On The Ropes

Intermission

Dayquan's POV

"Dayquan..." Marquees called my name for the hundredth time, then sighed when I didn't respond as I stared at the screen in front of me. "Baby, it's time to take a break. You've been sittin' in front of this screen for—"

"Move, Quees." I muttered, swatting her hands away when she grabbed my arm.

"Dayquan." She tried again, this time with a more stern tone to her voice. Still I didn't respond, and she let out a dry laugh as she stepped back from me. "I'm not gonna sit around and watch you deteriorate like this, baby."

"So don't." I responded just as dryly.

Silence followed my words, but I didn't dare look up at her. I listened as she let out a low sigh before speaking again. "Losing your son just isn't enough, huh?" She spoke quietly. "You wanna isolate yourself so bad, go ahead. I'm going to the parlor. Don't wait up for me."

For the first time in hours, my eyes finally pulled away from the tv, watching with furrowed brows as she stormed out of the room. Moments later, I heard our front door being slammed shut. Pure silence followed after that, and I let out a sigh and rubbed my eyes before focusing my attention back on the screen.

I'd been dissecting the same video for hours of every day—The video of Tyreek's last fight with O'Brien.

Something was wrong with that match. I know there was something off. There was just the matter of figuring out how O'Brien cheated.

I had a working theory, at least. No evidence yet... Just experience.

I'd been in the same position years ago... Twenty five years ago to be exact. I remember standing outside of the ring just like I'd done for Tyreek. I remember watching him go down, just like Tyreek.

I remember when the convulsions started...

And when they stopped.

And I especially remember when it was revealed to the public that foul play had been involved.

I've seen it before, I know exactly what this is, and I just need to prove it.

Letting out another sigh, I started playing the video again. I watched closely each time O'Brien landed a headshot. He doesn't hit particularly hard—Nothing that should fracture a skull that was previously undamaged.

Even with all of the training he did to prepare himself for the match with Tyreek, he was still a sloppy fighter. Even with how much Tyreek had been in his own head, O'Brien shouldn't have been able to damage him the way he did.

After watching the video back more times than I could ever count, I sighed and cut it off. Watching the video repeatedly wouldn't help me solve this on its own.

Leaving the house soon after that, I drove in silence through the city, feeling tension throughout my whole body as I did.

I occasionally checked my phone, sighing once I realized I'd have to apologize to Marquees. Usually she'd be texting me updates throughout the whole day, but today she hadn't.

I don't mean to take my frustrations out on her... I hope she knows that.

Everything is just stressful currently.

My son almost died twice... The man I stood beside for years, watching him grow into his full self. I stood in his corner every step of the way, and I almost lost him twice, back to back.

It feels like everything is weighing on me now—The fact that I'm the one everyone is looking to for strength and answers. I have to get to the bottom of this while making sure no one loses hope. I have to be the strong father because that's who I am to them.