The Beast

            Anxiously, the man awaited his challenge.  Beside him lay his weapons: a sturdy net, and a sharp, metal tipped spear with the bloods of many fallen warriors.  Cautiously, he picked up his weapons and stood assertively, for at any moment his challenge could appear.  Danger was normal to him, for he had been faced with many challenges I the past.  Every challenge up to this day had been preparing him for this moment.  Fear was no longer a part of him, for these challenges were where life and death collided.  Gaping eyes surrounded the arena waiting excitedly for the challenge to begin.  Hearing and seeing the crowd was a distraction to the man, but he knew he had to stay focused.  In less than a second, the challenge began.  Jumping through the dark, gaping entrance, as the huge steel gate was opened, came his challenge.  Kill the beast, and I’m free, fail to do so, and I will die a horrible death, thought the man. Looking into the beast eyes, the man took his stance.  Mockingly, the beast reared up and loud out a blood-curling roar.  Net and spear in hand, the man chose that moment and charged.  On every level of the arena, the crowd was ecstatic.  Piercing the beast thick hide only angered it.  Quivering from the blow, the furious beast regained its senses and lunged wildly in the direction of the man.  Reaching out with its front claws, it tried to catch the man by surprise.  Seeing was almost impossible for the beast so it based most of its movements through smell, thought the man.  Turning around quickly, the man suspected the attack and threw his net over its head, pinning the beast to the ground.  Veering and struggling as the man secured the net to the ground, the beast would not give up.  Without hesitation, the man took his spear and rammed it through the beast’s skull with a sickening crunch.  Exactly as expected, the crowd went into a wild cheer.  Years of living in a cell and training had brought the man to this joyful moment.  Zigzagging around the sandy arena, under the hot Roman sun, the man took one last victory lap for he was finally free!