The Icarus To Your Certainty

chapter one

Elaine ashryver put down her copy of 'I'm glad my mum died' and, without cocking her head, glanced over her lashes towards her bedroom door where she could hear her brother's footsteps outside, sneaking out of the flat.

See, she wasn't the most curious person in the world. In truth, Elaine couldn't care less about what others were doing; she didn't have much interest in other people's lives at all. But when her brother pretended he was going to kip and Elaine walked past his room, catching sight of another set of clothes on top of his bed, she reckoned Aaron was up to no good.

Her brother had welcomed her with open arms to his flat in London. And even though Elaine still harboured a lot of unresolved feelings toward him, she knew she could count on him when needed, and that's precisely what happened. Aaron was one of the most loyal people she knew - actually, he was the most loyal person she knew. Elaine 0 it aloud to him, but she almost cried with relief when Aaron opened his home to her.

And perhaps being overly interested in what Aaron was up to was his way of trying to forget the past few weeks. From standing by his cousins' side while they held her arm, watching her parents' coffins lowered six feet underground, to everyone offering their condolences about her parents' passing while she couldn't wait to get away, to the plane ride that brought her back to Aaron, back to London.

Elaine could have let Aaron go and stayed in the flat, sorting out the guest room that was now her, but after a few minutes, she leapt out of bed and swiftly went after her brother. It was eleven o'clock at night, and Aaron wouldn't lie if he was heading out for a date. Something was up, and Elaine was bored.

Elaine took a lift to her brother's location, taking in the streets that were once so familiar to her. She had missed London, especially the people she'd left behind.

Frowning as they passed Oxford University, she continued deeper into one of the campus basements. When she got out of the car she noticed a strange movement in the distance. Following the path of people drinking and laughing she made her way to the basement. At the door, a tall red-haired man blocked Elaine's way, who held out his hand asking for payment. Rolling her eyes, Elaine handed over the money before being allowed to get in.

As she stepped through the doors into the dim light of the crowded basement, the loud noise of the place echoed in her ears. It was a mix of excited shouts, laughter, and the backdrop of rap music. The space was packed with throngs of people, and the scent of sweat and blood lingered in the air. People shouted numbers and exchanged money. Regulus was bumped by more people coming in, seamlessly blending into the crowd.

The piercing wail of a guitar sliced through the smoky air. She followed the source of the sound and found herself in the middle of the basement, where a man stood atop a wooden crate, rising above the crowd.

"Of course," Elaine muttered, recognising him.

Jake Watson held a wad of cash in one hand and a loudspeaker in the other. He raised it to his lips, wearing a wide smile. "Welcome to the Oxford Fight Club. I'm the Bloody baron," he paused for applause, "and I set the bloody rules and call the fights. Betting stops once the opponents hit the floor. No touching the fighters, no assistance, no changing bets, and no encroaching on the ring. Break these rules, and you'll get the piss beat out of you and be chucked out on your arse with bugger-all cash!"

An underground fight club. Her brother was betting on illegal fights. Elaine wasn't even surprised; this was classic Aaron behaviour. Always getting himself into trouble. Elaine believed it was some sort of pathological behaviour, but whenever she brought it up with her brother, Aaron told her to bugger off.

The crowd of students went mental with cheers. She glanced around, trying to see her brother or anyone she knew. It was difficult to find someone there who didn't sport tattoos or piercings, or have a pint in hand. Elaine, in her posh cashmere sweater and black loafers, stuck out amidst the sweaty people and flowing pints down in the basement.