"Kick his ass Alec!"

"Hit him where it hurts bud!"

"Alec! Alec! Alec!"

A jumble of kids were in the courtyard of an old run down church, Donna watched as her brother kicked Billy, one of their neighbors, to the ground and climbed atop of him. He punched in the face as a final blow before getting off and offering his hand.

Billy rolled his eyes but gladly took the hand and hoisted himself up.

"You're better then the last time." Alec offered. "You've gotten taller this summer, maybe next time you'll stand a chance."

Billy smiled and ran off with his friends. This is what it was like almost once a week, a different kid would challenge Alec to a fight, in an attempt to show their strength, Alec hasn't lost a match since the seventh grade.

A kid from the crowd huddled around them shouted out. "Come on that was to easy! Where's Omar, he'll give us a show for sure, he almost got you last time Alec!"

Her brother scoffed. "As if, but I'll take one more who's ever up to it."

No one moved for a while. But after a while people started moving aside to let someone through, they watched in confusion as a girl stepped out from the crowd.

Donna's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the girl. She was tall, taller then Alec, she had dark brown skin, it looked like it was shining in the afternoon sun. Box braids thrown up in a ponytail, a tank top, some gym shorts, and a baggy, black windbreaker.

Benaiah elbowed her. "Donna you're drooling."

She rolled her eyes and shoved him. "Very funny Beneiah."

He gave her a look, she frowned and her hand immediately went up to the corner of her mouth where a small amount of saliva had gather.

"Shit."

Beneiah laughed.

She looked on at the girl who smiled devilishly at her brother, it wasn't like this was the first time a girl had challenged him. There was actually a good number of girls who wanted to try their hand at it, but like everyone else, they didn't stand a chance against Alec.

But this chick looked like an absolute unit.

He smiled. "Alright."

The thing about her brother, he was nice and humble, a true gentleman. He wasn't snarky or mean, he had no desire to hurt anyone ever, this fighting thing was mutual.

But this girl looked like she really wanted to kick his ass.

Donna found it kind of cute.

Once again the jumble of kids began to shout and scream as the girl took off her sweater to reveal her muscles, bigger then Alec's, they began to circle around one another before her brother took the first lunge.

She moved aside, grabbed his shoulder and shoved him to the ground, he skidded along the floor and smiled. This would be a true competition.

She stayed back and examined his moves, letting him always make the first move and blocked it, shoving him or moving out of the way. Finally he made a risking move, he went in without blocking, at least trying to get one punch in on her, but instead all he got was a kick in the stomach.

Her legs looked so incredibly strong and she was, surprisingly, flexible, as he doubled over in pain she hit him with another one in the face. He feel over on the ground where she picked him up by his shirt, almost lifting him off the ground and knocking him in the face.

She let him fall to the ground with a thund, he coughed and spit of some blood. But he was still smiling. She smirked down at him and gave him her hand. He looked up giving her a bloody smile, and took her hand.

Thr audience was clapping as he stood up, Camden went right over to check on him whilst Benaiah and Donna walked slowly over to the pair.

"Hey, names Erin."

Her brother spit out some more blood. "Alec, that was a hell of a fight you just gave me, you're awesome."

"I'll say." Donna chipped in. "Thanks for kicking his ass, he didn't really need it but it was nice to see."

Erin smiled at her. Donna melted.

"So, where do you come from, never you 'round here before." Beneiah asked.

"Here visiting my mom for the summer, dad lives a state over, runs a gym, I take to boxing and kick boxing rather well."

"That's awesome," Donna gushed. "You should totally hang out with us, if you don't have anyone else to hang out with, or whatever."

Erin laughed. "I really would, but I gotta help my mom with my siblings."

Donna was a little disappointed but Erin gave her a mischievous smile and made an offer that made her feel slightly better.

"The forest is huge though, we should sneak out after dark and play some hide and seek, sounds wicked."

So they (well, Donna) agreed for the gang to sneak out a little after dark and gather by the forest in the back of the town.

Little did they know this decision would spark into a massive fire, one that would burn down their quiet, humble twon, if not stopped.