My Past Life – Part 23. The Final Showdown Part 2.
The School's Hallway, Ground Floor.
The sharp blade of Joy's dagger sliced through Joe's arm, missing his stomach by mere inches. Blood sprayed from the wound as Joe gritted his teeth against the pain. Joy leaped backward, leaving her dagger embedded in his flesh. A wicked smile curled on her lips as she watched him struggle.
"Seems my love for Peter has made me a little rusty," Joy taunted, her voice dripping with amusement. "You were supposed to be dead by now. But you survived this time. The next strike won't miss."
Joe groaned as he wrapped his fingers around the dagger's hilt. With a sharp tug, he yanked it free from his arm, blood dripping onto the floor. He examined the weapon for a moment before hurling it far away, ensuring it wouldn't be used against him again.
Despite his injuries—his body battered, his clothes torn, and his strength fading—Joe managed a defiant smirk. "I didn't survive because you're rusty, bitch," he spat. "I survived because there's still someone who needs me."
Joy's laughter echoed through the empty halls of the school, cold and mocking. "Hahaha! Are you talking about that heartbreaker behind you? Or your precious sister, Favor?" She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Doesn't matter. You're still going to die today."
From the shadows, Sarah's voice trembled as she shouted, "Fuck you, Joy! Joe, don't die! Fight! Kill this hag!"
Joy's grin widened. "Oh, we're going to have so much fun, darling," she purred, her fingers brushing against the wall beside her. With a swift motion, she pulled a long, gleaming katana free from its hidden sheath.
Joe's eyes widened in shock. "Joe, what the fuck?!" Sarah screamed.
"Hahaha! Surprised?" Joy twirled the blade effortlessly, the steel humming through the air. "I know that in hand-to-hand combat, you might win. But with this?" She raised the katana, its edge glinting under the dim light. "I have the advantage now."
Sarah's voice was frantic. "Be careful, Joe!!!"
Joe forced a reassuring smile, though his body screamed in pain. "I will, Sarah," he said, his gaze never leaving Joy.
Without warning, Joy lunged forward. Her blade cut through the air like a fighter jet, so fast that Joe barely dodged in time. The tip of the katana grazed his shirt, slicing it open and leaving a thin red line across his skin.
She struck again—this time with a flurry of slashes, each faster and deadlier than the last. Joe twisted and ducked, but some of the strikes found their mark, opening fresh wounds on his arms and chest. The relentless assault continued until Joe's legs gave out. He collapsed to his knees, his breath ragged, his strength completely drained.
Joy panted heavily, her own exhaustion showing, but triumph burned in her eyes. "You're strong, I'll give you that," she admitted. "I could've attacked you earlier, but you would've killed me. So I waited… waited for Peter to weaken you first. And now?" She raised the katana high. "Now you die."
Joe's vision blurred, but he managed a weak smile. "Someone… will come for you," he whispered.
Joy scoffed. "I'll kill them all." She tightened her grip on the sword. "Now… goodnight."
The katana flashed downward, aimed straight for Joe's neck—
CRASH!
A sudden force slammed into Joy, sending her flying backward. She crashed into the ground several feet away, the katana clattering from her grasp.
Joe blinked in disbelief, his body trembling. His savior stood before him, but his heart twisted in confusion.
"Why…?" Joe gasped. "Why did you save me?"
"I don't know," Peter said, his voice shaky but firm. "But I can't let you die now."
With those words, he stepped forward, placing himself between Joy and Joe, who was slumped against the wall, barely conscious.
Behind him, Sarah sprang into action. Her heart pounded as she rushed to Joe's side, her hands trembling. She grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the corner, away from the danger.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Sarah's voice was frantic as she cradled Joe's head in her lap. His skin was soaked in blood, a deep gash running across his chest. "Joe, are you okay? You better fucking be! Shit—she cut you open real bad!"
Her fingers pressed against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. Joe groaned in pain, his face pale.
Meanwhile, Joy struggled to stand. She coughed violently, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her body ached from the fight, but she forced herself up, glaring at Peter.
"You're not supposed to be up yet," she hissed, wiping her lips. "How the hell are you here? I saw your fight with Joe—it was intense. Destructive. So how?"
Peter took a deep breath. His muscles were sore, his ribs bruised, but he stood tall.
"True," he admitted. "Everything you just said is true. But I wasn't fighting Joe with all my strength. I felt something was wrong… and it seems like I was right."
He took another step closer to Joy, his expression softening.
"Now, for the fact that we… messed around, I'm going to beg you to stop this madness. It's over between me and Joe. Please, Joy. Let's end this."
Joy's grip tightened around the small knives hidden in her boots. Her hands shook—not from fear, but from conflict.
"Peter, you don't understand," she whispered. "It's not that easy. I'm… I'm on a mission. If I don't finish it, they'll come for me. I'm sorry, my love. Just step outside and wait for me."
Peter didn't move.
"And if I don't?" he challenged.
Joy's eyes darkened. "Then I'll have no choice but to kill you first."
But her grip on the blade wavered.
Peter laughed—a bitter, broken sound. "You know you love me. You can't do it."
He took another step, closing the distance between them. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Let me be honest, Joy. I heard everything. You, Scorpio, your mission. Let me protect you. Let's fight him together."
Joy's breath hitched. "No. If we kill him, someone stronger will take his place."
Peter didn't hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Joy stiffened at first, but then her body melted against his.
"Sarah's betrayal… Joe's revenge… it still hurts me," Peter murmured into her hair. "I can't lose you too. If I do, I'll break."
Tears welled in Joy's eyes. She clutched the back of his shirt, her fingers digging into the fabric.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "Let's stay together."
Peter smiled against her shoulder. "Yeah. Let's do that. And I promise—we'll fight them all together."
"Okay," Joy said softly.
From the corner, Joe and Sarah watched, their expressions a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"Finally," Joe muttered, his voice weak but sincere. "Thank you, Peter. And now… I see you've changed."
Peter glanced at him and nodded. "Yeah. I have."
Sarah helped Joe to his feet. "We're leaving now," Joe announced, wincing as he took a step forward.
Peter gave a small nod. "Yeah."
But before they could move—
"Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap."
A slow, mocking applause echoed through the hallway.
A figure stepped out of the shadows, his grin wide and cruel.
"Oh, so touching. So fucking touching."
Joy's blood ran cold. She pulled away from Peter, her body tense.
"Oh no," she breathed. "It's Scorpio."
Joe cursed under his breath. The school gates—their only way out—were suddenly surrounded by men dressed in black.
Scorpio's laughter filled the air.
"Hahahaha! No one leaves here alive. Including you, Joy… you fucking traitor."
Joy's hands clenched into fists.
To be continued...