THE ALL VALLEY KING

Chapter 8: Shadows at Home

The sedan glided through the rain-slicked streets, headlights cutting narrow paths in the dark. Alex slumped in the back seat, blanket pulled tight against the chill seeping through his clothes. His ribs pulsed with every bump, a steady reminder of the warehouse floor, the punches, the fight. Blood dried sticky on his lip and temple, but the pain felt distant now, dulled by exhaustion and the rhythm of the tires on pavement.

Richard drove in silence, hands steady on the wheel, eyes fixed ahead. The city blurred past: empty storefronts, flickering streetlights, the occasional late-night wanderer huddled under an umbrella. No police sirens. No chase. Just the quiet aftermath, like the valley itself was holding its breath.

Richard asked, "Who taught you how to fight?"

"No one," he replied. "Just an online martial arts lesson."

"Okay…"

They pulled up to The Anchor twenty minutes later. The neon sign was off, the bar dark and locked. Richard helped Alex out, arm around his shoulders, guiding him through the side door and up the narrow stairs to the apartment. Each step sent fire through his side, but he bit down on the pain.

Inside, the living room light was on low. Mia sat on the couch, knees drawn up, a police blanket still draped over her shoulders. Two officers, one male, one female, stood nearby, notebooks out. Mia's face was pale, eyes red from crying, but when she saw Alex, she launched off the couch.

"Alex!"

She crashed into him, arms wrapping tight. He winced but held her back, ignoring the ribs.

"I'm okay," he murmured. "It's over."

She pulled away, looking up at him, then at the blood on his face. "What happened? The police said... they took you..."

Richard stepped in. "Found him wandering near the industrial district. Muggers, probably. Let him go when they got his wallet and phone. He's hurt, but alive."

The male officer frowned, pen pausing. "Mr. Vincent, we need a full statement. If this matches the description from Mia, black SUV, two men"

Richard nodded. "It does. But he's been through hell. Can this wait till morning? Hospital first."

The female officer exchanged a look with her partner. "We'll need to check the area you mentioned. Any details on the assailants?"

Alex spoke up, voice steady despite the fog. "Two guys, dark jackets. Didn't see faces clearly. Took me to some warehouse, roughed me up, then sirens in the distance spooked them. Dumped me on the street."

The officers noted it down. Mia clutched his arm, silent but watching everything.

After a few more questions, the police left, promising to follow up. The door clicked shut behind them.

Richard locked it, then turned. "Hospital now. Mia, grab your coat."

Alex shook his head. "I'm fine. Just bruises."

Richard's tone left no room. "Ribs could be cracked. We're going."

The ER was quiet that late. X-rays confirmed two cracked ribs, deep bruising, minor concussion. No internal damage. They taped him up, gave pain meds, and sent him home with instructions to rest.

By the time they returned to The Anchor, dawn was graying the sky. Mia helped Alex to his room, fussing with pillows and water. She sat on the edge of his bed, eyes wide.

"Tell me what really happened," she whispered. "Dad's story... muggers? With a SUV?"

Alex hesitated, glancing at the door. Richard was downstairs, probably cleaning or something. "Close enough. They wanted to scare me. Because of Blake."

Mia's face hardened. "The Harringtons? Police said Blake's family left town suddenly. Overnight. Business emergency or something."

Alex leaned back, meds kicking in. "Weird timing."

She nodded, but her worry didn't fade. "Dad found you too fast. And those cops... they didn't push hard. Like they already knew not to."

Alex shrugged, wincing. "Dad has friends. From before Mom died. Maybe one heard something."

Mia bit her lip. "I called the police, not Dad. Didn't want to scare him. But I was surprised when he showed up and... he already knew. Everything."

Alex's eyes drifted shut. "He's Dad. He always knows."

She stayed until he fell asleep, then slipped out.

Downstairs, Richard sat at the bar counter, public phone in hand. Calls from old contacts trickled in: warehouse cleaned, no traces, Harrington jet landed in Chicago, family under watch. Quiet.

He pocketed the phone, poured a small glass of red, and stared at the empty room. The red neon flickered on outside, sign of life returning.

Mia came down the stairs quietly, coat off now.

"Dad?"

He turned. "He asleep?"

She nodded, sitting on a stool across from him. "Yeah. What really happened?"

Richard met her eyes. "What I said. Muggers. Wrong place, wrong time."

She searched his face. "But Preston Harrington... Blake's dad... the people mentioned rumors. That he was involved somehow. And now they're gone?"

Richard took a sip. "Coincidence. Rich people move fast when scandals hit."

Mia didn't buy it, but she let it go. "I'm glad you're okay. Both of you."

He reached over, squeezed her hand briefly. "Me too, kiddo. Get some rest. Your birthday is in a few days' time."

She headed back up, leaving him alone.

Richard finished the wine, washed the glass, and locked the office door. The burner phone showed one last message: Valenti. "Harringtons handled. Valley quiet."

He deleted it.

The monster receded further.

Upstairs, Alex woke briefly, pain pulling him from sleep. He stared at the ceiling, mind replaying the warehouse.

At Crestwood the next day, classes canceled for "security review," whispers flew. Harrington family vanished. Blake's wired jaw the least of it now. Police presence heavy, but no arrests.

Emma Valenti stood in the courtyard, watching the chaos with her usual calm. She had heard from her father. The old king had stirred. Briefly.

Alex stayed home that week, ribs healing slow. Mia brought homework, teased him gently. Richard opened the bar each night, poured drinks with a smile, like nothing happened.

But at midnight, when the neon flickered, he sat alone, address book closed but not forgotten.

The promise to Elena held.

Barely.

Preston Harrington settled in a new city, leg in a brace, family silent and scared. He never spoke of the valley again. Exile was better than the alternative.

The story faded from feeds. A kidnapping attempt, victim safe, perpetrators unknown. Life moved on.

But in The Anchor's dim light, shadows lingered longer now.

Alex returned to school the following Monday, bruises faded to yellow. Stares followed him, but no Blake, no Trent. The lacrosse team kept distance.

In Academic Decathlon practice, Emma sat across as always. No words. But her eyes met his once, brief, knowing.

He looked away.