CHAPTER ONE
I barely go outside anymore. I've grown accustom to the cheers from the crowd, as well as the screams from those who overestimated their skills. The THORN can be a brutal place, especially for those who don't take precautions or listen to reason. It's a good thing I know my limitations. I know when to act against my opponents and when to wait for an opening, which is more than I can say for most. The worst thing you could ever do is charge head on. That can prove to be more fatal than the most dangerous of creatures.
I am not self-trained however. It helps that I grew up in this place, and It also helps that my mother runs it. Red Lucy is my mom and that is how I know what to do in these situations. From the day I was able to walk my training started. Advanced knowledge of firearms and hand to hand combat is what optimized my skills. This is what I live for.
"Are you ready?" a voice came from behind me.
I turned to find my best friend Angel standing against the wall. She has been to every one of my battles and never fails to encourage me, not that I need it.
"Of course I'm ready, I always am."
"I know, I know. I just have to make sure before you risk your hide on this one."
Every time I fight I make it through with barley a scratch, but this time was different. This time it was more dangerous. This will be my first time fighting a deathclaw. I can hear the rattling in the opposite cage. I can imagine the size of the blood soaked claws, and teeth. I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
"You know you can still back out." She said playfully.
"No I can't and you know that." I stated while I readied my weapons. I had a combat knife in my left hand and a 45. Auto pistol in my right.
"Well if you make it out of this, dinner is on me." She said as she sent a wink my way and started up the latter.
I smiled to myself and turned to face out of the gate as it started to creek open. My hands started shaking a bit but I was able to stop it before it got to bad. I looked up to the platform overlooking the arena to where my mother was standing. The look on her face read that she seemed proud, certain even. She had no doubt I could pull this off and it eased my mind a bit.
I changed the direction of my glance to the other cage and my heart sunk. This thing was fucking huge. Easily four feet taller than me and just as wide. It scanned the area searching for its target before its eyes locked on to me as I stepped out into the arena.
The crowd started chanting my name and the uproar seemed to agitate the beast. It leaped out onto the arena floor and let out a blood curling roar as if to respond to the onlookers.
I covered my ears from the defining echo as it lumbered towards me. Dropping my hands back to my side I gripped the handle of my combat knife as tightly as I could. Then without warning it leaped again in my direction just missing me by mere inches. I jumped to the left while bringing the blade around to catch it in its side. Blood gushed forth and trickled down its side as it roared again but this time seeming more agitated than ever.
It swung its arm backwards catching me across the chest knocking the wind out of me. I hit the wall with a thud and slid down to the floor. I heard the gasps from the audience and thought for sure I was dead.
I tried to regain my composer but I was still having trouble breathing. As I looked back up at the beast it lunged once more with claws extended. I flattened to the ground just in time for its massive talons to slam into the cold steel where my head had been. I tried to bring my pistol up to fire but realized I had dropped it when I was hit and it lay at least ten feet away.
My panic had fully set in at this point and I was freaking out. I grabbed onto its arm and it lifted me off the ground. With me now dangling above its head it tried to snap at my feet but I was able to plant the heel of my combat boot to the side of its head causing it to drop me. After hitting the ground I had the wind knocked out of me for the second time causing me to mumble under my breath.
"I've had it with this shit!" I said in the most agitated tone I could muster. I started to crawl towards my gun only to be picked up again by the massive creature.
"For fuck sake!" I stated again while I kicked to get free but apparently it had learned from the first time now holding me at arms length. It squeezed my leg with its giant hands causing me to grit my teeth with pain.
If mom taught me anything it was not to show pain. If your enemy knows your in pain then it will be easier for them to pin-point your weak spots. I tried to wiggle free but it only squeezed tighter making it hurt even more. This fight had only been going for less than a minute but it felt like eternity had taken control. It took me this long to realize I still had my knife.
"Are you kidding me?" I said very angry with myself.
I brought my torso up and jammed the knife deep into its forearm making it lose its grip. I fell again but this time I was able to swing around in time to land on my feet. The impact still caused me to stumble a little though. I then ran over to my pistol, picked it up, and brought it up to eye level just in time to empty a shot into its skull. It slammed its claws to the floor in pain causing a small earthquake under my feet. I fired again and it entered the beasts shoulder. It made one final leap towards me hitting me dead center and knocking me to the ground.
It roared in my face and I could feel my eardrums about to burst. Its arms had mine pinned to the ground with full force. I could feel the bones becoming brittle and the pain was immense. I only had one move left and it was time to use it.
"Alright you big son of a bitch, lets do this!" I yelled through clenched teeth.
It brought its head down at my chest ready to end it. I then brought my knee up catching it right under the jaw. It released my arm just enough for me to break free and rip the knife from its forearm and plant it into its skull. It went limp and I rolled out from under it before it fell on top of me. I got to my feet and observed my fallen foe.
It was still breathing and a quiet whine was coming from it. I walked over to where I had dropped my gun again and picked it up. I returned to the limp creature and spoke my final words before planting two more shots into its head
"Your blood belongs to the THORN."
