Dinner, Drama, and Dangerous Schemes!

Noah found himself at Gwen's home, surrounded by her family—and, more pressing, her relentless interest. As she peppered him with questions about his favorite foods, games, and all things in between, Noah struggled to keep up. He could hardly look her in the eye without feeling like she was trying to read his every thought.

While her approach wasn't particularly subtle, there was an undeniable sincerity that made it hard for him to shrug her off. And yet, as much as he tried to avoid her gaze, Noah couldn't help but feel increasingly uncomfortable. Gwen's father, George, had invited him over, but neither he nor Gwen's mother was stepping in to stop her. Noah shot George a pleading look.

If this went on, he thought, Gwen might just start taking matters into her own hands!

Finishing up his meal with a polite urgency, Noah took the opportunity to address George. "So, Chief, I'm guessing this isn't just about dinner, right? You wanted to discuss something?"

George, understanding the cue, stood and led Noah to the balcony. "Yeah, let's talk outside." As they stepped out, the murmur of the family behind them quieted. George took a deep breath, staring off into the distance.

"Today, we've been facing mounting criticism. The public doesn't trust the police force to handle the crime in New York anymore," George began.

Noah raised an eyebrow, "And this concerns me… how?"

George turned to him, "If we had more people like you—gifted, capable—we'd have a better chance of dealing with threats like that gang attack last week. I want you to join us at the NYPD."

"Let me guess: as a consultant?" Noah wasn't moved. "What's the catch?"

"Catch?" George looked slightly thrown off. "You'd be joining us under the title of a consultant, but it would be strictly to help where our resources fall short."

Noah shook his head, half-amused. "So you're telling me there's no special access, perks, or support involved? Just 'join the team,' like it's that simple?"

George sighed, clearly frustrated. "Look, we don't have much of a budget, but—"

"Save it," Noah interrupted, chuckling. "No offense, but I'm not joining the police force for some meager title. Just handle the petty stuff yourselves, and when the big guys show up, leave it to people who can actually manage them."

George gritted his teeth. "Superheroes? The ones who operate outside the law with no oversight? If we left it all to them, this city would be in chaos."

"Right, right," Noah said, nodding as if in agreement, though he clearly wasn't interested in the argument. "Anyway, since we're done here, I'll be on my way."

George's face softened, his voice lowering. "One last thing… about Gwen."

Noah nodded knowingly. "Don't worry, I'll keep my distance."

George shook his head. "Actually, you're welcome to come by for dinner now and then. Just… don't make her wait around." George looked exasperated, but there was a flicker of acceptance in his eyes.

With a slight nod, Noah stepped off the balcony and out of the apartment, walking down into the night air with a growing sense of determination. Earlier, he'd received a cryptic call from his Uncle James, something that had set his mind into a dark spiral.

While the urge to act was strong, Noah knew better than to be hasty. If his uncle were to "accidentally" vanish right after that call, any investigator could easily trace it back to him. The real challenge wasn't just eliminating a problem—it was eliminating it without leaving any trace.

Noah's mind went into overdrive as he navigated the bustling city streets, filtering through memories and details of the various gang leaders he'd once dealt with. They were an essential part of his former life—names, faces, locations, each one stored away. Soon, his thoughts landed on his first target: Brown Rodrick, leader of the Counterattack Gang.

Keeping to the shadows, Noah made his way to a familiar part of town. He slipped into a small, dim convenience store through the back entrance, grabbing a simple disguise off the shelves—a nondescript hoodie and cap. As he placed the money for the items on the counter, he left quietly, knowing he'd need to be cautious every step of the way.

By the time he was ready to act, Noah's mind was sharper than ever. And as he headed back to retrieve one last piece of equipment from his home, he knew that tonight was the beginning of a new game. One where every move had to be calculated, every shadow navigated.

For tonight, he wasn't just out to settle scores; he was setting the stage for a plan that no one would see coming.

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Can y'all recommend me some movies that can help with depression?

So, this is my first time doing this. I hope you guys can help me improve by providing your feedback, and some stones would be nice. (づ ◕_◕ )づ