Enervate (verb): weaken

Vision hazed with fog and feet wobbling on ground that swam like quicksand, the boxer couldn’t help but flop uselessly against the ring’s ropes. Her fists were itching and stinging with sweat inside her gloves, and her left wrist screamed with leftover pain from a punch that must’ve struck wrong.

The crowd booed, a chilling serenade that made her feel as if she was fighting more than the opposite corner.

Tears threatened the edges of her eyes. Gone were the warm fires of passion that kept her in the sport throughout the years, and replacing it was a crippling wave of doubt surging from the angry spectators.

Stolen story; please report.

Momentarily, she regained consciousness.

Bam!

Her guard flew up a hairsbreadth before her opponent’s fist. Blinking through confusion and sweat, she threw a punch of blind faith rather than strength.

She struck air, and a new condemnation flooded the audience and over her senses.

Their cries were becoming muffled. She doubted that it was a good thing considering the new ringing in her ears, but the murky vision of the world seemed like a nice relief. Heat and exhaustion ran like lead within her limbs, and she barely felt her body growing heavier and heavier.