It tore at my cheek. Dust filled my nostrils. Grit scratched my eyes. The guy smelled like he'd inhaled a dozen chili dogs a few minutes earlier. He outweighed me by fifty pounds or more, and was experienced in jiu-jitsu or wrestling or something similar. He countered every move I made. I couldn't get to my hands or knees. The moment I planted my palm on the ground, my arm was knocked out from under me, sending me face first into the concrete again. Warm blood trickled down the side of my face. Pain radiated from the right side of my forehead. I felt another trickle pouring over my lips from my nose. The breeze stung the cuts and scratches. I feigned defeat, letting my body go limp. My assailant lifted his weight off me as he went to pull my arms back. Wrong move. I pushed up with all the force I could muster and whipped my head back, then slung my right elbow around. Both collided with the guy. I'm not sure where I caught him, but it was enough to earn a couple grunts, and to force some of his weight off me.
