Dances with Monsters(135)

Drew nodded, looking thoughtfully after him. She supposed she needed to watch out for him in the future.

***

The tournament was several fights in, and Drew was exhilarated. She had no idea she'd come to enjoy watching MMA fights as much as she was right now. She was working on her third pint of the cheap arena beer; she suspected that might have something to do with it. She wasn't sure when Heath was supposed to be fighting, but there had been five fights so far. She had realized shortly before the start of the tournament that the press box where the two commentators had set up shop. As a result, she could hear everything they were saying and she had to roll her eyes occasionally. All they did was argue amongst themselves about their opinions on the fighters and shout and ooh and ah when the fights were taking place.

Suddenly the lights dimmed again and some heavy metal song started playing as the announcer began to call forth one of the next fighters. Drew listened hard but she couldn't make out his name. A punk-looking solid young man began dancing down the aisles. He had a mohawk and his arms were each covered in a sleeve of tattoos. He seemed to be incredibly amped up as he slapped hands with fans on his trek toward the cage.

The lights dimmed a little again and this time, Drew was able to hear the name that was being called because there was no music playing. Her stomach clenched in excitement as she heard, "Heath One-Hitter-Quitter Riley!"

He is not going to like that, Drew couldn't help thinking as she strained to catch sight of him. She finally saw him, wearing a black sweatshirt, the deep hood pulled low over his head as he made his way to the ring. Fans, male and female, screamed, and sudden movements caught her eye as signs bearing his name, some with hearts, rose into the air.

But he acknowledged none of it, solely focused on getting into the ring and "going to work", as he liked to say. He was close enough to see clearly now, perhaps twenty feet away from their seats, and he quickly stripped off his sweatshirt and handed it to John, who trailed behind him. Drew held her breath as he entered the ring, and allowed herself a moment to admire his smooth skin and his taut muscles. He shoved his mouth guard in and focused intently on his opponent.

When the match began, he held back, waiting to see what his opponent would do. The young man flew at him with a series of lightning fast kicks and punches. Heath deflected and side-stepped his blows, not concerned, not worried, just focused in that intent manner. This continued on for a few more moments; Drew knew he was studying the young man, getting a feel for his style, before he ended it quickly.

The young man launched another kick, toward Heath's head. Heath lashed out with an arm, winding it around the man's leg and pulling it in tight to his side. He blocked a flailing, startled punch from the other man before sending his fist directly into the middle of the man's face. His opponent's head flew back and he crumpled to the mat, sliding out of Heath's grasp.

"That's how it's done!" Connor shouted jovially, pumping his fists in the air. "That's right!"

Drew cheered loudly, drawing the attention of one of the commentators seated in the box in front of her. It wasn't the first time they'd studied her. They always smiled, always waved or gave her some polite acknowledgment.

As Heath made his way across the ring, she heard them.

"Seated directly behind us, Bryan, is the family of Heath Riley," one of the men was saying. "We've got his father John helping him out, but his brother Connor, who he famously fought and lost to at Ultimate Warrior late last year, is in attendance today with his wife Lana, and a very lovely young lady who up until now has been a bit of a mystery."

Drew's head snapped up, and even Heath paused near the door of the cage, fixing the two unaware commentators with a stare.

"We have rumors that the young woman is Heath Riley's girlfriend who had a run-in with some fans and security earlier today; we're told she was struck with a bottle of iced water in the back before Heath came to her rescue. And just a little bit ago we received confirmation that her name is Drew Carnevale from Pittsburgh. Originally from New York, we now have confirmation that she was the victim involved in one of the most heinous rapes and attempted murders of the past year; she was the victim of Jackson James and we have reports that she will be testifying at his trial this coming week, as she remains his only living victim."

Drew felt the blood drain from her face as a strange, lightheaded sensation came over her. Her heart stuttered and jerked oddly as she felt seemingly every pair of eyes turn in her direction. The logical part of her brain knew that wasn't true; however, people had turned to look at her, including Lana and Connor. They both looked equally horrified.