***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.