Look Me in the Eyes (and tell me that it's me) [Zhongchili]

Chapter 24 - Unravel

Author's Note: Heya, a little additional CW for this chapter:

Ajax and his father get into a minor physical altercation in this chapter. There's no punching or hitting, but Ajax does end up being restrained physically. It's nothing too bad but I know this can be a sensitive topic so just wanted to give a heads up!

*   *   *   *   *

A few days later and Ajax's hand is as good as new, which is just as well, because there's a prize in the area he's had his eyes on for some time, and now he's found the perfect opportunity to take it.

He caught wind of it a week before while clearing out some human detritus trying to cut the chain from a child's bike—to sell for metal, no doubt, but he hadn't bothered to ask. It was only when he was done, with the criminals tied up nice and secure to the very same fence they'd tried to steal the bike from, that the real treasure uncovered itself.

A phone call, to the presumed leader of their little group. The mobile had rung and, with its owners hands unfortunately tied, Ajax had kindly plucked it from the man's pocket and held it up for him to answer. It had been quite the revealing call—a plot for more metal, more scrap parts, on a scale grander than any gang in the area has attempted before.

Now he knows where they are and when to find them. Even better, they likely know who he is and that he intends on making this a group party, which means they should be prepared to give him a good fight in return.

After telling Mother that he's popping out to chat to a "friend" who is passing by the neighbourhood, he arrives at 11 p.m. to the community bike rack behind the apartment block a few streets over, a little square set between the buildings and tucked away from the roads. It was installed a few years ago and, while the community were slow to trust the security of keeping their bikes there, as the months passed without incident, more and more people came to use it, favouring it over dragging their muddy bicycles through the already limited space in their apartments.

Now, it's a goldmine for any gang with a pair of bolt croppers and enough time to dedicate to the task. It's a miracle it hasn't been targeted before, but now it is, and Ajax is going to stop them.

He conceals himself in a nearby alley, a black hoodie drawn up around his face, his knife at his belt and his phone readied to snap a picture of the culprits.

When they decide to show up, that is.

He breathes into his hands, keeping them cupped over his face so that the wisps of mist that emerge won't give him away, and curls his toes inside his boots in an attempt to scrape some warmth into his numbed toes.

Oh well, there'll be plenty of time for warming up later.

He doesn't have to wait long until three hooded men in large, puffy jackets show up to begin skulking through the rows of bikes. Ajax manages to catch a few good photos as they approach, a street lamp flickering at the perfect time to provide a glimpse of the leader's face. He remains in his spot, taking more photos as they cut through the lock on the first bike and roll it out to the front, where it's leaned against the wall ready for their getaway.

Well, there'll be less of a getaway tonight, and more of a 'get hit'. By Ajax's fist. Because he's definitely going to hit them.

Heh.

As the criminals line up the second bike, it's time for Ajax to make his grand entrance. He could slink away, of course, deliver the photos safely to the police station in the morning, and wash his hands of the whole affair. But in the morning, the bikes will be long gone, and there'll be residents of the nearby buildings looking to set off to work or school, only to find their sole method of transport ripped away from them.