Scarab Chapter XX Page 8

Arete from the rear.

Janus attacked. The fear had been real enough, the displayed lack of guts a sham. Striding forward quickly, he used his momentum to good advantage, shoving the beer crate in the wiseguy’s face, forcing him back. Antonio finally managed to push his assailant away, but blood and some splinters were left behind. Rage rested on his marred face. Tasting the blood, he stopped thinking this was fun time and moved in on Janus with a vengeance. He tried to get pass the scholar’s shield which the other held on to as a sinking man hangs to a life preserver. The thug battered and kicked, finally using his greater strength to shove Janus up against the building. In the process, the scholar tripped over his own feet, falling on his side, face to the wall. Antonio was able to get in one good kick before Janus could roll over and use the crate to block the blows.

Thinking he had the scholar cowed Antonio turned to help Fred. A lot of energy was expended in this type of fight. They all tired quickly, breathing hard. But Janus, with hate burning deep in his belly, and with determination not to let Arete down, or more, to prove his own manhood, crawled to his feet. Using the crate first a crutch to help him stand, then as an awkward club, he battered the thug on the side of the head from behind. Antonio fell to one knee. Before Janus could muster the strength for a follow up blow, the tough enforcer staggered back to his feet, a huge bore automatic in his hand.

The sounds of the fracas were fairly subdued. There was the noise of breathless panting, of fist on flesh and breaking bones, the din of the alley’s squalor getting scattered about a little more, and intermixed were muttered curses. From the first lucky blow where Arete had damaged Fred’s right arm, things had gone less