The above-ground train for the 4 Line traveled overhead on a long stretch from the heart of the South Bronx all the way up north to Woodlawn Cemetery.  It blocked out enough sun so that you could enjoy a sunny day without being burnt alive. It was early November, though, so I doubt I’d catch a tan if it wasn’t there. 

               It's a nice walk during the day. At night, the overhead track clouded the sidewalk in heavy shadow, giving you the feeling of fingertips tickling the back of your neck. The stadium and station were all on 161st. It was a tourist trap that Bronx folks didn't visit unless there was a game on. It was surrounded by merch shops, bars, and a McDonald's, so parents could take their kids out for burgers after a game. It was loud, active, and everything shook when the trains passed by.  You'd walk down a few blocks, however, and things were different. You could feel the lack of life crossing the street away from the hub of 161. By the time you reached 163rd Street, a sense of stillness always set in. Compared to before, you were basically alone. 

              Maybe it's cuz the magic of the ballpark and the open air were missing, but there, you noticed a change. Dirty buildings and deafening emptiness that the outsiders avoided. Welcome to the Bronx is what I always think whenever I pass the sound threshold. People do wild things for sports. Like having a fear of poor people, then going where poor people live to watch former poor people do an activity so hard you gotta start out poor to really push yourself to get good at it. I boxed most of my life, so I understood the recipe.

              My gym was located on the corner, a few blocks past the threshold, 165 Riverside, across the street from a local park. We are the only business open on our side of the street. Then again, no one walked down here if they didn’t have to. It’s also why when I saw folks standing in the front, I got kinda nervous. There were three people standing by the entrance. One I recognized. She was short, with a poofy fro, and too peppy for anyone's good. Though this time she had an expression I wasn't used to seeing on her. It was fear.  The other two I didn't know, but they were both tall, one of ‘em around my height (which was rare). One was dressed in all black, while the other was a big, confused-looking kid in a white waffle shirt that was too big for him (it looked like a tarp). The closer I got, the clearer I could hear their conversation.

           "Take me to Christian Creed," said the tall one in black, their voice sounding like a cat's growl.

            "I’m right here," I said, projecting my voice. Everyone turned towards me. 

           "Champ!" Kyle said, her face breaking into a smile that screamed relief. She had on her usual outfit, baggy athletic sweats, a tight orange athletic top, and her baggy blue sports coat that looked a decade older than she was. Her short fro bounced as she zipped over to me with lightning speed.

            "Everything ok?" I asked, looking down at her. 

            "Uh,h yeah. Um, I brought someone," she said, turning quickly and pointing at the confused-looking boy standing behind her. He was a bald kid with jittery green eyes that zipped back between Kyle and the person in black. "I was about to take him inside when this person stopped us to ask about you," she said. I looked over to the person in black. They were a woman-I think. Standing an inch or two under me, this person donned a trench that draped past their hands, and dragged on the floor so much that I couldn’t see their feet. Their entire body was wrapped away, like they were hiding themselves, with only their head popping out from the top. Clayish gray skin with thick spiked-up hair and bulging black eyes.

         "Christian creed?" They spoke again. The voice was slightly more feminine this time. 

          "Uh...yes?" 

           "My name is Justine. I'd like a moment alone with you," she said. Oh, here we go. I thought, letting out a massive sigh.

            "Oh, that thing-yes, I understand. Kyle?" I said, turning to my student, probably with a face somewhere between tired and constipated. "Can you set ya friend up inside? I gotta take care of this." I said.

               "Uhh, sure champ…" she said, turning around and taking the new kid through the front door. I looked back at Justine's gray face in front of me. 

                The woman was chomping at the bit, with wild eyes and what looked like drool leaking out of her lips. I wished a woman would look at me like that for other reasons than what I was sure this was about. I didn't take my eyes off her pale mug until I heard the door click to my right with Kyle now inside. I rubbed my nose with the edge of my thumb before I spoke. 

               "Follow me," I said.