Ghost from the present (18+)

#Ten: In which her will gets bent.

*Thud, thud thud!* It's been a week since my fall out with Luca. I haven't spoken to him once, or maybe it's better to say I made sure we didn't run into each other. *Thud-thud, pow!* Since that day I've cut down my training hours at Sean's bar immensely, hardly showing up there at all. Instead, I started training more back here in the old barn. I try focusing on my punches, but ever since then, I'm a complete mess. *Pow, p-pow~*

The straw in the barn crackles underneath my feet as I balance from one foot to the other, lacking a steady rhythm as I slam my fists mercilessly into the rattling punching bag like I've been doing for over an hour now. *Thud-thud, pow!* Why did you come in right then?! *Pow-pow, slam!* My mind flashes back to the way he spat at me they were just his "orders". *P-Pow, slam!* My brain is telling me I should be glad I'm only considered "work" to him. Then why does it hurt this much?! *Slam-slam! thud...* I fall against the punching bag grabbing it for support breathing heavily, my body a trembling mess and coated in sweat.

Why?! Why did you do that in the alley? I squeeze my eyes shut to prevent tears from spilling. Just what are you trying to pull, Luca? My eyelids start to quiver from the pained feeling that continues to stab deep inside of me. My fingers clam around the leather of the bag with all their might. What am I doing? Furious at my own behavior I push myself back on my feet and spin around, landing a massive last kick with my left leg as I feel a tear trickle down my cheek. *SLAM!* I haven't cried since I was a little girl... Why is it that a single word or a mere touch from you can make a complete total mess of me?

'Goddammit!'

I swear from the top of my lungs and kick the dirt underneath my feet. The horses that are in the stables stamp their feet and walk around restlessly, shaken up by the sound of my voice. I stroll to the side, ignoring them as I grab a bottle of water and lean my back against the wall sliding down onto the ground. With my arms on my knees, I rest my head on them trying to calm my rapid heartbeat. Fuck. I lament until a shadow falls over me, making me sigh softly as I lift my head a little.

'I'm really out of shape if I don't even notice you coming...'

Kizzy stands in front of me with a worried expression on her face. I'm fucked. She sits down beside me and hands me a mug filled with coffee as she murmurs.

'Even a deaf man could've heard that scream just now.'

'But you were already here then, weren't you?'

It isn't really a question, I know she was. You always bring me a mug of freshly ground coffee whenever you're worried about me. Just when I take a sip she asks.

'Are you gonna tell me about it?'

I put my mug down a little and look outside while I mutter.

'Sorry Kizzy, I can't.'

She lets out a breath of defeat as I get back on my feet. I empty my drink and put the mug on a table nearby while she gets up as well and tries to stop me, but I don't give her the time as I tell her with a cold tone.

'I'm going out for a bit.'

I turn around and stalk away leaving Kizzy at the barn. From the back of the house, I go to the entrance and grab my bag before departing the ranch. As soon as I'm around the corner I break into a sprint, headed for the Bayou. I need to be alone for a bit. I urge my legs to go faster, even though my muscles twitch from exhaustion after my brutal workout on the punching bag.