Chapter Seventy-Five: Escape

"Someday, love will find you. Break those chains that bind you. One night will remind you: If he ever hurts you, true love won't desert you."

~Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey~

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Warnings: abuse, addiction, anxiety, biphobia/homophobia, depression, domestic violence, slight eating disorder, language, panic attacks, sexual harassment/assault/abuse, violence, and other mature themes

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Third Person POV

"Guess you didn't learn much, huh?" Silver looks sadistically down at Johnny after he crumbled to the ground at the lack of defense.

Johnny coughs on the ground in pain as Kreese watches in disbelief.

"You wanna see some more?" Silver goes over to Johnny and picks him up like a doll.

"Let him go," Kreese steps in.

Silver's head snaps to his best friend to see he isn't joking.

"Now."

Silver tosses Johnny back onto the concrete and approaches Kreese.

"We agreed to settle this at the tournament," Kreese continues. "And that's where we're gonna do it."

"What happened to 'no mercy?'" Silver asks in confusion and disappointment.

"You know," Kreese steps closer, "I thought you knew better than to question me."

Silver agues, "I thought this was what you wanted."

Kreese gives Silver an angry look for hurting his former student, his weakness.

Silver looks down at Johnny in realization before turning back to his captain he just lost respect for. He knows something has to change. Silver walks out.

Kreese hesitates as he looks down at Johnny and then turns to walk out, too. Except Silver and Kreese go opposite directions.

Silver mutters to himself as he gets into his car and drives to his new favorite liquor store.

He had been sober since therapy and rehab after the eighties, but John Kreese invited him back and he started to drink like the old times. Now, it's Terry Silver's escape.

⭒⭒⭒

Zion's POV

Robby and I enter the already massive house party excitedly. His hand grips mine as we wander around. I realized once we parked that I didn't think to tell my other three friends anything about the afterparty and it makes me sad and guilty.

I see Yasmine on the couch with Demetri, Eli, and Moon. She's all over Demetri and I scrunch my nose in disgust.

Eli's eyes meet mine as I walk by with Robby. I see them exchange a tense look as Moon chats with Yasmine. Eli grabs Moon and kisses her cheek and she giggles as he suddenly pretends I don't exist.

I pull Robby towards the kitchen and basically run into Miguel, "Hey."

"Hey," Miguel responds without taking his piercing eyes off my boyfriend. Miguel and Robby exchange a protective stare as I shift to stand between them worriedly.

This time, Robby's arm wraps around my waist and pulls me away from him. I feel badly about how I'm treating Miguel tonight, but it's all to avoid another fight like at the school.

Robby pulls me to the side of the room, "What do we want to do here?"

"Do we have to have a plan? We can just hang out," I shrug as I think of the parties in Santa Maria with beer pong and stupid party games. 

"Okay, I love when you're spontaneous," he smiles and leans closer so our noses brush.

I giggle as I let my lips find his. My hand ruffles through his hair and he holds my hip. My leg lifts up as much as it can in this dress to wrap around his leg. 

"Robby," I whisper and break the kiss before it can go further, "we're in public."

"I want everyone to know we're together," Robby smiles mischievously.

"That's sweet," I acknowledge, "but my ex and Miguel are right here."

"All the more reason to do this," his eyes flicker down to my lips, but he doesn't make an advance until I consent.

I glance past him and see Tory and Piper stumble in, clearly already drunk.

"Come on, silly," I pull him by the collar of his tuxedo jacket and lead him over to the couple. "Now, where were you two?"

Piper giggles as she leans on Tory and my best friend smirks, "Just don't sit on the master bed up there and you'll be fine."

"You guys!" I exclaim as Robby awkwardly ditches this conversation.

Piper laughs, "It's her fault for carrying a-"

"Shut up!" Tory covers her girlfriend's mouth.

"A what?" my lips curl up into a curious smile.

"None of your business," Tory says and then turns to Piper. "And you are sworn to secrecy, babe."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Piper grabs a random cup off the counter.

"Hey, don't drink that," I grab it out of her hand.

"What? Is it yours? Sorry."

"No," I shake my head, "it could be drugged. You should get it straight from the source."

"Oh," Piper nods, "good catch. I didn't even think of that."

How do I tell her that it's all I ever think about anymore: ways for men to take advantage of me?

"Well, the traitor is looking pretty sad over there with his new girl," Tory looks over my shoulder.

I glance where she's looking and see Eli sitting a good foot or two away from Moon on his phone.

"He's probably too jealous to move on from you and rightfully so," Piper observes. "Moon is a very touchy girlfriend and the fact that they aren't on each other right now shows that he's the one pushing her away. It's almost funny."

I look at Eli in dismay when I hear Piper's theory. He has sad eyes and he slumps over unconfidently. I didn't mean to ruin everything for him, but I did because I ruined his sense of trust, which is what I thought I wanted.

"I told you that I'd never forgive you. You can't control me any more, all right? I'm done with you, Zion."

It was all me. 

I glance over at Robby talking to Big Red and realize how unfair it is that I can move on but Eli can't. This is why he won't disappear from my life forever like I figured he would. I thought my actions with Robby would make him drift far, far away from me and put us at peace.

Instead, I see his constant, longing looks and everlasting hostility towards me and Robby. I know the fire burning inside of Eli and know that I need to somehow give us closure. Then, our emotional ties will be broken forever. 

An older couple walks by, hand-in-hand, just like Hawk and I were on the boardwalk. "That's going to be us one day. We'll be together forever," Hawk says softly.

My chest burns in anxiety as I try to figure out how to go about this without hurting anyone, especially Robby or Eli.

"Earth to Z," Piper nudges me a little and I snap out of my thoughts.

"You all right?" Tory questions in concern.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," I nod though I know I'm still unsure.

"We're going to go get another drink. They have beer out back," she explains.

"I'm not drinking," I reveal.

"Why not? Are you all right?" Tory asks with genuine concern.

"Yeah, yeah, Robby and I don't drink," I continue, "because of our parents."

"Damn, I admire your willpower," Tory raises her eyebrows.

"Me too. Couldn't be us," Piper giggles. I look down in dismay a moment before masking it.

"Don't worry," Tory assures me, "we'll drink enough for you and Robby both."

I smile, "I appreciate that." Though, I have to be honest, I miss it.

"Come on," Tory wraps her hand in Piper's and excuses them from me.

I sigh to myself as I wander over to Robby. 

He watches them leave, "You ready to go out to the patio, too?"

"I think I'll go to the bathroom," I decide. I realize it's been a while since I last went.

"Don't get lost," he chuckles before kissing my lips momentarily. "I'll wait for you out back."

I walk into the house and search around for a bathroom of some sort. I finally see a door that I think could be it down a small flight of stairs. My heel scuffs the ground wrong and I fall forward and into the railing.

I curse myself as I look down at my shoes and hope to God none of the damage is visible. I intend to return all of this, even though Sensei Silver was nice to buy everything for me. So, I sit down on the steps and my dress flops around me as I take off my shoe and inspect it.

A figure walks out of the bathroom and approaches me. I look up to see Eli trying to get past me as I block the exit. Of course it's him. We look at each other in wonder, as if we're strangers.

"Oh, sorry," I say as I awkwardly stand up with only one shoe on.

I wobble to the side as he just nods to get past me. I find myself turning back towards him.

"Hey," I call after Eli. He turns to me in surprise. "I'm sorry."

"You're good," he looks at the steps.

"No, no, not about that," I sigh.

He looks at me in question. I get the courage to say it.

"About what happened between us."

"Oh. Um. Thanks for the apology," Eli responds almost like it's a question before turning away.

"Eli?"

He turns back in defeat, "Yeah?"

"I-I didn't mean to hurt you. I mean, at one point I did because I was hurt, but... With everything that happened, it was never my intent to let it go this far."

"What are you doing?" he asks almost angrily. "Are you trying to get me to cheat with you or try to confuse me before the tournament or what? What's your game?"

"I've been doing some thinking," I respond. This doesn't have anything to do with the lesson on balance today. "I don't know. I just wanted to talk to you and be honest because I really haven't been. I saw you with Moon tonight and I realized that we never had true closure. She deserves to have you fully in her life and you deserve to be happy. You're a... You're a much better person than I am, Eli."

"Don't say that," he shakes his head. I think about how good Moon is and how he deserves someone easy and unconditionally supportive. He deserves better than me.

"Don't pretend it isn't true. And, the truth is, maybe we're better off apart. Like, you're better with Moon, I'm sure, because she doesn't encourage you to fight or push you to be something you're not. That's what I did and I wasn't the kind of person you needed in your life. I'm sorry for playing with your feelings. I really, truly am."

I want to tell him that Robby and I saying that we were unfaithful was a big scheming lie, but I look at the boy I used to love and realize that he would never believe me.

Eli stands still as he tries to comprehend everything I'm saying. I just need him to know that it wasn't him and that what I've done these past few months was wrong. I'm a dick.

"I am, too."

"What are you sorry for?" I ask in confusion.

"It wasn't all your fault, you know," Eli sighs. "I think we brought out the anger in each other and I cared more about what people thought of me and us instead of what you were saying to me. I'm sorry I didn't trust you."

"I'm sorry I gave you a reason not to trust me," I whisper. The guilt opens like a flood gate as I remember not only the good times with Miguel, but the good ones with Eli, too. "I'm sorry I made you think you weren't enough. I'm sorry-"

"Z," he stops me, "if you're looking for forgiveness... I'm not there yet."

"No, that's not what I'm aiming for. I just wanted to clear the air," I argue. 

"I don't need your closure or whatever. I'm trying to move on," he explains.

"I'm trying to help you move on. I'm trying to fully move on, too." Because I know now who I want.

"Then, the best thing you can do is stay with the Cobras and Robby and away from me and away from Moon."

I look down in dismay, "Okay. I respect you."

"Okay."

"Okay."

I turn and walk away this time since there's nothing left to say.

"Z?"

"Yes?" I look back at him.

"You're a better person than you think. You've pushed yourself away from all that made you good since you've been at Cobra Kai, but there's still a conscience in there. That's what I've found out about myself at Miyagi-Do. Just remember if you're fighting for yourself or for your senseis, okay?"

I smile a little at his advice even though I don't believe it or need it. "Thank you, Eli." I head into the bathroom and figure out how the hell to pee in this dress.

⭒⭒⭒

I stare at myself in the mirror and smile a little since I haven't truly looked at myself in a while. I look and feel sexy tonight, but what stands out are my dad's features with my newly black hair. Plus, I see less and less of my mom in myself.

Once I'm done in there, I walk back through the house and get lost until I find what I think is the way back.

"Hey, Z," Kyler says. He walks over with his friends.

I eye them wearily in the dimly lit hallway, "What?"

"You had some fun with 'Rhea tonight, but don't forget where your loyalties lie. With us."

"I don't care about your threats, Kyler," I tell him. "Cobra Kai for life."

I repeat the phrase to put him at ease, even though I know that I wouldn't mind if he broke that rule.

I decide I'm so over the drama tonight and walk away. I keep looking around for where Robby is or the exit to the patio...

until I hear screaming.

I follow the loud noises until I make it outside and see Tory and Sam fighting.

Miguel and I run out at the same time from opposite sides and we both grab a girl. I pull Sam's waist for convenience's sake and Miguel grabs Tory.

"Stop!" Miguel yells at them.

I try to hold Sam back, but she doesn't seem to care what she has to do to get me off of her, "Get off of me!"

"Stop fighting," I argue as she elbows and kicks me and I do my best to keep my hold on her.

"Let go of her!" Piper emerges from the crowd as her eyes narrow on Tory being held back by her ex-boyfriend.

I curse as she goes after Miguel and it causes his grip on Tory to loosen and she breaks free.

"Whoa, hey, let's stop," Demetri rushes through the madness to Sam as Yasmine trails behind like a scared cat. She stays with the crowd as he looks at Sam with wide eyes, "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing what Johnny said. I'm not taking her shit anymore," Sam exclaims as Tory runs at her again. Sam swipes her leg under mine and it breaks my hold on her, therefore sending me to the ground. Piper joins Tory in attacking Sam.

I get up and rush towards them; Demetri jumps in and I use the defense I learned to block him. I hate to admit that he's become a better fighter since the last time.

Suddenly, Eli jumps opposite of me and next to Demetri; I feel deja vu wash over me. I can't let this happen again: me losing.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grab my waist and yank me away from Demetri. They catch me so off-guard that I release my grip on him and push the mystery person back, ready to fight. "Z, stop," Hawk stands in front of me. 

Demetri kicks me and Eli sweeps my feet as I'm overpowered once more.

I jump back up once more and roundhouse Demetri in the face as Eli yanks me to the ground. I land roughly on the concrete and can feel where other bruises will start to form.

Eli and I look at each other as we land side-by-side.

Hawk throws the first punch. I block it and spin into him, my back to his chest. He tries to grab me with his free arm, but I flip him and he lands on the sand, but not too hard. I straddle him, smiling. "Oh, you're right. You sure taught me a lesson," I laugh sarcastically.

"Get off of her!"

Robby rushes out and yells angrily.

He grabs Eli and yanks him up. They begin to fight and that's when Sam steps in and throws a few punches at Robby.

She grabs him by the wrist tightly, "You think I broke your heart? You broke mine, too!"

A ping of jealousy hits my heart when I see their interaction. Tory looks at me and then she sweeps Sam down and everyone gasps.

Everything I thought I could control slips out of my grip as everyone starts to fight everyone. I can only watch in horror as I try to assess where I can jump in and help most.

Robby punches Eli at the same time that Demetri faces me to fight. Sam, Piper, and Tory begin to fight, too. I have to focus on my fight, unfortunately, and can't offer help to anyone else.

I stay on my guard as I remind myself not to get too cocky with him; that's something Sensei Silver taught me when he had Kyler beat me. His offense is on another level, but all my training has been offense and he pales in comparison.

I get Demetri against a table and have him in the palm of my hand-

My peripheral vision catches Miguel and Robby fighting now.

"Settle down. I'm sure we can figure this-" Robby is tackled by Miguel and I step back to avoid injury. Miguel and Robby begin to fight each other, as do Sam and Tory. I want to breakup the fight between the boys, but what chance do I have...

I instantly drop Demetri as I realize my priorities. I won't make the same mistake again.

I stumble back into Eli who looks ready to fight me. He gives me a look of confusion as I leave Demetri alone. I shove by Eli and grab Robby's arm.

I yank him back and put my hands out between the two boys before screaming, "Are you insane?! Do you not remember what happened last time?"

"He deserves it!" Robby yells back with an almost evil look on his face. I don't even recognize him.

Robby lunges at Miguel as I try to figure out what to do to stop this because what if I can't and it all happens again and one of the boys I love most gets hurt or killed and it's all my fault?

I turn helplessly to Eli and Demetri who stare at me in surprise. They stand like deers in the headlights at the fact that I ditched fighting them for trying to break this one up and who can blame them? I give up on the duo before turning after Miguel and Robby.

"No, stop!" I exclaim once Robby has Miguel pinned on his knees by his neck. "Robby, look at me."

I plead with the boy and he looks up at me; his eyes soften for a moment. I want to explain that this isn't who he is, but before I can, Miguel breaks free of the chokehold and gets up.

I can see all the other fights erupting into chaos and suddenly it's the Cobras lined up against the Miyagi-Dos and Eagle Fangs.

"It's time to settle this, bitch," Sam practically growls at Tory.

They all move towards each other and begin to fight. I observe the madness to find something that will help. Robby attacks Eli at the same time that Piper takes on Demetri and Tory and Sam exchange kicks and punches.

I see Miguel alone momentarily as Eli holds Robby off. I can do this.

I rush over to Miguel in a panic and turn him to me and away from the fight., "We have to stop this." Robby is beyond reason and is acting like a whole other person.

Miguel shakes his head, "How?"

"I don't know. I really need your help to figure out something," I feel myself speaking faster than I ever thought possible.

Robby pushes Sam into Demetri, who falls to the ground, and Tory attacks Eli. When Robby is free, I see him turn towards Miguel.

"No!" I scream as it all happens in slow motion.

Robby jumps forward and kicks towards Miguel's back. I react quickly and pull Miguel's waist and spin us so we switch places. Miguel realizes what's going on when he sees Robby and his eyes widen.

Before he can react, Robby kicks me and I fall forward and prepare for pain as the world flashes before me.

The front of my body hits the water with a crack and I sink under.

It goes up my nose and my chest stings in pain. I try to stand upright, but my dress makes it almost impossible. I gasp for air until a hand guides me to the surface.

My hair flops crazily and I cough up water as I try to become acquainted to everything again. The fall was disorienting.

I look to my side and see that Robby helped me and that he's all wet, too.

My eyes glance up at the pavement to see Miguel safe and dry, but I notice all the girls are in the water. Demetri and Eli move over to Miguel as the people begin to jump into the pool, including Stingray.

I look down at my soaked and expensive designer dress and then at my heels that fell off and began to float. I see my crown floating away from me, too.

"Are you all right?" Robby asks me.

I push him off of me, "What the hell was that?"

"I'm sorry. You weren't meant to get in the way. I was aiming for Mi-"

"I told you this wasn't what tonight was supposed to be!" I exclaim.

"I didn't start it," Robby argues and I see his anger return.

"You didn't stop it, either," I sigh as I look around us. My dress is floating in a circle around me from the water and I know I look ridiculous because my makeup isn't waterproof. "You were trying to hurt Miguel."

"They're our enemies and I was only defending Cobra Kai, but you weren't."

"Because I didn't want to be on anyone's side tonight! I wanted a fun, drama-free night with the person I love, but look at this. It's all ruined and I should have known it was too much to ask for," I say as I feel tears form. "I should have known that nothing can work out for me just once."

"I was by your side the whole night to make it perfect," Robby reminds me.

"No, no, you said that Miguel deserved being paralyzed. You almost killed him, Robby!" I exclaim.

Robby's silence says all I need to know as he avoids my gaze.

I glance around at the people watching my outburst, including the three boys on the pool patio completely fine. Miguel and Eli look especially concerned as I take in a deep breath and realize this isn't what I want.

"I'm giving you time to cool off. I think it's best if I just go," I decide.

I trudge through the water and people to find the stairs to get out of the water. I feel so many pairs of eyes on me. I don't even know what I want, but it's not this.

"Zion, wait, wait," Robby rushes after me.

I step up a couple steps before he takes my hand and I turn back with a frown.

"Think about it like this: we threw the competition off balance, just like the lesson from today," Robby whispers almost happily. "We can celebrate."

I stare at him in shock and repeat him louder, "Celebrate?"

Robby nods at me as I take in his words. This isn't like him. He brings out the best in me, but this... tonight... this was wrong.

I glance around at Miguel and Eli as I remember them saying that I've gone too far and that there's good hidden somewhere inside me. I have to believe the same about Robby, but...

It scares me how hostile he is to everyone but me and how he has also started to rely on our senseis as much as I had. I know now that I can't rely on them as much as I did with my dad because nobody compares.

I look up at the stars and feel like maybe my dad is sending a signal to me that something here is wrong.

I look down at my hand in Robby's...

"...you convinced me to try it, so I have you to thank."

and pull it away.

He stares at me worriedly as I step out of the pool, lift up my dress, and run into the house as quickly as I can as the dress weighs me down.

I run past everyone- enemies and friends alike- as I make it out the front door. My chest burns as I turn on the car and pull out of Encino Hills, leaving Robby and the "best night ever" behind.

⭒⭒⭒

I stumble into the dojo, sobbing. I can't go anywhere else except here because I don't want to see Robby at Shannon's. I've found multiple rips in my dress from the fighting and it's ruined now, along with my hair and makeup. I ended up tearing the bottom of the dress to be able to walk better since it was just a ridiculous weight to carry around and it was already ruined. I look like a disaster.

"Hello?" I call out weakly. A light is on in the back and I hope that Sensei Kreese is here so that he can let me stay here again.

There's no response, so I follow the light. I figure maybe someone just left it on when they left, although the door was unlocked.

My bare feet almost step on broken glass as I enter the back room.

To my surprise, Sensei Silver is leaning on workout equipment. He's slouched over and his whole look is disheveled.

"Sensei?" I ask softly.

He turns his head slowly to look at me, "Hm? Oh, Ambrose."

I really that something feels off about him, but I'm too emotionally and physically exhausted to wonder why. "Uhm, is it all right for me to spend the night here? Prom... it wasn't good."

"And why is that?" he sits awkwardly on the treadmill.

I shake my head, "Everyone got into a fight and Robby wasn't acting like himself. Nobody was acting like themselves, actually. I guess I realized that we aren't enemies in the way we thought."

"But you are enemies," Sensei Silver is quick to argue with me.

My eyes widen, "Sensei, Robby tried to tell me that kicking Miguel off the balcony at the school was justified."

"Wasn't it?" Silver stands up.

My chest tightens when I hear his words. My eyes dart around the room and I see the shattered glass and the empty... This scene suddenly seems too familiar.

"Sensei, I think you should stop drinking. Please," I say as I try to calm him and myself down.

"Diaz is the enemy. He's with Johnny Lawrence and the poor kid is going to be crushed tomorrow," he laughs darkly.

"What do you mean?" I ask worriedly.

"It means that Johnny Lawrence is no match for an old man."

"Wait, y-you hurt Johnny?" My hands shake. "A-And you think it was okay for Robby to almost kill Miguel?"

"No mercy," Sensei Silver snorts in amusement.

"You aren't thinking straight..." I think of all the liquor he drank and step away in fear.

My foot hits the glass and I shriek in pain. Silver looks at me with a sly grin and walks slowly toward me.

"Diaz stole his girlfriend. He escalated that fight. Diaz ended up in a coma for showing mercy and that's what Sensei Kreese," he chuckles, "and I are working on. We're building you up to be stronger than that, to be as successful as we were in the war. Cobra Kai shows no mercy and takes down the enemy."

I try to pick the glass out of my foot and hop on one good foot. I know I need to get out of here.

"Miguel isn't my enemy," I argue as my voice shakes.

"You're just like Sensei Kreese," Sensei Silver laughs. "You have a weakness for someone and it's going to get you into trouble. That's why you need Cobra Kai the right way."

"No," I turn to walk out, but Sensei Silver steps on my dress and holds me in place.

"Here's a new lesson. A man can't stand," Silver kicks my stomach and knocks me back into the glass, "he can't fight."

I yelp in pain and jump off the tiny glass shards. I feel my tears starting again as Silver continues to walk towards me. My body shakes and threatens to collapse just like it had with Janice.

"A man can't breathe," he kicks me again and knocks me back into the wall, "he can't fight."

I groan as the air is pushed out of me and Silver comes over closer. His hands wrap around my neck. I try to push him off, but the man is so skilled that he can see every defense I have coming from a mile away. I claw desperately as my vision begins to get blurry and I gasp for oxygen.

"You try to turn your back on Cobra Kai? Cobra Kai turns its back on you," Silver laughs and I can smell the whiskey on his breath.

Tears definitely escape my eyes that feel like they're popping out of my head. Eventually, I feel them wanting to roll back in my head. I try to fight it. I try in every way possible.

"A man can't see, he can't fight," Silver takes me to the point of almost blacking out.

I gasp in his grasp worriedly because I'd never been quite this overpowered by anyone: Adam or Janice. I had always found a way out, but now there's no escape. I'm powerless. 

"And apparently, neither can little girls who don't know their place," Silver slams my head into the wall and releases me.

I collapse on the ground and curl into the fetal position. I'm shaking with fear and gasping for air and that's all my body can do. I'm so dizzy and my head hurts like hell. I feel like I'm dying.

"Challenging me, challenging the All Valley board, challenging what I'm teaching my students?" Silver laughs maniacally. "You're a stubborn little bitch- and a stupid one, at that."

I glance over at him as my breathing slowly evens out, though I can feel the imprint from his hands on my neck throbbing as if they never left.

"You think Kreese ever cared about you, Zion?" Silver walks over to what I thought was an empty case of beer.

He grabs another glass bottle and pops the top off. He downs half of it in one go and his face contorts a little from the strong beer.

"He never gave a shit about you until recently. You're one of his little weaknesses. Can you believe it? You!" The man chuckles.

I try to find any kind of moisture in my mouth to say something, but it feels like my voice has been ripped out.

"That's right. Johnny Kreese was using you, Star. He saw potential in you as a lure for your old boyfriend to come join the snakes. His plan was to get the Keene boy and then get his father and then rule The Valley... or some shit."

Silver laughs wickedly and walks toward me again. I shuffle back towards the wall in fear.

"My plan is different." He takes another big gulp of the bottle. "Mh, good stuff." He throws it at the wall near me and I flinch in terror. "You see, everyone has a weakness and, eventually, I'll make it so that only my Cobras don't. We will be unstoppable after the tournament to train the next generation."

My mind flashes back to when Kenny was accepted into the dojo. I look up at Silver in horror at the thought of Kenny being here with him.

"N-No," I stutter.

"Here's where you come in, Star," he uses the nickname almost as an attack now. "You're going to join me and help this dojo achieve it's full potential."

"No," I say again as I try to gain my footing.

Silver punches my face and I'm back down on the ground with a bleeding nose within a second.

"You don't have a choice. Because if you don't, I will find your mommy and you will go back to her." My breathing constricts at the words. My eyes struggle to catch up with the rest of my body. "And, we don't want that."

I sob onto the floor as he continues to laugh and paces around. I can't let him do this, but I don't have a choice.

"So, will you join me, Star?" the man spreads his arms open. "You'll be a champion."

This sadistic, delusional man is an insane psychopath and I'm only just now realizing. Either way it's a lose-lose. Winning was all I wanted for the longest time. Now, sobs escape my mouth loudly and uncontrollably.

It's then that I remember my narcissistic mother never taking no for an answer unless I made it about her somehow. I glance up at Silver and then over at his case of beer. I hope and pray that somehow my dad will help me through this.

"I'll join you," I manage to squeak out slowly and quietly.

"You won't regret it-"

"If I can have a beer with you to celebrate?" I suggest as I sit up obediently, clutching my nose.

Silver grins, "Good girl. That's a wonderful idea."

He turns his back and moves swiftly over to the case as I stand up quietly. I lift up a ten-pound weight beside me and hope with my whole being that this does what I need it to perfectly.

I take a breath as my arms regain their strength and I throw it hurdling through the air until it hits the back of Silver's head. My arm hurts and my vision is blurred, but I know I have to try and cannot give up until I'm safe.

Silver falls forward, but I don't have time to assess if he's all right or unconscious before I rush out the back doors of the strip mall dojo to run anywhere...

anywhere but here,

where everything I've ever loved

and trusted will stay...

without me.

⭒⭒⭒

A/N: End Season Four Part One.