Chapter 29 The Round Table
Foster
After months of qualifying rounds and a grueling semi-final match, I can't believe I'm at the Round Table finals. Last year's winner, Bruce, waits for me in the octagon at the end of the obstacle course. My blood has been replaced with adrenaline and pure power. There's no room for fear of failure. I've practiced, I have my family watching and cheering in my corner, I have to win this.
They play my story up on the preview screen. They make a huge deal about "Foster the foster-care failure." God, I hate that moniker, but it gets the crowd on my side. The sad music changes to triumphant and they show me with Mila, then they go through each of the semi-final matches. They spend some time on the blood from my mouth after some huge Russian guy nailed me on my second-semi-final round. It bled a lot so it made good T.V. but I came back and clocked the guy and got him on a TKO.
"Tonight is the night. His family is here cheering him on." The crowd roars as they cut to Mila, Knox, Sutton, Mace and Remy. My family. We've adopted Knox, Sutton, and Mace legally. Remy had some issues with the paperwork, but still considers me his dad. They're all wearing shirts that say "Foster for the win! "
The buzzer rings and I'm off. I've practiced this a million times. It's not about the fastest speed. It's about accuracy. Climbing the rails, a stunt where you have to ratchet the bar up five levels is my greatest challenge. You have to keep the bar straight. If one side tips lower than the other, you drop thirty feet into the water.
In this case, my fear of water has helped me because I don't want to fall in.
I finish that challenge and the crowd roars. Two seconds to catch a breath and I'm climbing the wall.
After the wall, I manage to negotiate through the forest of doom, reverse hold pull-ups while swinging like Tarzan.
I make it to the platform before the water feature. I have to jump in, turn a handle while underwater to open a small door and swim through. This is the one that held me back all these years, but it's time to face it.
The door on the water challenge sticks shut, and I have to go up for a second breath. I lost seconds, but I only have to beat Bruce's previous time. My second attempt cracks the door and I crank it open, swim through, and I'm up and out on the other side.
I climb the last rope ladder and smack the buzzer. A jumbo green sign lights up that says "Winner." I beat Bruce's time. Now I get to fight him. It's a long walk up a steep staircase to the raised octagon. Bruce is waiting there for me, muscles puffed up, jaw tight, shoulders high .
The lights reflect off his bald head. I've been studying his style. He's weak on his left side and he consistently comes out with a kick-punch combo.
His big advantage is he didn't do the course today. He's fresh. Hopefully he's cold, because I'm hot as hell and I feel like I could climb the Statue of Liberty.
The ref goes over the rules. They follow typical MMA rules, which are more restrictive than the underground fights. No dirty shots in the octagon, but essentially I'm free to kick his ass however I prefer. He's been talking smack about me, saying I'm the skinny kid because I'm lean compared to his bulk.
I'm not pulling any punches for him. I'm going to start with his ugly face. I rush him and he dances around, trying to tire me out. "I can go all night, asshole."
"Fuck you," he says.
He leads with his kick punch combo but I grab his leg and twist him off balance. That's my in.
I'm in the zone. I'm not even sure what he's doing because I'm throwing everything I got at him. Full-force kicks and punches in rapid succession. Good. Blood.
This riles him up and he lands a kick to my side. He's adjusting to my style so I have to pivot.
Let's take this to the mat .
He throws a punch, and I let it land on my gut. It hurts but gives me the chance to grab his wrist, get in there, and get an arm around his neck. He fights it by staying up on one knee, so I jump up and over him while wrenching his arm back. This forces his back to the mat and I'm on him.
I have his hand pinned and I'm going off on his face.
This is T.V. though so someone pulls me off him.
They are tending to his face when I feel hands and arms on me.
It's a huge celebration with confetti, horns, champion music. The host brings out an ornate red and gold crown and plops it on my wet head.
I hop over the side of the ring and grab Mila. Knox, Sutton, Mace, and Remy jump up and down and pat me on the back. The crown falls off and Sutton picks it up and hands it back to me. Mila plops it back on my head.
Everyone is pumped. Now's my chance to make a memory.
Knox hands me the ring.
I drop to one knee and smile at Mila.
The crowd is silent for a second then erupts in crazed cheering.
Mila covers her face with her hands .
"Mila. I've wanted to marry you since I first saw you. Now, it's finally here. Marry me."
She nods and drops down to her knees.
We kiss through a smile and the crowd erupts again. We put on a good show, but this is reality for us.
I pick her up and swing her around, laughing and smiling with my forever family.
We'll remember this moment for the rest of our lives.