SHADOWS [ON HOLD]

CHAPTER 1

He went straight for the blow, his opponent moved away in a nick of time. Xavier was slacking, he kept his breath in check and stood still searching for another way to win the fight. His opponent took this as his chance and run towards him, a knife in his hand and aimed at Xavier's limping leg. A coward's way out. Xavier smirked: he had found a way to win and just as he caught hold of the knife. His opponent gave a look of panic, he suddenly knew he had lost the match, as he was unable to make contact and time was out.

Xavier spat out blood and gave a bitter chuckle as he twisted his opponent hand to his back, jammed the knife into his back, through his spine, a satisfying crack heard. His opponent gasped, Xavier used his strength and place the dying body in a headlock and with a final twist of his head and the sound of the lifeless body hitting the ground, Xavier became the last man standing.  The clattering of rain and his heavy breathing applauded him. "Cowards never win" his husky, drained voice spoke to the dead body.

The now heavy rain washed away the remainder of the dead body and the other fifteen men. Xavier's bruises and injuries however remained, a black eye and a fractured bone in his right leg.

His disposable phone rang. "It's done, is it not?" The voice demanded.

"It is..." Xavier replied curtly "Where's the money?"

"Relax, I've got it." The voice spoke again slightly agitated. 

"No games." and with that Xavier ended the call and crushed the phone. He looked round the forest one more time and entered his SUV, his clothes now drenched in rain. His next location... Headquarters.

***

"Thanks leave it on my bed" Danielle Johnson daughter of the rich and respected politician; J Johnson, replied half asleep. The maid was suddenly full off sunshine thinking she had done something at last not to agitate her mistress. She did as told by her mistress and noticing the bed crumpled decided to lay the lilac and gold bed her mistress had just gotten off from.

A month had passed and her dreams still occupied her, becoming more absurd and unrealistic as each day passed. She'd continuously argue over her dreams, wondering why she would have a dream of her being horribly abused, why anyone would treat her like an animal.

"Foolish cow!" Danielle shouted taking her anger and frustration onto the maid and threw her new denim jeans at her. She couldn't help the words coming out of her mouth, ever since the dreams started she always felt like shouting, punching the wall and even the idea of punching someone seemed ideal. It was a deep and hidden anger wanting to burst out alive.

"But Madame..." The maid tried to explain with a sincere heart.

"Don't Madame me," she interrupted, "I said leave it on my bed, not lay my bed." her palm flew across the maid's cheek. The maid shrieked with tears but Danielle didn't care, wouldn't care. Why should she? After all the maid was here to do as she was told, she thought, "life isn't fair." She quietly pushed the maid out of the room, leaving her to cry.

Facing away from the door and towards the bed, she looked at the parcel, and wondered who it was from. She opened it carefully. Lately she didn't feel safe about anything.

What was in her hand was now a small box, her curiosity taking over she opened it. It was a key similar to that of a car key. Sighing, she left the keys on her bed and put on white shorts and a black top which exposed her invisible belly button and also had a Nike logo in bright pink. She put on her white Jordan's that also had her name printed. She took a brush through her sunny red locks of hair, got on her Gucci necklace and with her morning routine down pat, she went downstairs to the kitchen.