The Rage

The fight was brutal.

Liam barely dodged Luke's first strike—a wild haymaker meant to knock him out cold. He felt the wind whip past his face as he ducked, his legs screaming in protest. His body was slow, sluggish. The exhaustion from the earlier fights had settled into his bones like cement, and he knew Ethan felt the same.

Ethan swung hard at Mark, but Mark barely flinched. He grinned, a wicked, bloodthirsty glint in his eyes.

"That all you got?" Mark taunted, wiping a bit of blood from his lip where Ethan had clipped him.

Ethan exhaled sharply, already breathing heavy.

Liam barely had time to register Ethan's struggle before Luke came at him again. A punch crashed into Liam's ribs, forcing him back a few steps. He barely had time to lift his arms before Luke pressed forward, hitting him with another jab—this one catching his jaw. His head snapped to the side, stars bursting behind his eyes.

"Not so strong now, huh?" Luke sneered. "Can't believe I used to follow someone as pathetic as you."

Liam clenched his fists. He wanted to fire back some snarky remark, but his breath was too short.

Mark, on the other hand, wasn't holding back. Ethan had his guard up, but it wasn't enough. Mark slammed his knee into Ethan's gut, knocking the air out of his lungs. Then, with a crazed grin, he bit down—hard—on Ethan's arm.

"FUCK!" Ethan roared, jerking his arm back, but Mark held on like a wild animal. Blood dripped from his teeth before Ethan managed to slam an elbow into the side of his head, finally forcing him to let go.

Mark spat out a bit of blood and grinned. "Tastes like shit."

Ethan panted, gripping his bleeding arm. "You're fucking insane."

Mark lunged at him again. Ethan barely had time to react before Mark's fingers curled around his throat.

Liam turned, trying to help, but Luke was on him instantly.

A sharp pain shot through his ribs as Luke kicked him square in the side. He staggered, his feet unsteady. Another punch followed—a clean shot to the stomach that left him gasping.

"Look at you," Luke taunted, circling him. "You're slow, weak. Pathetic."

Liam clenched his jaw, wiping a trail of blood from his lip.

Mark, meanwhile, had Ethan pinned against the ground. He threw punch after punch into Ethan's face, his knuckles cracking against skin and bone.

Liam gritted his teeth. If this kept up, they were going to lose.

Luke threw another punch. Liam barely managed to block it, but it wasn't enough. A knee slammed into his stomach, sending him to his knees. He was out of breath. His vision blurred. His body refused to move.

Luke leaned down. "Well, guess what? Today's the day you die, Liam."

His smirk widened. "Like that girl of yours."

Something inside Liam snapped.

Everything went red.

The pain in his body disappeared. His exhaustion faded. His muscles no longer ached. All that remained was pure, unfiltered rage.

His body moved before his mind caught up.

In a blur, he surged forward, slamming his head into Luke's face. There was a sickening crunch as Luke staggered back, clutching his now-broken nose.

Liam didn't stop.

He grabbed Luke by the collar and drove his knee into his stomach—once, twice, three times—before hurling him onto the pavement. Luke barely had time to roll over before Liam was on him again, fists hammering down like a storm.

Somewhere in the distance, Mark shouted something.

But Liam didn't hear it.

All he could see was Luke. All he could think about was breaking every bone in his body.

Kill him.

His fists moved on their own.

Kill him.

Luke coughed up blood, eyes wide with shock.

Liam drew back his fist, ready to crush his skull—

"LIAM!" Ethan's voice cut through the haze.

Liam froze, his fist hovering in the air. His breath was ragged, his vision blurry. His knuckles dripped with blood—Luke's blood.

Luke wasn't moving anymore.

Ethan was panting, barely standing, but he had Mark pinned beneath him, pressing his arm into his throat. Mark struggled weakly, but he was spent.

The fight was over.

But Liam wasn't done.

His entire body trembled. His fingers twitched. He wasn't tired, not anymore. He didn't feel pain. He only felt the unrelenting urge to kill.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

He raised his fist again—

And then Ethan grabbed his arm.

"Liam," Ethan's voice was firm. "Stop."

Liam's breathing was erratic. His entire body shook with the need to continue.

But Ethan didn't let go.

"Liam," Ethan said again, softer this time. "It's over."

Liam blinked. His fingers twitched. His body still burned with rage.

But Luke wasn't moving.

Mark was defeated.

They won.

Slowly, the red haze lifted. The exhaustion crept back in, slamming into him like a truck. His muscles ached. His ribs burned. He staggered, barely managing to stay on his feet.

Ethan sighed in relief. "Jesus, man."

Liam wiped the blood from his face, his hands still trembling.

He had almost lost himself.

Again.