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Post by Reece Chambers on Oct 23, 2010 9:13:48 GMT -5
“Men are at war with each other because each man is at war with himself” A man sits alone in a room, with red eyes and with a worried expression. His hands join each other, supporting his chin in order to fixate his view of the open window in front of him. It is night and the stars shine brightly, casting and soothing blue light. Cool breezes occasionally enter the room to lift the scattered pieces of paper, only to drop them in their original positions. An old face clock ticks slowly, making evident that time is not at a stand-still. The man stares with grave eyes out the window, watching a particularly bright star in the night sky. When he blinks, tears gather around the lower edge of his eyes. These brown eyes that once looked so dark in the light, now seem so light in contrast to the redness that flooded them when fatigue became exhaustion; physically and mentally exhausted .Forty ticks which were as forty years passed. He stood and paced, from his bed to the door. Back and forth. Many more ticks passed, and with round passing, his shaking hands touched the doorknob. Each time, coming closer, and closer to grasping it. When he does grasp it, his strength leaves him, and it is impossible to turn.
His eyes swell and the previously contained tears slide down his face, collecting on his jaw bone. He collapses on the ground, shaking tremendously. The door seems so far away now. In his weeping, he falls into a slumber that he cannot recognize as sleep. In this state, he dreams of himself and a woman. They are sitting in a tree and obviously in love. Her face is graced by the gentle breezes of summer and her skin is bestowed the beauty of the sunlight. They sit and laugh for many moments. Suddenly, her face looks forward and without a moment pause, falls out of the tree. Her companion reaches out to catch her, but she slips from him. There is no sound as her body hits the solid earth. The woman whimpers softly on the ground. The man instantly decides to jump down to her, but now the limb he sits on is much farther from the ground than before. His eyes look for other options, but sees none. His mind is pushing him to help her, but his body freezes.
Suddenly, he is back in the room. The open window pouring another cooling breeze into the room. He stands with renewed strength and looks towards it. Step by step, he approaches the window; red eyes that were filled with sorrow, now with determination. With certain stride, he stands in front of the opening. Words escape his lips, but do not make a sound. A breeze eliminates into the room again. Once more, words attempt to appear on his lips, but this time quiet and inaudible. Finally, he stands tall. The anxious look escapes his face and now a confident one takes its place.. Prequel [/b][/Center] I stood there staring as if everything was a blur. I couldn't hear, couldn't speak. All I felt was the agonizing pain pulsing through me. The pain of losing him. I couldn't lose him. He meant everything to me. Without him, my life was meaningless. I needed him to survive. I needed him to breathe. He needed to stop and think. Think what this would do to him, what it would do to me. Everything wed been through, had been there for me so many times, I wasn't willing to let him give up. Not yet, not while there was still hope left. "Ken please!!!" I pleaded, reaching out for him. "Get off!" He shouted, taking a swig of the beer he was drinking. He wasn't coherent, he wasn't himself. He was letting the alcohol talk for him. Had never been this way before. At least not with me. He never raise his voice at me. Never. "Ken....your drunk. I think you need to calm down." I spoke to him softly "Calm down?! Calm down? You left me Lilly! I had no idea where you were! You took off for 3 weeks without breathing a word to me!" He shouted advancing forward. I staggered back in shock. He was drunk. That was the only explanation I could come up with. I wasn't willing to come up with another explanation. I wasn't about to give up on him yet. "I didn't think you'd worry about me! I thought it was enough that you had to worry about your son! I didn't wanna add myself to the number of things you had to worry about!" I said in a shaky voice. "I don't wanna hear your pathetic excuses!" He shouted at me, taking yet another drink of his beer. I watched him horrified. I didn't know this side of him. I'd only ever known one side of him. The side that would never raise his voice at me. The side of him that loved me. The side of him that cared for others, especially me. He always helped me through the pain. "Ken.....please just calm down." I pleaded. "No! Have you not realized by now that I don't want you anymore?!" He said advancing on me even further. I felt a pang in my chest. His words hurt, they cut me deeper than anything has before. I didn't know this kind of pain, it was new to me. I’d never thought that id ever be the one in this position. The one to get her heart broken. It was unbearable. "Y-you don't want me?" I whispered."No! I hate you Lilly!" He shouted in my face, his voice rising even louder. I was shaking. A lump forming in my throat as his words sunk in. I thought the tears would spill over any minute now, but I forced them to stay away. At least until I was safe in my room. I looked up at him as the tears betrayed me and descended down my cheeks. His face was cold as ice. It showed no emotion, there wasn't a look in his eyes that told me this was all just an act. He took another swig of his beer before throwing it to the ground. It shattered when it came face to face with the pavement. He stepped closer to me, stumbling slightly and pushed me down on the ground with as much force as he could muster. "Ken!" I cried out as my butt hit the pavement. "Your so weak." He said, irritation in his voice. I felt the tears come harder. I stood up on shaky knees and stumbled toward him, pleading with him to listen. Pleading with him to just listen to me. He didn't know what he was doing, he was drunk. I threw myself at him trying to making him hear me, trying to break through, trying to get through to whatever was controlling him. "Get away from me!" He shouted and shoved me to the ground again, only this time he shoved me harder. I lost my balance and landed on my back, I felt the pain instantly shoot up my back, searing my whole body with unbearable pain. I tried to shake it off, enough to where I could stand up and go home. But when I stood up I saw lights to the left of me blinding me from seeing the unwinding road ahead of me. I frowned and ignored the pain in my back, and looked. That's when everything froze in place. I stood there, my whole body frozen in place, I couldn't move, couldn't force my legs to carry me out of the way before the car hit me. I felt the impact of the car and I felt myself falling, the pain increasing by seconds. Only getting worse with each passing second. I felt as if the life had been drained out of me. Nothing was possible at this point. I felt the pain growing worse. I wanted it to stop, I didn't want it to be there anymore. I couldn't stand it. I tried to cry out for someone, anyone, but no words escaped my lips. It was as if they were frozen and I couldn't force them to move. I didn't want the pain to be there anymore. I wanted it to go away. I knew I had to allow myself one last glance at him before I lost Consciousness. I slowly averted my eyes to his face and stared at him. It hurt, everything in my entire body felt as if it was on fire. But somehow looking at his face made it better. No matter how much the pain seared on. I didn't care that had pushed me, I didn't care that he said he didn't want me. I loved him. No matter what. He took a step back, his eyes wide with fear, like had just realized what had done. It was as if Ken was coming back to life, the monster that had been there before, leaving him. The pain compulsed through my body again, and I felt my eye lids growing heavy, I felt myself slipping. I fought to stay awake but I couldn't fight it anymore I closed my eyes and took one last long breath and then everything went black. I thought by being with my family it would be all better, I thought that by leaving what I love best would be better for my family, I didn't know it would turn me into the man that it was turning me into, I didn't know that I'd let myself be consumed with an addiction for alcohol, and be filled with bitterness and anger. Maybe I blamed her for having to give up the one thing I love, but one thing was for sure, standing right there after what had happened, I would never be able to forgive myself. Maybe to become the man that I once was, maybe to become the man that I should be I had to go back. Go back to the one thing I should have never left in the first place. Old fool. Why didn't you take the chance to do it when Austin gave it to you..Why didn't you take the chance when he asked you now it might just be too late. Table For Two The hollowed memories of a man sitting in an empty dark room continued to flow through his very soul. Remembering back to one particular time that he tried to muster up the courage before the prom, remembering meeting Lilly at the football field seeing her in her cheerleading outfit, and finding out info that she worked at this restraint called The Outback. Kenneth Walker remember back to one of his many memories of his failed attempts to muster the courage to ask Lilly out, as we all know it wasn’t until the actual prom that he was able to muster the courage to do it at. But atlas that’s another story, a story that’s already been told. These memories that were flowing threw him now was a new and untold story. There was a new restaurant that opened in Tacoma. It had a medium sized sign that read The Outback. It seemed to have fine food that had been cooked by the finest chefs they could possibly find. And the service was fair. The waiters and waitresses seemed to be fitting for a five star restaurant like this. Many have come back because of the fine service and exquisite food. But for one particular man, he came for one thing and one thing only. This beautiful waitress named Lilly. She had gorgeous brown hair that only went up to her chin. She had green emerald eyes that any man can get lost into. Cherry colored lips that can make any man want to crash his own lips with hers. And a body so irresistible, jealousy flows into any woman that sets eyes on her. He had known her for a while, but just kept asking them to let her serve him. But so far, that is as far as it had ever gone. He would come there, even if he would only order a salad or two. And he had come to realize that it was time to make a move, originally he had a plan to meet her at prom but he though he might be able to muster up the courage to do it sooner to come out with this..It was the night. Apparently, he had never done this before. Later that night, he had dressed himself nicely. Of course, he wanted to look nice for the woman he had a crush on for a while. Perhaps maybe even love. Love? Is that what this is? For heaven's sake, they don't even know that much about each other. Or in her case, nothing about him at all. Either this is one of those 'love at first sight' things, or he was just crazy. Most likely just crazy. But it was too late for that now. He had already gone in. All he has to do is to be smooth, play it safe, and stick to the plan. It was a simple, and yet unusual plan. O, if this actually works, this will go directly into the arsenal of all single men. He just knew it. “Yes sir? Would you be dining with us tonight?” the waiter by the entrance asked. He nodded. “Yes.”“Alright, table for one, Actually, Ken cut in. “For two please.” “Right away sir,” the waiter said. “Please let me show you to your seat.” Alright, first step done. He followed the waiter to a seat. It was just by the window, it had a magnificent view of the city. And the moon was shining brightly tonight. The perfect night to do this. “Right, now just sit tight and I will have someone to serve you tonight,” the waiter said.“Um, actually I already have one in mind,” the man said. “Oh, and who may that be sir?” “Uh, may I ask for Lilly to wait on me please?” The waiter smiled. “So you are the one she was talking about.” “Eh?” “Never mind sir. I will tell her to serve you tonight.” He nodded. “Thank you so much.” And with that he went off to find Lilly, leaving the man to question. 'She talked about me?' he thought. 'Wow, that's nice. But, she actually remembered me?' “Excuse me, sir?” His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a very familiar voice. He turned to where the voice came from. Oh god, it was her! Lily! Alright, now to put the main part of his plan into action. “Almost. Oh, hello,” he said. “Nice to see you again sir,” she said with her usual caring smile. “Likewise.” “So my Co-Worker Tony told me that this was a table for two am I right?” He nodded. “Correct.” “Are you expecting your companion to arrive soon?” “Actually, she's already here.” She looked around. “She is? Is she waiting in another table?” He shook his head. “Nope. Would you like to sit down?” That's when she knew who that certain someone was. And she now knew why he kept coming back. And why he kept asking for her. But it really didn't take a genius to figure that one out. She could feel a blush overcome her cheeks. “Oh. Um, I don't know.”“Please?” She saw the look in his eyes. Did she really have a choice? Not really. She smiled and nodded. “Sure.” He smiled back and pulled a chair for her. They talked for nearly twenty minutes before, when it the time came for him to man up he could fill himself getting what we called cold feet. The question came from her lips sooner then he was prepared for “so what did you really want me to talk to me about Ken.” She said those words as if she new what I was going to asking and wanting me to ask her. I could tell by the anticipation in her voice and the excitement that vibrated of off her reactions. “I..I…” I stammered to find the words to ask her, why was I being such a coward right now… but instead of saying the words I Love You… and I want to be with you… instead the words the come out are…”I need your help with my biology class do you think you could help study with me when you have the time off”. Instantly I could see the disappointment on her face as she replied back with a hesitant “Sure Ken no problem”. Sitting back in this empty room I thought to myself what happened to us back then, what happened to me. When I used to try but so shyly failed to do. It’s like I stopped trying. It’s like something apart of me died. But what was it. What was it that caused these events to unfold in front of me. What caused this chain of events to happen. Everything seemed to point to one thing and one thing only. It seemed to point to wrestling. Everything that was Kenneth Walker died when he left wrestling. The one thing besides Lilly that he equally loved just as much just in a different way. Instead of romantically it was passionately. He missed the good old days when he used to compete with the old school buddies of his in SCW. To be more professional though they were his co-Workers. So why is it now that even though after all these circumstances that had come his way that this had happened. Why did he smile now. Well it was because he was back into the thing he loved again. Would Lilly forgive him if she ever recovered who knew, but if he was to ever have a chance with her again he would first have to come back to what he loved doing in order to become the man that he once was. He took a deep breath and got up from his chair and took a few steps towards the light switch and then he inhaled and he then turned on the light by flipping the switch and when he flipped the switch it was as if he was flipping his life back on…back into him, as he went back to where he was sitting and he sat down in his chair once again and in front of the chair that he was sitting on was a camera recorder that he was going to use for his promo. He switched on the camera… The Self Discovery There are at least two sides to every war. To the casual observer, there are only ever two; the side that is right, and the opposition - the pariah the one who is wrong. At the most basic and primal level these can be called 'good' and 'evil'. In the battle taking place between Kenneth walker & Austin star against and Johny Freeman and Raven is being whispered by those watching what unfolds. On one side you have two people that has been crowned the tag team champions; in the other, two who may surpass them. But what lies in the nature of our opponents? And so thus has the battle begun. This motto wouldn't persuade many, perhaps. For we all know that when a man comes near the realization that he will be meeting his end, fear and care enter the mind for things to which they gave no thought before. that the one's doing unjust deeds here pay penalties there - which were once laughable now make the soul twist and turn for fear they may be true. Whether this is due to the debility of age or whether he discerns something more of the things in that place because he's already grown nearer to them, he is, at any rate, now full of both suspicion . . .and terror. He reckons up his accounts and wonders whether he has done anything unjust to anyone. Now the man who finds many unjust deeds in his life often even wakes from his sleep in the same fright children find themselves akin to, living in anticipation of evil. To the one conscious of himself of no unjust deed, hope is ever near . . . nursing his age. It's been said that whoever lives out a just life sweet hope accompanies, Fostering his heart, a nurse of his age, Hope which most of all pilots The ever-turning opinion. So now I sit here pondering about our dear Johnny, or the enigma that I call raven. The big question that everybody is asking what will come out of Wrestle Mania. The hot button is that everybody wants to dip their hands in is that who will stand victorious when all the dust is settled and the smoke has cleared the stage… the grandest stage of them all. Johnny… Johnny… Johnny boy… it’s been a long time now hasn’t seeing you grow up from what you were in SCW to become the man that you are today and that makes me proud it also makes you dangerous, an top competitor and a worthy challenger if you will… so how does one overcome one of the most top competitors in they if you will… how does one overcome a team that has dominated for the past months as the tag team champions… Will it all begins with planting an idea and to plant an idea could be dangerous if it was to grow it’s roots deep into the victim that was planted. So with that Johnny what will become of the man you knowingly nurture as you partner when he fails you, when he fails to bring to the table that you expect him to, or perhaps shall I say that maybe you’re then one fail him, and let’s face it raven is a top competitor who deserves to be in the title run and who has been but he’s been cheated multiple times by some second rate Maven who ran out the building when it comes to facing somebody that is actually the person who should be worthy to hold onto the title like you or Raven….but out of the two of who, who deserve’s it more… and that’s where the though takes place…that’s where partnerships turn on each when they see the gold….so that bring me to my next opponent raven… the next hot issue… so you want the shoot…here it is … my friend… You see Raven, here at Thy we’re falling into the same trap as before, the same idiotic, self-loating cycle of enternal damnation we put ourselves into, and it all stems from the fact that the people at the top have either forgotten or refuse to remember what it’s like back at the bottom. It’s funny, really, because the people at the bottom sweat themselves off over the approval of those at the top, tripping over each other to be first in line to be spat on. I’m here to tell you Raven you don’t need that approval, I’m here to tell you raven you don’t need to have someone that understands you, you don’t need someone like Johnny Freeman, the only man you need is yourself. However now, most of the people who reign on top and think that the run this place don’t care about people like you and me, They don’t care about your effort, they don’t care about your talents, I doubt most of them even bother to give you as much as a second look. They don’t really want to see or make you become a better man, they want you to just search out their word as some sort of ego boost. Do you ever get the idea that Johnny Freeman might be using you as an ego boost, as a way to recapture his old fame glory that he so much wants to desperately keep and have by parasiting themselves of off other people much like yourself. The people like Johnny freeman who have been on top and desires to remain on top and like living lavishly on the sweat and back of everyone else in thy, an while they chuckle at what they make people like you do watching as you willing follow him around like some lost puppy looking for someone that understands him in hopes you’ll get the scraps from the table, you haven’t realized yet that you can get more then just the scraps, you can get the whole full course meal… You just haven’t realized it. Open your eyes Raven. The people who care the least are the ones pulling the strings like Johnny. They want to see their ego’s their projects, their babies taken care of and screw all whoever else happens to ge in there way and it’s blatant. And now people like him want to continue pulling the things, they think it’s funny and they do it for their own entertainment, while continually trying to find ways to make you silent as you continue to trip over yourself to be the first in line to be spat on. It all doesn’t make sense, here is a young talent man being held back from the main spot light, from the main events, from being crowned the champion of all champions here, from being crowned with something more like the World Title, and I see you putting your effort in every day and night raven, giving it your all in the business, and for what, to follow Johnny Freeman like a blind sheep to be lead because you believe he understands you. One thing Raven is that in this business eventually even your friends can turn on you, and when they do you’ll be the one left behind. You have a choice Raven, Johnny Freeman is probably patting himself on the back… well I’ll give him one two for being able having the capability to manipulate you and use you like a puppet. Aren’t you tired of waiting for something happened, quite frankly Raven you should be done letting people decide your fate. Raven here are the cold hard facts. You were never really meant for the tag team road of glory, and the reason why you’re going to lose Raven, why you and Johnny will lose, is because quite frankly raven you have a bigger destiny awaiting you and that’s going to take place after your realize this and wake up and see that you deserve more. I can see the future now, I can see your destiny now unfold in my mind. Though I’m confident come this Wrestle Mania that you will have a minor setback, and you might feel like your at the bottom of the pits when all the dust and smoke clears… you will see in the future and look back and say that I was right… That you were meant for more… and when that time comes perhaps then you won’t have someone like Johnny to hold you back from what you are meant for… Look inside yourself and see what I have planted... see the seed that will fertilize and grow…. After all it was just an idea… and like I said before Idea’s are dangerous. News Flash Meanwhile, elsewhere about seven AM, Austin Starr turns on the TV to watch the news and catch any reports about last night PPV when the BBC main headline catches his attention.BBC Anchor: Extreme Weather conditions last night caused hundreds to flee their homes as gale force winds hit London, on the scene is reporter David Cole. David Cole: thank you Amy. The storms that hit London last night have left scientist baffled as they hit without warning leaving extensive damage in their wake. The image changes to show pictures of well known land marks around the city taken from above by helicopter.David Cole: As you can see by these images taken earlier today by our news helicopter the damage is spread across the entire capital effecting some of our most well know land marks. The damage to the clock tower is still to be truly determined though Big Ben has not chimed all day today. Amy: Similar scenes have also been reported in the U.S. Behind her on a large screen some footage is shown with the caption ‘courtesy of CNN’Reporter: The excessive rains of last night have hit local residents and businesses here in Seattle, Washington with severe flooding as the local sewer system was unable to handle the deluge and the waters flooded many of the local buildings. At this time the estimates for the damage are still coming in but at least some of the local company's have admitted the extent of the damage. The nearby Coca Cola bottling plant have been forced to cease operations today while their cellars are dried out in accordance the health officials visits, also once famous XCW headquarters has suffered damage to the very foundations of the building, any chance that it ever had of recovering are lost to the mighty forces of mother nature. The scene now changes to show another reporter being harried be heavy winds and extreme rain.Reporter: I can't believe I'm doing this but here I am in Tacoma where extreme winds that hit suddenly last night is still going, though our expert says it is starting to blow itself out. The damage to the area is extensive as local homes and businesses have suffered the brunt of the damage though all have said that they will rebuild after the storm is over. In fact the building we are now sheltered behind is one of the few that has avoided the damage by the wind over night but even they abandoned this building when the tornado began forming outside of town last night. There have been many accidents over the course of the last few days, which brings me to my next report. A woman who goes by the name of Lilly Walker has been hit by a car, but reports are unsure of if it was the cause of the recent storms or perhaps some other unforeseen circumstances. But as the reports come in we will be sure to keep you updated with any recent info we get. As Soon as Austin Star hears the words “Lilly Walker” and accident his eyes grow wide with fear and a gasp of air escapes his lungs as shock starts to take place within him wondering what happened to “Lilly Walker”. The first thing that came to his mind was to contact Ken to let him know what happened but perhaps he already knew what happened… when he took out his cell phone to make a call nobody answered. “Of Course not” he thought out load “he must already know and be at the scene, he must be watching the same images that are coming from my TV. Perhaps he’s on his way… Ken…my friend… it looks like the next time we meet we are going to have a lot to discuss…Outro It had taken him weeks to get to this point; countless nights that never seemed to end and so many mornings filled with bloodshot eyes had flew by on his pursuit of at least a few hours’ worth of rest. But finally the point had come where his body had overridden his brain and forced him to shut down and get the sleep he so badly needed. The feeling in his eyelids had been so crazy recently, a mixture of them feeling so incredible heavy, but also like they were burning. It had become to grate so much, every time he looked in the mirror he could see the big black ring under his eyes, the whites of his eyes filled with broken red lines. On top of that there was the constant feeling of being sick, like he had a flu that just wouldn’t leave, capped off with regular headaches and after-images every time he blinked. Not only had these been trying moments, they’d been lonely. His love had been hurt because of him, and in her absence it left a deep yearning for her return.
But the long hard wait was far from over though but even though the scenario that played out before his eyes seemed grim it was told to him over the past days that Lilly was getting better and starting to recover but was still yet to be able to speak, and so now as he sprawled out on his bed he could also feel himself getting better. For the first time in a while Ken had a simple, clean, non-complicated. Wrestling like it was supposed to be. No grand scheme or plots, no life or death consequences. And while might feel like life had him feeling like he lost, he could live with It for now.
Things weren’t prefect, but for the first time in weeks it felt like he could breathe, that he sleep easy. It felt like he could exist without worrying, without something stupid nagging at the back of his mind. It was rare moment of bliss, with nothing playing on his mind. Ken sank into the bed feeling lighter than air, like a weight had been lifted off him. He’d become so used to not sleeping he had even bothered to get under the sheets or even take his clothes off. Even the television was left on in the corner. It had all been so pointless in the previous days he’d stopped caring. With every moment passing Ken let himself fall deeper and deeper out of conscience, and his grasp on this world became looser and looser...
He loved his wife, he loved what they were making together, the relationship they had founded together and most importantly, what they had been through together. It was a testing time, a time to grow. But right now, walking through the hallways of Thy alone in his stride, it was a hollowed time, as the reaction of this wasn’t just mentally, it physically drew it out of him. A lack of energy was felt every day, a heart-breaking event stopped in time. Needless to say, wrestling at Wrestle Mania seemed to be the only thing that took his mind off of this. The only thing in his life that once engaged required all of his attention, the only escape from his enervated demise.
As his thoughts drifted off to the aid of his wife, his eyes were nearing the location they sought, the locker room of a dear friend in Austin Starr. Austin Star… “It’s been a long time old friend…. It’s been a long time”… and with that I grasped the cold steel handle and opened the door to what would be the first time of many times to a new life for a fresh new beginning… I took a step forward… and it was like as if time stood still….and as I took the first step inside I hear those famous words come out from the man that stood on the other side of the door… I heard the words…. Welcome back old friend….Welcome back… |
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Post by Dominic Reynolds on Oct 25, 2010 16:03:14 GMT -5
 All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.--- As I lay on the ground, cowering in the fetal position while my two attackers continue to kick and stomp me…my mind doesn’t even seem to be focusing on the growing pain at all…instead I find myself thinking back…to a different time…to a different place.--- I used to lay on the floor in the living room of my cockroach infested apartment, watching our old black and white television…seeing all of these shows about how much of a proverbial “happy, go lucky good time” that college is. Nothing but beer, attractive women, friends, and memorable parties…I would hear my mom scoff mockingly in the background…hear her proclaim how “television needs to be more real”…how they need to “take these phony baloney shows off”. Each time, I would simply mumble in false agreement with her, but secretly I found myself envying the happy go lucky lives that these kids would live. Scripted or not…this is what I wanted for myself. And now…a little less then ten years later…finding myself at the University of Washington on a football scholarship…it turns out that while the television shows I used to watch…while they exaggerated a bit…ultimately…college has so far turned out to be everything I hoped it would be. I didn’t know too many people at first…except for Ken…my best friend…the closest thing I will ever have to a brother. Getting scholarships together made the experience of adjusting that much easier. Looking outside the window, I see that it unusually cold and snowy outside…heh…not shocking considering where we live…weather has never been necessarily predictable here in Washington state. But right now…sitting in the student union…enjoying a cup of hot chocolate…the outside weather is the least of my worries. Looking around, I take in the sites of groups of kids…some studying…some just socializing and having a good time. Catching view of the entrance way, I see Kenneth enter and I wave to him. He acknowledges me, and walks up to my table…when I see him…I can immediately tell that something is on his mind. Austin Starr: What’s going on bro? Kenneth simply stares off into space for a moment with a scowl on his face. Austin Starr: Dude…are you ok? Kenneth...still scowling…looks at me and then sits down. Kenneth Walker: Austin…one thing I never told you about me bro…I can be very vindictive at times…when I am wronged…I hold a grudge for a very long time…I never forget and one way or another…whether it’s one year…or twenty years…I always get retribution. Austin Starr: At what cost is retribution worth Ken? Is it worth neglecting those close to you…is it worth endangering all that you hold dear…just to satisfy some foolish vendetta. Kenneth Walker: Knowing that they felt the same pain that I felt…makes it all worth while Austin. Austin Starr: I don’t know man…I don’t know. --- Oh how the tables eventually would turn…I…being devastated by Kenneth ending up with Lily…would ultimately force Kenneth out of his position of power in the wrestling company we ran…I made sure that Kenneth and young Michael were exiled out into the cold…my actions drove an irreparable stake between the two of them…I did so many foolish and reprehensible things…made so many naïve mistakes…and this whole time…I have been apparently oblivious to the fact that the man who I finally found the strength to forgive…could very well be plotting to get the revenge he still likely feels he deserves. What am I going to do? Hell…what can I do…keep a blind eye to the facts that continue to stare me in the face…get him before he can get me…no…that won’t work at all. Wait…the blows have stopped…have my two attackers let up? Opening my eyes, my vision is blurry…but I see Kenneth standing over me holding a led pipe…and I hear near inaudible laughing in the background. Did you attack me old friend? With all the talk you give about forgiveness and seeing life in a new light…could you have really stooped so low as to give me a false sense of security…attack me from behind…and then have the nerve to stand on the apron with me and call yourself my partner…could you? Wait a second…now you’re checking on me…offering a hand to help me up…where were you while this was all going on…just leave me alone Ken. Turning my head to the right, I can see a camera crew just shutting off and moving away…did this attack get filmed…I have to know who did this. As the camera man walk away…I ignore Ken’s outstretched hand and instead pull myself up to my feet…staggering away in search of answers…hopefully I will know what to do once I find them. --- Lily Walker: Ken will you let it go please…it’s not worth it. Kenneth Walker: Wait a second Lily…so you’re telling me this guy nearly rapes you at a party and I’m just supposed to sit idly by and do nothing. Lily Walker: He’s getting expelled Ken…please just leave it alone…I just wanna forget about it. Kenneth Walker: I can’t do that Lily…I just can’t. Watching Ken storm outside, Lily immediately knows he is going to try and do something stupid as he gets into his car. Pounding on the car to try and get Ken to stop and reason with her appears to do no good as he turns on the car and drives away quickly with a screaming Lily in his rear view mirror behind him. Now speeding towards a still unknown destination…Kenneth grasps the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles start to turn white. Kenneth Walker: What kind of coward would find the need to force himself onto a woman half his size. I don’t care if the university is expelling him…this scum needs to be taught a lesson. Ken only needs to drive for a few moments before arriving at his destination…the Sigma Kappa Gamma fraternity house. Getting out of the car…Ken takes a picture out of his pocket and looks at it for only a moment before putting on a pair of brass knuckles. Dropping the picture on the ground, Ken walks forward, up three stairs and enters the fraternity house. Looking around for only a moment, he sees who he is looking for…sitting in the living area playing football with others on a giant screen television. Kenneth Walker: Son of a bitch! Walking forward, without saying a word, we see Ken grab the guy and slug him in the face with the brass knuckles. The man falls down, immediately knocked out and Ken mounts him and continues to punch him while a woman screams and runs saying she’s gonna call the police. After several punches, we finally see two of the other guys try and pull Ken off…but he hits one before four others intervene and finally get Ken to the ground and hold him until the cops show up and get him handcuffed. As the police officers take Ken away, we can see him just smiling…satisfied at what he had just done. --- It all appears to be so crystal clear to me now…I had been so consumed by my own twisted vendetta against Kenneth and Lily that I had grown blind. I wrote Kenneth off as nothing more then a spineless patsy…I assumed him to be soft and easily manipulated…but it turns out the foolish one was me. The plot was staring me in the face the whole time…but perhaps I had been so caught up in the moment…the moment of mending bridges…standing tall with my brother…side by side…that I grew careless. Kenneth if you are trying to plot vengeance my friend…I assure you that you will only find failure. But before I make any rash decisions…I must know…I have to see with my own eyes. Staggering into the audio/visual room where Raw is edited and streamed…I find myself breathing heavily and seeing blurred vision. Perhaps I will need to seek the attention of a doctor, but for now…this is more important. Austin Starr: Was I shown on tonights Raw? Production Crew Member: Mr. Starr, you were attacked and we were able to get a crew that showed it…it was the final segment shown on Raw this week. Austin Starr: Show me…now! I see the production crew scramble to get the footage on screen…yes…there I am walking back towards the locker room…I was following an anonymous lead I had gotten about the General Manager wanting to speak with me…here is where I turned the corner…ah…so it wasn’t you Kenneth. Jonny Freeman…Raven…you two were my assailants…ah I must say this changes everything. Austin Starr: Everybody out…now! Crew Member: We still have to s- Austin Starr: Get out of here! While still shaky myself, I slam my fist down onto a desk and this seems to be enough to spook everybody out. Once I am alone in the room, I go back to the computer and click to replay the clip of my assault. Watching it a second time, I find myself rubbing my head and smiling.Austin Starr: Jonny and Raven…Jonny and Raven…in a way…I’m actually proud of you guys. Jonny you see…I never told you this…but I myself am actually quite fond of your earlier work and accomplishments as well. Jonny…from the first moment when I was signed to Sin City Wrestling…it was always your name that I heard be mentioned among wrestling greats. You couldn’t go anywhere in the back without hearing about another foe that you had vanquished with your Rockstar Splash. Hearing all of this motivated me Rockstar…hearing all of this lit a fire underneath me to get my name out there…to make it my name that would always be talked about. And do you want to know something Rockstar…I succeeded. By the time the lights went off at the final SCW event…it was my name that was being mentioned among the legends…among the potentially Hall of Fame bound. By then Rockstar…you had become so complacent with your prior accomplishments that you become a hollowed out shell of the once great man that you used to be. But in the month plus leading up to this huge match Rockstar…I’ve seen something in you…I’ve seen that look in your eyes…like the fire has been re-lit. Have you finally found yourself again Rockstar? Have you finally found the heart to become that great man once again…I not only believe…but I hope so. Wrestlemania Rockstar…you and Raven are going to walk into the ring as the tag team champions and take on Kenneth and myself. No matter what is said and done Rockstar…when the dust settles…when the final bell rings…whether it’s Kenneth and myself, or whether it be you and Raven…the winner and champion will be irreverent. All that matters Rockstar is this battle being fought…you need this battle to prove to yourself that you still belong…you need this battle to show yourself that you still can be great. Just like Ken and I need this as well. Now I know what you’re thinking Rockstar…can I trust Kenneth? Am I going to be looking over my shoulders the entire time during this match? Am I going to be so preoccupied with making sure that Kenneth doesn’t stab me in the back that I will be vulnerable to the two of you? I’ve done a lot of terrible things over the years Rockstar…wronged a lot of people…made so many terrible mistakes…the way I see it…I know Kenneth could very well be plotting to stab me in the back…to wrong me the same way I wronged him so many years prior. I will not be oblivious to the fact, but at the same time, I am not going to let myself be consumed with the paranoia of it. I am going to walk down the ramp come Wrestlemania time and leave every ounce of myself out there. And if it just so happens that Kenneth decides to stab me in the back…then so be it… Either way though Rockstar…you and Raven are coming to war this Sunday night…I hope the two of you are ready for what this is going to entail. Because like any war…those who enter it…are never the same when they come out. Are you two ready for that Rockstar…are you two ready? Hearing the door to the audio room open behind me, I see Kenneth standing in the door way with a concerned look on his face. Kenneth Walker: Austin, are you alright old friend. Austin Starr: I’ll survive. Kenneth Walker: Let’s get you checked out by the doctor. Old friend if you are plotting to screw me, I must say you’re doing an amazing job of covering it up. Deciding to comply, I walk forward and let Kenneth put an arm around me for support. The two of us then make our way to the doctor and training area. As I sit down while they begin checking me over, I close my eyes once more and begin to think about just how important this upcoming match is at hand…and just what it could possibly mean for the future of not just myself…but the future of this partnership that Kenneth and I have rekindled…I know I just asked Jonny and Raven if they are ready…but I fear that I may be the one who is not ready…… |
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