Animal

by Paul Jones

  First Brad had a go at defending against the knife, and the former Ninjitsu student used only arm blocks to fend off the attack, with the emphasis on twisting his palms inwards to protect his arteries. Geoff and Guy made mental notes of this. Then after Tom, Charlie, Phil and Mike all had their turn, it was time to comment on their efforts. Although judging by the looks of Geoff and Guy, it didn’t appear that they were very impressed.

  ‘OK, guys, relax.’ Geoff told them and took the centre floor. He scratched his bald head with disquiet. ‘We need work, lads. The majority of those attacks would have resulted with most of you getting cut to ribbons, or worse.’

  The rest of the team accepted the criticism, while Tom couldn’t help but share an indignant glance with Charlie.

  ‘If we do have to confront this gang called the Wilkinsons, known by that name for obvious reasons, or any other knife-wielding maniacs out there, then we’ve got to buck up our ideas and get serious.’

  He aimed his first comments at Tom and Charlie.

  ‘You two were so flippant about that knife you’d have thought you were defending yourselves against someone holding a banana.’

  Both of them took it on the chin.

  ‘And you’re both bouncers, so what does that say?’

  Then he turned to Phil and Mike. ‘You two were the complete opposite you were flapping your arms about so much you could have flown away to safety.’

  The rest of the team found this quite amusing, but Geoff soon shut them up.

  ‘Phil, you’re a damn copper, you need this training. Even when you’re out in the field you might have your pepper spray and your truncheon, but what if someone takes them off you, or you’re off duty?’

  Phil braved the remark.

  ‘And Brad, I appreciate that you want to protect your main arteries, but the truth of the matter is that you arms are going to end up like chopped meat.’

  Brad simply nodded.

  Tom spoke up. ‘Why then don’t we just carry knives ourselves?’

  Phil interjected. ‘Because, if these new anti-crime laws come in, then you could be looking at five years for carrying an offensive weapon.’

  ‘Yeah, but I’d much rather take that chance considering the alternative, wouldn’t you?’ He looked around for support, then Geoff took over again.

  ‘Yeah, I understand that, and I also appreciate that martial art weapons are also considered illegal. But the truth of the matter is on the whole, knives are far more dangerous whether you’re using, or sticking! I just detest the bloody things. I hate the look of them, the feel of them. In fact, it is probably the only weapon that actually feels just as dangerous holding one, as it does facing the pointed end. Everything about them is oppressive. The only thing knives should be used for is cutting up your food.’

  Everyone listened intently.

  Geoff paused to allow everyone time to absorb what he’d said. Suddenly someone knocked on the door of the warehouse. Frowning at the intrusion, Geoff marched off to see who it was.

  Meanwhile, the class saw this as a chance to chill and gab about what Geoff had been talking about. Geoff turned the latch on the wooden door and pulled it open. Immediately, his face lit-up with amazement. It was Will.

  ‘Will.’

  ‘Thought I’d pop over and have a look, if that’s alright?’ Will shrugged innocently

  ‘Yeah, of course, come on in!’ Geoff beckoned him through.

  Will closed the door behind him, and followed Geoff over to the team who all eyed him warily like a pack of wolves seeing a stranger enter their group. Except for Guy that is, who came straight over to shake his hand.

  ‘Will, old mate it’s been a long time. How are you?’

  Will shook it heartily. ‘Good, good. Nice to see you again, Guy.’

  Geoff began the introductions. ‘OK, lads, I’d like you all to meet a friend of mine and Guy’s from the old days. Will Thomas.’

  Everybody acknowledged him with a curt nod. Next, Geoff introduced every member in turn, and Will responded to each one with a civil grin.

  Once the formalities were all done, Geoff gave them a bit of history about Will, and why he was here.

  ‘Will has trained in martial arts for probably just as long as I and Guy have. But his field of expertise lies in urban combat, and extreme martial arts, fighting styles that are geared more towards actual street fighting than the conventional art form itself. Plus he used to be a Mixed Martial Arts fighter.’

  Brows of interest were raised, especially by Tom and Charlie.

  ‘And the reason he has come here today, is because he has kindly agreed to sit in on one or two of our training sessions, and hopefully chip in and give us a few pointers every now and again.’

  Everybody happy with this, Geoff resumed with the lesson, and tried his best not to feel intimidated by Will’s presence. ‘Right, back to the knife defence, where were we? Ah, yes, we’ve already established that any fool can be a danger with a knife in his hands.’ He glanced over to Phil. ‘Phil, can I use your assistance?’

  Phil unfolded his hands with a why me, look on his face.

  ‘When faced with someone threatening you with a knife, your main objective is to create as much space as possible between yourself and the blade. The first and probably safest option is, if you have the chance to run, then do so in the opposite direction as fast as you can.’

  To Tom and Charlie, this was an insult to their egos.

  ‘However, if your retreat happens to be blocked off, and you don’t happen to have a weapon on you to defend yourself, then you have to react very quickly indeed. The longer you dither and hesitate, the greater the risk you will get stabbed.’ Geoff nodded to Phil to begin the attack.

  Phil lunged in with his imaginary weapon. In slow motion, Geoff side kicked him to the knee. Again he asked him to repeat the attack, and this time, Geoff froze in mid-kick. ‘You see. At the same time I’m striking the knee, I am also blocking the knife with my lead hand, plus protecting my vital organs.’ Geoff then glanced over to Will. ‘Do you have anything to add to that Will?’

  Will uncrossed his arms like a school kid caught day dreaming in class. ‘Yes, yes, I agree.’ He gave himself a second to focus. ‘If you are threatened with a knife your first objective is to get the hell out of there.’ He paused to gather himself. ‘Even if you have a weapon yourself, don’t use it play a game of who can stab the other first. Only ever use a weapon to defend yourself while you’re planning your escape.’

  Phil lifted his hand. ‘So what do you think would be the best weapon to use against a knife then? Of course taking into account there are existing laws about carrying offensive weapons yourself.’

  Will joined Geoff and Phil at the front of the class. ‘Like I’ve just said, your main objective is to remove yourself from what could potentially be a fatal situation. Now with regards to what weapon you should use, my reply would be anything you can get your hands on that may help prevent you from getting stabbed. Or anything that can be used to disarm your attacker.’

  Will slipped off his padded bomber jacket, and turned to Phil.

  ‘OK. Phil, isn’t it?’ He asked.

  Phil nodded.

  ‘OK, Phil, you have a knife in your hand, and you want to stick me with it, go ahead?’

  Intrigued, Geoff and the rest of the team looked on. Feeling put on the spot somewhat, Phil set himself ready. Meanwhile, Will stood relaxed clutching his jacket in one hand as if he was waiting for a taxicab.

  Phil made a feint, then lunged in with his phantom knife. Yet as soon as he did, it felt as if he’d thrust his hand into a spinning washing machine, and he was thrown completely off balance. Luckily, he was caught by Guy and Brad standing nearby.

  Phil regained his posture, and saw that his arm was gift wrapped with Will’s jacket.

  ‘Can I have my coat back please?’ Will quipped, which caused a few grunts of amusements from the team. Geoff’s mouth t
witched impressed.

  Will explained. ‘OK, that’s how you open up your escape route. You may lose your coat in the process, but it’s better than losing your life.’

  Phil un-wrapped the garment and handed it back to Will who thanked him.

  ‘Now if your escape route happens to be hampered like you have to scale a high wall to get away or something. Or you’re trying to get away in your car and you can’t get your keys out in time before your attacker get’s to you, then you will need to disarm him. Will called for Phil to repeat the attack once more, and when he obliged, this time instead off flinging him off balance, he forced him down to his knees with an arm lock.

  ‘From this position don’t waste any time trying to grab the knife off him, as you might lose the hold and give him another chance. Always keep in mind that this bastard wants to stab you. He’s willing to kill you, he’s willing to take you from this world. Take you away from your mother and father, away from your brothers and sisters, or your wife and family.’ As Will described all this, his face began to darken, his eyes widened and dilated as if he had suddenly become possessed. He glared down at Phil like he wanted to kill him.

  Phil still bound by the arm lock and listening to all this began to feel a bit uneasy. Even Geoff and the team became a tad concerned at this sudden change in Will.

  All at once, Will snarled like a wild beast and thrust down on Phil’s elbow joint as if he was trying to chop a four by four. Phil clenched his eyes shut to steel himself against the impact, then he reopened them to find that his arm was still intact. Will looked down at him with a little smile.

  ‘Sorry, Phil, couldn’t resist it.’

  Phil gave him a look of contempt while everyone else chuckled at his expense. Will helped him back to his feet, and unravelled his jacket for him.

  After the joking had settled, Will proceeded to break down the defence technique in order to show the team exactly how he did it. Geoff and the team were evidently impressed by Will’s self-defence tips, and the session ended with everyone greatly motivated by what they’d been taught. To show his gratitude, Geoff insisted on giving Will a lift home.

  ‘Thanks for that, Will,’ Geoff said on their way back to Will’s flat.

  ‘No problem, I enjoyed doing it. It brought back memories of the old days when I did a bit of teaching myself.’

  Geoff felt a bit cheeky for asking, but did so while he had the chance. ‘Listen, Will, our next session, I was planning to do a bit of technique training with the emphasis on power punching. It’s not that I’m not confident enough with my own power, but I remember that you used to specialise in that department. And if you know a way that may give us some more zip in our punches, well now is the time we could really use it.’

  Will turned to him with a crafty little smirk. ‘What did I tell you all those years ago, Geoff? Didn’t I tell you if you want maximum power you have to compromise traditional beliefs and move into the twenty-first century?’

  Geoff replied sheepishly. ‘I know, I know, but let’s be honest about it Will, times have changed, and we are facing a very different beast out there now.’

  Will relented. ‘Yeah, I suppose you’re right.’

  ‘So do you want to help us out some more?’

  ‘Maybe, we’ll see? Thing is, although I did enjoy going through the motions tonight, I really don’t want to get in too deep and start opening up old wounds again, if you know what I mean?’

  He didn’t, so Will had to explain.

  ‘You have to be careful of the animal, Geoff.’

  ‘What animal?’

  ‘Let it always be your servant, and not your master.’

  Geoff made him elucidate.

  ‘Violence, carnage, aggression, fighting, when you begin down that treacherous path it can start to take you over. It’s just as powerful as any drug out there. People in these occupational hazard jobs for instance, like bouncers, bodyguards, minders, believe me, they can tell you all about it. You see, unless you have that disciplined mindset that tells you that something is only a job, or there is definite justification in what you’re doing. If you can keep that distinction, that separation, you’ll probably be OK. If not, it may become a major problem.’

  Geoff listened intently, but couldn’t quite relate to what Will was saying.

  ‘I’ve seen it so many times, Geoff. Timid people, mild-mannered people, they take a step into a violent world get a taste and then they get hooked. It’s that adrenalin rush, and the self-gratification of conquering another human being. Then their appetite grows and grows, and they need more victims, more challengers to satisfy that lust for violence and glory. Finally, they can no longer help themselves – they will even do it for nothing, only personal satisfaction. That’s when they become consumed by the obsession and they become completely de-sensitised to any remorse, any compassion, or any conscious thought for the consequences of their actions. They talk it, sleep it and even breathe violence. That’s when you wake up one day and take a look in the mirror and you no longer recognise the beast staring right back at you. Your family don’t even recognise you, or your friends. Finally you’ve become that Animal.’

  Geoff didn’t like the sound of that, and gave him a troubled look.

  ‘And believe me, Geoff, once it has a grip on you, it takes incredible willpower to break free.’

  ‘You don’t honestly think it will ever come to that with us though do you?’ Geoff asked concerned.

  ‘It depends on how far you’re willing to go with it Geoff.’

  ‘But we’re only talking about trying to protect ourselves here Will, not start World War Three or anything.’

  ‘I’m not saying this is what’s going to happen to you or any of the team Geoff. I’m just trying to warn you of the pitfalls and the dangers of what can happen if you choose to step into that world of violence. Don’t forget I’ve seen it first hand.’

  ‘Yeah, but what we’re doing is extremely low-key compared to what you did.’

  ‘Yes, I know that, Geoff, but believe me sooner or later you will know what I’m talking about, and I just want you to be aware of it. Like I’ve said if you trust you own judgement and believe in the justification of what you’re doing then that will be your marker, your measure stick if you like. As a friend I’m just trying to give you a bit of advice that’s all.’

  Arriving at Will’s flat, Geoff parked the car but kept the engine running. At first, Will seemed reluctant to want to leave as if he wanted to stay and chat some more, or maybe get something off his chest. Geoff then remembered about Will’s meeting with Stacey, and felt guilty that he hadn’t asked how it went.

  ‘Sorry, I forgot to mention, Will, but how did it go the other night with Stacey?’

  Will sat back and blew a long weary sigh. ‘It’s hard to say. I told her everything like we planned, and as expected she didn’t believe me at first. Then we had a bit of a bust up, things calmed down, and she started telling me stuff about her childhood that I never knew before. Then I walked her back to her hotel and she said that she’d contact me in a couple of days to let me know if she was willing to start afresh.’

  Geoff tried to sound encouraging. ‘Looks like you got through to her then, especially if she confided in you like that.’

  ‘Maybe, I don’t know. I still haven’t heard from her yet.’

  Still wanting to know if Will would be around to help the team out, Geoff had to ask. ‘If it’s a no-go with Stacey, are you still going back to Warrington?’

  ‘Yeah, I’ve been here nearly a couple of weeks now, all cooped up in that flat. The plan was to come straight down to Wales, spend a month or so here to patch things up with Stacey, and then take her back home with me. As soon as I got out of prison, all I wanted to do was get over here. I haven’t even been back to my own home yet. Martin, the guy who’s looking after my house must be thinking I’m never coming back. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t want to make any promis
es with these sessions, because I don’t want to let you down.’

  ‘Well, I’d hate to see you go back so soon, Will, not just because it’s a great help to the team having you around to give us advice and that. But aside from that we haven’t really had the chance to catch up and have a drink together, like the old days.’

  ‘I know, I know. I tell you what, if I do end up having to go back home, before I go, we’ll have a good knees-up just for old times sake, how’s that?’

  ‘It’s a deal.’ Geoff held out his hand and Will shook it.

  As Will climbed out of the car Geoff tried to give him some last minute hope.

  ‘I think Stacey still has something for you, Will, otherwise she wouldn’t have turned up the other night.’

  Will gave him a who-knows shrug.

  ‘I think she will see sense and give it another go,’ Geoff winked.

  Will smiled and said cheers, before slinging the door closed.

  ‘Let us know what she decides. Oh… and if you’re interested, we’re having the Christmas party this Saturday at the Kings’ head, at 7pm.’

  Will nodded and told him he’d come along if he could.

  Unlocking the door to his flat, Will was greeted by his key jangling landlord in the hallway.

  ‘Oh, ur, Will, a lady called for you about an hour ago. She said she’d try again tomorrow about seven pm.’

  Will struggled to contain his disappointment, and forced an appreciative smile. ‘Right, OK, thanks,’ he replied, and disappeared into his room.

  Closing the door behind him, he slumped against it, and gave vent to his frustration.

  ‘Typical,’ he groaned, ‘if only I hadn’t gone to Geoff’s tonight.’

  After wallowing in a bit of self pity, he took off his beanie hat and trudged over to the window, his thoughts now geared towards tomorrow night when Stacey said she would call again. He drew a weary hand across his face, saying to himself, Oh well, at least this time tomorrow, I’ll know one way or another.’