***Please note that all characters in this story are over 18. Also, this is my first story that I have submitted to literotica so if you like it please comment! This is intended to be a TEN part series of which this is the SIXTH part, so please read the others!
Max could hear the crowd roaring. Tina had suggested he wear his jacket to add to his "character". His hand worked in and out of his pockets. His finger caught on something in his pocket. He pulled it out. It looked like it had been the star on some soldier's military decoration but without it's ribbon it was simply a star. Max turned it over in his hands and felt someone's eyes on him. He turned to the boy standing at the door to the arena.
"I'm Max."
"I'm Chip," the boy said quickly.
Max waited.
"Is it true you walked here, across the desert?"
"Yes."
"What's on the other side?" The boy asked.
Max shook his head, "same as there is here."
The boy nodded somberly.
"You seen these cage fights before?" Max asked.
"Only every one of them!"
"They're that good?" Max asked.
"There's nothing else to do."
Max tossed him the star in his pocket, "keep it I might not need it anymore."
Max heard Tina announcing his name and went to open the door.
"He's big and strong but if you punch him on the ear he'll lose his balance and won't put up much of a fight if you can finish him off. And he'll go to the crowd for props to hit you with. That's when you have to pop him on the ear or he'll tear you to pieces," the boy said hurriedly.
Max smiled and said, "that star is from an old military award, and you earned it telling me how to win this battle.
The crowd roared. It was hard for Max to hear. Tina was talking into a megaphone and Rachel was next to her walking the ring with a sign held above her head. Tina pointed at Max and the crowd got even louder. Max couldn't decide if they loved him or hated him. Tina sat down and Max's eyes followed her to Rose.
***
Rose had been angry at Max earlier but she knew Rachel. And she thought she was starting to figure Max out. And she hadn't staked any claim on him...
"Nervous, are you?" Tina asked.
"I just don't want to see him hurt," Rose said softly.
"Ha! He didn't tell you did he?"
"Tell me what?" Rose asked.
"I'm not sure I should tell you. You'll be even sadder once Big Mo pounds him into the ground."
Rose went white.
"He could have run. He even could have tried to carve out something for himself but he just wanted you and your freedom. After the map of course but I don't think he cared after I said I'd free you..."
Rose didn't here the rest of Tina's snide comments. Her eyes shot to the ring where Max had just set foot. With a snap the cage sprang down and Max was in there alone. With Big Mo. Rose put her hand over her eyes. Her heart seemed like it would pop out of her chest.
***
Max had guessed Big Mo would be following him in but he had hoped for someone else. Big Mo was shirtless and the scars that covered his face covered the rest of his body and despite Max's early thought that Big Mo was a fatty, the guy seemed to be built of muscle. Max worked out the crink in his neck and popped it back straight just as Big Mo came rushing at him.
Max dodged to the side and Big Mo clamored into the cage, causing the crowd to roar. Big Mo whipped around and came after Max. While Big Mo lumbered, he was still much quicker than Max would have liked. He swung at Max's face with his right and Max ducked and he saw Big Mo's smile just as his left connected with Max's face.
Knocked to the ground with one punch Max thought. How embarrassing. He pushed himself up but Big Mo swiped down with his left and knocked Max's head into the cage. So that's how it's going to be Max thought.