Chapter 16 - ("I'm Not Afraid")

"Chloe where in the world are we going?" Jack asked after fifteen minutes of Chloe driving.

Chloe rolled her eyes. They were both seated in Jack's car and the clock read 11:30pm. She knew it was late, but she also knew that this is what needed to be done. She huffed as she pointed to Jack's GPS, "Jack isn't it obvious where we're going...we're going to Joe's little fight club, and I'm going to straighten things out."

At this, Jack's eyes widened, and he had the urge to get behind the wheel himself and drive home. The fear crept into his body, and his nervousness wouldn't allow him to speak for several minutes. When he finally could, he drew in a deep breath as he tried to calm his anger, "Chloe...What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I think I'm helping you. Just shut up, close your eyes, and relax. I'll tell you when we get there."

Jack pushed his seat back as he tried to relax. A thousand thoughts were swirling through his brain, and he couldn't focus on just one. Mickey immediately popped into his head. He could picture his smirk as he looked at Jack with terrifying eyes, eyes that pierced right into Jack's soul. His body tingled as he replayed that night over and over again as Chloe continued to drive to the fight club. And then he pictured Grace, her blonde hair and smiling eyes. Her gentle touch that would calm Jack down and let him breathe. He was suddenly missing her, but there was nothing that he could do about that now.

Pulling him away from his thoughts, Chloe started talking again, "Jack...you asleep?"

He opened his eyes, "Well if I was I guess I wouldn't be anymore."

"Funny, I'm pretty sure you're not a light sleeper...you want some music?"

Jack shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

[I do not own Not Afraid by Eminem]

I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand)
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just letting you know that you're not alone
Holler if you feel like you've been down the same road (same road)

"Jack I have to ask you...why didn't you just go get therapy?"

Jack narrowed his eyes at Chloe, "Did you get therapy after you were saved from Mickey?"

She sighed, "No...not professional therapy, but I have Leo, and Ben, and I talk to them about it...It's healthy to talk about it, no matter how hard it may be. You remember how Ally fainted at the courthouse?"

"Yeah...and?"

"She never got to talk to anyone about it. She refused to discuss it with her parents because she didn't want to relive it all...Trust me, if anyone understands that it's me," Chloe said, "Mickey held me hostage for years Jack...years of abuse, and rape, and being forced to do jobs that I never wanted to do. So I know it's not the easiest thing in the world, but sometimes it helps."

"And sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes action speaks louder than words. I've never felt more protected and safe than when I joined that fight club Chloe. This is me."

"Jack this isn't you, not at all. I understand where you're coming from but you've never been the kind of guy to do this kind of stuff. You were the good Christian guy that saved my life, not the one who participates in illegal fights. Where's your God in all this?" Chloe asked.

Yeah, it's been a ride
I guess I had to, go to that place, to get to this one
Now some of you, might still be in that place
If you're trying to get out, just follow me
I'll get you there

You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say 'em
Cause ain't no way I'ma let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say I'ma do something I do it,

I don't give a damn what you think,
I'm doing this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if it thinks it's stopping me
I'ma be what I set out to be, without a doubt undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me I'm tearing down your balcony

No ifs, ands or buts, don't try to ask him why or how can he
From "Infinite" down to the last "Relapse" album
He's still shitting, whether he's on salary paid hourly
Until he bows out or he shits his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for Christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the Earth, he's got the urge
To pull his dick from the dirt, and fuck the whole universe

Jack refused to answer this question, because to be honest, he didn't know how to answer it. Instead he just closed his eyes and Chloe sighed as she turned her attention to the road. All she could do was hope that her idea would actually help Jack. Fifteen minutes later, and Chloe had arrived at the fight club. She took notice of the broken down building. It didn't even look like a place that anyone would go to anymore. She turned to see Jack, and she nudged him slightly noticing that he had finally gotten some sleep.

He looked up at Chloe, and let out a yawn as he got out of the car with her, still unsure of what she was doing in the first place. They walked into the fight club together, and Chloe payed her fee. Joe spotted Jack quickly, and he made his way towards him.

"Wow Jack, it's nice to see you here...is this your girlfriend?"

For a moment there was an awkward silence, before Chloe answered for the two of them, "No, we're just friends. Are you Joe Young?"

"Oh well, you're a very pretty girl, Jack would have been a lucky guy," Joe laughed, "How did you know me?"

Chloe ignored his question, "How much money are you getting for Jack's fight?"

Joe's eyes widened at this, "Excuse me?"

"I know how people like you operate. Jack may not see it, but I do. You're using him to make money."

"I don't know this girl is Jack, but you better put a muzzle on her," Joe warned.

"Oh is that a threat?" Chloe raised her eyebrow, "Because I can call the police right now and put you behind bars."

At this Joe fell silent, "Ok, ok, what do you want?

"I want you to get Jack out of that fight."

Jack's eyes widened, "Chloe, no. Joe don't listen to her please."

"Jack can you just trust me?"

Before he could answer that, he felt someone brush past him and he turned to see that it was Dennis, his competiton for the Beginners Brawl. Dennis smirked when he saw Jack, "So you finally got your cast off? You still look weak."

Chloe could see the anger building up in Jack's face. It had to have been the steroids, because she had never seen Jack get so angry over something.

"How about we do this right now Dennis? Since I look weak."

Joe looked at Jack with a surprised face, and Dennis chuckled once more, "You think you're ready now? You realize you just called yourself to your own death right?"

"Set up my match Joe."

"Jack maybe you should think a little more about this, you still have another-"

"Just set it up!" Jack hissed, and Joe nodded nervously.

Okay quit playing with the scissors and shit, and cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words in the rhythm for you to know it's a rap
You said you was king, you lied through your teeth, for that
Fuck your fillings, instead of getting crowned you're getting capped
And to the fans, I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise, in fact
Let's be honest, that last "Relapse" CD was ehhh
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground

Relax, I ain't going back to that now
All I'm trying to say is get back, click-clack, blow
Cause I ain't playing around
It's a game called circle and I don't know how, I'm way too up to back down
But I think I'm still trying to figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out but I guess I didn't, this fucking black cloud
Still follows me around but it's time to exorcise these demons
These motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now!

It took a total of thirty minutes to set up the match. Joe called his Italian partner who engaged in gambling with him, as well as his other friends who had placed a bet on the match between Jack and Dennis. There were already ring girls there. They walked around in their skimpy outfits with their heels, and everyone sat down and watched. Chloe sat there, nervously biting her nails. She didn't know what to do. She had the urge to call his parents, or to call Leo or Ben, someone, but she knew that he had to do this on his own.

Jack wasn't even focused on the crowds loud chatter or cheering. He didn't even notice a man introduce the competitors, and he barely even remembered having been geared up. The two of them were both fair in their fighting. Neither competitor had brought sticks or anything like that to the match. When Joe said to start, something turned on in Jack's body. He felt like he had been doing this for years as he effectively circled around his opponent.

And I just can't keep living this way
So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, I'ma face my demons
I'm manning up, I'ma hold my ground
I've had enough, now I'm so fed up
Time to put my life back together right now! (now)

Dennis had gotten two good punches in, and Jack had never felt a force so strong and powerful come at him. He almost fell down to the ground by the first punch, and by the second punch, his nose was bloody. No one stopped the match because of this. It was illegal fighting which meant that anything could happen. He didn't waste any time worrying about his nose, instead he blocked Dennis' third punch and upper hooked him in the chin. Dennis stumbled back a little bit and Joe cheered from the sidelines.

"Come on Jack, stay on your toes. Keep moving!"

Chloe could barely watch. This kind of violence sickened her, and even though she had seen violence all her life, she still didn't want to watch it if she didn't have to. She could feel her eyes getting watery as the two continued fighting. Dennis kneed Jack in the jaw, and she could tell that he was hurt badly from this, but he kept fighting.

It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me
Admittedly, I probably did it subliminally
For you, so I could come back a brand new me you helped see me through
And don't even realize what you did, 'cause believe me you
I been through the ringer, but they could do little to the middle finger
I think I got a tear in my eye, I feel like the king of
My world, haters can make like bees with no stingers
And drop dead, no more beef lingers

No more drama from now on, I promise
To focus solely on handling my responsibilities as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof, like my daughters
And raise it, you couldn't lift a single shingle on it!
Cause the way I feel, I'm strong enough to go to the club
Or the corner pub, and lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raising the bar
I'd shoot for the moon but I'm too busy gazing at stars
I feel amazing and I'm...

Before long, Jack couldn't even hear Joe's screaming. The only thing he was focused on was beating Dennis, because to him beating Dennis was everything. It meant beating Mickey. It meant being strong. It meant getting the freedom that he needed. Dennis moved in for a kick and Jack caught hold of his leg, and effectively took him down with a single leg that Dennis didn't see coming.

"Yes, now start pounding on him Jack!" Joe cheered. Joe's Italian partner looked more than satisfied.

Jack found himself mounting Dennis, and throwing a series of punches to his face. He kept hitting him, and Dennis' vision was getting blurry now. He couldn't even fight back as Jack pounded on him. Suddenly, the sound of cop cars were heard inside the building. The cops were approaching the building and everyone began to panic. The referee was trying to stop the match, but Jack kept punching, and punching.

"Jack! Please! We have to go! Jack! Jack!" But Jack wasn't listening to to Chloe's frantic screaming.

She could feel the tears stinging in her eyes as she made the hardest decision of her life and left the building with the rest of the group, heading to the car. When Jack finally let go, it was just him and Dennis, and Dennis was out cold. Jack turned around, and fear began to engulf his body. Cops were approaching him, and without warning they put him in handcuffs. Jack searched for a familiar face, someone that could help him, but everyone was gone now.

A/N: So we finally got to Jack's fight...what did you guys think? The next chapter will have mostly all of the characters in it, as news start's to spread of Jack's arrest. I hope you guys enjoyed this. Thanks for reading!