The Pole Shift

Macka versus Mick

"Who's this fuckwit?" Said Mick and put his beer down. Macka walked into the middle of the room as the house still trembled. The earthquake was longer than usual, the hedonists grouped together further, like a ball of multicoloured rubber bands. Some of the survivalists slipped out. Macka took on Mick's glare and saw a strong man, large forearms and a rigid physique. Macka was smaller but he had been trained in combat, he did not feel fear.  Absurdly one of the hedonists was trying to put the decks back together even though the power had failed, candle light lit the scene.

                "A friend of Letts." Macka knew that would delay things, he wanted to have their attention, his ego winning out over his terms of reference. Mick's eyes snapped to Lett, muttering something along the lines of 'cunt'. Dean and Clarky slipped into mean mode, they knew the drill, and they both flanked Macka, Clarky's teeth were chattering through the E and he was trying not to be friendly to the newcomer, he was big eyed but not ready to fight. Lett's own eyes had gone wide, then yieldingly she stepped back and watched. Clarky shot her a look, confused.

                It was Dean who moved. Macka didn't need Prophet to tell him Mick's henchman was going to try and king hit him. He let Dean make the move and as the blow arrived Macka bent backwards from the waist to evade , then shuffled his feet left right to drive a counter blow to the one that brushed across his jaw.  Macka's left fist crunched smartly into the right rib closest to Dean's solar plexus, he felt the satisfying break of bone, and as Dean crumpled Macka's knee met the man's jaw on the way down, breaking it too. Clarky hesitated, but Mick did not.

                The two met. Macka knew he was a tough man, an old boxer who would fight without fear as Macka did. Mick wanted Macka to make a move so he could counter, and Macka feinted after showing off his jabs, Mick did not fall for it. He stepped back with a sneer, even turning to Lett and saying:

                "Dark whore! You're a slut, you're a bitch!" Lett eyed Mick without emotion. Mick continued:

                "This is your plan then, ditch us? Who's this prick?" Mick waved his arm at Macka, Lett purred:

                "You'll never know." The combatants returned to each other. Meanwhile Clarky sidled closer to an engrossed Lett. Mick let rage shake his bones, it was impressive, Viking like, his snarl animal, his eyes slits. Macka knew the attack was coming and shifted his weight slightly, when it came he clouted Mick's chin, knowing it would not stop him, his right cross was blocked and Macka had to take a tremendous thud he only slightly rolled with. His cheek was cut, his blood seeped. He let the next attack come, and took another blow, an uppercut that snapped his head backwards. He feigned letting another one ensue as Mick smelt the blood. Mick did not fall for it, instead he took a bottle which he broke. Again Macka knew it was an invitation to take an action, instead he wiped at the blood on his cheek muttering:

                "Jesus wept." Mick turned to Lett again delivering more obscenities, gesturing with the bottle at the bleeding Macka,  blue with rage. Clarky had got right up to Lett who was aware of his proximity for the first time. Clarky's hand reached for Lett's, he whispered:

                "What should I do?" Lett turned to regard him for a second. Some of the hedonists were watching but most were trying to put the decks back together, some had actually started to have sex, what did a fight matter when you were about to die anyway? Their pleasure ruled and they watched the scene as if it was entertainment. Lett said:

                 "Kill him you fool." Clarky, E'd up and child like obeyed. He span and rushed the intruder who was nursing his cheek as if in terrible pain. When Clarky arrived Macka spiralled upwards and forwards, ringing Clarky's neck in the crook of his elbow, he then fell downwards spreading Clarky across his knee snapping the young man's neck and killing him stone dead. The action took the parties breath away. The power came back on, Clarky's body fell to the floor. Lett was momentarily and unexpectedly heartbroken as Macka stood, glancing at her before taking a step towards Mick.