Because I ran in somewhat tamer circles, I was surprised to learn of an
underground world at Eastern; but Shepley knew about it before he had
ever enrolled. Travis, Shepley’s roommate and cousin, entered his first
fight seven months before. As a freshman, he was rumored to be the
most lethal competitor Adam had seen in the three years since creating
The Circle. Beginning his sophomore year, Travis was unbeatable.
Together, Travis and Shepley easily paid their rent and bills with the
winnings.
Adam brought the bull horn to his mouth once again, and the yelling
and movement escalated to a feverish pace.
“Tonight we have a new challenger! Eastern’s star varsity wrestler,
Marek Young!”
Cheering ensued, and the crowd parted like the red sea when Merek
entered the room. A circular space cleared, and the mob whistled, booed
and taunted the contender. He bounced up and down, and rocked his
neck back and forth; his face severe and focused. The crowd quieted to a
dull roar, and then my hands shot to my ears when music blared through
the large speakers on the other side of the room.
“Our next fighter doesn’t need an introduction, but because he scares
the shit outta me, I’ll give him one, anyway! Shake in your boots, boys,
and drop your panties, ladies! I give you: Travis ‘Mad Dog’ Maddox!”
The volume exploded when Travis appeared in a doorway across the
room. He made his entrance, shirtless, relaxed and unaffected. He
strolled into the center of the circle as if he were showing up to another
day at work. The lean muscles stretched under his tattooed skin as he
popped his fists against Marek’s knuckles. Travis leaned in and
whispered something in Marek’s ear, and the wrestler struggled to keep
his stern expression. Marek stood toe to toe with Travis, and they looked
directly into each others eyes. Marek’s expression was murderous; Travis
looked mildly amused.
The men took a few steps back, and Adam sounded the horn. Marek
took a defensive stance, and Travis attacked. I stood on my tip toes when
I lost my line of sight, leaning from side to side to get a better view. I
inched up, sliding through the screaming crowd. Elbows jabbed into my
sides, and shoulders rammed into me, bouncing me back and forth like a
pin ball. The tops of Marek’s and Travis’ heads became visible, so I
continued to push my way forward.
When I finally reached the front, Marek grabbed Travis with his thick
arms and attempted to throw him to the ground. When Marek leaned
down with the motion, Travis rammed his knee into Marek’s face. Before
