Hours after the fight…
What the fuck am I supposed to do? How am I going to raise the money I need to pay off Stacy's kidnappers? I can't even beat those other fighters in the ring. Kayden pondered, feeling his nerve spike. I even met with the organizers, and they told me the same thing. The more I fight, the harder the fights are gonna get. It's how things are. It's what keeps the audience engaged. He hissed, then continued. But at this rate, if I keep on loosing, then the audience would loose faith in me. Worse, I'm not making anymore money for it.
$30,000. A kid my age would kill for that kinda money, but I have it, and I don't even feel like spending a dime. How could I when my cousin's life's literally hanging in the balance?
Those fuckers gave me two weeks to make the money to pay them. It's been ten days already. So I only have four more days to make the money and pay them. Kayden's fingers trembled by his sides. This power… it's not enough. Somehow, someway, I need to make that extra twenty grand. I can't just sit by and watch those kidnappers treat Stacy however way they like.
But still… just how am I going to do that? I can't feel myself getting any stronger as I fight, and I'm not too sure of how I can even advance in using this power.
From what I know about werewolves, they usually live in packs, follow a strick heirarchy, and they always seem to get stronger under the full moon. I haven't had these powers for up to a month now. Who knows? Maybe I'll experience a boost in strength on a full moon.
Still, with the issue currently on my head, waiting for the full moon is only gonna get Stacy killed. I need a solution to make the money before that happens.
A ringing noise snapped him from his thoughts. Weakly, his head turned. Bloodshot eyes stared at the glowing screen of his phone vibrating a short distance away. Slowly, his arms moved, grabbing hold of the device and pulling it close to his face. Upon looking at the Caller's ID, his heart thundered.
It's him again.
His pulse quickened. The screen blurred as his hands shook uncontrollably. Whispers of Stacy's panicked voice echoed in his ears.
Finally, with all the willpower he could muster, he answered the call.
"Clock's ticking, brat," the man started off, his usual deep, gravel-like voice jutting through the connection. "Your cousin's really starting to become a pain in the ass, you know. There's only four days left. If you don't have our money by then, who knows what'll happen to her," laughter soon followed, loud, obnoxious.
Kayden gritted his teeth. His grip around the device tightened.
He wanted to scream at them. Threaten
them.
Kick their asses for what they did.
But still… he didn't.
He couldn't.
Not with Stacy's life hanging fragily in the balance.
"I'll get you your money. You don't have to worry about that."
"Oh? Cocky now, are ya? In that case, there's nothing left to say now, is there?" and just like that, the call disconnected.
Four days… How am I gonna make $20,000 in four days…?
________
The next day…
"Still nothing?" A worried voice broke out in the living room. "Officers, please. She's all I got. You can't just-" before he could finish his sentence, the line was cut. Damn it. John muttered, slouching on the couch in the living room. Stacy, wherever you are, I hope you're safe. I'm trying my best to find you, but none of these policemen aren't even giving me the time of day.
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts, and as his eyes panned upward, the image of his nephew came into view.
"Oh, Kayden. Good morning. How are you?" John asked, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "I know you might be stressed because of Stacy going missing. But I just want you to understand that it's not your fault. You did your best to protect her, so you shouldn't feel bad about what happened."
But I'm the reason Stacy was taken in the first place. Kayden thought.
"I know, Uncle John," he replied. "I just hope the authorities are doing their best to find her?"
John's forced smile slowly slipped away. "No, but that's not going to stop me. I'm going to make sure Stacy returns home safely, even if it's the last thing I do?"
Even if it means loosing your life? Kayden was no stranger to life's dark underbelly. He lived it. Every night, away from those he cared about. Fighting in that Arena, feeling the unsettling cheers of battle-crazed maniacs. Sure, the payout was good, but the mental toll it took on one's mind overtime was a different matter.
The money was real. The glory and recognition. But so was the pain.
The pain was unreal. Kayden shuddered. Being burnt, poisoned, clawed at, and electrocuted… It was insanity.
Uncle John, you say you can do whatever it takes to bring her back, but are you willing to go through all of that? You don't even have an ability. Something as simple as a street fight would leave you battered and bruised.
Though things were once like that for me… before I got this ability.
"So what else do you have in mind for finding her?"
John let out a deep sigh before slumping back on the couch. "Honestly… I don't know."
Iguess I should just tell him, then.
Seeing his uncle's defeated state, Kayden decided to tell John everything he knew and had been doing so far. From the point when he obtained his new ability, to him sneaking out every night to fight in an underground joint just to earn enough money to pay off Stacy's kidnappers.
John's expression shifted from misery to shock as he listened to his nephew's narration.
"So now, Kayden, you're telling me that you have been in contact with the very people that have been holding Stacy hostage? And that they are demanding a total sum of $50,000 to release her? And also, you've been sneaking out every night behind my back to fight at some hidden underground spot? Heck, you have an ability?"
"Yes, yes, yes, and… yes."
"How long have you been hiding this from me?" John asked, feeling his body shake at the weight of the revelation.
"Almost two weeks now. From the fights, I've been able to get $30,000 already. Meaning all we need left is the remaining $20,000 for them to hand Stacy over to us," Kayden explained further.
"I still have so many questions…" John's voice trailed off before snapping back to reality. "Still, most of it's not important right now. You said you already had $30,000 already, right?"
Kayden nodded his head in confirmation.
"I'll see what I can do to arrange the remaining money. I'll borrow from banks. I'll even try and take another loan from my boss. Whatever it takes, Kayden, I'll help you raise the remaining money within these four days so we can pay off Stacy's kidnappers," John decided, his tone sounding desperate but carrying a weight of resolution.
"But once all of this gets settled, you and I are going to have a long talk, young man," John added, his voice taking a harsher tone.
"I understand," Kayden responded, his head bent down in shame. "I'll take whatever punishment you have to offer, it won't make me regret my actions," his head rose, meeting his uncle's gaze. "I'd do it all again, if it means I can save Stacy's life."
You're one stubborn kid, Kayden. John thought. Risking your life like that to fight for your cousin? How many youngsters nowadays can go that far for the people they care about?
"Nothing you have to say will change my mind," John said.
"I'm not trying to change your mind," Kayden replied. "Do what you feel is right. But for now, let's focus on bringing Stacy back. You can punish me after we know she's safe."
Hearing Kayden's words, John nodded his head. There was nothing left to be said, and so, he went to work.
Later that day, he went to the local banks with his documents, pleading for a loan. He also went to his boss to beg for another loan, promising that he would repay it soon enough, somehow.
When that wasn't enough, he decided to sell out some of his old stuff he no longer needed. Old trinkets, utensils, gadgets. Anything that could fetch in some extra cash.
In a blink of an eye, four days passed.
Kayden's phone buzzed within his pocket.
It's time.