#07: Run

The sound of my fist connecting with the punching bag could be heard throughout the warehouse. I catch my breath, grasping my knees, as sweat drips down onto my tracksuit. I fall to the ground, quickly unstrapping the boxing gloves Miko gave me."I- I can't do this-" I say, barely catching my breath."Oh, you definitely can and will!" Leo says, jumping to my side, as he grabbed my arm, yanking me up by force."This is crazy-" I say, leaning on Leo's shoulder, as my sweat continues dripping down onto the sparring mat. Leo snickers softly, lifting my head back up."This is Thunder Fang."
..
"So you're the talk of the town, huh?" The stranger said, grinning at me. Another nudge by Eve positioned me right in front of him. I cough, trying to keep my cool. He was intimidating. His eyes were like a predator's. He seemed so laid back and yet, I was afraid. So this is a baladeer, huh. If that's the way you wanna play, I'll play. If you're gonna try me with that cold stare, I'll do you one better."Yes. My name is Haruto Rin. I'm a Thunder Fang." I stare at him, with a confident grin. My eyes begun glowing in that dark flame again. Even though he intimidated me, I.. wasn't afraid. Maybe the fight with Miko has taught me one thing. Confidence.
..
"Screw that!" I say, throwing a powerless punch at Leo's chest."Yeah, yeah. You already told me about this whole confidence thing. And how is that working for you?" He flicked my head, walking back to the punching bag, as he punched it playfully."Well that was before that psycho gave me this insane workout routine." I grab the boxing gloves, strapping them back on."You act like you're the only one with the routine. I've been doing that for 4 years!" Leo turned to me, as I raised my hands. He begun punching the boxing gloves, while I move one forward. His expression became more serious, as I muttered repeatedly;"Right, left, right, left.." 
We continued over and over, as Leo grew frustrated. I continued muttering, before he groaned loudly, basically throwing a tantrum. He threw his arms around, staring at me in a way I'd never seen him like before. He had his hair up in a bun, so it was easier to see his glare."I said I'd train with you. I don't need you to repeat directions to me like I'm some kind of baby." Leo said, turning his head to the side, as he tried to calm down."Hey— I'm sorry— I didn't mean to." I say, unstrapping my gloves."No, no. It's alright. I'm sorry for yelling." He looked back up at me with more sincere eyes. "No, no. It's cool." I flop to the floor, sitting up. I groan, collapsing backwards."I just get agitated when people repeat nonsense to me." Leo says, following me to the floor, remained sat up."Wanna talk about it?" I say, shutting my eyes. Leo sighed, crossing his legs, as he used the leftover cloth to cover up his bruised knuckles."It's the reason I learned how to fight."
..
I remember it perfectly. It all happened 8 years ago. The dark smoke polluted the air, the darkness of night shrouding everything from me. The glowing of the flames burning down the place I once lived in. The last thing I recall is my mother staring off at us, blood dripping down her chest and mouth, as she covered the hole through her chest. My father stood behind her holding the gun that pierced her chest, dropping to the floor, surrounded my shattered alcohol glasses. Eve carried us away. My eyes set upon her barefeet, bleeding, as she ran through all obstacles, without an end in sight. She hadn't stopped for ten minutes. She kept on running.. and running.. and running. Finally, after what felt like hours, her legs gave in and she fell to the ground. She quickly gathered herself, making sure I was alright, before sitting back up and lifting me to my feet."Listen to me, Leo.." She said, wiping the blood smeared on my forehead off."You're going to run, okay? Never look back. Just run.. never stop. Run, run, run.." Eve smiled at me, blinking rapidly to hold back her tears."But.. I don't wanna leave you!" Tears flowed down my face, as I hugged Eve, not willing to let go."No, no. Leo. You have to. I'll see you soon. I promise. Just.. run.." Eve gently pushed me off her. Her tears finally rained down. This time, she was the one who hugged me. Somehow, the whole world went still. The only sound heard were Eve's weeps. I was never the brightest, I knew that. That moment, however, I just knew. I let go of Eve and ran. I never stopped running, I never looked back. I ran for hours, nonstop. Finally, I reached a city. I didn't know which city it was, nor did I care. It wasn't like I could've done anything, I passed out as soon as I arrived.
I woke up in an unknown, white room. Sounds of beeping and whirring could be heard all over the room. When I'd finally come to, I'd recognize it was a hospital. They had stuck all types of drug-filled needles into me. I tried to sit up, but was stopped by a gentle hand, who held me down. I looked up and gazed upon the doctor. He smiled at me. I knew I was safe. After I had fully recovered, the doctor took me in. He gave me a place to stay, fed me every night, treated me like I was his son. I actually felt that he was being sincere. I thought that he loved me. Guess I really wasn't bright.
In the middle of the night, I awoke. Lights from in front and rattling through the ceiling brought me to my senses. This wasn't home. Far from it. I see them again. Drugs. All around me. Is that why I felt dizzy? My eyes set onto a mirror, revealing two men. One of them was the doctor. Their words weren't clear, but I heard all about their child trafficking scheme. I have to get out of here. Run away. I use what strength I have to lift myself up. Life cannot be that easy. My energy was gone, yet in the moment, I was able to push myself into the doors of the truck, shoving myself into it over and over. Finally, the doors busted open, as I fall to the ground. The road coloured me in scratches. I spring up, my energy slowly coming back.
Once again, I ran. For someone who spent the most of their life, running from their problems. You'd think I'd have stopped by now. But look at what happened? I'm back to using speed to my advantage. If I had a choice, I'd have my legs amputated. But that's not a choice, so I'll use my legs to my advantage. I.. am Leonardo Silver, but you can just call me Leo.
..
"Holy shit." I stare dumbfounded."Holy shit indeed." Leo smiles at me.
TO BE CONTINUED