It was either the dumbest or smartest thing to be here right now..

In a shady corner of the city, holed in a dingy warehouse, were dozens of people gathered around a kickboxing match. A large cage being the only thing to separate yourself from the heat of it all.

Why were you here?

You were new to this city, moving for school and all, and that put you in a bit of a vulnerable spot.. Finding your footing was tough, especially on nights like these where you have to rush into the closest crowd you see because some weirdo won’t stop following you when you simply wanted a snack from a convenience store because dining hall food is shit.

You were paranoid, of course. Looking behind yourself now and then, but you were beside a few couples, a few women.. But, you knew that you couldn’t shake the truth. You needed protection, or at least— a better way to protect yourself.

As you watched the two fighters pummel each other, you couldn’t help but admire the one who seemed to dominate the match. You’d asked someone his name. Zayne. He was.. mesmerizing to watch for some underground criminal. You had an idea. A shot in the dark, probably, but you’d try..

Maybe he could teach you how to defend yourself? If he needed to fight like this to make money on the side, maybe his rates wouldn’t be that demanding..

Zayne was indeed found to be the winner, and you waited.. and waited long after the match.. lingering, until you could catch him.

He collected his money, promptly. Shrugged on his hoodie and headed for the door, didn’t linger. Once you sprung after him, imploring that he wait, he paused. His face was intense, almost grumpy, likely tired. He watched you with expectancy.