Silence

7

It was nine o'clock Tuesday night and I was in the gym. Mr. Williams had given me a key and told me to lock up when I left. I threw a left and heard the chains holding the punching bag rattle again. No one knew that during my fights, I held myself back. I never hit anyone with the full power behind my punches, only the bag in front of me.

I'm not sure why I held myself back in the ring, but I didn't care. Even though they weren't full powered, my punches still hurt pretty bad when they made contact with the other person. The sound of my phone ringing loudly startled me and I froze. Hurrying over to my bag, I quickly pull it out. "Hello?"

"Stone, where are you? Are you okay?" Wolfe sounded worried and I slapped my head. I forgot to tell him that I would be in the gym tonight. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry Wolfe. I've been practicing in the gym."

"Are you worried about your fight tomorrow night?" He asked suddenly and I let out a deep sigh. "Yeah," I answered honestly. For the first time since I started fighting, I had finally admitted that I was nervous about getting into the ring.

"Why are you nervous? You've never lost a fight since you've joined the gym."

"I know that. It's just... If I lose, I'll be letting everyone, you, down. I don't want to do that."

"No matter if you win or lose the fight, Amanda, I'll always be proud of you." His voice was soft and it hit me that he had called me by my real name for the first time since we've known each other. "Thanks... You know, I don't even know your first name." He laughed and I found myself smiling.

Even though he knew all of my secrets, I felt safe around him. "My first name is Johnny. Now that I know you're safe, when are you coming back to the apartment?"

"Soon; I have to lock up and I'll be on my way. I'll call you when I leave the gym."

"You better. See you in a bit Amanda."

"Sure will Johnny." We both laughed as we hung up and I just stared at my phone. I had just slipped the phone into my bag and grabbed the keys when I heard the door open. Looking up, I see five large men staring at me. Fear ran through me and I knew that they were here to cause trouble.

"You're out a little late aren't you princess?" The man in the middle spoke and I just glared at them. "What do you want?" I ask as I scan them, looking for any kind of weakness I could use.

They moved forward a little bit and my mind went on alert. I knew that I would be able to take two, maybe three of them, but then I was done. I was outnumbered and out muscled. The man smiled, but it was cold. "A little birdie told me that Williams had a new champ fighting tomorrow night. That wouldn't be you by any chance, would it princess?" I didn't answer. I knew that he knew who I was.

Suddenly, he nodded and the four men rushed towards me. I threw my fist forward, slamming it into the jaw of the closest one, putting all I had into it. He went down and stayed down. I didn't have time to gloat because a fist landed on my ribs and pain exploded throughout my body.

I managed to put another one down when someone grabbed me from behind. "You're a good fighter princess, but that's where it ends." He laughed as I struggled to get away. "This is how it's going to go. You're going to either drop out of the fight or throw it. Bad things might happen if you win. Do you understand?" He asked as his hands tightened around my arms. One of the guys stepped towards us and slammed his fist into my side. Biting my lip hard, I keep the sounds of pain trapped inside. The last thing I saw was a balled up fist flying towards my face.

A groan left my lips as my eyes slowly fluttered open. The pain that kept rolling from my side told me that my ribs were either bruised or broken. Gritting my teeth, I slowly get off the floor and make my way to where my bag lay. The ringing of my phone was giving me a headache and I snatched it up.

"Yeah," I answered, breathing slowly. "Amanda, where are you? I called you almost two hours ago!" Johnny's voice filled my ear and my eyes grew. "I'm sorry," I say quickly, apologizing. "I decided to take a shower here instead of at the apartment. I'm getting on my bike as we speak."

As I talked with him, I slowly gathered my bag and shuffled out of the gym. I made sure to move slow, knowing that any sudden movements would just bring more pain. Making sure that the doors were locked, I walk to my bike, breathing hard. "Are you alright Amanda?" He asked, concern for me filling his voice. I felt tears burning my eyes, but I quickly blink them away.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm gonna hang up now. Wouldn't want to have an accident while trying to drive and talk to you." I chuckled regretting it instantly. "You be careful."

"I will Johnny." We hung up and I slowly slid my phone into my pocket. Tying my bag on the back of my bike, I slowly slip on it and crank the engine. I listened to the rumble of my bike for a second before slowly pulling away from the gym. I had no idea how I would be able to keep what happened away from Wolfe and Mr. Williams, but I had too. Just until after the fight tomorrow night. I knew that they were counting on me and even with these threats, I would not back down. I wasn't that person any more. And I wouldn't let anyone bring her back.