Punches.

Kicks.

I am now bathed with sweat.

I hitted the punching bag, I do not know how many times already. And it seems like I won't stop any sooner even when I am feeling my hand and legs aching for hours of being at the gym, fueled by my rage.

"HAAAA!" I shouted and kicked hard again.

I twisted my neck to the side and I am ready for a full blown punch, but the supposed to be punch didn't happen as my hand is stopped midway.

By Remus.

Why is he always ruining my plan?

And why he is here with me again?

Another figure moved from afar. That's when I realized what they are after now. He here together with this man again.

I forcefully pulled my hand off his hold.

"I think you've already heard the news." Luther started as he go near me so I took steps away backward.

I didn't respond to him, instead, I turned my back to fix and get my things.

The place seemed to be polluted now, I don't wanna be polluted too.

"The order has been done." He continued but I ignored it again and threw the gloves on the trashcan.

I am just about to turn to leave them here alone but the brute is fast to block my way, towering over me.

"He is still not done talking to you," he said in a voice that only the two of us can hear.

I can feel the irritation climbing up on my head but I made a stoic face, seemingly not affected by the intimidating instance.

Him, showing up here with that man and blocking me now is just so funny to think about now. I can't help but feel disgusted.

I stepped a few meters near him to mock him.

"Are you-" I whispered prolonging the word to make a greater impact.

I looked at him in the eye which he also did.

"his puppet?" I continued emphasizing the last word.

He only inserted his right hand on his pocket casually and looked at me like I'm a boring play.

It seems like he is already used to me talking to him like that, that my mockery couldn't take a toll on him.

My smirk faltered, so I moved away from him. Refusing to be seen backing down when it was me who started the mocking.

I caught Luther removing his eyes off us.

"I do not care about your order nor your mafia," I said carelessly, but Luther seemed to not care about me as he fixed his gaze again on the man behind me.

It was quick and I do not have an idea what it is for.

They are one of those people who I cannot read.

"You will start your training this 25th." Remus declared behind me.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Says who?

The man who follows orders from the other man?

I will not be like him.

"Your eyes will be all white waiting for nothing tomorrow," I bravely spat back to both of them.

There is no way I am agreeing to this. To hell with them!

Luther only smiled before he started filling the gym with his frantic laugh.

What's with the laugh? I feel so disrespected— and angry.

His laughing stopped after a while and he looked back at me again. His wide smile was replaced by a mocking grin I do not like.

It's as if he is about to declare something I do not agree with.

"I am scared your refusal can cause someone's death," his eyes held mine, emphasizing each word, injecting it into my soul.

He'll kill me?

They'll kill me?

Then let's play a game of catching who.

That would be a great way for me to bring his mafia down. I feel excited about the idea of refusing them now.

"You can start chasing me with death tomorrow, let's see who will get tired." I mocked with a taunting smile painted on my lips.

A sudden movement happened and my eyes widened a quarter when he was already infront of me in a blink of an eye. So close that I can smell his familiar luxurious scent.

I gritted my teeth, not because I am off guard again, but for the other things that made my mind haywired.

"I can take away the life of German in exchange of your running act, I think he cannot run fast as you-" his voice lingered on my ears.

I felt darkness enveloping me with the mention of taking the life of someone that is very dear to me. I moved fast to catch him in the neck. My hand is only a cm away from it but I was pulled and pushed hard to fell on the floor.

I stood up immediately and proceeded to attack him again but I was welcomed by a hard blow in my stomach, making my back bump on the punching bag I am using a while ago. I coughed at the impact.

And it is not helping that my body is still sore from the early punches and kicks I made earlier at the gym.

I turned to give Remus a death glare. The force he gave is strong yet he looked like he was not troubled by the movement he just did. I couldn't even notice a single labored breathing.

"And I heard a news about this friend you have in your house, I guess you have to bid farewell to the barks-" Luther continued, making me more heated on the floor.

"You are not touching any of them!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

The adrenaline seemed to flow on me and I was immediately in front of him, my punch reaching his face. Neither Remus and Luther are fast enough to stop it.

My breathing labored looking at him take a few steps back at the impact. His face faced the side for a while. He titled his neck, and I watched him face me again with blood on his lips.

That is all I can give him.

He wiped the blood in it like its nothing before he turned his gaze back to me. His eyes roamed, inspecting the whole of me and I clenched my fist again, controlling it from the obvious shaking.

"It is your choice. Their lives are in your hands now." He said with a tone that made me hopeless.

There is no stopping him now.

He passed by me and I remained at my position, left stunned by the decision I had to make.

I do not want any of it.

He, of all the people, left me with choices I never intend to choose.

And what else can I do but to pick one?

I let myself feel the cold floor as I kneel on it. I am again made impotent and useless in the process of building up myself. I am forced to restart again.

I glared at the floor darkly, wishing that I can plant a hole in it.

No matter how strong and versatile German is, he can still be encapsulated by the mafia.

The mafia that Luther created was not a joke. He has a lot of trained persons who can kill for him the moment he ordered them to, no matter who it is he wanted to kill.

I couldn't let them hurt him. His life is more precious than mine.

My eyes darkened as I clench my fist hard.

And the dog I told myself I would not bring to danger, he was just living his life! He is innocent, sweet, and he is only a dog. He shouldn't be a subject from all of this.

Why does he need to take them away from me, when I only have few left to continue my life with?

For them not to be hurt, I have to kill.

For them not to die, I should place my life on the line.

What an atypical story, I never dreamed to have. I closed my eyes knowing what I ought to choose.

Will this be worth it?

I wasted half an hour more on the gym, my thoughts made me stare blankly nowhere.

Reaper.

I opened my phone to dial a number. With only one ring German picked it up.

"Can you go visit me in the house now? I need you to do something."

I held the bag's strap and looked firmly on my shoes.

I cannot just run from it. I need to go to the mafia's center now, where Luther designates his trainees and known fighters to live and fight. But before everything I need to fix things in the house. Make sure that I will not leave someone unannounced.

"I am already at your house." He said and I heard playful barks from afar. "Are you upstairs?"

I think I already know why he is there today.

"Please wait for me there,"

"Sure." He casually approved and I ended the call.

I shut my eyes one last time and inhaled briefly. This is the only way.

I should be their reaper... but I'll make sure I will perform my way.

And that they will regret making me one.