Chapter 12: I Want You

It was him—yes, it was him, that impossibly agile Chinese boy, capable of wielding some special power! Robbie drew in a deep breath, raising his guard to the highest alert.

Who was he? Where did he come from? What did he want?

He attacked the Fifth Street Gang—was it just to get that beautiful necklace? Was the necklace truly so important, more important than the lives of all those gang members?

Was he planning to silence me as well?

If so, why not sneak in under cover, but instead arrive openly, in broad daylight?

Robbie’s mind was a tangled mess, his limited wits unable to unravel it.

He glanced at Cannolo standing nearby, suppressing the urge to ignite and give Old Wang a beating, trying his best to appear casual. “What are you doing here?”

“Fixing the truck, of course!” Old Wang patted the battered vehicle and shrugged. “Yesterday, somehow, it just caught fire—the engine, the tires, all burning. Skye said you were the expert with these things, loved tinkering with them back in high school, even fixed your uncle’s truck a few times, didn’t you, Skye?”

“That’s right. Do you remember, Robbie? Back in elementary school, we used to play games together at Space City Arcade in Little Tokyo. I thought after graduation, we’d never meet again—what a coincidence.” Skye folded his arms and nodded, a little nervous—

After all, the man in front of him was the Human Torch—terrifying!

Would he lose his temper and incinerate me on the spot?

With that thought, Skye edged behind Old Wang, using his imposing frame as a shield.

Robbie: “...”

So, they knew which high school I attended, even my hobbies—they’d investigated me?

“And by the way, I heard your younger brother, Gabe, broke his leg and is still in the hospital? I’m sorry… After your shift, why don’t we go visit him together? I bought some fruit, all his favorites—durian, jackfruit, and canned herring.” Old Wang’s face was full of concern.

Are you threatening me…? Canned herring isn’t even a fruit… Robbie clenched his fists, a faint flame beginning to flicker in his eyes.

He was furious!

“Are you sure you want to fight in front of witnesses?” Old Wang moved his lips, his quiet voice reaching Robbie’s ears.

The fire in Robbie’s eyes faded, but his fists tightened further. “Come—with—me!”

The three of them quickly made their way to the repair shop.

“I warn you, stay away from my brother, or I won’t let you off!” Robbie leaned in close and growled under his breath.

“Don’t misunderstand—I mean no harm to you or your brother. In fact, I’ve come with goodwill… Skye?” Old Wang turned, giving him a meaningful look.

Three years of collaboration had built a certain understanding; Skye blinked in acknowledgment and swiftly nodded, saying to Robbie, “A few surveillance cameras caught your car. I hacked the system and deleted all the footage. Now no one knows what Ghost Rider’s car looks like. The Dodge Charger stands out too much, it’d be easy to track.”

Robbie glanced at Old Wang, surprised.
Are these two really so considerate?
They must have another motive—surely they’re not here just for me.

“All right, what do you want? Let me make it clear, I’m broke.” He wasn’t some naïve student. He knew there was no such thing as unconditional kindness; no one helps for no reason. There was always a price.

He truly had no money.
The car was expensive, but technically belonged to Uncle Eli, and now it was fused with himself—inseparable.
Uncle Eli was broke too. Even as a PhD working at some lab, his salary wasn’t high—he’d spent it all and ended up in prison.
As for himself?
Being a mechanic wasn’t exactly a lucrative profession, no matter how skilled. With Gabe in the hospital, expenses were mounting. His savings were nearly gone, his credit cards maxed out—if anyone needed money, it was him!

Skye glanced at Old Wang:
See? A mechanic doesn’t have a way to make big money.

If we really need to, I could find a few anonymous accounts belonging to gang bosses or corrupt officials, transfer funds in batches. There’s risk, but not much—they wouldn’t dare call the police, at most they’d investigate privately.

You know my skills—there’d be no trail.

Even if someone did track us down, it wouldn’t matter. You’re still here, Old Wang—one man against a hundred, beating the Human Torch with one hand, headbutting RPGs. What’s there to fear?

“Promote good values, be a model citizen, do good deeds—no need for payment.” Old Wang wore a wounded expression.

Do I look like someone desperate for money?
I’m proud to be a good man, and even prouder to seek no reward!

Skye turned away, wanting to cover his face: If you don’t want money, then don’t make me pay for the hotel room. At least pay for the gas. And when you say dinner, why is it always KFC?

Wang, keep up the act—I promise I won’t even watch!

“Then what do you want?” Robbie’s heart clenched.

If it’s not money, it must be something even more valuable!
Besides the house and car, all I have left is Gabe and myself. Which one do you want?
Neither is negotiable!

Robbie steeled himself: Don’t force me to kill.
I don’t want to—I only seek a simple, peaceful life.

What I want is you—if Ghost Rider ever unlocks his full powers, reaching the level of the first-generation Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, you’d rival Doctor Strange. In his prime, Strange was on another level, and you, boy, still have a long way to go… Old Wang didn’t answer, simply changed the subject, “So, the Fifth Street Gang—wiped out?”

Robbie remained silent.
You’ve already investigated—why even ask?

Old Wang smiled lightly, as if it were nothing. “But as far as I know, there’s still one member of the Fifth Street Gang alive.”

One still alive?
Those bastards aren’t all dead?

Robbie started, his eyes instantly blazing red.

The spirit of vengeance within him stirred, fury roaring to life.

Kill him, kill him! the spirit urged relentlessly.

You must kill him—it’s our bargain. You must avenge. You signed the devil’s contract, sold your soul to me!

Of course I’ll kill him! He destroyed my family! Robbie’s body grew hotter and hotter.

I’m not a murderer. The Fifth Street Gang killed and ruined so many lives—every one of them deserves to die. I’m a vigilante. There’s nothing wrong with what I’m doing!

“Calm down—do you want your coworkers to see the Human Torch? Then what—kill them? Or let all of New York, even all of America, know you’re the Ghost Rider?” Old Wang let his hands hang loose, ready to act at any moment.

Would this guy lose control?

“I… don’t want to kill, and I definitely don’t kill at random!” Robbie took a deep breath, the flames in his eyes gradually subsiding. Through gritted teeth, he said, “I only want… revenge! Where is that bastard?”

Old Wang glanced at Skye.

Skye answered quickly, “Los Angeles County Jail. I checked—he’s bribed judges, lawyers, prison guards, a whole lot. Originally got fifty years, but with good behavior and sentence reductions, he’ll be out in ten… No, at most eight years.”

That’s the reality… Old Wang thought with silent derision.

Los Angeles County Jail… I can’t break in there. My revenge is impossible… Robbie felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.

He could only wait eight years until the man was released, then kill him!

Old Wang smiled, shifted the conversation again, his tone indifferent: “I heard your uncle is in prison too? Also Los Angeles County Jail?”