Eleven

A surge of both uncertainty and confidence spiralled within Jimmy as he registered what the voice had just said. It cemented the wild thoughts he’d been having into reality.

Jimmy hopped off his stool and turned around to see a man who towered over him. A man of bulk and muscle and no neck. A patchy, blonde beard sat uncomfortably on his face and his denim overalls barely contained his physique. His nose showed signs of multiple past breaks and he had a few missing teeth. However, his eyes and demeanour screamed a deep friendliness that would easily be missed.

“Hi. Yes, I am. Jimmy Byrne, pleasure to meet you.” Jimmy offered his hand to the towering monolith. A friendly ham-hock returned the gesture and Jimmy winced at the bone-crushing return.

“The names’ Cian Dunne. Good to meetcha. Is that your fighter there is it?” Cian leaned in close to get a good look at Norman. He gave his chin a good scratch before he stood back up.

“Yeah. That’s Norman. Stormin Norman as I like to call him.” Jimmy let a small chuckle escape as he stared nervously at Cian. The giant’s belly bounced as he let out an uproarious guffaw.

“Stormin Norman. Love it. This ere is Pecker.” Cian pulled at his overalls and fetched a scrawny looking rooster from somewhere near his chest. Poor Pecker was missing both an eye and a few feathers.

“Oh, he looks pretty beat up,” commented Scott.

“Don’t let the looks fool ya. Pecker’s been fighting a while and has made me a lot of money. Gets real psyched up when fighting the young ones, like he’s got something to prove to em.”

Cian brought his rooster forward to meet Norman. The two locked eyes and Pecker suddenly went berserk. He craned his neck and pulled back and screeched and launched forward, beak first at Norman. He was cut short by a mighty hand.

“Now now, Pecker. The fight hasn’t started yet. You know that ain’t good sport to be like that. We’re ready whenever you are, Jimmy.” Cian and Pecker walked off.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Are you sure you want to do this, buddy?” Scott asked.

“No, but what choice do I have? I need the money.” Jimmy rubbed Norman’s head to calm him down. The rooster quaked in his hands.

“None, I suppose. A drink first?” Jimmy nodded.

After he smashed his drink, Jimmy approached a pen made of timber. Cian stood on the other side. The giant man gave his pet a pep-talk.

“Scott, do me a favour?” Jimmy looked at his friend. “Can you make the bet for me? All two hundred on Norman winning. No specifics, just a win. I can’t seem to bring myself to do it.”

“Yeah, sure. Are you ready?” Jimmy nodded. “Alright, I’ll go grab a ref.”

“Hey Jimmy, no hard feelings on whoever wins. But I’ll give you a warning, coz it seems like you’re new to this whole thing. It can get pretty ugly for the roosters. Hope you don’t mind seein your pet get hurt.”

“No hard feelings, yeah. But know, I hope we win, coz I want the money. Thanks for the advice.”

“Of course. Their medical bills can suck. And sometimes, it just ain’t worth it, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah.” Jimmy gave Norman a pat and waited patiently for Scott’s return. He wanted the whole thing to be over already.

“Alright. We’ll be getting a crowd shortly. I’ve told a few people, plus the ref will get it going. You still good to go with all this?”

“Yep. Like I said, I’ve got no other options. Unless you can get me out of debt with all the money you earn in this place.” Jimmy looked at Scott with raised eyebrows.

“A lot of me money is tied up in investments. If my old man kicked the bucket tomorrow, I’d pay it off with whatever money I got from him. I’d still get you to pay me back, but I wouldn’t be as harsh as Mr. Walsh,” Scott chuckled.

“No, I’ve gotta do this on my own. I got myself into it, I can get myself out of it.”

“Unless you don’t. Which probably means you’re dead.” Scott clapped Jimmy hard on the shoulder.

“Wait, what?” Jimmy’s fearful anxiety began to claw at the base of his skull.

“Mr. Walsh kills people, Jimmy. If they fuck him over.”

“Oh, great.” Jimmy felt his body tighten and his throat go dry.

“I wouldn’t let it get to that, if I can. You’re me best mate, I won’t let you die because of a fuck up.” A small crowd had started to gather around the pen.

“Okay people, listen up. Roll up and watch the ensuing fight. Two roosters will fight, and I’m sure their owners hope not to the death. In this corner, we have Pecker, a veteran in this place. In the other corner, we have newcomer Norman.” An elderly woman with a walking stick projected her voice to surprising levels. “The fight will start in two minutes. Place your bets now!”

“Hello sweetie. You nervous?” Aisling came up beside Jimmy.

“A little. No, a lot. Very much so. What if I lose and he dies? What if Mr. Walsh kills me? I’m absolutely fucked. What am I doing?”

“Relax,” replied Aisling.