…the driver pops the sliding door open with a handheld remote, and with a growl of the engine, the car tears out of the warehouse.

They cruise through the city for about ten minutes before turning into an alleyway.

At the center of the alley sit two cars with bold racing stripes, engines idling like they’ve been waiting.

5 men lounge on the cars without a care, but as the Subaru nears, their expressions sharpen—like a long-anticipated event is finally here.

The car stops, and everyone piles out. Tyler calls out to one of the men resting on one of the cars.

"You got yours?" He shouts.

The man nods. Two of the others head to the back door of one of the cars and pull it open, revealing another young man—no older than Jake—who steps out.

One of the men says to the teenager, "Don't disappoint us. Just do what we talked about, and you'll finally be earn your spot."

Tyler turns to Jake in the car. "Okay, Jake, here's your time to shine. Kick that kid's ass, and we'll be on our way. And you won't have to put up with any shit like this anymore. I promise."

After a quick nod, Jake steps out of the vehicle and heads toward the ring formed by the parked cars.

"Now we have ourselves a fight!" Tyler shouts.

Cash circulates through the group while Jake and his opponent size each other up.

Towering above Jake, the other teen’s broad shoulders make him look twice as big.

They’ve got to be joking. This guy has at least 50 pounds on me, Jake tells himself.

“Fight!” Tyler yells, and the small crowd erupts.

Both Jake and his opponent raise their fists to their cheeks.

The teen without delay goes for a heavy swing to Jake's head. Jake slips under it and returns with a light jab to his jaw.

Jake dodges another swing from the left this time.

I can do this. He's slow. Just do what you and Marcus practiced.

Jake fakes a left jab, then throws a right hook to his opponent’s temple. 

I got this. Any moment now, he'll be out.

Dropping his defenses, Jake’s opponent rushes forward and charges Jake like a bull. Unable to escape the rush, Jake gets caught in a bear hug, hoisted into the air, then slammed hard onto the asphalt.

The force of the impact leaves Jake gasping for air. His opponent pins him down, raining blows onto his head. Jake raises his arms to block, but the strikes keep landing. Eventually, Jake unwillingly lowers his guard, surrendering to the barrage of punches, letting them land unable to resist.

Tyler storms over and drives a kick into the teenager’s back.

“Oi! You big dumb troll!” he snaps.

“This is supposed to be a fight not a fucking murder. You Bulldogs think just because we met on your turf you get to make the rules.” His voice cracking with rage.

“If you want to act like wild animals?” he shouts, voice cracking.

“Then I’ll treat you like wild animals!”

Jake, barely conscious, struggles to grasp Tyler’s words, his mind heavy and clouded. His vision swims, details fading into a blur. Somewhere in the haze, a flash of metal glints, inching closer and closer to him. Then an ear-splitting crack broke through the fog…