Along the Way

Chapter 16

I have another fight in Gallup, New Mexico in two weeks. Its a lot of time really, because Alex and I have made it to further places in less time than that. This came as a relief to Alex and I, so we took a lot of time resting, even though we were used to walking a lot by this point.

Alex and I take our time as we walk along the road in New Mexico, taking in the scene around us. There were few trees, crazy animals that neither Alex or I had seen before, a dark sky filled with huge, dark clouds that towered above us.

As I looked around, I took another glance at the sky. The clouds swarmed the sky around us, taking away all the bright colors that once inhabited their place.

As I looked at the sky, something poked my nose. It was cold and wet. Another poke to my arm, then my cheek. I looked over at Alex, whod already began balancing her suitcase on her head for cover.

I followed suit, pulling my suitcase atop my head before the rain grew heavier. As we walked, everything seemed to darken with every passing second. The rain grew heavier, the wind picked up, and we still had miles to walk before the next city. Our suitcases were too heavy to run with balanced over our heads, so we either had to walk and keep protection, or run and get soaking wet.

I was going to grab the umbrella I had stuffed in there, but by the time I thought that, it was too late. It was pouring rain now. Puddles already started forming on the road, the grass was all muddy and swampy, and our feet were soaking wet.
Wonderful, just wonderful.

2 weeks later, we arrived in Gallup. We were almost late because we spend so much time slacking around, but we made it. I had another fight tonight, my opponent's name was Onaya. She had a really lovely name, Ill have to remember that.

We were already backstage and they gave us the order of the fights. This time, I was to fight second, so I didnt have a lot of time to warm up. I guess it was better than being first though. I focused more on warming up, but occasionally glanced over to the television when people over there cheered. The backstage room was very similar to the one in Albuquerque, slightly trashier though.

This fight lasted all three rounds, leading to a judge's decision at the end. A girl named Ally defeated another girl named Sonny.

It was my turn to fight, and even though Id already done this once before, the same nerves were back, but once we were lined up to fight, it was just me and her.

Onaya and I were only a year apart, her being older, but I was slightly heavier than her. I weighed in at 126 and she weighed in at 123. She was about an inch or two taller than me, and had a very muscular form. She was foreign from what I could tell, or she had foreign genes possibly. Her skin tone was a caramel color and her hair was long and black. Her dark eyes could swallow you whole, and they gleamed in the light of the room.

When the fight started, I almost didnt realize. I was drawn into her flawless figure. When I did realize the fight began, I freaked out, immediately throwing a kick to her stomach.
She stumbled back, hitting her back against the ring. She bounced right back though, but I could tell she was in pain. She was hunched over slightly, clutching her stomach with one hand while she tried blocking with the other.

I threw another kick to her stomach, this time I probably damaged her ribs. After realizing the referee wasnt calling anything, I pounced on top of her. I threw a few punched to her nose, and a hook to the temple. The referee pulled me off of her before I could do any more damage, practically throwing me to the center of the ring. Lenny called me over for a quick drink.

Keep it up, nice work, He praised before sending me back out.

Onaya was furious by now, I could practically see the fire in her eyes.
When the referee called fight again, Onaya wasted no time. She jumped at me, rage filling her eyes. I swiftly dodged out of the way, only managing to get hit with a punch to the head instead of a full on body slam.

I think it hurt her hand more than it did my head though, because she was clamping onto her arm on the ground when I turned to her. I jumped on her back, putting her into a choke hold and wrapping my legs around her torso. I held my grip strong as she tried desperately to pull my arm away.

I didnt want this fight to end so soon like the last, but she tapped moments later, forcing me to withdraw my actions.

After the fight, I tried talking to her to tell her good job, but she completely ignored me.

She was undefeated until your guys fight tonight, I voice spoke behind me, making me jump. I turned to see that it was just Alex. I immediately relaxed, then nodded in response.
We walked back over to Lenny who congratulated me.

Great news kid, Lenny started, enthusiasm filled his voice, Lots of people want to sponsor you after seeing you win both of those fights. Basically, it means youll get more money if you keep winning fights. Speaking of which Lenny reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He pulled out a wad of cash, rubber banded together. Heres the money from your last fight.

I unrolled the cash and counted it out. $50. I was loaded.

Are you serious? This is so much! I exclaimed. He nodded and started to walk out of the building. Im not sure when, but your next fight will probably be in Flagstaff.

I nodded. Its funny really, It took Alex and I a long time just to get through Missouri, but now it seems like weve just been jumping from state to state in a few weeks, sometimes only days time.

Lenny took off in his car, leaving Alex and I in the dust. It was pretty dark already, maybe about 8 or 9 pm. Since it was pretty dark already, Alex and I had no problem sneaking around, not wanting to give away any clues to where the Undergrounds entrance is.

Once we were in the clear, we began walking through the town. It was sprinkling outside, continuing the rain from the past two weeks. It has literally been nonstop. I had taken the time toget out the umbrella this time, putting it over both of our heads.

Well, I just got paid, so do you want to check into a motel maybe? Then we dont have to try to look for shelter in the rain, I ask, turning towards Alex. She nodded her head.

Even though it was pretty late, there we a surprising amount of people walking and riding bicycles still.

Excuse me! I call out to a nearby person walking. They stop and turn towards us and we stop in front of them.

Do you happen to know where the nearest motel is? I ask politely. The lady nodded. Her red curly hair bouncing with every bob.

Yes, if you follow this street and then take a right onto Main Street, theres a small motel down there, She replied. She had a thick accent that filled her voice, Irish maybe?

Thank you so much! I exclaim, very pleased with her answer.

Youre welcome, have a great night ladies, She added, giving a small wave as she walked away.

You too, Alex and I called back in unison.

We followed the womans directions and made our way to the motel. It wasnt very good quality, but I guess it was better than sleeping in the rain.

Alex and I checked into the motel. It was simply named Motel, obviously they put a lot of effort into the name.

We made our way back outside and to our room. It took three tries to get the key to work and the room had a funny smell. We took our suit cases to the other side of the small room.

Surprisingly, the room actually had two beds, but that was about all when it came to the good things in here.

Alex and I plopped onto our beds and slowly drifted to sleep as our random conversation died off.