed slightly. ”My name is Roy, I'm a member of the New York Crusade.”
Roy
The girl in front of Roy surprised him with a laugh. Seeing as though she had just been through a traumatic experience, almost being defiled and killed, he couldn't see how she had managed to stay so cheerful.
Straightening herself, the girl regained her composure. ”My name is Evangeline Verde.” She raised her hand for Roy to take. ”But my friends call me Ava.
Oddly enough, when Roy took her hand, there wasn't even a sign of trembling. ”You're taking all of this pretty well, Ava.” He said as he released her small hand.
”It's not every day that two men fly in from out of no where and save you from being murdered.” She looked at Tony for a brief moment and nodded her acknowledgement. ”Are you going to explain what you are next? What is this Crusade?”
”Maybe an alleyway isn't the best place to talk about such things,” Roy said as he looked around the area. ”We don't know if those guys have any friends around the area.” He brought his eyes back to Ava. ”Are you hungry?”
Taking the lead out of the alley, Ava waved her hand for them to follow. ”I guess I can go for a bite.” She smiled to herself as she led the way. ”Never thought I would be leading two fictional flying men to Perkins.”