Time stood motionless for a handful of moments, each mans eyes briefly holding the ones staring back before taking in the dog the other was holding.

Each were aware there were spectators around, faceless blurs surrounding the box.

Each man blinked hard to keep the sweat from their brow from dripping into their eyes as they held their champions at the ready. The muscles in each mans forearms stood out like ropes at the strain of holding their dog. Each dog was poised for action, their bodies flowing with adrenaline, lean shaped muscles now a hair trigger, each eyes focused on the other, each scream causing the release of further adrenaline.

From the crowd, they saw master and dog and the ready, each mans lips moved as they spoke in unheard tones to their champions. Each heart of the spectators beat hard as a collective heart beat, a rhythm who's beat was becoming louder in anticipation.

A glance down at a watch, a loud voice, a collective gasp, a focus of eyes, a racing of hearts, it had begun.................
WORDS by SOUR-MASH