Page 94 of Silent Damage

Gabe’s advice propels me off the ground, and I lunge on top and headbutt him hard, his nose making a cracking sound.

I need to finish him, so I release an all-out assault against his face.

I rise and stomp his head before throwing my whole body down on top of him, letting my elbow land first onto his gut like I’m a pro wrestler or some shit.

The crowd goes bananas.

I rise again and lift my arms, encouraging them to make more noise.

The monster attempts to rise but can only sit up, his upper body swaying, and I do an honest-to-God roundhouse kick against his head.

It’s light out.

I fall to my knees and scream, my arms stretched to the sides as the announcer comes back out to lift my right arm in victory.

The crowd…

The way they cheer for me.

I just let it wash over me and thank whatever the fuck is out there for not letting me die.

I can’t imagine what it was like to see someone like me beat someone like him.

Medics rush to my fallen opponent, and Gabe runs to me and leads me to the bench, where nearby spectators pat my back.

I’d love to bask in the moment of actually winning this impossible fight, but my vision spins. I can’t see anything; even Gabe looks off.

Slowly, the lights start to dim, and I know I’m cooked.

“Gabe,” I slur out.

There are two Gabes now, which is bad news because I ain’t drunk.

Nope. I’m pretty sure I’m concussed. Or worse.

Gabe’s horrified face is the last thing I see before I pass out.

I guess it’s lights out for me, too.

Chapter 22

Gabe

The medics rush over and lift Jason’s limp body onto a stretcher and secure his head to protect his neck.

Seeing Jason like this, bound to a stretcher and motionless, reminds me of the worst day of my life—

I want to ask if he’s okay, but my throat closes.

My hands press against my temples, the pressure building to my breaking point, but, to my complete shock, the moment they finish strapping Jason onto the stretcher, he wakes up.

“What? What the fuck! Untie me!” Jason hollers.

I maneuver closer and hold his hand.

A medic elbows me out of the way and begins questioning him. “What city are you in?”

“What kind of stupid fucking question is that?” Jason barks.