(Lex's story ties in with Zandra & Glens story)
The Making of a Survivor
At a young age, he'd learned to ignore the noise of a drunken father arriving home in the early hours of the morning creating unseen havoc in the kitchen, living room or bathroom. He'd shut out the yells of abuse at a scared mother unable to come to a decision to leave the man and take her boy out of a bad situation or throw the drunk out of her home and out of their lives.
When he turned eleven things had changed, he was hardened to the world, hardened to society and living was about himself and no one else. Survival meant getting along by any means necessary. In recent years his father had become a strange, twisted role model for how to prepare himself for the world. Even in drunken stupor the old man seemed to have some knowledgeable advice to pass onto him and he found himself drinking in every word and storing it up.
School was unnecessary; he didn't enjoy it, so why bother attending. It became a place he attended only out of pure boredom of roaming the streets and getting into fights with whoever seemed to have a problem with him roaming through their turf. He didn't read, not a problem, who needed books, he understood the basics of maths, why bother knowing what the meaning of pi was. Geography bored him, he knew his place in the world and he'd go wherever his feet took him when he could finally break free. History was a subject he enjoyed, wars fought over the centuries, various warlords, people with vision, powers fighting against powers, alliances made and broken.
That was how it was on the streets, as he grew older and more street wise he learned nothing had changed; history repeated itself on every corner, in every alley way, power against power. At fifteen he was a known street fighter; it was a way of making money, of gaining recognition and respect. He also found it was a way to vent anger, frustration, which sometimes welled up inside him on the low days when he realised what kind of life he'd already led. A drunken father and a frightened mother leaving him no choice but to learn how to survive and look out for number one. His father had given him a taste for the alcohol, he knew now why the man drank it, it helped numb the despair and gave you the strength to look face the next day.
"Lex," came the timid call of his mother from below.
Opening his eyes he squinted through a haze of boozy stupor and growled at the interruption of a deep sleep.
"Lex, there's someone here to speak with you," his mother called through his door having climbed the flight of stairs to see if he'd woken up.
"Tell them to rack off, I'm asleep," muttered Lex, before turning in his bed, dragging his pillow with him and covering his head.
"Lex, you really should be getting up," his mother replied through the door. "I've already brought your friend inside, they are waiting downstairs. Please Lex, your fathers in the house and I'd prefer to not cause a scene."
Lex groaned and threw his pillow off his head to the floor before sitting up.
"Fine I'm up, I'll be down in a moment," he replied huffily pulling on his trousers and scouting around his floor for any kind of shirt.
He scooted down the stairs to find his mother apologising profusely to the visitor about the state of the living room and would they like a drink while they waited. Walking into the living room he saw Glen sitting with a smug look on his face, shaking his head at his mothers offer.
"Oh it's you," Lex said before giving his mother a look as she left into the kitchen.
"Good morning Lex," Glen replied in a cheery voice.
She cast him a look of hope that they'd be leaving the house, his father didn't like to be disturbed from his sleep, he'd had another long night. Lex considered staying in and causing some noise but he knew it would only bring problems for his mother and no matter how irritating the woman could be, he wouldn't cause any trouble for her. His father was bad enough after particularly long nights of drinking.
Pulling on a pair of boots and grabbing a jacket on the way out of the door, he and Glen exited the house.
"So what is so important that you just had to come to my house and wake me up?" Lex muttered as they wandered along the street.
"New fight site has been arranged, thought you'd be interested," Glen replied.
"Anyone interesting going?" Lex asked, the last street fight rave that had been arranged had been a disappointment considering the fighters who had attended.
"Rumours are that fighters from Sector four and eight are going to attend," Glen replied knowing that would garner a bit more of Lex's attention.
Glen was the go too guy when it came to the street fights. He was on the ball when it came to where they would be held, usually along with a rave of some sort and set outside the city, in remote locations where the police probably wouldn't turn up until the last moment. Glen was also adept at taking in bets and he and Lex had a partnership of sorts, Lex fought, Glen took on the bets and they each took a cut of the takings, along with a few other fighters Lex fought alongside. Different sectors had their own fighters and so far only a few had fought each other, but sector four were rumoured to have some pretty decent fighters which offered up a bit of a challenge which Lex was certainly interested in taking on.
"Who else is interested?" he asked Glen, wondering who he'd be fighting alongside with.
"Well we got Jake on board, Theo, possibly Stella if that ankle of hers doesn't give her anymore trouble. It ain't on until next Friday so there's a good chance she'll be able to fight by then. Was gonna go see Skye and Adam after you. I reckon you come onboard they'll definitely go."
Lex pondered on the idea, sector four, if the rumours were true, would put up a decent fight. Sector eight they could take on easily enough, but with not knowing sector four fighters well enough anything could happen, they'd definitely need Skye and Adam especially if Stella couldn't fight. But still they were the best fighters of the sector, most of the others were good, but not that good and to take on sector four, it would be best to put forward the best and scout them out before anymore fights were arranged. Most of the fighters would attend but names of fighters would be put forward prior to the event and not everyone fought the same night.
"So come on man, what do you say?" Glen asked becoming impatient. "This is gonna be one big night, plenty of money to be made."
"Yeah I'm up for it, as long as we get Skye and Adam, else there ain't no point, especially if we're not sure Stel will be fighting."
"Man I hope she is up for it, this ain't the kind of fight she wants to miss out on," Glen said.
Arrangements had been made and the good news was that Stella was up and about practising and working out along side them the week of the fight. There was a certain attraction about her that Lex had fallen for the first time they'd been introduced, but no matter how much attention he gave her, or how much he tried to show off in front of her, she wouldn't bite and his attention went unheeded. She was looking for nothing but friendship from him and nothing was going to change her mind about that.
The night of the rave came about and Lex drove the five of them to the large empty warehouse a few miles out of the city, which would be hosting the event. By the time they arrived the crowds were already gathering, various sectors there to have a good time as well as show their support to various fighting groups.
"Looks like its going to be a busy night," Lex said as they parked up and exited the car. Inside the warehouse music could already be heard, the rave was well underway.
"As long as the cops don't show up," replied Jake.
"The cops have been more lax these days, too much trouble going on in the city it seems." Stella mused as they left the car and entered by a side door before being directed to a backroom by someone who looked like they knew what was going on. "So is Glen turning up tonight?"
"Said he was arriving later," Lex shrugged in reply as they looked about the small room they'd been directed to, to await the fighting to start.
"Ah, you guys decided to arrive," said a voice from the doorway. They all turned to see a familiar figure standing, clipboard in hand.
"Better late than never Sam," Skye replied with a crack of her knuckles. "Which other sectors have shown up?"
Sam gave a grin and a wink over to her before leaning on the door post and looking at the clipboard in his hand
"Four, eight, ten, eleven," he said, scribbling something down and muttering mostly to himself. "You guys are sector two, that makes all five arranged sectors. You guys ready?"
"As always," Jake replied, eager to start a fight. They were all eager to see what the sector four fighters were made of.
"Can you give us a heads up on what to expect from these sector four guys?" Stella asked, always one to take advantage of a situation if she could.
"They seem pretty cocky, whether that's down to the way they fight or over confidence is another thing," Sam replied. "They've got one - Ebony- she seems a little feisty, seems to think she's got something to prove, five fighters in all, same ages as you guys. Not seen them fight myself so I suggest you go easy at first and see what they're made of."
Looking at his watch he stood up and yelled down the corridor at a kid running past him.
"Tell 'em they've got ten minutes before the fight starts," he said before looking back into the room. "You got ten minutes, good luck, I've got money riding on you guys, so make sure you win at least a few rounds."
With that he left them to finish off other arrangements. Sam was older than most of the fighters, but knew it was where easy gambling money could be made, young kids eager to fight and more kids eager to watch made a powerful combination when it came to betting. He provided places to fight, was given fees by the various sectors, it was a black market, he got vendors for drinks, DJ's for the rave, if there was anything someone needed you could guarantee Sam or one of his 'associates' could get it for you.
The ten minutes passed quickly and a kid came to tell them the fight was ready to begin. The music was already winding down and the crowds were starting to spread out into the stalls set up, looking for perfect vantage points to watch. The five stood at a side entrance into the small arena in the middle of the stalls, as crowds of kids starting chanting for their favourites and sectors.
"I'm guessing that's them," Stella yelled over the growing noise as they looked across the small open space to the opposite side. A small group stood there staring straight back looking smug and un-impressed.
"That's it?" Jake grinned mockingly, "I was thinking, tall, giant wrestlers the way people have been going on about these guys."
"They may not look much, but it's usually these ones we gotta be careful about. Sam was right, she looks like she wants to take on the whole crowd," Stella observed looking at the young woman at the forefront of the group, hands on hips, back straight looking smugly at the crowd.
"You want to go for it, or shall I?" Adam asked her.
"Oh please, allow me," Stella grinned, "I need any help, you're my backup."
"Well looky what we got here," Lex said, having taken his eyes off the sector four entrants, to look at the other sectors. "If it ain't Billy Boy and his friends."
"Didn't he have enough last time?" Adam smirked, remembering the last time they'd come up against some of the sector eleven fighters.
"Obviously not."
"Looks like I'm going in first," Lex observed watching Billy enter the arena and awaiting an opponent.
It was something of an adrenaline rush to enter the middle of an arena; the crowd suddenly roaring into life as some long awaited action suddenly started taking place. Lex fed off it and used it to help him fight. He knew how Billy fought, knew his weaknesses, Billy was an experienced fighter also, but didn't learn from his mistakes, nor learnt how to fight his opponents and Lex used this to his advantage. He was disappointed that it ended so suddenly, but it was only the first fight of the night, more like a warm up for the main event. As Billy was helped out of the arena, one of the sector four fighters stepped in. Lex as more than ready to take one of them on, but found the fight more of a challenge because he didn't know his opponent. His advantage was that his opponent didn't know him.
The crowd seemed even more eager to see this fight going on and it continued for a good few minutes, with both opponents getting in some of their best moves. Lex found the guy was starting to tire far too quickly considering he'd already fought Billy before him and still wasn't winded. Using this to his advantage, Lex made the guy chase him almost around the perimeter of the arena, throwing a few punches, dodging perfectly, causing him to move and twist, tiring him out quicker. Finally Lex grew bored of dodging and let fly a few kicks and punches of his own and the guy hit the floor before he knew what was happening.
Lex gave the guy a smug look before returning to the rest of his group who were cheering wildly, as two new opponents took to centre stage.
"Gees if these guys all fight like that, this is going to be easy," Jake said with a grin.
"They fight good, but tire easily," Lex said taking in a few deep breaths. "Best advantage we've got."
"Someone wasn't happy that you got their guy," Stella told him, nodding opposite to where the young woman had took to yelling at the fallen man as he bent over double holding his stomach.
"Pride comes before a fall," Skye grinned before turning her attention back to the ring, she was eager to get in there herself.
A few more minutes past as the fights took place, an opponent defeated a new one entered and the winner took them on, and so on. Stella was awaiting her chance to take on the feisty young woman of sector four who seemed just as eager to enter the main ring. Jake left the centre of the ring a smug look on his face having taken on a couple of sector ten guys.
"Easy as pie, where's the drinks," he grinned, before swiping his tongue along his lips to check out the damage of a busted lip.
"Looks like I'm up guys," Stella informed them as she watched the young woman stride into the centre of the arena and stared directly over to their group.
"Go Stel," Skye told her. "While you're there wipe that smug look off her face."
"Yeah, with the floor," Adam added as Stella strode into the centre just as confidently. She watched, as Ebony looked her up and down trying to size her up before launching at her with a few high kicks, thankfully she was ready for it and took a few steps back, bracing herself for a low punch she sensed was coming.
The rest of the group watched impressed at the dodge and gave her a few shouts of encouragement. The crowd had become raucous at the fighting and cheers rained down from all sides. Stella got an advantage and her fists made contact more than once causing the young woman to bend over in pain as the wind was knocked out of her. Using the pause as an advantage Stella, continued on and swept he with her leg and the woman ended up on her back, yelling out in pain and as well as anger that she was put into the position.
Stella stepped back and gave her a chance to get up, not willing to let the fight be over so quickly, she was just starting to enjoy herself. They parried and twisted a few times, the fight drawing out for a few minutes, but Lex had been correct, none of them were up for long drawn out fights and this one was tiring quickly, her fighting became sloppy. Becoming bored, Stella swept her onto her back again and this time the woman stayed down. Stella put on a mocking action of wiping her hands as she left the arena, the crowds applauding rapidly.
The fighting soon came to and end, as each fighter got his or her time in the ring. The group made their way out of the building congratulating each other on a job well done. They stood by the car talking with some other fighters who'd skipped the fight this time round.
"Hey Guys, great show you put on in there," came a voice behind them. Lex turned to see Glen standing with a few young woman tagging along.
"Ah Glen," he said with a look at his friend. "How goes the betting master?"
"With your fighting Lex, moneys coming in great," replied Glen.
"So where my cut?"
"Got it right here Lex," said Glen, pulling a wad of cash from his pocket.
Lex took the wad from him with a smile and started counting through it.
"Who's your friend?" he asked as he counted through the money, not taking his eyes from the money, but very aware of the young woman who was trying to catch his eye as she stood by Glen.
"This is Zandra, thought I'd bring her along, show her what you guys are all about," Glen explained.
"You enjoy the show?" asked Lex, looking over at Zandra and fully taking in her appearance. He liked what he saw.
"A couple of boys fighting in a ring, it makes a girls night," she shot over to him with a tinge of sarcasm. "Come on Glen, I want to get home."
Pretty and feisty, certainly something Lex found attractive. Glen gave him a wave of goodbye, assured the others their money would be coming and turned to walk after Zandra. Lex made a mental note to make sure they were introduced again.
In the coming months there was a shift in the world. What he'd thought was just effects from the drinking became a much more serious affair as Lex found his father had succumbed to a virus which was suddenly rife everywhere. Taken into hospital, he found he didn't miss the presence of his father at home and didn't have any notions of visiting him frequently at hospital. Things at home were suddenly normal. His mother didn't act so timid; in fact it was almost like a new freedom for her to do, as she wanted in her home. But the normalcy didn't last for long as she became sick also. Lex did his best to care for her, but there was a sense of emptiness and loneliness the whole situation brought about.
It was the fact that it was happening everywhere that caused so much worry, if he wasn't at home looking after his mother, he was having to deal with Zandra whom he'd started dating and who didn't seem at all ready to have to face the reality of the situation. Most of the time they saw each other she was too busy crying over what was going on. The street fighting raves had long since been abandoned, kids were being evacuated out of the city as more and more adults fell ill.
"Lex, perhaps it would be best for you to go," his mother told him. "These training camps, they'll help prepare you for the end. Teach you how to survive."
"I already know how to survive," Lex retorted, he didn't need to be told how.
"They need young men like you, I know your streetwise Lex. They are saying there won't be any adults left eventually, you'll be responsible then."
Lex didn't want that kind of responsibility, why was it being thrust upon him. It was bad enough having to deal with what was happening, feeling helpless as the adult population died slowly around him.
"What about you, what about Zan?" he said, he was responsible, he wasn't going to leave like a coward, evacuation and the camps were crazy ideas. The adults running them would soon be dead themselves and then where would they be.
"I'll go to the hospital, there's not much that can be done for me now. You go to the training camp, they need young men like you, you can return here for Zandra eventually, when your better equipped to look after her." His mother said wisely.
"I can look after her now," Lex replied a little angrily, he'd looked after himself all these years just fine. Now that his future stared starkly in everyone's faces, they were suddenly interested in what would happen to him. He already had it all worked out, they wanted to change everything.
"Yes dear, I know, I just-," his mother looked at him forlornly, she looked lost and alone and afraid "I don't want you to be here when I go. The camps will give you something to do, you'll be away from it all, all this madness and mayhem. When it's all over you'll come back, everything will have changed, you'll have changed. I don't want you to see it Lex, best you leave and come back to face whatever the world has changed into by then."
"No I don't want to, I want to stay here and be with you and Zandra."
"Zandra will be with her parents or best for her that she leaves also. This is no place for children," his mother told him.
"I'm not a child."
"No, you haven't been a child for a long long time," she smiled weakly. "But you'll always be my boy. I never really told you what to do, I was weak as a parent and as a wife Lex. I should have protected you more and I didn't and I'm sorry for that. But this is the one time I will tell you what to do, because it's for your own good. Go away from this place, go to the camps, trucks go by all the time with evacuees, go away and be the man I know you can be."
"But mom," Lex felt awkward, for the first time in his life in a way his mother was acting like a mother to him. She silenced him with a raise of her hand as she lay in her bed and gave him a soft smile.
"Consider it a mothers dying wish," she said quietly.
As the truck drove them to an undisclosed location, Lex didn't want to think of what he'd left behind. He'd made Glen promise him that whatever happened he'd take care of Zandra and he'd promised he'd go back one day, whenever that day came and however it presented itself. He didn't know what the future held, or how he'd cope with it. He'd adapt, he'd adapted to situations all his life, this was just a new venture to learn from. He thought of his father finally at rest from the demons, which had seemed to plague all his life and of his mother eager to send him away so he wouldn't have to watch more of the suffering she'd been handed so often in life. And then he locked away the memories, pushed them aside and looked forward to what the future would bring him, promising himself he'd survive.