Three Gates

Old Jackson sat inside his favorite bar, staring totally lost into his glass that had only a little bit of scotch remaining.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice another old man taking his mantle off, sitting down across him.

"Old Jackson!" Yelled the other old man when he saw that Old Jackson didn't react to his arrival.

Old Jackson shook his head and looked up a bit surprised, "Oh, it's you John..." Said Old Jackson depressed.

The other old man was his best friend John Powell who frowned when he saw his best friend so depressed.

Old Jackson kept staring at his scotch for a whole minute before finally speaking, "Tell me John...we both had pretty good boxing careers and even better careers as boxing trainers. Have you ever seen someone with overwhelming talent? I mean that kind of talent one only sees once in a hundred years..."

John's eyes widened in surprise, "Don't act mysterious,ly just tell me what you saw!"

Old Jackson drank the rest of his scotch, feeling the burning sensation down his throat...

"I saw a young afro american man get into a fight today, his little brother was being beat up by a group of people...They looked like gang members. What the young man did to them shook me to the core...I immediately noticed that the young man had never learned how to properly fight but his punches had both power and precision...John, he was born with a body made for boxing."

John frowned again, "We have trained countless boxers that had both power and precision, what makes that young man special?"

Old Jackson smiled bitterly and pointed at his eyes, which confused John.

"He knocked all seven gangsters out, each with only one punch...And not one of them was able to defend themselves or land a hit on him..." Retold Old Jackson as he stared at the empty air, seemingly recalling the memories of what he saw.

John shook his head, "Old Jackson, it is possible that he had some kind of training and..."

"Didn't you listen to what I said? He was never taught how to fight! Do you doubt my judgment?!" Cut Old Jackson his best friend off, clearly angry.

John was taken aback by the sudden outburst of Old Jackson, "I don't doubt your judgment but..."

Old Jackson sighed, "I know, that's why I approached the young man and tried to recruit him but he refused no matter how hard I tried to convince him. But I was curious how he managed to beat them the way he did and asked him about it...Do you know what he answered?"

Now it was John who became angry, he glared at his best friend, 'How can I know god damnit!'

"It's easy to beat them when you can see everything...That's what he said before he took his little brother and left. It took me some time to realize the meaning behind his answer."

John was now intrigued, "Are you telling me..."

Old Jackson nodded, "Eyes that can see every movement with a body that is able to make use of them!"

John took a deep breath, "Do you know his name?"

"George Thomas King..." Said Old Jackson depressed again.

John laughed loud, attracting the attention of other customers.

"Hahaha his last name is perfect! Tell me Old Jackson, what is his potential?"

Old Jackson stared deeply into the green eyes of his best friend, "Future World Middleweight Champion contender, without a doubt..."

John closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about something.

"We will recruit him!" Said John with determination as he reopened his eyes.

Old Jackson sighed, "He already refused me John..."

John sneered at his comment, "You are too naive my friend. He may not box for himself but what about his family? Everyone needs money and we will offer him enough to drown him in it!"

Old Jackson stared doubfounded at his best friend and he slapped his forehead hard, "You are right and I am so stupid! I forgot to bait him with money!"

John smiled, "This is what we will do..."

.....

George was eating silently with his mother and little brother. The mood was kind of heavy as his mother kept glaring at Michael, his little brother.

He sighed mentally, his little brother had always been a problem child...

His mother placed her clutery beside her plate, "How many times do I need to tell you to stay away from that gang Michael? God knows what they would have done to you if George didn't find you in time!"

Michael tensed up, staring down at his food.

Lily kept looking sternly at him, "I'm talking to you, Michael Sean King!"

Michael couldn't endure it anymore, abruptly standing up from his chair, walking away to his room.

Michael was about to leave the kitchen when he felt a strong grip on his shoulder.

He was forcefully turned around and he looked up into the dark eyes of his elder brother...

George didn't say anything, his intense gaze showed that he was displeased.

Michael gritted his teeth in frustration.

George didn't know what to do with his problematic little brother...

'When did he turn like this...' Asked George himself as he noticed Michael clenching his fists hard.

He saw every movement, Michael's body tensing up and his breathing accelerating...

"Let him go..." Said Lily exhausted, with sadness in her voice. George did as his mother said,

releasing his grip on Michael's shoulder.

He looked disappointed at his little brother, who ignored them, entering his room.

George turned towards his mother who began to cry, "What can I do? He will get himself killed if he stays like this..."

George walked to his mother, hugging her from behind.

"I won't let that happen mom." Whispered George who felt just as helpless as his mother.

Lily nodded, putting her hand on his, at least she had George here to help them...

Michael leaned on his door and heard his mother cry, he felt his heart ache and blocked his ears with his hands to not hear her anymore.

The disappointed eyes of his big brother flashed through his mind and he gritted his teeth hard.

'How could you ever understand me!'

Lily recovered and went on to pick up the plates. George joined her while looking at the clock on the wall.

'I still have 10 minutes until I have to go to work...'

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of something breaking.

He turned around and saw that his mother had collapsed on the ground, letting the plates fall down on the floor where they broke into pieces...

George's eyes widened and he wanted to rush over to her when he felt as if something massive had hit him.

His vision shook violently, making him lose his balance. He tried to grab the edge of the table but his body didn't listen to him as he fell on the floor...

"What..." Those were the last words he muttered before he was engulfed by darkness.