Chương 29

Frenchie watched the Female fight Black Noir and searched for some way to help. He knew Black Noir's name like everyone else. From a few steps away, Noir was faster and more violent than Frenchie expected. The Female was pushed back again. She landed near Frenchie, who had already moved behind a car. She raised one hand and signaled for him to run. Frenchie stared at her. Her eyes moved toward the street behind him, then returned to Black Noir before he could argue.

'She trusts me,' Frenchie realized. Until now, he had believed she still saw him as a stranger. Then Black Noir looked his way. Frenchie turned and ran as she had ordered. Before he could get far, Adam appeared directly in his path. Adam remembered the original fight. The Female had survived it, but this was his chance to confront Black Noir himself. After the Expo, Adam wanted the Seven to learn that he could reach them anywhere, even in an alley.

Black Noir was powerful, and sending him back beaten would spread fear inside the Seven. Adam had come without a mask because this time he wanted Vought to see his face. Frenchie smiled when he saw him. For once, knowing Adam was not a normal man made Frenchie feel safer.

"Pretty Adam," Frenchie said, still out of breath, "you have to help mon coeur." Adam pulled one hand from his pocket.

"Chill, Frenchie," Adam said.

"I am here." Frenchie pointed toward the fight. Black Noir had knives in his hands. He had already stabbed the Female more than once, leaving an open wound near her stomach. Blood covered the area around it, yet she kept holding her ground so Frenchie would have time to escape. Her breathing was rough. Her feet slipped once on the ground. She forced herself forward again when Black Noir moved toward Frenchie. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Black Noir raised a knife again. Adam appeared in front of the Female so fast it looked like he had teleported. The knife stopped a few inches away from her. The Female's eyes moved from the blade to Adam's back. He caught Black Noir's wrist in midair. Black Noir twisted his arm and tried to pull free. Adam's fingers did not move. Then Noir's other hand moved toward a gun. Adam's fist struck his stomach before he could pull it free. Black Noir flew back and crashed into a car. The metal bent under him.

The rear window shattered, and one side of the car dropped toward the pavement. Frenchie looked back when the car crumpled, though he was still pulling the Female away. Blood came from under his mask, though the mask hid most of it. Black Noir stayed down. Adam's punch had hurt him badly. Adam motioned the Female back. She obeyed, and he let her pass because he knew her wounds would heal. Frenchie caught her before she lost her balance. The wound began closing while he watched.

His grip loosened when he saw the torn skin heal. Adam did not turn around. His eyes stayed locked on Black Noir the whole time.

"Take her and go," he said.

"I will handle him." Frenchie began moving away with the Female.

"Come back," Frenchie called.

"Do not die." Black Noir stood again. Black Noir rose into a guarded stance and kept both arms close to his body this time. He aimed his gun and fired at Adam. One round passed where Adam's head had been. Another struck the car door behind him. Black Noir adjusted his aim and kept firing as Adam closed the distance. Adam moved through the shots with a speed that looked close to A-Train's movement. He came in from the side, one foot touching the ground while his other leg swung in a wide arc.

The kick hit Black Noir's face and sent him spinning upside down. He completed one turn before crashing into another parked car. The car folded around him. Something cracked in his chest, and the arm he had raised to block the kick bent badly. Black Noir made no sound, but he could not rise at once. He understood then that Adam was a Supe. Black Noir had never seen him before, but the camera in his gear was recording Adam's face. Adam looked straight at it.

'Let Vought watch,' he thought.

'I will reveal myself soon anyway.'

'I am strong enough now,' Adam thought.

'I do not need to hide from them.' Black Noir pushed himself up and lifted the gun again. Adam appeared beside him and grabbed his shoulder.

"You have taken enough hits," Adam said.

"Go back to Vought." Black Noir did not understand what Adam meant. Adam pulled him back by the shoulder, swung his arm, and threw him upward. Black Noir shot into the sky like a thrown ball. He passed above several buildings before falling through a high window. He broke through the first room and the next wall before landing on the floor. Blood ran from Black Noir's nose and mouth beneath the mask. Several bones were broken, and he could not stand again immediately.

Adam knew Vought's backup was already on the way. They would find Black Noir soon. He dusted off his hands and walked away.