Coach Chronicles

“Ideas don’t come out fully formed,

they only become clear as you work on them.

You just have to get started.”

- Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder of Facebook

Jeremiah sat on the bus watching one of Edgar Tanaka’s TantaTube videos on his cheap little tablet. The content-creating martial artist was the closest thing the 15-year-old had to a positive male role model. He admired Tanaka’s athleticism, and occasionally tried to replicate his moves. Most days, he felt like he could only dream of being that fit.

The bus entered the city and arrived at its first stop. Jeremiah was repulsed by the large, smelly civilians that were crowded onto the bus with him, but he hadn’t had a proper bath in weeks, so he held back his judgment.

“Welcome to Slothville!” The robotic driver said happily as the bus stopped.

“’SCUSE ME! ’SCUSE ME! ’SCUSE ME! ‘SCUSE ME!’ ’SCUSE ME! ’SCUSE ME! ’SCUSE ME! ‘SCUSE ME!’” Jeremiah shouted politely but with haste as he moved through the crowd to the exit.

Upon arriving outside, he saw that the whole town was empty. There were barely signs of life.

Well, at least my chances of being robbed are low,He thought.

After minutes of wandering around the deserted town, Jeremiah rounded a corner and his leg struck a metal rod, causing him to fall.

Jeremiah: Ouch! (He hit the floor and rubbed his shin) What the HECK did I just trip over?!

“Oh, sorry man! Are you ok?” A calm voice said to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah turned around and saw a tall, muscular man. He held a barbell in one hand and an apple in the other. The man held the apple with his mouth and extended a warm hand to Jeremiah. He was wearing an orange t-shirt and matching sunglasses. His large afro and broad shoulders shaded Jeremiah’s face from the little bit of sunlight that pierced through the city’s gray clouds.

WHOA! This guy’s bigger than my entire future!Jeremiah thought, taking the man’s hand and being firmly lifted up by that hand alone.

Jeremiah: Why were you rubbing a barbell against the floor, man?! (He adjusted his duffle-bag)

“Oh, I use it as a walking stick!” He said after removing the apple from his mouth.

Jeremiah: ... You’re blind?

“Yep,” He said with a smile as he removed the fruit.

Jeremiah: ... You’re pretty fit for a blind guy!

“I can still move!” He said, playfully jumping back and forth. “Everyone should.”

Jeremiah: Um... Don’t they make CANES for blind people?

“Not in this town. We got plenty of hospitals, but it ain’t too accommodating for blind folk,”

Jeremiah: I didn’t expect to run into anyone. It’s pretty empty out here.

“Most of us work from home. You’ll also find plenty of people by Ova Baker’s restaurants. Her food’s amazing, but it’ll kill ya if you’re not careful. I’m Caleb, dude. What’s your name?” He said as he put the apple back into his mouth and extended his hand again.

Jeremiah hesitated.

He forgot to prepare for a moment like this. He thought of a character from a Tom Cruise film, and said the first thing that came to mind.

Jeremiah: Ethan... Call me Ethan. (With his identity reformed, He shook Caleb’s hand)

Ethan grunted at the crush of Caleb’s grip. Caleb sensed the discomfort and released him.

Caleb: Nice to meet ya, Ethan. I’ve never heard your voice around town. You’re new, huh?

Ethan: Yeah... I sure am.

Caleb: Visiting a friend?

Ethan: No friends.

Caleb: Family?

Ethan: ... More like taking a break from family.

Caleb: Oh, I hear that. Well, welcome to Slothville! Glad you gave our city a chance.

Ethan: Seems pretty quiet around here.

Caleb: Too quiet... too still...

“AND THAT’S EXACTLY HOW THIS CITY SHOULD BE!” A man shouted through a microphone, much to Caleb’s displeasure. The man was dressed for combat and surrounded by an entourage of people, both slim and wide. It was Activis, the city’s anti-health protester.

Activis: Hello there, young one. Don’t let this big oaf deceive you. Our city is beautiful.

Caleb: There is nothing beautiful about encouraging people to do nothing everyday.

Activis: You hush your mouth, Chronicles! This city has prospered in peace for years.

Ethan: Your last name is “Chronicles”? (He asked Caleb)

Activis: It should be “Incompetent”, because that’s what you are: AN INCOMPETENT COACH!

Caleb: Now Activis, I warned you not to lift more than you could handle. Just because you got injured, it doesn’t mean you can run around telling people that fitness sucks!

Activis: Oh, shut it Chronicles! And I hope the mayor shuts down that deathtrap you call a gym, because YOU ARE UNFIT TO KEEP US FIT!

“HE IS UNFIT TO KEEP US FIT! HE IS UNFIT TO KEEP US FIT!” Activis and his team of protesters chanted as they marched through the empty town.

One of them, a masked ninja, glanced at Ethan before wandering away with the others.

Caleb: AND STOP PEEING ON MY GYM, YOU CLASSLESS CREEP! (He shouted at Activis)

Ethan: That man is such a sweetheart. (He joked, making Caleb chuckle)

Caleb: It’s getting late. I should probably get back. I hope I’ll hear you around, dude.

Ethan: “Hear” me around? Oh! I see.

Caleb: I know you can see. I’m telling you bye. (He joked back)

Ethan: (He laughed)... Yeah. Likewise (He dapped Caleb’s fist and formed a small smile)

Caleb turned around and walked away from the boy.

Caleb: You’ve got a place to stay, right?

Ethan: Yeah, of course.

Caleb stopped.

There was a slight pause as Ethan faced his back.

Caleb: Ok... be safe, neighbor. (He continued his way back home)

Ethan stood alone as he watched Caleb wander away with his barbell swaying side-to-side.

Ethan felt bad lying to his first friend in town, but he figured he could take care of himself.

Ethan entered an alley at sunset. The streets were still clear, so he felt safe to sleep there.

He unrolled his sleeping bag and kept his duffel bag close. He closed his eyes and struggled to fall asleep with a heavy mind.

Eventually, Ethan fell asleep. Just as he expected, his head flooded with nightmares of a house filled with screaming and red liquid. As Ethan tried escaping, a large pair of hands kept trying to drag him to the bottom of the red sea. The man pulling him down roared in his eardrum:

“NOBODY! NOBODY! NOBODY! NOBODY! NO ONE!”

Ethan was jolted awake by a loud woman on a nearby float that was passing by his alleyway.

“NOBODY! NOBODY! NOBODY! NOBODY! AHHHHH!” She screamed, strumming her guitar.

Ethan: WHAT THE HECK?! (He shouted at her)

Eventually the sound of the woman’s screaming and parade music faded into the distance.

He knew he’d struggle to sleep again, angrily laying back down.

A few minutes passed, and his ears were greeted by a familiar voice.

“Hey, bro? ... Ethan? ... Ethan?” a man called out to him.

Ethan’s eyes gradually opened. He turned his head to see Caleb kneeling beside him.

Ethan: Oh, it’s you. (He said groggily)

Caleb: Yeah, man. It’s me.

Ethan’s eyes wandered away from Caleb... to a lion.

Ethan: AH CRAP! (He exclaimed as he jumped away from Caleb and the ferocious feline)

Caleb: Oh, don’t worry! He’s trained. This is Leon. My service pet. (He reassured Ethan)

Caleb began scratching Leon’s ear, causing Leon to rollover playfully.

The lion was bound by a chained leash that hardly lowered the boy’s heartbeat.

Ethan: A barbell for a walking stick and a lion for service pet?! EVER HEAR OF A DOG?!

Caleb: Oh, we don’t have dogs anymore. Besides, lions are cooler... as long as you feed them!

Ethan: How did you even know I was out here?

Caleb: It seemed kinda obvious you were keeping something from me. I’m good with tones.

Ethan sighed.

Caleb: Come on. I’ve got room for you at my place.

Ethan leaned back from Caleb, squinting at the generous offer.

Caleb: Dude, I promise I’m not a threat.

Ethan: That’s rich coming from a GIANT that owns a lion.

Caleb: Haha! I’m 6′5, not a monster.

There was a brief pause.

Ethan: How do you know I’m not a threat? (He asked firmly)

Caleb: Eh... I’ll take the risk. (He smiled)

Ethan rewarded Caleb’s smile with a glare.

Caleb: I only want to get you out the cold, man. I swear.

Ethan looked down and then back at Caleb’s face.

Ethan: Ok... let’s go. (He said, with a hint of fear in his tone)

He, Caleb, and Leon approached a vandalized, old building.

Ethan: Why are we at a gym?

Caleb: Oh, my gym’s downstairs. We live upstairs. (He unlocked the door)

Ethan had never met anyone who owned a gym, let alone lived in one.

Beats sleeping outside,the boy thought as Caleb waved him in.

It was dark downstairs, but Ethan could tell Caleb’s gym was full of equipment. After Caleb locked the front doors, he guided Ethan upstairs into the dining room. Leon casually followed them.

Caleb: I’ve got roommates, by the way!

Well, that would’ve been good to know before,Ethan thought, still on the defense.

Caleb: Hey, babe! I’m back. I found the new kid I was telling you about!

“Is there anything he doesn’t eat?” the woman asked from the kitchen.

Caleb: You vegan or somethin’? (He asked Ethan)

Ethan: No, no. I’ll eat anything!

Caleb: He’ll eat anything! (He playfully yelled back at her)

She entered the dining room from the kitchen, placing a pan of warm cornbread on the table.

She wore a colorful apron over her blue shirt and black leggings. She had on blue leg warmers and a matching top. Her matching headband sat atop her big, long black hair.

She and Caleb looked like they came straight from the 1980s with their large hair and colorful accessories. Ethan liked it. It was different. It made him feel like he was living in a better time... in a better household.

“Well, as long as he doesn’t eat as much as you do, there’s plenty for everyone,” she joked.

Ethan tried to laugh with Caleb but settled for a weak smile.

“So who’s this little guy?” she asked, stretching her shoulders.

Caleb: This is Ethan!

Grace: Hi, I’m Grace. Welcome to our... gym... house. (She giggled, gently shaking his hand)

Ethan: Hello. (He said, trying to be polite while feeling a little shy)

Grace: I think the broccoli’s steamed. I’ll be right back. (She left the room)

Ethan took his place at the table with Caleb.

Ethan: ... So... how do you stay in shape while you’re blind?

Caleb: I work out. (He laughed) That doesn’t stop me.

Ethan: Do you... need a lot of help to exercise?

Caleb: Not anymore. I rely on my other senses a lot. I can find my way around. Just can’t see.

Ethan: Oh. Were you... I’m sorry.

Caleb: Go ahead. (He said, still smiling at the kid)

Ethan: Were you born blind?

Caleb: Yep.

Ethan: Oh. Well, that’s better, I guess. Makes it easier to adapt.

Caleb: I like the way you think!

Ethan glanced at the empty chair, then back at Caleb.

Ethan: Who’s your other roommate? (He asked curiously)

Caleb: (He smiled after sensing his friend arrive) Manfred! This is Ethan. He’s new in town! (He said, enthusiastically introducing the two)

Ethan: Huh?

The boy turned and flinched, horrified by the sudden appearance of the grown man sitting next to him in a meditative position.

Caleb grabbed Ethan’s chair, protecting him from falling. Manfred’s eyes shot open at the chaos.

Manfred: Oh, sorry friend. Didn’t mean to startle you. (He said in a calm, innocent tone)

Ethan: Caleb warned me the town was a little too quiet, but sheesh!

Manfred was a hairy, older man with tattooed arms. His delicate demeanor hardly matched his rough exterior. He wore a black tank top and sweatpants while sitting cross-legged. He wasn’t as massive as Caleb, but still visibly fit.

Manfred: (He laughed) Welcome to town! We don’t get a lot of newcomers. (He held out a fist)

Ethan reluctantly bumped it.

After Grace joined the table, Manfred blessed the food before they all began eating.

Ethan was eating rather fast, almost as fast as Caleb.

The two devoured the food on their plates: Caleb out of habit, Ethan out of starvation.

Two motives with the same drive.

Manfred: Looks like you have competition (He said to Caleb, noticing Ethan’s appetite)

Caleb removed his plate from his face, revealing it to be empty.

Grace: I doubt it, Manfred (She replied, trying not to chuckle at the race)

Ethan: Wow, you eat fast! (He said to Caleb)

Grace: He sure does (She said as she poured part of her plate onto Caleb’s)

Caleb: What are you doing?! (He asked Grace, widening his eyes at her sharing the food)

Grace: It’s fine... We’ve got enough.

Caleb looked a bit sad.

Manfred: She’s right, Caleb. (He said, as he wiped the food out of his gray and brown beard) Tom and Ashley restarted their memberships this morning, remember?

Caleb: Oh... Well, I just hope they actually use it this time. I’m still upset about Wally.

Manfred: Yeah, that was a good man. (He said, mourning Wally)

Feeling too quiet at a generous table, Ethan decided to take a risk and ask more questions.

Ethan: Is it hard managing a gym?

Manfred: Managing anything is hard, but it doesn’t help when you’re managing a gym in the middle of an unhealthy town. People don’t seem to care about themselves around here.

Ethan: Is that what that fat weirdo was yapping about earlier when he said Mr. Caleb was “unfit to keep us fit”?

Manfred: Ah man! He met Activis on his first day?! (He asked Caleb)

Caleb: Yeah, but it went smoothly... as smoothly as things go with him.

Grace: That’s good, considering nothing goes smoothly with that man. He’s such a hot head.

Ethan: I’ve met kids who hated fitness, but he’s bizarre. My favorite class was always P.E.

Caleb: Oh! You love working out?! You’re already way ahead of most people in town!

Ethan: Eh... I don’t feel like it. I wanna look like you and Manfred one day.

Manfred: Oh, thank you. (He said, as Caleb playfully flexed his biceps) I used to be really small like you. Don’t worry about looking like us, just become the best version of yourself!

Caleb: Grace is strong too! Don’t forget her! Those quads... Those hamstrings... THEM GLUTES!

Grace held back her laughter while she attempted to shush Caleb from speaking further.

Ethan: How do you know what she looks like?! (He grinned)

Caleb: Because my hands still work! Stop asking me how I do things! (He joked)

Manfred chuckled before a laugh escaped from him.

Grace: Ok! Ok now! Please change the subject! (She said, serving Ethan more food.)

Ethan: It’s always been hard for me to workout outside of school. My folks didn’t have gym memberships or gym equipment. We were a pretty unhealthy household.

Caleb: Well, my gym is open 24/7 but we usually don’t get clients until morning. Why don’t you join the program?

Ethan: “Join the program”?

Caleb: Yeah, I mean, we’re coaches! Grace is a gymnast, Manfred’s the master of meditation, and I’m just your average trainer who teaches people how to lift weights and eat good.

Ethan: Yeah, you’re totally average (He said jokingly as he stared at Caleb’s pet lion eating a raw steak in the corner of the room)

The group laughed before Ethan turned back at the coaches, and thought about their offer.

Ethan: I can’t afford to join your gym.

Manfred and Grace looked at Caleb to see what their next move would be.

Caleb: That’s fine. (He said, causally shrugging his shoulders)

Ethan: No, it’s not. I gotta pay you back for all this stuff you guys are doing for me.

Caleb: Maybe one day, but for now, no you don’t. I’m doing this for you because you came all the way to town on your own... for personal reasons I won’t ask about... and you seem to have a passion for health and fitness that you never really had an opportunity to explore. My job is to help the people of this town explore and maintain that passion, and that includes you.

Ethan: ... A free gym membership and a training program?! (He marveled)

Caleb: Yeah, dude. It’s a nine-month program. I teach you how to lift weights...

Grace: I teach aerobics and gymnastics...

Manfred: And I go over yoga and meditation.

Caleb: Obviously, the program is optional, but the idea is to give the client a well-rounded understanding and skillset of health and fitness. There’s a lot of factors when it comes to taking care of the body. But, I know that’s a lot, so feel free to join us in the gym tomorrow and get your feet wet. I’d love to walk you through the basics of weightlifting. What do you say, Ethan? You want me to be your coach?

Caleb extended his hand.

... and with little hesitation... Ethan shook it.

Ethan: Thank you, Coach...? What’s your last name?

Caleb: You could just call us by our first names, but my last name is Chronicles.

Ethan: So Activis was serious? Your last name is really “Chronicles”?

Caleb: Yup.

Ethan: “Coach Chronicles” (He said intrigued by the name) Mind if I call you, “CC”?

Caleb: Aye, I like that!

Later that night, Ethan got ready for bed in his new room that Caleb gave him. It was simple but functional. It had a closet, a dresser, and a twin bed. It was more than what he had before.

Ethan looked in the mirror, unhappy with his skinny-fat physique, especially after seeing the other coaches.

“HEY! Stop throwing rocks at my windows!” Ethan heard Caleb yell to Activis outside.

“YOU’RE UNFIT TO KEEP US FIT, CHRONICLES!” Activis screamed before he and his followers ran from Caleb’s front yard.

Ethan laid in bed, watching videos on his tablet in the dark. Edgar Tanaka was going through the importance of power, flexibility and mental strength in building strength.

“... And be sure to rest and recover. Too often are rest and recovery overlooked, when they’re actually two of the MOST IMPORTANT exercises you could ever do!” Edgar said to the camera after throwing high kicks against his punching bag.

Ethan understood the message, turned off the tablet, and went to bed excited for the next day.

The next morning, Ethan and Grace walked down the stairs together.

Grace: Wow. First time ever using a gym. Ever considered playing sports in school?

Ethan: I considered joining the basketball team... but it’s probably too late for that now.

Grace: As long as you’re alive and able, it’s rarely too late to start a new adventure!

Grace said as she fell forward.

Ethan panicked before realizing that she was flawlessly flipping downstairs.

She dismounted and smiled at the boy. Ethan was in shock.

Grace: Wanna try? (She asked eagerly)

Ethan: ... Probably tomorrow. (He looked around) It’s kinda empty down here.

Grace: We don’t get a lot of business, but we manage.

“We’re thankful people come at all” A calm, but firm voice shot out to Ethan, causing Ethan to jump back in fear. It was Manfred.

Manfred: Oops. I did it again.

Ethan: Where the heck do YOU keep coming from, sir?! (He asked frantically)

Manfred: I’m sorry, Ethan. I tend to float around a lot.

Ethan: Oh hahaha, very funny. (He said, dismissing Manfred’s words as mere amusement)

Grace: Try to make a little more noise when you move, Manny. He’s new. (She grinned)

Manfred: Gotcha. Ethan, when you’re ready to learn how to meditate, feel free to join my class.

Ethan: (He stared off to collect his thoughts and calm down) Yeah. Sure. Ok, dude. Just stop doing...

He looked back to find Manfred was gone.

Ethan: ... That!

Grace: Oh, look there’s Caleb! (She pointed)

Caleb was by a weight bench casually lifting 10 reps of a thousand pounds.

Ethan’s jaw could’ve dropped all the way to the earth’s core.

After Caleb racked the weight, the squat rack collapsed. He coughed out the dust.

Caleb: Ah, man! The stupid manufacturer said it could support the weight! (He complained)

Ethan: ... Ok... that’s it. I’m going back upstairs.

Grace reached out to bring Ethan to a gentle stop.

Grace: You do not need to match what WE do. What matters is what YOU can do!

Ethan: Nope. Nope. Nope. I’m out.

Ethan was stopped after almost bumping into a girl walking behind him.

“Oh... sorry about that. Hi there,” She said sweetly, waving her hand.

" ... Hey,” He said nervously. She was a big girl, but Ethan found her adorable.

Grace: Hazel! This is Ethan. He’s new in town!

Hazel: Oh! And he decided to join the gym? That’s cool! We need more support.

Grace: We sure do. Please tell him that starting a training plan can be hard.

Hazel: Oh, starting can feel impossible, but it becomes easier when you keep going. I gotta head into yoga class with Manfred, but it was cool seeing you guys! (She smiled and waved as she left)

Ethan: ... I-I’ll stay.

Grace: I-I wonder why. (She teased) Make sure you stretch! (She said as she left to her class)

Ethan’s heart was racing a bit.

He tried to control himself. He wasn’t in the best headspace to have a girl on his mind.

Caleb used his barbell as a cane and approached Ethan.

Caleb: Ready to start your S.E.T. plan, bro? (He asked eagerly, jumping around)

Ethan: What’s that?

Caleb: Your daily sleeping, eating and training plan! (He asked while he stretched his hips)

Ethan: Ah, yes. Of course. (He said, hopelessly trying to match Caleb’s upbeat nature)

Caleb: Sleeping is the easy part. You did get a goodnight’s sleep, right? About 7 to 9 hours worth?

Ethan had spent a quarter of the night on his tablet and the rest of the night with nightmares.

Ethan: Yeah, fasho.

Caleb: Grace made you breakfast?

Ethan: Yep.

Caleb: Great! You slept! You ate! Let’s train!

Ethan wasn’t used to being coached like this. He had a school coach, but this felt a little more serious. Despite feeling a bit on edge, especially since everything happened so fast, he tried to be open-minded.

Everything started off simple when it came to stretching, warm-ups, and bodyweight exercises. The difficulty increased when Ethan felt the weight of the weight plates against his body for the first time in his life.

Bodyweight training exercises likepush-upsandpull-upscame somewhat easily to Ethan. These were the main two exercises that Ethan was already used to doing on his own at school or in his old place.

During his firstbench press, he heard his chest crack for the first time. It wasn’t a painful crack, but like the cracking of knuckles. His chest was pushed out and his hunch was corrected.

“Push...Pull...Push...Pull...Push...Pull...Push...Pull... !” Caleb coached Ethan.

Squattingwas difficult, and Ethan wasn’t used to relying on his quads, hamstrings, or glutes. Caleb warned Ethan that barbell squats were considered one of the hardest exercises to do, and most of his clients had a bad habit of skipping the exercise. Caleb insisted it was the best exercise for training the lower body and warned him to NEVER skip this exercise.

Deadliftfelt easier to Ethan, but it took a few times for him to learn to stop bending his back. This caused him pain, especially when he lifted a heavier weight.

Bicep curlsseemed somewhat easier than everything else, but Caleb warned Ethan that it was an overrated exercise, and that training triceps was more difficult. Ethan felt the burden of Caleb’s point when he struggled to maintain a good, controlled form on thetricep pulldownmachine.

Barbell rowingandshoulder pressingfelt fine, but as Caleb was teaching Ethan about progressive overload, increasing the reps, sets, or weight whenever his body felt ready, Ethan grew frustrated with the technicalities behind each lift.

Ethan became more annoyed with each day that passed.

When Ethan was ready to give Caleb the benefit of the doubt, Caleb did something that pushed Ethan over the limit. Something odd... unforgivable ... and that NO OTHER COACH had ever done with Ethan. Caleb told Ethan to consider adding acalf raiseto his workouts.

Ethan: THAT’S IT! (He exclaimed with exasperation as he barged out of the gym)

Caleb slowly followed Ethan outside, barbell in hand, struggling not to trip over anything.

Caleb: Ethan, wait! What’s the problem, man?! Talk to me! Do you need a break?

Ethan: I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THE PROBLEM IS! WE’VE DONE ALL THIS WORK, AND I STILL LOOK THE SAME WAY I DID WHEN WE STARTED!

Caleb: Ethan, we’re setting up a training program. A program does NOT work overnight. The purpose is to give you something to do for a period of time. The results come later, but the focus should be on how well you’re doing each exercise, not on how you look in the mirror today.

Ethan: CC, this is taking forever. You guys are in there lifting semi-trucks, “floating” around, and bending your bodies in every direction! I CAN’T DO ANY OF THAT STUFF! (He snapped)

Caleb: Neither could we, until we practiced. You could do it too, Ethan! You gotta be patient!

Ethan: Nah, man! This is all too much! I don’t wanna do this anymore!

Caleb: But, I thought you said you loved working out.

Ethan: I know! (He put his face in his hands and looked up, hating the process)

Activis arrived with his entourage behind him, including the masked ninja from earlier.

Activis: AHA! So the blind bodybuilder has failed yet another newcomer?! Told ya, boy!

Caleb: Don’t poison his mind, Activis! This was his first week training. Of course he’s struggling!

Activis: You see, everyone?! All that moving around and heavy lifting just made the boy more stressed! He ain’t no real coach! And we don’t need a gym!

“YEAH!” Activis’ supporters agreed.

Caleb: I tried to be there for you, man! You can’t overtrain your body and get mad at me when I’m the one who told you to stop. Your injuries were your own fault!

Activis: Do you think you’re better than us just because you’re in shape?! What gives you the right to even tell people how to eat, sleep, and move?! There’s no such thing as “good” health!

Caleb: If most of our population could walk without medical assistance, I’d agree with you.

Did I overreact?Ethan thought mid-argument

Caleb: Dude, I just wanna keep you alive. I never meant any harm. (He said to Activis)

Activis: YOU WILL NEVER CHANGE THIS TOWN! THIS GOOD FOR NOTHIN’ GYM OF YOURS WON’T HELP ANYONE! YOU’RE JUST AS USELESS AS YOUR PATHETIC WORKOUT PROGRAM!

Ethan: Hey, you can’t talk to a blind guy like that!

Activis: STAY OUTTA THIS, BOY!

Caleb: Don’t yell at him, Activis!

Activis took Caleb by his shirt collar.

Caleb: I don’t want any trouble either!

I kinda do,Ethan thought as his blood boiled.

Activis: I won’t let you tell me and the rest of this town how to live our lives. We are PERFECT the way we are, and you are literally too blind to see it! WE WILL BURN THIS GYM DOWN!

Caleb: No, man! Not my gym! (He begged)

The argument was interrupted by Ethan’s fist after it struck Activis’ face.

There was only a gasp from the crowd to break the silence.

Caleb: ... Uh oh...

The ninja that stood in the crowd flipped forward and attempted to sidekick Ethan in the face.

Caleb smacked him with his barbell, sending the masked man tumbling across the street like an armadillo.

Caleb: Back off, Hatchet Man!

Ethan was astonished.

Activis ignited his picket signs.

His followers followed suit, raising pitchforks and torches for battle.

Caleb mirrored them by allowing his barbell to become inflamed.

Sparks flew through the air like snow.

While Ethan was stunned by the fight, he felt two warm hands on his shoulders.

It was Manfred and Grace.

Grace: Baby, I need you to head inside, ok?

Manfred grabbed the boy and levitated him off his feet over to the gym entrance.

After removing Ethan from battle, Manfred flew back into it, debris floating around him.

A trail of burning 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 45-pound weight plates rolled out of the gym on their own. The plates circled around Caleb with a human-like obedience, moving only to his will.

Caleb grabbed onto a 45-pound plate and flung it like a freebie at Hatchet Man. Hatchet Man dodged the disk, but Caleb was fast enough to grab onto a smaller 2.5 weight plate, fling it upward, and strike it with his barbell like a baseball bat. The baseball-styled attack allowed Caleb to make a faster throw, shooting Hatchet Man in the ribs.

Hatchet Man was discombobulated.

Caleb swung his barbell against Activis’ picket signs. Activis used the sharp edges of the picket signs like broadswords, eagerly hoping to chop through the blind trainer and punish the insolent boy who struck him.

Manfred soared into the crowd of supporters, kicking and punching each one before telekinetically lifting up the ground they all stood on. He slammed them down, sending dust all over the area.

Hatchet Man tried to use the dust cloud to his advantage, blindsiding Manfred, knocking the coach out of the air with a flying kick onto the ground.

Grace front-flipped over to kick down the last two weak men who remained of Activis’s army.

Caleb outmaneuvered Activis’ picket signs, summoned an inflamed 45-pound weight plate, tossed the plate, and knocked Activis through the dust cloud onto the ground.

Hatchet Man flipped over to defend his master. He pulled out a bamboo staff and whacked Grace out from his way.

Caleb brought his barbell down like a hammer against the aerobic minion, and broke through the staff.

He took a dozen punches and kicks from the masked ninja before tossing him into a nearby tree.

Activis swung his signs at Grace, but Grace moved like Simone Biles. She’d drop into a split to avoid wide attacks. She’d cartwheel back and forth to cause dizziness to her opponents. She found herself up close and personal with Activis. She was back to back with him, but Activis was too slow to land a hit on her.

Grace ax-kicked him, Manfred side-kicked him, and Caleb gave him one last barbell-smack.

He was knocked down yet again.

The men stopped attacking and were not as quick to get up as they were before.

Activis and his men dispersed. Hatchet Man followed Activis.

Activis: I’m telling the mayor about this! (He complained in pain)

Caleb: Stay away from my gym! (He shook his fist)

The fight gave Activis’ bloated stomach quite a shake. He barfed before finally wandering off.

Ethan, Hazel and the other few clients who were at the gym observed the moment in awe.

Grace: Alright, everyone! Show’s over! Finish your workouts! (Grace said as her and Manfred guided their clients back into the gym)

Caleb approached Ethan.

Caleb: Thanks for sticking up for me, man. You ok?

Ethan: WHAT THE HECK WAS ALL THAT?! CC, YOU’RE A SUPERHERO! (He grinned)

Caleb: I’m just a trainer.

Ethan: That ninja couldn’t even hurt you! You guys were on fire! Manfred flew all over the place! Grace did a bunch of crazy flips and tricks and... ! (He said excitingly)

Caleb: This is my team. We just wanna make the town a better place. But I get it if all this was a bit too much for you and you wanna head back upstairs.

Ethan: Are you kidding?! Forget that! Let’s keep training!

Caleb: ALRIGHT! (He said happily, jumping in the air)

Ethan: I guess I did just need a break. (He rubbed the back of his head) I just hope this works.

Caleb: Ethan, I promise, nine months from now, you’ll be a brand new man!

Caleb and Ethan shook hands.

Ethan: CAN YOU LOOSEN YOUR GRIP A LITTLE, PLEASE?! (He exclaimed as his bones crunched)

Caleb: Oh, sorry!

The scene transitioned to the inside of the City Hall building.

The tall, muscular mayor stood firm as he observed the city through his office window.

His secretary approached.

“Mr. Mayor, we received word Activis was provoked by Caleb Chronicles today.”

The Mayor: Coach Chronicles is usually smarter than that. (He shook his protein shake)

“He’s got a new protégé as well. He’s new in town.”

The Mayor: What’s this one named? (He adjusted the tie on his form-fitting blue suit)

“Ethan.”

The Mayor: How strong is he?

“He’s the one who started the fight”

The Mayor: ...Well, then ... We’ll finish it. (He took a sip as they enjoyed the view together)