My feet hit the hot pavement, one after another, in rhythmic frenzy.

Blood rushed into my ears.

Thumping.

The sound of my heart? Or feet running up behind me? It was hard to tell.

I hopped the fence, muscles throbbing and knees buckling underneath me.

Seconds later, the gate slammed.

We froze like statues, he at his end of the pavement and I at mine, our eyes set in a deadlock.

Then, we charged.

Gripping each other, one was an equal match for the other, neither winning the battle until...

He slipped.

And with him I fell into the pool.