Chapter 50 Tears
"Yes, I can kill in a kill or be killed situation," Xavier answered confidently.
"Most people would too. I mean, can you kill for your gang? How do you think you will be able to take down other gangs, especially one as large, powerful and ruthless as the Wolf Gang? Death will be inevitable."
She was right, but could he really kill for his own gain?
"I signed up for this life, and everything that came with it. If it comes to it, I can do it," he stated, but not as confidently as the first time.
"You don't understand what it's like to kill. You are not just killing one man, but someone's son, father, brother, uncle, etc. It is a big burden," Achara said, seemingly speaking from experience.
"Achara, if you accidentally killed someone in a fight club, you need to move on. Letting it eat you up inside and weaken your resolve will merely get you killed," Xavier said to her directly.
From all she had said, it was clearly what she had been eluding to, and hearing his words, it was hard for her not to break out into tears.
The tough Achara that could rival Xavier in combat was now in tears, as Xavier put her face against his chest and embraced her in his arms.
"It's not your fault. Your opponent signed up for it and the same way you took the risk, so did they. If it wasn't them, it could have been you. Just think of it that way. And if you really regret it so much, then live your life to the fullest, for the one that died at your hand. If you took their life and waste your own, what was even the point of fighting back during the fight? You should have just let them take your life."
His words were hard to swallow but were the truth.
With guns, taking the life of another is as simple as pulling a trigger, but it can be very mentally straining and cause severe trauma, more so if it is up close and personal.
But Xavier was confident that, if it came down to it, he could handle it and he needed everyone else that joined him to be able to do so too.
"Just be thankful for what you have and move on. Alright?"
Sniffling, she wiped her tears and tried her best to regain composure.
"You better not tell the others about this," she said sternly.
She hadn't seen her family in years and this was the first time she had ever opened up to someone about what had happened that night, and never did she think she would.
Especially not to a youth she had met the same day, but fate works in mysterious ways.
"Hahaha, don't worry. This is between us. But when it comes to it, and there is a gun to my head, can I trust you to pull the trigger and save me?" he asked.
Surprisingly she answered with conviction, "Yes, you can trust me. Although it's something I regret and don't wish to have to do again, I will kill if I have no other choice and will keep on going with my life. That's the life we lead, I guess."
It was a tough pill to swallow, but Xavier was glad that he had that conversation with her, as it was something that he would eventually have to come to terms with.
-
"So Achara, lead the way. Take me to the nearest fight club that I can make a name for myself at, and earn some good money," Xavier said to her with a smile after she had calmed down.
"Are you always like this? Hiding your true feelings behind a smile and laughter."
Grinning, he answered, "I have my own burdens, but those are for me alone. All those I care for need to see is my smile. So, let's just get this over with."
Taking a moment to think, Achara realised she knew little to nothing about him, and it was a mystery how someone as young as he came to be the way he was.
And he certainly had many secrets, as becoming that skilled in combat isn't easy.
However, she still ended up deciding to follow him through thick and thin after fighting against him and feeling a fire from him that helped her reignite her own.
While he also had this charisma about him that drew people to him and made them believe that his ambitions will come to fruition.
But from how reckless and fearless he was, accompanying him will inevitably lead one towards danger.
-
"Xavier, I must warn you, the biggest underground fight club in the city is owned and run by none other than the Wolf Gang. So, do you still want to go there?" she asked after snapping out of her deep thought.
"Yes, it's not like they know of us and we will be masked anyway. And there's no point worrying about things outside of our control. You'll get to enjoy quite a show today, so just relax for once."
Sighing, she knew there was no changing my mind as she began leading the way there.
"Also, I'll probably end up crashing at yours after my fights. I'm sure you don't mind," he shamelessly said to her.
"Fights? Don't tell me you're planning on..."
"We'll see," he responded as he took out his phone and called his mother.
-
"Where are you, Xavier? It's getting late," she asked, worried since it had been quite a while since I had left.
"Who you talkin..." Achara went to ask, before Xavier covered her mouth and stopped her.
But it was too late...
His mother had already heard her voice.
"Who's that? Don't tell me you're with a different girl, she sounds different from the one the other day that you spent a couple days with."
Annoyed that there was another misunderstanding, he clarified, "She's just a friend of mine from school. She's going to help me catch up on the school that I've missed so far and I'm going to stay at her place tonight."
"Is that so? Alright then, just be careful and safe... okay?" she said to him, knowing there was no changing his mind.
"Yeah yeah, take care of yourself. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"If you don't disappear for a few days like last time."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Ending the call, Xavier was glad she didn't pry too much.
"Is that your mother? She's quite easy-going, isn't she? How old even are you for her to be letting do as you please?"
"Stop asking so many questions, and because of you, she thinks I am with multiple girls."
"What? So you already have one girl. Who could put up with you?"
"No, I don't. But who wouldn't want to be with someone like me?"
Looking at her expression, I could almost read her face that said, 'You must be joking?'
"What's with that look?"
"Actually, never mind," he stopped her before she could start ripping him apart with her words, but she began to do so anyway.
Walking together, they were full of laughter and very relaxed, but as they neared the destination, they became almost different people.
Xavier's eyes were burning bright, and he was ready to take on the world, while Achara became very serious as she said, "Here we are. This is the underground fight club."
"And I've decided. I also want to let loose."
"But, didn't you say..."
"Don't worry. I won't get over that experience, if I don't move on with my life. And don't think that just because I cried, I'm a loser. I've never had the chance the luxury of crying my entire life, and it won't be happening again any time soon."
"That's the Achara I know. But won't you be 'fighting like an animal for the entertainment of others'?" he asked mockingly, since it was something she said she didn't want to do again.
"No, this time I am fighting for money and respect. And I can't let you be the only one that gets stronger and earns money, right? The Outlaws of the Outlaw Gang aren't pushovers."
Smiling, glad that Achara had come back to her senses, Xavier followed her down a dark staircase that was at the end of a remote alleyway.