Comes with the Territory

Chapter 2 CWT

I popped my shoulders, flexing my back and letting my muscles relax. I did a few knee-ups, working out any possible cramps my legs would get. The crowd put front was rowdy, waiting impatiently for the main fight to start. The fight staring me and some guy by the name of Wolf. Such a stupid name, I thought as I retied my sneakers, cracking my knuckles.

 Anticipation ate at me, as did hunger. I had skipped lunch and dinner, running around the city to release the anger that had been locked up in me. My blood started to boil again at the thought of that asshole skater gang-banger as his threat. I knew in a heartbeat that I was going to win this fight, just because I was so angry.

Someone pounded on my door, telling me it was time. Picturing his stupid face one more time, I walked out to the cheering of the crowd. I had never been a fighter in the main event before, so I was a little nervous. I pushed it aside and watched my opponent approach, and I nearly backed out, then and there. This dude was huge, a hulking mass of pure muscle. Behind him was a tall, gangly guy who was whispering in his ear, probably his manager. I rolled my eyes in the direction of the bar, where my manager was probably getting it on with some lady.

I hopped up into the ring, pushing the roaring of the crowd out of my head until it was just a dull buzz. Wolf got up, surprisingly graceful for a man his size and I gulped. I focused on my anger, and I regained the invincible feeling. Double pay, I chanted in my mind, reminding myself why I was doing this.

The announcer walked up, grabbing each of us by a shoulder, swaying slightly. Great, even the announcer’s drunk, which meant he would be making bad calls. Which, I may point out, is bad for me.

“You two ready?” he slurred, raising his eyebrows but looking longingly at the bottle on his stool. I nodded tersely, which Wolf mimicked, and he stepped away to the bell and his stool. I spread my feet, narrowing my eyes at the guy who smiled warmly at me. I glared harder as the bell rang, and I stepped back from his speedy left hook he had instantly let me way.

I danced to the side, relying on my quick feet to get me to safety distances. He followed, sending one where my head would have been if I didn’t duck, leaving him unsteady on his feet. I kicked them out from beneath him, and he fell, rolling over and jumping to his feet at the same time I did. I stepped to the inside on his right, bringing my fist to his jaw and an elbow to his ribs, he caught me with a blow on the shoulder, which stung, but I shook it off.

I brought a foot up and kicked him in the chest, making him stumble, and punched him in the nose, feeling it crack beneath my hand. His hand instantly flew to his face, leaving his middle unprotected, so I kicked him in the stomach. He landed on the floor, winded. His mouth flopped open like a fish, trying to inflate his lungs back up, and I stepped back, waiting for him to make another move.

He struggled up, murder in his eyes which was what I was hoping for, and charged me. I ducked to the side, sending my elbow to the small of his back with a ton of force, and he fell, head crashing against the floor. I grabbed his arm, pulling it like I did to Grey yesterday, and dug my shoe into his back. He growled, making me freeze, which he took advantage of and rolled over, making me fall.

In an instant he had me pinned to the ground, his huge weight crushing down on my chest. I thrashed, struggled, baring my teeth threateningly at him. I brought my leg up and hooked it around his waist, pushing the sore spot I knew was there from my elbow. He winced, letting up on his grip, and I broke free. I jumped up, bringing my knee to his nose, making him call out. He was down, so I pinned him like he did me, smirking at his crooked nose.

He growled again, but I didn’t let it faze me. He tried to wrench his hands from my hold, but I kept them there tight. He tried the same trick with the leg as me, but wasn’t flexible enough. The bell rang, signaling the end of the fight. A huge grin spread across my face as I leapt up, reaching a hand out to help him up.