Chapter 14: Six Years Ago pt. 7

He abruptly opened his eyes and what he was not the girl but a adult man forcefully covering his mouth.

They locked eyes and each other and saw the surprise on the man's eyes

Based on that expression he knew he wasn't the target such action—it was Rian.

He grunted as he tried to break free. His muffled shouts were growing louder and louder in hope that Rian would hear it and run.

He started kicking as he was desperate for air.

The man in black was so confused as he saw a different person lying on that bed. He was expecting his target to be there the instant he enters the room.
*Who's this punk? Her boyfriend? What a timing! Whatever, I'll take care of you first and your girlfriend would be next. This must be your luck for sleeping in your girlfriend's house.

He pressed harder as he saw the man lying on the bed struggle. He grabbed his two arms gripping and squeezing it that made him groan in pain.

"You're a tough one huh" Xander heard the man grunt as he continued to suppress him.

*This man is a hitman. I didn't know Rian is in such danger.

The man exerted his full force and saw Xander slowly closing his eyes and loosing consciousness. The hands that was gripping his arms started to lose force and fell down.

The man grinned. "That's one down", he turned back and was about to head to the living room when he felt an arm wrap his neck, choking him.

"Not too fast" Xander gruffed as he continued strangling him with his biceps.

Both of them grunted as they tried to overpower each other. The stranger stirred his body vigorously. He forced a step backwards pressing Xander on the wall with his back.

Despite the shock, Xander didn't let go of hus neck and continued to squeeze it harder.

Rian was awoken when she heard the noise coming from her room. She noticed that the door was opened.

She rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat down. She yawned before standing and heading to the room.

She entered three steps inside and looked at the bed and found that Xander was already gone.
*So he already left.

Because she was still half asleep, she completely ignored the muffled noises coming from her back.

On the spur of the moment, Xander was startled when he saw Rian entered the room. He was more dumbfounded when she completely ignored them and walked pass him.

He looked at her and saw that she wasn't fully awake yet. Her eyes were still dropping so does her head to.

The man suddenly became robust to break free from his grasp. As if it recognized Rian, this confirmed his suspicion.
*I must get Rian out of here quick.

"Rian" He barely shouted.

"Rian!" He shouted again and this time she finally turned her head around.

"Aaaaahhh" She screamed in fright and unconsciously took a step back. "What's happening Xander? W—what are you d—doing? W—who's that man?" Rian asked with a shaking voice.

"He's a dangerous, leave and ask someone for help, quick!" Xander hardly said. He was almost out of strength.

The handkerchief earlier was drugged. He had inhaled some of it. Thankfully he was quick on holding his breath so he avoided fainting on sight.

He feigned passing out to find a chance to attack while the enemy least expects it.

Rian was astounded and stunned not moving an inch from where she is standing. Fear was visible in her deep black eyes.
*Have they found me? What should I do? Everything that Lola did might come into waste. What will happen now? What should I do? What should I do?

She watched as Xander struggles to subdue the stranger. The stranger not looking away from her eyes the moment she saw it.

And with a manic sway, the man in black hit Xander in the stomach with his elbow. This made Xander groan in pain and crunch to the floor.

Rian covered her mouth in shock. Her eyes widened as the man slowly approached her. His shadow towered over her. He was big, he looked like she might die with just one puch from him in the head.

Tears started to form on the corners of her eyes when Xander sprang up and hugged the man from the back stopping him from getting close to her.

He dragged him outside of the room and they continued to spar there. Both threw powerful punches, and with each punch leaves a trail of blood on their knuckles.

Rian continued to watch in shock. Both men fell to the floor with Xander sitting in top of the stranger.

"Rian, get out of here!"He continued to land punches on the man's face.

"W—what about you?" She asked worriedly.

"Don't mind me, I'm leaving here anyway. Leave here and call for help." A puch landed on his chest that caused him to shout in pain. He was injured in that part and the wound seemed to reopen due to the force.

Rian was taken aback. Now Xander was lying on the ground received endless blows in his face and body. Everything is starting to turn bloody for him.

He manages to use his arms as shield to one of his punches. He turned into Rian's direction.
"Run, quick, run Rian and don't look back." He said with swelling eyes and numbing cheeks.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as Rian dashed outside of her apartment. The night was cold, she was wearing a thin t-shirt and running barefoot. She was sobbing as Xander's swollen and bloody face continue to play on her mind.

Xander can no longer feel the pain from those blows that he had received and is receiving. The man on top of him is now panting. Beads of sweat started to drop into him.

The man stopped and took a deep breath. The looked at the man below him, helpless and battered with hazy eyes.

He locked his hands together and formed it into a fist to deliver him the final blow. He raised both arms and grinned wickedly.

Xander who's vision was already fuzzy, closed his eyes ready to receive the killing blow. He smiled peacefully hoping that Rian would find a safe place.
*I'm sorry 17, looks like you'll be leaving alone.

The man tightened his stomach and roared as he aimed his blow on Xander's forehead.

*It was sure a nice experience living here. The days were fair. Life was simple and peaceful. I never thought I'd get the chance to live like that my entire life. It might be for a short period of time only, but it was worthwhile. To the person who showed me light during my darkest night, I hope you seek refuge to the right people and survive this terrifying night.