ous Gummy is during a fight." Vicky's voice

ced fingers. She had just finished changing into her fighting outfit – a

ice cracked. "For her to want the loser to stay away from fights – that means she has something planne

ay away from fighting?" Maya teased, tho

ay

aya met her friend's scared eyes with steady determinatio

o stop you?" Vicky tried one

into her arms. "I know Gummy's vicious, but you have to trust me, sister. I'll

ky sniffled agains

a laughed softly, pul

g. The concrete corridor leading to the arena thrummed with the crowd's en

ictorious would take home the hefty sum the audience was betting specifically fo

he crowd's excited chatter rose to a fever pitch. Maya's eyes swept across

toos adorning both her arms caught the harsh overhead lights. Despite being shorter than he

5'11" frame coiled like a spring. Her black hair was pulled back in

ryone believed in her; they were already counting their winnings

Gummy, raising an eyebrow. "Do y

my shot back, a defiant smi

show of counting imaginary cash. "Let's get this started. I've got

felt more thrilling than clubbing, and like she said, the cel

's scowl deepened, something dangerous flickering in her eyes. "I don't

-du," Maya taunted, the nickname

ily sidestepped. The referee quickly intervened

ky at the sideline, who gave her two encouraging thumb

ch. The crowd roared as she landed quick strikes and evaded Gummy's powerful swings

ya taunted, slipping pas

aya seemed to be toying with her, avoiding attacks with almost theatrical f

ingly wild punches that hit nothing but air. Maya's confidence swelled. This matc

mething

uth felt unusually dry, and cold sweat broke out acr

passing second. The familiar rhythm of the fight slipped away,

orm appeared to double, then triple, each ver

Maya thought, panic

crowd's faces melted into a kaleidoscope of col

ldn't tell which of the multiple images was real. Before she co

stretched into bright streaks across her vision. The crowd

manded herself, but her

got this!" Vicky's voic

ld make out Gummy's triumphant smile – a

rikes that connected with brutal efficiency. "What's wrong? Is this

ined countless hours, hadn't taken every punch and given up

icky's voice crack

bottle Vicky had handed her before the fight – the same Vicky who had never missed a match, who had held her through every

bed, counting on her big sister to come through once again. As darkness claimed her, Maya couldn't shake the bitter realiz

rt of the deal; staying away fro