**Chapter 13: Shadows of Vengeance**

The fluorescent lights in the hospital room hummed overhead, casting an eerie glow on Joel's face as he sat beside Esme's bed, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. Tommy's words of caution still lingered in the air, but Joel's mind was made up. He would find the man who had hurt Esme, and he would make him pay. As the hours ticked by, Esme's condition remained stable, but Joel's anxiety grew. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was running out of time, that the man who had attacked Esme was still out there, waiting for his next victim. The police were investigating, but Joel knew that they wouldn't be able to catch the perpetrator as quickly as he could. Tommy, sensing Joel's restlessness, suggested that he take a break and get some rest. Joel agreed, but only after Tommy promised to keep an eye on Esme. As he left the hospital room, Joel's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a text from an unknown number: "Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main at midnight. I have information about Esme's attack." Joel's heart skipped a beat as he stared at the message. Who could be sending him such a cryptic text? And what did they know about Esme's attack? He showed the message to Tommy, who raised an eyebrow. "Do you think it's a trap?" Tommy asked. Joel's face hardened. "I don't know, but I have to take the chance. I need to know who did this to Esme." Tommy nodded. "I'll go with you. We'll be careful." As the hours passed, Joel's anticipation grew. He couldn't concentrate on anything except the meeting at midnight. Esme's face kept flashing in his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. At midnight, Joel and Tommy made their way to the old warehouse on 5th and Main. The building loomed before them, its windows boarded up and its door covered in rust. Joel's heart was pounding as he pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The warehouse was dimly lit, the only light coming from a faint moonbeam that filtered through a crack in the wall. Joel's eyes adjusted slowly, and he made out a figure standing in the shadows. "Who are you?" Joel demanded, his voice low and menacing. The figure stepped forward, its features illuminated by the moonlight. Joel's eyes widened as he recognized the person standing before him. "Alex?" Joel's voice was laced with surprise. "What do you know about Esme's attack?" Alex, a former acquaintance of Joel's, looked nervous, glancing around the warehouse as if he feared being overheard. "I know who did it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know who hurt Esme." Joel's eyes narrowed. "Tell me." Alex hesitated, then spoke in a rush. "It was Victor. He's been in deep with some bad people, and he's been looking for revenge. He knew Esme was connected to you, and he used her as a way to get to you." Joel's face twisted in anger. Victor was a name he knew all too well. He had a reputation for being ruthless, and Joel had a feeling that he was in for a world of trouble. With a newfound sense of purpose, Joel turned to Tommy. "We have a lead," he said, his voice low and deadly. "Let's go pay Victor a visit."