Twenty-Three

Kian

A few minutes passed by before the end of the round bell started to ring in my ears. That was my cue to drag my anxious ass out of the locker room and greet my opponent. I did so with a confident swagger, putting on a show for all the cheering fans. The crowd grew wild as my robe dropped to the floor, and I began the routine warm-up at the foot of the Cage. Mad Dog eyed me from the other side like a rabid animal, hellbent on coming out of here the victor. I spotted the Reaper’s goons from across the room; the acrid green lighting made them all look like a bunch of frogs standing next to a mountain of muscle. The gator was huge, even from a distance. He gave me a nod, a signal from him to me that he was rooting for my corner. That was reassuring. I for one didn’t think I stood a chance until this morning. It felt as if the ghosts of my past were all watching over me, ready to push me back through the veil if I fell through to the other side. I could hear my momma yelling to me tha