LUCIAN:
"And next is Death himself, Luc!!” The announcer's boisterous voice boomed from the microphone and loud cheers erupted from the crowd.
I earned that name after killing more men than anyone has ever done in this ring.
I guess you know where I am. The diner.
I made my way to the ring in just my basketball shorts. My opponent was standing in the middle, his eyes fixed on me as I got in. He could be described as a beast among men as he was huge and bulky. The human version of Hulk as the announcer had called him.
He stared at me with bloodshot eyes, like a predator ready to devour its prey. He had eliminated four men before me. I was the last guy on the list since my entry came late.
I hadn't planned on going to fight but after Kris shut me out, I needed to take my anger out on something or particularly someone.
I'd never been good with anger management. When vexed, someone dies. It's how I'd been trained.
The bell went off signaling for the fight to start. Hulk charged at me and a smile broke out of my face.
People knew not to do that but his size had misled him and it would be his last mistake.
Just as he got to me, I swiftly kicked his legs which sent him crashing to the hard floor with a loud thud.
Loud cheers erupted from the crowd at this.
He made to stand up but I delivered another hard kick to his rib cage, putting all of my anger into that single kick. I heard the sound of cracked bones and it was soothing.
Just as I was about to repeat the motion, he held on to my leg and flipped me and I landed on the ground.
Good. He's making an attempt to be alive. My subconscious asserted.
The fight was always more interesting when my opponent made an attempt to fight back.
Standing over me, he crouched down to my level and tapped my neck, attempting to lift me up with it. I struggled to pry his hands from my neck but he kept applying pressure.
With my legs, I delivered a kick to his legs and he fell on his knees but didn't reduce his hold on my neck. Instead, he tightened his hold.
Finally deciding not to struggle with him, I delivered a hard punch to his broken ribs. His hold loosened but he attempted to apply more pressure. I repeated the motion again till his hold on my neck was weak.
I continued attacking his ribs till he let go of me and fell to the ground.
Immediately, I picked myself up and delivered a blow to his nose.
His hands flew up to his cracked nose and I took that opportunity to punch his chest.
I delivered several blows to his stomach and blood oozed from his mouth and nose.
Using all the strength and anger I was feeling, I punched his neck and he let out a low groan.
Deciding I was done with this, I held on to his head as his hands held onto mine for dear life, I snapped his neck.
The crowd erupted in boisterous cheers as the announcer pronounced me the winner.
Not wanting to be there any more than I have, I quickly changed in the changing room, collected my pay, and got out.
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I'd been trying to sleep for the past hour but sleep was not forthcoming.
After exiting the diner, I went home, took a cold shower, and got into bed. Since then I've been tossing and turning in bed.
My mind was nagging me about Kris. I couldn't remember the last time I'd ever thought of someone else apart from Val and myself. But with her, everything was different. I was breaking my rules. I hated it and I loved it at the same time.
Once again, I closed my eyes to sleep but her angry face flashed into my mind's eye.
Fuck it! I cursed out loud. *I should just check on her.* I concluded.
Picking my phone from the nightstand, I noticed it was almost midnight. She was probably sleeping but at that point, I didn't care.
Hey...you still up?
I hit send.
Minutes later I got no reply. I decided to call her instead. I dialed her number. It rang but she didn't answer the call, making me agitated.
Getting up from the bed, I pulled on black sweatpants and a black hoodie. I got my car keys from my nightstand and made my way outside. In haste to make sure she was okay, I rushed into my car and peeled out of the parking lot.
Moments later I was at her front lawn. I knew her mom wasn't home yet and I wasn't about to knock and let her know it's me else she wouldn't open up considering she might still be mad at me.
Pulling my pocket knife out, I worked on the door and opened it. Quietly, I got in and locked the door slowly to avoid alerting her.
I climbed up the stairs to her room and opened the door to let myself in.
Closing the door I turned to see her spread out on her bed sleeping peacefully with soft snores escaping her lips.
Seeing that she was okay, I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding.
I lowered myself to her bed, sitting beside her. I was trying to suppress the strong urge to wake her and sort things out but I wasn't in the habit of disturbing people from their sleep.
I sat there for a while before finally deciding to leave. I placed a kiss on her forehead and left just the way I came without any trace of me.