It wasn't long before the screech of a car's brakes was heard in the distance. Four young men got out of the car. They looked to be in their twenties. All of them looked like they came from the same cave—they had scars and even tattoos on their faces.
Anyone would know those guys belonged to some gang.
Lucía saw Larry standing silently in the alley and immediately ran up to him and then shouted, "Ralph! Hurry up, don't let him run!"
The four ran into the alley and immediately surrounded Larry. Then they pulled a folding knife out of their pockets.
"Don't want to run?"
"I'll leave you crippled tonight!"
"Is Miss Lucía someone you can offend easily?"
"What are you talking about? Just attack him!" Lucía shouted angrily, without considering the damage her words might cause.
The corners of Larry's mouth curved up slightly. He looked at the four of them coldly.
The one in front was called Ralph; it seemed each of them deserved a direct ticket to hell.
"Watch from the side." Larry reassured the girl who was being bullied.
Even if it was four against one, the outcome wouldn't be different.
"Ralph, stab that bastard a few times, but don't kill him." Lucía didn't want a murder on her conscience.
Larry leaned against the alley wall. He took a step back. He wouldn't leave his back exposed to the enemy.
Then he drew a sharp dagger in his hand.
His whole body seemed to blend with the darkness of the alley. He was like an experienced hunter waiting for his prey.
Ralph cursed and tried to stab Larry in the thigh with his knife.
The prey was coming!
Larry crouched slightly.
Clang!
A flash of a knife!
There was a cry of pain.
Then, a figure like a ghost appeared from the darkness and attacked them from left to right. After a few flashes of the knife, the four fell to the ground, groaning in pain.
Larry sheathed his dagger and looked at them coldly as they tried to stop the bleeding from their wounds.
"Impossible! How is this possible?" Lucía was incredulous. It was all over before she could react.
"Ralph?"
Ralph stepped back while pressing hard on his leg, his face covered in cold sweat.
"Too fast! This guy's a professional!" Ralph shouted through clenched teeth. "It hurts so much!"
The four collapsed to the ground almost instantly. No one could explain or understand what was happening, but they realized they were facing a different kind of opponent.
At that moment, Larry spoke sadly. "If you don't want a bigger hole in your bodies, apologize on your knees."
Lucía was so frightened she began to tremble.
"I'm talking to all of you." Larry looked at the girls, pulled out his cellphone, and sent a message to a field agent he knew to send the police.
Lucía immediately knelt.
"I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please let me go!" Lucía didn't seem to have any intention of apologizing sincerely.
Seeing her kneel, the other three girls also knelt.
"I'm sorry! We were wrong to come looking for trouble with you. Please, let us go!"
The four girls then began to sob. They begged Larry to let them go while lowering their gazes.
Larry's glance swept over Ralph and the others.
"What? You attack an FBI agent and think a damn apology will solve your problems? Better tell that to the police; even if you're minors, I'll make your life miserable."
When Ralph heard this, he said nothing and just sat on the ground.
At that moment, police sirens were heard approaching in their direction. And Larry, taking advantage of the remaining time, pulled out his pistol and aimed it at Ralph.
"What are you doing? Aren't you a cop?"
Larry smiled and said, "When the police ask about your injuries, say that you were stupid enough to stab yourselves. If you do that, things may go much better for you. But if you don't, I have friends in the police who can put you in the worst prison in the city, understand me?"
"Yes, boss, yes, we understand."