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I clobber him in the face, over and over, following him down to the ground.

His face is now just clots of blood.

His friend is back on his feet and comes toward me, swinging.

I purposely leave my hands at my sides and let him get a punch in.

A fist connects with my left cheek.

A decent enough punch. I taste blood.

The guy then puts his right hand out and steps away.

“Okay, man, okay,” he says. “I’m calling the fucking police. You’re hurting that woman!”

Hurt?

I will never hurt her.

I swear on my life that I will never hurt her.

My eyes go wide and the guy turns to run away.

I have his shirt in my hand and I pull him right back to me.

I wrap my arm around his neck and pull my forearm against this throat and I pick him up.

He instantly starts to thrash, kick and punch, knowing his air is completely cut off, his body enters full panic mode.

I’m not sure what the end is here.

I’m not used to willingly stop a fight. That’s not how it works in the world of the jungle. When it’s beast versus beast.If you can even call these guys beasts.

I know I’m going to kill this man.

I can’t stop myself.

I feel a punch to the middle right side of my back.

When I turn my head there’s my Katie girl jumping up, grabbing my right arm, swinging from it, screaming my name, pulling.

Her eyes are filled with tears as she begs me to stop.

Her eyes are like a drug.

What a feeling this is that hits me.

I drop the guy to the ground and turn toward my Katie girl.

She launches herself up to her toes and touches my face.

I grab her by the sides and lift her up so she’s eye level with me.

“We have to get out of here,” she whispers to me. “I can’t lose you again, Corbin. Please don’t make me lose you.”

She’s begging with emotion.

Pure, raw emotion.