"Retribution"

The streets were empty and silent as Joel and Tommy made their way to Victor's hideout, a dilapidated apartment complex on the outskirts of town. The darkness seemed to swallow them whole, and the only sound was the crunch of gravel beneath their feet. Joel's heart was racing with anticipation, his mind consumed by thoughts of revenge. As they approached the apartment complex, Joel's eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the broken windows and the overgrown weeds that seemed to stretch up to the doors. He could feel a sense of foreboding in the air, a feeling that they were walking into a trap. Tommy noticed Joel's tension and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You sure about this, man?" he asked, his voice low and cautious. Joel's jaw clenched. "I have to do this, Tommy. I have to make him pay for what he did to Esme." Tommy nodded, his expression grim. "I'm with you, Joel. Let's go." They made their way to Victor's apartment, a run-down unit on the second floor. Joel's eyes locked onto the door, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel his anger and rage building, simmering just below the surface. Without hesitation, Joel reached out and knocked on the door. The sound echoed through the hallway, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, the door creaked open, and Victor's smirking face appeared. "Joel," Victor sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "I've been expecting you." Joel's eyes narrowed, his fists clenched at his sides. "You hurt Esme," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You're going to pay for what you did." Victor chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," he said, his eyes flicking to Tommy. "You think you can take me down? I've got friends, Joel. Friends who will make sure you don't leave this apartment alive." Joel's face twisted in a snarl. "I'm not afraid of you, Victor. I'm not afraid of your friends." With a swift motion, Joel pushed past Victor and entered the apartment, Tommy close behind. The air inside was thick with tension, and Joel's eyes scanned the room, taking in the scattered furniture and the broken glass on the floor. Victor slammed the door shut, and Joel heard the sound of locks clicking into place. He was trapped. But Joel wasn't interested in playing games. With a fierce cry, he launched himself at Victor, his fists flying. The two men crashed to the floor, their bodies locked in a fierce struggle. Tommy joined the fray, his eyes flashing with anger as he took down Victor's friends, who had been lurking in the shadows. The apartment erupted into chaos, the sound of punches and kicks echoing through the halls. In the end, it was just Joel and Victor, their bodies battered and bruised. Joel's eyes locked onto Victor's, his face twisted in a snarl. "You're going to pay for what you did to Esme," Joel growled, his voice low and menacing. Victor's eyes widened in fear as Joel's fist connected with his jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. As Victor lay there, helpless and defeated, Joel's anger finally began to dissipate. He stood over Victor, his chest heaving with exertion. "You're going to tell me everything," he said, his voice cold and detached. "You're going to tell me who else was involved, and you're going to make sure they pay for what they did." Victor's eyes flickered, and for a moment, Joel thought he saw a glimmer of fear. But then, Victor's face hardened, and he spat at Joel's feet. "I'll never tell you anything," he sneered. Joel's face twisted in a snarl. "We'll see about that," he said, his eyes glinting with a fierce determination.