Post by Chelsea Armstrong on Feb 9, 2014 9:25:14 GMT -5
**Scene One**
“One hundred and four million, eight hundred and three thousand, two hundred seconds…One million, seven hundred and forty six thousand, seven hundred and twenty minutes…Twenty nine thousand, one hundred and twelve hours…One thousand, two hundred and thirteen days…One hundred and seventy three weeks. No matter which way you spin it, no matter which way you choose to write it out, it all stands for the same thing…the amount of time I have claimed the right of being a female professional wrestler.
In that amount of time I have done more in my career than most can say they have in ten years, now many scoff at that statement as they look down on women being in this sort of profession. They look down on us claiming we are that of the weaker sex…yet they could not be further from the truth. You look around this federation and though we are few, the women in this federation are strong and powerful. You cannot see that though fore the men keep us fighting! They are constantly causing cat fights among us so as we do not get the sense of superiority and in turn show just how powerful we actually are. No…no instead they try to break us down, make us bleed and fight in the attempt to hear us beg for mercy…but from some of us…they will never hear those words.”
The sun filtered in warm and bright through the frosted glass of the bathroom window, I’d locked myself away about an hour ago…even though I was already alone in the room. Standing there in only a black sports bra and matching sports I stared into the full length mirror allowing my eyes to graze over my body as each scar stood out bright nearly as if sparkling in its white beauty as I turned showing my back to the reflective surface as the scars are never ending. My eyes moved over each individual line as inch by inch memories started coming in flashbacks, my screams and laughs…each wound holding a different emotion…a different owner.
“I have fought what feels like a million battles, some I have lost and some I have won but each one has had a hand in making me the person I am today. Since everyone has seemed so keen to bring up the federation which built my very being I decided it was time for someone with actual knowledge of the place to talk about the National Wrestling Association. Many things have been said about that federation in recent weeks and it made me laugh because…well they were oblivious to what actually occurred in that federation…they tried to tell you stories as if in a way to disrespect the NWA arena and yet everything that spewed from their pathetic lips was just that…pathetic. People need to learn to do some real research before talking about places that they’ve never even been to.
Anyway, on to the reason I brought this federation up, as I said there has been a lot of talk about that said place for a while now and maybe it’s time you see the story from my point of view.
I remember it as if it was yesterday when I first walked into the cluttered backstage area of the National Wrestling Association, I had been in a few federations before this but the nervousness still hung in my stomach as I clung to the arm of my then boyfriend, Messiah, he’d been the one to put my name into management and it was by his hand that I got the call asking if I wanted a contract with NWA…if only I knew then what I was getting myself into. As he’d guided my way down the halls I saw the veterans as some looked at me with a look of disgust while others gave me a reassuring smile, even now that feeling of being the new girl in town is nerve racking when I’m alone. Continuing down that long hallway I felt as if it would never end when I then saw the name ‘Greg Monto’ in bold letters set above the door, opening it I then set off on the beginning of my new career as by the end of the day the ink was dry on my brand new NWA contract.
The rest of my career went by in a blur now that I look back at the three years I walked those very halls…but there are three moments that sick out in my mind clearer than the others. The first was only a month after I joined that company, I was standing in the ring face to face with one of the toughest women in the federation…she went by Ayane Nicole Shaw and her name is still known very well in those that roamed those now empty halls, it was a tough battle and nobody thought that the new girl could win that Starlets championship away from her…they were wrong. We were in that ring and had been going back and forth for what felt like hours, both tired but neither one of us were willing to give up just yet but in a quick movement I was somehow able to get the pin and win that championship…it was with that very title that I became the longest reigning Starlet’s champion in NWA…a record that was never broken.
After that came the fight of my career, this wasn’t for any championship though…you see there was a man in this federation who ran some of the things backstage and he was one that had an old train of thought. He didn’t like the idea of women in the same ring as men and he fought long and hard to keep in that way, that is until I came into the picture. You see fighting as a woman in a divas division you only have one championship to go after and you only have a handful of people you can wrestle…it was getting old and I wasn’t the only one getting tired of it. After a month struggle he was getting tired of the persistence and decided to leave the federation, with the backing of a few of the guys in the back we were able to break down those walls and it was then that I lead the movement of women being able to wrestle men in the National Wrestling Association.”
Staring into my reflection I couldn’t help but muster a laugh as I then stared at a deep scar running the length of my side causing memories to come back once again as I allowed my fingers to graze the soft white bump before taking a deep breath.
“The last main memory I hold with me from that federation dates back to May of last year. There were six of us in this match…located inside a steel cage where pin falls ran like crazy but the only one that mattered was whoever got that last pin before the time ended. Matthew Robinson…he as then the current NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Chino, my husband…Seifer Black Armstrong, Scott Adams, John Stine…the only other competitor who had never won that World title, and then myself. The match only had a thirty minute timer but the amount of bloodshed and pain that came within those twenty minutes was agonizing as no one wanted to lose…everyone wanted to have that last pinfall…and it was then that it happened. Seifer got the pin with a minute left on the clock, everyone thought he’d had it but then Chino stepped in and got it with only ten seconds left, I knew something had to be done. I was hungry for that gold and it was then that I caught Chino with the Final Nightmare putting him down for the pin.
I still can’t tell you exactly what happened after the bell rang…the video shows me celebrating and grabbing that World title but honestly…I don’t fully remember that. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I’ve watched time and time again the look on the other men’s faces as they stared then at the first ever female NWA World Heavyweight Champion…the first and only…I held that championship for over one hundred and twenty five days, I then only lost the championship because the company crumbled after losing a few of our top competitors…but even in those final days I held that championship with pride and still now every time I think about that match I remember all those who held that title before me and how through all the great women that roamed that federation…I am the only one who can say they were the NWA World Heavyweight Champion…that right cannot be taken away from me, there’s no chance that another woman will walk in and be able to take claim of that championship and wipe that accomplishment from my resume…but that isn’t the case with you Sarah.
You will always be able to say you were the first ever female WCF World Heavyweight Champion…and I respect that, but there will come a time when you will not be able to say you are the only female to hold that championship. No one knows how soon or when, but it will happen and that accomplishment will be forced into nothingness…how will you handle that? I can see it in your eyes that you don’t want to do anything but win…if you’re not winning then there is simply no use in playing the game, am I right? You strive to be the best and if anyone tries to take that away from you then your temper gets the best of you and you start to melt under pressure…everyone has seen it happen. You will try to deny it of course and come off with the same badly rehearsed garbage that your girlfriend has been feeding every opponent to face you in that ring here, ‘Sarah’s going to murder you’ ‘Sarah’s going to make you wish you were never in this federation’, word of advice if I may, give your girl a new dictionary. It’s certainly not helping your intimidation factor when your minion is making people laugh at you because of her incompetence. Oh but I know, you don’t need her…you can fight your own battles, why don’t you tell her that then? You’re opponents hear more out of her than they do out of you, maybe that’s the case here though…Is she the one with the guts in the group? I mean she’s the one accepting challenges and laying them down respectively, she’s the one who came back from a coma…that you caused I may add…and went on to actually hold a championship, yet…what have you done?
You get fired from your job, giving the company back to Seth…yes you laid him out but what have you done apart from that? You tried to stake your claim with the World Championship once again when you took out Johnny Fly, yet you were overlooked when the pay per view match was booked. If you asked me you’re merely living off of your past accomplishments and everyone is starting to see through that façade, you had intimidation when you owned the company…yes you did but it was because people didn’t want to lose their job. Now, well now you’re nothing but another face in the locker room and you just can’t stand it. You have to be up front and center in a spotlight and even then you won’t be getting enough attention to calm your fragile ego, this week I’ll be honest I’d love to get the win over you, but even if I don’t you know what? I’ll still win, because I will have shown just how much of a competitor I am in this business by seeing the flaws in the glorious Sarah Twilight, you’re hanging too much on the comfort of an ally and that has brought you to get together with a woman you used to despise…something just isn’t quite right in that situation and I think everyone can see it. Make up all the excuses you want, the truth of the matter is…you’re not the woman you once were, you have competition in this federation and that is the reason you aren’t in that world title match. You’re underestimating everyone by trying to be the best and well I hate to tell you, it’s making you the weak one in your little group in the process. Plain and simple you better be ready for a fight this week because I’ve seen through Sarah Twilight and I think it’s time everyone does the same.”
**Scene Two**
Darkness shrouded my eyes as I swore they were open but nothing was breaking through the obscurity, attempting to rub my eyes I became alarmed to find my hands tied above my head by what appeared to be a thick chain. Pulling helplessly at my binds the metal digs into my pale skin as I tried shaking my head in attempts to pull off the blindfold I now understood was blocking my sight. I began to feel panic but I kept my body calm as I then tried to figure out my surroundings, I could tell my feet had been stripped of their leather confines leaving my bare feet to touch the cold concrete floor sitting under me as chains wrapped around my ankles. It was now confusion I was feeling as a cool stream of air brushed past my skin showing I had minimal protection covering my body as it felt as if only a sports bra and shorts hid my body from view. I’d felt a part of my mind become panicked where the other half was becoming excited…but even with my confusing emotions one question hung in my mind…who did this to me?
Just as I was getting ready to open my mouth and ask that very question I felt a soft hand brush my side causing me to move in my chains attempting to distance myself, a whisper then sounded close to my ear making me shudder as my mind raced to place the voice coming through to me.
“Pain, my dear Chelsea, is a very real phenomenon. It is an alert system designed to warn us when we are about to injure ourselves. In that sense, it is a creation of the mind, and like all of our mind's creations, it can be quieted. Pain can be absorbed and used in your favor... but only if you are willing to embrace it as your friend, rather than avoid it as an enemy.”
Realization struck hard in my mind as I knew that voice…I’d heard that voice nearly a thousand times over the last week alone…yet, why….why was he doing this to me? I feared to find the answer to that question as even in my short time in this company I had learned just how vindictive he can be, and now…now I was in his hands and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. Thought of panic and dread rushed through my senses as I immediately questioned my choice of joining his side, but then I found myself once again questioning why it was happening to me…why not one of the guys? Yeah I was new in this group but was there something here I didn’t know? Everything seemed to move in slow motion as I kept repeating that small question to myself…why…why…why…and then I made the biggest mistake I could have ever made, I asked him myself.
“Why me? Unlike your other two clients I actually won my match at the pay per view, maybe you need to worry about your other projects…”
I barely get the last word past my lips before a sharp hand connects with my cheek sending my head flying to the right making tears sting my blinded eyes. Feeling the heat rising to the whelp on my skin I’m surprised to taste blood against my tongue, blood from his very hand…it was then that I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy journey…it was then I understood the meaning of the chains as something brushed against my stomach. The material felt oddly familiar as panic begin to set in continuously until I soon understood what weapon he held in the palm of his hand…the sting of a whip was one I had only felt once or twice...but even then in was by the loving hand of my husband…someone who knew my limits…now I was at the whim of a man who knew no mercy…I man who was here to make me his own.
“You willingly gave yourself to me, by your own hand you agreed to my terms and now it is time for the rebuilding process to begin. You will keep silent until I am finished or you will be punished.”
Chills involuntarily rose on my skin as the cold leather once again brushed my skin as panic filled the lower depths of my stomach, he was going to hit me…it was going to snap against my skin and the scariest part is I didn’t know when it was going to come. That’s what he wanted though…he wanted my mind to go crazy with fear just waiting for him to make his move, I knew that but still I couldn’t keep my body calm as I knew he was already winning. I felt as if hours were ticking by endlessly as I stayed chain to that wall and even though I wanted nothing more than to yell out and tell him to just get it over with I knew that would be the biggest mistake I could make right now. My body was far from relaxing at that point and I knew that was a bad situation to be in for every hit to come would hurt that much more against my tense muscles…but even while I knew this in the deepest parts of my mind I couldn’t help my situation as soon my hands started pulling at the chains, just wanting to get out of this.
I’d heard the whisper in the air for what I would have sworn was a full minute before the sharp sting of the whip hit my bare side causing my knees to shake in pain, Scott saw this even though I tried to hide my discomfort as I heard his menacing voice merely feet in front of me.
“Keep those legs straight! You will not fall as long as I’m standing here; you must endure the pain and make it your own. Only then will you truly know what pain is, only then will you truly earn the name of the Mistress of Darkness! You do not deserve that name, you are weak!”
In my mind a nod was made by my head but I guess the connectors on my senses didn’t react as another harsh strike was made against my body causing me to jerk and bite my lip to keep from crying out the words I wanted to desperately to yell. Pain now ran through my body but it still could not mask the fear that was sticking out so prominently in my mind…in my head all I could think was when…not why…when…when was the next strike going to happen, and where would it be placed? With my breathing quickening in my lungs I’d closed my eyes already behind the cloud of black as I willed my body to stay in control, I knew I had to stay control in order to do what I wanted to do but then another thought came to mind…if I stay in control this will only continue…if I don’t fight back it will end faster…but that is not in my nature, no even I knew I was too stubborn to just let him win. He was quick though and as if he could read the thoughts racing through my mind another strike caught my stomach catching me off guard and forcing a scream from my lips as I swore I felt the warm sticking feel of blood trickling down my flesh.
“There will be no weak links in the S-Pac chain! You must make your body used to the pain if you are going to stand a chance against the others!”
“Bu…”
As soon as the word started to leave my mouth I regretted it knowing what was to come right after, my thoughts were proved right as a hard hit from the whip caught my stomach forcing a muffled scream to stay deep in my throat as I clenched my jaw trying to do as he said and endure the pain. In my mind I could make out the sick smirk on his lips as he could see he was getting through to me but just as that picture came into my mind it disappeared as I sudden…wait…echoed through, what had he said? There will be no weak links…but I’m not a weak link. If I were a weak link why did he contact me? Has my fight with Stacy made me weak…am I not cut out to be in their group…am I really that bad?
While I had been thinking my lays must have wavered for a sharp pain rushed through my calves showing the signs of the whip lashing out against them. I already knew what was going to fall from his lips but even through the pain I couldn’t help but keep questioning myself…is that why he was doing this to me? Had I grown weak and just masked it in my own mind? What was going on…?
“I told you to keep those legs straight! If you’re not going to listen to me I might as well through you out on the street right now! You don’t want that to happen, do you?”
His words barely broke through my thoughts as I was too late in responding causing another hard hit to break against my body, this time I was certain blood was running down my reddened skin.
“Answer me!”
Opening my mouth slightly I catch myself before my voice actually breaks through responding with a simple shake of my head, once again I swear I can see his smirk shining through the pitch black area between my eyes and the blindfold. Tears have started welling up in my eyes while I was distracted but unlike earlier I make no attempt at hiding my emotions as I let them out, he was right…I was the weak link…I was letting them down…him down. How did it come to this? But wait…no what about the pay per view, I won my match against Jack…I won while the others lost, my inner thoughts mocked me as I heard a laugh rush through. Maybe Jack wasn’t that big of an accomplishment…they were off facing main eventers… they had a liable reason for not winning their matches and yet I…I was bragging over defeating Jack…I was the weak link. My negative thoughts are broke by another lashing of the whip making my knees go weak as the pain seems to have intensified severely.
“Pain is merely weakness leaving your body; it thrives to make you stronger by forcing you to persevere. Let that pain fuel your senses, use it to help you instead of harming you.”
Biting my bottom lip I forced my legs up right and tried my best to focus all on my thoughts on keeping them steady, breaking in a deep breath I absorbed the pain allowing it to wander through my senses until I wrapped my fingers around the chains on my wrists pulling myself up in the process. He said nothing and that made me believe I had done what he wanted…clearly I was wrong as another hit caught my side…but it wasn’t just one hit. My body tried everything it could to numb the pain as I felt hit after hit catching my body until I had to give in and let my knees give way to the torture. My hands had let go of the chains leaving me handing by my wrists, I tried to pull myself back up right but my legs were shaking so badly I couldn’t get a good stance as my inability to stand lead to another hard hit catching my back this time as it felt as if the whip itself had wrapped around my body bringing me as much pain as was possible from one hit.
“You better be able to take more than that my dear, this is a cakewalk compared to the pain that you will be forced to ensure when you get in that ring with Sarah Twilight. If you can’t take what I’m giving you you’re not going to last five minutes in a match with her! Don’t make me regret choosing you Chelsea, now stand up!”
Using every ounce of strength I had left in my body I forced my legs to straighten the best they could but my knees still shook involuntarily as the pain was coursing through in sharp burst making my head throb with each cycle. The longer I forced myself to stand there the more I begin to question why am I trying too hard to please him… and the it finally hits me on what I am doing. I’m not going through this to prove to myself…no I’m only doing this to keep from disappointing him…I can’t let him down…he’s already done so much for me, if I let him down that’s the end of the line for me. If I let him down then I let them down…and if I let them down…I shudder just to think of what would happen, but I know I wouldn’t be a pretty sight. No…no forget about them, I can’t let Savage down…I won’t allow myself to let him down. Whether it was the decision that had just ran through my mind of my body becoming numb I still don’t know but something forced my legs upright as my feet dug into the hard floor trying to keep my body steady.
“There you go, feed off of the pain. In order to do what you want you must first understand what you are going against. Sarah Twilight is one that has come to love pain and you must do the same Chelsea. “
Even after what feels like has been the last few hours of this torture I’m still caught off guard by the sudden attack of the leather rope against my body as fear starts trickling down again making me wonder when the next strike will come…and not only when it will come but when is it going to end. How long until I finally break and give in to his torture? How long until I let him down and force myself to submit to the pain…I can’t do that…I can’t…but each pain stings like a thousand jellyfish as I can’t even begin to image the state in which my body is in at this point. Various parts of my body feel like they are burning from the heat of the hits as others make me squirm in the binds from the feel of the red liquid running out of my battered body. Another long series of hits rains down on my body out of nowhere causing me to jerk around in my bonds and tears to form in my eyes, one again my legs waver on the edge of instability. Pain is slowly taking over all the nerves in my body forcing my mind to panic as I keep thinking of letting him down but I can’t help the thoughts as moments of darkness creep into my mind. The feeling must have gotten too much fore before I know it a hard hand is pulling my head up by my hair pulling me back to reality and the pain to be all the more real.
“Just as I thought, weak! You can’t even withstand the shots coming by my hand, how do you expect to stand a match against Sarah Twilight! “
Each time he says her name the words started to dig deeper into my mind making the pit of my stomach tense in frustration…nervousness…dread…determination. I couldn’t let him down…wouldn’t, if I did that I’d never be able to look at myself again. Making myself stand once more my legs continued shaking as this time there was no stopping it from happening, it felt as if all my energy was going to just keep my body upright. Deep down though I knew he was right, I knew what I had to do but…again what if he was right? I’d always been one to give the pain…not receive it…it was a case of getting what I dish out and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take of this.
Another series of strikes came just after my thoughts as I could only believe he knew what was going through my head and trying his best to beat that negativity out of my system. From those strong hits I felt my consciousness wavering once again which only lead to more strikes until soon I could feel nothing on my body expect for the warmth of blood running down my body. One last scream left my mouth as my knees gave way the same time he swung the whip causing it to connect with my right cheek, the break seemed almost too easily as it too began to seep and tears fall into the blindfold as I pulled at the chains trying to get away even though I knew it was a loss cause. Crying out I beg him to stop which only makes him throw each lashing harder against my body until soon I give up allowing my weight to be supported by my wrists as my legs give way to all the pain I’ve been forced to endure.
In a quick movement I feel my head crash against the concrete floor showing my wrist had been let go as I feel my ankles being released as well, my head is them yanked back up by my hair while the blindfold if forced from my eyes. Gazing up I try to see the face of Savage but I don’t get a look as everything starts to go black, after another hit of the whip to my back my hands are jerked over my head as my body starts sliding over the floor leaving nothing but the cold concrete to sooth the open wounds I’ve obtained. Just as I thought I was being taken somewhere to think about what just happened and actually nurse the cuts and no doubt bruises that would be forming I had those thoughts quickly diminished as his voice broke through my shaken state.
“We’re far from over sweetheart, our fun has only begun.”
**Scene Three**
My moment of brief relaxation…if you can call it that…is interrupted as I’m dragged down a dimly lighted hallway, after being blinded for an uncertain amount of time my eyes sting from the light forcing them shut as my arms begin to ache from being jerked like they are. In a hasty movement I find myself being through into a pitch black room as all sources of light have been cut off leaving be in nothingness, feeling I’m alone I almost allow the somber feeling of the room to come as a relief but that ends quickly as the air is forced from my lungs by a swift kick to my stomach.
“There will be no mercy from your opponent. She lives to destroy, and she knows if she can frustrate you she'll have the edge. You must learn to keep your cool. You must learn to harness the anger, and use it to your advantage.”
Having been able to into a kneeling position I clutched my stomach feeling the sure sign of blood covering my body before I’m thrown down by a hard hit to the back of my head causing my to hit the ground as pain once again makes its way into my system. His words come through as a whisper to my ear, almost sounding like a hiss as each word hits me like a pound of nails and broken glass slicing me open even further.
“She will strike without warning, from every angle. You must not let that slow you. You must reach out and unleash all of your anger on one”
Throwing a blind punch I catch nothing but air as he connects once again, this time across my jaw forcing me to fall back to the ground. Hitting the ground hard my knee scrapes against the concrete causing yet another wound to my body before I feel blood running into my mouth from the punch he just hit me with. Tears started stinging my eyes as I felt one of his hands brushing the hair back from my face that had fallen in front of my eyes, in a swift movement I swung my hand around in that direction but once again I hit nothing but air as he took each miss as a challenge to connect with one of his own.
“Temper Chelsea, your frustration can make you or break you in that ring. She will know that and try to taunt you to the point of collapse as you give in and give her exactly what she wants. You must learn to keep your displeasure in check.”
Attempting to take in his words I keep my legs against the floor and close my eyes taking in deep breaths, my emotions began to settle but all it took was another kick to my back to cause me to let it all go once again as I stood up holding my arms up and bracing myself for the next attack.
“Hit me! What are you waiting for, just hit me!”
Even with my stance and waiting for the hit he still catches me with a stiff kick across the side sending me down to one knee as his voice once again whispers close in my ear.
“You ask and you shall receive my dear.”
Hitting the ground again I force myself to stand right back up as I try my best to look around the darkness and find any sign of where he is at but I’m finding it tough to do as he hits me again but this time I keep my stance as I close my eyes attempting to let my other senses take over but it fails as he hits my stomach once again, hard enough to send me stumbling backwards and back to the floor making my head bounce off of the concrete floor and the air to fly from my lungs.
He doesn’t let up as I pull my body nearly into a fetal position trying to absorb every hit and kick that is being thrown against my body until he finally ends with a kick hard enough to my back that a loud is heard echoing around the room. Clutching my back whimpers of pain stream from my lips in short quick gasps as I feel my body trying to give up…my mind is telling me to give up I writhe around in pain on the floor taking hit after hit from Savage as he continues breaking apart my body piece by piece. Every time I think he’s finished he comes back at me with more force than before and puts me back in my place with a thundering smack of his hands, I will my body to go numb…to do anything to mask the pain from my sensory overload but nothing works as tears stream down my cheeks as I try to fight him away.
“You cannot give in to your opponent just because of the mistakes your mind makes; you must try to fight them off. Use that pain to your advantage; use what I have taught you!”
“But I…”
“Your opponent will not listen to your pitiful attempts at gaining mercy; there is no time to talk in the ring! You must learn how to protect yourself but using those emotions against your opponent.”
Managing to move into a kneeling position once again I stand up continuing to endure yet another series of rigid hits but my mind wanders away from the pain and right back to the words he spoke to me earlier in the evening…weak link…weak link…weak link. The more that line repeats itself to me the more my anger begins to rise but also the more doubt that begins to fill my mind, I try to shake the feeling and the continuing ache from each punch starts to help me but even then I can’t help but break down as I fall to my knees. I collapse from a combination of physical and mental exhaustion that had begun creeping into my mind after the numerous hits I was being forced to endure, he’d stopped only slightly but that added to the thousands of thoughts now in my head as I couldn’t help but wonder where he was in the room…I knew he was watching me with this beady eyes trying to see what I would do next…what should I do? Do I lay there and just give into everything and show him that I really don’t belong with S-Pac, in turn letting him down…or do I force myself to my feet once again and try to go against what he is doing to me?
But I couldn’t do that…could I? I wanted to be a part of this group, he had come to me himself and offered me the chance at this; he knew that it would help my career and I had decided to follow his lead and accept the offer. I couldn’t just sit here and let all of that fall down the drain just because I was enduring a little pain…he knew what my limits were and this is what he wanted to happen. He wanted me to question myself, he wanted me to fall apart as he picked at my bones and forced me into his mold…but was it sad if I wanted this to happen…is it bad that I wanted to give into his request and fall at his feet begging for him to just leave me on the street…no…no I couldn’t do that. Just as my mind was beginning to turn around he connected with a tough hit to the back of my head as this time I swung around once again this time though I felt my hand barely graze his arm as I knew I was getting closer.
“You’re finally learning I see, I knew you were smarter than that.”
Another hit catches my side causing me to spin around only to be caught by a kick from him to my knees as I crash to the floor, this time though instead of getting frustrated with being caught off guard I feel the anger running through me in a different sensation as something snaps in my mind sending my thoughts racing. I know what I have to do…what I must do…I’m ready...
Looking around the black room my eyes scan calmly looking for him, my senses appear to have been intensified as I turn following the sound of him moving around me trying to get another hit in but I block his hit as he moves away from me and stops moving. I can see already see the smirk on his lips as I turn as he moves again, seeing what I think is him to my right I lunge as I turn out correct and bring him crashing to the floor with me. I mount his chest and begin throwing punches left and right releasing all my anger and pain with my punches until I hear the door burst open behind me and feet start rushing towards us. Four strong arms wrap around my arms and waist pulling me off of him as I manage to get in a couple good kicks before being pulled into the dimmed hall once again, Scott had gotten up and managed to get into the door frame as I look beside me trying to focus my eyes as I make out the faces of Benjamin and Waylon holding me back…their faces stern and unreadable causing me to look back at the door. Scott has walked out into the hall as a sick smirk plays on his lips; he looks directly into my eyes before lifting his hand as I see blood running out of the corner of his mouth. A smirk of my own shows on my lips as I feel the pleasure of just knowing I broke some skin of my own while apparently I had calmed enough to be trusted for the two had let me go and I was now standing face to face with Scott Savage. I didn’t say anything, I didn’t even look at my body just yet…although I knew it had to look like I just went through a horror movie…I did nothing but look into his pleased gaze as his words raced around me.
“You’re ready.”
**Scene Four**
An empty street comes into view showing the signs of being well traveled as dirt and debris litters the ground, little noise was being heard apart from the common chatter that seems to haunt the streets during this time of day. A figure begins to come into frame until it is clear it is that of Benjamin Atreyu. Benjamin is wearing a plain white T-shirt and a pair of black slacks, toting a sort of minimalist look as he carries a sign that reads “All Twilights signify the end!”
"Sarah, all of history has resonated with a simple message; the end must come. This has been played out with many of the world’s greatest empires, civilizations, kings, queens, wars, so on and so forth. Now, with this in mind, wouldn’t you find it appropriate if a younger star hitting her stride manages to take down a longstanding force with a history of dominance in this company? Would you find it even more appropriate that said rising star has decided to align herself with a group that is making its name by ending such aforementioned forces? See, Sarah, there is a difference between people like you and people like us. You are looking for the now, the instant gratification of victory and shallow accomplishment, but we see something more in this world, something I think you miss; the future is coming and the more we resonate with it, the more truly accomplished we will be. As I’m sure you and I both know at one point we will die, we will be no more, and someone will have to take our place. The biggest difference between you and us, is that you aren’t prepared for that, you will continue to fight until you are a sad shadow of the once powerful figure. You will refuse to let go, you will refuse to let the next generation have their day until you are no more."
Benjamin gives a light chuckle.
"We, on the other hand, are already setting up the foundation to our legacy by finding the next generation of wrestlers. Granted, we still have a long way to go before we begin our decline and eventual exit from this stage or this world, but I refuse to wait until I have nothing left to give before I start. We are looking for more than just the shallow gratifications of achievement hunting, and this has allowed us to see beyond just one week, one match, and one victory. In the end, we will have the ultimate victory as all of your accomplishments slowly shrivel up and blow away like dust in the wind. "
Benjamin lowers his sign, allowing all the words easily into the frame allowing them to be read more clearly.
"Chelsea is our newest member and we see a sort of endless potential in her. She has already shown great ability, determination, intelligence, and power, and it seems that she is only getting better as the weeks pass; showing the very things that S-PAC look for as a group, a sort of level that very few can achieve."
Benjamin backs away and plants his sign in the ground. “Death to the Leeches” written out on another picket sign enters from the left as Waylon enters wearing an open orange button-down shirt with blue jeans and a straw hat atop his head.
"We’ve been fightin’ forward for a long time. Cuttin’ through tape and pushin’ through shit, we learn a thing or two along the way. Not just anyone can be trusted just because they wanna win. You learn that you gotta side with those who are after the same thing. Now, I ain’t gonna bore you with the this and the that but S-PAC knows what it isn’t. It ain’t a just a stable, it’s a sanctuary of the like-minded in a world that seems not to take to us too well and in this sanctuary the blood you spill is not just yours. We protect our own and when one of us fails, we all fail. We stop at nothing to improve our fellow teammates because we are a well-oiled machine and it doesn’t benefit any of us to bottle-neck the success from the others. "
Waylon brushed his nose with his thumb before spitting at the ground.
"When one of us wins, it is a win for the team. When one of us get a title shot, it is a title shot for the team. It isn’t about whom but about how…how we capitalize on it, how we keep it and how we command it."
Suddenly, an eyeball obscures the view of the camera causing one to jump slightly before a voice breaks through showing us the owner.
"But it isn’t all about climbing the ladder. We got together because we were all disappointed with what we saw."
John Gable backed away to reveal Waylon standing next to Benjamin with his sign in the ground as well. Gable is wearing a black tee with beige khakis and his arm in a blue sling. His sign reads “Turncoats Need Not Apply” as he held it in his hindered arm.
"We can’t control when the hordes enter but we decided we weren’t going to let them over run us. We all use to run with people who we thought had similar interests who turned out to not be worth the trouble, every single one of us...We know the sting of a failed conquest and being the last left fighting. That is a feeling that is very distinct and it travels. Sometimes the pain is in your back and sometimes the pain is in your skull. But no matter where, eventually it goes out like a ringing in your ears, it’s there but you stop acknowledging it. Sometimes it costs you…"
Gable nods to the previously noted arm before shrugging as the other men remain quiet yet silently agreeing beside him.
"But other times you end up finding something you didn’t know was there…endurance, pride, confidence, and etcetera. Chelsea has proven herself time and time again. I am proud to say that this Sunday; I rest all my trust in Chelsea to take out an all too real menace in WCF history. I would roll my eyes at anyone else and write it off as Sarah’s week off but this week I have never seen such a worthy competitor to her with the exception of Fly and Eric. Now I don’t pretend to know what is going to happen this Sunday but I know someone with a little more insight…Ladies and gentlemen, the ever so talented and unstoppable…Chelsea Armstrong."
John quickly steps back and is the third to place his sign into the ground as this time I come into view showing that of a healing body under the layers of my ring gear, a sign is placed in my hands showing the words “The End is near” in bold letters as a sullen smile sits on my lips. A quick overview of my situation and one can draw their own conclusions for the various healing wounds covering nearly every inch of my body….but I act as if they don’t exist as my gaze is directed to that of the camera.
“Although my presence in this group has been short lived I can truthfully say that I’ve learned more from them than anyone had tried to show me within the first few months of my career in this federation. Scott Savage saw something deep within me and he made it his priority not to stop until he forced my eyes to open and allowed me to see myself from his point of view…he is a wise man and it is by his hand that I now stand before you a changed woman. You see Sarah, he taught me what to do in order to stand a chance against you; you pushed my body to lengths that you could only fathom reaching and then took them just that much farther. But I don’t believe you truly understand this situation just yet…”
Turning my gaze towards the three men surrounding me the scene seems to almost play out for me in my senses, the street adds to its splendor before I stifle a laugh and return my gaze back to the camera and regain the soft smirk that had been playing on my crimson lips.
“You see, we stand before you a solid nearly completely group of four…four people who were paired together because of one man. Do you understand the meaning of the word teamwork? Do you understand the feeling that one gets when they actually have the support and trust of others around them as they push one another to succeed in those goals that they most want to accomplish. I used to be afraid of you Sarah, I used to actually be intimidated by you…but now…now I am seeing you for what you truly are. I am seeing you through the eyes of a worthy opponent and I must admit I love what I see, there is nothing stopping me from doing just what I want this Sunday and by the new found direction my mentor has graced me with…you aren’t going to know what hit you. The end if near for you sweetheart for after our match is threw and your body has been left in the center of the ring…only then will everyone else finally see Sarah Twilight for what she truly is…nothing, worthless, and a prima donna.
Letting my sign go into the ground just the same as the other three I look at them side by side as once again the smirk shows brightly on my lips, looking deep into the camera I can’t help but feel my emotions rising on their own accord as just bringing up a name so sinister is enough to get my blood boiling.
“It is time that the world sees the difference between those who belong in the ring and those whose time will soon expire, it has been said that in time people like you will be forced to step down from your so called throne and allow those of us so far below you to take your spot and carry on the dream that runs through the Wrestling Championship Federation…but you’re scared to do that aren’t’ you. It’s not that you’re stubborn like they say…no, no you’re simply scared because you know that one of these new people that have made those halls their own will outshine you and make people forget that you ever existed. You’re scared because your ego is finally beginning to deflate at the sight of someone who can actually be of a challenge to you; I am through looking into the eyes of a scared woman who hides behind her strong words and the security of those accomplishments that she held oh so long ago!
You are nothing now and everyone is starting to see that and it is scaring the hell out of you because all it takes…all it will take is for someone else to walk into that spotlight and kick your feet out from under you and then laugh with the rest of the world when you fall flat on your face! Your days are starting to be numbered in this federation and you are hiding behind the façade that you’re still better than everyone else in this business but that couldn’t be further from the truth because you are doing just that, you’re hiding! You can’t go by yourself, you always have to pull someone in by your side and allow them to do your dirty work and take the fall for your own bad judgments! I might have a group but I have done what I needed in order to make it this far and I make decisions that are best for me! If I want something down then I get the blood on my hands myself, I don’t send someone else to do it and then laugh and take the credit for it happening. No…this week I am going to put you in your place Sarah Twilight and I know everyone will stand back and let out a collective sigh as they witness the fall of the former queen bee! But of course unlike you I won’t take all the credit for this newfound situation I have been placed in…someone else has helped me make it to where I am now and it is time for him to do the talking.“
Standing back in line with the three men Scott Savage walks into view wearing a black blazer of a red vest and tie with his hand in his pockets as his red shades cover his menacing eyes.
"It comes and goes faster than a blink does it not? It is the classic hits of the rise and fall...but something is missing. A eulogy if you will. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we'll remember you...if we must...Sarah Twilight. But, you're not underground, so sad. Let us not waste on those gone mad."
"And if you blink..."
A clean white glove covers the lens before lifting it up to reveal Herbert Goldstein with only the signs behind him almost mocking that of what’s to come.
"You might never know you were here in the first place."
He covers the lens again only to remove his hand revealing an empty street without even a single sign and no one around as it slowly begins to fade to black.
"Are you ready?"
