A Lion's Will

Chapter 2 Part 1: Fighting with Demons

Reaching for my phone that got slung into the passenger seat I shoot Rick a quick text message:

Any Available Fights Tonight?

I set my phone down on the seat next to me as I speed through town, the tightness in my chest growing. A ding draws my attention away from the road.

For you kid, always. I’ve got a guy here right now that’s been running the ring all night.

I smile down at the phone wolfishly and turn towards the bar. I reach the bar in no time. My headlights flash against Marty’s huge form leaned up against the bar’s front wall. I turn my car towards the back of the bar where the employees’ cars and delivery trucks are kept. Marty heads towards the back to meet me. By the time I have the Impala parked in its spot in between two of the employee cars Marty is standing by the back door. I slide out of the Impala and head for the trunk. The trunk pops open the sound echoing into the chilly night air. I reach into the depths of the trunk and latch onto the small black duffle bag that I keep there.

Unzipping the bag I reach in and pull out a simple black hoodie, a pair of indistinguishable black shoes, a mask, and makeup wipes. I slip out of my hoodie with the school logo on it, toss my matching shoes into the trunk, and then strip off my jersey. The cold night air bites against my exposed flesh before I wrench on the black hoodie. I stuff my feet into the flat black lifting shoes, then I wipe the makeup and face paint off of my face. Donning the black mask over the bottom half of my features I pull the hood over my head and stuff my hands into the hoodie pocket. The black nike shorts I put on after the game will be fine to fight in, and I have compression shorts on under them if I really want the extra movement. I hurry towards where Marty stands when the roar of a motorcycle blasts into the back parking lot. I hunch my shoulders and hide in the shadows as the rider scans the parking lot, but turns out anyway.

Marty ushers me inside quickly after the rider leaves. I smile up at him and he gives me his broken grin right back.

“Long time no see, kid.” He says cuffing me on the shoulder.

I stretch my arms up trying to loosen the stiff muscles, “Yeah, well you know I had to let the others think I had disappeared into thin air.” I reply putting my arms behind my head as we walk down the dark hallway to the secret underground fighting arena.

Marty chuckles, “Yeah they started calling you The Ghost now. You know since you come in for a couple of fights and then disappear again soon after.”

I roll my eyes, “How stupid, should be calling me something way cooler.”

Marty chuckles as we walk up to Rick. Rick Aston is a greasy looking man. He runs the underground fighting ring. He has a gold front tooth because he thinks it makes him look cool, and he is always wearing a suit with his shirt unbuttoned.

Rick gives me a slimy grin. I raise my eyebrows at him while giving a small nod. “Alright kid, so here's the deal. The big guy in the ring is scaring off customers, and putting a real damper in the night. No other fighters want to get in there with him unless they’re really drunk. Plus, the guy has been drinking the entire night, so it shouldn’t be so difficult for you to get him out.” Rick says pointing to the hulking figure stumbling around the ring.

I watch the guy for a second. His steps are more deliberate than he is putting on, and his movements are a little too precise for someone who is drunk, but he is favoring his right knee and shoulder. “I can get him out, but it’s actually going to cost you this time.” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

Rick looks at me in surprise, “Really, you want money now?”

I nod, “That and I need a care package for the bonfire this weekend.”

Rick’s smile widens, “I think I can get that done just get that guy out of my ring.”

I raise my eyebrow at Rick, “Double my normal fee for this guy, he’s way out of my weight class, and is probably going to cause some problems for me that’s going to be a pain to explain later on.”

Rick’s smile falters and his jaw ticks, “Fine, five thousand, just get rid of him.”

I pull the mask down and give him my best crooked grin, “Will do, boss.”

With that little exchange over I head towards the bar where Stacy, Mike, and the new girl Stephanie are getting drinks out. Mike spots me first and disappears behind the bar to grab my hand wraps. Stacy squeals when she sees me and gives me a big hug. I hug her back stiffly and offer Steph a little wave.

“Where have you been?” Stacy asks.

I shrug, “Trying to stay out of trouble, but you know how trouble is. It always seems to find me.”

Stacy nods before heading off with a round of beers for a table near the ring. Mike tosses me the wraps and I sit on a bar stool while I wrap my hands. I slide my hoodie over the bar and he puts it back behind with a nod.

“Good to see you again.” He says grimly.

Mike never likes it when I fight, I guess it reminds him of his mom and dad fighting. I head for the warm up equipment in the corner of the room. I warm up and stretch before readjusting the mask on my face. The mask is thin enough to breathe through even when it's wet, but it hides any distinguishable features.

The behemoth in the ring finishes beating another guy to a pulp and I step into the ring next at the announcement of another fight. The big guy turns around and there's rage in his eyes when they land on me.

“I’m not fighting a little girl.” He bellows out.

I rub my ear a little, “Wow, scared to get your ass whooped?” I call bouncing on my toes.

He shakes his head, “No, more like scared I’ll put you in the hospital.”

I smile through the mask, “Trust me, you won’t be able to lay a finger on me big boy.”

His jaw ticks, “Alright, sweetheart, but when they have to carry you out of here don’t blame me.”

My turn for my jaw to tick at the name. We tap knuckles and start circling each other. The man lunges and I pivot out of the way bouncing on my toes. He comes at me again with an assault of punches and kicks. I use his momentum and slam my foot into the side of his weak knee. He tumbles down but not before catching me in the side with a kick. I feel the air leave my lungs, but manage to stay up right. Then I’m on him as he tries to roll away. I slam my foot into his chest and follow it with an elbow to the face. He grabs for me but I’ve broken his nose. Blood gushes from his face as he comes at me again. I pivot out of the way just in time to dodge a punch, but not enough to miss my legs being swiped out from under me. I hit hard with my head bouncing off of the floor. The room spins a little but I quickly flip myself up and am back into fighting position as he eggs the crowd on.

With his back to me I take advantage and jump on him sending elbow after elbow into his injured shoulder before I shift his weight and throw him to the ground again. I’m on top of him now wrapping my arms around his neck, my knee is placed firmly between his shoulder blades and I pull up and back on his neck.

Leaning down I whisper into his ear, “Either tap out or pass out.”

“Fine.” He grunts out blood leaking from his busted lip where he hit the floor.

I feel his huge hand tap on my arm and I release him. The guy stands coughing as he touches his throat. I walk around the ring with my arms up in victory before hopping out of the ring. The anger is finally dissipating and the knot in my stomach is unraveling. However, the pain from the fight is still very present. I know I’m going to have bruises all over my body tomorrow. The guy stops me as I head towards the bar where Rick is counting out my money.

“Who are you?” He asks roughly.

I raise my eyebrows, “Someone you don’t want to f**k with.” I say as I unwrap my hands.

He laughs hoarsely, “Obviously, but what’s your name?”

“Look dude, I’m way too young for you and to be honest I’m not interested.” I say back moving to go around him.

He stops me again, “I just wanted to know who to blame when my boss asked me who kicked my ass so thoroughly.”

I smirked at him, “Just tell him The Ghost paid a visit to the Succubus tonight.”

He nods, “Well, can I buy you a drink since you’re too young to get one yourself. You deserve it after taking a kick like that to the ribs. Normally that would have put a grown man out of commission.”

I shake my head, “Thanks, but no thanks.” I say moving towards the bar again.

“Fine, but I hope I see you again, Ghost Girl.” He calls after me.

I reach the bar and take my money from Rick “Will my care package be outside Friday night?”

I ask counting through the bills.

Mike nods, “Just don’t get caught.”

I smile at him sweetly, “Trust me, I won’t get caught.”

I divvy out fifteen hundred dollars for both Steph and Stacy before tucking the last two grand in my bra. Steph looks at me dumbly, but Stacy just rolls her eyes and tuck the money into her bra.