Biting Back

[Neptune]

It was a strange feeling, you know? I had always believed that I was invincible. I had always believed nobody could hurt me as long as I had my deadly weapons at my disposal. And yet... and yet... someone had gone and done it. Someone had actually managed to hurt me and make me scream like I've never screamed before. I looked into his face and gave him the satisfaction of hearing me scream... the satisfaction of watching me scream because of him. It was humiliating. Degrading. Almost fatal.

Almost.

BITING BACK

The cab driver who takes me back to my hotel room doesn't want to look at me in the eyes. I guess with my eyes being red and puffy and all, he probably thinks I'm sick or worse, a druggie of some kind.

I don't care to correct his thoughts. Instead I wallow in mine and think of Klayton Gunn. The name sends shivers down my spine. I keep replaying what has happened between us in my head and I keep wondering what went wrong. What did I do that gave him the advantage over me?

After I give the cab driver his fee and exit the taxi (without saying 'thank you' because I actually hate people) I go up to my room in the hotel. It is a modest place. Staying there while I am looking for an apartment. Trivial things that don't matter much to me right now. Right now, I just want to go lie on the bed and forget.

Forget...

...but the world won't let me forget. As I lay here on this not so comfy bed, I hear my mobile phone vibrate. I have received a text message from the UWA management team. I have been booked in a match. Against... Klayton Gunn. The name send shivers down my spine. I hate it when it does that. I re-read the text, making sure I'm not mistaken.

Indeed I am facing Klayton Gunn. And if I'm honest with you, I'll tell you that at first, I am not looking forward to it. After what he did to me, why would I be excited at the idea of being in the ring with him? But after thinking about it, I'll tell you how I truly feel. Yes, there is fear at first, but then logic and common sense help me focus.

Klayton Gunn. I suspect you have been using steroids. There I said it. There's no way, when I really think about it, that you could have done what you did without the help of illegal substances. I mean, seriously, there's no way you can just lick the sweat off my foot and not be phased by it. It just doesn't happen unless you're under the influence of some drug. Why did you take the drugs, Klayton? WHY?

Is it because of the pressure you're putting yourself under. You want to be seen as the best so you do whatever it takes to give the world the illusion that you're better than what you truly are. But we know the truth, you and I. We both know that the only reason you were able to catch my feet is because you were not yourself. You had drugs running through your veins. You're nothing but a phony and a coward, Klayton Gunn. And I'm going to expose the truth to the world.

I know you'll try and bullshit your way out of this. Try to convince people that you are capable of anything. Well, I don't believe you and now, neither does the world. I will demand that you're tested for steroids. So you better make sure you don't have any in your system when we get into the ring together. And when you do step in the ring, free of drugs... you'll realize who truly is who's bitch.

What will you do when the drugs won't be there to help you, eh? I don't think with your clutches taken away, you'd be that much of a threat to me. I knew there must have been a reason behind your attitude and your boundary issues. For a second there, I truly thought I should be afraid of you. But now I realize, you're the one who's going to be afraid.

I even challenge you to catch my feet again. Or even make me scream like you did before. You can try but it won't work this time. This time I'll be prepared and I'll make sure you're tested. This time, your hands won't be able to touch me. Anywhere. I'll be too quick and too strong for you. When I'll crush your face with my feet, you'll realize just how stupid you were and just how much of a bitch you truly are. The way you treated me last time won’t be repeated. Ever again. You can try all you want to prove me wrong but you’ll fail.

I’m sure you’re going to say that I’m deluded. That I’m in denial. That I should accept my fate as your bitch and be at your feet. Well, you can run your mouth as much as you want, but it won’t change the truth. I know that you cheated your way into dominating me. The fact that you won’t be able to repeat such a feat in the ring will be proof enough of that. It will show the world what a fake and what a phony you are. You are a disgrace.

I mean, just look at yourself. You wear makeup and paint your nails. Fuck, what are you? A woman? Oh, sorry, I forgot. You’re the bitch so you wear the makeup and all that shit. Easy shots, you say? Well don’t make it so easy, dickhead. You want to call me names? You want to call me your bitch? You haven’t beaten me in the ring yet. You haven’t made me tap out. Good luck with getting that done. My feet will be ready to take you down and force you to admit who’s the boss. I’m the boss of you, Klayton. That’s the way it’s going to be.

I get in the shower, to wash away the dirt, the sweat and the tears of humiliation that covered my face and body. It feels good to have water running through my hair and feeling it cleanse me.

After I’m done drying up with a towel, I wrap it around my waist. I get a drink from the fridge and sit on the chair on the balcony. I put my bare feet up, letting the cool breeze caress my toes. I have trained my feet to be deadly. They may be hairless and look soft, but when I apply myself, I can kill with them.

I think of Klayton and I feel sorry for him. The last thing he’ll see when he faces me will be my foot hitting his fucking face.