Ghost in the Underground

Chapter 10: Hunted

The gym felt different.

Before, it was a place where Sammy could clear his head, train, and focus on the next fight. But now?

Now, every glance lingered too long. Every conversation stopped when he walked by. Every fighter sized him up like a meal ticket.

Carlos was right. This wasn't just about fighting anymore.

Somebody had put a bounty on him. And in the underground, that meant one thing—people were coming.

It started the next night.

Sammy had just finished shadowboxing in the back of the gym when Rick poked his head in.

"Yo, we got company."

Sammy wiped sweat from his face. "Who?"

Rick jerked a thumb toward the front. "Couple of guys asking for you."

Sammy followed him out.

Two fighters stood near the entrance—one tall and lean with a scar across his cheek, the other stocky with cauliflower ears. They weren't just random guys. Sammy recognized them from fights.

Leo "The Scorpion" Vega and Marco Reyes.

Leo smirked when he saw Sammy. "The legend himself."

Marco cracked his knuckles. "He doesn't look like much."

Sammy crossed his arms. "You looking for a fight?"

Leo chuckled. "Not yet. Just wanted to see if the rumors were true. You really put The Butcher to sleep?"

Sammy didn't answer.

Marco grinned. "Man, that's crazy. 'Cause I was thinking…" He stepped closer. "…if you could do it to him, maybe I could do it to you."

Carlos stepped in before things got heated. "If you wanna fight, get in the ring. Otherwise, get the hell out."

Leo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, coach. We're just here to talk."

Then he looked at Sammy.

"Enjoy your time on top," he said. "Because it won't last long."

Then they walked out.

Carlos muttered under his breath. "This is only the beginning."

Sammy didn't go home that night. He needed to clear his head.

He ended up at an old boxing gym he used to train at. It was mostly abandoned at this hour, just the sound of a heavy bag swinging in the dim light.

He wrapped his hands, focusing on his breathing. In. Out.

Then he heard footsteps.

Too many.

He turned just as three figures stepped out of the shadows.

Leo. Marco. And a third guy Sammy didn't recognize—tall, muscular, and built like a wrestler.

Leo grinned. "Told you we'd see you again."

Sammy's fists tightened. "You wanna fight? Name the time and place."

Marco cracked his neck. "We already did. Right now."

The third guy rushed him.

They weren't here for a fight. They were here for an ambush.

Sammy barely ducked the first punch. The wrestler swung a wild haymaker—Sammy slipped it and fired a counter-jab to the jaw.

Crack.

The guy stumbled, but then Marco came in from the side, throwing a kick to Sammy's ribs.

Pain exploded through his side.

Leo grabbed him from behind, locking his arms. Marco grinned, stepping forward—ready to take his free shot.

Sammy threw his head back as hard as he could.

WHAM.

Leo let go, cursing. Sammy twisted, breaking free, and threw a brutal left hook straight into his gut.

Marco rushed forward. Sammy sidestepped, grabbed his arm, and yanked him into the heavy bag.

The wrestler recovered and charged again, trying to tackle Sammy.

Sammy braced himself—then, at the last second, twisted his hips and sprawled.

The wrestler hit the ground face-first.

Leo, still dazed, staggered back. "You little—"

Sammy didn't let him finish. He stepped in and threw a right cross straight to Leo's jaw.

Boom.

Leo dropped.

Marco backed up, breathing hard. The wrestler groaned on the floor.

Sammy wiped the blood from his lip.

"You wanna try that again?" he asked.

Marco hesitated. Then he grabbed Leo and helped him up.

"This ain't over," Marco muttered before they disappeared into the night.

Sammy exhaled, his hands shaking from the adrenaline.

This was it.

People weren't just challenging him in the ring anymore.

They were coming for him in the streets.

The next morning, Carlos wasn't happy.

"You could've been killed," he snapped.

Sammy sat on the edge of the ring, wincing as he wrapped his ribs. "Yeah, but I wasn't."

Carlos shook his head. "You don't get it. This bounty? It's not just a challenge. It's a death sentence. The guys coming after you? They don't care about rules."

Sammy looked up. "Then neither will I."

Carlos exhaled. "I need to know something, kid."

He sat down beside him.

"What's your plan? Are you just gonna fight every guy that comes after you until you drop?"

Sammy didn't answer right away.

Then, slowly, he clenched his fists.

"No," he said. "I'm gonna find out who put the bounty on me."

Carlos nodded. "And then?"

Sammy's eyes burned.

"Then I'm gonna end this."

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End of Chapter 10