Cornered

Tales face remained stoic as he's sitting beside Raja who is so carefree in sitting. The blood that splattered on his face and shirt are already gone since he change clothes and clean his face. They were currently sitting on the passenger seat and he don't even know where will this man take him. He glance at the man only to met his eyes.

He immediately look forward.

"If you're bothered by the man I kill. He deserves it since he's a traitor." after a moment of silence, Raja spoke.

Tales keep his mouth shut. He don't want to know and it's not like knowing it would change the fact that he killed it with enjoyment on his face. After a moment, they arrive in a familiar place. Tales immediately look at Raja with a lot of questions plaster on his face. It's his apartment.

"Oh?" Raja spoke. "Now that you're one of us, you shouldn't live in this garbage place. How can I let my favorite toy live in this cramped apartment, right? " he stated with such innocent tone that if anyone hears would really think that he meant it.

Tales glared at him. " You! "

'I am not one of you. You don't own me.' is what he's supposed to say but choose not to. He's no match for him.

"I am not going with you." Tales said in a monotonous voice.

Raja raise his right eyebrow. "Do you think you have a say here?"

"Huh." He scoffed. "I did say that I'll do whatever it takes to live but I still have a life. I still have my studies. And I don't want to give up on it. " Tales explained without having a hint of any emotions. " Just call me if you want me to kill someone." He stated and attempted to get out of the car but his hands immediately reach his hair and pulled towards his body. With his face hovering just above his assailant's, Tales realized he had to act quickly.

"You seems to be mistaken here Tales." Raja's voice became cold that send shivers down to his spine. His eyes change from being dull to an eye of a predator ready to devour his prey. "Do I look like someone who would let his dog wander wherever he wants?" he asked sternly. "Seems like I've been to lenient on you! Should I teach you a lesson not to disobey your master, huh?! "

Those words are strong enough to engrave fear on Tales. The vibe that he saw when he killed someone a while ago with enjoyment on his face is nothing compared on how he is right now. He seems like he only see Tales as a pet to be tamed. And he knows thousands of ways how tame a wild beast.

"Let go." He stated and wince. "You're hurting me."

"You're begging now?"

"Fuck you!"

"Ohh? Should I fuck you then?"

"Let go!"

His body wriggle and he attempted to break free from his hold. But it's no use. Without turning around, Tales quickly punched the man in the face with his free right hand, hoping to break free from the situation. Tales breaks free, jumps out of the car, and dashes away as fast as his legs can carry him. As Tales sprints away, he hears the man's agonized shouts of pain echoing behind

him.

Tales' heart races as he hears many footsteps getting closer from different directions. Panicking, he quickly runs into the nearby alleyway, hoping to run and hide, however all he see after awhile of running is a dead end. He spotted a bags of trashes and crouches behind the trash bins, waiting quietly, hoping the darkness will keep him safe from Raja's men.

"Where is he?!"

"That damn man!"

"I don't see any reason why would Raja toy with him? He's all bones! And on top of it, he's a man!"

"Shut it! You're dead if Raja hears you!"

"But I am saying the truth!"

"Even so---"

"Are you done?" Raja's cold voice stop them from talking. Their heart beats loudly as they slowly turn to face the monster.

"H-he's n-not h-here b-boss." The man who was complaining stuttered as he reported the situation.

"Not here?" He asked a question once again. " Now I'm a little piss! Not only you didn't find the piece of shit but you dare to talk behind my back?" He ask and flick his tongue. He raise his left hand who's now holding a gun and rub the tip of it on his temple as if he's scratching something.

"He's crazy." one of his men mutter as they gulp. No one would really do what Raja does hence one wrong move and it will cost your life.

" Boss! " The man who was talking Raja behind his back immediately kneel. " Please don't kill me. I'm begging you. I'll be good. "

" Huh, " Raja sigh. " You're putting me in a tight spot here Michael, you know that? I should really punish you for disrespecting me but now, you're begging?" He stated. " If I'll kill you here, It will make me seem like a bad guy."

The man trembles as he saw the gun pointed at him. He couldn't move either. " Bang" Raja muttered and smirk.

"But I'll give you a chance, bring me my toy and I'll spare your life. If you can't , then consider this as your last day. How is it?"

" I'll find him boss. " He sounded so desperate. "I think he jump there." He stated. " I'll bring him back boss. "

" Very well. " Raja said. " I'll be waiting in the car. "

Tales can hear footsteps moving away from the scene and he can hear a loud thud expressing that someone jump over the wall. On the other hand, Raja nodded on one of his men to follow Michael in case it will plan to escape. But he's in no hurry to come out just to be safe. After a couple of minutes, when the surroundings are completely silent he slowly lift the lid of the trash bin, only to gasp when his eyes met with Raja's. He's on the other side, leaning on the wall, looking at him with no emotions.

He then raised his left hand to point his gun towards Tales. And 'bang! ' was heard in the neighborhood as he shoot Tales who's eyes widen and tremble in fear. He could not move nor run. For a second, Tales thought he's a goner now but Raja intentionally miss the target and shot the wall near his right ear. His ear stings when it was slightly hit.

"Now, now. The mouse have come out." Raja stated and slowly walk towards Tales. "Why don't you run?" He ask.

However Tales was so shock that he couldn't mutter any single word. The monster is no joke. All he could do is to stare at it while his eyes slightly glisten with tears. After the monster arrive infront of him, he then once again raise his gun towards Tales forehead that made him gulp in nervousness and tremble in fear. A lot of images flash on Tales mind that made him so vulnerable. Raja looks like a man who's already resolved in killing him.

"Don't get me wrong. You're nothing special. I just treated you like one because you're a tough to tame but if I can't tame you at all, then there's no reason for you to live." He stated. " Now choose, stay here forever or come with me. "

When he said by forever, he meant to kill him there on the spot and Tales got no option.

"I'll come with you." He stated with helplessness. His voice is trembling and a tear fell from his eyes.

Studying is his life but now, it was taken away from him. He has no reason to live.

'No, I must find a reason to live. No matter what it is. I shall not die. I must live. Even if it means, I'll dance in rhythm with his music. '