Punishment And Love Don't Mix

Gang Issues

I awake in the early morning again, Jake's arms wrapped around my waist. He must've come home late. I reluctantly untangle myself from him and dress myself in a dark leather jacket over a white t shirt and a denim pair of jeans. As I walk past the mirror in the hall, I stop. I stare at myself, this short brunette with a deep scar in her eye. My hair is tied back in a ponytail, but I don't like the way it looks. I untie the ponytail and let my hair fall over my shoulders. To myself I look...stunning. I look strong. I look fierce. Jake appears in the mirror, his tall body towering over mine. He wraps his hands across my stomach and I place my hands carefully over his.
"If you're going out," he whispers in my ear, "Try not to track any blood inside." I smile and turn and kiss him softly.
"I'll be sure not to," I say before grabbing my backpack and heading out the door. I walk steadily down the lightening street, my arms swinging at my side. That's when I see them, a big group of men dressed in red hoodies grab a small woman from the crowd and drag her into an ally. I push my way to the ally and find them pushing her in a circle. Toying with her. Before they can notice me, I take out a kitchen knife and stab the closest guy in the back of the neck. His blood matches his hoodie. The others turn and the girl sprints away. There are four of them and one of me.

P a L D M

The first two are easy. They step out and I slash with my knife. The knife passes straight through their necks like warm butter. Blood coats the asphalt. They fall on top of each other. The third rushes me and slams his fist into my jaw. I clench my teeth and stab him three times quickly in the stomach. He groans and I throw him off me. The fourth does the one thing I didn't account for. He pulls out a small revolver and fires a single shot. The bullet slams into my side and I scream.I rush forward, pushing his gun hand to the side and slamming the knife into his neck. I take it out and the smash it back into his face. I stumble back and stare for a second at the scene. Four dead men, one gun.

And me. Standing there with a bullet hole in my stomach.