THE IRON SHIELD

Chapter XXXV

XXXV

Throughout the rest of the day, Eckhart rested and gained nourishment from local stores and restaurants. He needed the strength that had dwindled as the battle progressed throughout the morning. He hid and was not found at all for no one came looking for him. He knew Skullcrusher would keep his word for a challenge such as this. He was that kind of man. Eckhart would keep his word because he was not a man who broke promises. He did not make promises he did not keep.

Midnight came faster than Eckhart would have expected. He rested and regained his strength. He ate and drank from a local restaurant that still had food in its kitchen. He was ready to take on Skullcrusher and whoever else he brought with him. He did not know what Skullcrusher would bring, but he knew he would do his best to take him down.

Eckhart made his way back to the street next to Times Square. The whole city was dark. Eckhart hid in the darkness for he could not be visibly seen since he could make himself literally invisible using a cloaking device as well as invisible to radar. Eckhart could see plain as day with his night vision. The figures before him were not as clear as they would be in bright light so he turned the lights on. The street lit up like a Christmas tree. The streetlamps turned on as well as the Christmas lights that lit up the shops and businesses along the street. The whole street was bright. It was not like a football stadium, but light enough.

He counted eighteen figures including Skullcrusher. They all had the same suit as Skullcrusher, but slightly shorter. They would be more like Eckhart's suit. He was unaware at what they could do, but assumed they would be the same as him. This must be the team that Skullcrusher spoke so proudly of. These eighteen men against Eckhart. The only thing these two rivals had in common was that they were bent on revenge. Skullcrusher was playing a sadistic game while Eckhart was merely trying to stop evil like them from spreading and destroying a way of life. While Skullcrusher had his game, Eckhart had his own game up his sleeves.

The eighteen figures stood around in the middle of the street awaiting Eckhart. It was midnight on the dot. Skullcrusher was on time. The speakers in the area were activated by Eckhart and began to speak to them. "Thank you all for coming. Tonight we are all going to play a little game called hide and seek. You all know how to play I'm sure, but this one is slightly different. Instead of me finding you, you find me before I find you."