BANG BANG BANG
The relentless thud of Law's fists pounding the heavy bag echoed like a heartbeat through his cramped, dimly lit home. Shadows danced on peeling walls as the air thickened with sweat and dried blood.
POW BANG
"Hey, slow down, will ya? You've been at it nonstop for hours!" Ruby's voice, sweet yet edged with concern, sliced through the chaos.
Law's mind drifted, lost in a sea of memories, his parents' faces, their laughter, the silence that followed their passing. This was his refuge, a battered punching bag and the pounding of fists, a ritual of escape. But Ruby's voice cut through the haze, pulling him back to the present.
He finally paused, eyes fixed on the ragged, blood-stained sack in front of him. The bag was hanging in tatters, barely clinging to its last fibers, soaked in dried blood and fresh crimson splatters he'd just added.
He looked down at his hands, wrapped in blood-soaked bandages that clung like second skin. A sigh escaped him, deep and tired, yet beneath it, a flicker of satisfaction burned quietly.
Suddenly, Ruby approached, her footsteps soft but firm. "I told you to be more careful. You can't keep this up forever. You may not feel it now, but you're pushing yourself into dangerous territory."
She gently peeled away his wraps, her touch careful and tender. Her eyes softened as she gently cleaned the wounds with a cloth.
"You know I don't mean to hurt myself," Law muttered, voice thick with frustration.
"Yeah, yeah," Ruby replied, a hint of exasperation mixed with affection. "Just be mindful, okay? I can't always be here patching you up."
Law tilted his head back, staring at the cracked ceiling, voice muffled and distant.
"It's been forever, but it feels like no time has passed. I keep drowning in thoughts of Mom and Dad. Every time I try to escape, I find myself right back here. I'm sorry."
Ruby's gaze softened, sensing the weight behind his words. The loss of their parents had carved a hollow in their hearts, an ache that never quite healed. "I get it. Trust me, I do. This is your way of coping, and I've accepted it. But-" she paused, a gentle tease in her voice, "don't go overboard. I can only fix your hands so many times before they stop cooperating."
She chuckled softly, trying to lift the heavy mood. "Now, I've got to head over to Ricken's. So, how about you give that bag a break for a while?"
A small pout formed on her lips as she added, "Lay off the punching for tonight?"
Law groaned, rubbing his jaw. "Ugh, I wish you'd stay away from that dirtbag."
Ruby smirked, heading toward the door. "Someone's gotta bring home the bacon, little bro." She laughed, stepping out and shutting the door behind her.
Law stayed seated for a moment, then pushed himself to his feet, walking back toward the battered bag with a reluctant sigh.
BAM
***
Law hit the ground hard, vision blurring and sharpening in a disorienting cycle as his head collided with the concrete floor. He fought to keep his senses, his sight flickering between clarity and darkness, while the distant, muffled sounds of conversation played out around him.
He watched helplessly as the man he had knocked out struggled to stand, only for his body to be lifted by a brutal kick. The air thickened with tension, adrenaline and desperation fueling every move.
The man clutched his broken nose, blood streaming down his face as he watched the larger opponent kick Law viciously. His voice was rough, commanding.
"Grab the dumb kid," he barked, eyes cold and merciless.
Law was hoisted off the ground again, held tight by two rough looking thugs. His heart pounded like a war drum as he desperately scanned for an escape route. His eyes caught the grin of the smaller man, wide and wicked, mouth curling into a sneer.
"It wasn't much of a fight, but you sure did put up a fight, kid," the smaller man taunted, voice dripping with mockery. "Got a few good shots in, though. Not bad for a rookie."
Law's gaze flicked to the man he'd put down earlier, now seething with fury. The smirk on the smaller guy's face ignited a spark of defiance in him.
"Yeah, especially that fatty over there, huh?" Law shot back, laughing bitterly and pointing at the man clutching his broken nose.
The small man grinned wider, eyes gleaming. "Hahaha. I like that spirit. Even after a beating like that, you still got fight left in you. How about we go for round two?"
Suddenly, the smaller man released Law's arm, and the big man along with the beefy, broken-nosed guy looked at each other in shock. Law saw his opening.
Without hesitation, he twisted his body, slipping from the grasp of his captors. He spun toward the larger man's side, landing a swift kick to the back of his knees. The big man tumbled backwards, the back of his head planting into the ground, Law's foot crashing onto his face before he could react.
Law looked around for the smaller guy, now out of sight. His eyes darted to the fat man, who was retreating towards a side alley.
"Second chances don't come often, man," Law called out, voice hoarse but steady. "You wanna go again?"
The fatty hesitated, then muttered, "Fuck it. This ain't worth my time anymore," before backing away, disappearing into the shadows.
Law spat blood onto the concrete, then stooped to pick up the paper bag he'd dropped earlier. As he moved towards where he thought it was, a familiar voice echoed from behind.
"Not too bad, kid. Honestly? I think you would've won if I wasn't here," the smaller man chuckled, kicking the large unconscious man at his feet. He raised the paper bag in the air. "Oh, are you looking for this?"