Alan, the Champion — Chapter 16 — No Rules
Alan climbs to the rooftop and the two of them are already there, waiting for him.
Before he was King, he was cannon fodder, a convict, a killer. At thirteen, he ran grown men.
That Monday morning I climbed up to the rooftop and the two of them were already there waiting for me.
Before anything, I spoke.
— Listen up. This is the last one. After today you're not gonna find me anymore. Don't ask why.
Jack opened his mouth to crack a joke and, for the first time in two years, shut it again without saying anything. The Kid just clenched his jaw.
They understood it was serious.
— Before we start, there's something I never asked you — I said. — We've been meeting for two years and I never knew your names. To me you're the Kid and Green Hair. What are they for real?
The Kid answered like he was spitting out his own name.
— Kim.
The green hair took a step forward, the same old grin.
— My name's Jack. — He paused. — Well, my name's not Jack. But this little guy here calls me Jack, so it counts.
— You already know mine. I'm Alan. — I nodded. — There. Now it's official.
Kim. Jack. Alan.
After two years, we finally had names for each other.
— Since this is the last time, I'm gonna make one thing clear.
I walked to the middle of the rooftop. Took the chain off my neck and put it in my pocket.
— Every other time I fought you, I was playing. Not today. Today I'm gonna face you like my life is on the table. Like everything I built depends on this fight. I'm gonna bet it all — every drop of blood I ever bled, every beating I took to get where I got, every single thing that hurt along the way. Today you're gonna see the real me. Like you never have.