Marvel: Ghost Rider

Johnny slowed his motorcycle in front of a house glowing with the colorful lights of a party. Roxy, sitting behind him, excitedly tapped his shoulder before hopping off. She quickly smoothed the hem of her blue dress, which matched her sparkling eyes perfectly.

"How do I look? Fabulous, right?" she asked with a playful smile, twirling in front of him.

"Stunning," he replied, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

Roxy nodded in satisfaction, chattering about how much the dress had cost her and how she had no regrets. Johnny half-listened, instinctively assessing the scene. A typical teenage party: flashing lights, loud teenagers, the smell of cheap beer and weed, discarded bottles everywhere. A few drunk teenagers were already sprawled on the lawn. It was all so chaotic, so far removed from his usual sense of order.

"Whose party is this?" he asked, cutting through her chatter.

"How should I know? Some guy from school. His parents are out of town, and he decided to throw the party of the century," she said with a shrug.

Johnny snorted and followed her inside. As soon as they crossed the threshold, the lively atmosphere came to a sudden halt. Those who weren't too drunk recognized him. The older students paled, assuming the head of the disciplinary committee had come to shut things down.

"I'm just here to relax, same as you," Johnny said, noticing their stares.

However, his words did little to help; people continued to stare warily. Johnny leaned over and whispered to Roxy:

"I think I should leave."

"Not a chance!" she objected, grabbing his hand. "They just don't know you like I do. Come on, it'll be fine."

She confidently pulled him into the main room, where music blasted and a crowd of teenagers danced mindlessly. One of them, swaying slightly, held out two cans of beer.

"Here, enjoy!"

Johnny glanced at the drunken boy's face, briefly considering that he didn't want to end up like that. Before he could respond, Roxy grabbed the cans, opened one for herself, and handed the other to him.

"Come on, relax. Tonight, you're just a teenager."

Johnny sighed and cracked open the can. The bitter taste of the drink made him grimace.

"How do they drink this stuff?" he wondered, watching a guy chug two cans at once.

"Wait here for a minute!" Roxy said, spotting her friends. She waved cheerfully before leaving Johnny alone.

Johnny sat down on a couch next to a drunk senior who was already nodding off. He scanned the crowd. It all felt pointless. This was even more boring than sitting in class. He would've been better off spending his time at the gym or preparing for his night mission.

When the Cross of Vengeance on his chest began to burn, Johnny immediately straightened up. The burning grew stronger, guiding him. He stood and, following the sensation, walked into the hallway. Climbing the stairs, he stopped in front of a door. The handle wouldn't budge, so he kicked it open with a single, powerful blow. The sound of the stereo downstairs masked the act of vandalism.

Inside, two guys with smug grins were trying to strip a drunk girl who was barely moving, mumbling incoherently.

Johnny didn't ask questions—he didn't need to. With anticipation of a good fight, he stepped into the room. The larger of the two stood up and swung at him, but Johnny struck his throat with the edge of his hand, then grabbed his ears and slammed his knee into the guy's face. The attacker collapsed, choking and writhing in pain.

"Didn't mean to! It was his idea!" stammered the second guy, backing toward the wall.

"Good thing he doesn't hold you back anymore, right?" Johnny said, landing a solid punch to the ribs. The crunch of bones made the second guy wince.

"Can I leave now?" he asked hopefully.

"Did you ask her if she wanted to leave?" Johnny said coldly, nodding toward the drunken girl.

The guy swallowed nervously. Johnny closed the door to avoid unwanted witnesses.

For the first time all day, Johnny felt truly content. He was breaking bones, drawing blood, and unleashing the fire of vengeance upon the wicked.

Johnny exited the room, carrying the girl in his arms. He kicked the door shut behind him, ensuring that no curious teenagers would see the two rapist's would-be assailants lying among shards of glass and the shattered remains of a television.

"Johnny!" Roxy called out from the main room, approaching him with her friends. "You've got Tracy! We've been looking for her for half an hour! Where did you find her?"

"She was asleep in the hallway," he lied quickly, laying the girl down on a couch. "I'm sure she'll be more comfortable here."

"Always on guard, aren't you?" Roxy purred, leaning against his bicep. "Take a break from being the disciplinary committee tonight. I mean it."

"She's completely wasted!" one of Roxy's friends, a petite brunette, examined the drunken girl's face with concern. "Mike said he'd look after her!"

"Who's Mike?" Johnny asked.

"The host of the party. Haven't you seen him?"

She described the same guy whose head Johnny had recently smashed into a television. He had to use all his composure to keep a straight face and claim he didn't see Mike.

"Mike said he'd take care of her. Instead, he gets her drunk and leaves her in the hallway! What if some scumbag had taken advantage of her?" the brunette fumed. "What a jerk! If I see him, I'll rip his balls off!"

Johnny could've told her that she'd only find Mike in a hospital for the next month, but he decided to let it be a surprise.

"I should go," he said, meeting Roxy's gaze. "Will someone be able to take you home?"

"You're not enjoying yourself?" she asked, blinking as if he was leaving paradise. "The fun's just getting started!"

"I've had enough," he replied, glancing discreetly at the few drops of blood on his jacket.

"You're always like this. You don't know how to have fun," Roxy sighed but quickly regained her usual cheerful smile. "Go on, athlete. I'll take a cab. I know you don't like parties, but I had to try."

Roxy stood on her tiptoes and softly kissed his cheek. Johnny gave her a slight smile. Despite their differences, he would always value her friendship.

/////

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