INFINITE: Island of the Immortals

11. School of Hard Knocks

The group jogged away from Michael, down the beach to the boardwalk. He found it so difficult to run on sand that by the time he caught up they were already stretching.

"Run another lap, Michael. You obviously need the practice," Troy dismissed him before he could sit down.

The day's lesson was self-defence, hand-to-hand combat. Michael ended up paired with a boy named Kasun, as they were both left without partners. Kasun didn't grumble like the others at having to do the basics again just for Michael's sake. His mother was from Sri Lanka, father from India, and spoke eloquent English, a British tinge to his friendly Indian accent.

Troy taught his own style of mixed martial arts. He showed them how to stand, ready to react instinctively to the movement of the other person, blocking their punches and kicks.

"A great majority of situations will end up in a grapple or locked together on the ground. So I will teach you where most conflicts are won or lost."

Troy demonstrated with Alby the main positions of advantage and disadvantage. There were a few snickers as they lay on top of each other in awkward poses. Michael found it intriguing how easily someone gained power over another or lost it. The worst place you could be was with your back to your opponent, with them on top of you. When you were face to face, the higher you were, the more advantage it gave you. So you would always try to get your legs over theirs, straddle their waist or their chest. Pinning their arms under your legs also gave you the freedom to strike unhindered. And thus you would try not to let this happen to you. Another final position, with one person behind the other, was called the Sleeper Hold.

"If I ever hear of anyone using this when they're not under attack–" Troy flashed them his wild eyes. "I'm only showing you this as self-defence, never to attack another person with. Ever."

At first, Michael had trouble grappling with Kasun, holding him so close. He flushed with embarrassment as he wrapped his legs around the other boy, but after a few rounds and a few laughs, they could concentrate on the contest. Michael had to admit that for fighting it used a more complex strategy than he had imagined. Close-quarters chess-in-motion, he called it.

"You are quite right Michael, but it doesn't sound very cool when you say it like that." Kasun dove at Michael, trying to tackle him. Michael thrust out a hand, caught Kasun's shoulder and pushed him face-first into the sand.

"Oh-my-god." Michael was alarmed at what he'd done. "I'm so sorry."

"And which God is that?" Kasun asked through a face-full of grit. He lunged, this time pulling Michael down by his arm, then wrapped a leg either side of the limb. "Never drop your guard, Michael. Now if you want to keep your arm intact, you must submit."

"Okay, okay, I give up." Michael laughed to hide his horror.

Troy loved Kasun's move and ran over, telling them to stay put as he showed the class.

"I need to know how good you are Michael, so I know what I need to teach you. And the best way to find out is to put you up against our best. Alby, you and Michael."

"But?" Alby protested.

"Just try to get the best position or hold and I will call it."

Ohh shit. Just when Michael was possibly enjoying exercise for the first time in his life, Troy took him out of his comfort zone. Not only was Michael now centre of attention again, but he was up against Alby, who was a couple of heads taller and much larger. Alby had been so nice at first but whenever Anthony Aquila was near, he seemed to change. A circle formed around them. He didn't have a clue what to do. He'd never been in a fight in his life.