Should I?

Thud...

I bit my lips and gritted my teeth as the bandit kicked me again.

My body ached all over, but I refused to show any weakness. I knew that if I did, these bandits would have no qualms about killing me.

"Where's the dagger?"

One of the bandits demanded.

I didn't answer. I just stared at him defiantly.

"Impudent fool..."

The bandit snarled and kicked me again. This time, the pain was so intense that I blacked out for a moment.

When I came to, I was lying on the ground, my head pounding. The bandits were still standing over me, their faces twisted with anger.

"Where's the dagger?"

One of the bandits repeated.

I took a deep breath and tried to focus. I knew that I couldn't let these bandits get their hands on my dagger. It was my only weapon, and since I had barely any money to sustain myself, there was no way I could afford another one.

"I don't know what you're talking about..."

I said, trying to sound confident, however, the voice that left my lips was shaky and weak.

For a moment, silence engulfed the alley but the bandit soon laughed.

"Don't play dumb with me..."

He said with a grin.

"We know you have the dagger. We saw you buy it at the market."

However, I just shook my head.

"I don't have it, I lost it."

The bandit's eyes narrowed.

"You're lying..."

His face contorted in anger.

"And now you're going to pay for it."

He raised his boot again, ready to kick me again.

I watched as his feet closed in on me and the world around me went black.

***

Thud...

I woke up to the sound of my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. My body ached all over, and my head felt like it was about to split open.

I tried to move, but even the slightest twitch caused a wave of pain to wash over me.

I was lying on the cold, hard ground of the alleyway where the bandits had left me. I could still feel the sting of their kicks and punches, and the taste of blood in my mouth.

"Shit..."

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. The alleyway was dark and deserted, except for a few rats scurrying around in the shadows.

I tried to remember what had happened, but my mind was hazy. All I could remember was the bandits demanding my dagger, and then everything went black.

"Bastards..."

I cursed under my breath. I had lost my dagger. It was the only weapon I had, and now I was defenseless.

I slowly pushed myself to my feet and leaned against the wall. My body felt like it was made of lead, but I knew I had to get moving. I couldn't stay in the alleyway all night or else I'd be preyed upon by another group.

I took a deep breath and started to walk. My movements were slow and painful, but I forced myself to keep going.

I had to get back to the inn. I needed to clean up my wounds and rest.

It took me an eternity to reach the inn. I could also feel the blood seeping through my clothes, and my head was throbbing.

Creak...

I pushed open the door and stumbled inside. The bartender, a burly man named Jeb, looked up and saw me. His eyes widened in surprise.

"What the hell happened to you?"

He asked, a frown of concern forming on his face.

However, I only shrugged, muttering a few incoherent words.

"Nightcrawler..."

In the end, I managed to say.

Jeb nodded knowingly. Nightcrawlers were dangerous creatures that roamed the Darkness in search of prey.

It was not the first time he had seen someone mauled by a Nightcrawler.

"Come on..."

He approached me with a sigh.

"Let's get you to your room."

He helped me to my room and sat me down on the bed.

Groaning, in pain, I slowly took off my jacket and shirt, revealing my battered body.

Jeb winced at the sight of my wounds.

I could tell that upon seeing the injuries, he understood that most of them were left not by the Nightcrawler but by other humans...

"Please leave me alone and let me rest..."

However, I didn't intend to hear his condolences or answer any questions. I just wanted to shut out the world and heal in peace.

"Okay... goodnight."

Throwing a last look at my wounded body, Jeb quietly exited the room, leaving me to my solitude and thoughts.

Lying on the bed, I felt like I was going to die. My body was aching all over, and my head felt like it was about to split open. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore the pain, but it was impossible.

"..."

I cursed myself for being so weak. If I had been stronger, I would have been able to fight off the bandits and keep my dagger. But I wasn't strong enough.

If I were to have a curse... Maybe I could've even fought the Nightcrawler.

I clenched my fists and smashed them against the wall. The pain helped to take my mind off of my wounds for a moment, but it didn't last.

Thud...

I was a failure. I had lost everything. My dagger, my pride, and my sense of self-worth.

I was nothing.

I continued to smash my fists against the wall until my knuckles were bleeding and my arms were aching. I didn't care about the pain. I just wanted to feel something other than the emptiness inside of me.

Finally, I collapsed to the floor, exhausted and defeated. I curled up into a ball and sobbed.

I didn't know how much longer I could go on like this.

"Maybe I should end this?"

A sudden thought passed through my mind, a dark and dangerous idea that sent chills down my spine.

No.

I couldn't give in to those thoughts.

"I just need to get some money and it'll be alright... Everything is going to be fine."

A small smile spread on my face and I let out a sad laugh.

I'm one pathetic loser, am I not?