4

"What's your favorite pizza, huh" before I have time to respond he says "never mind how about I surprise you with my favorite pizza instead, huh" I just nod in response. "Bobby could you turn the sign to closed and give us my favorite" he shouts. A middle aged man comes out the back in response and says "it'll be done in five minutes, I knew what you were gonna ask for" so I started making it anyway" he says as he flips the store sign from open to closed. "I hope I'm not that predictable in other ways because that could get me in deep shit"the man sitting in front of me says. " No just when it comes to pizza. I think" replied the shop worker.

There was something that bothered me about how calm he was in my presence, it was almost like I could have pulled a gun on him at that moment and he would've somehow had the entire situation under control. "So Devin do you believe in fate" he said turning his attention back to me. "No" I said. He responded "me neither, I believe everything that happens is a result of our choices and actions", he pauses for a second "but I do think that the universe has power. The universe will draw things to you if you want it bad enough.

"I had a dream that I had scouted a fighter that had blessed me with being able to stand on piles of money. He was one of the best fighters and together we became some of the richest men in the world, i'm talking more money than you know what to do with kid. That boy would come from another school and end up in a little High school in New Jersey called Eastwide High school. Do you know what that boy's name was Devin"? "N-no" I asked unsure almost with the tone of a question opposed to a statement. "Neither do I, and I probably won't know anytime soon either.

It would be stupid of me to waste the opportunity that the universe has given to me. Let me be blunt right now how do you feel about fighting for money Devin". " How much money" I ask. " Oh I like that, you asked about the money first. Honestly it depends on

many factors like how many audience members there are and how much betting is going on you know stuff like that."

"Will we be fighting with gloves or"? "It depends on which fight club we go to. Every club has their own set of codes or rules they go by you know". "Sometimes though you'll just have to risk it all and just fight in dangerous, no holds barred, bare knuckle conditions. You gotta be serious if your gonna play this game, so if your too scared-" " I'm not scared" I interrupt him " I-I just want to know wether all this is worth my time."

He stares at me for a second and then finally says " is two-fifty worth your time". "What" I ask. "Next Saturday meet me here kid at around the same time, and I'll put you in a fight. If you win you'll get 500 dollars on the spot. Be here if you want it, now" he pauses for a second " our meeting is done so you can leave now.

I step outside " that took less time than I expected" I say out loud. Looking up the best bus route to get home I cut through an alleyway and am abruptly stopped by a man. He is immediately recognizable as a homeless man, with his greasy face and unwashed clothes. The older man steps into my path"Empty your pockets". I halt in surprise and ask in a confused voice "what"?

Suddenly his fist collides with my throat so fast I don't even know what's going on until I'm violently gasping for breath and leaning against the alley wall. "I'm not going to tell you again boy, now empty your pockets". A mixture of fear and rage enters my body. I only have enough money for the bus and when he sees that he'll probably take my phone, I'm not wearing any flashy clothing or jewelry, I don't have much to rob, so why me?

I don't have much more time to think as I see his dirty boot race towards my face. I barely dodge his kick as I feel the wind of his shoe blow across my face. I bolt up in the air while he is still off balance and throw wild haymakers at his skull. Surprised at my counter attack he throws a few wild punches of his own with one uppercut hitting my jaw so hard my teeth scrape together creating a cringeful sound worse than nails on a chalkboard. I know all my teeth have been loosened and I'm just lucky none of them fell out.

We continue to assault each other with vicious shots causing blood to fall on the concrete. There isn't much space for two people to dodge or maneuver so we just take each other's blows like two wild animals fighting for their lives. Suddenly he latches onto me and begins crushing my windpipe with his forearm as he chokes the life out of me.