Chapter 3

Fight Quest

A head peaked out of the door of the Rusty Anchor. It was Weasel he looked around feverishly and stepped into the street, a large leather suitcase in his hand. He hadn't gone more than a few steps from the door, when he was suddenly grabbed, dragged into an alley, and pinned against the wall.

"Weasel," said Derek, "You weren't going to leave without saying goodbye were you?"

"N-No," Derek," said Weasel, "in fact I was just on my way see you."

"Yeah right," said Derek opening the suitcase to find it full of money, "Well well this must be what Vic paid you to find him that warehouse for him and arrange and inside man on the police force!"

N-N-No," stammered Weasel, "I wouldn't sell out to Hanson."

"Weasel," Snapped Derek, "you'd sell out your own mother for a price, but I'm here to shut that big mouth of yours for awhile." It was at this point that Weasel saw the three men that were standing near them in the shadows of the alley. Derek shoved Weasel to the three men.

"Keep him on Ice until you hear from me." Said Derek Shouldering his duffle bag and picking up the suitcase full of money. His three friends nodded and dragged Weasel away down the alley.

Derek watched them until they disappeared from sight then he turned and walked down the street. He was headed to seedy club down by the riverfront that was known as The Pit. It was common knowledge that street fighting was a regular occurrence in the back room, so Derek figured it was sinch that one or two of Hanson's cronies would be there looking for fighters.

When Derek reached the Pit, his fake id got him right in. Sure enough there was a fight going on in the back room. Men in tuxedoes and Women in evening gowns were all gathered around and twenty five foot steel cage that was sunk part way into the ground. This was the Pit, infamous namesake of the the club. Inside the cage, two hulking men were beating each other unmercifully. Personally Derek didn't like this place or street fighting, but he couldn't let on. Derek stood near the front of the crowd. Finally the fight was over one of the bloody faced bruisers was carried out of the ring while the other was declared the winner.

"Alright," said the Announcer, "who will be next to try his skill against the Annihilator!!!"

For several seconds no one moved, and everyone looked around the room.

"I'll fight him,"

All Eyes were suddenly on Derek. The announcer laughed,

"Come back when you're old enough to shave," he sneered, "The Annihilator would kill you."

"What's wrong," Jeered Derek, "Afraid of losing your money?" the Announcers smirk disappeared.

"Alright," he said, "Get in the ring." Derek took off his Jacket and jumped down into the ring. He stood there calmly puting on his black leather gloves.

The Annihilator was a brute of a man standing 6'8" and he must have weighed 300 Pounds. He looked an Derek and flipped his long greasy hair behind his back,

"This shouldn't take long." He said

"Your right," sneered Derek.

"All right, All Right," said the announcer, "place your bets, who will it be the Kid or the Annihilator. Derek knew that most of the people would bet on the Annihilator. Finally all the bets were in and the Announcer gave the signal for the fight to start. Derek and the Annihilator began to circle each other. The crowd was yelling and egging the annihilator on. Suddenly the Annihilator let fly a powerful right hook. Derek sidestepped the attack and shot a bone cracking kick into the side of he Annihilator's right leg at the knee. There was a dull snap and the Annihilator yowled in pain and dropped to the ground holding his leg. Derek silenced him with a side kick to the head. The spectators stood there in stunned silence as Derek climbed out of the pit leaving the unconscious form of the annihilator laying in the middle of the ring.

The announcer looked at the Annihilator and then he looked and Derek.

"No matter how big the man is, take out his knee and he'll drop like a rock," Said Derek coolly before taking the wad of money out of the man's hand and walking off. The announcer waited until Derek was out of sight, then he pulled out his cell phone.

"It's me," he said when his call was answered, "tell Vic to send someone over to the pit right away, some half- grown kid just dropped the Annihilator like a bad habit!!"

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Casey could hear voices but she couldn't quite make out what was being said. When they came closer she caught bits and pieces of the conversation.

'I'm going down to the pit to see about a new fighter," said Vic, "stay here and keep an eye on the "prizes."l. Casey could hear sound of footsteps moving away.

"Casey," said Lizzie, Casey stood up from her spot by the door and walked back over to the bed where Lizzie was sitting. She sat down next to Lizzie.

"What is it?" she asked

"I'm scared!"

"I know, Liz, I'm scared too. But no matter what happens I won't let anything happen to you."

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Vic Hanson walked into the Pit and looked around. The announcer who doubled as the bartender saw him and came around the counter to meet him. As soon as he reached Hanson he pointed to Derek who was sitting in a corner booth. Eating a cheese sandwich and drinking a cup of coffee.

"That's the kid I was telling you about." He said Hanson looked incredulous.

"That's the kid?!" said Hanson, "he's not even drinking, Mac." Mac shrugged

"I offered him a drink but he refused, he said he doesn't drink."

"We'll if he's not a little drunk, how am I supposed to con him into working for me in the tournament for a fraction of what he's worth." Mac held up his hands.

"That's your problem not mine." Hanson took a deep breath and walked over to Derek's table. Derek looked up and regarded Vic carefully.

"Are you the guy I was told to wait for, Vic Hanson?" Hanson nodded and Derek motioned for him to sit down.

"Your bartender friend said that you have a proposition for me?" said Derek after Hanson had ordered himself a drink.

"Mac tells me that you took down the annihilator," Said Hanson after taking a sip of his drink. Derek shrugged, that bruiser wasn't as tough as he thought he was."

"apparently not," said Hanson, "but his defeat presents me with a real big problem."

"Oh," said Derek indifferently,

"The Annihilator was supposed to fight in a tournament for me, but he's in no condition to fight now." Derek scratched his nose with his index finger.

"I'd say that you do have a problem."

"Not if you agree to take the Annihilator's place in the tournament," said Hanson, "if you can take him down you can beat any of the other fighters that usually enter these tournaments." Derek's eyes narrowed,

"What's in it for me?"

"$50,000 cash," said Hanson reaching into his pocket, "and this," he shoved a picture across this table. Derek picked up the photo. It was snapshot of Casey and Lizze.

"they're both yours if you win the tournament." Derek's face remain unemotional but inside he was boiling.

"Not bad," he said, "alright you got yourself a deal!"

TBC Please Review.

Will Derek win the tournament?

Who are Derek's mysterious friends who are holding Weasel for him.

Will Hanson get wise to Derek?

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