Sound of Madness

Chapter 9 : Sound of Madness

"Leave her alone!" Chris's voice echoed, defiance.

Chris's grip on Malcolm's fist tightened.

Meanwhile, the assailants that Joy had pinned down began to struggle, slowly getting back to their feet.

Malcolm, desperate to break free, lashed out with a fierce kick to Chris's stomach. Pain shot through Chris, causing him to kneel down.

Gritting his teeth, Chris swiftly seized one of the enemy who was rising to his feet. With a surge of strength, he hurled the helpless thug towards Malcolm, using the man's body to disrupt Malcolm's next move.

The enemy collided with Malcolm, sending both of them stumbling. Chris, despite the pain coursing through him, stood tall. Joy, still holding her ground, prepared for the next attack.

Chris quickly turned his attention back to Joy, noticing the other underlings closing in on her again.

Spotting a metal pipe lying near one of the unconscious enemy, he quickly picked it up. With precise aim, he throw the pipe at the advancing enemies.

The pipe struck both men on their heads as they crumpled to the ground, knocked out cold.With the immediate threat taken care of, Chris rushed to Joy's side. "Joy, stay close to me" he said with worry and care.

"ENOUGH!! I'll make you all pay!!" Malcolm yells in rage, launching himself at Chris.

But before he could reach his target, Joy stepped in, delivering a powerful punch to Malcolm's stomach. The force of the blow caused him to kneel down, coughing up blood.

The remaining conscious underlings, seeing their leader in pain, scrambled to their feet, aiming to attack Joy. But Chris was quicker. He threw himself into their path, using his body to shield Joy and pushing the underlings away.

Malcolm, panting and with blood coming out from his mouth, glared at Joy with hatred. "You bitch!" he shouted, his voice dripping with rage.

Joy remained silent, her eyes fixed on Malcolm with a cold, serious expression. She stood still, as she awaited his next move.

The underlings that Chris had pushed away were getting up again, their eyes fixed on Chris and Joy as they started to angrily approach them.

Seeing his men closing in, Malcolm with a smug smile, trying to buy time. "You think you're so strong?!"

Joy remained silent, as she stared Malcolm down. Her cold, serious expression shows her disdain and lack of fear toward the man in front of her. She was ready, her focus solely on Malcolm.

The henchmen finally reached them, one attempting to strike Joy from behind while another aimed a blow at Chris's stomach.

Joy, sensing the attack, swiftly dodged and grabbed the assailant's arm before he could land a hit on Chris. With a quick, precise twist, she forced a scream of pain from the enemy as his arm bent unnaturally.

Meanwhile, Chris, focused on protecting Joy, landed a solid punch to the other enemy's face, sending him reeling backward.

"It ends here now!" Malcolm shouted. He reached into his pocket, pulled out some pills, and swallowed them quickly.

Joy noticed the pills immediately. She released the enemy's arm, letting him drop to the ground as she turned her attention back to Malcolm. "What are those pills?" she asked, a hint of wariness into her voice.

Malcolm's eyes gleamed with a sinister smile spreading across his face. His eyes turned red, and his veins began to bulge and darken ominously.

Joy's eyes widened in alarm as she watched Malcolm's transformation, his eyes glowing red and his veins pulsing ominously.

Something was terribly wrong, but she couldn't quite grasp what it was. "What are those pills?" she demanded again, her voice full of concern.

Malcolm ignored her question, his movements now unnaturally swift and powerful. He lunged at Joy, throwing a punch with terrifying force.

Joy managed to block the blow, but the sheer power behind it sent her stumbling backwards.

"Chris, be careful!" Joy warned, bracing herself for Malcolm's next move.

Joy was surprised by Malcolm's sudden attack. She quickly regains her balance and tried to counterattack but she wasn't fast enough, he manages to land a hit on her chest which made Joy fell down on the ground.

She coughs out blood because of the impact from his punch. Her clothes were slightly torn at where Malcolm punched her.

"JOY!!!" Chris shouted in shock and worry as he saw Joy stagger from Malcolm's punch, blood dripping from her mouth.

He quickly ran to her side. Kneeling beside her, he gently checked her condition, noticing the blood seeping from a wound on her chest. "Hang on, Joy" his voice filled with concern as he carefully examined her for any broken bones or serious injuries.

Joy winced. "I-I'll be fine," she said through gritted teeth. "We need to stop him."

Chris nodded, he turned his gaze back to the transformed Malcolm, ready to face the monster.

As Malcolm advanced, his eyes raging with an intent to kill.

But before he could reach Chris and Joy, a voice calls out from the distance.

"Don't you dare touch my property! She's mine!"

The sudden interruption caught Malcolm off guard, causing him to falter for a moment as he turned to face the source of the voice. A figure emerged from the steep alleyway.

Malcolm's attention shifted to the newcomer.

Chris, his tone carry with anger and disdain, addressed the newcomer. "Why are you here?"

To be continued.....