The Karate Kid 🥋 (Daniel LaRusso)

3.

A few days later

"Riley Cullen, pay attention to the screen ahead. You are now a part of Cobra Kai, the one and only karate dojo. You will train and you will train hard, you will be one of the best karate students. You have no family, you are all alone" Snake says.

He repeats this a few times as I watch the tv, I feel odd. My mind is nothingness, I don't even feel like myself anymore.

"Riley, repeat after me. Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy"

"Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy" I copy.

"Again"

"Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy"

"One more time"

"Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy"

"Good" he smiles at me as my hands are freed. I'm lifted to my feet, my head feels lightweight. "So Riley, what is our motto?" Dennis adds with a sneer. "Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy" I state, I sound like a zombie. "Well done, you may also call us Sensei after everything, is that understood?"

"Yes Sensei" I reply.

"Good."

I'm taken into a backroom, mirrors are on every wall. There's karate equipment everywhere, I'm tossed a black Cobra Kai gi. "Hurry up and change" Snake orders. "Yes Sensei" I reply. I walk into the changing room and dress up appropriately, the gi just about fits me. When I enter the room again, Mike is standing by a punching bag.

"Let the training begin" Mike announces. For hours and hours, I'm taught karate hardcore style. I'm battered and bruised, I feel like a mindless toy being uncared for. "Up, there's no time to be in pain" Mike demands as I'm crouched on the floor coughing up blood.

I slowly rise to my feet, my body is completely sore. I fight Mike for like the 100th time, but of course, I'm defeated. "You're doing okay so far. You can expect this to be your new routine" Mike declares. "Yes Sensei" I reply. An hour or so later, Terry returns. "Well, how is our new student?" He asks Mike as he studies my posture. 

"Doing okay for now" Mike answers truthfully. "Don't worry, we're gonna make you a star" Terry whispers in my ear. 

"Yes, Sensei."

---

The sky is dark, the moonlight shines through the window as I lay in bed. My bedroom is small, there's only a bed and closet. The wind seeps through gaps in the wall, I shiver and pull the thin blanket up close to wrap around my aching body. I never want to go through that again but I know it's too good to be true. This is my life now, this is all I know. Tears slip down my bruised cheeks, I think about Daniel.

My poor baby.

I'm petrified. I don't want to forget about him, I don't want to forget about any of my loved ones. But Snake, Dennis, Terry and Mike are all I can hear in my head. I want to feel Daniel's touch, hear his soft voice again. I yearn for him.

But, I can't have him.

I feel exhausted, my eyes are heavy with slumber.

Cobra Kai's motto runs through my head.

Strike first. Strike hard. No mercy.

With that, I fall asleep.