The general store smelled of dust and stale bread as Alexander Williams wandered between the shelves, examining bottles and jars with calm curiosity. Masked and nimble, Logan slipped inside moments later. Without a word, he swiped a loaf of bread and darted toward the door. The shop owner shouted, giving chase, but Logan vanished before anyone could catch him.
Alexander, alone now, slipped three bottles of vinegar into his coat pockets. The shop owner returned, confused to find no bread missing from his shelves—except for what Logan had taken—and Alexander made no attempt to buy anything.
Later that day, Alexander crept into a nearby farm and took twenty grams of fiery chili peppers, pocketing them with the same ease. He spent the afternoon teaching Logan how to ride a cart, laughing quietly as the boy fumbled with the reins. But beneath the surface, Alexander was plotting—carefully mapping the movements and base of the goons who had robbed them.
The Base
Weeks passed. Alexander finally tracked the goons' hideout. Bag in hand, he entered their territory, walking with measured steps. The men quickly noticed him and surrounded him.
"Why have you come here?" one of them demanded.
Alexander said nothing.
A goon lunged at him, but Alexander moved faster. He flung chili powder into the man's eyes, causing a sharp scream. The other goons raised their guns, but Alexander grabbed one of them and used him as a shield, holding the man close. From his bag, he pulled a bottle of vinegar and held it up like a weapon.
"Return my cart and my valuables," Alexander barked, "or I'll use this acid on you!"
The goons hesitated, unwilling to lose one of their own. Reluctantly, they dumped the stolen goods into Alexander's cart. Calmly, he placed the hostage back and climbed onto the cart, steering it out of their compound.
Escape and Victory
As Alexander passed through the open field, the goons mounted their horses and gave chase. Logan, hidden behind a tree, waited for the perfect moment. When the cart drew near, he leaped onto it.
"Take the reins," Alexander said, sliding to the back of the cart.
He began mixing the chili powder into the vinegar bottles. From a distance, the same man who had saved Alexander earlier, observed through binoculars, noting the commotion.
When the goons tried to close in, Alexander flung the mixture toward them. The burning sensation made them recoil in pain, convinced the liquid was true acid. Terrified, they called off the pursuit. For now, Alexander and Logan had won.
Breathing heavily, the two of them collapsed onto the cart, laughing and cheering. Inside, fear still clung to their hearts, but outwardly, they had acted like heroes.
The Consequences
Far away, Daniel, leader of the Black Vultures and owner of the goons' base, was not pleased. He covered the medical expenses of the man whose eyes had been burned.
"Find them," Daniel commanded, his voice cold. "I want them brought to me—alive or dead."