3.Training
802 Words
The silence in the room was deafening after his words. Sarah stood frozen, her back still pressed against the door. The atmosphere shifted around her—heavy, unrelenting.
She blinked slowly, trying to steady her breath. "Train me? Gunshot? What are you even talking about?"
Ray leaned against the table with effortless grace, his dark eyes scanning her like he could read every single thought in her head. “You heard me. You’ll learn how to survive, how to defend, how to obey.”
“I’m not staying here,” she snapped, shaking her head. “I don’t care who you are. This is kidnapping.”
He chuckled lowly. “You say that like it bothers me.”
Sarah felt her chest tighten. She turned back toward the door, jiggling the knob one more time in vain. Her hands trembled slightly as the reality of the situation sank deeper into her skin. This wasn’t a nightmare. This was real.
Behind her, Ray whistled sharply.
Within seconds, a man stepped inside the room—broad shoulders, gun at his side, a coldness in his gaze that made Sarah’s knees wobble.
“This is Luca,” Ray said. “He’ll be your trainer.”
“Trainer?” she repeated, stunned.
Ray stood again, closing the space between them with slow, confident steps. “Every debt must be paid, sweetheart. You almost got Rufus killed. And in my world… that kind of mistake has consequences. But I’m generous. I’m giving you a chance to survive.”
“I didn’t ask to adopt your dog!” she fired back. “I didn’t know who he was! I didn’t even know people like you existed in real life.”
Ray’s expression didn’t change. “Well, now you do.”
He turned to leave, but paused. “You start tomorrow morning. Five a.m. sharp. Don’t be late.”
Sarah stared as he walked away, Rufus silently following at his side like the loyal shadow he was. Once the door closed, she sank to the floor, hugging her knees tightly to her chest.
She didn’t cry.
She wouldn’t cry.
But her heart pounded like it might explode. She was in a house full of dangerous men, somewhere unknown, and apparently enlisted in some twisted mafia bootcamp.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
—
The next morning came too fast.
A knock on the door jolted Sarah awake before the sun had even risen. She opened it to find Luca standing outside, dressed in black. No smile. No kindness. Just an order.
“Get dressed. Now.”
Sarah quickly changed into the plain black clothes laid out for her—black cargo pants, combat boots, and a dark hoodie. She barely had time to run her fingers through her hair before Luca led her out.
The hallway was dim and eerily quiet. The walls were lined with weapons, masks, and pictures she didn’t dare stare at too long.
They stepped into a courtyard. It was massive—designed like a training ground. Obstacle courses. Firing ranges. Even combat dummies with bullet holes.
“Let’s begin,” Luca said. “Show me how you throw a punch.”
Sarah blinked. “I’ve never fought anyone in my life.”
He didn’t respond. Just stepped forward and shoved her.
She stumbled back, hitting the ground hard. “What the hell?!”
“No one cares if you’ve fought before. You’re in this world now.”
She glared at him, fire surging in her chest. She got up slowly, brushing herself off. “Fine.”
She swung a punch—it was weak.
He caught her wrist mid-air, unimpressed. “Try again.”
An hour passed.
Then another.
By the time the sun fully rose, Sarah’s knuckles were red, her arms ached, and her lungs burned.
Still, she didn’t quit.
Ray watched from the shadows upstairs, hidden behind the balcony. His jaw clenched at the sight of her stumbling, her body swaying with exhaustion… but getting back up.
“She’s going to break,” Luca said.
Ray’s gaze narrowed. “No. She’s not.”
Something about her... he couldn’t quite explain it. The fire in her eyes. The way she didn’t back down, even when scared. She reminded him of someone from a long time ago. Someone he had lost a long time ago his mom she reminded him of his mom that dark ebony hair
Ray turned and walked away, ignoring the tightness in his chest.
He didn’t bring her here because of what she did to his dog he brought her here because of what his dad had done to her.
He just wasn’t ready to admit that to her.... He knew he was only making her stronger by training her buh he had to keep her busy
---
- Writer
