Song^ Bloodsport by Raleigh Ritchie

It's almost been a week, and Carol hardly has spoken to me. Every time I try to start a conversation with her, she instantly shuts me down.

It hurts.

It really hurts.

With Carol not speaking to me, at least my boxing is increasing. Elizabeth says that I'm advancing faster than any of her students who have been there for months, and I've only been there for not even a week.

It's Thursday, and I'm sitting at the desk with a ton of paperwork. My manager came in and said that Genevieve was going to be taking over the class today, and I was a little relieved, but not when I found out I had a ton of paperwork.

As I'm going through this paperwork, my mind wanders off somewhere and I can't help but think;

Harge hasn't done anything lately.

I haven't gotten any calls about anything, and I'm starting to think that maybe he gave up. Maybe he realized that it was hopeless to fight a battle in which he was going to lose anyways.

But, I spoke too soon.

I heard my phone ring in my pocket and I pulled it out and saw that Stephanie was calling me. I answered, "Hello?"

"Terry, you need to come to my house right now. It's an emergency," she sounded panicky and I felt my heart start pounding.

"What's wrong?" I had a feeling I knew where this was going.

"It's Richard," she paused. "Someone attacked him,"

I felt my pulse in my veins and I felt my heart pound against my chest. I tightened my fist on the desk as I tried to hold it all together.

"I'm on my way,"

"Hurry. I already called the police," she hung up and I quickly grabbed everything and informed my manager about what was going on.

I quickly rushed out to my car and got in then drove off. The whole ride there, my blood was boiling and I felt my skin crawl because there wasn't a doubt in my mind about who did this.

Time is running out for me.

It didn't take long to get there, and I already saw two police cars there. I knew this was going to get bad, and I pray that Richard hasn't said anything to them about Harge. I didn't want him doing that, and I know that it would be the best, but damn it, I want Harge!

I personally want to get a hold of Harge, because all the police are going to do is investigate and Harge is going to lie like he's never lied before, and sure enough, he'll get out of this situation. That's why I want him personally.

To beat his fucking ass.

I got out and saw a few police officers look at me as I was making my way to the front door. I walked right in and saw another police officer talking to Stephanie, and that's when I saw Richard getting checked out by a paramedic, on the couch.

I walked over to him and sat down. I studied his face, and it looked horrible. He had blood dripping down his face, a black eye, busted lip. His clothes looked torn and they had blood stains on them also.

He looked over at me and I saw something in his eyes. He looked away as the paramedic was looking him over. I looked over at Stephanie and she looked at me. "Hey," she walked over to me and I stood up. She sighed, "I don't know," she crossed her arms and looked at Richard. "Richard didn't get a look at the person who did this to him, so the information to the police is useless,"

I looked down then back up at her. "I'm sorry,"

She looked at me, "Why are you sorry?"

I shrugged. I didn't want to tell her anything, even though it is my fault. All of this is my fault.

What happened to Phyllis; my fault.

What happened to Richard; my fault.

Who's next?

After the paramedic talked to Stephanie about Richard. I caught sight of him looking at me. I sat down next to him and looked him over, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

He didn't say anything as he was watching the paramedic. But, as soon as he left, Richard started, "Why, Terry? That is what I want to know," I gave him a confused look but he continued, "Don't play the innocent game, Terry! Why won't you get the fucking police involved!?"

I looked up at Stephanie as she was watching us, clearly confused.

I looked back at Richard, "Because-"

"Fuck that shit!" he yelled. "Terry, look at me! Do you see what that bastard did!?" he was breathing heavily.

"Wait," Stephanie stepped in and looked at Richard. "You knew who did this?" Richard nodded. "Why the hell didn't you tell the police?" she stared at him.

He looked at me, "Because," he looked back at her. "I'm a terribly good friend," he looked down and I felt so fucking bad. "Terry," he continued to look down. "I want you to know something," he looked up and I saw a tear fall from his eye. "If you do not get the police involved, and he harms more people, I will personally forget our friendship. Do you understand?"

I nodded and felt a tear fall from my eye but I quickly wiped it away. The pain I'm feeling right now, is no match for anything I have ever dealt with before. This pain was the most real thing I have ever encountered because I personally brought it upon myself by myself.

I heard Richard sigh and he looked at me, "I want you to leave, Terry,"

I stared at him, "What?"

I took a deep breath, "I want you to get the hell away from me and Stephanie. I don't want you near us until you figure out what is right. I want you to lose contact with us and never talk to us again,"

I felt my heart breaking, "Richard-"

"No, Terry. You need to leave, now," I saw him look away and wipe his eyes. When he looked back at me, I saw something in his eyes that I've never seen before. "Goodbye, Terry,"

I stood up and wiped my eyes as I walked out the door and to my car. As I sat there, I cried. I cried so fucking hard that I was gasping for air. The pain I was experiencing in my chest was so fucking bad that I couldn't bare it.

I drove away from there. I couldn't shake the thoughts from my head, and I surely knew that I couldn't ignore them now. I needed to stop fighting them and start feeding them.

I needed to find Harge.

*

I pulled up in my driveway. It was a few minutes after three thirty, and I knew Carol would be home soon. I didn't want to face her. I couldn't face her. Every time I see her, I'm reminded of how fucked up I really am.

I mean, I encountered her ex husband three times and she has no fucking clue that he's threatening me. She has no idea what shit I'm going through because I can't bring myself to tell her.

I'm a fucked up human being.

That's just who I am.

I knew Carol would be home soon. I sat there thinking for a minute and I knew that I would have to let Carol know that I'm gone somewhere. I got out and walked inside to find some paper and a pen to write with.

I quickly wrote something down and stuck it on the door as I was walking out. As soon as I got in the car, I knew that I was screwed.

I didn't know where Harge even lived.

I groaned and got out of the car and rushed inside. I knew that it was probably useless to look around inside the house, but I could find at least something, right?

Wrong.

I couldn't find a damn thing. I mean, why would Carol have Harge's address around? I don't even think she knows he's even back.

I walked outside and started thinking about how I could find him. I didn't even know if he lived in our town, or the town over or what. Damn it. Of course it's going to be hard to find him.

I pulled off the driveway and started driving. I didn't know where I was going, but it felt like I was being pulled by a force and I was turning down roads after roads, with no clue where the hell I was.

I pulled up at a store, and it was the same store I went to that day when I ran into Harge. I got out and walked inside to look around. I acted like I was searching for something, but I really had no clue what I was doing.

I heard the door chime and I quickly looked over and I felt my heart stop. Without even having any idea how the hell it happened, I started panicking.

Harge walked in and I quickly hid behind something in order for him not to see me. I felt my heart pound and so many thoughts were running through my head that I was having a hard time breathing.

How the hell did I know that he was going to be here?

I shook the thoughts away and I slowly leaned up and looked around and spotted him grabbing a drink from the cooler. I took this opportunity to sneak out the door without him noticing me.

As soon as I got out, I ran to my car and quickly got in. I don't think he knew my car, and I pray he doesn't. I slouched down in the seat and waited until he walked out of the store. It takes a few minutes, but when he walks out, I feel my pulse again.

I watch as he walks to a car and gets in. When he starts leaving, I take this opportunity and start my car and follow him.

Maybe I'm insane, maybe I'm not the smartest person in the world, but I won't stop for anything until I know that he won't fuck with anybody else in my life. The thought of Phyllis and Richard haunts my mind as I'm following behind him, but not so close.

As soon as we turn down a street, I see a lot of houses and he starts slowing down. I don't hesitate when he pulls into a driveway as I speed off a little and park somewhere down the street where I can see his house in view.

I watch from afar and see him get out with a bag. When he enters the house, I get out and start walking down the street. It feels weird to me having to do this, because I was never the type to investigate or follow people around because I never did think about a situation that I would be in that I would have to do it.

Now I am, and I'm scared shitless.

I walk up the driveway and feel my heart pounding with every step I take. I try to calm my nerves but it seems like it only makes it worse as I approach the door.

I turn the knob and to my surprise, it's unlocked. I slowly open it and quickly peek my head inside and look around. There's no sign of Harge, so I open the door more and quietly shut it behind me.

I take small steps and I try to calm my breathing in order to listen for any tiny sounds that might alert me. I need to be guarded and quick to my feet if I hear or see Harge anywhere.

I walk halfway in the living room until I hear a voice, "What a nice surprise," I look to my left and I see Harge walking towards me from the hall. "Therese Aird, it's great to see you," he smiled at me and I felt my insides burn.

We stared at each other for a while, and I didn't know if I should charge at him or just stay frozen for all eternity.

He started walking towards me, "You know, Therese. It's illegal to break into someone's home without their permission," he stood in front of me. "You know, a lot of people around here don't like that and when they find out that someone came into their home without them knowing, you know what happens?" he asked.

I didn't say anything as I just stood there watching him. He smiled and his eyes flickered to something then back at me. "I'll tell you what happens," he paused and took a few steps back and I watched him until he was a few feet away and not standing directly in front of me.

He smiled at me, "They get shot,"

I felt something up against my back and before I had any thoughts to move, I heard a loud noise and I felt my whole body crumble to the ground.

______

"Terry? Terry! Damn it, Terry! Stay with me! Oh God.. Drive faster! Terry, can you hear me? You're losing a lot of blood, Terry.. So much blood,"