AEZg82
The scar grows and bulges from Desperation’s cheek. Clay watches it, not sure how exactly it will change the man, but he remembers that Desperation is almost as strong as he is when that scar appears. Clay controls his breathing, taking air into his nose and out of his mouth. He focuses the energy in his body to his fists and his feet and he feels the muscles through his torso and legs return to normal size. He will be faster and his fists will have more of an impact.
“You did it now sweetness,” Desperation says cracking his knuckles. He jumps suddenly and Clay watches Desperation sail over his head and land next to the jungle gym. He rips the thing apart and wields metal poles in both hands. He charges at Clay and swings each of the metal poles, the right at Clay’s head, the left at his torso, and Clay dodges each blow. And then Desperation manages to connect with the back of Clay’s head and the impact forces Clay onto his knees. Desperation is relentless and hits Clay as many times as he can manage.
Clay dizzies but manages to get away.
“Come back here sweetness. I ain’t done with you yet.” Desperation throws both poles at Clay and even though he blocks them, he still feels the pain when they connect. And then Desperation tackles him to the ground and it shakes underneath them. He manages to grab Clay in a hold around his neck.
“I’m gonna fuck your girlfriend like the bitch he is,” he whispers into Clay’s ear. “Then I’m gonna kill him too.”
Clay roars and his muscles reinforce, but Desperation has a vice grip around his neck.
“Just give up sweetness. It’s over.”
Clay struggles and growls and then he manages to grab hold of Desperation’s shirt. He pulls and it rips from his body. All the while, Desperation’s grip never loosens.
“You like this shit don’t you? You faggot piece of shit. I bet your dick hard and everything. Just let go. Stop fighting it.”
Clay closes his eyes and he let’s himself be afraid for the first time during his conflict. He imagines Desperation putting hands on Ivan again and then there is a sensation like an explosion in his mind. He growls again and he manages to break Desperation’s hold. And then he punches and kicks at Desperation. He connects hard with Desperation’s face. It feels like a plate of metal at his right cheek, but Clay doesn’t stop. The volume of his growl increases and he punches harder and harder. Soon Desperation falls, bloody and on the verge on consciousness.
“Fuck you,” Desperation says on his back.
Clay stands over him and looks down. “This is for kissing Ivan.” Clay raises both his hands over his head and just as he swings them down to bash Desperation’s face in, there is a flash of green and then a green fireball connects with Clay’s chest and sends him flying.
Ivan descends next to Desperation and looks at Clay with tears in his eyes. Clay struggles to his feet.
“What are you doing?” Clay roars.
Ivan approaches Clay slowly and puts a hand on his face.
“You were going to kill him.” Ivan says.
“He deserves worse than that.” Clay says eyeing Desperation who is laughing to himself, but he is in pain and unable to move.
“I called the police,” Ivan days. “Let’s go.”
Clay never takes his eyes from Desperation, even as Ivan grabs him and the couple flies away towards Clay’s home.
The police arrive and Desperation is arrested for the gun fire that had ripped through the park earlier. He could have easily broken his handcuffs, but he needs to recuperate. Clay had beaten him with a force that he had never experienced before. It doesn’t make Desperation mad. He smiles all the way to the local jail. He would only get stronger, Desperation knows that. And he can’t wait for the next time.
Ivan stands behind Clay holding an ice pack to the lumps on his head and he is not being gentle. They are on the front porch of Clay’s house.
“Ivan,” Clay says sympathetically, “don’t press so hard.”
Ivan presses harder and Clay winces audibly.
“You were going to kill him.” Ivan says angrily.
“I wasn’t. I just wanted to knock him out.”
Ivan shakes his head. “Could you have stopped yourself.”
Clay grabs Ivan and pulls him onto his lap. He nuzzles at Ivan’s neck. “That’s what I got you for.”
Ivan is mad but he can’t help but smile. The two kiss.
“So it’s over?” Ivan asks.
Clay stares bullets at the house across the street. The biggest threat is off the board; all the other pieces should fall easily.
“It’s not over until Jamar’s in jail.”
Ivan says, “We can do that.” He grabs Clay’s hand.
“We can do it together.” Clay kisses Ivan and the two are happy.
PRL Serials 