It was a while before we got word of Maine again. We ended up with new jobs to take, new crises to deal with. In fact, by the time he did show up, I had been forced to give up the business entirely. Yet I always kept one eye open, just in case. Waiting for the next time he would strike. I didn't wait in vain.

I was walking to school with Vince when it happened. We were discussing Cubs trivia when we spotted a girl in a black sweat jacket in the middle of the sidewalk. She had her hood up, and she was just standing there. As we got closer, Vince called out, "Hey! What are you doing?"

The girl looked up, but we still couldn't see much of her face.

"Hey Mac. I hear you have a bit of a problem. Big guy, tattoo on the back of his head. I'm here to help you solve it." Her voice sounded casual. Almost mocking.

She was more than a little odd, but then I was used to dealing with odd people.

"What do you know about it? And who are you anyway?"

She chuckled a bit. "I'm… acquainted with Maine. In fact, I'm probably the only one who can deal with him for you. As for my name, you can call me Texas."

I nodded. "Ok… Texas. Look, I would be glad to accept your offer, but I really don't want to get involved in any trouble right now. In fact, I can't afford to."

The part of her face I could see formed a menacing grin. "But you see, this is an offer you can't refuse. Maine is coming for you, and nothing can stop him. Nothing except for me. And I'll do it free of charge. In fact, come by the kickboxing club after school. I'll show you what I can do, then you decide. Deal?"

She had used one of my favorite lines of all time - an offer you can't refuse. Yet I wish she hadn't. I wish I wasn't in this position, with a relentless force pursing me and next to nothing I could do about it. But it couldn't be helped.

"Deal."

Kickboxing club wasn't actually a kickboxing club. At least, not a school-sanctioned one. Some days after school, kids with too much time on their hands would go out behind the tool shed where all the fights happened and have their own tournaments. The members of the kickboxing club had unlimited access to these tournaments and were usually the best fighters in the school.

Vince and I were walking over there when we had our second odd encounter of the day. We found our path blocked yet again, but this time by none other than Hannah Kjelson. A girl who looked very similar to her accompanied her. They both had the same facial structure, those same neon-green eyes, and the same intense gaze that felt like it could melt you if they wanted it to. The main difference was that the other girl had blood-red hair.

"Hey, 'Trixie'," I said, using the fake name that she had chosen for herself when we first met. Both girls smirked at me.

Hannah spoke first. "Hey, Mac. Long time no see. This is my friend Carolina. She's in kickboxing club." Carolina nodded.

I almost sighed, but caught myself. What is it with people and state-based nicknames around here? "Hey," I said. "So what did you want to see me about?"

Now Carolina spoke. "I want you to help me beat Texas. I know she has some kind of weak point or something, but I can't figure out what it is. My friend here says you guys can solve problems."

This time I just let the sigh out. "Come on, Trixie. You know I'm not in that business anymore. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do."

"But Mac! I helped you out; you owe me! Aren't we friends? And besides, it wouldn't be the same! We're not paying you, and you're really more… giving advice than solving a problem. Please?" I looked at her. The same eyes that could have melted me before, looking so sad, softened me up a bit.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do. But no promises, ok?" She gave me a big grin.

"Thanks, Mac! You're the best!" I grumbled a bit as the two girls ran off.

I looked over at Vince. "This is just getting better and better, isn't it? We need Texas to protect us from Maine, but we also have to help Carolina to beat her. How on earth are we gonna do this?"

He nodded. "I guess we just go and watch Texas and then try and figure things out. Both goals involve seeing her in action, so it can't hurt. It's like my Grandma once said. 'When the states are throwing punches at you, you best hide the salami vinegar before the goat licks it." We laughed at that one all the rest of the way to kickboxing club.

We watched the fights from the middle of the crowd, far away enough that no one would be thrown into us and close enough to the inside that we couldn't be seen by any passing administrators. A few fights went by before Tex came out of the crowd and into the ring. Her opponent was none other than Great White. The pale, blond Brit gave her a threatening smirk as they circled each other. I wasn't sure, but I think under the hood she was smiling too.

The shark-like boy jumped straight in, aiming a punch at her stomach. She nimbly dodged out of the way, far too fast for him to catch. He growled and came in again, just to have her sidestep and swing her forearm out to smash against his head. He was dazed for just a second, but then came in even harder, trying to bring his fist down on her head. Tex blocked it and countered, sending her fist into his gut and knocking him to the ground.

It took a bit longer for Great White to get up this time. Texas stood in place, waiting in a ready stance. As soon as he was up, Great White lunged at her, trying to attack from under her guard with an uppercut. Instead of blocking, she ducked and dodged, trying to get out of his way. It looked as though he had the advantage, until Tex sent her leg flying out in a side kick, smashing into his chest. He flew back, landing hard on the dusty ground at the edge of the circle. He didn't get up this time.

I couldn't believe it was over so quickly. Great White was one of the best fighters I knew and Texas had just taken him down in less than a minute. How on earth could we help someone beat that? And considering that she was offering us help, could we even afford to?