Reunion

After our daring escape and Ferrara’s demise, we headed to a safe house owned by my crew. As the adrenaline wore off, reality began to set in. The safe house was a modest place, tucked away in the outskirts, where we could finally breathe easy. It was here, in the quiet moments of safety, that I began to fully grasp the time I had lost.

I had been in that red room for a year and four months. Fourteen months of my life, gone. No celebrations, no milestones, nothing but the relentless torment and struggle for dominance. I sat in the small living room, surrounded by my crew, and the weight of my lost time pressed heavily on my chest.

I had missed my eighteenth birthday, the day I had been looking forward to for so long. The regret gnawed at me, a constant reminder of what Ferrara had stolen. But alongside that regret was a sense of thankfulness. The red room had forged me into someone stronger, more resilient. I was no longer a naïve boy but a hardened man, ready to take on whatever came next.

Sitting there, I reflected on the friends and family I had left behind. Birthdays, holidays, simple moments of joy—all had slipped away while I was held captive. But now, as I looked around at the faces of my loyal crew, I realized that I had gained something just as valuable: a second family who had risked everything to save me. Their devotion was my new anchor, and it gave me the strength to face the future.

The next evening, Raul and Mamba insisted on taking me out to experience the world I had missed. They had made a name for themselves in the area, dominating the streets without a clear leader. They were respected and feared, much like a mafia without a boss.

We walked through the bustling streets, the sounds and smells a sharp contrast to the suffocating silence of the red room. Raul led us to a street food vendor, the aroma of grilled meat and spices filling the air. “You’ve got to try this, boss,” he said, handing me a skewer of meat.

I took a bite, the flavors exploding in my mouth. It was a simple pleasure, but one I had been deprived of for so long, I ate well in the red room but I ate in captivity. We moved from stall to stall, sampling various dishes and soaking in the lively atmosphere. For the first time in over a year, I felt alive.

We spent hours exploring the night markets, indulging in everything from spicy tacos to sweet churros. Raul and Mamba introduced me to the local vendors, who greeted us with a mix of respect and curiosity. They had heard of me, the young man who stayed behind for them to be free.

As the night wore on, we found a quiet spot overlooking the city. The lights of Mexico city twinkled below us, and for a moment, I felt a sense of peace. Raul handed me a bottle of tequila, and we toasted to new beginnings.

The next morning, as we sat around the table in the safe house, I shared my story with them. I told them about the horrors of the red room, the torment I endured, and how Ferrara had used me. But I also spoke of my transformation, how I had grown stronger and more determined.

“I’m different now,” I said, my voice steady. “And I have a plan. I need to find my brother, Evander. We were separated after the foiled plan to kill My father. I need to reunite with him.”

Raul and Mamba exchanged glances, then nodded. “We’re with you, boss,” They all agreed “Whatever it takes.”

On the day of my nineteenth birthday, we set out for Morelos, my hometown. The journey was filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension. I hadn’t been back since that fateful day when my world was torn apart. But I was determined to find Evander.

As we arrived in Morelos, we quickly realized there was a new problem. The area was now controlled by a local leader who didn’t take kindly to strangers. His men watched us closely as we made our way through the streets, their eyes filled with suspicion.

We reached my old neighborhood, and the tension was palpable. The leader’s men blocked our path, their expressions hard and unyielding. “You’re not welcome here,” one of them said, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

“I need to see your leader,” I replied, my voice calm but firm. “We have business to discuss.”

The man narrowed his eyes but gestured for us to follow. We were led to a large, imposing building at the center of the neighborhood. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The leader sat on a makeshift throne, his eyes cold and calculating.

“So, you think you can just waltz in here and make demands?” he sneered.

“I’m not here to make demands,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I’m here to reclaim what’s mine.”

The leader’s eyes flickered with interest. “And what, exactly, do you think is yours?”

“This neighborhood. This territory. It belongs to me and my family.”

A murmur ran through the room. The leader leaned forward, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “You’ve got guts, kid. I’ll give you that. But if you want to prove yourself, you’ll have to face my champion.”

He clapped his hands, and a massive figure stepped forward. The champion was a mountain of muscle, his presence intimidating. The crowd parted, forming a makeshift ring around us.

“This is your challenge,” the leader said. “Defeat my champion, and we’ll talk.”

I nodded, stepping into the ring. The champion glared at me, his fists clenched. The crowd watched in hushed anticipation, the tension electric.

The fight began with a flurry of blows. The champion was strong, his punches powerful, but I was faster. I ducked and weaved, landing my own strikes with precision. The crowd roared with each hit, the air thick with excitement. I had always had a super power, I had my critical hits.

But the champion was relentless. He landed a heavy blow to my side, sending me staggering back. Pain shot through my body, but I gritted my teeth and pushed forward. This was my fight, my moment to prove myself.

“Well Damn!” I said as I slowly looked up, “I haven’t been hit like that in a year huh.”
I tore off the sleeves of my Shirt and this time.
I focused on the champion’s weaknesses, exploiting every opening. My training and experience from the red room had honed my instincts, and I moved with a fluidity that caught him off guard.
His energy multiplied, he was twice the size of behemoth but he lacked the speed I had, he was fast but I was faster, his blows were heavy but mine were precise and painful, I started to get into the fight, I began to smile as my eyes opened.

He threw a punch and I weaved it, then my turn, he would cough out blood, I forgot this was a match, I forgot this was a test, I was enjoying myself and from the cheers the crowd began to slowly go quiet, no more shouts.

Their champion was falling, he was strong but he was beaten, I landed more strikes to critical points in his body, over and over again, until
With a final surge of strength, I landed a decisive blow, knocking the champion to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices a cacophony of support and admiration. I stood over the fallen champion, my chest heaving with exertion.

The leader rose from his throne, his expression one of grudging respect. “You’ve proven yourself,” he said. “We’ll talk.”

I nodded, my eyes never leaving his. “Good. Let’s get down to business.”

We moved to a more private area, away from the prying eyes of the crowd. The leader, a man named told me I’m truth that he wasn’t the leader but just a watcher, the real leader is a man named Evander, the leopard. “That is the man I seek.” I said as I stood up my eyes beating with anticipation

“I will take you to him.” He said as we went to my house, I remember this place like it was yesterday, I remember this place, this was the exact house we grew in and he still made that his base, he still didn’t leave, he waited, he waited in hopes.

“I am only allowed to reach here, you can go on” He said bowing his head as my team waited outside with him.

I haven’t seen him in a long time, I wondered, would he remember me, would he welcome me, my heart raced as I passed the door handle to open the door.
“…” The door was open and I had a view of the inside.
Then as I stood by the door a taller guy, in fitted trousers, white T – shirt and a monkey jacket walked out if the kitchen. His hairstyle a mash perm.

“if you need to come inside, come inside but I know I told you that this is off your limits so called keeper.” He said as he sipped on yea, he was looking so classy, like old money rich.

“Evander?” I said as my eyes fixated in him, he was looking good, he had a scar on his head but he was looking good.
“Huh, who gave you the…..” He was saying when he looked up and then became speechless.
“Who are you?” He asked as the tea cup fell from his hand with his mouth opened in surprise.
“How have you been, brother?” I said as tears began to fill my eyes.

“Sa…..sabastian?” he said, squinting his eyes and stuttering his words.
“yes, its me.” I said as I walked closer to him and he walked closer to me.
“mi hermano has vuelto.” He said as he ran to me, giving me a hug, tears falling from his eyes and the same thing with mine.

“I have searched for you, I looked for your body, I just knew you weren’t dead.” He said as he took a second look at me then laughed.

“How have you been brother.” He said as broke the hug to look at me.
“I should be asking you that.” I said to him as we both laughed.
“I have been good, I have been handling things here.” He said as he guided me to sit down.
“everyone thinks you are dead, every single person believes you are dead.” He said to me.
“well it’s good they believe that, because I am dead, I am not who I was, I have changed.” I said with a smile.
“I see, you look like you have changed.” He said with a smile.
“Look at you, all buffed up, Mr perfect physic.” He called me and then I laughed.
“Look at you, you look rich, old money rich.” I said as we both laughed in accordance.