Samantha led the way through the winding corridors, her eyes sharp as she scanned each corner and hallway. Leo was close behind, studying the small map on his wristwatch, noting possible routes and exits. They had nearly reached the edge of the building's main level, where Leo thought they might find a quiet spot to regroup and plan their next move.
But just as he glanced up from the watch, a heavy blow landed squarely between his shoulder blades, sending him stumbling forward. A mocking voice filled the air.
"Surprise, surprise, motherfu**ker! Your dad is here!"
Leo's stomach sank as he turned, and there he was—the muscular guy, towering over them with a menacing grin. The man's hulking frame blocked their escape, his arms crossed as he smirked down at Leo. In one swift movement, the muscular guy grabbed both Leo and Samantha's guns, tossing them across the hall, far out of reach.
"You think you're clever, hiding and sneaking around?" he sneered. "I don't need a gun to take care of a little punk like you. I'm going to beat you to a pulp, so you'll remember who you're dealing with."
The man's partner, a tall, athletic woman, crossed her arms, rolling her eyes. "Just end it already. Shoot them, and let's rack up those points."
"Shut up babe and support me," he barked back, smirking as if he enjoyed the display of dominance. "And don't call me 'babe'!" she snapped back, glaring at him, clearly irritated by his arrogance.
The man shrugged off her protest and took an aggressive step forward, his fists raised, as Samantha and Leo quickly sized up the situation. They weren't about to back down, and even handcuffed together, they would find a way to hold their ground.
The fight broke out in a blur of motion. The muscular guy swung at Leo, his fists massive and relentless. Leo dodged and countered, trying to match the man's power with speed and precision. Meanwhile, Samantha found herself facing off with his partner, who was fast and aggressive, each movement calculated to exploit any gap in Samantha's defense. Even handcuffed, the pair moved with surprising coordination.
Samantha ducked a punch and countered with a swift kick to the woman's side. But as she did, her shirt caught and tore along the sleeve, exposing a sliver of her black bra strap beneath the fabric. She didn't let it distract her—she was focused, her movements sharp and unyielding. Leo was by her side, both of them instinctively covering each other's backs as they fought against their stronger opponents.
The muscular guy grabbed Leo by the collar, pulling him close with a sneer. "See what happens when you mess with me?" He raised a fist, ready to land a heavy blow.
But Samantha wasn't about to let him hurt her partner. In one quick movement, she stepped forward, using their handcuffed bond as leverage to yank Leo out of the muscular guy's grasp. She followed up with a swift kick, hitting the man in the knee and forcing him to stumble back with a grunt of pain.
The man's partner lunged at Samantha, her expression furious. She managed to grab a handful of Samantha's shirt, ripping it slightly in the scuffle, and for a brief moment, her bra was exposed through the torn fabric. Samantha's cheeks flushed, but she shook it off, focusing entirely on the fight.
Sweat beaded on their foreheads as the struggle continued, both pairs unwilling to yield. Despite the muscular guy's brute strength, Leo and Samantha had agility and quick thinking on their side. The two pairs moved like mirror images, each couple adapting to the rhythm of fighting while bound together.
Just then, a loud announcement blared over the intercom, breaking the chaos of the fight. "Attention, players: the time limit has expired. Cease fighting immediately, or you will face a penalty. All players are to assemble in the main hall for the results."
The announcement rang through the corridor, making them all freeze in place. The muscular man's jaw tightened as he glared at Leo and Samantha, the desire to keep fighting still simmering in his eyes. His partner, too, seemed reluctant to back down, but she eventually gave a small nod, signaling their agreement.
Reluctantly, both pairs released their stances, tension still thick in the air as they eyed each other warily. Leo and Samantha remained side-by-side, their clothes disheveled, bruises forming from the scuffle, but still standing strong.
The muscular man spat on the floor, giving them one last smirk. "This isn't over, kid. Next time, you won't get so lucky."
Samantha didn't respond, though her eyes held a determined glint as she met his gaze. She was ready to protect her partner, whatever it took.
As they turned and made their way to the main hall, Leo glanced at her, giving a small, appreciative nod. "Thanks for having my back," he said quietly.
"Always," she replied, giving him a small smile. They'd survived the first fight, but they both knew this was only the beginning. And as they headed toward the hall, side by side, they felt the shared understanding that their partnership was about to be tested even further.