These Hands

by Gregg Austin, Khalil A. Burnett (Photographer)

Jimmy "Mack Truck" Simmons basked in the joy of being handpicked for the Olympic Boxing Team, his moment of triumph arriving a mere three weeks before his upcoming bout for the amateur light heavyweight championship. But fate had other plans in store. Roughly three days prior to the fight, a sinister quartet of corrupt cops, infamous on the streets as The Brotherhood, slithered into his path. They left behind an envelope bearing $30,000 and a chilling note that whispered of dire lose the fight, or face their merciless wrath. The officer's nephew, Jimmy's adversary in the ring, would gain a coveted spot on the Olympic team if Jimmy were to falter. Yet the undefeated Jimmy Mack had no intentions of succumbing to someone he could defeat with his eyes closed. In a dazzling display of skill and strength, Jimmy unleashed a devastating knockout blow in the first round, securing a resounding victory. But as he reveled in his triumph within the sanctuary of his dressing room, The Brotherhood erupted through the door, determined to apprehend him under the guise of disorderly conduct. Time seemed to crawl as backup tardily trickled in. However, before assistance could intervene, Jimmy Mack fought back with the fury of a lion unchained, obliterating three of the four officers who dared to cross his path. But the price he paid for defending himself was steep. The remaining officer, driven by malice, unleashed a brutal assault upon him, leaving him bloodied and broken, aching to the point of being whisked away to the hospital. Terrified that Jimmy Mack might expose their wicked deeds, the corrupt quartet waited patiently until he lay sedated, vulnerable in his hospital bed. Without mercy, they subjected him to a merciless beating, pushing him into an abyss of unconsciousness while a malevolent doctor stood by, callously recording the entire gruesome ordeal, his laughter resonating through the room like a haunting echo. Five years later, Jimmy Mack emerged from the confines of his coma, fueled by an insatiable hunger for retribution. With every fiber of his being consumed by vengeance, he embarked on a relentless quest, tracking down each and every one of those responsible, one by one. And when he finally confronted them, he delivered his own twisted brand of justice, giving them the taste of punishment they so richly deserved, his fists becoming the instrument of their torment.

131 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2023

Reviews

[Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

This was out of my realm of typical books I read. The concept was a good one. It could've benefited from some editing and proofreading. Overall not bad though.