The Luthers

Chapter Two

In an electrifying baseball game, Lionel's performance was nothing short of extraordinary.

As the pitcher, he unleashed a series of impeccable throws that befuddled the opposing batters, striking them out with pinpoint accuracy. His mastery of the game was on full display as he artfully fielded grounders and soared through the air to catch pop flies.

But Lionel's brilliance wasn't confined to the mound. When he stepped up to bat, it was as if he had a magnetic connection with the ball. His swings were perfectly timed, sending the baseball sailing over the outfield with a resounding crack of the bat.

The crowd roared with each play, and Lionel's agile maneuvers on the bases only fueled their enthusiasm. It was a spectacle of raw talent and precision, a game where Lionel's exceptional skills elevated the sport to an art form, leaving everyone in awe of his prowess on the diamond.

As the final innings unfolded, the tension in the air was palpable. Wilford's baseball team, fueled by Lionel's stellar performance, held a narrow lead. The opposing team fought hard, but Lionel's strategic pitching and impactful batting had set the tone for the game.

In the closing moments, with the score teetering on the edge, Lionel took to the pitcher's mound for one last stand. His pitches were a display of precision, striking out the final batters with an almost effortless finesse. The crowd erupted in cheers as the last out secured Wilford's victory.

The triumphant team gathered on the field, exchanging congratulatory high-fives and embracing the sweet taste of success. Lionel, rightfully hailed as the star of the game, received accolades from teammates and spectators alike. His contributions, both on the mound and at bat, had been the driving force behind Wilford's triumph.

As the cheers echoed through the stadium, Lionel's name resonated as the hero of the day. The closing moments of the game became a celebration of teamwork, sportsmanship, and Lionel's exceptional talent, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the community as they basked in the glory of their victorious hometown team.

Liam had enthusiastically joined the town's people, becoming an animated part of the vibrant sea of cheers and applause for the home team throughout the entire game.

His voice had echoed with genuine enthusiasm, blending seamlessly with the collective roar of support that reverberated through the stadium.

Amidst the ebb and flow of the game, Liam's spirited encouragement mirrored the highs and lows on the field.

Whether it was a spectacular play or a pivotal moment, he was right there with the community, lending his voice to the symphony of excitement that enveloped the stands.

"Good game," he joined the the town people to pat Lionel on the back.

"Thank you Mr. Luther," Lionel beamed back at him.

"I told you the boy has all it takes to make it to the big leagues," Benjamin said as the started heading out towards the parking lot.

A subtle unease crept over Liam as his eyes caught an unexpected scene unfolding on the field. Two unfamiliar figures had approached Lionel, guiding him away from the jubilant crowd to a secluded part of the field. Instinctively, Liam sensed that these weren't the kind of individuals a young and talented player like Lionel should be associating with.

In the labyrinth of Liam's conscience, the logical counsel to distance himself from Lionel and his entourage echoed with the wisdom of self-preservation.

Yet, a tableau of genuine dread painted across the countenance of the young man acted as an irresistible brushstroke, eroding the veneer of detachment.

Liam, momentarily tethered to the strings of empathy, found himself ensnared in the throes of a moral dilemma.

The decision to abandon the sanctuary of indifference and wade into the murky waters of potential conflict emerged from the depths within him he wasn't aware existed.

His stay in Wilford has ready done something to him, he thought.

Concern etched across his face, Liam excused himself from the celebratory throng and discreetly made his way towards the unfolding situation. The contrasting atmosphere of victory and the growing tension around Lionel created a disconcerting backdrop, leaving Liam determined to ensure the young star's safety and well-being.

"Where's the money boy?" one of the men asked Lionel.

Liam, now closer to the scene, overheard Lionel's anxious plea. The panic in Lionel's voice was evident as he negotiated with the two men. "Just give me a few days," Lionel implored, desperation coloring his words. "I'm getting some prospects. Please, I'll have the money in a few days."

The gravity of the situation became clearer to Liam, his concern deepening. Whatever financial entanglement Lionel had found himself in, the urgency in his plea hinted at a challenging predicament. Liam felt a surge of protective instinct, contemplating how he could support the young player through this unexpected and troubling turn of events.

A chill ran down Liam's spine as he heard the ominous words from the other man. "Maybe we will break a few fingers for good measure," he said, his tone carrying a sinister edge. "The boss doesn't like to wait for his money."

Swiftly, Liam stepped forward, determined to intervene before the situation escalated further. His presence served as a barrier between the menacing men and the young athlete, Lionel. With a firm yet calm demeanor, Liam addressed them.

"Let's not resort to unpleasant displays in public," he urged, his words carrying a sense of soothing authority. "There must be another way to resolve this. We can figure something out without causing harm." Liam's intent was clear – to shield Lionel from the impending threat and find a resolution that didn't involve the dangerous path the two men were suggesting. "I don't think your boss will appreciate some displays that could paint him in bad light."

"Shove off," the first man snapped at Liam. "Examples must be made. The boss demands that."

Undeterred by the stern response, Liam maintained his position, unwavering in his determination to protect Lionel. "There's always room for negotiation," he asserted calmly, his eyes locked with the first man. "Violence won't solve anything, and it certainly won't guarantee you'll get what you want."

Despite the tension thickening in the air, Liam stood his ground, hoping to diffuse the situation and steer it away from the dangerous path the men seemed intent on following.

As the tension heightened, a growing number of onlookers in the crowd began to notice the unfolding situation. Whispers and hushed conversations spread among the spectators as they cast curious glances toward the commotion.

Unaware of the audience that had formed behind him, Liam remained focused on the two men and their grip on Lionel.

"How much does he owe you?" he asked.

"Twenty large," the first man said. "Have you got it laying around somewhere?"

"Tell your boss he'll get the money tomorrow morning," Liam told the men. "Just give us some time to sort things out."

"If you don't have twenty large right now then run along," the second man said. "Nobody keeps the boss waiting for his money. Little Lionel here either gives up the money right now or gets handed a good beat down for good measures."

"The Sheriff isn't far away," Liam warned.

"What's he gonna do?" the second man laughed. "He knows where his business starts and where it ends. You could learn a thing or two from him if you talk to him. Now f**k off."

The tension in the air heightened as the second man, escalating the stakes, lifted his coat to reveal the butt of a pistol. He grinned wickedly at Liam.

The sight sent a collective shiver through the onlookers who had now fully grasped the gravity of the situation. The crowd's murmurs hushed, replaced by an uneasy silence as the menacing turn of events unfolded on the baseball field.

Liam's swift maneuver took everybody by surprise, leaving the second man disarmed and utterly perplexed.

The once-grinning face now contorted with surprise, the man struggled to grasp the sudden turn of events.

Liam, however, remained a portrait of calculated composure as he expertly snaked his hand towards the second man's belt holder, seizing the pistol with surprising agility and ejecting the magazine from it's chamber.

The metallic clatter echoed as Liam tossed the magazine and the pistol behind him.

The atmosphere on the baseball field crackled with tension as the other man, visibly taken aback, fumbled to reach for his own pistol.

It was a fleeting moment of vulnerability that did not escape Liam's keen awareness.

Reacting with catlike agility, Liam intercepted the man's reaching hand, his fingers wrapping around it like a vice.

With a swift yank, Liam redirected the man's hand away from the holster, disrupting any hope of a countermove.

The surprised expression on the man's face deepened as he found himself not only disarmed but also physically restrained by Liam's decisive maneuver.

In a seamless follow-through, Liam liberated the second pistol from its holster, completing a dual disarming act that left both men defenseless.

"Like I said," Liam said calmly. "We can settle this matter without violence."

The men, visibly shaken by Liam's swift disarmament, hastily backed away from Lionel. Despite their retreat, their pride wounded, one of them couldn't resist a parting threat.

"You'll hear from us," the man uttered with a venomous edge, a promise lingering in the air as they walked away from the baseball field, leaving behind the tension and uncertainty that now hung like a shadow in the aftermath of the confrontation.

"You," Liam pointed a finger at Lionel. "With me, now."

As the murmurs of the crowd swirled with a mix of shock and fascination, Liam's attention was drawn to the glint of smartphones and cameras capturing the entire unfolding drama.

Quick to acknowledge the potential ramifications of a public record, he instinctively turned away from the prying lenses.

Liam steered Lionel through the dispersing crowd, his every movement calculated to minimize the exposure of their faces to the digital witnesses.

The recorded footage, now etched into the memory cards and cloud servers of the spectators, held the power to shape perceptions and fuel speculations as well as uncover things that were best left undiscovered.

In the relative privacy of the parking lot, away from the lingering eyes of the crowd, Liam turned to Lionel, a mix of concern and curiosity etched across his face.

"What the hell was that all about?" he inquired, his voice low but intense. Benjamin, trailing closely behind, couldn't help but marvel at the precision with which Liam had disarmed the mobsters on the baseball field.

"I owe them some money Mr. Luther," Lionel replied. "I needed the money to pay an agent who promised to point me in the right direction and link me up with some big teams."

"Taking anything from the mob is a big mistake boy," Liam snapped at him.

"They're just a bunch of local gangsters," Lionel said in a small voice.

"Local gangsters who were afraid to set an example with you in public," Liam snapped. "Get your dad and get out of town for a bit let me straighten this whole matter out."

Liam grasped the severity of the threat; the specter of the mobsters' return loomed ominously.

The stakes were higher, and the next time they came calling, Lionel's father could be caught in the crossfire.

Feeling the weight of his reluctant involvement, Liam knew he had to act decisively to quell the rising tension.

The urgency to bring this matter to a close hung in the air as he contemplated the intricate task of navigating through the dangers and ensuring a resolution before it spiraled into something far more perilous.

That evening, a young man uploaded the video of Liam disarming both men along with some pictures of him and his wife on the social media and it drew massive views — including some unwanted ones.