When I was all done getting freshened up, I threw my things onto my unkempt corner. I noted how messy it was and promised myself to arrange all of my things later. All the guys were still hanging around in the living room and I joined them. Walking by, I heard Mr. Huang’s faint humming of what could only be a Chinese song coming from the kitchen. The guys all nodded at me, giving me smiles and small waves. I smiled back at them, not knowing what to say since I didn’t even know their names. So trying to break the awkward silence, I tried to gauge an introduction out of each of them. “So since we’re not trying to beat each other up anymore, care to share some names?” I rocked back and forth on the balls of my feet, trying to not show how tense I was feeling. The Asian dude spoke up first, introducing himself and the others. “My name’s Milo, that’s Braxton, Lohan and Kraüchniegens.” I

“Bye Nan, love you!” I hugged her tightly, I rarely get to see her so saying goodbye has always been painful. She patted my back and called George to help drive me off to the nearest train station. Mom and Dad should be home by now. Tomorrow, my university life strikes a beginning. New friends, new environment and new experiences to go through. Normal people would be nervous for that beginning but I have other matters to worry about than things like making friends and getting judged. Jumping into the pickup truck, George started the engine and pulled out of the driveway. I stuck my hand out the window and waved, watching Nana wave back from the side-view mirror. I made a quick list of the things I need to prepare for tomorrow in my phone. A bag, files, notebooks; basic stationaries. After typing down the list, I locked my phone and put it away. “So, starting university life soon?” George asked me, both eyes still on th

The place was empty since it was still mid-day. It was a great contrast to the sight you see during sundown. People would be coming from every side of the area, surrounding the place and making it hell for claustrophobic people. Everything was pretty much on lock down except for the back door. I had to do a single round of the area to check every single entrance before I found one unchained. I knocked on it, before someone slid open the small rectangular space on the door. I slipped my ID inside. After a few seconds, it was slipped back to me and the door opened. A bald and buff guard was standing there, holding the door for me. I walked in without looking back. During normal circumstances, that’d be considered rude but this was the illegal world. Scrutinizing or staring at people is rude. They might take it as you trying to memorize how they look to pass it on to the police, which wouldn't end well for you. Oh wait, I just realized staring

When I reached the house, it was already beginning to get dark outside since I had stopped to shop for some groceries. I’ve been eating takeout lately and I knew it was because Mom didn’t have anything to cook. So I decided to be a good daughter and get same things for the woman to humor herself with. Or you just want to consume something other than takeout. My conscience corrected me. I amused myself with the thought of me being that good of a daughter to my mom. I didn’t bother shout out that I’m home, they wouldn’t have heard me anyways. Their rooms were further back in the house while mine was closer to the door. I dropped the grocery bags in the kitchen, sorting them out into the cabinets before going up to my room and changing into more comfortable clothes. I put on a worn out shirt and a pair of shorts that stopped at my mid-thigh. I went to my parents’ room and there they were, laying on their bed,

“You’re losing your edge, Case.” Dom sneered at me. I turned on my heel, feeling my blood boil at the sound of the despicable man’s voice. Glaring daggers at the mocking smirk he had on, I felt the strong urge to slap it off his face. Dom straightened himself from previously leaning on a tree in a shadowed spot. My body screamed in objection when my muscles tensed up at the sight of trouble. I’ve used almost all of my energy on the fight I just got out of no longer than a few minutes ago. Nonetheless, when Dom had walked close enough for me to reach him, I made an attempt to land a hit on him and successfully landed one on his ribs after faking a straight punch to his face. He staggered backwards to put space between us before hunching over and groaning. This time, there was no guilt that followed. There wasn’t any bitter bile rising at the back of my throat, unlike when I kept on trying to land deathly blo