We stayed with my parents for a few months. I earned money by going back into business as a Merc. Still some big money to be made. Cherry, from what I know, stayed with my mother and learned how to cook, and other stuff… I think…
Well… after the wedding, we moved to America. We lived in an apartment in New York, and I ran a fight club. Taught some people how to kick some serious ass. Alpha Series style too.
It was supposedly our "six month anniversary" and I had promised Cherry it would be just us, but some clientele paid some big money for lessons today. I had no choice but to accept.
"Awww… you said today would be for us…" Cherry pouted.
"I know Cherry, but this guy is some kind of celebrity or something. He said he'd pay three grand for two lessons. Three grand, no way I could turn that down." I replied, trying to reason with her.
"Is money worth more than me?"
"Hell to the no. But remember Cherry, money makes the world go 'round. I'd love to stay here with you, but we need that money. It could really help us."
"I know…"
"Cherry, I promise, as soon as the lesson is over, I'll come right back. No stops whatsoever."
"Ok. Give me kiss before you go."
"You are so needy."
"Don't act like you don't love it."
Cherry wrapped her arms around my neck, and I set my hands on her hips. She brought herself in, and kissed me. Instead of holding herself like she usually does, she just pecked me on the lips. She pulled away, and smiled.
"You get to wait…" she said.
"Alright, I gotta go. I'll be back as soon as I can."
I opened the door, and closed it behind me. I ran down two flights of stairs, and out the open door into the streets. I ran as fast as I could to my fight club, which is only a few blocks away. The client and what appeared to be his son were both waiting outside.
"Sorry about being late, I had a few uh… personal matters to attend to." I apologized.
"I thought you people were always supposed to be on time?" the client asked.
"You people? Excuse me, if you have a problem, I suggest you speak up or hold your tongue."
"Please forgive me. My son needs boxing lessons, and I was told you were the best."
"Boxing? This ain't the place for boxing. This is the place for learning how to bring down someone twice your size, or two or more people. Are you ready for that?" I asked, looking at the young boy in front of me.
He nodded.
"Good, now let's get in there and train."
After training the poor confused kid for an hour, their time finally ended. I was happy as hell when I locked the club back up, and ran back home. I had quite a surprise waiting for me.
I opened the door to our apartment, and everything was overturned. The kitchen table was broken in half; all the furniture in our living room was torn up and overturned. I found blood on the carpet. That worried me the most. I frantically searched for Cherry, but to no avail. I found a video tape that said "play me". I found out the only thing left intact was our TV. I pushed the video into the VCR, and pressed play. Cherry was on the screen with a scared look on her face.
"Hadamar… Hadamar help me… I'm scared, these men broke into our apartment, help me! Please, if you're watching this, please come find Me." the video cut off there.
"Fuck! I'm gonna kill whoever did this. The most painful and gruesome ways I can think of." I said, throwing the TV onto the floor.
I searched our bedroom, and found my armor, and my blades. I haven't worn them since Germany, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I armored myself, and locked my blades into place. I locked my helmet, and it hissed as it sealed. I kicked the front door off the hinges, and jumped over the railing onto the first flight of stairs. I ran down the remaining stairs, and out of the apartment building.
I had no choice, I had to find and kill of each and every local gang there was. For Cherry Damnit! The first thing was to locate them all. And find out where I should start. There was an old man who spent all his time at a local bar who was supposed to know every gang, their usual crimes, and hideout locations. I made my way to the bar, and caught the attention of a few thugs on my way.
Three guys stopped me on my way to the bar.
"Where do you think you're going?" the man in the middle asked.
"None of your business, now move before I break every bone in your body." I replied.
"Now, you must be new to this. It works a whole lot different, ya see? We stop you, we beat you, and we take your money."
"I don't have time for your bullshit!" I shoved him back.
"Kill him."
The two guys stepped up. They both ran at me, with a 2x4 and a pipe. Of course, I've killed worse with my eyes closed. When the guy with the pipe swung, and caught his arm. I tightened my grip, and when he tried to pull away, I squeezed even harder. I ended up snapping his arm the wrong way, breaking it. He collapsed after that. The man with the 2x4 ran away with his tail between his legs. The only thing left, was to interrogate the leader.
I grabbed him by his shirt, and lifted him into the air.
"Who sent you?"
"I ain't saying nothing!"
"I'll break your arm like his." I pointed to his unconscious buddy.
"Screw you man."
I threw him to the ground, and it started to rain. Heavy too. I stepped towards him, and he backed himself into a wall. I popped out my right blade, and opened my hand to show it off. He shuddered.
"Tell me!" I demanded.
"The Crimson Kings! They sent us to kidnap your girl!"
"Why?"
"I don't know man! They just said that they needed your girl! That's all I know, I swear man!"
"Alright, get outta here. If you so much as J-walk, I'm gonna find you." I said, releasing my grip on his leg.
"Thank you so much man! I swear, I'm never gonna do this stuff again man!" he cried as he got up and ran away.
"Well… now I just gotta figure out who the hell the Crimson Kings are…" I muttered as I continued my way to the bar.
