Sweat is running down my forehead and I wipe it away with the back of my hand that comes back red. Shit I may have taken a hit to the head, I think dumbly. The man in front of me is breathing heavily while clenching the briefcase in his left hand. The right has he used to defend himself and I curse myself for not taking it into consideration that he could fight. In my defense he looks like a stereotypical middle aged man that was on his way home from work. But no of course he had to be a fucking gangmember in disguise.
"Just give up, you are nothing but a little girl," he taunts while spitting blood on the ground. I keep my back straight and look him up and down. His one leg is busted and he is grinning his teeth every time he leans too much on it.
"Or you could just give me the briefcase and you can walk away with at least one working leg," I muse and step closer. His brows rise as he sees my smile and one slowly crawls up his lips too.
"Potentia set you up for this didn't they. I had a feeling that you were that girl that everyone was talking about." My eyes narrow and I sigh. It was bound to happen. I haven't really been discret the last couple of months in my work but I have been desperate.
I look around and take the alley in. Shadows creep from the dark and there is not an eye in sight. My eyes turn back to the man in front of me and I see uncertainty in them. Smiling, I crackle my knuckles and a small chuckle leaves my lips. I definitely enjoy violence more than I should. Brother would be proud. My smile fades at the thought and I shake my head a little. Let's just get this over with.
"Hey, why are you-" He doesn't get to say more before I lunge at him making it look like a hit when I'm in reality going for his leg. At the last minute I draw my arm in and kick out. I hear the splinter of his bone that was already broken before I hear his scream. Within a second does he fall to the ground screaming as he cradles his broken leg.
I quickly walk over and grab the briefcase that he dropped and take it under my arm. It's heavy for its size but I don't take the time to look at its content. I'm on a time schedule that I'm also about to miss.
"I did ask you nicely," I say before walking out of the alley and leaving the now crying man behind me. I don't even get to take two steps away before having to lean up against the wall whimpering. The headache is getting to a point where it is unbearable but I can't just stop. Blood is still running down my forehead and I blink some drops away from my eyelashes. And I definitely have not slept enough to do this. I breath in and out a couple of times before pushing myself away from the wall. I have somewhere to be and if I'm not there within the hour then I'm gonna end up looking worse than the man left in the dark.
Potentia is a well known gang at this point. Koike Takeo built it from the bottom and now rules the area in steel. So it helps to be in their good grace as I am. As long as I do the task they tell me to do I get paid and a good amount even. Fighting is easy for me and this is the only job I can get. Being on the run from the legal system isn't really easy when it comes to getting money. Therefore I have to get them through criminal actions.
I sigh and shift the briefcase over in my other hand. I didn't want the life on the run but my brother didn't really give me a chioche. The scar across my neck and chest proves it.
I should have died that day two years ago but miraculously I didn't. It made me believe that there was something good coming for me. That maybe destiny had special plans for me. Over the years I have realized that it wasn't anything else than pure luck. And that is why I intend to take my life back again. It proves that I am strong. I can get through this atleast long enough till I have enough money.
I stop in front of the door to their headquarters. I knock once then twice before a big man opens the door. I recognized him as Hase, one of the guards. I smile at him and show him the briefcase. He snorts and leads me in.
"Right on time," he murmurs and shows me the way that I know by heart now.
"Aren't I always," I answer and follow him. He doesn't even smile as he opens the door in front of us. I step in quickly and lock eyes with Koike Takeo. His gaze is relaxed and a smile is draped over his face.
"Tanjiii." The way he drags my name when he says it has always sent shivers down my spine. But other than that he is a nice guy. Never has he tried to cheat me out of my money or take advantage of me being alone.
"Got the goods," I say while throwing the briefcase over to him. I make sure to still have a few meters between us by doing that. If it ever comes to a fight between me and him would I lose before I get a punch in.
"Good thing it isn't breakable," Koike mumbles and make one of his guards hand it over to him. I see as he opens it and his eyes almost breathe the money and drugs in. I snicker and turn my gaze to the ground again when he hears it.
Some would probably say that I am dumb for not just taking off the money I steal but they don't think about the consequences. If I did that then I would have Potentia after me and would be dead within a few days. This way I both get money and protection from the members.
"Arh mmmh." I let a small sound escape me so Kokie again turns his attention to me.
"Oh don't worry I haven't forgotten about your payment." From behind him he pulls a small bag that he throws to me. I catch it without trouble and take a quick look inside. After being sure there is the right amount, do I close it with a firm nod.
"Until next time," I say and turn around about to walk out when his words stop me.
"Unless you just become a member of Potentia." I know Kokie is smiling so I don't even turn around before answering him.
"It's the same answer as always. Not in this lifetime." I wave to him and walk out the door with my reward. I smile for myself as I find my way out in the dark again. No one stops me on the street but that may be because of the blood still running down my forehead. I scoff and use the back of my hand to wipe most of it away. When I get home, I can take care of it.
As always, I take the long way. I make sure that there aren't anyone following me before walking the rest of the way to the abandoned building. The window is as broken as it has always been so I can easily jump in. It doesn't take me long to get to where I have put my things. The room is big but I'm only using a small corner.
The broken madras is up against the wall and I throw the money on top of it. I kick some of the trash away and reach for the small bag standing up against a chair. Out do I pull my small first Aid kid.
I have to use the dirty cloth to wipe the rest of the blood away and winch when I pull too much on the ruined skin. My head is throbbing but not enough to use one of my painkillers. With a pit of water and hydrogen peroxide do I clean my wounds and bandage the worst. I take one big patch and put it on my head where it is bleeding and sigh deeply when I'm done.
Exhaustion runs through me as I lay down on the bed beside the money. I have to go out to buy stuff tomorrow. I'm low on most of the things like patches and painkillers. But food is also something I need. As one cue does my stomach growl and I roll over. All I have is a bite of my sandwich from lunch and I decided to eat it slowly.
There is quiet around me and I can finally relax. Despite being beaten up, I have accomplished what I set out to do today. I have money for the next couple of weeks which is enough time to get another job.
My eyes close but I'm not even close to falling asleep. Lately it has been worse than before. I'm lacking concentration and have headaches more often. It has affected my fighting and I'm closer to losing every time.
I curse myself and my lack of a proper sleep schedule. At least it has not gotten to my anxiety yet. If it does that then I'm as good as dead.
I curl up on my side and sigh once more. My eyes stay closed but it is only hours later that I fall asleep in a restless night.
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So this is my first fanfiction and I hope you guys like it :)))
PS. English is not my first language so the might be some misspellings.
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Fight or flight
Fanfiction"I have been alone for a long time and I was fine with it. I learned how to survive in the world I was placed in. But then he came into my life and flipped it upside down." Tanji was casted out from society a long time ago. Her life now depends on...
