Chapter 6
I looked around the place and asked, "So how much is this place, anyway?"
Kai puffed out his chest and replied, "It's $500, and we need to pay him 10% of any profit we make."
"Wait, that isn't fair," I said.
"Elijah, his gang controls this place. The best deal we can get is this much. Anyway, I already paid the $500," Kai said.
"What? Where did you get that much money?" I asked, shocked.
"Well, I've been going to some of the underground fights in the West District. Entering those fights and betting on myself, I made some cash,"
Kai explained. Then he added, "This is where my plan comes in. We're going to spread the word that there's an underground fighting ring here—free to enter, but we'll take $5 from every bet."
"Isn't that too little?" I asked skeptically.
"Stop thinking about money and start thinking ahead, Elijah," Kai said.
I sighed, considering what Kai was saying. Then I responded,
"If we also take part in the betting and fight ourselves, we could win and make a lot more money quickly. But there's one problem with that plan—I don't know how to fight."
"You can only learn how to fight by fighting," Kai said.
'That doesn't make sense,' I thought, but I added, "If we start selling drinks here too, we'll make even more money."
"Yes! Don't you think it's a great plan?" Kai asked, excited.
"Yeah, it is. So when are we starting?" I questioned.
Kai scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. "Well, I've already sent invitations to all the small businesses, houses, and unnamed gangsters."
He hesitated before finishing, "And... you're going to be the one fighting on Monday."
"Wait, why me? Why not you? You're the one with experience," I protested.
"I'd love to, but since gangsters are involved, there'll be some who don't want to pay up when they lose. I need to be there to handle them and teach them a lesson... unless you want my job?" Kai said.
"Nope, I don't want to do this anymore."
Before I could move, Kai sent a kick toward me. I ducked and dodged it.
"Elijah, do you know why those bullies were always able to beat you?" Kai asked as I stood up. "It's because you don't want to get hurt, and you don't want to hurt others. But what will you do when you face someone who wants to hurt you, or even kill you?"
A chill ran down my spine. "So what's this fight about?" I asked.
"Well, if someone beats you, they'll win $100 plus whatever they bet," Kai explained. "This was the best way to attract people. They'll think you're an easy mark."
'But I am,' I cried inwardly.
Seeing my expression, Kai said, "Don't overthink it, Elijah. Fighting isn't about muscles or the lack of them. But to help you prepare, let's work on that pathetic face of yours."
Kai moved to an open space and motioned for me to join him. I walked over, mimicking his stance. Without warning, Kai punched me hard in the stomach. I doubled over, coughing and spitting silver as I fell to the ground. Tears welled up in my eyes.
Watching me struggle, Kai thought, 'Maybe I should've chosen someone else.'
Rolling on the ground, unable to bear the pain, I cursed, "Fuck."
Kai shook his head and patted me on the head. "Sorry, bro. I thought you had some resilience from getting beaten by those bullies, but I guess not. Maybe I'll find someone to replace you. You can go home... or do you want me to take you?"
That's when Alter Elijah came to mind.
As Kai continued, "Let me grab your shoes and take you home," Alter Elijah's voice echoed in my head.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I couldn't even handle Kai's punch. Why should I fight?" I said to the other me, standing in the dark recesses of my mind.
"The fight is today. Kai had high hopes for you. That's why he called you here. And now you're just lying here, coughing in pain," Alter Elijah said.
"What do you expect me to do? It hurts!" I shouted at him.
Alter Elijah's face twisted in anger. "What about the pain of watching our mother suffer every day? The pain of being bullied our whole life? The pain of being judged everywhere we go?
The pain of every girl you like rejecting you? The pain of being a loser, living safely, yet causing pain to yourself and everyone around you? Does this pain even compare to what we endure mentally?
"Isn't that why you're working out every day? Isn't that why we're going along with this plan—to become someone different from the pathetic person we used to be?
Don't you have any pride, Elijah? Aren't you tired of being a pushover, letting the world punch you again and again until it kills you?
"Why not risk everything for even the slightest chance of victory? We're at a crossroads, Elijah, and our family needs us. Our sister needs a better life. Grow up and stop running!"
I knelt there, his words echoing in my head, and came back to reality. Kai was patting my back, saying, "Let me get your shoes and take you home."
Coughing, I said, "Stop."
Kai looked at me, surprised.
I said, "Can you spar with me a little bit more? On Monday, I've got matches to win."