She was smiling, the same way as she always would when she was thinking about something nice. He made another cut, and watched a new line of blood make its own path.

When the first hit lands, yours or your opponent’s, there is a rumble. The world around you starts to shut down. People aren’t noisy, the lights aren’t distracting, and all you see is the man (or woman) in front of...

The joke was on her, really. She was always a good actor. Strict parents always raise sneaky children, and she was a top draw. She knew when to smile, when to act all ruffled.