Unknown pov-
Hidden deep beneath the Brydges alley, stood there a fighting ring with people all around it, going crazy as they watched bulked men fight each other to death. A podium was raised to a certain height with three chairs for the three owners of the illegal rig. Everyone was immensely indulged in the fight currently taking place wishing they don't lose the bet money they placed on today's fighters.
In the ring, stood five people; the two fighters, their respective managers and the referee. A gun shot was fired, indicating the start to the next round, the one that decides who'd be the one taking a fortune with them today. The two fighters shook hands as a sign of sportsmen-ship but everyone knew that it was just a formality and in reality, they were both desperate to get the other's blood on their hands. With this, the last round then started.
A man in a black mask moved like a shadow—fluid, controlled, precise. His opponent, much taller and broader, fought with raw aggression. Each punch thrown with the weight of desperation, a desperation to win and show that he were a better than the other.
"You should've stayed down," the masked man said, voice low and calm.
"Not until I stop you," the other man growled, lunging forward with a wild hook.
The masked man ducked, twisted, and landed a brutal elbow to the ribs. His opponent stumbled back, gasping, but came in again with a roar. For a moment, their movements blurred—grapples, strikes, knees to the gut.
Then it ended.
A swift roundhouse kick from the masked man caught the other square on the jaw. He collapsed in a heap, groaning, rain splattering around him.
The man in the black mask stood over him for a second, then turned and vanished into the shadows. The fight was over.
The cheers and angry growls from the crowd could be heard. The ones who had their bets on the masked man toasted glasses of wine while the others who lost, drowned themselves in alcohol. It was yet another day and another victory for 'Shadow'.
Shadow's pov-
Having left the ring, I entered a building that held not one but two levels of basement. One housed the prisoners while I used the other as my personal practice ground. Passing through basement one, a particular face caught my attention. It was a boy from my college? Alexander, if I'm right. Behind him, I saw the man I respected the most, Escareno. But his presence meant that his boss was going to be here as well. Sighing, I moved towards Escareno's direction- "Good Evening, sir. What brings you here today? ". Escareno asked, bowing his head. Glancing towards the chained boy, I answered- "I'm here to keep tabs on next shipment. It is to be decked by today". He respectfully nods at my statement as I continued- "Why is he here?".
Mr.Escareno was about to speak when someone from behind me answered my query- "The bastard is here because he hurt someone very dear to me". 'He's here', I thought to myself as I heard the voice. Even though I had never met this damn obsession of his, I knew they mattered to him the most. Even more than his own life, so, I understood where this was all coming from. "Ezra, I understand that there's no way you're going to stop but we will have leave Alex. Toy with him all you want but you can't kill him just yet. And don't try to counter my argument. His dad is not going to take it easy you, you should know that. Also, the shipments arrive today. If he gets to know that his son is in our captivity then he'll cancel the deal. We can't let that happen. His lowly life is not worth that risk" I said to him. He nods in response, agreeing to what I just said.
"There were three other guys with him. I killed them all. What were their names again? Yeah, it was Jack, Finney and Luca". Those names- wait... they're from the fight club?! "Ezra, I know those guys. I've had quite the share of beating them". The question is how does he know about them and secondly, why would he try to hurt whosoever you cherish?" . He answered in response- "no idea, but that's what I'm here to find out. I'm just as shocked as you are and also, I'm surprised that you didn't already know about all this. Considering that nothing ever escapes the senses of your Manager 'Billy'. I hummed in response. Ezra told both Escareno and 'Shadow' to take their leave because Alex might recognise them and he couldn't afford their disguise to be blown.
Alex's pov-
I woke up with a jolt, having felt water splashed on my face. I came back to my senses and started panicking as I realised that I was chained to a chair. "What were you doing there and how did you know those three men? ", a man asked me, him wearing a weird sort of mask. I spoke trembling- "I met .....the..m them at my house... they worked for my dad once anddd I became friends with them. They'd pay me to do a few things for them that's it, that's itt soo pleaseee don't kill meee, pleasee.". "I ASKED YOU WHY THE HELL DID YOU TRY TO HURT HER?!" the man shouted.
"Look, I don't expect you to believe me but I want you to listen my side of the story. Two days ago, I heard my dad speaking to a business partner of his and that business partner was none other than Eve's dad. He had some sort of documents still left at his house which meant he would be going there and that meant a threat to Eve ,her sister and her mom. Eve's mom and Emma, her sister were going to be at my friend, Jack's house for dinner. So, I knew they were safe but Eve didn't go to the dinner with them so I came with a plan to get her out the house. I knew she would think it's you (pointing towards the guy in the mask) when I left the letter and come for sure. The original plan was to keep her busy until things settled back at her home but the three of them were keeping tabs on me as they work for my dad. I had no other option but to pretend to be the bad guy as if they knew I was helping Eve out, they'd report it to my dad and my dad would mean harm to me and Eve".
The masked man spoke again- "how did you know who I am ?". I take in a deep breathe-" I don't. But, I've seen you a few times, following Eve around and also when she was sitting next to me in the cafeteria, I saw how she saved the contact as 'STALKER'. So, I figured maybe you'd come to rescue her if things went south for us. And you did.
He nodded at me, as if he were thinking and then exited the room. The surroundings were dark with hardly any traces of light. Also, there were no signs of any windows which could only mean one thing- I was locked in a basement.
I didn't know how long it had been since I was here but I seemed to be dosing off to sleep slowly, my limbs tired from being in the same position for I don't know how long and my throat drying due to immense dehydration that I felt in my body. 'How long would I be locked up in here?', I wondered.