Look for the Masked Stranger

Now standing outside the locker room with the infamous number _49 _name plated to the wall, you take a deep breath, as if preparing to enter some climactic battle.

Cracking your neck eagerly, you raise one hand and “politely” knock on the door.

Taking a step back, you wait.

No response.

Frowning slightly, you knock again.

And again...nothing.

“Well, I didn’t walk this far just to quit,” you sigh to yourself, before verbalizing your next strategy.

“Hey, I know you’re in there. We need to talk...now!” you shout, banging on the surface for emphasis.

Pressing your ear against the door, you repeat your ultimatum: “It’s John, the guy you’ve got a hate-on for. Look, whatever problem you have with me, why don’t you woman up and face me?”

You wait, and wait, but again no-

“Behind you, dumbass.”

Recognizing her smug voice, you twirl around only to immediately be blinded.

The woman now in front of you sprays some kind of a chemical compound right into your eyes, instantly sending you into a disorienting state.

Arms flailing wildly, you collapse to the floor as the irritating effects settle in.

“Don’t worry you big baby, this stuff’ll wear off in a few seconds.” Again, her taunting voice entered your ears, forcing your eyes to look up and try to locate her.

Surprisingly, her face was bare, but unsurprisingly, it was very blurry from the spray.

All you could make out was that smug little grin, and her blonde hair, cascading down both shoulders.

“Gives me a little time to...formally introduce myself.”

“Fucking bitch,” you grunt under your breath, still unable to fully make out her facial features.

“So, friendly word of advice, from one sexfighter to a wannabe one…” You could almost taste the malice and disdain dripping off every word as she continued, “You don’t belong here. You don’t deserve to be here, and take up spots from more deserving people. People like me.”

“If you think you deserve it so much, prove it to me in the ring,” you growl up at her.

“Sweetie, I don’t have to prove anything. I am better than you, and soon enough, you’re going to realize it. But for now, just remember that your days here are numbered,” she sneers back at you in response.

“Why the mask, then? If you’re so confident...why hide?” you point out, in between rubbing your eyes furiously to clear your vision.

“Wouldn’t you like to know, John?” You could hear her footsteps fading down the hallway to your right. “I guess you’ll just have to keep playing this little game of ours.”

Seconds later, nothing.

It was only then that your vision returned to you, but it was too late.

She was gone, but in her place, there was a paper note on the floor.

One with a simple message scribbled on it: Stay out of MY league.

Crumpling it up in your fist, you staggered up to your feet with a look of pure determination.

Guess it’s gonna be the hard way, then.