The Ring had a shower room. That was a big surprise to me when I first found out.
It looked depressing, almost like what you'll expect in a prison.
Dim lights and open area meaning no privacy, its you,your shower and maybe 5 other men.
Cold water rushed down my body, touching my wounds in ways I would never be able to explain.
I loved the feeling of it on my skin, gentle, flowing. I just might be in love with water. Or maybe I've gotten one two many hits to the head.
The main event starts at 8pm. I knew I wouldn't be there for it, though I like boxing I don't always enjoy watching matches. I just wanted to hit something.
Sigh.... "weirdo", I muttered to myself. Turning off the tap, I slowly looked around the spacious shower room, a few boxers were showering about.
I got my bag from the locker area and changed into the clothes I prepared in advance.
A hood to hide my swollen face, and a pair of joggers, my shoulders hurt and my ribs too. The locker area was so insecure that leaving my bag left me uncomfortable.
Luckily I don't carry phones around.
The shower room's, or should I call it the locker room's exit, was through a staircase leading upwards to the club.
The stairs led me towards the ground level, which was basically a bar. I opened the door and came in through a door near the bar table.
The bar gave me a different kind of feeling, it was all orange, as though the plan was to make the area look wooden.
I could spot a couple boxers from their frame and a couple of people from the crowd. Some people recognised me through the mask, it had fallen during some fights and some from the shower room.
Those who knew me nodded as I walked by them, passing through rows and rows of orange furniture, just simple round tables and chairs. Some people gathered two tables together in the distance to the right.
I moved quickly, just scanning the room lightly as I left the building.
The guards nodded to me as walked past them. Cars packed around the building yard, though I don't remember what the area looked like before, it was crowded now.
The security guard were different, at least I noticed that, I never really got the schedule down but they always change before the night. "Must be a night shift - day shift thing" I muttered while walking slowly.
Why do I wear a mask during fights?, I thought to myself.
There really isn't a reason for that, anyone who cared has already seen my face.
The sun had set a while ago but this area shined with multiple blue and green lights, almost all the light came from various buildings, I checked my watch"6:37". And I started to walk quicker.
I never carried a phone on me. Just an old looking analogue watch. The leather round the strap had started to peel but It had been with me for a while so I liked it.
This area wasn't safe around this time, though there are many boxers around, people still try their luck in groups or with weapons. The area was bright but there were many dark alleys, I've been harassed a couple time leaving this area but it's nothing that couldn't be dealt with, I was far more deadly to those who try to cause me harm outside the ring. But I still didn't carry much valuables on me.
I left the area shortly after with no accidents, my hood was low and my head down. But after leaving the area i raised my head while walking, I always just did it on instinct, maybe it's a line between my boxing and normal life, maybe I was trying to avoid notice in the dangerous areas, I wasn't too sure which it was but it was like instinct to me.
Bright light or more accurately white light from street lights filled the area. And I started jogging, streets passed by me as I jogged along the sidewalks, and those who saw me ignored my evening jog.
It didn't take long to reach home "6:50", the whole journey took me 13 minutes and I wasn't even out of breath. I'm not even late for dinner, I thought raising my hoodie.
The house was a duplex, illuminated by multiple lights. I got to the door and it was unlocked with my mum was holding the door.
She touched me on the cheek briefly and I felt a warmth fill my body. I paid attention to my life force, the way it bubbled and flowed around my body, led by my mum's
hand on my face.
All my wounds healed, and my body felt even more alive than before.
The feeling of heightened power fled briefly, but my body was still filled with energy.
"Welcome home son" my mum said before going back in.
I walked in while still observing my life force. It was amazing, even after feeling it so many times I could never decipher it.
The world must definitely look different from her point of view.
Walking past the dining and then up the stairs, I was greeted by a somehow spacious corridor.
Doors lined the walls, and I passed them all walking as far as possible from one especially.
My room was plainly decorated, dark blue coloured walls, a table and chair tucked in the corner.
A single red flower grew on the vase on the table. And around the walls, shelves with multiple flowers grew about.
My bed lay in another corner, it was messy.
Quickly watering the plants from a cup the smell of food caught my attention.