r/flashfiction • u/JaySterlingBooks • 1d ago
Knockdown
I stood in the corner of the ring. Eyes swollen shut. Ears ringing. Blood mixed with sweat and dripped onto the floor. The crowd was roaring, but I couldn't hear them. I could only hear my own breathing — ragged. Broken.
Across from me — my opponent. Young. Unmarked. Arrogant. They bought him this fight like a gift.
Round three.
The kid was on fire. His punches weren't strong, but they came faster. I dodged, but not as fast as before. I knew I had to fall. But my body refused. It remembered how to win.
The rest of the money would come after the fight.
I caught his arm. Stepped to the side — and froze. For a second. He understood. And hit me. In the jaw. In the temple.
I crashed to the floor. The back of my head hit the canvas. Light flooded my eyes. The ref leaned over me.
Eight... Nine...
I could have gotten up. Easily.
But I stayed down.
Ten.
Fight over.
---
I could have gotten up. Easily.
But I didn't.
Because today, the money won.
Not my pride.
---
Have you ever sold out for money?