Photon

Zero effortlessly weaved between the men's swords, while they swung at him with everything they had. 

"We outnumber him four to one. If we all coordinate our attacks, he'll eventually get hit no matter how fast he is," one of the men said, a bit out of breath. 

"It really took you this long to come up with that? Guess your swords aren't the only thing that's slow," Zero mocked.

The men all lunged toward him, striking together. Yet again, Zero moved out of the way a split second before the attack made contact. The men were furious. Who could blame them? They really were trying their best. 

Eventually, Zero grew tired of messing with them and went on the attack.

The next moment, he was right next to one of the men, fists raised. Then, the man fell to the ground unconscious. I didn't even see Zero move. 

Focusing this time, I watched as the next guy dropped. 

I saw it. 

A jab. In the blink of an eye, Zero struck the man's chin and put him to sleep faster than warm milk and a lullaby. 

The last two men exchanged a worried glance, realizing this fight was already lost. They didn't get far before Zero struck one of them down. Zero cut off the last man's escape—

—And kicked him.

The impact sent the man flying several feet. The accompanying crack almost made me feel bad for him. Almost. 

Now I understood why Zero called me dead weight. I was curious as to how he was so strong, but honestly, I was too afraid to ask.

The people they had kidnapped were still tied up with no idea of what just happened. I carefully untied them and undid their blindfolds. Their faces were a mix of shock and fear as they beheld the unconscious bodies around them.

One of them—a thin man wearing a torn button-up and a pair of broken glasses—raised his hands in surrender. "Please don't hurt us! We'll do anything!"

"Anything?" Zero asked.

I smacked him on the back of the head. 

"Shut up. They're already confused enough." 

I turned back to the man. "Relax, we're just here to help."

"Are you with the police?"

"...Not exactly," I replied. 

He eyed me suspiciously through his fractured lenses. "In any case, thank you. We are all in your debt." 

Zero shrugged. "Don't mention it. Really." 

"I could give you guys a ride home," I offered. 

"After tonight? I think we'll wait for the police."

"Fair enough." 

I took Zero aside and gestured to the unconscious men. "What are we going to do with these guys?"

"I don't know, I guess we just tie them up? At least there'll be some witnesses this time so they can actually get put behind bars."

"You don't want to question them at all?" I asked. 

"They kidnapped people. We stopped them. What more do you need to know?"

"They were taking three people to an abandoned warehouse in the middle of the night! I think that raises a few questions."

Zero glanced back at the three people we had rescued. "It looks like they've already called the cops, so let's tie the men up and get out of here."

Despite my curiosity, I had to comply. There was nothing we could say to the police that wouldn't sound extremely suspicious. 

We tied the men up as best we could and left. 

One thing still bugged me—why was I even here?

One wrong move, and I'd be bleeding out in front of that warehouse. 

Zero clearly didn't need my help. 

And yet… saving those people felt good. For once, I was actually part of something important.

But I'm no hero. I'm just an average college student. I can't risk my life every night and expect to walk away. 

Once we get back… I have to tell Lisa I quit.