The light

"Why? ", my father said under his oxygen mask. I dont know whether to cry or rejoice! "Papa, you can talk!!!", I say with tears welling up from my eyes in disbelief. I quickly reach out my hands and intertwine our fingers and I hold his hands closer to my chest! "Take it easy please", I said out of breath and full of joy. My father then reaches out his out weak hand and removes the mask. He traced my bruises with his index finger and spoke again. " Quit!! quit now before it's too late", he said with nothing but lifeless expressions. " Papa, you dont talk for 20 years and the first thing you tell me is to quit? why? why haven't you spoken in years? I cant quit. Not right now. We need this money. I can do it papa. Trust me! " ,I inpatiently said. " This is not a game. It's nasty,brutal,unfair. You either die or end up like me. Dismantled!!" he shakingly spoke. It doesnt have to be like that papa. "You can mentor me. You are the best fighter I've ever known",I calmly spoke. " I was. Not anymore. I cant even walk ". I could sense the hurt as each word escaped his mouth. "You have taught me strength. You have been my mentor throughout my whole life. This right here is just another one of our obstacles. life was kind enough to give me a father and a guide that will forever lead me to greatness, and that is you. You started this 20 years ago, and now I'm going to finish what you started by winning! It's not only about the money, it's also about our legacy. I am a 'Genetic Warrior'. Its in my blood. You WILL mentor me because you're the best teacher i could ever ask for. It's you and me against the world .Are you with me papa?", I calmly asked my father who looked at me with glossy eyes. "When do we start?!" ,he said as a tear rolled down his eyes and a smile I hadn't seen in forever.