In His Hell

It was late summer, the warm breeze rustled through the leaves in the trees almost as if they were singing. Sweat was beaded across a woman's face as she thoughtfully sketched the skyline along a river bank. The afternoon was the perfect time for her to sketch, just after work but not before the darkness hit. With one hand drawing and the other hand shielding her eyes from the brightness.

The orange light hit the water in just a way that made it glisten serenely. Ducks swam across the river calling out to each other and she could hear people playing in the water a little way away from her. It was the perfect afternoon to be out. People were out having picnics and the squeals of delight could be heard from afar. It was a sight to see a woman in her mid twenties sitting on the river bank alone. Her sketch pad propped up on her knees, a pencil behind her ear as her shoulder length red hair blew in the wind. She didn't usually keep it down but the fresh breeze felt too good.

She pursed her lips and rubbed her forehead. The drawing was pretty, the black and grey buildings stood tall just like they did across the river. She even managed to sketch a small duck. But something was missing, something that made this picture interesting. She couldn't place her finger on it but she was sure there was something.

But perhaps that was just her artistic self being overly critical.

Just then someone plopped down beside her, she let out a surprised squeal but when she turned there was only a friendly a face. The sun rays shone across his face accentuating his features.

He had a slender yet muscular frame, big green eyes and a tousle of dirty blond hair that looked more like a mop than actual hair. Angled lines made up his entire face. His jaw slightly crooked one way and his nose the other. Although he was still very handsome.

"Can I help you Sean?" she asked teasing him.

He glanced at her, "I missed you Alessia." Alessia rolled her eyes and went back to looking at her drawing. She could feel his eyes on her. " You said you would be home an hour ago, it's almost time for the big match."

She groaned and looked at Sean. Her stable boyfriend of almost 6 years. He was a boxer, and it was a brutal sport, not something she often liked to watch but he loved having her support there. Having an attractive woman on the side-lines cheering for you always helped. Although he was not a professional boxer he made a decent amount of cash doing it as a side gig. It was enough to help them comfortably stay on top of the bills. Between Alessia just graduating art school and Sean's amateur boxing career they struggled immensely to stay afloat.

"Just don't spit the blood on me this time please," she said gently poking him with the end of her pencil.

He laughed. "I make absolutely no such promises. But my manager said that there's a big client coming tonight. Someone who is willing to make a big wager on this fight. We aren't sure what side he's picking yet but isn't that amazing?"

She nodded, having a big client come to the ring would potentially boost his career...his career that wasn't really going anywhere thus far. It could be the big boost he needed to make it to the pros. Dusting herself off she packed up her supplies in her little satchel and they began walking to where he had parked the car to come find her. She had lost track of time, it was almost 7pm and he had to be in the ring by 8 30.

Sean got in the car before Alessia and started up the engine. He was never the type to open doors for her. Although it upset her sometimes she was used to how things were between them. She was comfortable, they had a routine, their own love language and she felt like it was easy. Easy and simple.

They sat in silence together in the car on the way to the boxing ring. Alessia hated the fights. She hates seeing Sean get hurt in them but there was nothing she could do. This was his life's dream, his life's goal to become a pro boxer. All she could do was support him, but her stomach churned.

She didn't want to potentially lose the love of her life just because he wanted to win. Winning was a lot of things, but it was not worth his life. She looked out the window and saw the tall city buildings, the river stretched the length of the city but there were many bridges built in order to be able to build along it. Finally the car came to a stop and Alessia took one last look at her boyfriend before the fight.

"Wish me luck babe," he said as he leant across to kiss her. She kissed him gently, her hand coming up to cradle his face.

"I love you," she said before he was whisked away to go prepare before the fight.

The fight was about to begin, the crowd was cheering loudly. Alessia felt uncomfortable as she was seated in the front row. Her heart pounded fast as she looked at the ring with apprehension. Just then someone sat next to her, he was rather breathless. Fairly cute, short brown hair, short matching stubble adorned his chin and upper lip. His hair was messy and his face had small beads of sweat across it. He was dressed in a smart combination of dark grey pants and a dark blue coat. He had a black tie that was loosened around his neck. With black shoes, a white shirt and a white handkerchief in his pocket. He unbuttoned his jacket and leaned back in his chair he glanced over at Alessia and smiled. Alessia realised she had been staring at him, she felt herself blush.

"Do I know you?" He asked.