bloody vengeance [frankel]

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

They travel through my fingers, two inanimate objects and yet they are far more powerful than any weapon that is being thrown around in this room. Two dice, the possibilities, not exactly endless but to those who I have entranced, it is like they are mythical gift sent from Ripred. Just two pairs of eyes have succumbed to them today, a small bet on an even number.

Of course life can never be fair.

….seven and three.

More money for me!

As the two depart with empty pockets, I search for the next prey, my eyes quickly identify him.

A familiar blow is landed by the other male, there is no way I am letting this slide. ”I am looking at an asshole who is about to get his ass kicked.”

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

So many of them walk around, bearing a flag on how high and mighty they are. Mostly with the name of their families etched so boldly. I am split between two families, neither of whom I am proud to carry. I am Manni, just Manni and this life is held by my strings. All of it moulded by my own hands, no pressure from above because I look up and see no boss. I am just Manni and I am getting through this shit show myself.

I have triggered the earthquake and the male pushes me to its epicentre. My dice roll away, whatever number they land on will not help determine the fate of this fight. This is no defeat but just the beginning.

My feet have more balance as I actually prepare, shaking my muscles and waking whatever is nestling within. ”I will give you that one but don’t think I’ll go lightly on you.”

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

A simple swish and my fist connects to his arm, my knuckle bares the impact but hopefully the force is felt on his side. Basic training that I have always brushed aside, I rarely grab the chance to spar with another, my playing field is on the side-lines; cards, dice and lots and lots of money.

An audience circulates us, a barricade from the hawk eyes of the trainers. An unauthorised fight, there must be at least twenty a day within these four walls. Quick steps and my forearm blocks his next swing at me. Now this is a dance that I am enjoying, a game that I am judging, there is no way I am walking away from this with empty pockets.

”Hey, anyone want to bet that I beat his sorry ass to the ground?”

I can’t let the opportunity of profit slip by.

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

Another hit plants itself on the other’s body, remarkably on his foot of all places. (Of course I was aiming to land it there). One glance to my fist and crimson prances across my knuckles. There is no identifying whether it is my own or his but there is no pain engulfing me and I hope for it to remain that way. "Don't be so sure, fucker." A grin takes hold of my expressions as I shake my head. Fists are still raised in the air but they fail to stop his punch at my own foot.

”Don’t think you’re going to knock me down to the ground again, friend.”

Teeth grit, ivory whites are shown off to those who watch. I am the one who is going to end this.

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

Fists are flying, I even flick my toe up to him but nothing prevails, except the kiss of my knuckles on his shin. Every opportunity that has opened up for me, I have taken it. It is just another card game but instead of shuffling the deck, I am shaking up the outcome of this fight. More eyes circulate us and I hear the clock ticking. How will this end? Surely one of the trainers is likely to part the sea of spectators and pry us apart.

Just one look brought me into this situation, is it pathetic or typical?

Either way, I am enjoying it. Another defensive pose blocks his strike; I am the game master of this.

"For your sake, I hope I don't."

”Well it looks like it is unlikely to happen, so no worries there.” A chuckle rolls with my taunt as I flick another punch.

Really, enjoyment is getting me through this.

Manni Cheyne-Krearns

A wink to the crowd, they are carrying me through this, there is even a mention of my name. Who is the male that I am facing? Does he bare the banner of one of the popular families of the Districts? I see no identification of it, just another nobody thrown into the pits of the popular. A poor burden that I am grateful not to carry. Two names sewn together, they have gotten me far but I am the one who has gotten me further. Just a little push from them but me myself and I, went all the way.

Another pound of my foot, the flat of my sole hits his, that seems to be the prime spot to aim for in this fight.

While my eyes wander to his feet, the defence is down and a slight push from the male puts me out of balance. ”Nice try, bet you can’t do that again.”