Chapter 9
When Talion was helped off the arena, Jasmine felt the familiar itch kick in. The uncontrollable itch to hurt someone. Throughout Talion's match, the girl did everything her psychologist told her to do when the urge arose. However, the more she stayed, the more that ever familiar itch came. Finally she slipped into her other mental state and slowly began walking into the arena, while her friends backs were turned. She didn't hear Jim's voice when he shouted for her to get down. The other voices from the crowd too fell on deaf ears. The only thing she was aware of, was the drive to cause pain.
"Well ladies and gentlemen, looks like we have ourselves a new contender!" An announcer exclaims, causing a vast majority of the crowd to get excited. "May I ask what's your name?"
This Jasmine did hear and when she gave her name, she slowly became aware of what was going on.
"Jasmine Sparrow everybody! And on the right, I give you Berserk!" The announcer exclaims as an alien, who was bigger in every single way than Talion's contestant, steps into the arena.
The alien was a Gron, a humanoid with four arms, grey skin, and a red face. This was the same species as Hands, one of Silver's and Jasmine's fellow crew men. Staring at him, snapped Jasmine back into reality and she realized the mistake she had made. The beast before her, was twice the her size and she could tell why he would be given a name such as Berserk. However, there was no turning back now and she knew she had to face the consequences of her mistake made by her uncontrolled mind.
Glancing at Jim, she saw the pure horror and worry on his face. Her new friends too shared the same look, which made the situation not any easier. As the announcer began the countdown, Jasmine took in deep breaths and studied her opponent. He was big and strong, but looked to be not that bright. With this fact and Jasmine's smaller frame, could give her an advantage. Also, she was quick and light on her feet and with her experience as a pirate, gave her all the confidence she needed.
The bell rang and Berserk did not hesitate. Rushing towards her, he almost slammed his big hands into Jasmine's face. With quick thinking, she rolled out of the way and listened as his fists made contact with the railing. Getting back on her feet, she jumped to the side as those same fists whipped around at her. Jasmine continued to dodge, which made the alien mad. Finally one of his fists nocked the girl off her feet, which she knew would leave some bruises later. As she was down, Berserk began picking her up by the hair like a little rag doll.
The pain was immense, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of crying out. No, the itch began creeping in, allowing her to have an edge. Swinging her legs up around his wrist, she grabbed his pinkie with both hands and pushed it back. The alien cried out in pain and dropped her. Taking this moment of weakness, she punched one of his eyes and he roared in furious agony. Now he had one injured eye, Jasmine took this advantage by staying in his blind spot.
Blinking a couple of times, Berserk looked semi-blindly around for the girl. Jasmine on the other hand, stayed right behind him, turning when he turned. Some of Berserk's fans began shouting about her direction and hearing this, he whipped his arms in her direction. However, Jasmine was prepared for this. When his fists whipped around, Jasmine ducked underneath him and kicked behind his knees. As his knees buckled, Jasmine rolled out of the way as the huge alien came crashing down. Quickly getting up, the girl went over to the downed alien and kicked him in the other eye.
Whether it was the force of the kick or the humiliation of being nocked off his feet by a puny human girl, whatever the reason, Berserk stayed down. The announcer began the countdown and Jasmine was surprisingly standing victorious. Suddenly the room became louder and Jasmine's senses began kicking in. Collapsing to the ground, Jasmine was saved from the impact by surprisingly strong arms. Looking up, she saw Jim's worried face and then a minute later, the rest of her friends.
"You are insane!" Bryce exclaimed, but then grinned. "But that was beyond cool!"
"Bryce!" Blake shouts over the uproar of the crowd.
"What? It's the truth!"
"Now's not the time!" His cousin's face became harsh, which surprisingly silenced the boy.
Peering worriedly at her friend, "Are you okay?" Adeline questions.
Jasmine tiredly raised a thumbs up, "Never better."
"Well I for one think you are mad!" Castor exasperates.
With the help of Jim, Jasmine was able to walk off the stage. Strangely there was no reward for winning her match, which Jasmine couldn't help but glance at Talion and question what his motives were for entering the arena. Deciding it would be best to go back to the Academy, the group began making their exit out of the building. Jasmine could tell Jim had something on his mind and the two fell a little behind their party to discuss it.
"I know you have something to say, so say it." Jasmine says.
Sighing, Jim looked at her as their conversation began. "What do you want me to say? That I'm angry at you for doing something so stupid like that? Of course I'm angry, but it's hard for me to be angry at you when I know you don't have any control over it!"
"I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance." She muttered, causing Jim to stop her in her tracks and face him.
"You're not a nuisance, you're not entirely whole."
Raising an eyebrow, "And I'm guessing it's your job to make me whole?"
"Well I am your boyfriend, it's kind of in the job description."
Normally such a comment would've made Jasmine smack Jim on the head, but tonight it made her feel better. Reaching for his hand, the two went to catch up with their friends. However, the more Jasmine thought about that night, the more she became convinced it wouldn't be the last time the 'itch' came to play.
Author's Note: And another chapter after a long wait. Thanks for being patient as I continue to write while working and going to school! I greatly appreciate it! I hope you liked this chapter and please let me know what you think! Ciao!
