Magic gangster

The streets of Dustvale were as lively as ever, filled with a cacophony of voices, wagon wheels rattling over cobblestones, and the occasional bark of a stray dog. Rod moved through the chaos like a shadow, his thoughts preoccupied with plans for the Vipers. Each step brought him closer to the confrontation he had been preparing for, but he couldn't shake the weight of unease pressing on his chest.

As he turned into a quieter alley, his attention was caught by a loud, braying laugh that sent an unwelcome chill down his spine. He froze, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the group of men lounging near a dilapidated storefront. They were rough-looking, dressed in patched clothes and scuffed boots, their demeanor radiating a mix of arrogance and idleness.

At the center of the group stood Billy Crane. His unmistakable face, weathered but still exuding that smug cruelty Rod remembered, was impossible to ignore.

"Well, well, if it isn't Roddy the Rat," Billy sneered, loud enough for the entire alley to hear. "Boys, take a look at who just crawled out of the gutter!"

Rod's stomach churned. He considered walking away, avoiding the confrontation, but Billy's voice cut through the air again.

"Don't act like you don't know me, Roddy," Billy called out, stepping forward with his hands spread mockingly. "How could you forget your old pal, huh? I made your life so much more interesting back in school."

Rod clenched his fists but kept walking. He didn't want to give Billy the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Still the same quiet little rat, huh?" Billy jeered, following him. "You used to be good for a laugh, Roddy. Remember that time I shoved your head into the horse trough? Or when you cried like a baby after I locked you in the school outhouse?"

The other men erupted into laughter, one of them slapping Billy on the back.

"Oh, and what about that time you tried to fight back?" Billy continued, his voice dripping with mock pity. "Didn't end well for you, did it? Got your nose broken for your trouble. Poor little Roddy, always thinking he was tougher than he really was."

Rod stopped in his tracks. He took a deep breath, trying to push down the anger boiling inside him.

"Still nothing to say?" Billy said, stepping closer. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you're too busy scraping together pennies to buy your next meal. You always were good at being broke."

The group howled again, their laughter echoing off the walls.

Rod turned to face them, his expression calm but his eyes blazing. "Get out of my way."

Billy smirked, crossing his arms. "Or what? You gonna cry for help? Newsflash, Roddy: nobody cared back then, and they don't care now."

Rod's voice hardened. "I said, get out of my way."

Billy leaned in, his breath foul with cheap whiskey. "Make me, rat."

The taunt was enough to make Rod's blood boil, but he held his ground. He didn't want to resort to violence—not here, not now. But Billy wasn't done.

"You know what I think?" Billy said, circling him. "I think you're still the same weak, spineless little kid you always were. No family, no friends, no future. Just a worthless waste of space."

The words hit harder than Rod expected. He could feel the heat rising in his chest, the power within him stirring like a caged animal.

Billy laughed, mistaking Rod's silence for submission. "Look at him, boys. He's scared. Probably wetting his pants right now. Some things never change, huh, Roddy?"

The others joined in, their laughter grating against Rod's nerves. His hands tightened into fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"Why don't you go back to whatever hole you crawled out of?" Billy said, his tone dripping with disdain. "This town doesn't need another loser dragging it down."

Rod's patience snapped. He stepped forward, his voice cold and steady. "You should've stayed in the past, Billy."

Billy blinked, momentarily thrown off by the intensity in Rod's eyes. But he quickly regained his composure, puffing out his chest. "Oh, big words from a little rat. What are you gonna do, huh? Run crying to your mommy?"

Rod's lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. "You're about to find out."

The alley seemed to grow quieter as Rod's words hung in the air. Billy's smug grin faltered for the first time, but he quickly covered it with a bark of laughter.

"You hear that, boys? He thinks he's a tough guy now!"

Rod didn't respond. He took another step forward, his presence suddenly more commanding. The air around him felt charged, and the faintest hint of a breeze stirred the dust at his feet.

Billy hesitated, glancing at his companions for support. One of them—a burly man with a missing tooth—stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "You want us to teach him a lesson, boss?"

"Yeah," Billy said, his bravado returning. "Show him what happens when you mess with me."

The man lunged, but Rod was faster. With a fluid motion, he sidestepped the attack and struck out with his staff, catching the man in the ribs. The impact sent him sprawling, gasping for air.

Billy's laughter died abruptly. "What the hell?"

Another man charged, swinging a metal pipe, but Rod disarmed him with ease, spinning the staff in a blur of motion. The pipe clattered to the ground, and the man backed away, clutching his arm.

Billy's crew began to scatter, their confidence shattered. Only Billy remained, his face pale but his pride refusing to let him back down. He pulled a knife from his belt, holding it out shakily.

"Stay back!" he shouted, his voice cracking.

Rod stared him down, his calm exterior hiding the storm brewing inside him. "Drop it, Billy. You're done."

Billy hesitated, his hand trembling. The knife slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground with a dull thud.

"I—I was just messing around," Billy stammered, his voice shaking. "You don't have to do this."

Rod stepped closer, the staff in his hand crackling faintly with energy. He leaned in, his voice low and steady. "This is the last time you ever mess with me. Do you understand?"

Billy nodded frantically, his bravado completely gone. "Yeah, yeah. I—I won't bother you again."

Rod straightened, letting the tension in the air dissipate. "Good. Now get out of my sight."

Billy scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over himself as he ran down the alley. The others followed, their laughter replaced by panicked silence.

Rod watched them go, his heart pounding. For the first time, he felt the weight of his power—not just its strength, but its responsibility.

As the echoes of their retreat faded, Rod turned and walked away, leaving the past behind him. Dustvale was full of challenges, but this was one demon he wouldn't carry anymore. The future awaited, and he intended to meet it head-on.