Toxic Impulse ⁕

ten.

A strong arm aggressively wrapped around Astraea's neck as she turned her head to the side to ease her breathing.

Instinctively, she roughly grabbed their arms, feeling the bristles of their hair brush along them. She felt the weight of this person move towards the left, signaling their position. With her left elbow, she bashed it against their ribs, feeling their grip on her loosen. She swung her head back with only minimal force, aiming to hit them but not make them bleed. Her adrenaline spurred, ready to guide her with full power.

When she felt them stumble she rapidly spun on her heels, bringing their head down just above her knee, avoiding the actual knee cap. She watched the person before her, coming face to face with her attacker, his balance stumbling. He hunched over, distracted by the brief, slight pain. She used his new position to her advantage. She spun her right leg around, aiming with the front of her foot but they suddenly used their forearm blocking her kick, slightly tossing her off balance.

She quickly recovered and connected the front of her foot at the side of his neck. She rushed to the left side of him, wrapping her left arm around his neck. She felt his hand throw itself on her back, as she used her fast legs and charged towards the corner, forcing him to run with her.

She sprung her right leg forward first, climbing along the ropes and in a flash she flipped backwards, landing on padded knees. A hard sound echoed as she slammed her attacker down on his back, while she quickly rose on her feet. She looked down with wide grin as he lazily rolled himself over, taking his time to stand.

"You alright there, Rick?" she teased, laughter escaping her.

She watched him rub his hand on his back, with a small chuckle. "You're a mean fighter, Astraea," he said with a hard breath. His face and hairless head glistened beneath the light, as a large damp spot on his shirt clung against his chest.

Astraea smiled with pride as she glanced around the gym, scanning at the few people who gathered around in witness.

With her arms spread out wide, she slowly started walking in a circle. "Anyone else?" she asked, her voice raised and breath hard. She eyed everyone as she studied their expressions, waiting for a response.

"Oh no, not today," One woman said, throwing her arms up in surrender. Astraea chuckled as she watched the woman step away from the bottom of the ring and head towards the other side of the room.

Every eye said 'no' as they all began to step back. "Aww c'mon, I know you all have it in you," she gloated. This was a wrestling/boxing gym after all.

She darted over the many familiar faces, of the many people she shared a fight with over time. They were all skilled in their own right, some less so than others. There were about two young women, both blondes who she's never seen before, but everyone else she knew, or at least was familiar with. Occasionally, new people would attend the gym for training, but most of the time this was where the true skilled fighters gathered together, keeping up with their training.

"Another time, still sore from our last match." She glanced over at the grown man in his black tank top, his arms crossed while he shook his head no. Astraea smiled then turned back towards Rick, who was leaning against one of the ropes on the other side of the ring, with a look of exhaustion.

"Not a chance in hell," he spoke, responding to her unspoken request. He turned his body and bent underneath the top rope before jumping out of the ring. Astraea sighed with laughter, as she shook her head. The small crowd began to scatter, heading towards different activities in the gym.

Astraea's hands fell down to her sides, slapping against her thighs. With a quiet smile she began walking towards one side of the ring.

"I guess I'll just have to go," a low, almost raspy voice said. Astraea quickly turned to her side, surprised that she didn't notice anyone else was still around.