Post by Jackson White on Jun 26, 2015 21:39:03 GMT -5
Church is in session as Thomas Bates stands in front of his fellow DRG members. Connor and Charlie sit on one side of him, and Gemini, Fenix and Spencer sit on the other side. Mikey and Danny are sitting across the table from Bates.
Thomas Bates: Church is in order. I called a special council together to celebrate the arrival of a member who has been out for a while, Jackson “Fenix” White. I think I speak for us all when I say that we are thrilled to have you back and look forward to seeing what you have to bring from your time off. I also wanted to talk about prospect Spencer Adams…
Jackson: Hold up, just one second please. I wanted to say something… It's been great being part of this brotherhood even if it was just for a little while but I have some bad news. I have to leave DRG. As you know, my dad offered me my first motorcycle when I was younger and I've never been able to ride one since he passed away. I enjoyed riding it again and I thank you all for giving me that courage but now it's been hard to ride again. I just can't. It brings back too many memories. Also, I am dedicating much more time to my dad's murderer investigation and I can't balance it with wrestling and DRG. I hope you guys understand it.
Thomas Bates: Well again, I believe that I speak for us all when I say that we are upset about seeing you go but respect your decision. But as you know when joining that departure will be put up to a vote. All that respect Fenix’s wishes say ‘Aye.’
Whole Group: AYE
Thomas Bates: Well the Aye’s have it. Jackson, if you would like you can be on your way.
Fenix got up and shoke the hands of everyone in the group before making his departure. He left the place where the meeting was happening and lighted a cigarette.
Jackson (thinking): I made the right decision leaving this group. I couldn’t tell them that I don’t trust any of them. It may be my problem, not theirs, but this way I don’t put myself at risk. I don’t know what they think about me! They may wish me harm… This feels right. It’s better for me to be alone I’ve been a loner my entire life anyway…
Jackson finished the cigar and went home to rest since it was late. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes, falling asleep instantly.
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A few hours later
Strange voice: Your royalty? Are you alright?
Jackson woke up with a really huge headache and in front of him was a man he did not know. He looked like a homeless man, he was wearing really dirty clothes and his hair and beard were really long. The man helped Jackson getting up while some people were staring behind him. They were all like him, their clothes looked like rags.
Jackson: Thank you… Ugh… My head… Wh-Where the hell am I?
He was in the middle of a narrow street. There were houses made of stone at the end of the street and near him was an old lady selling vegetables. It looked like that city was from centuries ago. The people in front of me didn’t stop staring and some were talking to each other. Jackson could hear some of them.
Random person #1: It’s the king!
Random person #2: All hail King Jackson!
Jackson (thinking): What the fuck?!
The man that helped Jackson quickly went away and joined the crowd. Jackson started to walk and the people opened space for him to pass. They were all waving at him saying things like “God bless the King” and “All hail the King”. There was when “The Fenix” looked at himself. He was dressed like indeed a true king. He was wearing a red and long cape and a crown. He was also full of expensive ornaments.
Jackson (thinking): Wait, this is impossible… The last thing I remember doing was…
Going to sleep. That was the last thing Jackson White remembered to do. He noticed he was just dreaming but it looked like reality. He read a few articles days ago about lucid dreaming and that was happening to him at the moment.
Jackson: Awesome. I can do whatever I want!
Jackson closed his eyes and when he opened them he was on his childhood home, at New York City. The house wasn’t very big but it wasn’t very small either. He opened the door and the first thing he saw was his father, his dead father. Jackson couldn’t believe that he managed to bring his father back on his dreams. He immediately ran to him and hugged him like he had never hugged anyone. Jackson’s eyes looked like a waterfall.
Jackson: I’ve missed you so much… You can’t imagine what it feels like… This looks so real… I just wish you were really here.
Jackson’s dad: Stop the fucking whining. You know you’re dreaming, you know I am just a creation of your mind.
Jackson: Shut up, this is my dream so I can do whatever I want. Now, pretend to be my father!
Jackson’s dad: I won’t do that.
Jackson: What the fuck?! Yes you will.
Jackson’s dad: No, I won’t. Do you know why? Because someone is ringing at your doorbell.
Jackson: What?
Jackson’s dad pulled out a gun out of his pocket and pointed to Jackson’s head.
Jackson’s dad: Goodbye, “son”.
Jackson: What are you doing?! No!
*BANG*
Jackson woke up with the doorbell ringing. He looked at the alarm clock, 10AM. He got up still sleepy while he was rubbing his eyes. He opened the door and there was his mother with a huge smile on her face.
Mary: Surprise!
Jackson: Hi mom! I wasn’t expecting you!
Jackson closed the door and his mom entered his apartment, putting her bags on the living room.
Mary: I decided to make you a surprise since I haven’t seen you in a while.
Jackson: Yeah, you’re right.
Mary: What’s wrong? You seem sad.
Jackson: Nothing mom, I’m fine.
Mary: You sure?
Jackson: Yes mom, don’t worry.
Mary: Well, I heard you made a pause on your job… You didn’t tell me anything about it! What happened?
Jackson: Nothing.
Mary: Jackson…
Jackson sat on his couch with his hands over his head. His mom was looking at him with a very concerned expression on her face. She knew why his son left WCF, it was obvious. He was continuing the investigation on his father’s murderer.
Jackson: I stopped to wrestle for a while to find out who killed dad but in this two months I didn’t discover anything relevant. I’m a disaster.
Mary: I’m tired of hearing you saying you’ve been looking for your father’s murderer. It’s dangerous Jackson! Besides that, you have to move on like I did, it doesn’t make sense you continue so obsessed about it! It harms you!
Jackson: I’m dead inside since dad left us anyway.
Mary: Oh my god Jackson, what are you saying?
Jackson: It’s true mom! The only thing I am good at is at wrestling, there is nothing else I can do properly and I left it so I could help dad but all I did was a waste of time.
Mary: You’re not a detective, Jackson. You trained to be a professional wrestler, so why are you saying those nonsenses?
Jackson: Because I’m done with this shitty world.
Mary: You’re starting to scare me, Jackson. You’re not fine.
Jackson: I am not fine in a long time.
Mary: Well, let’s just get breakfast. You probably need to eat.
Jackson: Let me just take a shower and get dressed.
After Jackson got ready he and his mom left and went to a coffee a few blocks away. They were silent the entire breakfast. Jackson was completely apathetic and his mom was afraid to say something that would make him even worse. They eventually left the coffee after a while.
Jackson: Turn left mom, I know a shortcut.
Mary: I don’t like this neighborhood…
Suddenly, a man appeared in front of them and pulled out a pistol.
Thief: Wallets and phones, NOW!
Jackson’s mom screamed and begged for the thief to not kill them and that she had left everything at home. The man looked like a junkie. He was really thin and was constantly scratching some parts of his body.
Thief: Then you give me, come on, fast!
Jackson thought about giving him his money and his phone since he did not want the thief to shot at his mom, and he already had a bad experience with robberies but then he put his wrestling skills in practice. Everything to Jackson seemed to be happening in slow motion. He stared at the thief in the eyes and realized there was sweat rolling through his face and he looked a little afraid. Then, he looked at his hand that was holding the gun. It was shaking. That man didn’t want to kill anyone. However, that was not a dream. That was reality. Jackson would be putting him and his mother at risk but he was almost 100% sure he was right so he refused to hand the money to a useless sample of human being like that man.
Jackson: How the hell did a dumb guy like you managed to make money to buy a pistol?
Thief: What? Shut the fuck up, give me your money or I’ll fucking shoot you!
Jackson: I bet that pistol is a fake one. You’re a drug addict aren’t you? If that pistol was real you would have already sold it. You’re bluffing you’re not going to shoot anyone.
The thief hesitated, looked at Jackson and his mom a few times and put the gun down. Jackson quickly punched him in the nose and threw him against a wall.
Jackson: I can see that you have no idea of who you tried to rob. Remember my name I am The Fenix, a professional wrestler. I can make you beg for God’s help by just locking your arm in a position that can make you feel pain you’ve never imagined.
Mary: Let’s just go… Leave him…
Jackson took the fake pistol away from him and he and his mom went home.
Mary: This can’t go on like this, Jackson. This is not you. I accept that you fight people as a job, that’s okay because that’s just a legal sport but you risked your life by facing that thief! What if you were wrong? What if that man pulled the trigger?
Jackson: He didn’t kill me, did he? Don’t worry about me mom I am a grown man.
Mary: Yes, you are, but I am still your mom and I am concerned about you. You are too aggressive and too depressed. It seems you’ve lost your will to live.
Jackson: You know what? I had. I don’t feel the same I felt years ago about life. I used to love waking up every day and feel excited about having another day to live. Now, my brain looks like an eternal cycle created by Death itself. All I think about is dad being killed and me being completely useless for him. I did absolutely nothing to stop it.
Mary: You couldn’t have done anything, Jackson. It’s not your fault.
Jackson: It’s not my fault because it wasn’t me holding the gun that killed him. But I could have done something else… I could have tried to save him… Now unless someone invents a time machine the only thing I can do to honor dad is to find out who was the inhuman being that took his life just because of money. I just can’t devote my entire time to it because wrestling is the only thing that keeps my thoughts away from self-destruction and wanting to break every single body part of dad’s murderer.
Mary: Jackson… Don’t say those things…
Jackson: I say what I want mom. You weren’t there. You have no idea how it was to watch dad getting shot. I know you loved him, but I can’t understand how you disapprove me to find out who did it.
Mary: Jackson, I’ve already told you why.
Jackson: I still don’t understand.
Mary: Son, you need help.
Jackson: I need help? What the fuck do you mean?
Mary: You need someone’s help. I know a few psychologists that could help you end your obsession.
Jackson: Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think I am mentally ill?!
Mary: No Jackson, I just…
Jackson: How the fuck do you dare to call me a lunatic? I’ve been able to balance the investigation and my career, I just needed a break from wrestling but I’ve already come back. I am already working and gaining my own money. I’ve grown up mom you just haven’t noticed it yet. Do you even see my wrestling matches? Do you even follow your son’s career? I bet you don’t. But let me inform you mom. I’m going to face a man named Gemini Battle at a PPV named Blast. I belonged to the same stable than him but I had to leave. And you know why? Because every member of DRG must ride a motorcycle and I can’t do that because I can’t stand the pain when I feel so nostalgic. Dad gave me that motorcycle and thought me how to ride it. Don’t you see? I do everything because of dad. This Sunday, I am going to show to you and to father that I can investigate his murderer and I can still be a successful professional wrestler. I was starting to rise on WCF before I made a pause. I defeated the current WCF Hardcore Champion Marc Mayhem and I almost beat Alex Richards for the WCF Internet Championship. On Blast, I’m going to beat Gemini Battle and proof to everyone that I deserve to win titles and be on top of that company. When I’m hurt I rise through the flames and I see my bright future on them. I can perfectly see my body over Gemini’s during three seconds while every single person that will be in the arena gets up from their seats with their hands on their heads in complete disbelief of what just happened. Do you know why? Because I know his weaknesses.
Yes we’ve been brothers for a while and I thank him and the rest of DRG’s members for what they’ve done for me but now it’s time for me to let it go and show to them that I am fine on my own. Besides, there is the famous expression “Business is business” so it doesn’t matter to me that I’m facing an old brother on that ring. You see mom, Battle is like one of those superficial teenagers that only care about looks. The “popular” ones in the high school you know? Let me explain to you why. When he came to WCF he was an evil man. He wanted to be the attentions’ center by being the most hateful wrestler anyone had ever seen. However, it didn’t work, so Gemini had to pretend he turned into a good man. I’ve met guys like him my whole life and I am aware he did not change. Nobody becomes a good person so quickly! What he wanted was the fans’ looks, the paparazzis, and the fame. Well, the only thing he’s got was the Trios Championship and it was not by his merit. Seth put him against me on Blast and I’ve not fought for two months! That’s fucking ridiculous! It only proofs that he hasn’t evolved since he joined this company and its owner noticed it.
The thing is, everyone in the backstage is saying Gemini Battle will beat me. Like they were saying a Portuguese man would never be anyone in a famous American company, like they said I would lose against those legends at XIII, like they said that I would never get any title shot. I’ve already proven that I want opportunities to show my value, the only thing that is left for me is to win those opportunities. And I am sure that will happen soon mom, and it will start on Blast. The REAL rise of the phoenix will start on Sunday. You’ll see your son not needing you anymore.
Mary: Calm down Jackson please, just calm down. Listen to what I’ve got to say to you…
Jackson: I won’t listen. I know exactly what you’re going to say and I don’t care. I have more important things to do than being here listening to your bullshit. Seriously why did you come? You just came to make me furious right?
Mary: Jackson show some respect to your mother.
Jackson: Why should I? You treat me like I was a child or a retarded. I am lucid, I know perfectly what I am doing so don’t be a scumbag.
Mary: I advise you take it easy or you’ll force me to do something I don’t want to.
Jackson: Will you huh? Will you beat me?
Mary: Jackson…
Jackson: No, please mom, beat me. Please, slap me on my right cheek. Or do you prefer the left one? Come on mom! Do it! Beat your adult son like he was still an eight years old child whining because his mom didn’t buy him the toy he wanted. Am I really being the bad guy here? Or are you just being a boring housewife that is having a middle life crisis?
Mary: So you don’t need me anymore?
Jackson: Finally you said something right.
Mary: So I guess that I can sell this apartment.
Jackson: Wh-What?
Mary: In case you don’t remember I bought you this apartment when you were accepted in the wrestling company you work for. So this is how it is going to be. I’m gonna make an appointment for a psychologist that I know and you’re going there until I say you no longer need to do it. If you don’t do it, then I’ll stop worrying about you and I’ll sell this apartment.
Jackson: Fuck…
Mary: I didn’t want to do this Jackson.
Jackson: Make the fucking appointment.
Mary: I will, Jackson. I will.
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The next day
The psychologist’s clinic was small. There was a woman sitting in a desk in front of a computer in the waiting room. “Sit and wait just a moment, please” she said. Jackson sit as the secretary stared a few times at him. She was young like The Fenix, approximately the same age. She was blonde and was really gorgeous. She was wearing a really straight blouse that really made Jackson want to look at her, how should it be said… attributes. He noticed she couldn’t stop looking a few times at him.
Jackson: I know what you’re going to say.
Secretary: Oh… I’m sorry if it was too obvious I was looking at you.
Jackson: I am used people do that to me.
Secretary: Oh yeah? Why is that?
Jackson: Well, I am a celebrity, it’s normal people stare a lot at me.
The secretary looked a bit confused and didn’t say anything to Jackson.
Jackson: Wait, have you any idea of who I am?
Secretary: No… To be honest I just found you very beautiful…
The psychologist opened the room’s door and a woman got out of there. Jackson could notice that she had been crying. The secretary quickly pretended like nothing had happened and continued to type on the computer's keyboard.
Psychologist: Good evening, young man. I suppose you’re… Mr. Jackson White, am I right?
Jackson: You’re right.
Psychologist: My name is Anthony Palmer. You can go in. Please, take a sit.
Anthony closed the door as the secretary smiled at Jackson.
Anthony: Your mother sent me some information about you… I can see you had a traumatic experience when you were younger. Do you want to talk about it?
Jackson: No.
Anthony: It’s ok, we will turn to that subject later. How are things nowadays? What do you do for a living?
Jackson: I don’t want to talk about anything.
Anthony: Well if you’re here it’s because you need to talk.
Jackson: I’m here because my mother blackmailed me. It’s as simple as that.
Anthony: You know Jackson I’ve been a friend of your mother for years. Well, since I met my wife Mary and I have been very close friends. She is a great person. I’m sure all she does is for you to be okay. I know she did this just to protect you. She thinks you need help and you do, so let me help you Jackson. Talk to me.
Jackson stared at Anthony with a really serious look on his face. Should he talk with that man? Should he trust a complete stranger about his deep fears? Was his mother being paranoid or wasn’t he realizing that he was indeed in a bad shape and needed help?
Jackson: I’m not very comfortable talking about my dad with you…
Anthony: We are at the beginning of a delicate process, Jackson. You can talk about whatever you want. I am here to guide and help you. I’ll try to understand what’s happening inside your head and what you should do to get better. I mean, not that you’re bad, but as far as I am concerned you’ve been saying some… How should I call it… Dark things. Do you want to talk about it?
Jackson: I just say the truth. If you’re talking about what I told my mom about suicide then all I’ve got to say is that the only thing that locks me to this planet is finding the truth. I say this a lot of times: All that matters is the truth.
Anthony: You’re right… But you’re having a pretty negative thinking. Don’t you have anything else that makes you want to be alive? If you were gone how do you think your family and friends would react to it?
Jackson: I never thought about it that way…
Anthony: You see Jackson? That’s what you’re here doing. I’ll try to make you see things in a different point of view.
Jackson: But can we talk about a different thing?
Anthony: Sure. Tell me about your work. How are things going?
Jackson: Well, I work at a Wrestling company named Wrestling Championship Federation. We normally call it WCF. I’ve been accepted on it at the end of December I’ve been fighting ever since. I just did a pause of a few months… But it doesn’t matter anyway. I returned and I will fight in a special event against a man named Gemini Battle.
Anthony: Do you want to talk about your match?
Jackson: Yeah, I suppose… We’re like… friends… I mean it’s complicated.
Anthony: We still have some time, so I’m not going anywhere.
Jackson: I belonged to a motorcycle club named DRG which is also a wrestling group in WCF and Gemini is in that group. However, I decided to leave for many reasons. One of them was because I can’t trust anyone except for a very small group of people. I think it was better this way, you know? I am fine on my own. It’s been like that since I was a little boy. I don’t need their help to reach the top of the mountain and I don’t need anyone’s help to beat Battle on Blast. Like I’ve already told you one of the things I mostly appreciate is the truth. Gemini Battle is not honest with anyone including himself. He deludes himself by thinking is someone special but he is not… He is currently 1/3 of the Trios Champions but he didn’t deserve that title. Thomas Bates and Deuce, especially Deuce clearly deserve it. I mean, Bates is a Television Champion for a long time and he has already proven that he will reach main-event soon. Deuce was the one that got the Championship to DRG and he is facing the WCF World Champion on Sunday. But how about Gemini? What has he done since he joined WCF that makes me feel concerned about our match? Nothing… I’ve had more title shots than him and I’ve already shown that I am a promise in the wrestling world. On my first month on WCF I fought for the Internet Title. That must means something! Seth didn’t put me on the match just to fill some spot! That’s not how things work…
Anthony: I’m sorry if I’m a little bit confused but who is Seth?
Jackson: He is the owner of the company I work for. He’s my boss.
Anthony: Oh, right. I’m sorry for the interruption, go on.
Jackson: Like I was saying, if he was so good he wouldn’t be fighting someone that probably is a little rusty! He would be among the top-card matches, fighting for titles. But he is not… The Trio Champion is on the Lower-Mid card fighting a wrestler that was absent for two months. Since I left he didn’t accomplished anything more relevant than winning a title because of his partner. The funny thing is that it has already happened in the past. Gemini Battle and I once faced each other in a tag-team match. I lost the match but Gemini didn’t pin me. He won the match thanks to Thomas Bates. Yes, I failed at that match and I don’t have any excuse but what makes me angry is that Battle gets help all the time. But on Sunday it will be different. On that ring will only be two men. I don’t think DRG are going to interfere since I am a former member and besides that I don’t think they would be capable of doing that just to give the win to Gemini Battle by distracting me or giving me the win by disqualification. So, it will be the best Portuguese wrestler that ever stepped on an American wrestling ring against the former bad boy. You are a psychologist so tell me how does an evil man turn good in such a short time?
Anthony: He maybe an exception… I mean, I honestly believe people can change but not in a short time… Unless something really huge happened in his life.
Jackson: I don’t care about what happened to him. I know he is just a farce. I told the same thing to my mom earlier. He just cares about the cameras’ flashes and the media talking about him. He wants fame and money. But you know what Mr. Anthony? He is in the wrong place if he wants that. I may still be a little new in wrestling but at least I do it because I like it. I like to think about strategy to beat my opponent. I love to be at home training for my future match and watch videos of my next challenge, it looks like chess. I love to play chess and wrestling it’s similar to it in some aspects. Sometimes you need to sacrifice something in order to win. Do you know what I’ve sacrificed to win on Sunday? Brothers. If I was still in DRG I would be afraid of winning on Sunday. It wouldn’t feel right to beat the man that rides on my side and I know that Battle would do everything to turn DRG members against me if I’d win against him. I don’t believe he changed, I know that he still wants things his way and I know he’d do anything to get them. But now, I have nothing to lose. I’ve already left the club peacefully and I don’t give a single shit about what they think about me. I’m going to proof everyone that I deserve to be on top. Nobody will ever mock me again. I’ll be respected in those locker rooms. I’ll be the man who showed that it’s possible to be better alone than accompanied and I’ll be the one that started from the first floor and ended up in the roof. It’ll take time, but I am sure that someday it will be my name on the WCF World Title. But for now, I’ll worry about Gemini Battle. I want to see what he is capable of. I bet he’s capable about nothing. His last name is really ironic, because I don’t see the next match as a battle, I see it as a training. It will only be useful to make me stronger and to help me remove the rust.
Anthony: Jackson we have to end our conversation, your time is up.
Jackson: Sure, I’ll make an appointment for some other day.
Anthony: But before you leave, let me just tell you something.
Anthony turned back to Jackson. After a few seconds he turned around and for Jackson’s shock the psychologist had turned into his father. It was his father in front of him.
Anthony: It’s me, Jackson.
Jackson: What? No. No. No. No. This can’t be real.
Anthony: What’s wrong son? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?
Jackson: Yes, but I know this is not possible…
Anthony: It looks like you don’t want me to be alive.
Jackson: I want dad, I swear to you that I want! But how is this possible? How can you die and then resurrect in a psychologist’s body?
Anthony: I’m disappointed, Jackson. You don’t believe in me.
Jackson: That’s not what I mean…
Anthony: Yes, it is Jackson. You’ve failed me son.
Anthony pulled out a pistol of his pocket and pointed to Jackson.
Jackson: Not this again…
Anthony: Goodbye, son.
*BANG*
Jackson woke up in his room. He looked at the clock and it was 8AM. It was all a dream. A dream inside of another dream. But it felt so real! He couldn’t believe that was all product of his imagination. He got up and drank a glass of water while he was thinking about whether his mind was sane or not. Should he visit a psychologist? Would it help him? He was often having the same nightmare, seeing his dad shooting him. That concerned him. He picked up his mobile phone and called his mother.
Jackson: Hi mom.
Mary: Hello Jackson! How are you?
Jackson: Well, I’m not very fine… Look, I’ve been thinking and I believe I should start visiting a psychologist… I’ve been having this weird nightmares and I wanted someone to help me. Do you know anyone?
Mary: Yes, I know a pretty good one. His name is Anthony Palmer.
Jackson: Wh-Wh-What? What’s his name?
Mary: Anthony Palmer.
Jackson was in shock. His body was shaking, his face was pale. However, Jackson breathed deeply and tried to be calm. “This must be another dream. That’s the only logical explanation”. He pinched himself hoping it didn’t hurt but it did. That was reality.
Thomas Bates: Church is in order. I called a special council together to celebrate the arrival of a member who has been out for a while, Jackson “Fenix” White. I think I speak for us all when I say that we are thrilled to have you back and look forward to seeing what you have to bring from your time off. I also wanted to talk about prospect Spencer Adams…
Jackson: Hold up, just one second please. I wanted to say something… It's been great being part of this brotherhood even if it was just for a little while but I have some bad news. I have to leave DRG. As you know, my dad offered me my first motorcycle when I was younger and I've never been able to ride one since he passed away. I enjoyed riding it again and I thank you all for giving me that courage but now it's been hard to ride again. I just can't. It brings back too many memories. Also, I am dedicating much more time to my dad's murderer investigation and I can't balance it with wrestling and DRG. I hope you guys understand it.
Thomas Bates: Well again, I believe that I speak for us all when I say that we are upset about seeing you go but respect your decision. But as you know when joining that departure will be put up to a vote. All that respect Fenix’s wishes say ‘Aye.’
Whole Group: AYE
Thomas Bates: Well the Aye’s have it. Jackson, if you would like you can be on your way.
Fenix got up and shoke the hands of everyone in the group before making his departure. He left the place where the meeting was happening and lighted a cigarette.
Jackson (thinking): I made the right decision leaving this group. I couldn’t tell them that I don’t trust any of them. It may be my problem, not theirs, but this way I don’t put myself at risk. I don’t know what they think about me! They may wish me harm… This feels right. It’s better for me to be alone I’ve been a loner my entire life anyway…
Jackson finished the cigar and went home to rest since it was late. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes, falling asleep instantly.
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A few hours later
Strange voice: Your royalty? Are you alright?
Jackson woke up with a really huge headache and in front of him was a man he did not know. He looked like a homeless man, he was wearing really dirty clothes and his hair and beard were really long. The man helped Jackson getting up while some people were staring behind him. They were all like him, their clothes looked like rags.
Jackson: Thank you… Ugh… My head… Wh-Where the hell am I?
He was in the middle of a narrow street. There were houses made of stone at the end of the street and near him was an old lady selling vegetables. It looked like that city was from centuries ago. The people in front of me didn’t stop staring and some were talking to each other. Jackson could hear some of them.
Random person #1: It’s the king!
Random person #2: All hail King Jackson!
Jackson (thinking): What the fuck?!
The man that helped Jackson quickly went away and joined the crowd. Jackson started to walk and the people opened space for him to pass. They were all waving at him saying things like “God bless the King” and “All hail the King”. There was when “The Fenix” looked at himself. He was dressed like indeed a true king. He was wearing a red and long cape and a crown. He was also full of expensive ornaments.
Jackson (thinking): Wait, this is impossible… The last thing I remember doing was…
Going to sleep. That was the last thing Jackson White remembered to do. He noticed he was just dreaming but it looked like reality. He read a few articles days ago about lucid dreaming and that was happening to him at the moment.
Jackson: Awesome. I can do whatever I want!
Jackson closed his eyes and when he opened them he was on his childhood home, at New York City. The house wasn’t very big but it wasn’t very small either. He opened the door and the first thing he saw was his father, his dead father. Jackson couldn’t believe that he managed to bring his father back on his dreams. He immediately ran to him and hugged him like he had never hugged anyone. Jackson’s eyes looked like a waterfall.
Jackson: I’ve missed you so much… You can’t imagine what it feels like… This looks so real… I just wish you were really here.
Jackson’s dad: Stop the fucking whining. You know you’re dreaming, you know I am just a creation of your mind.
Jackson: Shut up, this is my dream so I can do whatever I want. Now, pretend to be my father!
Jackson’s dad: I won’t do that.
Jackson: What the fuck?! Yes you will.
Jackson’s dad: No, I won’t. Do you know why? Because someone is ringing at your doorbell.
Jackson: What?
Jackson’s dad pulled out a gun out of his pocket and pointed to Jackson’s head.
Jackson’s dad: Goodbye, “son”.
Jackson: What are you doing?! No!
*BANG*
Jackson woke up with the doorbell ringing. He looked at the alarm clock, 10AM. He got up still sleepy while he was rubbing his eyes. He opened the door and there was his mother with a huge smile on her face.
Mary: Surprise!
Jackson: Hi mom! I wasn’t expecting you!
Jackson closed the door and his mom entered his apartment, putting her bags on the living room.
Mary: I decided to make you a surprise since I haven’t seen you in a while.
Jackson: Yeah, you’re right.
Mary: What’s wrong? You seem sad.
Jackson: Nothing mom, I’m fine.
Mary: You sure?
Jackson: Yes mom, don’t worry.
Mary: Well, I heard you made a pause on your job… You didn’t tell me anything about it! What happened?
Jackson: Nothing.
Mary: Jackson…
Jackson sat on his couch with his hands over his head. His mom was looking at him with a very concerned expression on her face. She knew why his son left WCF, it was obvious. He was continuing the investigation on his father’s murderer.
Jackson: I stopped to wrestle for a while to find out who killed dad but in this two months I didn’t discover anything relevant. I’m a disaster.
Mary: I’m tired of hearing you saying you’ve been looking for your father’s murderer. It’s dangerous Jackson! Besides that, you have to move on like I did, it doesn’t make sense you continue so obsessed about it! It harms you!
Jackson: I’m dead inside since dad left us anyway.
Mary: Oh my god Jackson, what are you saying?
Jackson: It’s true mom! The only thing I am good at is at wrestling, there is nothing else I can do properly and I left it so I could help dad but all I did was a waste of time.
Mary: You’re not a detective, Jackson. You trained to be a professional wrestler, so why are you saying those nonsenses?
Jackson: Because I’m done with this shitty world.
Mary: You’re starting to scare me, Jackson. You’re not fine.
Jackson: I am not fine in a long time.
Mary: Well, let’s just get breakfast. You probably need to eat.
Jackson: Let me just take a shower and get dressed.
After Jackson got ready he and his mom left and went to a coffee a few blocks away. They were silent the entire breakfast. Jackson was completely apathetic and his mom was afraid to say something that would make him even worse. They eventually left the coffee after a while.
Jackson: Turn left mom, I know a shortcut.
Mary: I don’t like this neighborhood…
Suddenly, a man appeared in front of them and pulled out a pistol.
Thief: Wallets and phones, NOW!
Jackson’s mom screamed and begged for the thief to not kill them and that she had left everything at home. The man looked like a junkie. He was really thin and was constantly scratching some parts of his body.
Thief: Then you give me, come on, fast!
Jackson thought about giving him his money and his phone since he did not want the thief to shot at his mom, and he already had a bad experience with robberies but then he put his wrestling skills in practice. Everything to Jackson seemed to be happening in slow motion. He stared at the thief in the eyes and realized there was sweat rolling through his face and he looked a little afraid. Then, he looked at his hand that was holding the gun. It was shaking. That man didn’t want to kill anyone. However, that was not a dream. That was reality. Jackson would be putting him and his mother at risk but he was almost 100% sure he was right so he refused to hand the money to a useless sample of human being like that man.
Jackson: How the hell did a dumb guy like you managed to make money to buy a pistol?
Thief: What? Shut the fuck up, give me your money or I’ll fucking shoot you!
Jackson: I bet that pistol is a fake one. You’re a drug addict aren’t you? If that pistol was real you would have already sold it. You’re bluffing you’re not going to shoot anyone.
The thief hesitated, looked at Jackson and his mom a few times and put the gun down. Jackson quickly punched him in the nose and threw him against a wall.
Jackson: I can see that you have no idea of who you tried to rob. Remember my name I am The Fenix, a professional wrestler. I can make you beg for God’s help by just locking your arm in a position that can make you feel pain you’ve never imagined.
Mary: Let’s just go… Leave him…
Jackson took the fake pistol away from him and he and his mom went home.
Mary: This can’t go on like this, Jackson. This is not you. I accept that you fight people as a job, that’s okay because that’s just a legal sport but you risked your life by facing that thief! What if you were wrong? What if that man pulled the trigger?
Jackson: He didn’t kill me, did he? Don’t worry about me mom I am a grown man.
Mary: Yes, you are, but I am still your mom and I am concerned about you. You are too aggressive and too depressed. It seems you’ve lost your will to live.
Jackson: You know what? I had. I don’t feel the same I felt years ago about life. I used to love waking up every day and feel excited about having another day to live. Now, my brain looks like an eternal cycle created by Death itself. All I think about is dad being killed and me being completely useless for him. I did absolutely nothing to stop it.
Mary: You couldn’t have done anything, Jackson. It’s not your fault.
Jackson: It’s not my fault because it wasn’t me holding the gun that killed him. But I could have done something else… I could have tried to save him… Now unless someone invents a time machine the only thing I can do to honor dad is to find out who was the inhuman being that took his life just because of money. I just can’t devote my entire time to it because wrestling is the only thing that keeps my thoughts away from self-destruction and wanting to break every single body part of dad’s murderer.
Mary: Jackson… Don’t say those things…
Jackson: I say what I want mom. You weren’t there. You have no idea how it was to watch dad getting shot. I know you loved him, but I can’t understand how you disapprove me to find out who did it.
Mary: Jackson, I’ve already told you why.
Jackson: I still don’t understand.
Mary: Son, you need help.
Jackson: I need help? What the fuck do you mean?
Mary: You need someone’s help. I know a few psychologists that could help you end your obsession.
Jackson: Are you fucking kidding me? Do you think I am mentally ill?!
Mary: No Jackson, I just…
Jackson: How the fuck do you dare to call me a lunatic? I’ve been able to balance the investigation and my career, I just needed a break from wrestling but I’ve already come back. I am already working and gaining my own money. I’ve grown up mom you just haven’t noticed it yet. Do you even see my wrestling matches? Do you even follow your son’s career? I bet you don’t. But let me inform you mom. I’m going to face a man named Gemini Battle at a PPV named Blast. I belonged to the same stable than him but I had to leave. And you know why? Because every member of DRG must ride a motorcycle and I can’t do that because I can’t stand the pain when I feel so nostalgic. Dad gave me that motorcycle and thought me how to ride it. Don’t you see? I do everything because of dad. This Sunday, I am going to show to you and to father that I can investigate his murderer and I can still be a successful professional wrestler. I was starting to rise on WCF before I made a pause. I defeated the current WCF Hardcore Champion Marc Mayhem and I almost beat Alex Richards for the WCF Internet Championship. On Blast, I’m going to beat Gemini Battle and proof to everyone that I deserve to win titles and be on top of that company. When I’m hurt I rise through the flames and I see my bright future on them. I can perfectly see my body over Gemini’s during three seconds while every single person that will be in the arena gets up from their seats with their hands on their heads in complete disbelief of what just happened. Do you know why? Because I know his weaknesses.
Yes we’ve been brothers for a while and I thank him and the rest of DRG’s members for what they’ve done for me but now it’s time for me to let it go and show to them that I am fine on my own. Besides, there is the famous expression “Business is business” so it doesn’t matter to me that I’m facing an old brother on that ring. You see mom, Battle is like one of those superficial teenagers that only care about looks. The “popular” ones in the high school you know? Let me explain to you why. When he came to WCF he was an evil man. He wanted to be the attentions’ center by being the most hateful wrestler anyone had ever seen. However, it didn’t work, so Gemini had to pretend he turned into a good man. I’ve met guys like him my whole life and I am aware he did not change. Nobody becomes a good person so quickly! What he wanted was the fans’ looks, the paparazzis, and the fame. Well, the only thing he’s got was the Trios Championship and it was not by his merit. Seth put him against me on Blast and I’ve not fought for two months! That’s fucking ridiculous! It only proofs that he hasn’t evolved since he joined this company and its owner noticed it.
The thing is, everyone in the backstage is saying Gemini Battle will beat me. Like they were saying a Portuguese man would never be anyone in a famous American company, like they said I would lose against those legends at XIII, like they said that I would never get any title shot. I’ve already proven that I want opportunities to show my value, the only thing that is left for me is to win those opportunities. And I am sure that will happen soon mom, and it will start on Blast. The REAL rise of the phoenix will start on Sunday. You’ll see your son not needing you anymore.
Mary: Calm down Jackson please, just calm down. Listen to what I’ve got to say to you…
Jackson: I won’t listen. I know exactly what you’re going to say and I don’t care. I have more important things to do than being here listening to your bullshit. Seriously why did you come? You just came to make me furious right?
Mary: Jackson show some respect to your mother.
Jackson: Why should I? You treat me like I was a child or a retarded. I am lucid, I know perfectly what I am doing so don’t be a scumbag.
Mary: I advise you take it easy or you’ll force me to do something I don’t want to.
Jackson: Will you huh? Will you beat me?
Mary: Jackson…
Jackson: No, please mom, beat me. Please, slap me on my right cheek. Or do you prefer the left one? Come on mom! Do it! Beat your adult son like he was still an eight years old child whining because his mom didn’t buy him the toy he wanted. Am I really being the bad guy here? Or are you just being a boring housewife that is having a middle life crisis?
Mary: So you don’t need me anymore?
Jackson: Finally you said something right.
Mary: So I guess that I can sell this apartment.
Jackson: Wh-What?
Mary: In case you don’t remember I bought you this apartment when you were accepted in the wrestling company you work for. So this is how it is going to be. I’m gonna make an appointment for a psychologist that I know and you’re going there until I say you no longer need to do it. If you don’t do it, then I’ll stop worrying about you and I’ll sell this apartment.
Jackson: Fuck…
Mary: I didn’t want to do this Jackson.
Jackson: Make the fucking appointment.
Mary: I will, Jackson. I will.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day
The psychologist’s clinic was small. There was a woman sitting in a desk in front of a computer in the waiting room. “Sit and wait just a moment, please” she said. Jackson sit as the secretary stared a few times at him. She was young like The Fenix, approximately the same age. She was blonde and was really gorgeous. She was wearing a really straight blouse that really made Jackson want to look at her, how should it be said… attributes. He noticed she couldn’t stop looking a few times at him.
Jackson: I know what you’re going to say.
Secretary: Oh… I’m sorry if it was too obvious I was looking at you.
Jackson: I am used people do that to me.
Secretary: Oh yeah? Why is that?
Jackson: Well, I am a celebrity, it’s normal people stare a lot at me.
The secretary looked a bit confused and didn’t say anything to Jackson.
Jackson: Wait, have you any idea of who I am?
Secretary: No… To be honest I just found you very beautiful…
The psychologist opened the room’s door and a woman got out of there. Jackson could notice that she had been crying. The secretary quickly pretended like nothing had happened and continued to type on the computer's keyboard.
Psychologist: Good evening, young man. I suppose you’re… Mr. Jackson White, am I right?
Jackson: You’re right.
Psychologist: My name is Anthony Palmer. You can go in. Please, take a sit.
Anthony closed the door as the secretary smiled at Jackson.
Anthony: Your mother sent me some information about you… I can see you had a traumatic experience when you were younger. Do you want to talk about it?
Jackson: No.
Anthony: It’s ok, we will turn to that subject later. How are things nowadays? What do you do for a living?
Jackson: I don’t want to talk about anything.
Anthony: Well if you’re here it’s because you need to talk.
Jackson: I’m here because my mother blackmailed me. It’s as simple as that.
Anthony: You know Jackson I’ve been a friend of your mother for years. Well, since I met my wife Mary and I have been very close friends. She is a great person. I’m sure all she does is for you to be okay. I know she did this just to protect you. She thinks you need help and you do, so let me help you Jackson. Talk to me.
Jackson stared at Anthony with a really serious look on his face. Should he talk with that man? Should he trust a complete stranger about his deep fears? Was his mother being paranoid or wasn’t he realizing that he was indeed in a bad shape and needed help?
Jackson: I’m not very comfortable talking about my dad with you…
Anthony: We are at the beginning of a delicate process, Jackson. You can talk about whatever you want. I am here to guide and help you. I’ll try to understand what’s happening inside your head and what you should do to get better. I mean, not that you’re bad, but as far as I am concerned you’ve been saying some… How should I call it… Dark things. Do you want to talk about it?
Jackson: I just say the truth. If you’re talking about what I told my mom about suicide then all I’ve got to say is that the only thing that locks me to this planet is finding the truth. I say this a lot of times: All that matters is the truth.
Anthony: You’re right… But you’re having a pretty negative thinking. Don’t you have anything else that makes you want to be alive? If you were gone how do you think your family and friends would react to it?
Jackson: I never thought about it that way…
Anthony: You see Jackson? That’s what you’re here doing. I’ll try to make you see things in a different point of view.
Jackson: But can we talk about a different thing?
Anthony: Sure. Tell me about your work. How are things going?
Jackson: Well, I work at a Wrestling company named Wrestling Championship Federation. We normally call it WCF. I’ve been accepted on it at the end of December I’ve been fighting ever since. I just did a pause of a few months… But it doesn’t matter anyway. I returned and I will fight in a special event against a man named Gemini Battle.
Anthony: Do you want to talk about your match?
Jackson: Yeah, I suppose… We’re like… friends… I mean it’s complicated.
Anthony: We still have some time, so I’m not going anywhere.
Jackson: I belonged to a motorcycle club named DRG which is also a wrestling group in WCF and Gemini is in that group. However, I decided to leave for many reasons. One of them was because I can’t trust anyone except for a very small group of people. I think it was better this way, you know? I am fine on my own. It’s been like that since I was a little boy. I don’t need their help to reach the top of the mountain and I don’t need anyone’s help to beat Battle on Blast. Like I’ve already told you one of the things I mostly appreciate is the truth. Gemini Battle is not honest with anyone including himself. He deludes himself by thinking is someone special but he is not… He is currently 1/3 of the Trios Champions but he didn’t deserve that title. Thomas Bates and Deuce, especially Deuce clearly deserve it. I mean, Bates is a Television Champion for a long time and he has already proven that he will reach main-event soon. Deuce was the one that got the Championship to DRG and he is facing the WCF World Champion on Sunday. But how about Gemini? What has he done since he joined WCF that makes me feel concerned about our match? Nothing… I’ve had more title shots than him and I’ve already shown that I am a promise in the wrestling world. On my first month on WCF I fought for the Internet Title. That must means something! Seth didn’t put me on the match just to fill some spot! That’s not how things work…
Anthony: I’m sorry if I’m a little bit confused but who is Seth?
Jackson: He is the owner of the company I work for. He’s my boss.
Anthony: Oh, right. I’m sorry for the interruption, go on.
Jackson: Like I was saying, if he was so good he wouldn’t be fighting someone that probably is a little rusty! He would be among the top-card matches, fighting for titles. But he is not… The Trio Champion is on the Lower-Mid card fighting a wrestler that was absent for two months. Since I left he didn’t accomplished anything more relevant than winning a title because of his partner. The funny thing is that it has already happened in the past. Gemini Battle and I once faced each other in a tag-team match. I lost the match but Gemini didn’t pin me. He won the match thanks to Thomas Bates. Yes, I failed at that match and I don’t have any excuse but what makes me angry is that Battle gets help all the time. But on Sunday it will be different. On that ring will only be two men. I don’t think DRG are going to interfere since I am a former member and besides that I don’t think they would be capable of doing that just to give the win to Gemini Battle by distracting me or giving me the win by disqualification. So, it will be the best Portuguese wrestler that ever stepped on an American wrestling ring against the former bad boy. You are a psychologist so tell me how does an evil man turn good in such a short time?
Anthony: He maybe an exception… I mean, I honestly believe people can change but not in a short time… Unless something really huge happened in his life.
Jackson: I don’t care about what happened to him. I know he is just a farce. I told the same thing to my mom earlier. He just cares about the cameras’ flashes and the media talking about him. He wants fame and money. But you know what Mr. Anthony? He is in the wrong place if he wants that. I may still be a little new in wrestling but at least I do it because I like it. I like to think about strategy to beat my opponent. I love to be at home training for my future match and watch videos of my next challenge, it looks like chess. I love to play chess and wrestling it’s similar to it in some aspects. Sometimes you need to sacrifice something in order to win. Do you know what I’ve sacrificed to win on Sunday? Brothers. If I was still in DRG I would be afraid of winning on Sunday. It wouldn’t feel right to beat the man that rides on my side and I know that Battle would do everything to turn DRG members against me if I’d win against him. I don’t believe he changed, I know that he still wants things his way and I know he’d do anything to get them. But now, I have nothing to lose. I’ve already left the club peacefully and I don’t give a single shit about what they think about me. I’m going to proof everyone that I deserve to be on top. Nobody will ever mock me again. I’ll be respected in those locker rooms. I’ll be the man who showed that it’s possible to be better alone than accompanied and I’ll be the one that started from the first floor and ended up in the roof. It’ll take time, but I am sure that someday it will be my name on the WCF World Title. But for now, I’ll worry about Gemini Battle. I want to see what he is capable of. I bet he’s capable about nothing. His last name is really ironic, because I don’t see the next match as a battle, I see it as a training. It will only be useful to make me stronger and to help me remove the rust.
Anthony: Jackson we have to end our conversation, your time is up.
Jackson: Sure, I’ll make an appointment for some other day.
Anthony: But before you leave, let me just tell you something.
Anthony turned back to Jackson. After a few seconds he turned around and for Jackson’s shock the psychologist had turned into his father. It was his father in front of him.
Anthony: It’s me, Jackson.
Jackson: What? No. No. No. No. This can’t be real.
Anthony: What’s wrong son? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted?
Jackson: Yes, but I know this is not possible…
Anthony: It looks like you don’t want me to be alive.
Jackson: I want dad, I swear to you that I want! But how is this possible? How can you die and then resurrect in a psychologist’s body?
Anthony: I’m disappointed, Jackson. You don’t believe in me.
Jackson: That’s not what I mean…
Anthony: Yes, it is Jackson. You’ve failed me son.
Anthony pulled out a pistol of his pocket and pointed to Jackson.
Jackson: Not this again…
Anthony: Goodbye, son.
*BANG*
Jackson woke up in his room. He looked at the clock and it was 8AM. It was all a dream. A dream inside of another dream. But it felt so real! He couldn’t believe that was all product of his imagination. He got up and drank a glass of water while he was thinking about whether his mind was sane or not. Should he visit a psychologist? Would it help him? He was often having the same nightmare, seeing his dad shooting him. That concerned him. He picked up his mobile phone and called his mother.
Jackson: Hi mom.
Mary: Hello Jackson! How are you?
Jackson: Well, I’m not very fine… Look, I’ve been thinking and I believe I should start visiting a psychologist… I’ve been having this weird nightmares and I wanted someone to help me. Do you know anyone?
Mary: Yes, I know a pretty good one. His name is Anthony Palmer.
Jackson: Wh-Wh-What? What’s his name?
Mary: Anthony Palmer.
Jackson was in shock. His body was shaking, his face was pale. However, Jackson breathed deeply and tried to be calm. “This must be another dream. That’s the only logical explanation”. He pinched himself hoping it didn’t hurt but it did. That was reality.
