The shout is quick to grab his attention, the cheerful voice drowning the loud chatter of the bar. Of course it was busy; it was the weekend, people wanted to celebrate another end to a long week of endeavors. However, the workdays were endless for him. Now that he had earned his place as a respected surgeon, and had become a father, free time was almost, if not at all, nonexistent. So one can imagine the relief Henrik felt once he plopped on the barstool next to one of his oldest friend.
“My apologies for my tardiness.” Henrik starts with a short exhale, the tension on his shoulders dropping significantly. “I was busy—“
“You were busy saving lives!” Chase interrupts quickly, understanding. The vibrant green strands of his hair poke from his backflipped hat, and he has to fight everything in him to not fix his hat. It is definitely not a proper way to hear a hat. The alcoholic beverage swishes in his glass as he gestures with his hand. “I’m just glad you could make it!”
Henrik shakes his head as he attempts to hide a smile, briefly taking his glasses off to wipe them clean. “I was busy fighting dirty dippers.” He finished.
Chase lips create a silent ‘Oh…’ before letting out a laugh. “Your little one is a feisty one, huh? Can’t really tell if those dark circles are from the hospital or the baby.”
“You are so very funny, Chase.” The doctor huffed as he waved at the bartender. He didn’t even have to exchanged words and he was already being served a pint of his favorite beer.
The bartender approached the two of them, beer in hand and a new glass for Chase in hand. “Doctor, it’s been a while!” He sets the drinks down to then take Chase’s empty glass and start cleaning it. “I thought you and your wife moved back.”
Henrik takes the pint in his hands, muttering a thanks and taking a long gulp out of it. It truly had been a while since he had gone out for a drink like this. Even more so when Chase started to tease him about it.
“Woah, doc!” He exclaimed, “Didn’t know this was a competition!”
“You know you’d lose against him, Brody.” The bartender said. “Let’s not forget who had to take you home after you challenged him.”
Chase pouts at the mention of those events, arms crossing over his chest with a huff. “Yeah, well… maybe one day I’ll be able to ask for a rematch.”
“You are silly for thinking you can best a German when it comes to drinking.” Henrik observed, patting Chase in a sympathetic manner. He then turns towards the bartender and sighs. “My wife and I are parents now.”
“Ah, that explains why we haven’t seen you. Well, congratulations to you and your wife! Drinks on the house tonight.”
The two of them say their cheers and resume drinking. They both catch up for a while, Chase sharing how his channel is growing and how things are with Stacy and the kids. In return, Henrik shares his experience of being a new father and his worries, admitting that he feels guilt over not spending more time in the house as much as he should.
“I think you’re overthinking, which is weird to say to you.” Chase offered. “If anyone is qualified to be a good parent, then that’s you! Trust me, your little girl is in good hands.”
“Thank you, Chase.” Henrik offers with a side smile, “I… I really needed to hear that.”
The father grins, “No problem, Doctor man! Listen, as long as you’re doing what’s right and you have a very supportive partner then there’s nothing that could go wrong!”
Ah, speaking of which, I should tell Maria that I’m with you.”
Henrik brings out his phone from his pocket, swiftly unlocking it and typing the text message to his wife. An arm falls on his shoulders, startling him just enough to almost drop his phone. “Wait take a selfie!”
Henrik raised an eyebrow in question.
“Yeah! We haven’t taken a picture together in so long! You can also send it to the missus and show her you're having fun with me!"
“You will get me in trouble for it.”
“What? Is she gonna think you’re cheating on her? Well, I can see that. I’m pretty handsome, aren’t I?”
The doctor can only roll his eyes at Chase’s antics, but still pulls him closer and takes the picture. Chase is right, they hadn’t taken a picture since… he can’t really remember the last time they took a picture. Sometimes he forgets that is okay to go out and have a little fun.
"Yo send me that so I can send it to Stace. She wouldn't believe I got you out of your rock." Chase teases, which earns him another eye-roll and a disapproving shake of his head.
When Henrik set his phone down and picked up his glass, a chill ran up his spine, causing the hairs on the back of his head stand tall. He swiftly turns his head around, thinking it was Chase placing his arm over his shoulders again. Yet, there was nothing behind him other than the scenery of a busy bar.
Weird… someone must’ve walked too close to him and stirred the air around his personal space.
Or at least that’s what he wanted to think, because now he couldn’t shake the feeling someone was watching him. No, not watching, stalking… observing him like a predator would to a defenseless and guard-lowered prey. He can’t help but turn around and look again, making sure he’s really not losing his mind.
“Schneep?” Chase calls, brows furrowed as he follows Henrik’s line of sight. “What’s up?”
Henrik scanned the bar, every single face he could see to make sure none of those eyes were on him. “I…” He starts, but gets lost in thought when he notices the shadows on the far corner of the bar. There’s a booth, but it’s completely empty. The lamp hanging above it it’s off, giving the space more of an ominous look.
He swallows once, and then shakes his head. “It is nothing.” He mutters, bringing his hand up to his nape and soothing the hairs still standing alert. “I think I’m just tired.”
Chase rests his hand on his shoulder, offering the doctor a deadpan expression. “Schneep, that is the understatement of the year.”
Henrik playfully smacks Chase on the head, both of them laughing it off soon after. They both resume their chatter when commotion ensues at the entrance of the bar.
“Henrik?!” Someone shouts over the chatter and music. Both fathers turn towards the voice, but surprise only shows on Henrik’s features when his eyes see a figure with a hood stalking towards him.
Chase is the first one to react, quickly standing from the stool he was sitting on and puts himself between Henrik and the mysterious man. “Woah there, pal. Haven’t you heard about personal space?”
The man stares down at Chase, wariness evident in his eyes. He takes a moment to scan him before speaking again, voice cold and snappy. “I need to speak with Henrik.”
“You need to speak with him?” Chase shoots back, folding his arms over his chest. “And who are you to be making those demands?”
“It’s important.” The man gritted, hands balling into fists. “Look, just let me talk to him!”
“Schneep, do you know who this asshole is?”
“I do.” Henrik stands from the stool, placing a calming hand on Chase’s shoulder. “He is a friend.”
Chase scoffs, stepping aside but not straying far from the doctor. “Maybe he should learn some manners…”
Upon closer inspection, Henrik noticed the cuts and bruises on the man’s face. “Jackie… What happened to you?!”
Jackie shakes his head, brown bangs bouncing and slipping out of the hood of his torn, red hoodie. “Never mind that! Are you okay?”
The question has both Henrik and Chase looking at each other confused. “I am fine. Chase and I have been here… What is this about?”
Jackie exhales sharply before taking a quick sweep of the bar. His eyes scan each and every person, as if looking for someone dangerous hiding behind the ordinary. It was odd how Henrik had done the same thing earlier. “We should leave. It’s not safe here… We’re too exposed.”
Before any of them could utter a word, Jackie was already moving towards exit. Though, he had a fierce grip on Henrik’s wrist as he tugged him behind.
“Woah, woah! Where are you taking him?!” Chase demands while following close behind and out of the bar. “Hey! Let go of him or I’ll call the cops!”
“Jackie!” Henrik snaps as he pulls free from the hero’s grasp. He breathes sharply and then exhales. “Can you please explain what is happening? I will not take another step until you explain yourself, yes?”
There’s clear frustration on Jackie’s features but he soon obliged to Henrik’s question. “I… I fought something… That thing knew who I was. Not in the term of my hero persona, but me personally… My past. It knew you…”
Silence blankets the three of them, and that icy sensation crawls up Henrik’s spine once more. Feeling eyes on the back of his neck, and he’s fast to rub the goosebumps away. If he’s completely honest, he’s been feeling like someone’s been watching him for days but he kept convincing himself it was the exhaustion clinging to him. And even now, he still believes that Jackie might just hit his head too hard and is spewing nonsense. But the expression he carries says otherwise.
“Can I just say…” Chase spoke up to get rid of the ominous silence. “That whatever he’s talking about is absolutely insane? Is he one of your patients, Schneep?”
Henrik sighs, “Yes, but he’s also the vigilante of the city.”
“We can trust him, I promise you.”
Chase’s jaw falls open as he looks between his friend and the brooding man standing next to him. Mouth opening and closing as he connects the dots. “Wait… wait-wait wait… You mean to tell me this is the Jackieboy-Man?! You are his doctor?! What?!”
“Keep your voice down!” The hero hisses, “You want the whole city to find out?! And seriously, we should go!”
“Alright, alright. We will go to the hospital, we need to get those wounds looked up first.” Henrik decided while he motioned the other two towards his car. “Did I not tell you no more hero work until your stab wounds healed up?”
“Bro, I can’t believe you never told me you knew Jackieboy…” Chase muttered as he got on the back seat. “Not cool… And also, didn’t think you were such an asshole! Thought you were more… friendly.”
Jackie huffs as he closed the passenger door. “Never meet your heroes, I’spose.”
“Chase, I can drop you off if you wish.”
“You’re kiddin’?! I just found out you’re friends with the coolest superhero, I’m not missing this!”
At that response, Jackie can’t help but send a glare towards the doctor. However, that doesn’t seem to bother Henrik at all. “I know both of you will get along just fine.”
With that said, the trio heads towards the hospital, unaware of the shadow trailing behind their wake.