The Contender & Ender

The Contender: Alfred
Ender's Game: Ender
Setting: The gym and a diner

Alfred sat on the locker bench for a long time thinking about what Donatelli had just told him. Alfred would not be fighting anymore. Donatelli knew that he just didn't have the drive a boxer needed to consistently be a champion. Deep inside, Alfred knew it too. He had never really wanted to hurt people. He was just trying to prove to himself that he was good enough to accomplish something in life.



Alfred quietly walked out of the locker room. A few stray people were training in the gym. Alfred left and the door closed behind him with a thud. He walked home, in a bit of a daze. His mind was clouded with thoughts. One thing he knew for sure, if he wanted to really be somebody, he'd have to find something to do. Something important. Alfred decided to go get something to eat. It was getting late and he hadn't yet eaten dinner.

The diner was cold, but Alfred was warm from the gym, so it didn't matter. A boy who looked about ten was sitting at the counter drinking a soda. He looked at Alfred and motioned for him to sit down.

"My name's Ender," the boy said.

"Mine's Alfred,"

"You look like you've got a problem," Ender said.

The man at the counter came over and Alfred ordered some food and glass of water. He was really thirsty.

"Yeah, I actually do. You see, I' ve been boxing over at Donatelli's gym and now... he told me I just don't have it. I mean I don't have the drive to really hurt someone. I've won fights, but I just don't want to hurt people. I felt like a nobody for a long time. But now that I've been training and fighting, I feel like there is more for me to do."

Ender nodded. "I may look like I haven't done much in my life because I'm so young, but I know what you're going through. For a long time I felt that I had no purpose. Then one day I found I had a real purpose. I helped a lot of people. Don't give up on yourself. You have a purpose in life. You'll find it soon."

"What did you say your name was again?"

"Ender Wiggin."

"Thanks Ender. I feel a whole lot better now. I've got to go now," said Alfred.

"Just remember to not give up," Ender said, "Good luck and good-bye."

Alfred got up and left. His mind was clearer now, and he knew that he was going to do something important. He was going to go back to school. he knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he wanted to rise above all the people in gangs in the city. He wanted to be somebody. He wanted to be a contender. Not in the boxing ring, but in life. He wanted to make a difference.

Alfred thought, "I don't have to be a person who performs miracles, if I can help one person in life, it'll be all worth it."

Alfred walked up the stairs and entered his aunt's apartment.