Hey. This is Hazel Montebello. I’m busy right now but you can try leaving a message.

*Beep*

It’s mum here. How are you doing? Your Dad and I are worried about you. You never seem to pick up the phone. I know you’re super busy with work but make sure to find time to rest when you can. Don’t forget that your mental and physical health are important. Call me as soon as you get this. Are you free next Saturday? I thought it would be wonderful for us to all get some lunch as a family for once. Again, call me as soon as you get this. Love you. Bye.

Hey. This is Hazel Montebello. I’m busy right now but you can try leaving a message.

*Beep*

Mum here. Have you heard my previous voicemail? Listen Hazel, I know we’ve said this a thousand times but make sure not to walk around too late at night, not even with a group of friends. A colleague of mine’s daughter was stabbed to death. By a gang they think it was. It was horrible. If that were to ever happen to you, I don’t think I could… **Sniff** Please be careful. Call me when you can.

Hey. This is Hazel Montebello. I’m busy right now but you can try leaving a message.

*Beep*

Listen, sweetheart, I just want you to know that we both love you very much. We-

**AUDIO DISTORTS** *DISTANT GUNFIRE**

Darling, we’re so so proud of you. You’re so strong and intelligent and confident in yourself. Keep striving to make the world-

**DISTANT GUNFIRE** **SCREAMS**

You’ve always had a fierce determination that’s, honestly, sometimes unsettled me, but that’s what makes you special. Remain focused, move forward, and never lose faith in yourself.

Nothing can stop you.

Hazel jolted to the sound of shouts and the slamming sound of footsteps. In the dead of night, at exactly twenty to one, she dashed across the street, briefly illuminated by a flickering street lamp. Ten minutes prior, she sat on a red motorcycle with patience and an abnormal concentration. Luckily, the energy drinks hadn’t worn off yet.

Just as Hazel reached the source of commotion, the shouts switched to screams of agony. One man bleeded a fountain, swarmed by a dozen thugs clad in black from head to toe. They cut through him like butter, slashing at his body and face without hesitation.

“Save me! No! Mum, please!”

Hazel wished she didn’t figure out the desperate words amidst the screams. She froze at the sight of despair in visual form and watched from a distance helplessly. Her knees almost buckled.

This was the harsh reality.

More than 80 blade offenses occurred every day in London and this was just one of them. Realistically, what could she do?

“Everyone’s thinking it so I’ll just say it,” one thug said. “This grown man really just cried for his mummy. What a pussy.”

As if the gory murder hadn’t just occured, joyful laughter filled the air. Hazel’s left eye twitched.

“Fam, those screams were priceless,” another thug said. “I’ve never heard such a high voice in my life.”

“Ooh, I think those shoes are my size. I’ll take these if you don't mind.”

“But there’s blood on them.”

“I can clean them, idiot. I swear these are expensive. Or maybe I’ll sell these at- UGH.”

Hazel was just as surprised as her victim. One second she was trembling afar, wallowing in despair, and the next, two of her feet sunk into the thug’s stomach to perform a well executed dropkick.

There was no reason behind the action. There was nobody to save or protect. The crime was over and she had clearly failed but rage took over, most likely a futile attempt to mask the unbearable helplessness. Without thinking, Hazel swung and swung her fists, letting instinct and training take over. Before anyone could retaliate, blood already dripped from her knuckles after a swift punching combination knocked out another enemy.

At this point, even if she wanted to, there was no escape. But she didn’t want to escape. More than any desire to live was a passion to inflict pain onto everyone, including herself.

While front flipping over countless knives, her parents popped into her mind and thoughts she had somehow managed to delay for weeks formed.

It should have been me, not them. I was always so selfish and self absorbed. I never made time for the things that mattered the most. I’m a disgrace.

Her fist shattered another jaw as she repositioned herself, making sure every enemy was within sight.

I’m sorry, Mum. I’m sorry, Dad.

The sound of bodies dropping and bones snapping blended together in such a sickening way that it would make the devil nod with approval. Disadvantages in raw strength were more than compensated by agility and astonishing technique. It was spectacular and abnormal, almost superhuman.

Almost superhuman.

As Hazel sidestepped an attack, she realized something: she’d been stabbed in the side. She didn’t know how and when it had happened but, for some reason, she’d only just noticed it. She grimaced as the pain finally registered, a sharp ache just above her kidneys. Somewhere along the fight, she must have…

And then her focus was gone. Just like that. A blade cut through the mask. Simultaneously, she uppercutted the assailant, knocking them out instantly, but the damage was done. Blood poured out of her cheek.

One enemy remained but Hazel saw three. Exhaustion caught up with her. Psycho’s words from before sent a chill down her spine.

Life is not a movie. This is real. One night, they’re going to catch you off guard.

Fear finally implanted into her mind as the last assailant caught Hazel’s wrist and threw her onto the ground. She rolled away multiple times from the crimson blade, trying to get back up only for one large bloody hand to pull her back down.

Her vision blurred almost completely as the mask was ripped off. The knife clattered to the ground. Hands pinned her.

“No way you’re a girl. No fucking way this bitch took d-”

THUD!

Hazel’s head crashed into the thug’s nose, blood squirting in the air. She broke free from the man’s hold but kept on headbutting, as if she’d forgotten fists existed.

Thud, thud, thud, thud.

On the third headbutt, the man was unconscious yet Hazel continued, the impact of each blow gradually losing intensity until she was lightly headbutting a motionless body.

Eventually, she staggered back to her feet. No thoughts entered her mind.

She trudged away.