Sonata of a Fight — Chapter 5 — The Circle
Surrounded by Arnold's muscle, Ryan freezes, closes his eyes and waits for the blows.
Ryan has everything. Except a morning that doesn't hurt.
I turned. I couldn't even see the two of them anymore. All I saw was the pile of muscle coming at me. I locked up, closed my eyes and waited for the hits.
Then a hand grabbed my shoulder and yanked me back hard. The green mohawk. The blue cap held me so I wouldn't fall and set me off to the side. They didn't say anything. But something was understood.
The two of them stepped into the middle of the circle.
— Here's the deal. — the mohawk. — Let's even it out so it's fair. Since it's going to be a team thing, we're joining the PET's team. So, who's first?
You could see everyone backing off. The group that humiliated me so much, thought so highly of themselves, now facing a bigger power — they started giving ground.
Arnold was screaming with hatred, ordering the muscle to attack. The muscle already knew the two of them well. They knew they couldn't handle it.
— Alright then. — the blue cap. — Let's keep it simple and fair. One on one. You, hothead — to Arnold —, and the PET. Fight.
I had no idea what to do. I'd never fought in my life.
— Who do you think you are? — someone from the group. — You don't run this place.
— Real talk, everyone's free to do what they want. — the blue cap, calm. — Which means we can do what we want, right, Jack?
— Yeah, well, you wanted a fight? You'll get a fight, right now. — the mohawk. — We didn't start anything, but if we have to, we'll finish it. Pick one — us or the PET.
The confidence the two of them talked with. The sync. The way they communicated without arranging it. It was like one person split into two bodies.
The circle opened up. A fight circle.
Arnold's group pushed him forward:
— It's just the PET, man. Ryan. You can handle him. Better than everyone having to fight those two, right?
The green mohawk grinned at Arnold.
— So, man? Going to face your PET? Aren't you the one who said you'd train him well? Then it's time for the lesson.