CHAPTER 3: A SYMBOL OF DRED
450 Words
Jamal's phone buzzed as he hit the streets. Akeem: _"Need to talk. Urgent."_
He dialed back. "What's up?"
Akeem sounded wrecked. "Kaden's people hit me, man. Asked about you."
Jamal's grip tightened. "You okay?"
"Barely. Watch out, Jamal."
He ended the call. Kaden's playing dirty.
Jamal reached home, shadows closing in. A package waited—no note, just a single glove, black leather, Dred Kombat logo etched.
He knew. The fight's countdown began.
Jamal turned the glove over, feeling its weight. A symbol of Dred Kombat's brutality. He slipped it on, fist clitching tight.
A knock broke his focus. Maya stood there, soaked from rain. "I saw Akeem's place trashed. Kaden's moving fast."
Jamal pulled her inside. "Stay low. This isn't safe."
Maya shook her head. "I'm covering Dred Kombat. You need backup."
He laughed dark. "You wanna die?"
"I'm not leaving," she said, eyes locked.
Jamal's phone buzzed. Kaden: _"Fight rules: no mercy. Viktor kills."_
Maya read it. "No mercy? You gonna take that?"
Jamal's jaw hardened. "I'll take Viktor down."
Maya's gaze lingered, like she saw past his mask. "You sure about this, Jamal?"
He turned away, checking the glove's fit. "Gotta be."
Akeem burst in, breathless. "Jamal, they're watching! Kaden's got eyes everywhere."
Maya grabbed her bag. "I'll distract them. You prep for the fight."
Akeem nodded. "I'll watch your back, Bull."
Jamal locked eyes with Maya. "Be careful."
She smiled tight. "You too."
The clock ticked. Dred Kombat loomed.
Akeem handed Jamal a bag. "Gym gear. You need to train, man."
Jamal stripped, sweat dripping as he hit the makeshift gym. Punching bag took hits, thoughts on Viktor.
Maya slipped in, watching. "How's the plan?"
"No plan," Jamal growled. "Just fight."
She snapped a photo. "I'll expose Dred Kombat after this."
Jamal stopped. "After? Might be too late."
Kaden's text cut in: _"Viktor's ready. You?"_
Jamal's eyes locked on Maya. "Stay safe."
Maya nodded, tucking her phone away. "I'll stay clear. But Jamal—"
Akeem cut in. "He's right, Maya. This fight's gonna get messy."
Jamal grabbed his gear, shadows swallowing his doubts. "Time to end this."
The Pit roared, Dred Kombat crowd closing in. Kaden smiled, ringside. Viktor cracked knuckles.
Referee's call: _"Fight."_
Jamal stepped in. Viktor charged. Fights blurred—pain, rage, survival.
- Writer
