Her Name Was Meloni

locked in

The fighting was nothing like it was in the movies. People always made it seem like it was choreographed. Like it was something that was easy. But this wasn't that. There were times where they would just wait and watch each other. Waiting for the other to make the move or calculating what move they should make. They would strike it connected or didn't. But when it did, you could hear the impact through out the whole room. At times it was sloppy. They missed a punch, or dodged one but it was never boring.

Once they studied each other a little better the punches became more frequent and more assured. And that's when the blood started flowing. They reminded me more of improvised dance battle, but they were battling at the same time and who backed down first won. Arms and legs were flying everywhere. Tate gracefully kicked Ben aim the chest and knocked the wind out of him. Ben quickly recovered and swung a mean right hook that landed on Tates chin hard. I wasn't sure who drew blood first but at this point they were both bleeding. They kicked, punched, and rolled.

I should probably be cringing at the violence but I was captivated. So captivated I hadn't noticed Mac, come sit down beside me. "Hey hun." He said.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I watched him sit on the bench with me with three water bottles and a cup of coke, or at least that's what I think it is. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. Here's your drink." He said as he passed me the drink. I smiled and took it from him and drank it. When my eyes made it back over to the cage, Tate was slammed against one of the cages walls and he fell on his ass.

"Match! Ben, one. Tate, zero. Huddle up. Mac, waters!" Yelled Mike. Mac stood and made his way to the entrance of the cage and passed water to each man. I stayed where I was and just watched them. Mike was in his element....but Tate...he was off.

"You're holding back." Said Ben. He seemed offended as he said it. And Tate stiffened and he looked like he was about to defend himself. Before Tate could even say anything Mike raised his hand to stop Tate from talking.

"He's right, Tate. You are holding back. And it's because Wide Eyes is here. I need your head in the game. This kid is good. A natural talent. He may be fairly new but he kicks ass. Ignore her, or we cancel the rest of today and schedule you an extra day." Mike said sternly.

Tates gaze shifted over to me and I gave him a a stern look as well. Mike was right. Tate was off and he was holding back cause he didn't scare me and it was starting to affect his fighting. Mouthed the word 'Focus', to him and waited Tim he nodded and turned away to relax.

Tate brought his eyes back to his brother and nodded, "I'm locked in. I promise." He said. Both Mike and Ben didn't seem convinced but they nodded anyway.

"Drink up. Remember watch his legs, and make sure to move quick. Round two starts in.....8.......7......" as Mike began the count down, Tate and Ben drank from there bottles. ".......6.......5........" soon they discarded there bottles and handed them back over to Mac, who quickly made his way of the cage and closed it behind Mike. ".......4.......3.......2......" as he got closer to the end, Tate and Ben quickly made there way over to center of the cage and got in fighting stance.

The air seemed to shift. Ben stance was steady and strong and his eyes focused on Tate. Tate one the other hand, seem to have an energy around him. And at that moment I knew that this wasn't gonna be anything like the first match.

".........1. Fight!" Mike yelled. Before the last word left Mike's mouth, Tate said swung at Ben and the punch had histumbling back loosing his balance. While Ben was unsteady, Tate swung foot out and tripped Ben. Ben landed on his bare ass with a bloody mouth.

"Match! That's what I'm talking about! Again!" Ben smiled up at Tate as Tate began to help him up. The clapped each others hands together and the separated, getting ready for the next round. "Ben, remember he's quicker than you. So you gotta think faster than him. Also, remember Fernando is fond of using his whole body when fighting. Make sure to use as much as you aw possible. Ready?! Fight!"

This time Ben moved first. Ben clocked Tate dead in the face but Tate barely flinched. He ate the punch up like it was nothing. Another punch came Tates way and he quickly dodged and use the momentum of his dodge to turn and he as suddenly standing behind Ben. He tried to kick Ben in his side but Ben caught his leg and elbowed Tate in the face. Tates nose started to bleed but he didn't seem to notice.

"Tate, he still got your leg. If this wasn't practice, it'd be broken by now! Get out of it!" Yelled Mike. Tate pulled his leg toward him, which brought Ben face to face with Tate. And with a quick smile, Tate slammed his head against Ben's. They both stumbled back and once they got there balance back, they both looked at each other and smiled.

"You locked in?" Ben asked.

"Yep. Locked in." Tate responded.