the death of a bachelor

six | choices

With a blindfold on her eyes and handcuffs on her hands, Lorenzo guided Reiju to where her initiation would take place. She had steeled herself for what would happen though she was unsure about one thing.

If she survived this, she would choose which faction to get into. It didn't feel right.

The air was cold which meant they were still outside. Reiju decided to prod Enzo for more. "So, are you expecting me to join your group, Lorenzo Vasquez?"

He let out a chuckle. "Sí. You're hot."

"Then, will you be disappointed if I choose... let's say... the Triads?" Reiju gasped when Lorenzo gripped her arm and slammed her back against metal. His other hand grasped her neck.

"Such an obsolete group, cariño." His warm breath fanned the skin on her neck before shifting to her ear, smelling like grass and smoke. "Don't insult me like that."

"I'm not sure..." she muttered, resisting the urge to laugh at his fragile ego. "Why should I choose you? I heard Dion Di Lauro ranked higher than you."

A growl emanated from his throat. "What do you want?"

"Where are we going?" Reiju asked. From that alone, she could have an idea of what they had planned for her.

Lorenzo yanked her away as the clang of metal against metal echoed in the air. "Pool."

It was the worst scenario.

Reiju had been trained in different ways as she grew up. Her father wanted her to be prepared in case there ever a situation where his men couldn't help her. Aikido, Muay Thai, Eskrima... all of them were nothing in the water.

Footsteps echoed around her. She breathed deeply, sensing the expansive ceiling. Weights were placed on her ankles. Cuffs on her hands and feet. Three cuffs on her feet. Her heart dropped when someone pulled the knife from her waist.

"Kuso..."

Someone leaned in. Grass and smoke. Lorenzo. "I can't help you now. I mean... if you die, then you're worth nothing."

Reiju was ushered into a stairway. She gritted her teeth as she felt the wet diving board underneath her feet. Not knowing how high they were made her stomach knot. The frigid air hit her as someone flattened their palm on her back.

She was falling, hitting the water feet first. She waited and waited...

Shit.

The pool was at least fifteen feet deep that it took a good five seconds for her heavy ankles to hit the bottom.

She first tried to push the blindfold off to no avail. Reiju calmed her nerves and proceeded to her second option. She tore her uniform, pulling the hairpin she had embedded in her bra. Ever since she knew about bra wires, she thought it would be a good idea to hide something inside.

She worked fast, finding the keyhole.

It opened.

Reiju tore the blindfold off and went for the cuffs on her feet when something hard hit her arm.

The pin fell.

Shit!

She attempted to get it back, feeling the tiled floor with her fingers. But with her movements and the dim light, the thin metal was difficult to find.

Her lungs were about to give out.

Using her remaining strength, Reiju pumped her legs and swam upwards.

Just a bit of air...

She emerged, gasping for air before sinking again, water flooding her face.

The weights were too heavy. Her eyes scanned the pool, searching for the edge.

There!

She swam to the top, getting more air before the hefty weights yanked her down again.

Again and again and again.

It was a slow process.

Her legs were tired. Her lungs were burning. She swallowed water at some point.

If I survive....

Reiju took in more air, putting everything for one last sprint.

I will kill you all...

Her hands finally reached the poolside. She clung tightly, coughing the pool water that evaded her mouth.

Someone stepped forward, stepping on her right fingers.

Reiju cried out and glared upwards but the pool lights behind him could only give her a dark silhouette of a tall man.

She reached for his ankle.

He kicked her in the face.

"Dion!" It was Irina. She fired at him in fluent Italian.

Reiju clutched at her cheek. It stung, like a thousand fire ants bit her. She was certain a bruise would form. Uzai!

Lorenzo held his hands to her. She accepted, groaning at the pain in her legs. She sat on the poolside, soaked and tired. "Get it off!"

"Calm down, cariño," he said, unlocking the restraints on her feet. "You passed with flying colors."

She kicked his stomach. "What was that?"

"Oi!" Lorenzo stumbled backward in shock.

Reiju stood up, swaying a little. Her legs were exhausted, used to their maximum limit. She bit her lip and drew blood. The pain kept her standing. "You threw something at me!"

She whirled around, facing Irina and a dark-haired guy. He must be Dion. "We all know lasting four minutes without air is already a feat! Isn't that the task? But then you fucking make me swim with four pounds on my feet?"

Reiju stomped towards Dion. "And then you kicked me in the face?"

Dion's blue-grey eyes narrowed. "You tried to touch me."

She scoffed. Reiju didn't think about it. Her fist connected with his cheek. But with her trembling legs, she faltered and leaned on him.

Dion steadied her. One of his gloved hands touched the bare skin around her ribs. She stepped back, closing her uniform despite its missing buttons.

Irina handed her a towel and helped her sit at the bleachers. Reiju swatted her hand away before shoving her wet hair back. "I don't need your help!"

"Reiju—"

"Damare!" she yelled. Wrath fueled her entire being, making her fatigue fade. Even for just a second. Reiju scanned the three people with her. She didn't like any of them. "Now, I get to choose which group can have me, right?"

Dion crossed his arms. "You can choose either of them."

She clicked her tongue. "You know what... I won't choose any of you."

"What?" Irina exclaimed.

Reiju met her stare. "I'm gonna make my own clan."

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