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[center]December 4th, 2019[/center]
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In the days followin his skirmish with the mob, the transformation had reached its pinnacle. He was faster, stronger, agile, more energized, and taller than ever. Not only that, but he felt. . . smarter? Using Uncle Red's sorrowfully outdated Dell computer, Marvin began researching what exactly had caused this steady change in his body: he yielded no results, but he would continue his search another time. For now,

"Time'na get back to it." Uncle Red called,

Marvin swept sweat from his forehead with the white towel wrapped around his neck. He returned to the heavybag which lay on its side and returned to practicing his transitions; top mount into sideguard, sideguard into north-south, back into sideguard, and finally sideguard into back mount. From back mount he reigned hammerfists on the cushion of the bag--thunderous pops echoed throughout the gym, blows so powerful they sounded like gunshots. He wrapped his arms around his would be opponent's neck and flipped him into a seamless rear-naked choke. 

"Good, boy, good. You gettin' the hang of this thang, 'uh?" Gaines quothed,
"Yeah, unc'," Marvin sucked in as much oxygen as possible between speaking, "shit still kickin' my ass though. You sure know how to make a man ti'ed." Marvin chuckled, Red as well.

"Look, bo', we gon' finish up here then you gon' tell me what's on ya mind."
"Ain't nothin' on my mind!" Marvin objected, Red shot back stern disbelief.

Marvin knew said look all too well, in all these years, he could never get a lie past old Archie Gaines. He kissed his teeth, still objecting. Nonetheless, he obliged and Archie went to grab the mitts typically used for testing Marvin's punching accuracy and speed. He assumed the clinch, interlocking both sets of fingers and wrapping his hands around the base of Archie' neck; he pulled down lightly and began to rain soft knees into the mits. He alternated for two reps before he transitioned guard and wrapped the crook of his left arm around Archie's upper arm while keeping his right hand around Archie's neck and twisted him around. From the single collar tie overhook, he initiated a single leg trip and softly guided Gaines to the mat below.

Once Gaines got up, they reset position; this time, Marvin tossed a jab-hook combination into both mits and as Gaines twisted his body and placed the mit near his left oblique, Marvin threw a turning left kick. There was enough power to stumble Uncle Red sideways, his disposition spun foul.

"Bo', hell wrong witcha?"

Hayes went silent for a moment before speaking up,

"Just a lot on my mind, Unc'. Worried and shit, you know? They ain't just comin' for me. They'll come for everybody I know."

Silence clenched the surrounding air.

Archie gleaned the deteriorating walls which barely held up the interior of the smoky old gym. There were memories for him here; he raised his children here, taught kids the meaning of hard work, ambition, respect. The gym had been a staple of this small Nevada neighborhood for more than 20 years; moving on was never something he considered. Not at 55.

"Y', guess so, . . . I guess it's 'bout time to give this ole trap up enway." he grinned before glancing around again, "what to do 'bout all this stuff, thou'?"

"I'll take it. I could do some good wit' it." 
"Yeah? Well, I guess it's yours nah. Take care of it, an' be careful, it done been through a lot."

Marvin game gave another smile, "What about you? What chu gonna do? You ain' seen much of the world outside this raggedy ass gym." Marvin chuckled a little,

"That's what [i]you[/i] think, nigga. I been savin' every penny I got from this place since 1990; secretly went and bought me a boat. Might find me a nice li'l thang and hit the seas, shiiit--Bangkok, Venezuela, Paris, London.Hahaha! I might be old, but I ain't dead yet!" Archie mused. Out gym back was his grey Toyota truck. The two stepped into the alley which lead to the gym and Archie handed him the keys to the establishment.

"You be safe out here boy, look after yoself. Call me if you need anything ya hea'?"

"Yeah, Unc', I hear you." The two hugged. Gaines got in his car and with a final nod of his head, rode off to begin a new life.

Marvin stood alone, ready to begin a new life of his own. The mob was soon to come for him full force, and he would be ready.