Taylor arrived home and stepped into the garden. Jesse was inside speaking to Sylvie. Taylor wasn't sure if Jesse would expose him, but he had other things to worry about.

Johan stood across from Taylor staring sternly at him. Suddenly, a sheathed sword appears in front of him which Johan catches in the air.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” He asks, like a stern father.

“No. I have no idea.” Taylor says, denying any wrongdoing.

“It's no matter. I know what you did wrong. Are you ready to accept the punishment?” Johan asks, a gentle pressure suddenly filling the surroundings.

Taylor gulps. Why is it so light? Is this a trick? Taylor asks, unsure how he was going to deal with this situation.

“Are you really going to use a sword, Johan? Shouldn’t we duke this out like men?” Taylor asks with a bitter smile hoping to avoid bloodshed.

“Lucky for you, Taylor, this sword never comes out of this sheath. I’m a master of the Edgeless Sword. My skill behind this blade is very real, but the goal if this art is to avoid conflict.” Johan explains, causing Taylor to smile.

“Oh, that’s great! Should we get started?” Taylor asks, thinking he was getting off easy.

“Unfortunately for you, this doesn’t mean that I’m above making you look like an idiot.” Johan responds with a smile.

“What do you- ugh!” Taylor tries to say before being cut off. Taylor had sensed an intense threat from above him and his body reacted naturally and sent a swift punch to his own face. “What the f- ugh!” Taylor tries to say again before striking down on his own legs, almost hard enough to break bone. Eventually, Taylor was sending strike after strike at his own face and body. “Stop! Please! I’m sorry!” Taylor begs as his body begins to bruise.

“Bear with it for a little longer, Taylor.” Johan says with a sinister smile.

After 10 minutes of Taylor brutally beating his own body, Johan released his hold over Taylor’s body and he collapsed onto the ground panting.

“Uggghhh….. Fuck…. Johan, you asshole…” Taylor groans, unable to do much else.

Johan smiles. “I think I’ll have to do that a few times to get it all out. Be ready to answer the call, Taylor.” He says with a laugh.

…

…

Taylor walks into the house, bruised and beaten, but Sylvie seems to have ignored that. “I see you have a new girlfriend.” She says from across the table, her glare piercing into Taylor’s soul.

Taylor winces at the pain, both physical and emotional. He looks to Jesse and she was sitting down looking innocent while snacking on some peanuts.

Taylor exhales a breath. It just keeps coming… Taylor thinks, almost willing to just give up.

“It just… kind of happened…” Taylor says, finding no other words for this situation.

Sylvie was about ready to throw a tantrum and scold Taylor for his inconsideration, but Johan walked into the house.

“Well, I’ll be off, Taylor. I’ll be leaving Jesse with you. As you should remember, she’s your responsibility now.” Johan says before walking away, only to be interrupted by Sylvie.

“Your responsibility? What does he mean your responsibility!? Taylor!?” Sylvie begins to yell, her anger apparent.

“Ugh…” Johan mumbles, seeing that he walked in at the wrong moment. “I’ll be going now.” He says before walking away.

Taylor gives Johan a bitter look, before facing Sylvie. This couldn’t be blamed on Johan unfortunately… The fault lied with Taylor.