Always Hiding

Mildred stared at me with disdain while the crowd roared with excitement.

"We're getting a show, people!"

"Don't hold back this time, drunken warrior! Knock him out in a single punch!"

"Hahaha, let's see if this kid can last another hit!"

Why was I standing?

In all honesty, I did not really understand.

What was I trying to accomplish?

Again, I have no idea.

But there was something inside me that refused to back down. Something that made a coward like me stand up. It was as though I was the last flower in a field ravaged by someone that wanted to keep all the flowers in a jar. As a weak flower, there was nothing I could do to avoid being picked.

But I stood up proudly anyway, challenging the inevitable.

Mildred clenched her fists.

"What the hell is your problem?"

My head swiveled weakly while my mouth hung slightly agape.

"...I don't know."

Mildred narrowed her eyes.