The street was soaked. The rain was falling heavy now, drenching everything in sight. Thunder grumbled somewhere far off, and the world seemed to move in slow motion under the dim glow of broken streetlights.
But not for Linda and Xin Ling.
They charged towards each other.
There were no words, no thoughts. Just fists and fury. They clashed with intensity—punches flying and kicks swinging. Each movement cracked through the rain like thunder. Linda was strong, sharp, and full of raw energy, but the girl in black... she was on another level. She was fast, silent calculating and very cunning.
Linda could feel it.
"This girl... is good," she muttered in her head as she tried to block another sudden kick.
But it was too late. Xin Ling's foot landed hard against her ribs. Linda stumbled backward, her boots sliding on the wet pavement, before she crashed down hard on the ground with a painful grunt.
"Oh geez... you're so good," she breathed, winded but not broken.
She pushed herself up. Her knees trembled slightly, but she wasn't giving up. No way.
The fight kept going, and the rain got heavier like the sky was crying just for them. Both girls were now fully soaked. Their clothes clung to their skin, hair dripping, faces marked by water, sweat, and the start of bruises.
Xin Ling was still calm and still ahead of Linda.
Every strike Linda threw, Xin Ling either blocked or dodged. And Linda was starting to slow. Her strength was draining fast, and her body was getting tired. Still, she kept going.
Until—
A brutal punch from Xin Ling sent her crashing back to the ground again. This time, harder. Her back hit the pavement and her lip was bleeding. Her vision blurred slightly from the impact and her head throbbed as pain seared through her whole body.
But it didn't end there.
Xin Ling marched up and without a pause and started kicking her—right on the stomach.
"Ugh!" Linda gasped, her body folding up from the blow.
Another kick.
Then another.
"Ah—!!" she groaned, holding her stomach. It hurt like crazy and her insides felt like they were twisting.
She tried to shield herself with her arms, but it barely helped. The pain just kept coming. Each hit was fire across her belly. Then, one last heavy, angry kick landed and blood spilled from Linda's lips.
She choked on it. Xin Ling finally stopped.
Breathing hard, she stepped back and walked toward a nearby wall. Then, without saying a word, she started punching it. Again and again and over again. Her fists slammed the wall like she was pouring out something more than rage—like she was punishing herself.
Blood started to stain her knuckles, but she didn't stop until her breathing slowed.
She glanced at Linda.
Then turned to leave.
But Linda—bruised, aching, still lying there—mustered the strength to speak.
"What... what have I done to you? Who sent you after me?" she croaked, her voice rough and broken.
Xin Ling paused but she didn't turn immediately.
Finally, she looked back, eyes dark under her mask.
"That's what you're worried about?" she said with a scoff. "I just gave you an opportunity to run. Use it, dummy."
Linda coughed, trying to sit up.
"That's the point... why did you let me go? Isn't it your mission to kill me or something? What if I report you?"
Xin Ling smirked. Her voice was quiet but sharp.
"I don't think you can. And even if you do, what police could catch me? I'm like a shadow."
She took a slow step forward, her soaked boots squishing slightly.
"And by the way... I barely touched you. A few kicks and you're bleeding like a broken pipe. You're weak. You've got potential, yeah—but you're not there yet. Keep training, sweetheart."
Linda stared at her, the blood still at the edge of her lips. But her spirit was burning now.
Something about this girl made her mad. Not just the beating—but the way she looked at her like she was beneath her.
She clenched her fists and slowly stood up.
Her whole body ached. Her stomach felt like it had taken a bat to the gut. Her legs shook under her weight, but she stood anyway. Stubborn as ever.
"Then I will," she said fiercely. "I'll train harder. I'll get stronger. And when I do... I'll find you again."
Xin Ling blinked. Just listened.
"And next time, I'll take you down myself—and drag your ass to the police."
There was silence.
The girl in black tilted her head slightly, as if amused.
"Well then... good luck with your little dream," she said calmly, and then turned, walking away into the rain.
Just like that—gone. Like a shadow.
Linda stood there alone in the empty street, shivering. Her hand clutched her stomach, and her body screamed with pain. The rain had softened to a mist now, but it still fell gently on her skin, washing the blood from her face.
"Who was that girl?" she whispered. "Why did she attack me? And why... did she let me live?"
Of course, there were no answers. Just a swirl of pain and questions in her head.
She picked up her umbrella, limped to the main road, and waved down a taxi. The driver didn't ask questions. He just looked at her through the rearview mirror as she told him her address, and then silently started driving.
When she got home, the house was quiet. Sophia and baby Jack were already asleep.
Linda kicked off her shoes, left the umbrella by the door, and headed for the bathroom.
She took a warm bath. The heat made her hiss as it touched the bruises, but she stayed inside it. Afterward, she cleaned up her cuts with care, bandaged herself, and wrapped up in a soft robe.
She made tea and the warmth soothed her from the inside.
Then finally, she lay down in bed. Her mind was still loud, still racing—but her body was done for the day. It ached all over. And slowly, her eyes closed, pulling her into a heavy, dreamless sleep.