Short Action Stories

The Fighter

"I am the strongest" kept repeating in my head over and over as I walked towards the ring. I could feel the heat in my eyes, my fists were clenched in the boxing gloves and the muscles in my jaw were starting to warm up. "Victory is mine" was the only thing I could focus on. As soon as I was close enough to the ring, the blinding lights turned on me, the crowd immediately started chanting my name, roaring and clapping until the palm of their hands turned red. The loud music sounded distant compared to the blood pumping in my ears. I ran up to the ring, entertained the audience briefly before starting to bounce on the balls of my feet, tightening my gloves and adjusting my mouth guard. I took a moment to examine my opponent; she looked small, her muscles were prominent, but she lacked balance. I will take her down in no time. The sound of the bell rang in my head for a few seconds as I aggressively charged at her. With every punch, the cheering of the crowd got louder and louder. Blood coated my gloves; I could hear the impact of every hit on a frail set of bones. The bell rung three times announcing the end of the round and I felt the arms of my coach as he picked me up off the floor. My vision blurry, all I could see was my opponent's red hair. She was like a firecracker being held back by the referee. I had lost.