Choices

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, mainly fueled by my outrage.

"HAAAAAAA!" I shouted and kicked hard again.

I twisted my neck on the side, very inclined for a full-blown punch but the supposed to be punch didn't happen as my fist is stopped midway.

By Remus.

Talk about a morning nuissance.

I sensed another figure move from afar. That's when I realized what they are after now. He is here together with the man again.

I forcefully pulled my hand off his hold, making sure he'll be well-informed of my gratitude for the meddling.

"I think you've already heard the news." Luther started as he go nearer, so I automatically took steps backward.

I didn't respond, instead, I turned my back on them 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. Too focused on tossing the gloves on the trashcan.

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

"He is still not done talking to you. Pay respect." the firmness of his voice shouts how he looked up to that man too much. Because of the obvious height difference, my eye level lied only on his nose.

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

I stepped a few more meters near him to the point where I can feel his breath. I made a stoic face, picking up what kind of man he is.

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

I caught him in the eye while I'm with a suggestive expression on my face. His brows raised arrogantly when I pointed my finger at his chest.

"his puppet?" I continued, emphasizing the word in a very belittling way.

He casually inserted his right hand into his pocket. Looking at me like I'm a boring play. Not belittled a pinch.

It seems like he is already used to me talking to anyone like that. That any form of my mockery wouldn't take a toll on him. Refusing to be seen backing down when it was me who started the mocking, I moved away from him like I am so disgusted.

I caught how Luther removed 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 right now as he briefly fix his gaze again on the man beside me. It was quick and I do not have an idea what it is for.

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

Says who? The man who follows orders from the other man?

"Your eyes will be all white waiting for nothing," I bravely spat back to both of them. There is no way I am agreeing to this. I will not be like him.

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

What's with the laugh?

I feel so disrespected— and infuriated.

His laughing stopped after a while before he looked back at me again. His wide smile was replaced by a mocking grin I know 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 core.

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 believe he cannot run fast as you-" his voice lingered on my ears.

Darkness instantly enveloped me with the mention of taking the life of someone that is very dear to me. I moved fast to grab him in the neck. My hand is only a cm away from it when I was yanked and pushed hard to the floor before I can start lashing out.

I immediately stood up 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 used a while ago. I coughed at the strong impact.

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

I turned to give Remus a calm gaze. He repaid me his static serious eyes. 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, enjoying my reactions, 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 rush on me better this time and I just found myself immediately in front of him, with my punch reaching his face.

Neither Remus nor Luther are fast enough to stop it.

My breathing is all labored looking at him as he takes 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.

"You got me by suprise. You progressed a bit."

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

"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 while I remained in my position, left stunned by the decision I had to make.

I do not want any of it! He...again... 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 myself up. I am forced to restart again. Coax to follow their will.

I eyed 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 which Luther created was not a joke. He has a lot of trained persons who can kill for him the moment he orders them to, no matter who it is he wanted to dispose. Just a word and they'll all go for him.

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

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 just 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 uttered.

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. I heard playful barks from afar. He waited for it to stop before he continued again. "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.