"What the h-”

A punch lands on my lower jaw. Blood fills my mouth and the metallic taste coats my tongue. I drop to the floor, sweeping my leg out in a circular motion. It hit something and a thud sounds near me. I need to turn on the lights. 

I need to do something. 

You could just-

‘No, not yet. I can’t let them see. I don’t trust them.’

Another punch connects with my jaw. I spit out some blood. “Who was that?!” I ask angrily, holding my abused jaw. I feel an arm around my waist and I slam down to the floor. Pain ripples throughout my body.

Okay. I tried being nice, but….

Maybe I’ll show them… just a little bit though. I flip up and reach out in front of me to grab the guy’s collar. I bring his face down and my knee up. I elbow the guy advancing and punch his face. Once he falls I kick his ribs. I notice a little movement to the side. It seems my eyes have adjusted to the dark.

Too bad for them.

I do a roundhouse kick and it connects just in time. I land I few more hits but the people keep coming. Well, no. They just keep popping back up. They must have taken PiL. 

“Now that’s not fair,” I tsk.

They gang up and start throwing punches simultaneously. 

Oh. So that’s how it is, huh? I take two heads and slam them together. Someone tries to take me down and I maneuver to where it backfires on him. 

I blink and look around. I see a slight red light in the corner. I run over evading the thugs and rip the camera down. Staring straight into the lens I seethe “Call them off.”

I punch one that tries to ambush me from behind, “Now. I won't ask again.” I throw the camera down and smash it under my boot. 

After a beat, the voice comes through, “Stop.” 

Two people restrain me from behind and I try to wriggle out of their grasp. One of them tases me and I flinch, “Hey!”

The lights flicker on and I wince, squeezing my eyes shut. When I open them, I see Misty rushing over to me with a man trailing slowly behind. Misty starts rambling but I only focus on the new person in the room. He has a commanding aura around him, making him seem imposing and formidable. 

To be honest, if he didn’t carry himself as he did, I would severely underestimate him. He’s tall and lean-built, dressed in all black, and moves lazily, but gracefully - like a cat. He has dark golden skin and his dreads cover the top half of his face, but I still spot his face long scar: three precise lines running down the length of his face, passing over his right eye. 

He’s undeniably handsome - well, more like alluring - and he knows it. He’s a -

“Pretty Boy,” I smirk.

His mouth twists and his head cocks to the left. He must be right-handed then. He motions for the two people to release me, and they do. Pretty Boy just stands there, I can only assume, analyzing me. 

“Take a picture.” I sigh, rubbing my jaw. “It’ll last longer.”

His jaw sets and he pushes back his dreads. I raise a brow and I look directly into his inky black eyes. 

“Do you have any weapons on you?” he finally asks me.

“Maybe.”

He sighs. “Did you take PiL?”

“Maybe.”

His eye twitches, “So how did you scar one of my people?”

“I dunno. It’s hard to explain, “ I smirk. “You and I can spar if it's a pressing matter for you to know. But then you might not be able to complete this little interview. Or be able to rule Narlo.”

“What makes you think I rule Narlo?” Pretty Boy scoffs.

My face falls and I shake my head. “It’s pretty obvious. I mean, you carry yourself like you’re high and mighty like no one can ever beat you in a battle.”

He opens his mouth to retort but I add, “And you’re wearing the king’s ring. So you must be X.”

“High and mighty?”

“Yes. That is what I said. Would you like a cookie? My mom has the best sugar-cinnamon recipe.”

Pretty Boy steps up to me, “I’m acting high and mighty? You are one of the most arrogant people I’ve ever met. You haven’t even taken PiL, and even then you couldn’t beat me. Let alone graze me. And yes, I am the ruler. I’m a ruler for a reason. Now I don’t know how you beat them, but I’m certain you didn’t do it by yourself. And look at you right now…” he scoffs, “I’m not recruiting you. But you will stay with the other civilians.” He starts to walk away, his dreads falling back on his face.

“Oh? But you want me on the team right?” I ask. “I’m willing to bet that no one was able to do what I just did. Or maybe that’s why you don’t want me on the team…because you know I can beat you. And the infamous X has to keep his number one spot.” Pretty Boy turns around to face me.

“What is wrong with you, Raven?” Misty hisses in my ear, “Do you have a death wish?!”

Pretty Boy laughs, “See this is what I mean by your arrogance.” He stands there in silence, “Fine, I’ll fight you. If you can stand your ground for…five minutes, you’ll be in the Elite group. If not, have a nice stay in the hospital.”

I nod and he motions for me to come at him. I stand there. ‘What’s his game?’ 

“If you want me to make the first move then you’re sorely mistaken.” I say to him, “I don’t start fights.”

Pretty Boy smirks and says, “I’m giving you this opportunity. You might want to take it. It’s easier.”

“Maybe…but I’m a difficult person,” I shrug. I punch him square in his jaw. “As you know.” He smirks again, “Nice.”

“Eh…Not my best. You saw through it,” my eye twitches but I smile, “You let me hit you.”

He says nothing. I step back, “No more friendly talk, huh?”

“You’re learning. Time… starts…” He appears behind me and says in my ear, “Now.”

I hesitate.

A blow lands on my back.

‘I shouldn’t have done that.’

I flip back up just in time to see his fist come at my face. I catch it and deliver a blow on the left side of his face. This time his head actually turns from the force. I immediately step back to give myself some space. 

I internally curse.

That was a mistake.

‘Yeah, I know. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.’

Pretty Boy chuckles and spits out blood, “That was good. But not good enough.” He smiles and brushes the locs away from his face. The look in his eyes tells me I’m in big trouble.

I should’ve kept my big mouth shut. I dodge as he lunges at me.

“Tsk.” I hear him say and I feel myself being launched into the wall. “Oomph,” I let out a groan. He appears in front of me, “Giving up already?”

I chuckle, “When we were just starting to have fun? Never.” He sighs and holds his hand out, “You’re off your game. Come on.”

I just stare at it, “Four minutes, fifteen.”

“What?”

I look up at him, “Four minutes, ten.”

A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth and he nods. I stand and he gets ready to throw me to the other side of the room. This time I’m ready and I flip up and use my legs as a chokehold around his neck then slam myself down, letting go at the last second so I can land on my feet. 

Trust… if you saw you would be amazed.

He stands back up swaying. No, not him, the whole room is swaying. The lights in the room start to dim and my hands throb.

“Nonononono,” I breathe. “Not now.”

He pauses and looks at me, “Hey—-you——ay? Ra—”

“Three minutes, twenty.”

I squeeze my eyes shut. ‘Please. Just a little bit longer. Please.’

I dodge just as Pretty Boy’s fist appears. I spot another fist moving up and I dodge that one too. No good. It changes direction and connects with my stomach. I curse. 

Just a little longer.