Post by themastermind on May 5, 2017 17:01:25 GMT -5
September 21st, 2012
It was widely thought by those who followed the Mayan Calendar and internet folklore, that this date would mark the End of the World. Those who studied the folklore further would interpret the ending of the calendar not to necessarily mean the End of Days, but that there would be a change of great significance which could affect human history for generations to come.
Jonas Leveque was now 18 years old, an adult by many standards. Since we last saw young Jonas, he has gone from a slight, almost sickly looking pale little boy to a stunning looking young man with an athletic build and a natural sizzling stare sure to make one weak in the knees from fear or passion, perhaps both.
Since that first summer with his Uncle Raymond, Jonas’ life has been broken into two; His life with his father and Tim where he was a shy, bookish young man who excelled in every class. Of course he aced the multiple levels of Psychology, and was a well rounded student all the way around. However socially, he was not quite excelling. He preferred to spend his weekends at home studying and watching wrestling on the sly. Tim and Jonathan were always somewhere else; an event here, a gathering there. Despite Jonathans earlier scandals, the public was quick to forget. Jonas had zero friends and even fewer romantic encounters. He never went to dances despite being asked by numerous members of both sexes. The hormones that affected other males had their energy and angst converted into workout fuel and studying focus.
Tonight, Jonas is on a long dark road. Driving his Black BMW, a thousand thoughts race through his mind. Earlier in the day, he had left his uncle’s sprawling cabin. Uncle Ray had not been well for the past few weeks, yet continued to train Jonas to the best of his abilities. By now, Jonas knew the drills, knew the nuances of the sweet science of wrestling, and had developed a moveset he felt was the most unique in the industry, combining his early mastery of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu with the most technical of grappling and submissions, also throwing in a dash of recklessness when the moment called for it. He had sparred with some local competitors, nothing fancy, just some friends of Ray’s or their sons who wrestled in the NECW, and he had surprisingly outpaced these lifelong wrestlers with his scant 3 months a year training.
As he left the cabin, Ray in the capable care of a hospice nurse, begged and pleaded well as he could in his weakened state, for Jonas to take his talents to the next level..Jonas could recall that final conversation, but not without a lump in his throat..
“I must go now Uncle Ray..See you next summer..”
“I….doubt it….Jonas….”
Jonas laughed, trying to lighten the grim mood
“Don’t say that! Look, when I get back from my first year in college, I’ll come back and start working the indies like we discussed…”
“No...you are not a carny act…..You...are...destined...for greatness….You could be more..Jonas..you have a masters mind for this business….You...could be anything….but I know..the fire...in your heart...is for wrestling….Follow the fire, Jonas….”
Jonas was now trying so hard to hold back his tears..
“Take care Ray….”
“You take care...of yourself...of your surroundings...Of that fire….”
The nurse chimed in after seeing a number on one of the machines.
“He needs rest...I will call you if...when…”
“Thank you…”
Ray had passed out, exhausted..Jonas well knew this would be the last he saw of his Great Uncle, the man who gently lit a flame under an impressionable and broken 9 year old boy, tended the flame until it grew within his soul..and fanned the flame into a bonfire swelling in his breast. He knew the drive ahead, the drive home, presumably to begin his studies at NYU with a major in, of course, Psychology with intentions towards parapsychology.
But Jonas knew tonight would be different..
Tonight was his coming out party. His father had no such luxury when it came to his sexual preference. The truth was strewn like confetti across the tabloids, met with equal parts consternation and acceptance. Through the years, his father had grown to embrace his homosexuality, accepting key note speaker engagements at GLADD events and several other functions. He even established the International Psycholgists Acceptance Commision, or IPAC, a group thousands strong with new avant guard theories about human sexuality and the mind. Despite all of this, Jonas knew that with his words this evening, he would break his fathers heart and none of the great accomplishments his father had acheived would mean nothing.
Later that night…
Jonas parked his vehicle close to the curb on the sleek roundabout driveway of the home of Jonathan and Timothy Leveque. As he turned the vehicle off, he sat in silence, staring at a pillar that held up a massive carport, similar to a fancy hotel, that led into the home that had not felt like home in a while. Due to improvements largely requested by Timothy in lieu of love and affection from the normally cold and focused Jonathan, the charming craftsman once purchased by two men in love, had become a monolith to success, more resembling The Ritz than a Residence.
From the large glass front door, a man in a burgandy robe and slippers to match walked quickly to Jonas vehicle, smile on his face. Jonathan had aged somewhat well, considering all that he had been through and his insanely busy schedule. In fact, before Jonas had arrived, Jonathan was writing a thesis for his Doctorate in Parapsychology. Work was life. But when Jonas arrived, Jonathan rose from his desk. Jonathan opened the door of the vehicle..
“JONAS! MY BOY”
Jonathan embraced him in a tight hug.
“Wow, you’ve gotten so strong..How come I have never noticed?”
“Maybe because we don’t hug much..”
“Well, you’ll be seeing plenty of me during your internship! Ready to start?”
“Actually Dad..”
The two men were walking towards the house when Jonas gently took his fathers arm and guided him to turn around. The men were face to face now..
“Dad...theres something I need to tell you…”
“What is it, son?”
“I...don’t want to do the internship…”
Jonathan looked puzzled, but then quickly appeared to understand.
“And thats okay son..Perhaps you should just focus on your pre grad credits for now and get those out of the way before you..”
“Dad..I don’t want to go to college…”
Jonathans countenance turned darker as he tried to comprehend what was happening..
“Wait..wha….son...How do you intend to become a psychologist without going to school? I cannot have you just skate through life on my name…”
“Oh you mean like mom before you destroyed her?”
That comment cut Jonathan deep. Nora Townsend’s life had descended into a downward spiral..At last report, she had been released from rehab for substance abuse for the third time in 4 years. All of this time, Jonathan never forgave her for attempting to ruin his life. Even when she begged for a small amount of help, Jonathan kicked her in the face, sending her from her knees to her back..It was the one situation stoked Jonathans irrational anger, and his son just threw it in his face..
“Boy...don’t you speak about things you know nothing about…”
“I know EVERYTHING. Not like it wasn’t thrown in my FACE AT SCHOOL..”
Jonas nervous energy was now manifesting in a display of displacement resulting in Jonathan pointing that fact out..
“Jonas..you’re displacing..what is it really that is on your mi…”
“I WANT TO BE A WRESTLER. “
The silence was deafening, only broken by the occasional chirping of crickets..Both men paced a bit after this..Jonathan spoke quietly, back to his son..”
“It was Ray...Ray and his backwoods antics...Ray and his white trash sensability...I knew we should have never sent you there..That you would return..different..”
Jonas turned to his father..
“Ray was more of a father to me than you! So what if he wrestled! So what if he hunted and actually enjoyed nature instead of locking himself up behind computer desks, makeup and lecture halls! Ray was an honest man...Unlike you..Who had a child and destroyed a womans life to keep the media from knowing he was a QUEER!”
Jonathan turned sharply and, in an uncharacteristic fit of rage, jumped at his son, arms extended. Jonas used the training from many years of Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, using Jonathans weight against him and slamming him onto the hood of the car. Jonathan hit and rolled off. When he slowly reached his hands and knees, blood was dripping from a cut on his forehead..Jonas walked over and, tearfully, offered a hand..
“Dad..I’m…”
“No…”
Jonathan stared at the pavement
“Leave..”
“But Dad..”
“I SAID LEAVE JONAS!”
“But...I’m..your son…”
“I have no son…”
These words shook Jonas to his core. He placed his hands on his shaved head and started to cry…
“Dad..Please..”
“I will send the rest of your things to Ray’s...I’m sure he will take you in...Leave...And never come back…”
Jonas walked to his car, opened the door, slammed it shut..His father was still on all fours, and Timothy had run out in his blue bathrobe and knelt next to Jonathan, a look of confusion and sadness on his face as he cradled Jonathans head. Jonas peeled out of his fathers driveway for the last time..
Jonas struggled to drive through tears. He was headed towards the Canadian border, but basically on auto pilot. Truth is, he was driving to escape.
On this night, for the first time in his life, he heard it...A voice, small, alluring, and dark. A deep baritone, comforting and at the same time ominous..
“Greetings Jonas...You are no longer beholden to your faggot of a father..You are now your own man..I will help you..”
Another voice, more similar to Jonas, rang out in response..
“No..Don’t listen Jonas..Turn back, plead forgiveness..Your father will take you back..Your life will be easy..”
“Jonas..make your father pay…”
“No Jonas..”
“Oh how he would mourn you...How sorry would he be...Take this opportunity….”
“Jonas don’t listen! Its your id Jonas..your id cannot take..”
“I already have..Jonas...you are the true mastermind...Prove it..Speed up..”
Jonas floored the pedal on the bmw..130...140….”
“Yessss..doesnt this feel amazing Jonas...YOU ARE FREE! YOU CAN BE FREE FOREVER!”
There we no cars on the road, no lightpoles..Just road and forest..
“NOW JONAS!”
Laughing maniacally, its noticed that Jonas has scratched his face bloody..Jonas made a sharp right which sent his brand new car into a flip..Jonas laughed until his impact with a grouping of pine trees that slowed his progress radidly..
In the hospital, Jonas awoke..He was lucky to be alive, with minor injures except to his head, but nothing serious..Though he did awake to the news that his uncle Ray had passed away shortly after he left for his fathers.. And when nurses attempted to contact his next of kin, Jonathan Leveque simply said “Thank you” and hung up..
Jonas was alone..Yet he knew haye had to get better to succeed in his purpose….
It was widely thought by those who followed the Mayan Calendar and internet folklore, that this date would mark the End of the World. Those who studied the folklore further would interpret the ending of the calendar not to necessarily mean the End of Days, but that there would be a change of great significance which could affect human history for generations to come.
Jonas Leveque was now 18 years old, an adult by many standards. Since we last saw young Jonas, he has gone from a slight, almost sickly looking pale little boy to a stunning looking young man with an athletic build and a natural sizzling stare sure to make one weak in the knees from fear or passion, perhaps both.
Since that first summer with his Uncle Raymond, Jonas’ life has been broken into two; His life with his father and Tim where he was a shy, bookish young man who excelled in every class. Of course he aced the multiple levels of Psychology, and was a well rounded student all the way around. However socially, he was not quite excelling. He preferred to spend his weekends at home studying and watching wrestling on the sly. Tim and Jonathan were always somewhere else; an event here, a gathering there. Despite Jonathans earlier scandals, the public was quick to forget. Jonas had zero friends and even fewer romantic encounters. He never went to dances despite being asked by numerous members of both sexes. The hormones that affected other males had their energy and angst converted into workout fuel and studying focus.
Tonight, Jonas is on a long dark road. Driving his Black BMW, a thousand thoughts race through his mind. Earlier in the day, he had left his uncle’s sprawling cabin. Uncle Ray had not been well for the past few weeks, yet continued to train Jonas to the best of his abilities. By now, Jonas knew the drills, knew the nuances of the sweet science of wrestling, and had developed a moveset he felt was the most unique in the industry, combining his early mastery of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu with the most technical of grappling and submissions, also throwing in a dash of recklessness when the moment called for it. He had sparred with some local competitors, nothing fancy, just some friends of Ray’s or their sons who wrestled in the NECW, and he had surprisingly outpaced these lifelong wrestlers with his scant 3 months a year training.
As he left the cabin, Ray in the capable care of a hospice nurse, begged and pleaded well as he could in his weakened state, for Jonas to take his talents to the next level..Jonas could recall that final conversation, but not without a lump in his throat..
“I must go now Uncle Ray..See you next summer..”
“I….doubt it….Jonas….”
Jonas laughed, trying to lighten the grim mood
“Don’t say that! Look, when I get back from my first year in college, I’ll come back and start working the indies like we discussed…”
“No...you are not a carny act…..You...are...destined...for greatness….You could be more..Jonas..you have a masters mind for this business….You...could be anything….but I know..the fire...in your heart...is for wrestling….Follow the fire, Jonas….”
Jonas was now trying so hard to hold back his tears..
“Take care Ray….”
“You take care...of yourself...of your surroundings...Of that fire….”
The nurse chimed in after seeing a number on one of the machines.
“He needs rest...I will call you if...when…”
“Thank you…”
Ray had passed out, exhausted..Jonas well knew this would be the last he saw of his Great Uncle, the man who gently lit a flame under an impressionable and broken 9 year old boy, tended the flame until it grew within his soul..and fanned the flame into a bonfire swelling in his breast. He knew the drive ahead, the drive home, presumably to begin his studies at NYU with a major in, of course, Psychology with intentions towards parapsychology.
But Jonas knew tonight would be different..
Tonight was his coming out party. His father had no such luxury when it came to his sexual preference. The truth was strewn like confetti across the tabloids, met with equal parts consternation and acceptance. Through the years, his father had grown to embrace his homosexuality, accepting key note speaker engagements at GLADD events and several other functions. He even established the International Psycholgists Acceptance Commision, or IPAC, a group thousands strong with new avant guard theories about human sexuality and the mind. Despite all of this, Jonas knew that with his words this evening, he would break his fathers heart and none of the great accomplishments his father had acheived would mean nothing.
Later that night…
Jonas parked his vehicle close to the curb on the sleek roundabout driveway of the home of Jonathan and Timothy Leveque. As he turned the vehicle off, he sat in silence, staring at a pillar that held up a massive carport, similar to a fancy hotel, that led into the home that had not felt like home in a while. Due to improvements largely requested by Timothy in lieu of love and affection from the normally cold and focused Jonathan, the charming craftsman once purchased by two men in love, had become a monolith to success, more resembling The Ritz than a Residence.
From the large glass front door, a man in a burgandy robe and slippers to match walked quickly to Jonas vehicle, smile on his face. Jonathan had aged somewhat well, considering all that he had been through and his insanely busy schedule. In fact, before Jonas had arrived, Jonathan was writing a thesis for his Doctorate in Parapsychology. Work was life. But when Jonas arrived, Jonathan rose from his desk. Jonathan opened the door of the vehicle..
“JONAS! MY BOY”
Jonathan embraced him in a tight hug.
“Wow, you’ve gotten so strong..How come I have never noticed?”
“Maybe because we don’t hug much..”
“Well, you’ll be seeing plenty of me during your internship! Ready to start?”
“Actually Dad..”
The two men were walking towards the house when Jonas gently took his fathers arm and guided him to turn around. The men were face to face now..
“Dad...theres something I need to tell you…”
“What is it, son?”
“I...don’t want to do the internship…”
Jonathan looked puzzled, but then quickly appeared to understand.
“And thats okay son..Perhaps you should just focus on your pre grad credits for now and get those out of the way before you..”
“Dad..I don’t want to go to college…”
Jonathans countenance turned darker as he tried to comprehend what was happening..
“Wait..wha….son...How do you intend to become a psychologist without going to school? I cannot have you just skate through life on my name…”
“Oh you mean like mom before you destroyed her?”
That comment cut Jonathan deep. Nora Townsend’s life had descended into a downward spiral..At last report, she had been released from rehab for substance abuse for the third time in 4 years. All of this time, Jonathan never forgave her for attempting to ruin his life. Even when she begged for a small amount of help, Jonathan kicked her in the face, sending her from her knees to her back..It was the one situation stoked Jonathans irrational anger, and his son just threw it in his face..
“Boy...don’t you speak about things you know nothing about…”
“I know EVERYTHING. Not like it wasn’t thrown in my FACE AT SCHOOL..”
Jonas nervous energy was now manifesting in a display of displacement resulting in Jonathan pointing that fact out..
“Jonas..you’re displacing..what is it really that is on your mi…”
“I WANT TO BE A WRESTLER. “
The silence was deafening, only broken by the occasional chirping of crickets..Both men paced a bit after this..Jonathan spoke quietly, back to his son..”
“It was Ray...Ray and his backwoods antics...Ray and his white trash sensability...I knew we should have never sent you there..That you would return..different..”
Jonas turned to his father..
“Ray was more of a father to me than you! So what if he wrestled! So what if he hunted and actually enjoyed nature instead of locking himself up behind computer desks, makeup and lecture halls! Ray was an honest man...Unlike you..Who had a child and destroyed a womans life to keep the media from knowing he was a QUEER!”
Jonathan turned sharply and, in an uncharacteristic fit of rage, jumped at his son, arms extended. Jonas used the training from many years of Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, using Jonathans weight against him and slamming him onto the hood of the car. Jonathan hit and rolled off. When he slowly reached his hands and knees, blood was dripping from a cut on his forehead..Jonas walked over and, tearfully, offered a hand..
“Dad..I’m…”
“No…”
Jonathan stared at the pavement
“Leave..”
“But Dad..”
“I SAID LEAVE JONAS!”
“But...I’m..your son…”
“I have no son…”
These words shook Jonas to his core. He placed his hands on his shaved head and started to cry…
“Dad..Please..”
“I will send the rest of your things to Ray’s...I’m sure he will take you in...Leave...And never come back…”
Jonas walked to his car, opened the door, slammed it shut..His father was still on all fours, and Timothy had run out in his blue bathrobe and knelt next to Jonathan, a look of confusion and sadness on his face as he cradled Jonathans head. Jonas peeled out of his fathers driveway for the last time..
Jonas struggled to drive through tears. He was headed towards the Canadian border, but basically on auto pilot. Truth is, he was driving to escape.
On this night, for the first time in his life, he heard it...A voice, small, alluring, and dark. A deep baritone, comforting and at the same time ominous..
“Greetings Jonas...You are no longer beholden to your faggot of a father..You are now your own man..I will help you..”
Another voice, more similar to Jonas, rang out in response..
“No..Don’t listen Jonas..Turn back, plead forgiveness..Your father will take you back..Your life will be easy..”
“Jonas..make your father pay…”
“No Jonas..”
“Oh how he would mourn you...How sorry would he be...Take this opportunity….”
“Jonas don’t listen! Its your id Jonas..your id cannot take..”
“I already have..Jonas...you are the true mastermind...Prove it..Speed up..”
Jonas floored the pedal on the bmw..130...140….”
“Yessss..doesnt this feel amazing Jonas...YOU ARE FREE! YOU CAN BE FREE FOREVER!”
There we no cars on the road, no lightpoles..Just road and forest..
“NOW JONAS!”
Laughing maniacally, its noticed that Jonas has scratched his face bloody..Jonas made a sharp right which sent his brand new car into a flip..Jonas laughed until his impact with a grouping of pine trees that slowed his progress radidly..
In the hospital, Jonas awoke..He was lucky to be alive, with minor injures except to his head, but nothing serious..Though he did awake to the news that his uncle Ray had passed away shortly after he left for his fathers.. And when nurses attempted to contact his next of kin, Jonathan Leveque simply said “Thank you” and hung up..
Jonas was alone..Yet he knew haye had to get better to succeed in his purpose….
