Breaking Clarisse ***completed***

24. The fighting pits

Jeremiah

I was tired.. been up all night searching for her. I couldn't help but remember my mom. She used to tell me "son if a girl ain't worth fighting for then she isn't much of a girl." Clarisse was that girl and she was worth a fight if any one ever was.. If she were here right now she'd tell me to fight. To not give up. They were alot alike maybe thats how I knew she was the one. I feel like if I gave up now it be like letting my mom go all over again.

I looked down at the braclet trying to remember her face. Scared that sooner or later I would forget it. It happens so fast. My mom had been gone now 10 years and some days it took everything just to remember what she really looked like.. Looking at the family photo that had been set in the frame. The charms that dangled at the sides. Wishing I actually had been the one to put it together for her. Sure I had arranged it but looking at it now it just would have meant more had I put more of an effort into creating it.

Suddenly frustrated that I was getting sidetracked I slid the braclet across my desk watching it fall to the floor.

In a panic rushing to pick it up like it would disintegrate if I wasn't fast enough. Geeze what the hell was happening to me. I was paranoid, delusional and extremely unsettled. I really needed sleep, a shower, but most of I just needed to find her.

Pablo, No...no espianol. Fuck. Stupid immigrants. I raved. I laughed internally as I sounded just like my mother when she would get upset. She hated that she couldn't understand their language but too stubborn to actually bring herself to actually learn the language. No instead she would just blame her ignorance on their race.

Si Senior. lo siento senor, pero nos encontramos con un bloqueo de carretera. Creo que puede estar con un jefe de la mafia.

The poor guy was just trying to help. He was one of the better guys that I had sent out to search for her. His English was not perfect but I could at least understand some of what he was saying.

Look Pablo I'm sending my guy Roman out to speak with you just give him the information that you have. SHIT!!!! I'm getting close. Found those traffickers and that led me East to a boss by the name of Raymond Castillo. Sounds like a real douche bag. I hope my Clarisse is sticking in there. Hang on baby I'm almost there.

Clarisse

Can't say I was really that nervous. Nothing was capable of shocking me anymore. Could I die? Sure but really I was just too tired to care.

Its time. The Aussie said as he came in to get me.. This guy got hurt last match. He whispered back to me.. His left ankle is his weakness maybe you can use that.

He was really giving me everything I could use. He reminded me that everyone wasn't all bad.

Walking past more cages and then some kennels. Passing a Pitbul that growled as I walked passed. A Rottweiler and a Shephard looked beat up but they both had a sadness in their eyes like anything would have that had been kept locked in chains. Then I connected with a shaggy dog that looked like he was on the verge of death. No more fight in him.. Maybe it was sign of my last days..I felt his pain taking it in me as my own.

The concrete path led down to an opened up area. The pits were dug out by dirt stacked and fenced in with metal wires that kept it stacked in tightly securing it in an enforced wall. Up above was seats that surrounded the pits except for a high rise that sat overlooking everything and of course the boss sat just up on those planks.

Along with the big ass dude i was fighting, a crowd surrounded the outer areas. it was a full house. Great a group to witness the end of my time, how poetic. He was bigger than I originally thought but he looked dumb as a door nob.

Asshole Raymond reaction to her
Smirking at me as if the fight had already been decided. I'm sure he was eager to see me drop to my knees. Probably already planed it out with the champion. The crowd began to shout out.

I really didn't have a lot of hope to win this but I figured trying to make it last awhile was my only shot to go out with dignity so outrunning him was my goal. He gave me that so sorry for you look as I searched the area for weapons lying around. Sadly nothing caught my eye. Until he came at me.

I moved around at first attempting to understand who he was how he moved. Waiting for him to give away his fighting technique sounded like a good plan. That and mostly trying not to die.

Such a pretty face I'm gonna hate to have to smash it up. He said taunting me.

You don't have to if it bothers you that much I replied. He snickered back amused at my desperation.

You know that only one of us leaves this pit. Its pretty fucking clear to me. He said circling me with his arms outward. He lunged towards me getting a good shot at my side. It was a good hit but I was still good with my speed. My pa always said the first few hits are the hardest, once those are out of the way and your still standing its pretty much all downhill from there.

He came at me again this time pulling me to the ground. He held me with his weight and I struggled with him to keep from letting his hands get around me. He hit me in my sides a few times in between our wrestling match. The dust of the dirt danced around us. Then the noise caught my attention as someone from the crowd dropped a weapon of some kind into the pit.

I managed to pull away now free to run around again I saw him pick up a stick from the dirt then come at me.

He cornered me long enough to get a good swing. I slid down picking up a small knife from the dirt before I managed to get to my feet.

I was sore already but the adrenaline kept me going. I was starting to slow though due to the hit from that stick then I remembered Aussie telling me about the guys weakness. Was it the right or the left? Fuck...I thought as I tried to remain focused on the guys footing.

When I turned to see where the guy was he hit my gut bringing me to my knees. Trying to catch my breath the only thought that went through my mind was,, this is it and then he hit my head knocking me to the dirt. I slowly moved to get up but he grabbed me pulled me into the air and pushed me into the dirt that walled the pit. Holding me there and getting his hands around my neck. I started to loose consciousness as his grip tightened.

I was laying still against the dirt floor. Hearing the crowd get quiet. Wondering how the hell I was still alive. My eyes shutting and opening I finally focus on my hand that was dripping with blood and the knife that I had laying next to me. I almost forgot I had it. Then I focused on the heaviness that laid on me. I toss the guy off of me and took in a deep breath. I slowly made it to my feet barely able to stand as I wobbled back and forth.

My right eye was swollen shut but I could see his image.. Raymond did not look happy. I lifted my head to see him scowling down at me.

I flinched as Aussie came in taking my arm around his neck to help me walk back.. Sadly on my way back I noticed that the shaggy dog had died. Maybe he sacrificed so I could continue on.

I don't know how you did that but I'm glad you won.

I'm sure luck had nothing to do with it I said. Usually life is always paid for in death.

Hmmm, he huffed as he wiped away the blood from my face.

I smiled at the way he avoided commenting back at me. I wanted to laugh but I knew it would hurt so I quietly chuckled with a smile. Why are you so nice?

I had a really good mother. He kindly sent a smile and paused to gage my reaction.

After cleaning me up he gave me water and aspirin and told me to ice my face and said he'd be back with my food.

It started to get dark and just as I started to wonder about aussie he appeared with a tray of food. He sat my tray down and gave me a look over. It doesn't look too bad.

So who am I fighting next? I asked.

Lucky for you you won't be fighting again. See you do have luck after all.. Looks like Raymond has sold you. Not sure about the details but its got to be better than this shit hole.

Yeah maybe but in my experience that's not always the case.