The White Raven

Chapter 1 - Have you ever killed someone, Bada?

You were tired. It was three in the morning and it was your fourth night shift this week. You worked three jobs. During the day you tutored kids in English, in the evening you worked for a food delivery service and in the night, you worked in a 24/7 convenience store, so you only ever slept from seven to noon, each day. And you were happy if you had one day off in a month. You worked so much because your little brother needed the money for the private school he was going to, which your mom could barely afford. Your brother had all the potential to get your family out of poverty, so you supported him where you could so he could focus on his school.

You were texting with him when a few girls your age came into the store. You knew them, they were rowdies from around here. They came in laughing and talking loudly. You heard the first glass bottle smash onto the ground followed by more laughter. They came after a while to pay for the beer they wanted.

Sorry, darling, one of the bottles fell to the ground back there., the tall girl said and smirked at you. It wasnt an apologetic smile; it wasnt even remotely friendly. It was more of a smile like a tigress who was about to eat you alive if you dared to move. Your heart was beating so fast, you didnt want any trouble.

Its okay, its okay. Dont worry. I will clean that up., you said timidly as she was towering over you.

She just nodded and she and her group left. The last time they have also broken some things and you were sure that they even stole some stuff.

You quickly got a mop and a trashcan to clean the floor in the beer aisle. That aisle was directly in front of the entrance so you could see outside. The group was laughing and drinking outside when another group of older men approached them, they seemed to be angry and the group dropped their beers and started to run. But the tall girl from earlier didnt react fast enough, the men caught her by her jacket and pushed her to the ground, they started to kick and beat her. One even had a baseball bat.

You dont know what came over you but as if she were in a fury trance, you stepped outside. Mid-air you grabbed the other end of the baseball bat and pulled strongly once, so it slipped out of the hands of the man, who turned around confused. He wasnt even fully facing you when the baseball bat hit his jaw and he fell back.

Homerun., you said and stared at the other guys. I will kill you if you touch him again. They saw the creepy look in your eyes and grabbed their friend to run off.

You let the baseball bat fall and knelt to the girl who was whining in pain.

Are you okay? Can you talk? Wait I will call an ambulance., you said and wanted to stand up to go inside to your phone, but she grabbed your wrist.

Dont. No ambulance. No police., she winced.

You need medical treatment!, You said shocked.

You treat me then., she whispered sternly, holding her ribs.

Somehow you brought her inside and sat her down on the couch in the break room. You brought multiple ice packs and gave them to her to hold them to her ribs. She winced again when you cleaned a wound on her lip with a disinfectant. She stared at you as she worked on her wounds. After a moment you met her eyes and blushed at her intense stare.

You were badass, out there., she whispered. Whats your name?

Y/N., You answered simply.

Im Bada., she said smiling. You were like an action movie hero. What did you say to him? Homerun.?

You chuckled flustered. I dont know what came over me

You saved me., Bada stated matter-of-factly.

What did I save you from, Bada?, You asked.

A rivaling gang. They think this is their territory, but they lost this area quite a while ago to us., she shrugged.

You are a gang? I thought you were just rowdies!, You were shocked.

Rowdies? No. We are not just rowdies. But I wont bore you with details., Bada said suddenly, she must have realized that she had said too much already. She stood up, still wincing and hissing in pain, but she was determined that she didnt need her care anymore.

She went to the little desk, grabbed a piece of paper, and wrote something down. Then she turned and gave You the paper. If there is something I can do to express my gratitude, dont hesitate to call me., she said.

Actually, there is something you can do. My life is stressful enough, so if you couldnt come here again with your friends, it would be much appreciated., you said sternly.

She looked at You for a moment then she turned around and walked out, yet you could hear Bada's chuckle linger in the room longer than you expected.

For a few weeks, you didnt see her again. You had almost forgotten about her when suddenly someone leaned on your head with her elbow, as you were mopping the floor one evening.

Hey!

Bada just laughed at you and you rolled your eyes. I thought I said that I dont want you to come here again., You huffed as you walked away.

She followed you, grinning. I know, I really tried to stay away. Then I remembered that technically you only said that I shouldnt come here with my friends anymore. And look, its just me.

Wonderful. Grab a beer, pay for it, and then go on with your night, okay?, You said. Your eyes shot to the entrance; you almost expected those men from last time to enter seeking for revenge.

Bada followed your gaze and realized something. Youre safe. They wont come. I made sure of that.

A shiver ran down your spine when she said the last sentence. But you decided to be cocky, something about Bada emboldened you. What do you mean, you made sure of that? I made sure of that. I broke that one guy's jaw.

Bada laughed at that when she grabbed a beer. Then she threw money on the counter before opening the can.

That much is true. I must admit, I was very impressed., she said. Did you once play baseball?

You briefly thought of the real reason, but quickly shook her head, blinked away tears, and put on a smile. Yes. Yes, I played baseball in high school.

Bada tilted her head like a curious puppy, certainly not buying that. Ah. What position did you play?

You knew nothing about baseball. Pitcher.

Bada frowned. Shit, wrong answer, you thought. I dont believe you., she concluded.

Youd be scared of me if you knew., You said.

Im scared of nothing., Bada said and sat on the counter with her beer, when You put Badas money into the cash register.

Then it was Bada's turn to have a shiver go down her spine when she saw your eyes next. They were suddenly very empty and almost pitch black. Have you ever killed someone, Bada?