Elias smoothly pulled Elizabeth behind him. The three malicious figures began to move toward them. Right at that moment, a crowd of fans erupted onto their street. They were young men, fired up by beer, chanting the battle cry: "Black Hawks are the best! Black Hawks forever!". They shook flares, waved team logos, and roared deafeningly with air horns. This turbulent avalanche poured through the cross street. At the head of the flow marched a stocky guy, holding a massive flag with the "Black Hawks" emblem.

  ?Dron froze abruptly, gesturing for his henchmen to stop, and said:

  ?— Don't even think about calling for help or screaming. They won't even notice you!

  ?The energetic fans moved down the cross street twenty meters away from them. The guy holding the flag turned his head for a moment and looked at Elias. By inertia, he took another step, but then suddenly stopped as if struck by an electric force. In that same second, the entire crowd of a couple of hundred people instantly froze behind him.

  ?The big guy, peering intently at Elias for a few seconds, shouted:

  ?— It's Elias! Boys, it's Elias!

  ?In a moment, Elias and Elizabeth were surrounded by a dense ring of fans.

  ?The stocky guy with the flag blurted out to Elias:

  ?— Don't you recognize me, Uncle Elias? It's me, Max, Jim's younger brother!

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  ?The three aggressors stood motionless, their heads bowed. Elias exclaimed in surprise:

  ?— Yes, yes! You’ve certainly grown a bit! I remember you as a rather gentle and kind youth!

  ?Max pointed to the flag:

  ?— Uncle Elias, look! Our "Black Hawk" has been soaring for twelve years already! And today we have a HUGE CELEBRATION! We won the right to play in the Super Bowl!

  ?Max turned around, noticed Dron and his henchmen, and asked:

  ?— What are you doing here, and what is this mug doing in your company?

  ?Elizabeth said gently:

  ?— They are blocking our way home.

  ?Max shouted:

  ?— Blocking? Did you hear that?! They are bothering the man who drew our mascot?! Hey, "Black Hawks"! Do you see these three street rats?! GRAB THEM!

  ?The turbulent crowd snatched up the three thugs, lifted them over their heads, and, sweeping them away, carried them like a wave straight down the street. Max paused for a moment, addressed Elias, and said:

  ?— Uncle Elias, we'll be at the "Black Hawks" bar! It’s been open for five years now! Join us if you want!

  ?Elias politely declined:

  ?— No, no, Max. Thank you, but we have a lot of work tomorrow. And where is Jim? — Elias asked quickly.

  ?Max replied:

  ?— Jim is a big shot now! He travels the states scouting guys for American football! He’ll be in town in a few days and will definitely find you, Uncle Elias. By the way, are you still living in the same place, or?

  ?Elias nodded.

  ?— Well, until next time!

  ?He hastily rushed to the head of the crowd, holding the flag. Young fans dashed past them, throwing scarves with logos over Elias and Elizabeth's shoulders, splashing beer, and handing over whatever was in their hands. One of the fans even shoved a huge burger into Elias's hands.

  ?This storm, having swept past, left the two of them alone at the intersection under the streetlamp. Team scarves hung on them, they clutched flags, beer cans, and a burger in their hands, and on their heads sat hats with ears that flapped if you pulled the strings.