Four Friends and Their Wildest Journeys

XI. Unexpected turns

Andżelika and Martyna strolled through the bustling streets of New York, a bit out of place amidst the neon lights and fast-moving crowd. Their destination? The McDonald's in the suburbs of Central Park, a place Karolina had been craving for what felt like forever. Despite the madness they had just survived, Andżelika had promised to fulfill her friend's craving, and Martyna wasn't about to let her go alone.

"Karolina's gonna be so happy when we bring her this," Andżelika said, grinning as she balanced the greasy bag of fries in her hands. "I mean, who wouldn't want McDonald's after everything we've been through?"

Martyna laughed, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. She wasn't quite sure how to feel. All the tension from the mansion, from the strange events they had endured, still clung to her, and she had yet to process everything. But for now, this felt like a small piece of normalcy, a moment of respite.

They turned a corner, nearing the park, when a voice broke the silence.

"Hey, ladies! Got some change?"

The voice belonged to a homeless man standing in the shadows. His clothes were ragged, and his eyes were wild, darting between them. Andżelika shot him a glance, nonchalant, as if this kind of thing happened every day. She wasn't easily intimidated.

"We're good, thanks," Andżelika responded, brushing him off as she continued walking.

But the man wasn't ready to let them go so easily. He stepped forward, his body swaying, and suddenly, his hand shot out to grab Martyna's arm.

"Hey, I said... I need some change," he growled, his voice slurring, his breath sour. His grip tightened, pulling Martyna closer to him.

"Let go of her," Andżelika barked, her voice suddenly sharp, eyes flashing with fury. She took a step toward the man, her fists clenched.

The man didn't release Martyna, his other hand snaking around her waist as he leered at her. Andżelika didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, she lunged at him, pushing him away with a force that knocked him off balance.

"Back the hell off," Andżelika spat, landing a powerful punch to his face. He staggered, trying to fight back, but Andżelika was quicker. She grabbed a nearby metal pole, swinging it around with precision, hitting the man hard enough to send him crashing to the ground.

The homeless man groaned on the ground, barely conscious, as Andżelika stood over him, breathing heavily. She took a step back, glancing at Martyna.

"You okay?" Andżelika asked, her tone softer now, though there was still a dangerous edge to her voice.

Martyna blinked, her chest still heaving from the shock of the encounter. Slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Yeah... I think so. Thanks." Her voice was almost breathless, and she didn't quite know why, but she felt this strange flutter in her stomach.

Andżelika looked at her, eyes narrowing with curiosity. "What's wrong?" she asked, noticing the faraway look on Martyna's face.

Martyna shook her head, trying to brush off the feeling that had suddenly settled in her chest. "Nothing, just... you really saved me, you know?"

Andżelika's grin widened. "Well, that's what friends do."

Before Martyna could respond, the faint sound of sirens reached their ears. Andżelika cursed under her breath.

"Great, someone must've seen us," she muttered. "Let's get out of here, now."

But before they could take another step, a cop car appeared at the end of the street, its lights flashing brightly. A police officer jumped out, pointing at Andżelika.