with. – @milo-pierce where. – southwark fighting ring when. – june 3rd, 2009
There’s an explosion of light that blinds Nana, and as she stumbles back, attempting to keep her feet planted on the ground, another punch is thrown. It connects and she lets out a grunt through barred teeth. The chatter that surrounds the ring is loud. She can hear the taunts, the vicious laughter. But it doesn’t matter, because her opponent has taken a step too close, too far. So she lunges. Gloved hand coming to jab between his ribs, she kicks up her left leg, using her momentum to slip her leg between his, and jerk him towards the ground as she allows the majority of her weight to fall to the ground.
The conversation surrounding them grows louder and suddenly there’s yelling as she slams the man-- she thinks his name is William, into the ground. Another explosion of stars litters her vision as his fist connects with the side of her head, but she rushes him towards the ground, gloved hand connecting once, twice, with his face. Blood blooms from her knuckles and he’s raising his arms to stop her, but eventually taps the ground next to them.
She feels herself being pulled upwards, one arm held above her head as she surveys the ground. There are some who look disappointed, some who look relieved. Nana looks towards the man who’s being pulled towards the edge of the ring like trash, then back to the ceiling where the lights dance brilliantly above her.
It’s an hour later before she emerges from the back room. There is a new pair in the ring, their own injuries speckling across their bodies for all to see. Her own are now wrapped in gauze or hidden by her oversized sweatshirt. Taking to the back of the room, she watches in a semi-restricted area meant only for those who work or fight in the ring to avoid running into those who’ve placed bets. Something about safety, and it hadn’t been until recently that she began to appreciate the measures.
The sound of shuffling next to her causes her to glance their way, frown slowly tugging at the corners of her mouth as she realizes she doesn’t recognize this person. “You know this is a restricted area.”