It has been a busy week, for everyone it seems and I hope today was wonderful for everyone. I worked on my writing most of yesterday and picked out this scene special for today. It isn't very loving but that makes the irony so, so sweet. :)
This is a scene from my next novel Kill Match. It is a dystopian fiction novel, taking place well after the world has been destroyed. The city Librarea lives in is full of fighting, betting and hunger.
Enjoy! :)
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His hood slipped from his head as the gauntlet rang and air hissed between my teeth. I could hear the marketers call for last round, final bets being taken. Knowing who was favored only made me not want to fight this kid more. At only fifteen years old, he stood a foot taller than my 5'3 frame. He was bulkier than most kids his age and knowing how his Lanista trained, I knew he had worked more on his muscles than his endurance. I couldn't allow him to get a hold of me or else I was dead. Literally, dead. His eyes danced with glee as I danced away and I knew the rumors to be true. My heart fluttered in fear. All fighters were serious once they stepped in the circle, their families lives depended on it. But once you were down they were done, and they would only do what was necessary to get you there. Few were like the kid standing before me who wanted to hurt anyone they faced. He enjoyed causing pain.
It was no wonder they moved him quickly through the ranks, finally reaching me tonight. He definitely drew a crowd and he was cocky about it. That I knew would be his weakness. I would need to exploit his confidence and make him think I was nothing more than prey. I ducked away from a halfhearted swing, backing against the people pushing the lines of the ring. His face hardened as he realized I was cornered, and I knew the next one would be thrown at full force. He wasn't built to last through a long fight and I would have to keep him moving and not get hit in the process if I hoped to win.
He stepped closer and I ducked under his arm, catching his rib with my elbow as I moved. He reached for me moments too late, the breeze of his hand tickling the hairs on my forearm. A small grunt escaped him as he swung around towards me, sweat dripping from the tips of his hair. Tonight was especially warm for the desert, the swarms of people pushing in too close. The temperature was taking its toll, the little energy he had being zapped. A bust of speed broke through as quick steps came towards me. I faked right only to meet the heal of his foot on my left. Pain exploded in my ribs and I grabbed my side to try and protect them as best as I could. I turned putting my back towards him.
Nero's words whispered into the back of my head and I prayed he was correct. I needed him to follow his latest pattern, choking out his opponents from behind. Nero and I had worked on what I would do as a last resort if he got too close. His punches and kicks were like fire, burning up my strength. More than likely that kick had broken at least one rib, if not more. I was in trouble and I was suddenly thankful for Nero's stubbornness to teach me a last resort. I knew it was my last chance to win, and to stay conscious. It was all based on the hope that he would follow his normal fighting style.
A slow, pained smile touched my lips as I felt a large arm move to wrap around my neck and I prepared all of what I had left in me. I stilled as his muscles jumped in excitement. Moments before he could lock his hands together in the final clasp, my left hand shot out and grabbed his right hand. His progression stilled as I pulled him closer and took my opening. Like a flash my right leg slid back between his legs and I pivoted to around to face him. Surprise lit his black eyes before my right hand shot out with as much force as I had and connected with his nose. A startled scream let out and my left hand quickly let go of him as my right knee connected with his groin. He crashed to the ground, blood cascading down his face.
The bell rang, marking the end of the fight and I searched to find my Lanista. I needed help. I spotted both Nero and Alexander, a look of pure approval on both of their faces. I moved to motion that I needed assistance when the smile on Alexander's face faded and he started to run towards me. Something dripped above me, sticky on my shoulder. I turned only to see a bloody mess behind me.
"This isn't over."
Dark words hit through my body and I shivered. I saw the punch coming but I couldn't move fast enough. He slung back as if in slow motion, his fist landing directly on my broken ribs, a scream ripping out of me before the whole world went black.
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