Raja

Cold. The first sensation that Tales felt as he regained consciousness. He opened his eyes, greeted by the lights on the ceiling. There are people chattering but he can't understand any of it. He tried to stand up but he can't. His body doesn't have any strength and on top of that, his hands were handcuffed. His eyebrows met in confusion and blink his eyes multiple to times to clear his vision and roam his eyes. The place looks like a basement. There are at least 15 men wearing black suits, some are standing while some are sitting on the gasoline barrel.

He tried to observe everyone to gather information and to stall time until he will regain his strength.

"Mmph."

And unfortunately, his mouth is also covered. He gritted his teeth. He don't see any reason why would he be abducted! Well, if it's the debt of his mother, there's no way that they'll abduct him. It's not like his mother owe a very large amount of money.

His mind stop thinking when he realize sometimes. His eyes look frightened yet full of madness. That's possible. That's possible for his mother!

'She doesn't want me! It's only possible for her to sold me.! ' he stated in his mind.

"Oh, you're awake." A man in the corner of his eyes approach him. He recognize the man's face. It's the man who struck a syringe on him. Just thinking of it made him feel beyond piss. He immediately glared at him.

"Chill." The man said after the piercing eyes latch on to him. "I'm not gonna hurt you... Well, not unless it's needed."

The man removed the tape covering his mouth. Tales swiftly lunged, driven by instinct, sinking his teeth into the man's neck. Blood flowed, and Tales, with a grim demeanor, spat out the crimson liquid that stained his lips.

"You!" the man shouted in anger.

He raised his hand, poised for a slap, but a voice echoed through the storage room, bringing an abrupt halt to their impending confrontation.

The boss's voice echoed, "Stop it! What's going on here?"

The man noticed Tales and grinned, finding him interesting.

The boss looked at Tales more, noticing his slim build and handsome face. Tales who was on the floor, hands cuffed, appearing helpless before the boss, who observed him through clear glasses that hid the allure of his eyes. The room got quiet as the boss thought about what was happening, showing he was in charge.

"Man, you sure is a tiger." The boss said and duck to align his gaze to Tales. "Do you know why we abducted you?"

He didn't answer but just glared because he had already an assumption. However, he can't help but notice how good looking the man is yet despite those, he feel uneasy just by looking at him. His good-looking face had a creepy touch. The sharp eyes hinted at something unpredictable, and a twisted smirk on his lips suggested darker thoughts. Despite the handsomeness, there was an unsettling and slightly crazy vibe about him.

The boss, noting Tales' glare, raised an intrigued eyebrow. "You might have your assumptions. Let's see if they align with reality."

He still didn't speak.

The boss raised his right eyebrow and sigh. 'Is he mute?' The boss, with a cunning smile, taunted Tales, "Your mother had a substantial debt to our organization, and you're the collateral." He leaned in, waiting for Tales' reaction, savoring the revelation.

"And? " He asked back. "As you can see, I have nothing. "

"I'm quite disappointed." He stated and put his forefinger under his chin. "I was told you have lots of money but it seems like you have nothing to offer."

Tales gritted his teeth and angrily distance his face. The man grinned and stand up.

" But don't worry, money is not the only solution." He stated and signal the man to stand Tales. " Take his cuff off. "

" But boss---"

He glance at the his underlings with an emotionless face. He don't like it when he's being questioned nor doubted. The man who just spoke up shut his mouth and oblige. The metallic cuff echoed as soon as it hits the floor.

"Now stri---"

With the cuffs no longer restraining him, Tales swiftly retrieved a knife from his pocket, his eyes filled with determination. Moving decisively, he lunged at the boss, aiming to alter the course of the developing scenario but the elusive figure skillfully dodged each move. A dance of evasion unfolded in the dimly lit room, as the boss sidestepped, ducked, and weaved effortlessly, avoiding every attempt by Tales to land a strike. The tension in the air grew as Tales struggled to land a hit, while the boss stayed in control of the situation.

And then, the man grab the knife that cause his palm to bleed excessively but instead of showing a pain expression, he showed an amuse one. With the blood dripping on his hand, he lick his lips. "Man, you're turning me on."

Tales blink his eyes in surprise. "What?" And immediately distance himself but the former tighten his grip to the knife. Is he a psycho?! At this point, he'll cut his palm in half!

Tales retreated, letting go of the weapon and the man's unsettling grin widened. Ignoring the blood streaming down his hand, he took a step forward, the knife still clutched tightly.

"Strip!" He ordered.

"What?!"

"Are you deaf?" He emotionlessly ask. "You're making me repeat myself. Strip!"

"No!" No way that he'll strip and let this people humiliate him.

Tales, now wary, scanned the room for an opportunity to escape, while the man, seemingly unfazed by the bleeding, continued to advance towards him but there's no loopholes. Those 15 men are surrounding him.

Tales, cornered and realizing escape was unlikely, quickly scanned the room for any object that could aid him, he found a metal tube. He quickly pick it up.

After seeing Tales action, the man's laughter echoed through the room that send shivers down Tales' spine.

"Damn. You sure have a will to live."

"Don't come near me." Tales stated with anger and threat.

"My, my." The man stated. "Don't be like that. Keep me entertained."

"You!"

Tales swung the metal tube with force, aiming for the man, but the latter showcased remarkable agility. The man twisted and turned, gracefully avoiding each attempt with swift movements. His dodges were precise, narrowly escaping the metallic threat. The room echoed with the sounds of swishes and clashes as the two engaged in a dynamic dance of attack and evasion. Despite the man's skillful dodging, the tension heightened with each passing moment, leading to the eventual and slight contact on his shoulder.

The man, surprised by the unexpected hit, registered shock on his face that turn into an expression Tales can't decipher. He was also in a state of surprise. Despite the man's momentary shock, he swiftly recovered and seized the opportunity. In a surprising move, he pulled Tales towards him using his clean hand, grasping him firmly around the waist. The balance of power shifted once again as Tales found himself in a precarious situation, the metal tube momentarily forgotten in the intense struggle.

The man's bloody hand touched Tales' face, making the situation even more uncomfortable. Trapped and unsure of what would happen next, Tales prepared for whatever came next in this tense moment.

The man snicker, in a bizarre twist, asked, "Want to be my bodyguard and escort ?" and licked Tales' bloody face. Tales, repulsed and unsettled, remained trapped in the man's grip, now facing an even stranger and more unpredictable turn of events.