NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: CH 016: Defeated? No way!
Following his acceptance of Tasha's proposal, Dave trailed behind her, accompanied by the two ladies, Mia and Kia, as they made their way towards the training room. The agreement was clear: he would be engaging in a series of battles against every individual that Tasha deemed worthy of challenging him.
To some, this might have seemed like an act of madness, but Dave was resolute in his confidence, knowing full well that he possessed the skills and prowess to take on each and every one of his forthcoming opponents.
With a sense of determination, Dave steeled himself for the trials that lay ahead, his mind focused on the task at hand. If Tasha required proof of his capabilities, then he was more than willing to provide it, no matter the cost.
The fight ahead would undoubtedly be fraught with challenges, but Dave was ready to face them head-on, driven by his unwavering conviction in his own abilities.
Before long, the news of Dave's impending fight had spread like wildfire throughout the entire casino, permeating even the most secluded and innermost recesses of the establishment.
The rumor mill was abuzz with excitement, and it wasn't long before every person, both young and old, had caught wind of the upcoming battle. The executives, in particular, were well aware of the impending fight, their interest piqued by the prospect of witnessing Dave's skills.
Meanwhile, in a separate corner of a large hall that had been hastily converted into a makeshift clinic ward, a figure slowly began to stir. Ajax, Tasha's nephew, could be seen gradually regaining consciousness, his eyes fluttering open as he struggled to reorient himself with his surroundings.
The soft beeping of medical equipment and the muted murmur of hushed conversations provided a soothing background melody, a stark contrast to the turmoil that had ravaged his body mere hours before.
As Ajax's gaze began to focus, a mixture of confusion and disorientation etched itself across his face, a testament to the severity of his injuries.
Moreover, he soon realized that he wasn't alone, as Jim sat attentively beside him, watching with a mixture of concern and vigilance since his admission to the makeshift clinic.
As Ajax's eyes fluttered open, his gaze instinctively fell upon Jim's familiar face, and the first words to escape his lips were a query about his surroundings. "Why am I here?" he asked, his voice weak but laced with a hint of curiosity, as he struggled to recall the events that had led him to this point.
From what he noticed from the little time he's awake, he had recognized where he was to be the makeshift ward that they had all worked together to establish at the onset of the apocalypse.
The makeshift clinic, with its hastily assembled medical equipment and improvised treatment areas, was a testament to the resourcefulness and resilience of their community in the face of unimaginable adversity.
"Are you feeling okay?" Jim inquired, deliberately sidestepping Ajax's initial question, which only served to exacerbate Ajax's growing frustration.
His eyes narrowing slightly, Ajax's voice took on a more insistent tone as he reiterated his query. "I said, why am I here?" The urgency in his voice was palpable, a testament to the growing sense of unease that was beginning to stir within him.
His gaze had drifted down to his arm, and he could see the tied lines of the drip that had been inserted into his veins, and a wave of weakness that was washing over him. It was clear that something had transpired, something significant enough to have landed him in this makeshift clinic.
The problem was, Ajax's memories of the events leading up to his hospitalization were hazy, fragmented, and stubbornly refusing to coalesce into a coherent narrative. At least, not yet.
The last thing he could recall was the match, but the details remained frustratingly elusive, shrouded in a dense fog that Ajax was determined to dispel.
Jim let out a deep sigh, his expression a mixture of concern and resignation, as he finally decided to reveal the truth to Ajax. "Well, you were taken out by Dave with a single hit," Jim began, his voice measured and cautious.
"We had to rush you to the clinic immediately after that. It's a miracle that you survived," he added, his tone laced with a hint of awe and relief.
As Jim's words hung in the air, Ajax listened intently, his eyes narrowing slightly as he concentrated on the explanation. It sounded like some scene from a fairytale as he couldn't believe everything Jim said were true.
But right at that instant, the fog of uncertainty had lifted, and the memories of the events leading up to his hospitalization came flooding back. He recalled the scene vividly: he had been poised to attack Dave, his muscles tensed and ready to strike, when he saw Dave move.
And then, in the blink of an eye, everything had gone black. From that point on, Ajax's memories were hazy and indistinct, but the recollection of that pivotal moment was etched in his mind with crystal clarity.
The revelation was nothing short of astonishing, and Ajax's mind struggled to come to terms with the fact that he, a towering figure with a formidable physique, had been taken down by a single punch from a boy who appeared to be the antithesis of strength.
Dave, with his slender build and unassuming demeanor, seemed like the last person capable of delivering a devastating blow, especially when compared to Ajax's own imposing frame.
The disparity between their physical appearances only served to deepen Ajax's incredulity, as he found it difficult to fathom how someone with a fist half the size of his own could possibly possess the strength to knock him out cold.
Noticing that Ajax had yet to respond, Jim continued, his voice filling the silence as he revealed the latest development unfolding within the casino.
Jim continued to explain the recent turn of events, his tone remarkably casual considering the gravity of the situation. "Your Aunt Tasha had come to visit you, but it was quite evident that she was seething with anger," Jim elaborated, his head turned to the side, oblivious to the deepening frown that was starting to appear on Ajax's face.
"So, she decided to take out her frustrations on Dave and challenged him to a fight," Jim concluded, his voice still maddeningly nonchalant.
Ajax's reaction, however, was anything but calm. "What?!" he thundered, his eyes bulging in outrage as if they were about to burst forth from their sockets. The sound of his voice was like a crack of thunder, shaking the very air around him.
Jim, caught off guard by the intensity of Ajax's outburst, turned to face him, just in time to see Ajax yanking out the lines of drip that were attached to his arm, his movements swift and jerky with agitation.
"Ajax, what are you doing?" Jim exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic as he watched in alarm as Ajax began to disregard his medical condition. "You're not strong enough to leave the bed yet,"
Jim's words were laced with concern, as he attempted to reason with Ajax. However, his pleas had fell on deaf ears, as Ajax resolutely ignored Jim's warnings and continued to extricate himself from the bed.
With a Herculean effort, Ajax swung his legs over the side of the bed and planted his feet firmly on the ground. As he stood up, his towering figure loomed over Jim, casting a long shadow across the floor.
For a moment, Ajax paused, his gaze locked onto Jim's, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "Tell me, where is that bastard Dave?!" Ajax thundered, his voice booming through the makeshift clinic like a crack of thunder, sending shivers down Jim's spine.
The air seemed to vibrate with Ajax's fury, and Jim couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation as he beheld the towering figure before him.
Swallowing hard, Jim blurted out a reply. "He's in the training room," Jim managed to squeak out, his eyes darting nervously towards the door as he anticipated Ajax's next move.
And indeed, his fears were soon confirmed, as Ajax's face darkened with an unholy fury, and he immediately dashed off towards the door with a speed and agility that belied his massive frame.
Without hesitation, Jim took off after Ajax, his feet pounding the floor in a frantic bid to keep up with the enraged giant. "Ajax, wait!" Jim cried out, his voice echoing down the corridor as he desperately tried to intercept Ajax before he could cause any more harm.