How Things Are

Nine

It takes Winwrey two weeks to get the weight she needs to start exercising properly. Simple things such as yoga were the only things she could do. As the weeks passed she practiced with her knives as I swung my sword and worked on my speed. I patrolled the streets at night and entered fight clubs. Mostly to gather information however I always observed. With I stopped worrying about Winreys health I started to realize I'm not the only one searching for something. There seem to be others out there lurking. I tried to see their symbols or tattoos however they had them covered.
Winwrey was never reckless. She knew what was at risk if she left the room. Neither was I. The nights I left were random at different times. Sometimes I'd talk to people, sometimes I wouldn't. As far as The Neutral Zone and the Innkeeper figured I was here on a three-month vacation.
I never saw the guys on motorcycles. I did encounter the guy who was in the first group I lost on day one on the death road but he just nodded at me. Not saying high, more like 'Hmm so you didn't die' but I'll take it over a battle. I saw him fight in The Pit. A good place to go to double or lose your money. I haven't mastered my fighting style. I can't trigger it. Only when real danger is there, not some planned fight.
Long ago there was a myth about a boy who got bit by a spider and could do anything. His sword skills were probably the most impressive! I don't know. My brother told me all kinds of stories growing up.
Anyway, that's why Win and I are training. Our bodies and minds. We've hurt each other pretty badly. The guests probably assume I'm beating my slave. However, if we plan on leaving this place free then we have to be strong.
The countdown is three weeks. I've learned quite a bit. Some I've held back from Win.
Apparently, baby brother Carmen sent men out to find her. So did his father though so whoever gets her first chooses whether she lives or dies. When we leave she'll dress like me so they won't stop to check slaves at the border. They'll most likely do it in every city.
I think this is the only card Don has against his first son Lucas.
I saw his face once. Well, I was near him. He was speaking to my father and I was locked in the basement. It was the day I escaped. Boss Lucas was in my father's office I was sneaking out of the basement and searching for my katana. He glanced at me and I felt like an ant. At that moment, I knew there was no one stronger than the mafia.
It was odd. He just let me take the katana and leave. I was bloody but my adrenaline helped me.
The reason he did nothing was because I was nothing to him. My father was probably even nothing. He was probably there out of some inconvenience. Maybe he thought my father's house was a gas station. Boss Lucas wouldn't even remember my face. Even though I'm wanted and Derek's high-level gang, it's not to him. Usually, when his people come there it's to hide. Then the assassins come to take care of it. They're found easily.
If I was wanted by any mafia they'd find me. Their resources are unlimited. They could find me, release me, then hunt me down for fun. Winwreys is wanted by two men in the same Mafia. Unlimited resources. It's been two and a half months. They might just let us waults up to their doorstep. Probably even know I'm a woman. I'm freaking out. My history with her is thick. Everyone has a record and they have everything down. Who knows what Win told Boss Carmen about me? Hopefully, he's too lovesick to remember.

I give Win all the information as she eats dinner. This isn't gonna be one of those moments where I'll regret my future because I lied to her this whole time. She's lived outside long enough to know what happens if you stop using your head. She was mad at first. I got some knives thrown at me but in the end, she got over it.
The days have been numbering down. Two days left. I collected everything we needed. With the fit she pulled I could tell she would've gone to the first Dragon member and said something corny like 'Take me to my prince.' The trust she has in everyone isn't healthy. I should give her a letter when I drop her off telling her to hand it to her new master. It'll list all my worries he needs to watch out for.

I'm sitting here sharpening my blade. We both memorized all the maps of the citys we could find. We didn't want extra luggage so I removed a great deal of old things. Memories are being left behind. I was right to think we'd get new clothes. Mine were so grimmy I could barely peal them off. We test each other.

When the sun rises tomorrow we leave to Mafia City.