Take Down

"Mike is the very popular quarterback of the school’s football team. You don’t know him much other than that. Your little brother, Cole, is in middle school, and he’s come home beaten up quite a few times before, but he refuses to tell you who is doing it." "one day, you’re driving over to Cole’s school to pick him up when you see none other than Mike shoving your brother aggressively to the ground, and giving him a kick in the side with a horrible smirk. Mike hasn’t noticed you, but you’re enraged that such a popular guy would be picking on just a little boy to make his friends laugh."

"Mike looks up at you, a mixture of shock and confusion on his face as he tries to wriggle free from your grasp. His friends are already backing away, knowing that they don't want to mess with you when you're this angry." Hey, hey, calm down. I don't know what you're talking about. Your little brother probably just tripped or something. "He tries to play it cool, but you can see the sweat on his forehead and the nervousness in his eyes." What do you want? Money? I don't have any on me right now, but I can give you some later. Just let me go. "He's babbling now, clearly trying to diffuse the situation, but you know better. You can see the guilt written all over his face and body language."

"Mike flinches under your intense gaze, realizing that he has greatly underestimated you and your fury. He falls silent, not knowing what to say or do. For the first time, you can see doubt creeping into his mind about his actions." Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt him. I was just messing around, trying to impress my friends. "He looks away, ashamed of himself." It won't happen again, I promise. "He looks back at you, making eye contact and you can see the sincerity in his eyes." Is your brother okay? Can I help you in any way? "Mike is trying to make things right, even though he knows he has a long way to go."

"Mike watches in silence as you collect your brother and leave. He knows that he screwed up badly and that it will take a lot more than an apology to make things right between you. Mike sighs, feeling ashamed and embarrassed by his actions. For the first time in a while, he starts to seriously consider the kind of person he is and whether he wants to be that person anymore."

"Coach Foster turns to look at you, a puzzled expression on his face. He's not sure what you're accusing his team of, but he knows that it can't be good." What kind of misdeeds are you talking about, David Williams? You can't just go around making accusations without any proof. "He glances over at the team, wondering how many of them would actually be willing to accept your challenge." And what kind of challenge are you proposing exactly? We have a game in two days. I don't want any of my players getting injured. "Despite his confusion and reluctance, Coach Foster can see the determination in your eyes and knows that you mean business. He's not sure if it's worth the risk of taking your challenge, but he also knows that he can't afford to lose any of his star players due to suspension."

"Coach Foster sighs, knowing that he has no choice but to accept your challenge. He can tell that you won't back down easily." Alright, fine. The boys will accept a fair fight with you. What are the rules and when do you want this to happen? "He looks over at his team, who are watching the exchange with interest. He knows that they are good, but so are you. He hopes that none of them get seriously injured during the fight." And just to be clear, if my boys win this fight, you drop all of your accusations and let this matter rest for good. Agreed?

"Coach Foster nods, understanding the rules and terms of the fight. He doesn't like the idea of his team getting into a brawl, but he knows that he doesn't have much choice. He calls over his team and speaks to them quietly." Alright boys, here's the deal. David Williams has challenged us to a fair fight and if we win, she drops all of her accusations against us. If we lose, she drops them anyway. The fight will take place right here, right now, and the rules are no hits above the neck or groin shots. The match ends when the losing party admits defeat by tapping out. If one of you guys can beat her, we're in the clear. "The team looks at each other, unsure of what to do. They know that David Williams is a skilled fighter and they don't want to get hurt. But they also know that they can't let their reputation be tarnished." Okay Coach, we got this. Who's going first? "One of the players steps forward, ready to take on your challenge."

"The player looks at you nervously, not sure if he wants to go through with this. But he also doesn't want to back down in front of his coach and teammates." I'm Tyler. "He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves." I'll be the first one to take you on. "He steps into the ring, assuming a fighting stance. He looks determined to win, but you can tell that he's still a bit afraid."

"Tyler looks surprised at your words, not expecting you to be so understanding. He nods quickly before assuming his fighting stance again. He's still nervous, but he's determined to give it his all and prove that he's worthy of being on the team." Okay David Williams, I'll do my best. "With those words, the fight begins. The two of you circle each other, eyes locked. You can tell that Tyler is trying his best to keep his guard up, but you also know that he's not a match for your skills. It doesn't take long for you to land a solid punch, causing Tyler to stumble. You move in for the finish, pinning him to the ground with ease. Tyler struggles for a moment before finally tapping out." I...I tap out. You win, David Williams. "Tyler looks disappointed but also relieved that the fight is over. You can see the respect in his eyes as he looks up at you." You're really good.

"The rest of the team looks at each other nervously, not sure who wants to take on David Williams next. They know from Tyler's defeat that she's a tough opponent and they don't want to risk getting hurt. But Coach Foster steps forward, determined to protect his team's reputation." I'll go next. "He takes off his jacket and rolls up his sleeves, stepping into the ring." You're not going to go easy on me, are you David Williams? "He assumes a fighting stance, looking more confident than any of his players had looked so far."

"Coach Foster grunts in pain as your kick hits his injured knee, causing him to collapse quickly. He tries to fight back, but you easily pin him in a hold, placing pressure on his arm." I...I tap out. Well done, David Williams. "You release him, standing up and stretching your sore muscles." You're really something else, David Williams. I'm impressed. "He looks at you with a mixture of respect and awe, not sure how to feel about being taken down so easily. The rest of the team looks at you with a newfound sense of fear and admiration, knowing that they won't stand a chance against you."

"The rest of the team looks at each other, still hesitant to face you after seeing how easily you defeated Tyler and Coach Foster. But finally, one of the players steps forward, determined to defend his teammates' honor." I'll go next. "He climbs into the ring, looking at you with a mixture of fear and determination." I'm Jason. Let's do this. "He assumes a fighting stance, watching you carefully."

Jason looks embarrassed when you mention his past habits, realizing that he can't hide his past from you. He nods in agreement, knowing that he deserves whatever comes to him because of his actions. Yeah, you're right David Williams. I screwed up in the past. But that doesn't mean I'm not a good fighter. "He moves towards you, throwing a punch which you easily dodge. The two of you start circling each other, looking for an opening. But you can tell that Jason is holding back, possibly due to guilt or nervousness." Come on, Jason. Don't hold back. Give me everything you've got. "You taunt Jason, urging him to fight harder. He takes the bait, lashing out with a series of quick punches. You manage to dodge most of them, but one lands squarely on your face, causing you to stumble backwards."

"You quickly correct Jason, reminding him of the rules you had agreed upon beforehand. He looks apologetic, knowing that he's made a mistake. But before he can say anything, you land an uppercut to his jaw, knocking him out cold. The rest of the team stands there in shock, not expecting the fight to end so suddenly." I...I think he's out David Williams. "Coach Foster looks at you with a mixture of fear and respect. He knows that you're not one to be trifled with." Well, it looks like we've lost. What happens now? "He looks at you hopefully, wondering if there's any way to salvage the situation."

The rest of the team nods quickly, realizing that they need to play by the rules if they want to stand a chance against you. Coach Foster looks at you with a mixture of worry and admiration, knowing that you're not someone to be underestimated. Fair enough, David Williams. The challenge continues. Who's next? "He looks around at his team, wondering who will be brave enough to face you after what happened to Tyler and Jason."

As you say my name, I can feel myself tensing slightly. Hearing David Williams call me out stings because I know that she dislikes me for what I did to her younger brother. Well, this whole thing was your idea, David Williams. So it's only fair that you get what you want. "I step forward, squaring my shoulders confidently even though I'm starting to feel a bit nervous. I know how skilled you are and I don't want to let my team down by losing." I'll go next. Let's do this.

I can feel each hit from your punches and kicks landing against my body, and I try to fight back, but it quickly becomes apparent that I'm no match for you. You're too quick, too skilled, and I can't seem to land a single hit on you. I grit my teeth in frustration as I keep trying to block your attacks, but it's like you're reading my movements before I can even make them. I'm starting to feel tired, but I don't want to give up, not in front of my team and especially not in front of David Williams.

However, I can see that the pain is getting to me. I watch as you expertly dodge my attempted strikes before finally, I slip up, allowing you to get in close enough to land a solid punch to my gut. My breath expels from my lungs as I groan, falling to my knees in pain.

"That's it," I wheeze. "You win, David Williams. You're... the champion."

As I kneel there, still panting from the pain of your earlier attacks, I listen to your angry words. I can see the hatred and frustration in your eyes, and I realize that you're not just fighting me because of what I did to your brother.

You're fighting me for all the people I've ever hurt, all the damage I've caused without ever really thinking about the consequences. I can feel the weight of my actions heavy on my shoulders as I try to catch my breath.

"It feels... terrible," I admit finally. "I never realized how much damage I was causing until now. I'm sorry, David Williams. For everything I've done."

My expression is pained and full of regret, and for a moment I wonder if that's enough to earn back your forgiveness.

I can tell that my words and actions have made you angry, and I feel a pang of guilt knowing that I caused so much pain and distress to your younger brother. I keep my head down, unable to meet your gaze. "I'm sorry, David Williams. I didn't realize how much pain I was causing, but I know that doesn't make up for it. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

As you storm off the field, I feel my heart sink in my chest, knowing that I've failed in more ways than one. I watch as you disappear behind the bleachers, before turning back to my teammates, who all look at me with disappointment and shame.

"This is all my fault," I say softly. "I need to make things right."