6 Chapter 5: "The Son of the Murderer"

Michael sat in his office, looking out the window at the city. Life had changed drastically in the last two weeks. What had started as an exciting adventure, being transported to another world, the world of Marvel, now felt like a crushing burden.

The initial excitement had given way to a terrifying reality. Not only was he in a new and unknown world, but he was also in charge of running the Continental, a monumental task he had not anticipated. The responsibility of leading, making decisions, being the cornerstone of a sanctuary for assassins overwhelmed him.

Though he had kept a firm facade in front of Laura, Marcus, and John Wick, inside, Michael was terrified. He worried about making mistakes, failing those who trusted him, not living up to expectations. The world he found himself in was complex and dangerous, and he was the one tasked with navigating it.

He turned to his desk, reviewing reports and documents, trying to familiarize himself with every detail, every aspect of the Continental. It was vital that he understood how everything worked, how the pieces fit together. But the more he learned, the more aware he became of what he didn't know.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see John Wick entering the room. At his side, a young man, with a restless gaze and pale face.

"Michael, meet Wesley Gibson," said John, his voice always controlled.

Wesley extended his hand nervously, his eyes reflecting a mix of fear and confusion.

"I'm just a simple office worker. You can call my boss Janice; she will confirm it."

Wesley's words were spoken with palpable insecurity, and Michael frowned, trying to understand what was happening. There was something about this man that seemed familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was.

"Pleased to meet you, Wesley," replied Michael, still trying to process the situation. "Please, have a seat."

Wesley took a seat next to John, his eyes still scanning the room, clearly out of his element.

Michael turned to John, seeking some explanation, but before he could pose a question, John excused himself, saying they would talk later.

The door closed behind them, leaving Michael alone in his office, his thoughts swirling around what had just happened. Who was Wesley Gibson? Why had John Wick brought him here? And most importantly, what was going on?

The feeling of uncertainty that had been plaguing Michael in recent weeks seemed to have intensified. It felt like he was in an endless puzzle, trying to fit pieces that didn't seem to belong together.

He got up from his desk and approached the window, looking again at the city. The weight of his responsibility as leader of the Continental felt even heavier now.

He had no answers, only more questions. And as the doubts continued to pile up, he wondered if he would ever be able to unravel the mysteries that were unfolding before him.

...

John Wick had had a long and tiring day, recruiting staff for the Continental. With a throbbing head and the pressure of the task at hand, he decided to stop at a local pharmacy to buy something for his headache.

The pharmacy was busy, with a mix of customers browsing shelves and waiting in line. Among them, a nervous, thin young man seemed to be arguing with the pharmacist. His words were sharp and full of frustration.

"I said I need those pills now!", exclaimed the young man, his voice quivering. "I can't wait any longer!"

John watched the situation from a distance, noticing the growing tension in the air. His instincts told him something was not right. His gaze settled on a woman, dressed elegantly, but with a stealthy presence. She too was watching the confrontation.

Suddenly, a man rushed into the store, his eyes fixed on the young man. He looked dangerous and determined. Without hesitation, he pulled out a gun, aiming directly at him. The pharmacy plunged into chaos, people began to scream and run in all directions.

"You've been sentenced!", yelled the man, his voice cold and deadly.

John Wick wasted no time. He moved with precision and speed, taking position behind a shelf, his hand discreetly reaching for his concealed weapon. The woman he had noticed earlier did the same, her gaze connecting with John's for a brief moment.

The young man was paralyzed, his face pale and his eyes wide open. He didn't understand what was happening, but he knew he was in grave danger.

"I don't know what you're talking about!", he stammered, backing away. "I'm just an office worker!"

The man seemed unimpressed and unwilling to listen. "Your fate has been decided!", he shouted, preparing to fire.

That's when the woman intervened, moving with lethal grace. "No!", she yelled, shooting the man before he could pull the trigger.

The bullet hit his hand, and the gun fell to the floor. Chaos turned into a storm of panic and confusion. John Wick knew this was not an ordinary fight, and that he was about to be embroiled in something much larger.

The woman who had shot quickly approached the young office worker, her face marked with fierce determination. "Come with me if you want to live!", she yelled, pulling his arm.

The wounded man groaned in pain and lunged for his fallen weapon, his eyes filled with rage and determination. John watched the scene unfold, his mind working quickly, analyzing every move and every person in the room.

The office worker looked lost and terrified, but the woman dragged him towards the exit, dodging fleeing people and knocked-over shelves.

The wounded man managed to pick up his weapon and aim again, but John intervened, shooting and diverting his shot. The bullet crashed into a wall, and the man turned to John, recognizing a new threat.

"Stay away!", he yelled, his voice full of hatred. "This doesn't concern you!"

John was unfazed, his face as impassive as ever. "I think I'm already involved."

A tense standoff ensued, with the man and John staring each other down, each evaluating the other, looking for a weakness. The woman and the office worker had disappeared from sight, but John knew he could not allow the man to pursue them.

The tension in the pharmacy was palpable, with the remaining customers and employees hiding and watching in horror. The silence was broken only by the ragged breathing of the man and the hum of fluorescent lights.

Finally, the man made his move, firing at John and running for the exit. John responded with a series of precise shots, each aimed at delaying and not killing. He knew he needed answers, and killing the man would provide none.

With a final shot, the man escaped from the pharmacy, leaving John in a room in ruins and filled with questions.

Pensive, John picked up his gun and left the pharmacy. Deciding to follow the woman and the clerk, John quickly headed to his car.

The shootout at the pharmacy was just the beginning, and John Wick couldn't help but get involved. The furtive glances from the woman and the mysterious man chasing the young clerk had put him on alert. John was no stranger to violence, but this was different.

The chase extended onto the streets, where the three vehicles sped at full speed, zigzagging through traffic. The woman, driving the car with the young man at her side, displayed outstanding driving skills, while the man pursuing them shot with deadly precision. John followed closely, his heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and curiosity.

Bullets flew through the air, breaking glass and leaving marks on the buildings. The woman managed to dodge most, but a bullet grazed her shoulder, and John saw the flash of pain in her eyes. Their eyes met for a moment, and he could see the determination and purpose behind her eyes.

The pursuit continued, with the man shooting continuously, trying to stop them. John maneuvered his car skillfully, positioning himself between the woman and the pursuer, blocking his shots.

"Who the hell is that guy?" shouted the young man, his voice full of terror.

"I don't know, but it looks like he's on our side," the woman replied, her voice tense.

John kept his focus, his mind calculating every move as he helped the woman and the young man escape. He could see that they were not enemies, but he couldn't say they were friends either. The situation was complex, and John knew he had to act carefully.

Finally, in a bold maneuver, he managed to divert the pursuer enough to give them an advantage. The woman took the opportunity and turned down a narrow street, losing the pursuer from sight.

John followed them, his mind still on alert, knowing that the threat had not yet passed. The woman stopped in a dark alley and got out of the car, her face pale and her shoulder bleeding. John approached, his gun ready but his attitude non-threatening.

"Thanks for the help," said the woman, her voice hoarse. "But I don't know who you are or what you want."

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," John replied, his voice calm. "But I can't let an innocent man be killed."

The woman studied him, then nodded. "I need to take him to a safe place. The Brotherhood needs him." John frowned. "I don't know who they are, but you can't just drag him into something without his consent."

The woman stiffened, and the tension grew between them.

"This is bigger than you think," she said, her voice hard. "You have no idea what's at stake."

John held her gaze, his instinct telling him not to give in. The young man was scared, confused, and John knew he had to protect him.

The tension grew, and both knew that the situation was about to reach a critical point. Destinies were intertwined, and the decisions they made at that moment would affect not only their lives but also the balance of power in a hidden and dangerous world.

... The tension in the alley was almost palpable as John Wick and the woman faced off, each weighing their options and sizing up the other. The young man, still in shock, looked from side to side, clearly overwhelmed by the events.

"Listen," John said, his voice low and controlled, "I don't know who you are or what the Brotherhood is, but I can't just hand him over without understanding what's going on."

"This is none of your business," the woman replied, her voice laden with frustration and urgency. "We need him, and we don't have time for explanations."

John frowned, his mind working quickly. He could see the sincerity in the woman's eyes, but also the desperation. Something bigger was at stake, and he was caught in the middle of it.

"If you really need him, then you have to trust me," said John finally. "Let me help you, but I need to know what's going on."

The woman looked at him, her eyes assessing him, and then slowly nodded. "Okay, but we must move quickly. The Brotherhood will not stop looking for him."

"I understand," John replied, and turned to the young man, who was still trembling. "I'm going to help you, but you have to trust me. Are you okay?"

The young man nodded, his eyes full of gratitude and confusion. "Yes, thank you. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there."

"Let's go," said John, guiding them to his car. "We have to find a safe place."

They drove in silence, each lost in their thoughts as they left the chaos of the pharmacy and the chase behind. The woman tended to her wound, and John could see that she was in pain, but he also noticed a strength and resolve in her.

Finally, they arrived at the Continental, and John led them inside, introducing them at reception. The woman looked around, clearly impressed by the elegance of the place.

"This is a safe place," John explained. "No one will be harmed here."

The woman nodded, and then turned to the young man. "You have to understand, all of this is for your own good. The Brotherhood has a purpose for you, and we must prepare you."

John observed the interaction, still uncertain about what was really happening. But he knew he had to stay calm and control the situation.

"Alright," he finally said, "but we need to understand more. We need to know who the Brotherhood is and why they are chasing you."

The woman looked at John, then sighed. "Okay, but this can't leave here. The Brotherhood is a secret organization of assassins, and he" - she pointed to the young man - "is the son of one of the best. His fate is intertwined with ours, and we must train him."