Chapter 4 The Betrayal

"Maya, please reconsider. You know how vicious Gummy is during a fight." Vicky's voice trembled as she watched Maya wrap her hands.

"Not this again, Vicky," Maya sighed, securing the last wrap with practiced fingers. She had just finished changing into her fighting outfit – a black sports bra and wine-colored shorts that had seen countless battles.

"I know you're skilled, but for my sake, can you please avoid this special bet with Gummy?" Vicky's voice cracked. "For her to want the loser to stay away from fights – that means she has something planned. Don't you see it? I know you want the money, but we can find other opponents, ones less dangerous."

"I thought you've always wanted me to stay away from fighting?" Maya teased, though her ocean-blue eyes remained serious.

"Maya!"

"We've talked about this several times already, Vicky." Maya met her friend's scared eyes with steady determination. "Please, you have to stop. The match... It's happening."

"Is there nothing I can do to stop you?" Vicky tried one last time, pouting her lips.

"Aish..." Maya sighed. "What am I going to do with you?" She pulled her friend into her arms. "I know Gummy's vicious, but you have to trust me, sister. I'll emerge victorious as always, okay? I still need to continue fighting after all."

"You promise?" Vicky sniffled against Maya's shoulder.

"Yes, of course," Maya laughed softly, pulling away from the hug.

With one final reassuring squeeze of Vicky's hand, Maya headed for the ring. The concrete corridor leading to the arena thrummed with the crowd's energy, their collective voice a distant roar that grew louder with each step.

Gummy had suggested they make a wager on their evening match – whoever emerged victorious would take home the hefty sum the audience was betting specifically for this bout. And the loser would have to stay away from fighting for six months.

The atmosphere crackled with electricity as Maya emerged into the arena. The crowd's excited chatter rose to a fever pitch. Maya's eyes swept across the throng, taking in the hungry expressions of those placing their bets.

Her red and gold hair was pulled into a tight high ponytail. The Phoenix and "Stronger" tattoos adorning both her arms caught the harsh overhead lights. Despite being shorter than her opponent, Maya's lean, muscular build had always made her a formidable force in the ring.

Across the ring, Gummy bounced on the balls of her feet, her powerful 5'11" frame coiled like a spring. Her black hair was pulled back in neat cornrows, and her brown eyes blazed with an unsettling confidence.

Maya turned to the crowd, feeling their energy fuel her own. Everyone believed in her; they were already counting their winnings before the first strike was thrown. She couldn't let them down.

"Not scared yet?" she called to Gummy, raising an eyebrow. "Do you really know what you're doing?"

"What? Are you afraid?" Gummy shot back, a defiant smirk playing across her lips.

"You know I don't say no to money, Gummy," Maya replied, making a show of counting imaginary cash. "Let's get this started. I've got plans to hit the club later – the celebration will be magnificent."

Yeah, being able to settle part of her sister's hospital bills felt more thrilling than clubbing, and like she said, the celebration would be massive as that would make her more at ease.

"Wait until you catch the money before you start spending, Maya." Gummy's scowl deepened, something dangerous flickering in her eyes. "I don't know if you've heard about 'miracles,' but they can happen for anyone."

"Oh, certainly not for you, Gummy-du," Maya taunted, the nickname rolling off her tongue like poison.

Gummy lunged forward with a snarl, but Maya easily sidestepped. The referee quickly intervened, separating them as the match officially began.

Maya rolled her shoulders and neck. Her eyes found Vicky at the sideline, who gave her two encouraging thumbs up. The bell rang, cutting through the crowd's roar.

The fight began. Maya moved with lightning speed, darting in and out of Gummy's reach. The crowd roared as she landed quick strikes and evaded Gummy's powerful swings. Her technique was flawless – years of training evident in every precise movement.

"Too slow, Gummy-du," Maya taunted, slipping past another powerful punch.

Fury blazed in Gummy's eyes as she tried desperately to land a solid hit. Maya seemed to be toying with her, avoiding attacks with almost theatrical flair. The crowd was eating it up, cheering wildly with each successful dodge.

Gummy's frustration grew visible. Sweat poured down her face as she threw increasingly wild punches that hit nothing but air. Maya's confidence swelled. This match would be over soon, and Mara's medical bills would be covered for another month.

Then, something shifted.

A strange warmth spread through Maya's limbs. Her mouth felt unusually dry, and cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She blinked hard, trying to focus.

Her reactions began to lag, movements becoming slower with each passing second. The familiar rhythm of the fight slipped away, replaced by an unsettling disconnect between her mind and body.

The world around her began to warp. Gummy's form appeared to double, then triple, each version throwing punches from impossible angles.

"What's happening?" Maya thought, panic rising in her chest.

Her footwork faltered. Her vision blurred. The crowd's faces melted into a kaleidoscope of colors, their cheers becoming distant and distorted.

She tried to dodge what looked like Gummy's right hook, but couldn't tell which of the multiple images was real. Before she could reorient herself, a crushing blow connected with her temple.

The impact sent her staggering backward. The arena's lights stretched into bright streaks across her vision. The crowd gasped collectively, sensing the sudden shift in momentum.

"Stay focused!" she commanded herself, but her body refused to comply.

"Come on, Maya! You've got this!" Vicky's voice cut through the haze.

Through her deteriorating sight, she could make out Gummy's triumphant smile – a sight that sent a chill down her spine.

Gummy capitalized on Maya's compromised state, delivering precise strikes that connected with brutal efficiency. "What's wrong? Is this all you've got?" Gummy's taunt carried an edge of cruel satisfaction.

Maya fought against the encroaching darkness. She hadn't trained countless hours, hadn't taken every punch and given up her education, just to fall here. But her body betrayed her.

"Get up! Fight!" Vicky's voice cracked with desperation.

As Maya's knees finally buckled, sending her crashing to the canvas, clarity struck her with devastating force. The water bottle Vicky had handed her before the fight – the same Vicky who had never missed a match, who had held her through every victory and defeat, who knew every detail of her fighting style. The betrayal hit harder than any physical blow ever could.

In those final moments of consciousness, Maya's thoughts weren't of the money she'd lose, but of Mara lying in her hospital bed, counting on her big sister to come through once again. As darkness claimed her, Maya couldn't shake the bitter realization that she'd lost more than just a fight tonight – she'd lost her faith in the one person she trusted most in the world.

And then there was the second part of the deal; staying away from fighting for six whole months...