Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2015 21:50:22 GMT -5
The voice in her head had gone quiet as "Whatever" blared into her ears. Fueling her aggression into the punching bag. The world around her was gone, faded away in the lyrics flowing through her. The punches kept coming as her arms screamed stop, but her brain kept pushing. Sweat was running down her body, beading down her face as her half ponytail flailed about. Her stomach contorted as she shifted her weight. The tank top showing off her mid section as the jogging shorts clung to her. Changing it up, she brought a few knees up, knocking the bag against her hands. Her bare feet were quick as they barely touched the mat. It's as if she were dancing with the bag. Each movement powerful but graceful.
Of course, though, some idiot always had to interrupt. A tap on her shoulder sent Nero turning, spinning effortlessly on the tip of her toes. Her reaction time was what was important here, she could have punched Ryan in the face. However, she recognized the red hair and put her fists down. Pulling the ear buds out, the real world came rushing in. The small chit-chat of the gym members the co-workers restocking and organizing. She could even hear the hum of the vending machine. The world was unfortunately real again as she looked at Ryan, a displeased look on her face.
"I could have hit you...But I suppose someone already did that." She was of course talking about his two black eyes and the fat lip he had going on. "What happened?"
"Got into a fight with Patrick."
"I thought you two were buds?"
"Yeah well, That was before he ran his mouth and sucker punched me." He lifted up his shift as the displeased look on Nero's face turned into a deep frown. There were two distinct bruises from where Shawn's fists had made contact with Ryan's torso.
"What did he run his mouth about?"
"You..." Her attention went from his ribs to his face as he finished. "...and Belle."
"Oh really?" Her left hand found its way to her hip as the right one ran any stray hair back into her ponytail as Ryan let his shirt fall back.
"Apparently you've bruised some egos."
"And you thought what? You'd bruise the rest of him?"
"I wasn't really thinking, I just sort of lost it when he started talking about..."
"Belle?" He nodded his head to answer, even though that wasn't the answer he was going to say.
"Think she's going to freak out?"
"Slightly. When did this happen?"
"The other night after you left the gym. He's fired and banned now. Apparently you leave an impression on the owners."
"Its good publicity to say certain wrestlers train at your gym."
"I'd imagine so, but he reason I came over was to stop you from destroying gym property. What did the punching bag ever do to you?"
"Sorry, I just kind of let my mind go."
"Wanna talk about it?"
Did she? That was the question she had to ask herself as she grabbed a towel. Draping it across her shoulders she used one end to wipe her face.
"We could sit down and have a smoothie."
"Sure..." She followed him to the 'de-stress' area.
"What kind?"
"Orange and strawberry?"
"No problem, have a seat and I'll make it." He had a smile on his face as she walked and took a seat. Not paying any attention to watch him. Instead she crossed her arms on the table and rested her head in them. Letting the cool table top chill down her arm, she even closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. She should have watched him, like a hawk. She would have caught him dumping a small vile into her smoothie. Then she wouldn't be drinking it when he placed in in front of her.
"I added a little something extra."
Nero raised a brow, of course he waited for her to take the first drink before he blurted that out.
"Flavor enhancer, something new I've been working on. Helps boost your metabolism and doesn't have a shitty after taste...What do you think?"
She stopped sipping on the straw to give him a straight face. "I think you should open with a different catch phrase."
"Sorry...but how does it taste?"
"Not bad...But where is yours?"
"Allergic to strawberries. So why do you hate my punching bag?"
She took another drink, actually...It did taste better. "I was mugged the other night."
"Holy shit, are you alright?"
"Fine, just angry...hence your punching bag."
"Shit..." He was left speechless as they sat there. Nero finished her smoothie in no time and was the first one to break the silence.
"Well...I should be going. I have plans this evening." He stood with her, offering to take the empty cup.
"Thanks." she said as she handed it over.
"No problem, anything fun planned?"
"Nope, just going to see a bitch about a favor. Later Ryan."
She didn't bother to hit the showers, he responded with a farewell as she walked to the locker room, grabbing her hoodie before heading out the door. She didn't plan on having fun...Dealing with Lilith was always a pain in the ass.
"Well...Since the bitch already signed me up..."
She was basically talking to herself as she stepped out of the car. Remmi hadn't been very chatty since Nero left the apartment. Nero rolled her eyes as she pulled the seat forward. Two giant dogs came out from the backseat. The first one being Snow, an all black Great Dane. Following him was Remmi's dog, Shade. An all white German Shepard. Both dogs stretched outside the car as Nero grabbed her tiny camcorder, shutting the door behind her. She stood outside the gates to the old cemetery, staring up at the sign that had rusted and peeled away its identity. A light sigh as the butterflies began fluttering in her stomach. The itch was about to be scratched. And just like any other time Nero stepped out of her world, allowing her instincts to turn into over drive. The birds were singing to one another, all around her. The wind was dying down and the dust was coming to a rest.
The smell of the city lingered, mostly the smell of meat cooking. It smelled like steak as her stomach growled. She had to remember to eat after this.
'You can tell him your wrestling again over dinner.'
"Nice of you to join the party."
'Well, I couldn't miss this.'
Nero cracked a smile as she began walking into the cemetery. The two dogs walking on each side as she found the grave she came for. Sitting at the base she leaned forward, crossing her legs. She set up the camera as the dogs rough hovered right along the edge of the cemetery. Taking a deep breath as she cracked her neck, pressing play as the itch faded away...
The first sight of Nero is her staring down into the lens, the grave she had selected behind her: A stone structure of an angel. Her stone wings rested, making it look as Nero herself had grown wings. Her long black hair was down, the slight curl cupped her face and slanted forward as she leaned.
She was silent as that small voice, only she could hear whispered, 'you're recording'.
"I know." A deep breath as Nero replied , collecting her thoughts. "The unknown, that's what this is all about. The company, the wrestlers, everything at this point is unknown. I am unknown, facing the unknown.
When everything comes down to the drop if a hand, a tap on the mat... Not knowing can be the difference between victory or defeat. The only saving grace is that edge. That spark, the instinct to win, to survive.
That is what separates us, that is what makes us dangerous.
Do you know what makes me dangerous? Anyone? Demmie? Shawn? Any guesses? A clue maybe? A fucking hint as to what makes my fucking mind tick? What drives me... What brought me to this point."
And for the first time Nero's lips curved, cracking her smooth, plaster like expression.
"Me. I drive myself, I push myself. No destined path, no mission or job to do. I'm not in it for the paycheck or the fame. I am here because I enjoy it, I enjoy watching bodies break to my will.
I am free to choose my own path, my reach is endless. So because of that fact alone, I will fucking beat anyone they put in that damn ring because I'm that much fucking better!
I'm not here to play a bunch of petty childish games, I want a challenge! Something that will actually break a sweat! I find myself stuck in the monotony cliché. I'm tired of hearing how this jackass is better than that jack wagon. How they're the 'best in the world'."
Finger quotes included.
"Like I'm actually supposed to believe that. News flash... no matter how great you are, there will always be someone better. Someone waiting... chomping at the bit to step over your defeated body. This leading to why I'm so sick of facing the same cookie cutter bullshit!
SO PLEASE!
Demmie and Shawn... Give me a fucking challenge! Or end up fallen like the rest of them."
