Our faces were inches apart as his cold eyes stared deeply into my firm ones.

No matter the consequences, I was willing to stand my ground. I was sick and tired of paying their sick game.

A smile appeared on his face, and he started coming closer to me. I backed away, fully aware of the people standing behind me, ready to stop me if I decided to get any bright ideas.

So naturally, I thought of some.

My heart pounded as the asshole silently peered at me, ready to strike.

"Alright, listen, I'll go, if you promise me something."

"Depends." Arrow answered, not breaking eye contact.

"You have to find my dad, and punish him for selling me. Then, I'll stay. I just want him to suffer like I did."

Arrow smirked before raising his head. "No need. We already did. The bastard's dead."

Then, I stopped breathing. "What? Dad's dead?"

Arrow nodded, his smug face making me want to slap it repeatedly.

Sure, I wanted revenge, but not death! Maybe a big amount of pain, but not his life!

Before I could even think of what was happening, my body acted on its own, and I was now holding a gun, with many pointed at me.

"Come on, Casper, drop the gun."

I stared at my uncle, anger obvious on my face. "No, you listen here. You people are sick. I refuse to leave with any of you. I'm not going back."

Arrow laughed. "Oh, but you are. You really have no choice. Think about it, kid. There's ten of us, and one of you. There's no way you're getting away from here."

My heart skipped a beat as I realized the situation I was in. He was right. I was stuck whether I liked it or not.

"Make that twenty vs ten, then."

By now, my body became weak, as I looked behind me, shocked to see many other unfamiliar faces in front of me, and behind Arrow.

"Hunter!" I cried out, excited to see a familiar face that didn't annoy me.

Arrow raised a brow as he stared at the amount of people there were, each one pointing a gun at Arrow's men, and Arrow himself.

"I see. Wow, what a turn of events. Looks like you got us."

I stared at Arrow, then at Hunter. Was he serious?

No, of course not.

So the instant I heard a shot ring out, I ducked, barely dodging Arrow's swift grab.

I shot, not even aiming, and barely got his arm, though it didn't seem like a big deal to him, since he kept attempting to grab me.

So boy was I glad when Hunter grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him.

"Come on!" He screamed, before running, my arm in his hand.

"Thanks Hunter!" I yelled, trying to make sound over all the gunshots.

"No problem, Casper!" He shouted back.

Though I was unhappy with the nickname, I didn't help but smile at the guy.

It seemed like a really weird dream, at that moment, and for once, not a nightmare.

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"So you're Caspian." The man in front of me confirmed, a gentle smile on his face.

"Yes. I am Caspian. And you are....?"

Hunter quickly nudged me with his elbow because of my "rude" behavior. So I nudged him back, earning a laugh from the man.

"No, no, it's fine Hunter. He's funny."

I raised my brows not knowing what to think next.

"Yes sir." Hunter apologized, despite HIM nudging ME.

"Anyways, I am Damian Copper. And as you may know, my enemy is your captor."

I nodded. "So you guys used me to get to Arrow, right?"

Damion nodded, his gentle smile remaining. "Yes, we did. And now, I'd like to propose a sort of... odd method. You see, we need your help."

"How?" I asked, interrupting him, and earning a look from Hunter, which I ignored.

"We want you to be our bait. You don't have to do much, just stick around with us. This'll lure Arrow, and well, you know the rest."

I thought about it. I would have protection, a place to stay, and people I didn't hate.

I sighed before nodding. "Fine. It's a deal. But after you catch him, I'm leaving."

Damion's eyes lit up before he held a hand out to me. "Thanks for your cooperation. I hope you enjoy your stay here."

I took a step back before looking at Hunter, who seemed satisfied as be sent me a quick grin.

He turned his back and I followed him as we left Damion's office.

"We're all truly grateful! Wait till the boys hear this!"

I nodded, trying my best to smile, despite my eyes wanting to pull away.

It didn't help that Rylan was weighing down my mind. I trusted him......

Hunter noticed my expression and sighed. "What's wrong?" He asked, placing his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at the sky, the weight of my situation becoming more and more real.

"I-I'm scared. How am I supposed to go on living after all this? With the fear that Arrow will find me again, or that I was connected to the mafia? I was literally sold to the mafia."

Hunter sighed, his eyes lowering. "Look, our plan will be a success, and after you leave, we can still provide protection, if that's what you want. Or we can assign someone to stay with you."

I shook my head. "But how do you know that your plan will succeed? He's crazy, you know."

Hunter let his smile slip. "Yeah, but there's something we didn't tell you. Our plan will succeed since we have people on the inside, right now. Lots of people."

My eyes widened as I process the information. "What? How much men, exactly?"

"Well, I was originally one, but I left, so that leaves.... nine people."

"What?! Nine people got in without Arrow noticing? Is he stupid?"

Hunter laughed and shook his head. "No, that was our part. We gathered people who couldn't have been connected back to us. Pretty simple, if you ask me."

I shook my head, still confused. "You know, I bet you met some unknowingly."

I raised my eyes. "Huh? I could've met some?"

"Yeah. Might even be the man in charge of the whole operation."

"Oh yeah? Try me. What's the name?"

"Well, he's never said his real name, but everyone calls him Reaper."

My jaw dropped as I stared at Hunter.

"Reaper? Seriously? You're not joking?"

He shook his head, leaving me even more confused than I was before.

"Oh. My. God."