Reckless & Relentless | Multiship

Chapter Two

Low lights lit up the spacious room. Filling it up was gym equipment. Punching bags were in one section, weights and treadmills in another, and in the centre was a large, square mat.

Jimin stepped towards the closest punching bag as he covered his hand in the dirty, torn wrap. He raised his arm and brought it back, then buried his fist as deep into the punching bag as he could.

Reach back, punch, repeat. Reach back, punch, repeat.

Beads of sweat rolled down his tan skin, and his black hair clung to his forehead. His chest rose and fell with every deep breath he took, and his hands fell limp at his sides. With burning biceps and a splitting headache, Jimin turned away from the punching bag and reached into his pocket to pull out his dingy, cheap flip phone.

"Fight in 20. U in?"

Jimin checked when the message was sent. Seven minutes ago. He quickly typed his reply, then ran a hand through his hair. The back door was still stuck open with a brick (which was how Jimin always entered, because one of the workers pitied his lifestyle) so he strolled towards that, all the while switching the lights off.

The cold night air struck his bare arms and he didn't have enough time to fight back a shiver. Empty streets and closed shops surrounded him, but Jimin paid no attention as he continued his journey to the abandoned warehouse he found himself most nights.

Inside was loud. A large crowd of people circled a small section dedicated to the fighters. Each of them cheered when their favourite was in the lead and swore whenever they weren't. Splotches of beer mixed with the occasional specks of blood stained the cement surface of the warehouse.

"Jiminie!"

A hand was gripping his wrist before he could object, and the female lead him away from the pit.

"Jennie, I told you to stop coming here."

"I know, but Lisa is fighting later tonight and I had nothing better to do."

Jimin rolled his eyes, a small smile sitting on his lips. "I'm sure that's why."

He didn't miss how Jennie's cheeks turned pink, nor how the grip she had on his wrist tightened. Fighting back a small 'ow', Jimin decided to yell for Lisa.

Jennie quickly let go, her eyes widening as she looked from Lisa to Jimin. "Why did you do that? What am I-" She silenced herself when Lisa was within earshot and smiled.

Lisa returned the smile. "Hey, Jennie. And Jimin."

Jimin offered one of his signature smiles, whilst Jennie's lips quirked into a small, shy one.

Lisa was an attractive young woman. She had long red hair and a box fringe covering her forehead, which was sometimes pushed backed whenever she fought. Her skin was in good condition considering what she did. Sometimes people were surprised when they found out her hidden talent. Lisa had the smile of an Angel but the punch of a Demon.

"I didn't think you'd be coming tonight," Lisa said, frowning at Jimin.

"I wasn't planning on, but Young-bae texted. I thought tonight was your night off, too."

Lisa simply shrugged. "I was bored."

Jimin was about to reply, but a new presence stole the conversation.

"Jimin, you ready?"

Jimin nodded at Young-bae, then exhaled a long breath. "How much is on tonight?"

The older smirked. "That depends on whether you win or not."

The hollers that erupted when Jimin advanced to the makeshift ring brought a smile to his face. People slapped his back in encouragement, whilst others simply yelled compliments. They were all very familiar with Jimin's fighting, considering he was no newbie to it.

Once he was standing in the centre of the circle, Jimin's smile widened as he locked eyes with his opponent.

"Good luck," He said, to which Jimin nodded and moved forward to shake his hand.

They were back at their respected corners when Young-bae stood between them. He looked from Jimin, to his opponent, then said the very words that made Jimin adrenalised.

"Fight!"