Hidden Life (on hold)

Chapter 18:

When I hear my fighter name being called, I automatically cheer up as I am running up to the rink. I am ready to fight and I can't wait to see who my opponent is. "IN THE RING TONIGHT, WE HAVE A CROWD FAVOURITE AND OUR BEST UNDEFEATED CHAMPION.... SHHHHADOOOOOOW!" The crowd goes wild and I throw my hand up it the air, riling them up. I can see the boys joining in with the cheering through the corner of my eye.

"AAAAND VERSING SHADOW AND GOING FOR THE TOP POSITION, WE HAVE.... CRUUUSHHHHERRR!" The crowd cheers again but they are not at all near as loud as they were when my name was called out. I watch as a buff looking man enters the fighting ring and cracks his knuckles while also cracking his neck. He is trying to look intimidating, I suppose. But, the thing is, it is extremely hard to intimidate me. I am the top fighter here and ever since I have been at this fighting bar, I have not once lost. The big boys always sign up to fight me, thinking that they will finally be the ones to beat the 'little girl' but every time, I have proved them wrong and I doubt that they will ever be as cocky or make the same mistake ever again. They got what was coming to them and so will this guy.

When the crowd had finally calmed down from cheering for both of us, the announcer told us to go to our respective corners before the countdown.

"THREE!....

TWO!....

ONE!....

FIIIIGHTTT!"

We did not go for each-other straight away, we sized each-other up first. Walking around on opposite sides of a circle as we scan our opponents for any potential weak spots or things which we can use to our advantages.

This guy is sizing me up too which surprises me. He is being careful and is not underestimating me at all. I note that he is rolling his left ankle around slightly, as if to loosen it up. I also see that his right fist is clenched whereas his left is not. He is going to punch me with his right hand first, and he is preparing for it, waiting for an opening or a pause from me. But I don't give him that. Instead, I attack.

  -  -  AFTER THE FIGHT. -  - 

I won. Of course I did. Why wouldn't I have? Turns out this guy was no different than the rest. Once I got him on the ground, just like the others, he said things to me- demeaning things- which made me want to bash him up even more than I was going to originally. And I did, don't get me wrong, because my bet is that he will be in hospital for the next day or two, but I just wish that I could have made it more painful for him and dragged it out longer before he black out and I won because he was unconscious.

Hmmm. At lease the boys got to me in time so that I didn't bash up the referee of the fight too out of my own anger.

I make a note to myself to thank them as I am riding home, my thoughts being drawn towards how comfortable my bed will be when I can finally crash on it and get some well earned rest.