The Villain and the Witch

Allen followed the kidnapper's trail, his expression cold. He didn't look like a student

on a rescue mission; he looked like a hunter.

He reached into his bag, pulled out two sleek handguns, and tossed the heavy

backpack aside without a second thought. He began to run.

Meanwhile, at the back of the school, Regina was struggling.

"Help! Someone help!" she screamed.

"Shut up!" the kidnapper hissed, tightening his grip. "No one is coming for you here.

We're behind the school—it's deserted."

"Are you sure about that?"

A voice cut through the air like a knife. The kidnapper spun around. Allen was

standing there, looking bored.

"Allen!" Regina gasped.

The kidnapper sneered, looking Regina in the eye. "Oh? So this is your hero? This

kid?"

Regina made a face, looking between the kidnapper and Allen. "If he's a hero, then

the word has lost all meaning."

Allen tilted his head. "I never said I was a hero. In fact, I'd much prefer to be the

villain."

The kidnapper looked confused. "Wait... you didn't come here to save her? You two

hate each other?"

"I came here," Allen said, stepping forward, "because I want the weak to know their

place."

"You arrogant brat!" the kidnapper roared. "You think you can defeat me?"

"You have no idea who you're messing with."

Before the kidnapper could react, Allen raised his arms.

Bang. Bang.

Two shots. Precise. Lethal.

The kidnapper slumped to the floor, the life fading from his eyes. Regina watched in

frozen shock. This wasn't a schoolyard fight. This was an execution.

Allen walked over, grabbed the dying man by the collar, and leaned in close to

whisper.

"See who the loser is? Remember the name: Allen Sterling. You should have known

better than to touch someone in my territory. My father is the Mafia Boss."

He dropped the man's collar and turned to Regina. He untied her ropes with practiced

efficiency.

"Goodbye, little witch," he muttered.

He walked away before she could even say thank you.

The Homecoming

Allen stepped through the front door of the Sterling mansion. "I'm home."

His father was already waiting in the foyer. "You're late, son. Where have you been?"

"School project," Allen lied smoothly. "Then I helped someone."

His father's eyes narrowed. "Did anyone die during this 'help'?"

"Maybe."

His father's face reddened with sudden anger. "Allen! How many times have I told

you? No guns until you are twenty! You're supposed to be laying low!"

"I helped a classmate who was kidnapped," Allen shot back. "Why shouldn't I use the

tools you raised me with?"

"You enjoy the killing too much," his father sighed. "I'm going to have to find a way to

handle you."

"Do what you want," Allen shrugged, heading to his room. "It won't change anything."

On the other side of town, Regina burst into her home. "I'm home!"

Her father, Mr. Macley, rushed to meet her. "Regina! You're late. Is something wrong?"

Regina hesitated, then let out a long breath. "I was kidnapped, Dad."

"What?!" Mr. Macley nearly fainted. "Are you hurt? My poor daughter!"

"I'm fine, Dad. Calm down. A classmate saved me."

"That's it," Mr. Macley said, his voice trembling with resolve. "I am hiring a bodyguard

for you. Twenty-four-seven. No arguments!"

Regina groaned. "Dad, please, I don't need a babysitter!"

"It's final, Regina. I won't lose you."

The Deal Between Bosses

Later that night, Mr. Macley picked up his secure phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello, Sterling? It's Macley."

"Ah, Macley! My old friend," Allen's father answered. "How is business? How is your daughter?"

"Business is fine, but my daughter is the problem. She was nearly taken today. I need a

bodyguard I can trust completely. Someone young enough to blend in at her school

but dangerous enough to kill."

Mr. Sterling smiled on the other end of the line. "It's funny you say that. My son is

becoming a handful. He needs discipline, and he's already a better hitman than most

of my soldiers."

"Your son? You'd let him do it?"

"He's my son, but he's your son too, old friend. Let's have them meet tomorrow

before school. They already attend the same high school, don't they?"

"Perfect," Macley agreed. "Let's set it up."

The Announcement

Regina's father called her into the study. "I've arranged your protection. He is the son

of my oldest friend—a powerful family. You'll meet him tomorrow morning."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever keeps you quiet, Dad."

Meanwhile, in the Sterling household...

"You're going to be a bodyguard," Mr. Sterling told Allen.

"No," Allen said instantly. "I'm not a servant."

"It's for my oldest friend's daughter. She goes to your school. You'll do it, or I'll strip

you of your rank in the family."

Allen clenched his jaw. "Fine. But only for a few days. I don't take orders from anyone

for long."

"We meet them tomorrow before class," his father said.

Neither Allen nor Regina knew that their "enemy" was about to become their shadow.

To Be Continued...