After a thirty-minute lecture from her parents, calling relatives in India about the surgery, and yelling through the phone even though she told her parents they could hear them perfectly fine, Karmin was finally settled in her bed.

It had been an eventful day from avoiding Maddox to celebrating surgeries. There were still obstacles in her path, but slowly, everything was falling into place. For one day, she didn't have to worry about her next fight. She was almost worry-free.

Except for her finals coming up, and oh yeah, Maddox.

The night really had a talent for bringing all her stressors to light.

She wasn't sure how she was going to deal with the Maddox problem. Karmin didn't think she could go back to being friends with him after the kiss. Some might say settling for friendship isn't too bad. You still have the person you want in your life. But for her, it was painful to watch and talk to him as if nothing happened.

I would rather break apart from him than break down with him.

Karmin shook her head, forcing the thoughts out of her head. Just one night.

Her mind slowly eased down as she shut her eyes. Her breathing synced up with the ticking clock as her worries trickled away. The blanket hugged her softly, and she went back to wishing they were the arms of the boy that trespassed every thought.

The night was calm and undisturbed until her phone buzzed by the night table.

"I can't even get a peaceful sleep," she muttered bitterly as she blindly patted the table for her phone. When her hands made contact with the rough material of her case, she looked at the bright screen to see 'Blocked Number.'

Who could it be?

Her thumb hovered over the green button, shaking for no reason. She had no reason to be scared. Everything was over.

But why did I feel the opposite?

She exhaled sharply and without another thought, picked up the call. "Hello?" she whispered, shakily.

"Karmin," he greeted, his tone sending chills down her spine. "I'm glad you picked up."

Oh, fuck me.

"Ares?" she asked, her voice breaking.

"Sounds like you're doing alright," he remarked casually as if he wasn't the one who bashed her face in a few days ago.

"If you ignore the random bursts of pain, migraines, and bruises, I'm doing perfect," retorted Karmin sarcastically as she sat upon her bed to take in a deep breath.

A deep laugh was heard through the phone. "It could've been worse."

Could it have? Well, there was, you know, dying.

"Um, how did you get my number?" she questioned hesitantly.

"I can track people across the country. Getting your number was simple," Ares mused simply. "But enough small talk, you're probably wondering why I'm calling you so late at night."

"I don't suppose it was to check up on me and my health," she laughed awkwardly.

"I'd be lying if I said I was. There's another reason," he explained, his tone turning serious. "I would like to meet with you. In thirty minutes to be exact at the abandoned train station."

Her blood went cold, and she froze, trying to comprehend as to why he wanted to meet. She knew exactly what station she was talking about. It was by the river two bodies were found a couple of months back. It was the perfect place to kill her.

"I'm a bit tired right now. Can we meet tomorrow at like a Starbucks? Preferably in the morning where there are witnesses," she offered stiffly. "I'll even buy you a Frappuccino."

"I don't drink coffee," Ares said shortly.

"Oh, that's alright. Frappuccinos barely have coffee in them. I personally recommend the mocha one. The whip cream and cookie crumble on top is to die for," rambled Karmin nervously. "Not that I would actually die for it. I have no intentions of dying. I like living. Well, most of the time. If you still don't want to go to Starbucks, that's totally okay. We shouldn't be supporting big companies anyway, because screw capitalism. I actually read that they use non-organic milk that comes from cows who are pumped with hormones and –"

"Karmin, I am not getting coffee with you," he interrupted loudly. "Be at the train station in thirty minutes. Bring your friend, Maddox, too."

Great, another problem.

"Do I have to? Something happened between the two of us and it's been pretty awkward. We haven't spoken in days and I'd really rather not talk to him," she explained.

"I don't care about your relationship issues," Ares said firmly. "If I don't see the two of you, I will be taking a detour to your house," and with that, he cut the call.

Karmin clutched her phone tightly, doing everything in her will to not throw it against the wall. She clenched her jaw, punching the pillows in anger. She wasn't just scared of having to meet him. She was beginning to get sick and tired of all this.

Begrudgingly, she called Maddox, wondering if he would pick up. She hadn't been replying to any of his texts or calls anyway.

A few rings later, he picked up, and before he could say anything, she spoke. "Ares called. He wants to see the two of us," she said apathetically.

"Fuck," he whispered angrily. "Is that the only reason you called?"

She hesitated, surprised by his question. "Yeah."

"Oh," said Maddox disappointedly. "I'm on my way."

***

"My legs are freezing," hissed Karmin as she hugged her hoodie around her tighter, the wind poking at her legs that were bare from her athletic shorts.

"Maybe you should invest in pants," remarked Maddox under his breath.

She looked him up and down from his red reindeer pajama pants and a black sweatshirt. "Maybe you should invest in seasonally appropriate pajamas," fired back Karmin bitterly.

"They were the only ones not in the wash, okay," he grumbled, eyeing her. "And at least my legs won't fall off from frost-bite."

"I'll be using those legs to beat you with them," she mumbled.

The entire car ride, once again, was quiet to the train station except for when Maddox asked her where they were going and why. She had no clue herself, so she shrugged, and that was where the conversation ended.

She could feel the weird tension between them. It was unlike the one back at the swimming pool where it felt inviting and tempting. Now, it was just stiff and awkward. It didn't help that they were walking into what possibly could end in their untimely demise.

The empty tracks halted with cargo trains, and occasionally they would pass by some filled with sleeping bags and shopping carts. There was no person in sight, and everything was deathly quiet. No car engines or chatter was audible as they ventured deeper into the abandoned station.

"Do you see anyone?" she asked hushed as they passed under a bridge graffitied with art and curse words. They had made it to the end of the bridge that connected to what appeared as a station with concrete stairs leading up to the platform.

"Last time I checked, I didn't have night-time vision," remarked Maddox.

Karmin scoffed, shaking her head. "I don't appreciate your sass."

"And I don't appreciate your..." he stumbled as he tried to form a coherent comeback, "face."

"Yeah, well, you sure as hell was appreciating it when you were all over me," she retorted haughtily.

Even with the lack of light, she could see the red flush on his neck as it made its way to the hollows of his cheeks. She smirked contently as they wandered further down the tracks, keeping an eye out for anyone suspicious.

"I was not..." Maddox said, flustered. "Okay, let's not forget the fact you were all over me, too."

Karmin opened her mouth, but no words came out. "It doesn't matter. It was a mistake anyway," she brushed off.

Maddox sighed, removing his gaze away from her. "Right."

She took a few steps away from him, distancing herself. His presence and body heat were beginning to feel overwhelming. They hadn't talked about the kiss since her fight, and it never went the way she wished it would.

As they walked further down the train tracks on the uneven gravel, no one spoke until a voice called for them.

"Hey, you two!" a man shouted.

Karmin glanced back to see a group of men stepping out from underneath the bridge. Some wore all black as others opted for flannels or designer jackets. Tattoos were visible with the My Brother's Keeper written in cursive. While a few men smirked at them, others kept a straight face, eyeing them with interest.

"You must be Karmin and Maddox," he said, looking them up and down. His skin was red and pale from the night.

"That's us," she said firmly.

"Mr. Reign is almost here. I suggest you two wait here," he commented as he took a seat on some steps. As he did so, she caught a quick glance of a silver gun in his waistband.

Karmin nodded, lacing her hands together as everyone stood in silence. No one spoke as the gang eyed them carefully. Maddox stood with his hands in pockets lazily, not making eye contact with anyone. She rolled on the balls of her feet anxiously, eyeing the weapon in the man's possession.

Please let it be for decoration.

***

Author's Note:

Hi everyone!!

Alright, why do you guys think Ares wanted to meet with her???

Also, I released a new book called, Stealing Is An Art Form! Although I won't start updating until March, I would really appreciate it if you guys could check it out and let me know your thoughts! The summary and aesthetics are up

Until next time – m.k.t