13 - Deadly Rhythm

Jessica’s head snapped back from Valerie’s jabs, but rather than allowing herself to become disoriented, she focused her concentration and reformed her guard in front of her face, in time to block an incoming third jab from the Ripper. She pondered how best to mount her own offensive, but Valerie seemed bent on not giving her the opportunity as she dipped in, heading downstairs this time with a looping body blow. For now, the Nova Striker would need to remain on the defensive as she shifted her guard downward, protecting her abs once again from Valerie’s attack. Valerie was insistent though, and threw another low hook that thudded into Jessica’s blocking arms as soon as the first was deflected.

“Ugh….she won’t…ugh…let up!” Jessica thought as Valerie tirelessly pounded her red gloves into Jessica’s toned arms. “…Maybe I can use this though. Her head’s...agh…wide open…”

After a low right hook rolled off her guard, Jessica rose while attempting to swing a tight right uppercut for the Brit’s unguarded chin. However, Valerie had found a groove and would not be denied. She saw Jessica’s counterattack coming, and accelerating even further, interrupted it before it could really launch by seamlessly transitioning from low hooks to high ones. The speedy left hook caught Jessica completely by surprise with how much faster it was than the lows she was successfully blocking only moments before. It crashed into her jaw with a solid whap, forcing her to turn to the left, and leaving an arc of sweat and saliva in its wake. The brutal right hook that followed it slammed into her opposite cheek, violently rocking her head and entire upper body from one side to the other.