Post by Chelsea Armstrong on Dec 6, 2015 13:56:46 GMT -5
“Are we there yet? My feet are getting tired”
“Almost, there’s no need to rush child. We have all the time in the world.”
Two voices bounce around my unconscious mind as I toss and turn, the first is so familiar tears are already stinging the corner of my eyes while the second is one I don’t believe I’ve heard before. Even in a state of slumber my body tenses as I try to reach out for her, trying anything I can but ultimately getting frustrated at myself as she stays just within distance of my touch, acting as if she can’t even see me.
“Where are we?”
“Don’t you remember? Well, I suppose after what happened your memory would be cloudy. Don’t worry that will go away.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“You are definitely your mother’s daughter. Where we are isn’t important, you’ll see where we’re at soon enough. You can trust me you know, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“My mom told me not to trust strangers.”
“I already told you that I know your mom. She’d be ok with me helping me.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
Confusion settles on her face as my sights focus in on her allowing me to see each and every detail as I notice her forehead wrinkled, showing clear signs that she is thinking very hard about something. She seems to be staring at her feet before abruptly looking up at the man walking beside her.
“Where is my mommy?”
“She’s waiting for us. As long as everything goes as planned you will see her again soon enough.”
“What if something bad happens?”
The man beside her stops abruptly enough to cause Shelley to become slightly off balanced. His eyes turn cold and hard momentarily but go softly just quick enough for her to look up into the eyes of a caring man.
“Nothing bad is going to happen little one, I picked you because you’re special, I know you can help me but more importantly you will do anything to help your mom won’t you?”
“What’s wrong with mommy?”
“Oh nothing, nothing, I just meant, if mommy was in trouble you’d help her, right?”
“Yeah.”
“See, that’s why nothing bad is going to happen, because I know you will do everything that you’re supposed to.”
She nods enough to seemingly give him reassurance as they continue walking down the darkened…hall? I haven’t been able to make that much out before I can feel myself falling backwards, forced to stare into the eyes of my daughter as she walks away from me in the hand of a man who claims to know me…his face might look familiar but I can’t bring myself to figure out who he is. Instead my arms swing wildly wanting desperately to grab my little girl in my arms as I scream out her name, tears streaming my cheeks as I try.
“Chelsea, Chelsea!”
Hands grab my shoulders pulling me further away from my daughter, I kick and scream trying like crazy to get away from the grasp as I’m suddenly pulled to consciousness enough to hear a groan as a thud hits the ground. Catching my breath and wiping the tears from my eyes I wake up enough to roll over and look at the floor only to find Alex lying there holding his groin in pain as I can’t help but crack a small smile through the sadness I’m feeling in my heart. Apparently the screaming was enough to wake up the rest of the house as Shaun and Stephen both come running into the room, Shaun carrying a bat and Stephen hiding behind him before focusing his sights on Alex and falling to the floor in laughter.
“What in the world happened?!”
“Sorry, I was having a bad dream and Alex was trying to wake me up….I guess I should have warned you guys that I tend to kick in my sleep.”
Dropping the bat Shaun walks over and helps Alex up as I sit up and move my feet allowing him to sit on the bed. Meanwhile Stephen calmed himself enough to bring Alex an icepack but he seems to be wanting a drink instead…typical Alex wanting a beer at three in the morning. I can’t talk much though as I could use one as well but I pass as the three men each find a spot on my bed as I take a deep breath trying to keep myself together.
“What was the dream about?”
“It was weird…Shelley was there but she was with this guy who claimed to know me. He was telling her that she was going to help me but she had to stay with him to do so.”
“Did you recognize him?”
“I don’t think so…I think I might have heard his voice once or twice but I can’t place it.”
“Did you happen to see what he looked like?”
“Kinda…I thought he had black hair but then I swore I saw a few strands of blond so I don’t know…I’m sorry. I know it was probably nothing. It just hurts to see her and know I can’t…”
“We know Chels, that’s why we’re here. I know none of us can truly know what it feels like but we will help you all we can.”
“Thanks guys.”
“Come on guys, let’s all try to get some more sleep. Do you think you’ll be ok Chels?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
The three of them stand up as I watch the walking across the room, at this moment even Stephen is being good…though that could be because he’s still half asleep as I see Shaun slightly holding onto him to keep him upright as the two share a yawn.
“Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you mind staying for a while? I mean if you want to go back to bed I understa…”
“Of course blue lady.”
Shaun and Stephen head on back to bed as Alex sits beside me on top of the covers as I find myself needing the comfort of a friend more than anything. Resting my head against his shoulder I can feel myself between a mix of calming down and becoming yet more emotional as having someone beside me who genuinely cares had become almost rare within the last few months.
“Chels?”
“Yeah?”
“I know it was just a dream…but I think I know who the guy was you were talking about.”
“How?”
“The blond and black hair…there’s only one man I know who has that look…”
“Who?”
“Johnny Rabid…but like you said, it was just a dream. I’m sure it was nothing. How about we both get some sleep, I promise I won’t leave until you fall asleep.”
Nodding I rest my head back against him trying to get myself to relax as the name sticks in my mind as a part of my mind can’t help but feel that there’s something more to the dream that we’re all thinking. But for now I know stressing over a dream won’t do me any good…I have bigger things on my plate…this week I step back into the ring alone for the first time in months…oh boy.
**Two Days Later**
“Chelsea Armstrong! It feels like forever since I’ve been able to interview you.”
“It’s definitely been a long time, how have you been?”
“Oh the usual, you know how it is, not much changes around here.”
“I think I might have to disagree with you there, I’m not sure how many people I actually know here anymore.”
“Yeah…there’s been a lot of turn over lately. I was happy to hear a familiar face was coming back, between you and I….I can only take so many rookie promos.”
A laugh leaves my lips as I nod glancing around the hall as it quickly fades leaving me with the same sense of distraught and anxiety that I have been feeling the past month.
“Hey Hank, before we do the interview do you mind if we go somewhere and talk?”
“Of course, we can use my interview room, no one else comes in there.”
Nodding we walk the short distance down the hall as I can’t help but glance behind me now and then as I swear I can feel eyes on my back…someone’s watching me…and I don’t know who. Reaching the room we walk in as I double check to make sure the door is closed tight behind us and no one else is near.
“So what’s going on Chelsea?”
“What can you tell me about Johnny Rabid?”
“Ah, I wondered how long it would take for them to get to you too.”
“Who?”
“The Beach Krew.”
“That’s where I’d heard that name…”
“Of course, he’s a unique one for sure.”
“Do you have any idea what he’d want with me?”
“I don’t think I’m in a place to discuss this Chelsea.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t, these guys have power here. They can do more than you believe. It’s not safe for us to even have this conversation.”
“I don’t get it, why is everyone so scared of them?”
“Chelsea please, I can’t do this. Let’s just do your interview as planned, I’ve already said more than I should have.”
“But I’ve been having dreams about him with my daughter and…”
“NO!”
Taken back by his sudden change of tone I jump back almost scared as he sits back into the chair he had rose from and begins taking deep breaths. I watch him force himself to relax as I can feel my feet not wanting to move back towards him.
“Sorry…I didn’t mean to do that, but I really can’t talk about this Chelsea. And not just for my safety, but for yours to. You don’t want to be a part of it Chelsea, please stop digging. You’ve just come back, it’s not smart to get into that right off.”
“Ok…”
“Ok. So can we just do the interview now?”
“Sure.”
Crossing the room I cautiously sit down on the chair across from him, keeping an eye on my surroundings as his reaction to my question has done nothing but heightened the paranoia I was beginning to feel, I can faintly hear him doing the introduction for the interview but my mind is swirling like a whirlpool, how can I expect to focus on Doc Henry like this. But I have to try…no I have to do this…with how Hank reacted I can’t show that they’ve already gotten to me…that he’s already gotten me. I have to stay strong…there’s something more to this that I know, and if that’s true…maybe there’s a chance Shelley is still out there somewhere…
“Chelsea…did you hear me?”
“Oh, sorry, what did you say?”
“It’s perfectly ok, I just asked how it felt to be back in the ring last week with Pantheon team mate Jeff Purse.”
“It was definitely a rush to get back in a wrestling ring. I’ll admit I had a bunch of doubts going in, not about the match but about my ability. It’s been so long since I actually did something like this, but Jeff helped me out a lot, I found that I actually missed all of this. It’s given me something else to focus on so that’s a plus.”
“Before we move on, since you hinted at it there, I think it’s safe to say that I speak for almost everyone when I say I’m deeply sorry about the recent occurrences that have happened in your life. For you to come back to the company after that it only shows how strong of a woman you really are.”
“Thank you Hank, but I think that’s a misconception that a lot of people have been focusing on. I’m not strong just because I came back, I’m not suddenly better because I’m found a way to deal with what has happened. Coming back here has simply given me an hours’ worth of distraction every week where the pain I feel subsides just enough for it to be replaced with the pain I feel from my opponents.”
“I understand Chelsea, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”
“No, you’re fine. It’s just been getting to me a lot lately. I didn’t come back to get sympathy every time I turn around. Yes I lost my daughter, yes I bring it up a lot but do you know why I do? It’s not to get sympathy, it’s because every time I mention her name it brings me a speck of joy that I can’t get elsewhere. That is why I talk about my daughter.”
“How about we move along here…this week you compete in your first singles match since returning against Doc Henry. What are your thoughts going into this match?”
“I’d be lying to say I wasn’t uncertain about this one. Doc is a guy that I’ve been familiar with since I joined this company. We’ve never worked close or even really talked but he’s one that I’ve watched in that ring a hundred plus times. That is why this match concerns me…yet reassures me at the same time.”
“And why’s that?”
“Simple, Doc is the same guy that was here the day I joined WCF. He doesn’t change. His wrestling style is the same, he goes for the same moves and counterattacks every time. He has no surprises left in his arsenal and I believe that he’s starting to see that. Sure he’s seen my wrestle before but I’ve been out for a while, for all he knows I could have changed up my strategy. He’s not sure what to expect whereas I have nothing to worry about, I know exactly what he’s going to do.”
“Do you care to share what your mindset is going into this match?”
“Well…I think I’ve kinda already went through that but basically, I’m not worried. I know I’m going to have bigger things to worry about when the time comes and Doc isn’t one of those. Sure he’s my opponent this week but that’s all he is. I’ll get the pin quickly and I’ll be moving on to my next part of the puzzle soon after.”
“What do you believe is the next step for you after Doc then? It sounds like you have a general idea of where you’re wanting to go.”
“Honestly Hank, I only have one thing on my mind right now and that’s making sure I’m at a good place for myself. My next step is showing people that I’m just as good as I’ve always been. When I was here before I never got moved above People’s Champion until I got the chance to run with the Cruiserweight Championship. That was it, no one wanted to move me up higher. This week, as you’ve failed to mention, is a contendership match. If I win I go on to face Mikey eXtreme for the United States Championship, right?”
“That is correct.”
“That is the next stop on my puzzle, when I win that Championship I will be the one to show everyone that there’s more to this company than what some people are having them believe. You see, people around here have become terrified to speak out when a problem arises in this company. Yet I remember just months ago everyone was on a bandwagon to disband Pantheon, what happened to that drive? That motivation? I’ll tell you what happened, people got scared, they got intimidated and are afraid to speak up. But that’s what’s great about being me, when you have nothing to lose you will do anything you damn well please. What’s the worst that can happen to me? I get fired? Great, then I go back doing what I was before I came back, I have a place to go, I have money, there’s nothing they can hold against me here. That is the difference between me and everyone else in this company. I’m here for me and only me, and I will do anything to make sure I get where I know I belong.”
“Is there….”
Suddenly the lights go out in the room along with every electronic that was running leaving us in a room of complete silence. My paranoia shoots through the roof as I spring up from my chair trying to get to the door without tripping over anything in my way.
“What in the hell happened!”
Reaching the door I open it letting light flood the room just enough to illuminate Hanks face as he stays seated behind the desk. He shakes his head and looks almost pale as he quickly closes the turned off laptop and briskly moves from his desk to the door almost pushing me out of the way as he stands in front of me.
“I told you to drop it, I’m sorry. I can’t interview you anymore until you get this figured out. I’m sorry Chelsea, but I can’t do this.”
Before I can even try to respond Hank is rushing off down the hall leaving me alone in the doorway as the sense of being watched returns. Turning slowly I utter a silent scream as I come face to face with the man I have been agonizing over for the past three days…Johnny Rabid.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“What do you want with me?”
“I think you can answer that question yourself.”
“I’m not playing your games Rabid.”
“You already are. You know what I am offering, I can tell by the look in your eyes that you’ve already guessed it.”
“This is nothing but a joke, I’m not going to be part of your little puppet show, it seems you have enough marionettes as it is. Forget it, I knew you were going to be nothing but a joke, I’m out of here.”
Turning my back to him I walk down the hall, abet quickly, but trying to keep him from seeing the fear lurking within the depths of my mind. I can feel his eyes burning into my back as he watches me, I near the corner as I must do is go around the bend and I’ll be free of his gaze. As I reach and get ready to turn his voice races down the hall, sounding as if it’s right behind me as he leaves me with a sentence that I know will stay with me.
“You’ve give up too easily Chelsea. You can see her…if you want it enough.”
**Hours Later**
My fingers race over my phone hitting every contact I feel would be helpful at this moment but no one seems to be answering my pleas for help. That sentence sticks in my mind like glue refusing to be washed away no matter how many times I try to tell myself it can’t happen…but what if it could…it’s not like I’m a stranger to things on the other side.
“What if he has something not even I know about…but even if he does, there has to be a catch to this. But even if there is….it’s my daughter…can I pass this up…it depends his request. Would he really be as cruel as it sounds…I mean is he giving me a chance I’ve been wanting or is he using this as some type of leverage that he’ll turn against me later on…”
Already on my knees the confusion mixes with the hurricane of emotions already in my mind as once again tears sting my eyes. A part of me knows that I have to do but the other is refusing to allow me to give in. They continue to fight for a few minutes before I know the conclusion is inevitable…I have to do this…pulling out my phone I go to the number that appeared in my phone earlier today. I don’t even question it’s existence as I open up the texting function and key in the message before hitting enter and taking a deep breath...let’s do this.
