The Grounds Keeper

Chapter 13 The Boy From Kalamata

Dinko, Stavros and Bella ran through the alleyways with all the speed their short legs could muster, they stopped every few meters to turn around and scream for the younger children to hurry, Sophia panted as she struggled to catch up. "Wait for me Dinko!" Dinko and the other kids began to move again as he shouted back "were going to miss the whole fight if we keep going at your pace, hurry up" as they approached the mana gazette building, they began to shiver at the cold frost in the air, and they flinched suddenly at the sound of impact. It was like thunder rumbling in the air. They approached carefully and peered through the windows. They saw Eathon and a stranger locked into intense combat.

Theo rolled his shoulder to redirect a left hook from Eathon and ducked his second with a weave of his torso, using the momentum to wind up and swing hard at the body, Eathon dropped his elbow and felt the hammer blow of a fist into it, even thru the guard it hurt like hell, Theo had the advantage, Eathon had to press him now or find a way to retreat, a second and third blow to the body and Eathon dropped both elbows to guard his midsection from further punishment, Theo had waited for this and stepping back slammed a fierce overhand to Eathon's unprotected jaw. Eathon dropped his guard as he stumbled backward his legs struggling to keep his body weight balanced, Theo took the opening and slammed 12 unanswered blows each one poorly guarded, the last was a wicked sharp left hook that slammed Eathon to the floor in the worst condition thus far. He lay on his back with his eyes wide and his breath sharp staring at the light globes above him as the world went blurry and bright. he raised his tongue as much as he could and was shocked to realise he couldn't touch the top of his mouth, this bastard had literally shattered his jaw into three pieces, his teeth swam in a viscous thick mucus of blood and spit in his mouth and he choked for air, and as he strained his body to rise up of the floor, the pressure in the back of his head exploded into a kaleidoscope of pain until he collapsed back down and faded into unconsciousness

Theo stepped forward and nudged him with a foot. Before sighing in relief. He stumbled back into a chair and felt his ribcage with a wince. He was positive they were fractured at the very least, had he sustained anymore force on them they would have shattered. What kind of a freak was that guy, completely un trained and he nearly beat me. Theo looked down at his clenched fist, it was shaking from the impact of the last flurry he threw, the guys body was in immense condition, it was like striking an oak tree, he looked over at Eathon with an unease in his gut. He had knocked out men before and not once did he feel like they would continue fighting, but there was something about this man that made you question everything you ever knew. But this is all I know he told himself, no one can take this from me, I sacrificed all I loved for boxing, and no one can beat me ever again....no one will fight me ever again. The memories flooded back as he felt the unease turn to dread. He was ten years old, and his father was back from work in Athens, he picked him up and placed him onto his hulking shoulders and Theo cheered and laughed as he sat atop the mountain of a man he adored. His mother smiled as he embraced her, and Theo thought no woman could ever look so beautiful or happy.

He never saw wrong in his father. He was a man of respect and integrity. Sure, he only gave them cash to live, but that was only to avoid tax from the government. Theo and his mother were well looked after and never needed for anything. His dad owned a casino in Athens and needed to be there for work most of the year. He would always visit for the summer and spend time with them for a whole three months, giving them money to live for the next 9 and taking them out every night. It was like a party every day. In his child's eyes he felt complete. His family was amazing. His mother was the best cook in all of Kalamata and would always cook feasts that would leave you full and jolly for days after. as a result Theo was always a bigger boy, even at 10 years old he weighed in at over 80kg he was larger than most of the men in the town. But even though he got bullied almost every day he was a happy and gentle soul. He had never harmed another person in his life and would only ever hide and cry if he felt hurt or waddle home to his mother who would hug him and comfort him with a cup of sweet milky coffee and some homemade sweets.