MUTATION: THE FATE OF A SOLE SURVIVOR

Chapter 14: The Insanity Within

                I heard from the conversations of others that Benny was actually a natural born fighter. He had won many titles and was well versed in the arts of wrestling, boxing, karate, and judo. The only problem with this champion was that winning by any means necessary was his policy, as it served as the only means of keeping Kenny alive in a hospital as the latter battled against a life-threatening disease. When Kenny pulled through and was healed completely, Benny gave himself all the credits, believing that his unjust acts of winning is what saved his brother, and continued in that line. He made many enemies, but they were nothing but ants before him as this brute always stood tall in every fight he had, never losing once.

One would normally say that Benny would be far too dangerous to beat, also considering the fact that we were fighting upon the sands, where anything was allowed as long as it concerns your life. I learned that the challenge issued by Benny was one that involved only one man left standing alive, a condition perfect from the tyrant. But little did he knew that his opponent was not a man, but a beast.

I could hear the crowd roar in excitement as I got prepared. This time I was given a breastplate and leggings armor along with a pair of leather boots, at least better than the last time. While I was tying the laces, I heard heavy footsteps and looked up to see Benny approaching me, his face radiating disgust and vengeance. I sat up straight and stared at the unbeaten as he looked down at me.

"I hope you've find a place to bury your corpse after I kill you", said Benny with a smirk on his face.

"I hope you don't die too easily like your brother did", I replied while smiling.

"Why you little--!", Benny yelled while attempting to punch me, only for the deafening sound of the whip on his back which brought him back to his senses.

"Enough!", ordered Ananias as he came from behind, "Leave him alone. Thou should prepare as well and not waste words here".

He looked at Ananias and then stared back at me. "You will die Joe. Mark my words", he warned and then left. We both watched him leave and sighed. While I continued getting ready, Ananias looked and me and asked, "Thou art ready?".

"I'll just do him the favor of sending him to his brother", I replied, "He'll be a nuisance if he lives, so it's better he dies today".

He sighed again and said, "May the best man stand victorious upon the sands".

***

The crowd roared as I stepped out upon the sands and stared at them. Another roar indicated the presence of Benny as he too stepped out from the other side of the arena. He ignored the crowd and had his eyes fixed only at me, his heart of vengeance focusing all his attention on me. Neither of us had no weapons yet, as we were yet to be gifted from Boss Jack, who sat and watched the game with amusement.
On seeing us, he stood up from his seat, calmed the crowd and explained how conditions. Each man would choose his desired weapon and declare how he would kill the other. Only one must survive, and the killing condition must be executed without fail. If killed in another way, the winner will face severe consequences even if he emerged as the victor. When asked which weapon he wanted, Benny stated his weapons to be gloves clothed with sharp pieces of glasses on top. A blow from such would be fatal, I thought when I saw him equipped with them. I requested for two jack knives, much to the expectations of the crowd. We were made to stand some meters apart from each other, armed and waiting for further instructions.

"State your method of killing!", yelled Jack as he stared at us.

"Any means necessary!", yelled Benny as he raised his fists into the air, gaining the crowd's cheers. Their cheers quickly died down so as to listen to my method.