Antony

Something very interesting has happened in my absence.

It seems Uvo has been scouted for a fight. Not that I am surprised, he looked like he knew what he was doing, even if only a small amount. No doubt he has good judgment and a strong punch.

My school day was long and boring as usual. I am not very book smart, I just use a wider range of vocabulary than most people, which serves as a sufficient deception to my intelligence, but also allows for me to perform the role of class clown quite effectively. Much to my teacher’s utter despair.

I also have a weird attention span. Sometimes I can concentrate for very long periods of times, other times I’m distracted within 10 seconds by drawing.

It's funny, the only thing I seem to be able to concentrate on for long periods of time is drawing.

Well, it's not hugely funny considering it's my job.

I got a call from my agent last night warning me about a deadline so every second I spend away from the drawing board is a second wasted.

The drawing in question is a long-running comic that I am submitting a cover art for. If I could land the job as one of the artists it would be my fast track to fame and fortune.

Such a thing would be infinitely appreciated, however, much harder to actually achieve. My arms were tired and I had already given up 3 times, requiring a call from my agent to set me back on track. That, I appreciated more than anything.

My teacher caught me a couple of times. I just laughed it off, most of the class was used to my name being shouted at random intervals during maths class.

The only other thing I had to look forward to was the gym session in the afternoon, which brings me back to the current situation - The betrayer and the betrayed.

I don’t actually mind, but I’ll be damned if I pass on this opportunity to spread a little bit of guilt.

I’d like to think I’m not an evil man. I’ve never done anything inherently bad, just said some things that caused things to happen that may not have the most positive outcomes. Luckily nothing serious, I keep myself on a tight leash as it were.

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“So, got yourself a venue for the big debut, champ.”

I mocked half-heartedly.

“Yeah, should be fun.”

“Yeah sure, if you consider being beaten to a wet, messy, bloody pulp fun, then you’re going to the right place. You realise this is your second day right?”

He chuckled when he realised that I was only a quarter serious and carried on punching the bag in a significantly more controlled manner to before.

Oh well, if he wants to get his head smashed in then who am I to tell him he can't?

I left the grunting, white-haired Uvo and stopped at another bag. Might as well try my hand at it while I am here.

I am quite a fit person so I was fully expecting to perform decently at the very least.

That would be quite accurate it turns out, my punches were solid but the continuous collisions knackered me out significantly quicker than I thought they would.

The lady watched me through the office window for a bit but stopped after a while. Turns out I'm not suited for this.

I stepped away from the bag and started skipping, this was much more down my alley, I could go forever.

Half an hour went by and Uvo was still training the same punch, I wonder how he stays so focused, I would have been bored by then.

After another half an hour I showered and packed my things, waving at Uvo who nodded back I left the building.

I chose this gym because it was quiet and separated, giving me some alone time. However, my biggest reason was that it is the one that's furthest away from home.

Home is not really a good word because I don't feel like I'm home when I'm there.

I walk up to the large gate that looms before me like some sort of boss’s entrance from the latest VR game, and it scans me then lets me in. I am greeted by a barking dog and a long garden road to the main house.

My room is inside, up the stairs and to the right, I'm going to need to do this journey without anyone spotting me.

I calmed the dog down by scratching under its chin for a bit, he was an old dog called Charlie. His fur which was once a shiny brown coat was now wiry grey, it didn't seem to quell the goofy grin he always had plastered to his face, happily oblivious of any problems outside or inside my giant house.

I then started off down the path, making it into the house and up the stairs with no one seeing me. I could see my room down the hallway and footsteps coming from the other direction. If I hurry I can make it, cutting it close I managed to slip into my room, closing the door as silently as possible, I waited for 30 painful seconds but there was no knock. I walked to my desk and planted myself on my bed with the intention of staying there until morning.