Warrior

Chapter 5: Guilty

I had left pops house for a run. I was gonna check out Fitzys gym, see if he still owns it. I walked in and looked around. I walked up to the front desk. "Fitzy still own this?" I asked calmly. It's been 14 years since I've been here. Nothings really changed here, still looks the same. "Don't know no Fitzy. Colt Boyd owns this gym." The young man replied. I noticed the Sparta poster. Big competition, lots of money. "Can I help you with something?" The man asked. "How's it work here?" I ask, walking up to the  front desk. "35 a month with locker. We're open at 7, lights out at 11. Wanna join?" He asked. "Sure." I replied, signing the papers he handed me.

-- FEW DAYS LATER --

I'm at the gym, working on the bags. I see a man, goes by the name Mad Dog. He's taken down a lot of sparring partners all day. A few more people walked in but I didn't pay attention. I continued on the bags and Mad Dog beat down the rest of the guys willing to spar with him. I walked up to the ring "Yo, I'll fight him." I spoke to the man, overhearing that they needed someone to fight him. "Do me a favor guy, and go back to your bag. We don't need anyone else getting hurt. Go ahead, take a walk." He says, I start walking away. I don't feel like arguing with shit today. "Yo rock, what happened? You leave Mick and Paulie at home today?" Mad Dog made his remark. I turned around walked back up to the ring. "All I'm saying is, if you need help, I'm happy to keep your boy warm for you." I say to the bald man. He walked up to me, "You ever fought before?" He asked. "Yeah." I reply, nodding. "This guy sign the waiver?" He asked the guy at the front desk. "All good." He yelled. "What's your name?" He asked. "Tommy", "if you get tuned up in here, it's on you, Tommy" He said. "Sure, no problem" I say, climbing into the ring.

The buzzer rings and Mad Dog starts circling me, I begin to move around a bit, my fists covering my face. I kicked him back, he was back in balance as quickly as I kicked him. I punched him and dodged his punches and brought his face to my knees. I punched him and slammed him into the ground and punching him till he's knocked out. I walked up to, what everyone is calling him, Colt. "You owe me 200 bucks." I say walking out of the ring.

In the corner of my eye I noticed Naomi. I then turned my body towards her direction. I couldn't fucking belive she was alive, let alone believe she was here. She turned around and we made eye contact. I walked over to her. "Naomi? What are you doing here? Is Jade here?" I asked quickly, shocked."Tommy-" I cut her off, "Where's Jade? She needs to know what happened. She needs to know about Ma." I spoke quickly. "Wait, are you okay? I uh- the tank." I spoke more quietly. "Tommy you left..." She spoke softly, hiding her emotions. I could see it though. Something was wrong.

I turned around and saw Jade sparring with her opponent. She looked terrible. She looked strung out. She finished her fight and we made eye contact. She quickly looked away and went outside. I knew she was angry. I couldn't believe I saw Naomi and Jade. I wondered what they were doing here. I turned back around towards Naomi. "I couldn't let her suffer. I couldn't watch her get beat up no more." I mumble. I felt all those feeling from that day rush back. Leaving my family, leaving Naomi. The kiss. I missed her now more then ever and she was right in front of me.