Jack Marwood's POV: 2.5 years ago
Standing in the ring, I was punching the air in front of the blue corner whilst wearing the heavily padded soft boxing gloves, going through the motions of warming up.
And while my muscles were slowly becoming loose, I could only think about one thing…
How I still didn't understand how I had screwed up so badly!
What did I miss!? I was so certain that I had caught everything! Rodrigo talked too high-pitched at Sasha during lunch. The math teacher deliberately explained trigonometry wrong. Bob had a new habit of tapping his finger whilst waiting with crossed arms. The female servants only engaged with me if I talked like James did with them…
Everything! I was confident I had caught everything! So why was I being punished!
And more importantly, how had I screwed up so badly that… that… h-he was here!
I couldn't help but steal glances between punches, but every time I saw his slicked-back red hair and amber eyes looking through me, the shivers made me avert my gaze.
Why was my father here! He never watched me get beaten up! Was… was he going to beat me up himself! He had traded his usual black work suit for a same-colored training one after all. But he wasn't even warming up or warmed up, nor even wearing a mouthpiece. So… so I didn't think…
James then? Father always watched him fight. But my brother wasn't here, nobody was. Usually the instructors were here, but they left once they put my gloves on. But I wasn't even wearing head protection. Was I going to fight at all? Why was I wearing a mouthpiece then?
Was… was father just here to scare me? Like a lion watching his next meal from inside the cage. But… I was in the ring? Why was I in the cage then?
"Enough. You're warmed up."
I froze completely at my father's ice-cold voice. Had… had he realized I was comparing him to a zoo animal!?
N-no, calm down, just calm down. H-he just correctly saw I was warmed up now.
"Yes, sir," I said while turning towards my father.
…He just kept staring at me for a few seconds.
…What was he—
"You'll engage with boxing rules. I'll be the referee, watching from here."
…What? He the referee? Just… what? No, just, wait, first I should…
"I have no head protec—"
"Your opponent won't be above your weight class or skill level this time."
…Huh!? W-was this going to be an actual fight then!? I… I could do something different than just reading and predicting their attacks to keep dodging until time ran out?
B-but I was wearing these thick gloves? They couldn't do any damage, right? Would my opponent wear the same sort of gloves as me then, since I wasn't given head protection?
"Stand towards the blue corner with your eyes closed until I give the start signal."
…What? Wait a—
My father's eyes sharpened.
"Yes, sir," I responded before thinking.
I turned around and closed my eyes.
…..?
Was… was he still staring at—
I suddenly heard footsteps walking away from me, and then doors open.
Father was leaving?
I just… I didn't… should I keep on closing my eyes?
…Y-yes, I should. He's… probably grabbing my opponent.
…But who? I just… I didn't understand what…
Just… just what was going on here?
…I waited… and waited, thoughts churning out meanwhile to grasp some kind of understanding.
But after a few minutes, when I still hadn't figured anything out, I heard doors open once again.
I stiffened. I heard footsteps walking towards me. I still didn't dare open my eyes, nor move an inch.
…Two pairs of footsteps? The heavier ones were father's, but the lighter ones…
…Were really light? They probably really were someone near my weight. Father was speaking the truth.
My father stopped near the ring, and the other person continued walking and started climbing into the ring…
A bit clumsily and unsurely, by the sound of it.
Once they had managed to climb inside, they stopped.
…Weren't they going to walk—
"Rincón rojo," father suddenly said with an intimidating undertone.
H-huh!? Wh-what was that!? What did he just say!? A… a different language!? B-but they never taught me! How am I supposed to—
The other person suddenly walked again, slowly, to the opposite side of the ring.
…Rincón… rin… ring? …Red corner? Was that what father just said… to them? Why!? That should be obvious, right!? Were they hesitating to fight me? Why why why…
Because I looked stronger than them in their eyes and they hesitated? Despite everything, all the strength training and… hopefully vegetarian… protein drinks they had forced me through had made me pretty muscular.
…Were they really at my skill level then? Did I really stand a chance for once? This wasn't a trick? I… that can't…
I heard my opponent reach the red corner. We would start fighting soon.
No, focus. Trick or not, a quick look would confirm. If this was a trick, they would rush me since I was still turned around. I had to move forward and dodge immediately, otherwise I would be trapped in the corner. And if they were still hesitant, rush in and take advantage immediately. The sooner this stupid punishment was over, the better.
Always rush forward, no matter what.
Plan in mind, I regained my clarity, and not even a second later, my father's voice commanded.
"Begin."
I opened my eyes and turned around. I immediately took a step—
Gray eyes met mine.
Lightning hit my heart.
After one step, I was paralyzed.
She was beautiful.
My eyes immediately went all over her in disbelief.
Amber skin. A head shorter than me. She was thin, I could count some ribs. No, not thin necessarily, but very lean? Her legs were incredibly toned after all, her arms a bit too.
But… she had a nice figure? Was that what you would call an… hourglass figure, as James sometimes said about certain servants? Her stomach was so flat, her belly button was even sticking out. I… I've never seen one before. And… her… sports bra was sticking out a little bit too. She was a girl after all…
…G-girl!? Hang on! Why was she showing so much skin anyway!? She was even barefoot! Was that normal for female fighters!? I… I had never fought a female before, and the male instructors always wore shirts. Although I was always shirtless, so maybe it's only for younger fighters…
Wait! H-how old was she anyway? Her face looked younger than the servants… slightly older than Jane… near my age then? Was she 14?
W-was she my age!? Th-that's a first. Next to James and Jane, everyone else here was an adult. And mother… she didn't take me to the set to protect my privacy, but I usually was only allowed to visit anyway when she was off work. We just spent time together relaxing, having fun and catching up. Just us two, nobody else, except mother's private chef who I sometimes talked briefly to.
…That girl… her face was beautiful too. Striking, well-defined… though her lips and nose were cute. And her black, slightly wavy hair was swept to one side and reached past her shoulder. It… it was kinda wild. All the female servants here wore either short hairstyles or neat ones. Compared to them… just… it was such a difference…
But… but her eyes. Gray. I-I didn't even know that color was possible. And it's just, they complete the picture so well… they were stunning… I… wow… just… wow…
…Wh-why was my heart pounding in my chest? I… was I nervous? Th-this was a fight after all…
But… I didn't want to hurt her. She just kept staring at me from her corner of the ring, with that stiff expression.
I… I wanted to see her smile? …Was she ticklish like Jane? I wanted to hear her laugh too. Would she also have an adorable laugh? Although with these laced boxing gloves on… I couldn't take them off myself…
…Why did she have MMA gloves on? She had no head protection… Her jaw and mouth position… she did have a mouthpiece… like me…
…Fight? She was going to fight… me?
…OH CRAP! H-HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN STARING AT HER!
I… I… because she was beautiful? B-but I never really noticed someone's appearance or took an interest in it! Why was she different!? Because… she was so different from anyone else I'd met?
She… oh… she was just staring at me too? Why? And why was her expression… hesitant?
I looked at my father. He was just staring at us both, silent, his face giving away nothing.
I looked back at the girl. She still hadn't moved an inch, nor taken a fighting stance. Did… did she not want to fight—
"Piensa en tu familia," father spoke again suddenly.
The girl froze and looked at my father… afraid?
Wh-what did he say to her? Familia... family? What about her family?
She then looked back at me… and her eyes changed. She was suppressing her hesitation… and it was slowly replaced with… determination…
Fierce.
Shivers went down my spine.
I immediately recalibrated. She would fight me seriously, with everything she had in her.
I put my arms up. That made her freeze for a second, but then she quickly put hers up too. Her left hand was farther from her body, just like mine. Wait… she had copied my stance exactly. Orthodox. Was her fighting style the same as mine, and that's why she was my opponent? But she's so lean. She's likely faster than me, maybe that's the challenge this time.
…But that look on her face… desperation? I… I didn't like that on her. Maybe this was her first time instructing someone in private. Punishment for me or not, I'd like to get on her good side.
"Let's have a good match," I said to her to quell her nerves.
She tensed again.
What!? That's not what I wanted! …Wait, now she looked confused? Wh-why?
"…Um… let's take it easy on each other," I tried again.
Another confused look. Now I was confused too.
I looked at father. Still just watching, unexpressive.
…What was… wait… you can't mean… didn't she… no…
I looked at her again. I… I had to confirm it.
"…English?"
…Her eyes gained some doubtless recognition. She knew the word, but she shook her head.
Wh-what!? You've got to be kidding me! Th-that bastard! I… I started to think this was some sick sort of reward for me instead of a punishment, a friend or instructor finally my own age, but I can't even talk to her!
Where did father even get her from! S-some charity organization of his to help poor children? Was there even an area that poor in the US where people didn't even speak English?
…Why was she here and so desperate? Sh-she must be getting paid to be my sparring partner, and must need it desperately. I mean, she's so thin, and… family… she must be doing this for her family, to put food on the table.
Damn it. Just… damn it. I—
The girl's gray eyes shone now with fierceness, and she slowly walked forwards.
Oh no… focus… focus… If I didn't fight, would she get paid? Did she need to win? She wore more damaging MMA gloves, compared to mine that could hardly hurt a fly. She was advantaged, but it could also be to compensate for our difference in strength and weight.
She reached the middle of the ring.
I didn't know. I… had to test the waters and figure things out first. She wore no head protection, so she would be skilled at least, but I was confident I could dodge.
Plan formed, I started walking forward too, out of my corner so I wouldn't be trapped.
And when we were in striking range, she made the first move.
She cocked her right arm back… and punched… Huh!?
I dodged to the side with ease and circled around to the middle.
Wh-what!? Why!? Oh no no no this can't… this can't be happening!
She turned around… and sent another right punch… and then a left one… and another… and another…
…I dodged all her comically telegraphed punches while dancing around her.
…After about ten, she punched a few more times while… watching my feet? And then she suddenly backed away and stopped. I then saw her thinking…
And I started thinking too… because I couldn't believe it… what… what was father thinking!?
She didn't know how to fight at all!
Her technique was that of an amat—
She suddenly stepped toward me again, with better steps?
And once she was in ran—
Jab! Tight! Fast!
I reflexively blocked it with my guard.
Huh!? How did—
More punches! Too fast!
I tightened my guard. It absorbed five hits.
Her punches felt light, at least. With the instructors I would already be down. But hers wouldn't slip throu—
Her lead leg rose.
Wh—
I leaned back in reflex.
"Kuh!"
She kneed my stomach, just above my crotch.
I pushed her back and jumped back myself.
D-didn't hurt that bad. I was staying light on my feet, but why did she!?
I quickly glared at father.
"You'll engage with boxing rules," he answered in advance.
But she doesn't! This was a punishment after all! Is he trying to teach me to always be on guard against the unexpected or something!?
I caught her moving towards me in the corner of my eye.
Damn it! Just, block the punches and dodge the legs! I can make it through the round!
She attacked again, and I kept managing to block the punches and dodge the stray knees. At least she didn't start grappling… if she even knew how to. I… I didn't know if she could fight at all or not. Her technique was amateurish, but… why then… did her combination get faster and more technical with every punch!
If this keeps up… I…
Her leg went up again, I dodg—
Her leg barely lifted.
A feint!
She shifted her stance!
Other leg! Knee! Me off balance!
I put my arms around her before she struck.
Her eyes went wide as I put her in an underhook clinch that lifted her slightly.
She was light!
Her arms flailed behind me briefly, but she suddenly put her arms and legs around me and she pulled herself tight against me.
Wh-what!? S-she was hugging me! Wh-why was my heart suddenly raci—
PAIN! SHOULDER!
"Argh!"
I pushed her off me and jumped back!
I saw blood on her lips!?
I-I looked at my left shoulder.
A single row of marks from her underbite, where my blood was leaking out from.
Sh-She bit me! She would have torn my flesh off if she hadn't had that mouthguard on her upper teeth!
I looked pissed off at my father again!
He remained unreactive!
What was he doing! He would referee, right!? How was this—
The girl rushed me again!
No no no damn it!
I dodged her again and again, keeping my distance, but she got somehow sharper and sharper.
If this keeps up, I… she might hurt me severely! Just… why hadn't the round ended yet! Enough time should have passed, right!? I'm getting gassed from all the running around. She was so fast!
I barely slipped a knee that came after a feint.
Damn it… just… I didn't want to hurt her… but… she didn't look tired at all! If this kept up… I…
…Sorry. I'll… I'll… figure your situation out after this and try to help somehow.
I'm so sorry.
After I blocked a jab, she sent a straight.
I slipped it, and for the first time I threw a punch.
Left hook over her extended arm.
It grazed her chin, twisting her head sidewards.
Her eyes went wide with surprise and then lost their focus.
I caught her as she fell and laid her down on the ground.
Thank God it was clean. I didn't hurt her.
I stood up and looked at my father… same expression…
…Why wasn't he saying anything… or counting? …Well, he never said anything unnecessary anyway…
I walked to the blue corner, turned around and waited there… looking at her.
…Please don't get up.
…
'…Eight, nine, ten,' I counted in my head.
Thank God it's over.
I looked at my father… still unresponsive?
'…Twelve… thirteen… fourteen.'
The girl still wasn't up, and my father still hadn't said anything.
'…Eighteen, nineteen, twenty.'
She still wasn't up. C-come on!
I glared at my father, and opened my—
"The fight isn't over yet."
…Huh!? What do you mean, isn't over yet!?
I looked at her again, still lying on the ground.
"What do you mean? The fight is over."
…My father didn't react.
…You've gotta be kidding me.
"Hey. Explain, or I leave."
"…You won't. You haven't won yet," father said nonchalantly.
Wh… what do you mean, haven't won yet! She's been out cold on the ground for—
"Urg…"
A groan completely froze my thoughts.
I looked at the girl again, who had now regained consciousness.
She… got up slightly on all fours, and looked around, dazed.
Her eyes met mine.
She froze, then got up immediately.
But her legs wobbled under her, and she tumbled to the side, catching herself on the ropes.
…I looked at father again. Nothing.
And the girl… hyperfocused on me. Even fiercer.
She… wanted to continue. Oh no…
…How do I win then? …TKO rules? I had to drop her three times?
…I didn't know. I didn't understand at all. Even after I drop her again and again… nothing might change. I would just hurt her unnecessarily.
…I'd let her win then and make it look convincing. If she was that desperate… I could endure the p-punishment father would give me for losing. But she… this might be her only opportunity for her family.
…Alright then.
I started walking to the middle of the ring, with the girl tensing up, watching me like a hawk.
But I didn't rush her. I just waited in the middle, watching her with the best smile I could manage, trying to put her at ease.
…Oh no, crap! She looked creeped out for a moment! Was… was it that bad!? Should I have practiced my smile in front of a mirror!?
…The girl regained her composure after a few seconds. And carefully started putting weight on her legs again.
…Once they had regained some of their strength, she carefully tried to step forwards…
She rushed me immediately!
I barely sidestepped the flying knee aimed at my head. I felt the wind lick my cheek.
Wow! I almost fell for that! That was… wow…
Once she landed, she turned and started punching me again.
I guarded everything. Dodged the legs. And after maybe a minute, I made my breathing more audible.
She was about to knee me again.
I feigned a misstep.
The knee hit my stomach.
My arms lowered with my grunt.
I saw her fist fly towards my face at a good angle.
My head snapped sideways as my chin was struck.
The pain wasn't that bad. She was lighter than me after all.
I let myself fall towards the grou—
I saw her other hand flying!?
Ow!
My chin was struck again in mid-air.
THAT HURT!
My body hit the ground.
Ow ow ow! But… she was that accurate!? Wasn't she actually really talented!? Is that why father scouted her out as my sparring partner? If she had that much potential, she would come far if she were taught—
Her foot closed in on my face!
I blocked it with my arms in reflex!
Wh-what!? I'm down! What are you—
She kicked my guard again!?
"Stop! Wai—"
She kicked my side.
"URG!"
PAIN!
She kicked again! Stomach! PAIN! Side! PAIN!
I rolled onto my back. I saw her foot lifted up.
I scrambled and put both my legs around the one she was standing on.
She kicked my stomach painfully before I had finished the motion, but she was off balance.
I twisted my body and swept her leg with a scissor sweep!
She fell backwards. I scrambled backwards and up to my feet, barely dodging another kick she sent my way once she lay on the ground.
Standing on my feet again, I… I just couldn't!
I glared at my father and—
"Stick to boxing. Next time, you lose—"
"What is happening here! Explain!"
"And you will never see your mother again," my father continued, unperturbed.
…What… what did he just…
The girl quickly got up again.
Lose? Never see… mother…
A knee went flying at my face again!
I blocked it in reflex.
Ah! My arm! That hurt!
I dodged the follow-up punch. I was… no just…
"Wait! Stop! Please!" I begged her with my hands up and palms facing towards her in surrender.
Another fist flying at me.
I barely slipped it. She had no mercy.
Damn it. No no no I just need a—
My head was rocked as she hit my chin.
Ow! No, just, sorry. I'm sorry!
I parried her follow-up punch and sent a straight back.
Her head rocked back. She stepped back. Still standing! Not enough! Damn these gloves!
I stepped in. Left hook to body. Liver. Hit.
She bent forward in pain.
Right hook. Chin. Grazed.
Her head snapped sideways. Her eyes dimmed. I caught and laid her unconscious body on the ground once more.
I… I hurt her… but… it wasn't that bad. It wasn't that bad…
I… I walked to the blue corner.
And I still didn't hear anything.
"Start the count!"
…My father didn't respond to my anger. He hadn't responded to anything.
"How do I win!? Explain!"
"…"
…I looked at the girl again. She was still out cold. I… I had caused her pain.
…I've had enough. I can't hurt her any more… But… mother… he can't just…
No… he can… but even still… four years till I'm 18. He can't just lock me up here forever. Even if… it's just four years. I… I can manage… s-somehow.
And mother… she surely wouldn't just let that happen to me. She had a right to see me too. I… I knew they made some kind of arrangement. I didn't know the details, but he couldn't just break it.
…Screw it. I'd force the issue.
I took a step, grabbed the rope near my corner and lifted it.
"You're giving up?"
I looked my father straight in the eye.
"I can't seem to win anyway."
"You know what will happen."
"We'll see."
I put one leg through the ropes.
"I'll take your place then."
…Huh!?
I froze, and stared wide-eyed at him.
"Wh… what do—"
"I'll finish the fight for you," my father said with cold eyes.
"This fight is already finished!"
"Get back in the ring, or you lose."
"This is ridiculous. She's out—"
"Three…, two…"
"Tch!"
I put my leg back in the ring. Father stopped the count immediately.
"How do I win then! Just tell me!"
"…"
"Say something! You want me to just keep dancing around and keep wasting both of our time? Tell me!"
"…You win when I say you win."
"Yeah, I noticed that! Thanks!"
"…"
Ridiculous! This is just… what… what am I missing here!? Just… just calm down and think for a second here!
…I… he'd… take over if I leave… what did he mean by… take over what? She was already down, there wasn't any fighting left to do now! He'd have to wait until she got up and fought… again…
I looked at the girl. Still out cold…, for now…
…No no no NO NO NO!
He can't mean! That… that just can't!
Was… wasn't he counting down… because I had to continue until… she…
No no no think think… she… he can't just… her family… charity… he can't just make her…
…She… she was American… right? But she… she couldn't even speak English.
Was she… she couldn't have been… like in that movie… tr-trafficked, r-right?
N-no. That just couldn't. There… there had to be something—
The girl twitched.
I froze completely.
She… she was slowly getting up again.
No! Stay down! Stay down, please!
She didn't. She rose and her hazy gray eyes met mine again.
But now there was hesitation and fear. Her fierceness had been quelled.
Of course, I had dropped her two times with minimal effort. She… she must have realized that she couldn't win… couldn't win…
Ah! Th-that might be it. I didn't have to keep going until she couldn't fight anymore! If she gave up, then the match would end!
I immediately swayed my arms around and shook my head.
That halted the still slightly groggy girl, but she just looked at me confused.
I… I signaled toward her corner with my arms.
"Rincón rojo! Rincón rojo!" I said, then swayed my fists toward my feet, praying that the message came across.
…She looked almost comically confused. I-I must have looked cartoonishly stupid just flailing my arms around in desperation, but I didn't care. Please stop fighting!
…Finally, something seemed to get through to her, and she looked at my father again, then at me immediately after. And after looking back at father again…
"Familia," he just said calmly.
The girl froze. She started looking between me, shaking my head desperately, and my father's cold gaze.
…She started to get both scared and frustrated, but despite that, she turned towards me again and raised her arms.
"No! Stop! Rinc—"
She rushed me.
I stopped shaking my arms in front of me and barely ran out of my corner and dodged her punch before I became trapped.
Damn it damn it damn it!
I kept dodging her attacks again while frantically thinking.
What has he done to her family!? She's scared for them! I… I don't, I can't talk—
My head rocked back. Her punch hit my chin.
I'm gassed from all the running around! Something! Anything to make her stop!
I barely slipped another punch.
I… I…
Mother! Help me! Help her! She would! Please! Save her!
I jumped back to create enough distance.
"Ruby Sporo! Familia!" I screamed, fists covering my heart!
Mid-motion, her gaze grew surprised.
But not because of my mother's name. It was when I said family.
She hadn't recognized her name at all. She didn't even know who the world's most famous actress was. She might really be traff—
Her punch hit my chin again, and I started feeling faint.
No! I can't get knocked out! Mother… I'd lose her! And she'd just continue kicking me even when I'm down! I… would my father try to stop her!? How!? What would he do to her for wounding his son!?
No… that can't. I… I had to make her stop. But I-I can't stop her from fighting.
Knee!
I barely slipped a flying knee that would have done me in.
I… I… I had to stop her. Before he did. Before I had to… before he made me…
I'm sorry. Please, just stop fighting me.
But… boxing rules, I can't choke her out or make one of her legs inoperable. Father… father might still do something to us if I broke those rules…
So… boxing… I… I knew what to do.
Another punch incoming. A hook.
I ducked and twisted my body. My left arm swiveled in the air.
My fist hit her body. A liver shot.
That stunned her. Another liver shot.
Small gasp from her.
She punched. I dodged.
"Rincón rojo!" I said with my tone begging.
She ignored me, her gaze full of pained fury. She came at me again.
I dodged. Another liver punch. Liver. Liver.
Dodge. Liver. Liver.
She was still standing, whimpering now. I backed off.
"Rincón rojo!"
She was in pain. My… my heart was in pain too.
But she… lowered her right arm to cover her liver. Then she shifted her stance, turning her injured right side farther away from me.
No! Crap! Please stop!
I dodged again, and… I started counterpunching again. Now her left side and stomach.
"Guh!"
She gasped in pain. I dodged another punch and sent another body blow.
"Ah!"
Her legs buckled. She fell to her knees. I dodged a punch she sent flying anyway.
I looked at father. He was still unreactive. It… it wasn't TKO then…
The girl quickly stood up again, and came at me once more.
Please… no…
I… I dodged and gave her body blows again. And after I gave her a few more while I kept telling her to stand down in her corner… I… I didn't have to do either anymore.
There wasn't any strength left in her.
She sent a few more punches with pained breaths while her eyes were wet, but I dodged them just by walking.
…Then she stopped. Her arms became limp at her sides…
…*Sob*….*Sob*…
She… she could only cry now.
She had lost.
I… I almost started crying too, but… but I held it in…
Because… he… HE!
I looked at my father again. Our eyes met.
"It's ov—"
"Finish the fight," he said sharply.
Everything in me went blank… but… BUT!
"No."
My father's gaze sharpened.
I… I st-stared right back!
Our gazes held for a while… and… my father was the first to avert his…
To look at the girl.
He suddenly put his hand in his pocket, and took something out.
An expensive wristwatch, with a large face. The… the band was already looped.
My father put his fingers through it and tightened the band. The watch face was now… strapped to his fist?
And he took a step towards the ring…
With a single metal boxing glove.
DREAD!
My whole being was instantly filled with it!
My body moved on its own!
In between my father and her!
His gaze focused on me again.
He took a step towards the ring. His expression unchanged.
I'd lose. Every cell in me screamed because my brain comprehended.
James couldn't even land a hit on him, and I'd never beaten James.
Another step. Three more to go until he reached the ring.
But still, I-I'd protect her!
My body was shaking.
With these gloves, striking was useless. Grappling too. Not that I'd win anyway.
T-two steps.
I… couldn't get any air. But I was breathing! B-breath faster! Faster!
M-my legs. A-a good head kick to finish it. B-b-but I wasn't that good at kicking. I-it would be too slow. I wasn't even s-sure if I was flexible enough to reach.
One step.
I started feeling faint.
I'D LOSE I'D LOSE HE'D KILL HER NO PLEASE SOMETHING ANYTHING!
PLEASE LET ME SAVE THIS GIRL!
My father reached the ring and was about to step up.
Th-the girl! If we fight together! B-but my body blows. Sh-she's too weak too—
Inspiration struck me like thunder!!!
A flying knee, like she did! K-keep acting scared, drop his guard! And when he's close enough, I'll stri—
My right glove was grabbed.
I turned around in shock.
Wet gray eyes met my hazel eyes. She had stopped crying, because… all the light was gone from her eyes.
Sh-she opened her mouth while holding my hand.
"Mátame," she whispered, begging.
She became blurry. I'm crying? I… what did she say? I… I didn't—
"Por favor," she pleaded, with the last remnant of hope in her voice.
I… I shook my head… I… I didn't—
"Matará a mi familia," she squeaked out of her soul.
I didn't! I didn't understand her! Please, why did I understand… No! I didn't! I didn't!
"Libérame," she prayed to me, just as I heard my father enter the ring.
No… I… mother please… I can't… I can't save her… save me… I… no please I…
Another step behind me.
Father. Mother. I… I'm. I have to save her. I… mother… I… I…
I can't save her.
I… I…
I'm sorry.
I felt the light in my eyes die like hers.
I smiled.
The girl, she saw… and…
She smiled back. In relief… and gratitude…
Finally, I had managed to put her at ease.
My left fist struck her temple.
She was out cold instantly and fell to the ground without pain.
I… I stared…
Please… please…
"Do it," father said right behind me.
My last prayers and hopes were burned to ashes.
I… took a step… and… and…
I fell to my knees over her body.
M-my teardrops fell on her face. I… I was crying for both of us now.
I… I raised my left fist… and… and…
I let it fall down.
And then my other fist. And my left one again.
Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left…
…
…
…I didn't even notice the sounds I made anymore.
I cried and cried… so her face would be too blurry for me to see.
And when my tears were running dry… I looked up…
I stared straight at the red corner as I kept my hands moving.
If… if only I could have… spoken to her…
…
…
…
…My right hand started hurting a bit.
I looked down again.
One gray eye, the only thing left, stared emptily up at my face.
My arms lost all their strength and fell dead to my sides.
My whole body was cold.
Everything in me went blank. I couldn't process anything anymore.
Only the image of that red corner remained burned in my retinas.
And the words my father spoke when it was all over.
"Well done."