*Nighttime.

Guards have been dispatched to roam the streets searching for Punk Riot. A Punk Riot member peeks from the corners of a wall watching the guards.

Punk Riot member: No good here either…

Another member: Yikes...these guys are everywhere….!

All of Punk Riot has grouped up, hiding behind an alley. One of the members is holding onto Hector who is still unconscious.

Punk Riot member: What the hell… Why are they serious about taking us out?

Random member: dammit… I still can’t believe they got Jayce…

Another Random member: It’s probably because they got Jayce that they’re trying to wipe us out now…

Punk Riot member: What do we do now?

Feeling that the responsibility of leadership falls on him, Malone silently weighs his options.

A member suggests that they visit San, “What about San?! San could help us! I’m sure he’d help us out!”

Punk Riot member: That ain’t sound so bad…

Punk Riot member: What ‘ya say Malone?

Malone (nods): Let’s go.

*Meanwhile at the mansion.

Sharon approaches both Tatsuo and Darren hanging about after returning from the bathroom.

Tatsuo: So how is she?

Sharon shakes her head – “She’s still in the bathroom.”

Tatsuo: Huh? Seriously? It’s almost been 2 days!

Darren makes an offhand comment in his head: ‘In a way, I'm kind of glad she taste tested the food before we all did….’

Darren: Hmmm… In that case, what should we do tomorrow?

Tatsuo: I’ll be going back to old man San to see if he knows anything else about Veloren.

Sharon (confused): But he already told us what he knew of Veloren did he not?

Tatsuo: I don’t know. Something about what he told us seemed suspicious. I feel like he’s hiding something from us.

Sharon: … Huh? Is he?

Darren interjects: Most likely.

Sharon: Huh?! You too… ?

Darren: Of course. He touted himself being this Veloren guy’s fan, but in the end, he didn’t really give us anything. Seems to me he’s withholding information, or he doesn’t know anything.

Sharon: …..

*At San’s house.

The phone has been ringing for a while. San steps out of the shower, putting on a comfy bathrobe. He walks on over to pick up the phone.

San: Hello?

Heymlir: Hello San, it’s me, Heymlir.

Heymlir: I see that you’re finally back from your patrol.

San: Ah, yes… Sorry, I didn’t find the thief.

Heymlir: That’s alright, I've been meaning to update you. We have the thief in custody.

San: That’s great!

Heymlir: Yes… And there’s something else I need to talk to you about…

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Blood ominously drips from Heymlir’s glove, “It’s about Punk Riot…”

*Some time later.

Knocking is heard from San’s door. San opens the door to see Punk Riot waiting outside his doorstep.

San: Oh? What’s this?

As his vision spreads out, he sees more members taking up his lawn.

San: You’re all here–

The Punk Riot member at the front flings himself at San.

Punk Riot member: San please! Ya gotta help us!

Punk Riot member: Jayce…! Our big bro got captured…! Heymlir he…!

San’s eyelids lower themselves in concern.

San: …Come inside, tell me what happened.

The members follow San into his house. They spread themselves out in the living room and Malone seats himself to explain the circumstance to San.

San: ….I see…..

San suddenly lunges at Malone. Through reflex, Malone blocks the attack from San with his arm. The rest of the Punk Riot members flinch in surprise by San’s actions.

San: You guys…!

Malone exchanges blows with San for a bit until San knocks Malone off his feet. Malone’s back lands against the floor.

“How could you say such a thing about Heymlir!” – San exclaims enraged.

San: I understand you guys are thugs… But to tell me that story of Heymlir… Our mayor…! It’s an insult to him!

San: Heymlir he… He works hard for the city and his people…!

San: Even for you guys…!

Malone: But what we said is the truth…!

“Enough!”, San shouted.

San: Heymlir called me earlier, he told me everything.

Malone tilts his head startled; confused on everything that is happening. Likewise, San was having similar thoughts.

San (thinking): What’s going on…? Their story is different from what Heymlir told me… Which one is telling the truth…?

San: I was going to let you guys off if you came off honest with me…

San: But I'm going to do what Heymlir told me… And capture each and every one of you…!

Scared Punk Riot member: H-hold on! We ARE telling the truth…! Why do you just believe what Heymlir told you!?

San: Ha! And what’s to deny the same for you chaps?

A big, hulking Punk Riot member suddenly begins charging at Heymlir from behind.

Malone: No! Don’t!

San slips the big member, and his foot lands against the member’s head. All the other members jumps after San. Their numbers along with the enclosed space overwhelms San and the members dogpile on him.

Philip yells at Malone as he and the rest of the members struggle to restrain San, “Go Malone!”

Philip: There’s no use sticking around here!

Philip: We know…! We know you Hector and Jayce were always lookin’ out for us goons…! That’s why…!

Philip faces Malone with a face sweating in desperation and determination – “It’s time that we did the same for you guys!”

San’s rage increases with their persistence: You brats! Get off me!

Punk Riot members: Go Malone! This old bag is super strong…!

More and more members collectively urge Malone to escape whilst also commenting in fear how monstrously strong San is.

The courageous words of his bois bring Malone back to his composure. Seeing his brothers’ struggle and their determination, Malone comes to respect their decision. Malone turns around and flees.

*More time has passed.

San stands above the punk riot members scattered around the floor.

San sighs tiredly – “...you guys are a handful…Why must you always make things hard for me?"

San: You guys stay put, I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

A member that is still conscious flips over his body, “You ain’t gonna turn us in…?”

San: No. Listen, you guys are under house arrest.

San: As long as you guys stay here, I won’t do anything to you all. Feel free to treat this home as yours.

More of the remaining tired and conscious members begin listening carefully. San's generous words struck relief within them.

San: But if I catch anyone outside…

Before leaving the door, San threatens the members – “I’ll kill you.”

*Meanwhile out in the streets.

Hidden in a dark alley, Malone pants exhaustively after running as far away as he could from San’s house. Both hands are gripped to his knees, his body hunched over.

Malone (thinking): Damn! So Heymlir already got to San…!

Malone takes a moment to rest himself up and collect his thoughts. Thinking about how dire the situation has escalated, he comes to a conclusion.

'Looks like I’ve got no choice. I’ve gotta save Jayce by myself.'