Enjoying the extraordinary spectacle, Elias and Elizabeth were completely immersed in another dimension where happiness, love, and drama wove into a captivating whirlpool of feelings. Three enchanting hours flew by unnoticed, and the ethereal voice of the opera diva Seraphina seemed to still echo in their heads.
?Holding hands, they walked along a dark Boston street, discussing the celestial triumph of art. On a neighboring, parallel street, a chaotic rumble, noise, and chanting could be heard, filling the city's night silence.
?— What kind of celebration is this? — Elizabeth asked in surprise.
?Elias paused for a moment and then exclaimed:
?— What a fool I am! Today is the final game of the "Black Hawks"! And judging by those joyful shouts, they won! Have you forgotten? I was in the fan movement myself!
?— Oh, yes, how could I forget! — Elizabeth replied. — You and Jim, that big guy from the second year, were painting the emblem for them!
?— Yes, dear. He’s been leading the fan club lately! You won’t believe it! I even had to get into a few scuffles for my team!
?— I can’t imagine you fighting anyone, darling!
?— Yes, dear, in my youth I was quite different. But that’s life: we change without noticing it until we look back.
?They continued their way; the festive noise of the fans did not subside but, on the contrary, grew louder. The streets ahead converged, narrowing the space, and this roar washed over them like a wave. Elias suddenly froze.
?Right in front of them, in the deep shadow, three figures emerged. It seemed as if they had crawled out from behind the trash cans, and for a moment Elias thought they had been part of those dirty, stinking containers. All three abruptly blocked their path.
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?The figures stood with their backs to the only light source, creating a deep shadow in which their faces were lost. In contrast, the bright light of a street lamp hit Elias directly in the eyes, making him a clearly visible target, while he could barely distinguish the outlines of the three attackers.
?The one standing in the middle took a step forward. He was large and self-assured, and Elias recognized him with alarm as a thug known in their old neighborhood by the nickname Dron. Looking at Elias and Elizabeth, Dron addressed them rudely:
?— Look at this, brothers, what a sweet couple! — he said, drawing out his words with a mocking smile. — Decent people shouldn't be wandering the night streets of our city.
?Elizabeth spoke anxiously, squeezing Elias's hand:
?— We are just going home, and we have nothing—no money, no valuables.
?Dron didn't even grant her a glance, looking straight at Elias.
?— We don't care about that, baby, — his smile widened. — We aren't leaving empty-handed either way.
?The leader tilted his head slightly, and his tone became predatory.
?— In short: I don't want to ruin your pretty faces or your expensive clothes. — He pointed a thumb at the road behind him. — My offer: without any noise or fuss, give us the wallet, the earrings, and your phones, and get lost wherever you want.
?Elias looked directly at him. Anxiously and angrily, he uttered:
?— Just touch her, and I won't be responsible for what I do to you!
?A henchman standing slightly behind turned to the leader:
?— You hear that, Dron? And he's threatening decent people!
?Dron smiled, looking straight into Elias's blinded face:
?— He's threatening... What insolence!
?The second henchman on the right added briskly:
?— For sure, we need to teach this aggressor a lesson!
?Elias inconspicuously took out his phone and activated the virtual Fairy.
?Noticing the phone, Dron said:
?— Don't even think about calling anyone! You won't have time anyway!
?Elias only managed to say:
?— We have trouble.
?Dron burst into laughter, and his voice rang out through the dark street:
?— Trouble? This isn't trouble yet, idiot. Real trouble starts later! — the defiant leader replied.
