Chapter 13-1
The Ring of Justice
Part 2
The Gym was transformed into a bustling arena, divided into three rings, each measuring 38' by 38'. The air buzzed with anticipation, filled with the sounds of coaches shouting instructions and teammates cheering. The distinct smell of sweat and the metallic tang of adrenaline lingered in the air.
In the center of each ring, measuring 28' in diameter, wrestlers eagerly awaited their opponents. The sight of the three rings, positioned side by side, created a visual spectacle, with six matches happening simultaneously. The vibrant colors of the wrestling mats contrasted against the stark white walls of the gym, adding to the intensity of the scene.
We were handed a bucket, each one labeled with a number. The texture of the cool, smooth plastic sent a shiver down my spine as I grasped it. The number on the bucket determined our first-period opponent, adding an element of suspense to the already charged atmosphere.
However, there was a challenge to overcome. Our team consisted of twelve members, while the opposing team had ten. This meant that the two of us with the highest number of points would have to wait, anxiously watching from the sidelines, until all the wrestlers from the team with more players were ready to enter the second period. The tension was palpable as we strategized and prepared for our turn, eager to prove ourselves on the wrestling mat.
After the second period has ended, the player with the highest points will face off until there are only three players per team. Until they are down two players with the highest points for the pre-final elimination, before the big and final match to determine the winner. Coach Brady would then take the four players with the highest score and the winner of the big match and invite them to join the school wrestling team. That was from our team. He wasn't offering the same deal to the other team. They would have to work their way back in before he would allow them to join the team again.
Normally, the wrestlers were divided into weight classes to determine the order. This was not. This was a grudge match or fight to the death, just that simple. The only rules that were important to us were winning the most pins and eliminating the other team's numbers. To make it simple, three pins would, during a match place you into the next ring to face off with a different teammate. Two pins would be the second person placed in the next round. One pin in the third round until all players have wrestled or, if scored no pins, it meant automatic elimination.
Compared to their team they had a lot to lose, and they also had a lot to gain by winning according to the agreements we have all signed. It didn't matter so much if we lost; we were still winners and we would still walk away knowing at the end of the day we did ourselves and our school proud. They, on the other hand, if they won any of the five spots would be given the chance to redeem themselves and walk away with a chance for a clean slate. But not be put on the team roster until then.
I knew the stakes more than anyone because Mom and Dad would be very disappointed in me if I didn't at least make one of the five spots. Not only would I let them down I would let my friends down and the people that are counting on me to win. True, the money raised would go to the victims of last night's vandalism. I knew that not all the money that was bet on my behalf was on a side bet. Dad was counting on me to win the bet at all costs not only for him but for his friends. Again, I felt the weight on my shoulder get heavier.
One thing I had learned about bullies was they get angry quite easily and when that happens, they lose their focus. I knew that because I had grown up with the biggest bully of them all, and it was my father. I smiled when my mother made her way into the gym as my Dad moved over, making room for her and my brother. She and Aaron waved at me when Dad told them which player I was… being the one in the black and orange stripes. I cringed when I saw her. Adding another person to my list who would be disappointed in me if I lost. I cringed and again noticed Greg and his family, as well as the Kenlys and Stringham and Dave as Dave, took a seat next to Jody as she sat next to Kerry and her husband waving to me. The list just kept getting bigger.
Yet the problem I was having besides the disappointment was I really didn't want to win, nor did I want to end up in those five spots for the wrestling team. Yet Dad had already told me up front he would "very much" like me to consider being on the wrestling team, which means he was ordering me to do it. No ifs or maybes about it.
Have I mentioned how I hated sports? I hated the pressure; I hated the idea of being beaten up, or me beating upon another person. Because I have always done my best to not be like my father. Wrestling was just one step down from football and on the borderline of kickboxing being a contact sport. I enjoyed swimming because it was all me and I liked gymnastics because of all the cool tricks I could do.
Both were all about me and neither were involved in these two sports. Meant someone beating the crap out of me by someone else. Or me beating upon them or chasing a pointless ball from one end to the field or gym being basketball. Baseball was ok, but it too had its drawbacks as an excitement factor being at a two. Sitting out in the blistering sun with the sun in your eyes or standing in the middle of the field praying that the ball doesn't even come near me or I strike out at the plate.
I never had this problem with the Fry's, the Steeds, or the Downings. They all knew and accepted the fact that sports just weren't my cup of tea. The Rothwells, however, were big on all sports, and the only two main reasons I had chosen Kick Boxing and Gymnastics. The main reason was, it gave me the fighting skills I needed to protect myself from my parents and bullies. Swimming was the only thing I enjoyed because it was a non-aggressive sport that kept me in shape and was the same with gymnastics. Both had challenges as challenges go, and it was freeing me of my Eskimo suit. It was the hardest thing for me to do, being comfortable in my own skin. Now it's not even a problem. More so because of being raised as a nudist over the last three years. I could no doubt strip down naked, right here in the gym in front of the entire gym full of people, and not even blink an eye or blush.
Yet, I had to give it to my adoptive parents when it came to supporting me in any of my events; they were always there for me. Today wasn't any different as they held signs up that said. "Go Tiger! Go!" the moment I stepped into the ring for my first match. I calmed myself removing my robe and strapped on the headgear as I walked into the ring and got into position. The moment my challenger stepped into the ring and readied himself. I gave him my best tiger stare and roared loudly, smiling when he stepped back a couple of steps, questioning my sanity.
When we danced trying to get a hold of each other, he said. "You are going down, looser."
I growled. "Not today." As I power drive him as I lowered my left shoulder just enough. Then, taking my right hand in between his legs and flipped him over my back. Twisted my back towards him by taking my right arm and bringing it down across his chest as we fell to the mat. Knocking the air out of his lungs and pinning him. Hearing the ref slap the mat. Called one point to me, as my challenger grew angry, catching his breath. I watched as the board on the wall registered my 1st point.
I readied myself as we played with our hands as he tried to grab onto me, losing his grip, but I caught his left arm. Turning my back to him as he reaches around with the other to hoist me in the air, only to have me slip through. I hooked his right leg and pulled it out from underneath him, having him fall back onto his back. This time, he was trying to lock my head into a vice grip. Giving me access to his right ankle as he tried to flip me onto my back. I gave it a quick lick, having him lose control altogether.
I grabbed his right leg and pushed it back with my full weight and pinned him, earning my 2nd point. He grew even angrier. When he told the ref I licked his ankle that point shouldn't count, and I should be disqualified. Having the ref state according to the rule book, there is nothing about licking or body parts coming in contact with our mouths being illegal. Asking him if wants to continue or if he wants to quit.
I knew there was no rule because the hulks told me there wasn't when he said. "It's not your fault if their leg, foot, arm, or hand comes in contact with your mouth." I waited for him to ready himself, trying to decide to either let him gain one point before I took him out. He made the decision for me as he called me a fag it and how he and his friends really had a good time shitting on Adam's bed last night.
I growled, letting my anger boil as I dove for the right spot just below his stomach. I tapped my feet, bending my legs for a spring-loaded jump. Grabbing his arms as I flipped forward with my head in his stomach. Moving my hands up into his armpit as the gravity took over as we both fell to the mat. My legs and feet were coming up in between his head as I sat squarely on his chest. Knocking the air out of him completely as he bounced.
Then lay flatly unable to move. Shocking the hell out of him and everyone, except my kickboxing coach or my gymnastics coach. Winning my 3rd point and ending my turn as I waited for my next match. Adam, West, and Hank looked at me as if they had never seen me before then said. "That was so Bruce lee awesome." I shrugged my shoulders and cursed myself for letting the anger get the best of me.
So far, my five friends and I were leading in the points. The other boys on our team either had two points or one point. Other teams still looked good, but they too were suffering. More so than my last opponent after that last match as I watched him hug his stomach and ribcage. I had to admit I was a little hard on him but having me tell me he was in on the vandalism and his friends gave me the motivation I needed to rip them apart.
The first period ended by reducing the other team down to eight members. Three of their members had been eliminated and five of ours. Currently, we both have eight members on our respective teams. Adam, Ron, Stan, Charlie and West and Hank and the boy I didn't know and me. Were the only ones left on our team? The ones that had been eliminated never had wrestled before except in gym class. Everyone gave them a round of applause and we told them to hang their heads high. Even the two members of the other team were eliminated with applause to show good sportsmanship.
The third match would be one of the toughest matches because all of us had wrestling experience to some degree. But only three of us would be the only ones entering the pre-final elimination. If you only had one pin and others had two or three, that meant you were eliminated. If no pins, it was automatic elimination.
Once again, no matter how tired and sore I was. It was up to me to carry our team, being it was my fault in the first place for putting us into this position. If Dad and I never made that bet none of us would have been here. Yet because of my training and my experience of being in a kickboxing ring and wrestling. I made it to the pre-final elimination with Adam and West. Watching my other three friends being eliminated and so were Hank, Stan, and Charlie.
But Coach welcomed them on to his wrestling team even though he only had five spots open. They were good wrestlers and talented. He said it would be stupid not to add them to the roster; losing two more of his main wrestlers not wanting to take the deal of a chance to earn a clean slate. Stated clearly, they weren't going to go to school with a bunch of pathetic losers such as us. Coach tried to get them to reconsider, but they refused and so did their parents as they spit at his feet, stating we cheated, and the deal made was unfair from the beginning.
Coach Brady tried to tell them that it was a fair deal and that the matches were legit. None of the referees had been paid. None of them had any knowledge of the contracts signed by each player. Having the parents argue that the matches were rigged from the beginning. Hearing them yell to the school board that they wanted coach Brady fired for cheating.
Yet, the parents and their student who had been eliminated from our opposing team weren't interested in anything they had to say or the proof that it was all legit, pointing out that they watched the same match as they did. How can they say that it was not a fair match?
The only ones that weren't complaining were the parents and their boys on our team, even though they too have been eliminated the same as the opposing team. They were good sports about it and were very proud of their boys, even though they didn't win a spot on the high school wrestling team. Or were contenders for the bigger prizes that were on the table? No one went home empty-handed, not even our opposing team, all of them that completed earned the opportunity at a chance of a clean slate. The fighting ended by having them kicked out of the gym so the matches could go on.
The third match was brutal, as everyone was on their feet, pushing us to take each other down. We were all tired; we were all sore as we battled in a daze until one of us won. I hated to watch my best friends become eliminated as they dragged their tired feet off the mat into their parents' arms, telling them it was ok; they had done their best, and they were proud of us. I wished I was one of those boys as West, and I remained with three pins each going into the fourth period before the final match. One of us would be going through and I hoped it would be West.
We both looked forward to a nice long break before the final match. Giving the band and our cheerleaders a chance to impress their parents as we took a rest, and they cleared the gym floor for the final matches with one gigantic circle. Having our parents give us encouragement and tell us how proud they were of us, as well as all my coaches. While we rested, I could feel the ground spinning out of control as if I were on some carnival ride.
I could hear my heart pounding inside my head as they placed a cold towel on my head as Mom and Jody dabbed my feverous skin, while my mother held my head in her lap brushing my coarse, painted hair. My skin itched from the paint and the sweat. I wanted to tell them I was done, wanting to beg them to let me quit. The moment I thought about it and looked into Mom and Dad's face, I couldn't. I didn't have the heart to say it.
Coach told them it was time for them to take their seats, closing the locker room door behind them. He stood in front of all of us even though they had been eliminated and said. "Men, you have given me more than I could ever hope for. I am proud to be your coach. I am proud of the fact that you have made it this far. I know you wanted to give up and throw in the towel, but you didn't. You made me, your parents, and your school proud.
"Eric, West, I know you are tired and, sore and beat up. But I promise you the moment you step into that ring for the last time. It will feel like you are on top of the world. There, you find your strength, your courage, and your destiny. Win or lose you are the cream of the crop; you are the best of the best and the bravest to walk these halls. You are not the boys I once knew. You are men. You are my champions, and you are my heroes. I want you to know how proud I am of you how proud I am of each of you, boys. I am proud to be your coach.
"When you go out there, I want you to hang your heads high knowing that. I want you boys to cheer for them. I want you to give them the strength they need to bring it home. I promise you that the rewards outweigh anything I can even give you. You will have the courage to face anything in your life, you will have the strength to stand up for what is right. You will be hero's too many here because you took down their Goliaths and turned them into mincemeat. Now go out there and show them that you mean business. Put them in their place for the very last time."
I wobbled to my feet as my team rallied around me and walked me and West out to meet our awaiting fans. Man, I wanted to quit. I wanted to go home and never come out of my room, feeling the weight on my shoulders. Wondering why I was here. Why did I have to be so good at facing my demons? West went first after winning the draw. The fourth matched would be timed for the one with the most pins out of three. If the ten-minute clock ran out, the match would be won.
I cringed as I watched him get pinned, and it was a hard and nasty one. I yelled. "You can do it. Beat that foul beast." The next pin was his, as it became a tie. The next one he was down again as he limped with two pins against him, but I watched him dig deep. I soon learned it was a fake out as his opponent went for it and West flipped him so fast it surprised his opponent and us. It was now two to two. The next pin would be the elimination. Both of them were just as tired, both of them just as sore. Only one of them could win a spot in the final match. I cringed as they rolled. as they both had come close, but not quite making it. The clock ran out, leaving a tie; which meant they were both in the final round; requiring four pins within twenty minutes. It was now my turn.
I took my place on the mat, circling my prey. I pictured my prey as if he was my father like I do every time I get into the ring. I could feel the hatred. I could feel my blood boiling. I could see the whites of his eyes as we circled. I watched as he dived for my legs and ankles. It was like watching it in slow motion as I somersaulted over his back. Landing in the opposite direction as my opponent and we circled again.
This time, once again, he dove for me as I moved out of his way, dogging him. I was wearing him down and making him angry. I kept one eye on the clock, the other on him. I waited until he gripped me, asking him for a low growl if he really had anything to do with last night. He growled back. "What difference does it make fag if I was there?" He reached me for me again and this time he had me, but I had him too. We rolled to the ground, trading places like playing leapfrog.
I said. "Makes a big difference to me," in his ear as we rolled.
This time I had him in a half nelson. He growled. "No, I wasn't there. Not after the first time when I vandalized your house with my father and his father butchered your animals, making me paint those horrible symbols on your walls. But he was, he was there." Pointing to my next opponent, provided I win this fight. "And he had been more than happy to do it."
I nodded and said. "Then for me to get to him I have to beat you. Is that what you're telling me?"
He growled. "Yes, and I am sorry. But can you please make it look good? I don't want to look like I am throwing the match. I won't bother you or your friends again. I am out and mean out. I don't want anything to do with them anymore." I nodded, and we agreed as I let him pin me.
We fought back-and-forth trading pins until the clock was almost down to the last minute. He said. "Do it!" Knowing that he was choosing to be eliminated with three pins to my four. I quickly flipped him over, grabbed both legs and tucked his arm into position so that if I lost my grip or he let go we go into overtime until either of us had four pins. I slipped, and he quickly re-grabbed my hand before it slipped, leaned back, and waited for the ref to give me the last point.
I whispered to West that he better win so I could get a piece of him. I pointed to my would-be opponent. Telling him he was one of the ones responsible for vandalizing my home and our friend's home. That's all I needed to say as he gave me a knuckle bump, knowing if I didn't beat him, he would. I watched as he fought his last match. It was quick and over in minutes as if the other guy had given up.
Yet I had not realized in the end West, and I had the same amount of points on the board. All I cared about was getting revenge. I had felt I had earned it. Every time I think about all my animal friends slaughtered by his hand, I wanted to kill him. I stepped into the ring and as I shook my sore stiff muscles moved my neck around as the ringmaster gave us the rules. I didn't care about the rules. I wanted him dead. The second the bell rang I growled angrily, telling him. "I know what you did." He looked at me and his friends.
Then he smiled said. "I have been waiting for a very long time to take you down the moment Shawn said you raped my little brother."
I gasped and missed a step and by that time he had me on the ground. I rolled only to be pinned. I cursed myself for losing focus and calmed myself down.
We circled and came in closer and said. "For your information, Shawn lied to you. Not once have I raped anyone, not once have I ever even thought about doing that to anyone."
He growled back. "Liar, you did it and Arthur did and so did your foster brother, Kelly, during the UEA weekend, and have been doing it ever since."
I gasped lost myself thinking and then it dawned on me I wasn't even home. I was spending that time in the hospital recovering from sleep deprivation.
I circled said. "I wasn't even home. I was cooped up in the hospital."
I watched his face as he looked at me and really looked at me.
He asked. "But he said you were left home alone, and your foster parents were out those days tending to some relative of theirs. While my brother was having a sleepover at your house." I locked onto him around the waist and brought him down on his knees as he fought me. I had him right where I wanted him.
I said in his ear. "Rothwell's relatives live too far away, like two, or three, thousand miles. They came home every night. Didn't they?" He looked at me and he looked over at his friends and he gave in, as I wrestled him to the floor. I pinned him, giving me my first pin.
When he got up, he said. "I quit." walking off the floor. His parents yelled for him to get back into the ring. But he left the gym, closing the door behind him.
The referees were in a huddle with the coaches as they were going over the rule book. The problem they were having was the three of us had the same amount of points. One opponent left on our challenger team and two on ours.
Coach Brady laughed as he looked at them and us. Neither of us could fight. I had beaten my opponent by default, and they had tied with West and his opponent making it so I couldn't beat him unless West didn't. It took them thirty minutes to come out with a verdict on who would win the match.
The three of us stood in the circle as the ringmaster said. "After a long debate, we have come to a decision that this match is a draw." This meant all three of us won the match and they couldn't ask West or me to fight against each other being on the same team. Nor could they eliminate the last person on their team, being they had ended in the match in a tie.
The crowd went crazy as some yelled and complained about the decision. But the decision was final. I wasn't in the mood to celebrate, as I fell to my knees exhausted and hurt and angry so angry. All I could do was see Shawn's face in my tears. He started this mess. If wasn't for him, none of this would have ever happened.
My animal friends wouldn't have been brutally slaughtered. Jody might have never been raped. Mom and Dad held me in their arms, congratulating me. But the truth was there was nothing to celebrate. I didn't really win the match it was a draw. If it was a normal match, we would have had to go into double overtime until one of us had more points, then the other. None of us wanted that. We didn't have the strength or a reason to, so the verdict stood.