Post by - The Hardcore Hero on Mar 27, 2016 19:17:17 GMT -6
What a time to be alive. I have my son back, Dathyn’s now missing in action and I’m the Number One Contender for that prestigious bit of I4NI gold. Well, I suppose it’s more like copper, or bronze but none of that really matters because it is what it is, a championship that matches up to the persona of The Hardcore Hero more than perfectly.
Ryan, Karen and I are all sitting along a green coloured sofa that rests in their hotel room while we watch the Television set - The Avengers is playing, which is Ryan’s all time favourite movie. I have my arm around him with a beer in my free hand and every so often I feel Karen’s eyes peer over at us, hopefully with a little smile to match. I was never a family man back in the day but now that I’ve grown up and taken the time to mature, I feel like I could seriously get used to all of this. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your son loves you, despite every bad thing you’ve done throughout the majority of his lifetime. It really makes you reflect and come to understand the mistakes you’ve made.
The credits begin rolling to signal the end of the film, Karen pats a hand against Ryan’s knee to grab his attention. He looks over at her, his left hand rising and rubbing against his eye on the same side. She shoots him a look as I take a sip of my beer, finishing what’s left in the bottle before leaning forward and placing my empty on the surface of the coffee table.
“Time for bed now, sweetie. We’ve got an early flight to catch.” She tells him, I glance over with a frown.
“You’re not staying for the PPV?” I ask, disappointingly. I had figured that maybe if Ryan were there at ringside, it’d give me more incentive to walk away with the victory.
“Afraid not. This one has a lot of studying to catch up on back home.”
“But...I want to see Dad win the I4NI-” Ryan pipes up before being interrupted.
“You can, on TV.”
“It’s not the same though…”
Karen gets that sort of “you have to do as I say” expression that all mothers have from time to time and immediately, Ryan complies, standing up and stretching out his back with a yawn. He turns to me, a face full of determination.
“Dad, I want you to teach me how to wrestle.”
I look over at Karen, who doesn’t appear to have anything to say, she’s waiting for my response. I rest a hand on each of Ryan’s shoulders, his eyes glaring back at mine.
“You’ve already missed so much school, bud. I couldn’t possibly make you miss out on more…”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “Not now, dad. I mean, in the future. Summer vacation starts at the end of May...and when it comes, I want to travel around with you...and learn the ropes of the family biz.”
With a glance back at Karen, she gives me the lightest nod. I turn back to Ryan and pull him into a hug. “Of course, my son.”
Ryan roars with excitement, pulling away from my hug and jumping around the room. He does a couple forward rolls across the floor before leaping back up to his feet with a right fist held firmly in the air. Throughout all that’s happened, all the times he’s conspired against me and hit me with that Bo-staff, I had almost forgotten that he’s still just a child.
“I make this vow, this oath, that in at least ten years, I will be a wrestler like my father before me! And I’ll become a World Champion too, just like he was! Hardcore Hero v.2 baby!”
“You’ll be smarter than I am, kid. I think you’d be more of a Technical guy. Maybe you could call yourself…’The Technical Turbo’?”
He turns and stares at me with an eyebrow raised, “That’s just stupid.”
Karen nods in agreement, “It is kinda stupid.”
With a shrug I roll my eyes, “Tough crowd.”
“Okay, bedtime mister.” Karen orders with a clap of the hands to which Ryan responds with a hug.
“Night mom.” He runs over to me and does the same. “Night dad.” He disappears off down the hall, Karen slowly slides over towards me, biting her bottom lip.
“Been a while…” she says, almost like she’s trying to make small talk.
“Since we’ve seen each other? Yeah, sure has.”
She shakes her head, reaching over and firmly placing a hand against my inner thigh. “Not what I meant.”
The twinkle in her eye tells it all, I know exactly what she’s on about now. I take a grasp of her hand and pull her over so that she’s sitting on my lap, facing me. She grinds her lower half against mine before tilting forward and pushing our lips together, her tongue shoving past the proverbial gates and entering my mouth. I reciprocate by doing the same before throwing her against the base of the couch, her legs wrapped around my waist.
“Ryan’s not the only person you have a lot to make up to, you know.” She announces with a cheeky little wink.
“Oh, I know.” I reply before pulling off my shirt to which she excitedly squeals, doing the same with her own.
-
Morning comes as I discover when there’s a loud knock at the door, waking me up immediately. I half expect to see Karen on the couch beside me but she isn’t, must have went to bed. The knocking just won’t stop, it seems to be never ending. With a groggy groan I stand up and stumble over to the door, fumbling around for a moment before pulling it open. There stands a man in hotel employee uniform, he looks rather confused.
“You’re not the woman who checked in the other day…” He mutters, scratching his forehead.
“No, I’m not.” I reply, this moment getting far more awkward with each passing second.
“Is there a Karen Gallagher around? She was meant to check out about an hour ago.”
“Uh, yeah, okay. She probably just overslept.”
I turn, going back through the living room and down the hall before peering into the bedroom I believed Karen to be sleeping in, however all I find is a freshly made bed with a little note sitting on the bedside table. I walk in and go over, picking it up for a read.
“Consider this as part of making things up to me!
Xoxo
Love Karen”
I raise my head and glare out the window with a shake of the head alongside a frustrated smile, my tongue flicking against one of my back teeth. With a sigh, I pull out my wallet and yell out to the guy at the front door with a strain in my voice.
“...how much does the bitch owe you?”
-
I sit here in awe, just staring at the towering behemoth that stands before me. A seven layer cheeseburger calling out my name with a heavenly melodic tone. My stomach grumbles as I watch it with intent, reminding me that this thing isn’t just for show and that it’s there to be eaten - or to be devoured. I flatten it down a bit to make it easier to pick up and as I do, vast amounts of ketchup and mayo ooze out the side, making my mouth water ever so more. Wrapping my fingers around it, I bring it up towards my face, inching closer to that wonderful first bite that will certainly have potential at sending shivers down my spine. I feel the eyes of the rotund man from a couple tables over fixated on me and my burger, his jaw probably wide open, drool pouring out the sides of his mouth like broken plumbing. My front teeth are ready to take a chomp but before they get the chance, my cellphone rings. Angrily, I drop the burger back down against its plate before pulling out my phone and answering it.
“Hello?” I ask, somewhat rudely.
“Don’t you dare.” A woman's voice replies, anger hidden behind the comment.
“Huh?”
“I said, don’t you dare.”
“Don’t I dare, what?”
“Eat that junk. If you want to win the I4NI Championship, you must know that it’s in your best interest to stay in tiptop condition. That means no fatty food or soda’s, running every day until the PPV, working out and most importantly, no alcohol!” I finally click, the only person in the entire world that has the gall to lecture me in such a way is none other than Missy Chick, my manager whom I hadn’t heard from in at least a month and a half.
“Come on Chewie, I’m fuckin’ starving over here…” I pause, turning my head to the window with a frown. “Hold on, how do you know I’m about to eat a cheeseburger?”
“Order the tomato and cheese sandwich.”
“Answer the damn question, Missy.”
“Fine, look to your right.”
I do as she says but all I can see is a little old woman in a flower patterned muumuu, wide pruple brimmed sun hat and pair of glasses sitting at a table with a cup of tea in front of her while she has a cell phone pressed up against her ear.
“All I see is some geriatric old bat talking on a phone she can probably barely fuckin’ use.”
I hear Missy giggle into the phone, the old lady doing the same. That’s odd, must be a coincidence though. The old lady reaches up and takes off the sun hat to reveal a head of thick blonde hair tied back in a tight pony tail before looking at me with a grin. It takes me a second but it finally registers in my brain that Missy is the old lady. She pulls her hair tie out before putting it around her wrist and picking up her cup of tea. She walks over to my table and takes a seat on the opposite side.
“Why the fuck are you wearing a muumuu?” Is of course, my first question.
“Well, I thought it’d suit the disguise…”
“And why the fuck were you in disguise?” My second question, which in hindsight, probably should’ve been my first.
“I have my reasons, Heath.”
“Yeah, the reason being so that you could fucking spy on me. You’re just as sneaky as ever, Chick.”
Missy raises her hand and calls for the waitress, who comes over in a flash due to the poor amount of customers within the diner. “How can I help you, miss?” She asks in a gentle tone, pen and paper in hand.
“One tomato and cheese sandwich, please. This one has to watch his figure.” Missy replies, gesturing towards me.
The waitress smiles before writing down the order. “Anything else?”
“Would you like anything else, Heath?”
“Yeah. My seven layer cheeseburger.” I state, reaching over for it.
Missy’s too quick and gets a hold of it before I do, taking a huge, sloppy bite that causes the insides of the burger to paint themselves against her cheeks. The waitress awkwardly walks away as the look of pure delight washes over Missy’s face, her eyes roll around in the back of her head and she slumps down in her chair.
“Oh my god...wow, just wow. Good choice, Heath. Good choice indeed.” This bitch is straight-up teasing me.
“How much do you weigh nowadays, Missy? Like, two-ten?” Payback’s a bitch and so is she.
She frowns and puts the burger down. “I’m helping you out, douchebag.”
“Mhm. Sure you are. Why are you even here?”
“You didn’t think I’d miss prepping up my second favourite client for his first VoW singles title match, did you?”
“Well, you kinda vanished there for a while so I just forgot about you. Besides, you obviously have a hidden agenda. You always have a hidden agenda.”
She glares for a moment before relaxing back into her seat. “Fine, you’re right. No point lying about it now considering he’s gonna be here any minute now.”
My face drops, jaw with a slight clench. “Who’s gonna be here any minute now?”
“Take a guess, genius.”
Almost as if to answer for me, the glass doors at the front of the diner are pushed open and in walks none other than my Requiem partner, Tyron Bickerton. He looks around for a moment before spotting us at our table and casually striding over. He pulls up a chair and takes a seat literally seconds before the waitress appears with the tomato and cheese sandwich, placing it down.
“Ooh, food.” Tyron smiles as he picks up the sandwich and takes a bite.
I sigh, shaking my head. “What is it with everyone and eating my food today?”
“Oh, sorry, was this yours dude? You can have it back, if you want?” He says sincerely as the waitress leaves again, holding out the sandwich and waving it in front of my face. I can see where the bread’s been dampened by his saliva, now I’m completely put off eating.
“Er, no, I’m good.”
“So,” Missy pipes up with a mouthful after taking another bite of her burger. “you’re probably wondering why I asked you both here.”
“You didn’t…” I say with a raised eyebrow. “I came here by my own free will and found out you were stalking me.”
“Okay well, that’s beside the point. Listen, guys, I’ve noticed from the things said on Twitter that...you’re drifting apart and it’s such a sad thing to see because, well, you are meant to be best friends after all.”
“Exactly!” I shout, slapping a hand against the table, garnering some unwanted attention from some of the nearby tables. “Tell that to this prick. We’re meant to be best friends and he wouldn’t let me come to any of his tests.” I turn my head to Tyron. “You had a fucking cancer scare dude, I wanted to be there for you damn it! But you wouldn’t let me!”
Tyron sadly nods, eyes full of guilt. “I know, man. I just needed some time to think, to be with Jos...I was close to being sure that my time in this world had come…”
“What? And you just thought I wouldn’t wanna be with you before it did come? I’ve known you a hell of a fucking lot longer than Jos has, don’t forget that. Then again, you are one to put hoes before bro’s, aren’t you? Need I remind you about Sally Jenson?”
The guilt in his eyes quickly turns to fire that I had obviously just thrown fuel against. “The fuck[/i] did you just say?!”
“What? About Sally?”
“No. Jos. You just called her a hoe.”
I lean forward, “Have you seen her prance around that wrestling ring and the backstage area trying to pretend she’s some sort of fucking saint? And the way she acts with that Spencer bitch? They’re totally fucking, dude. Bet you fifty bucks they use a double ended vibrator every single fucking night.”
Tyron loses it and throws the sandwich straight against my cheek, it falls apart and a couple slices of tomato land on my pants. He bolts up with one of the most menacing looks I’ve ever seen from him.
“Take that back, right fucking now. I mean it, Heath.”
I too stand before looking him dead in the eyes, by now the entire diner’s watching this all unfold. “No.”
Within an instant, Tyron goes to clock me one across the chops but Missy quickly grabs his forearm and he immediately stops. He shoots me a deathly glare for a moment before turning and walking towards the doors.
“Wait! You’re going to be there to manage Heath at Nothing Else Matters, right?!” Missy yells, causing him to stop dead in his tracks.
“Yeah. If anyone knows how much of a jerk he can be, it’s me. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna see him win that piece of gold. See you out there, Heath. Oh, and do me a favour, lose the fucking attitude by then.” He continues forward and before long, he’s outside and away from view.
Missy looks at me, clearly unimpressed with my behaviour. “Seriously Heath? You couldn’t have at least tried to be civil?”
“Fuck that dude. I don’t even want him at ringside.”
“Look, I get that you’re upset but you need to see things from his point of view...he had his reasons, okay? He just didn’t want you making a fuss over him, he wants you to be something in this business, Heath and didn’t want to jeopardize anything. He knew you’d take time off if he made it obvious that he wanted you around. He loves you, you’re his big brother.”
Her words hit me like a spiralling, silver bullet. Oh my god, she’s right...I feel my face soften, a small tear rolling down my cheek. How could I be such an insensitive moron? I let my emotions get the better of me, something I’ve always done and seriously need to outgrow. A few moments pass before I wipe away the tear and rub a hand through my hair, looking up and nodding at Missy.
“I see it, now. I’m a fucking asshole…”
“Give him a call, tell him to come back.”
“No...after that we need a bit of space from each other...I’ll talk to him after the match with Storm and clear the air.”
“Good.” Missy says with hands attached to her hips before looking back down at her burger. “Okay, I’m gonna sit down and finish this bad boy now.”
She does just that, or at least…tries. Very, very well I might add.
-
*REC
I have my video camera turned around and pointed at me as I sit high up in a lovely, lush, green tree and upon looking down, I can see a homeless man taking a nap with his head resting against one of the tree’s stuck out roots. My eyes direct themselves back at the camera, I give a little smile before deciding to speak.
“Kia Ora koutou kotiro and hūmārie!” I pause, realizing that I should probably translate that through to english. “Or, hello ladies and gentlemen! Now, I know what you’re thinking...why the fuck am I in a tree? I actually wish I could blame it on alcohol but uh, I’m completely sober. I am up here for a reason though…
You see, I’ve been on a bit of a losing streak as you all know...I haven’t won a match since...uhh...shit, I can’t even remember...and well, despite Tyler Storm being a nice, modest guy I’m assuming that he probably thinks he’s got the upperhand in this I4NI title match, due to said losing streak. So, before I officially get started let’s go through what the I4NI’s really all about.” I take out my phone, going on my web browser and entering the link for the VoW website.
“Okay, so here’s the exact backstory straight from the VoW boards:
This belt represents toughness and resilience, going above and beyond the threshold of human endurance. With Visionaries of Wrestling incorporating various styles, it was only a matter of time until sheer brutality increased. Noticing this trend, General Manager Sky Sangue created the championship and secured it as a mystery prize to be won inside the Quest For The Case. Tyler Storm won the case and officially became the belt's first champion. As its name implies, Eye for an Eye sets the tone for this championship and its division.
From reading that, the four main words that pop out at me like a 3D movie are ‘toughness’, ‘resilience/endurance’ and of course, ‘brutality’. So, to prove that I’m the perfect contender and that Storm should be sweating at the brows, I’ve set up three tests that will see myself conquer all of those aspects that the belt represents. First up, toughness.” I point the camera towards the ground.
“As you can see, I’m pretty high up. So, what I’m gonna do is here actually pretty darn simple. I’m gonna jump. That’ll prove how tough I am, right? Well, it fuckin’ better. Let’s get this show on the road.”
I point the camera back at my face before leaping towards what I hope to be a soft patch of grass that might make my fall hurt a little less. However, before making it, my elbow slams into one of the other branches before sending me on a spinning course right against the sleeping hobo. He wakes up with a grunt and a groan before taking a moment to figure out what’s going on. I’ve managed to keep a hold of the camera and with it I stand, pointed at the hobo.
“Shit, I’m sorry man…”
He pushes himself up off the ground and cringes, showing off his sharp, jagged teeth. “You made a fucking mistake, buddy!”
With a gulp, I turn the other way and quickly shut off the camera before fleeing the scene, hobo in tow.
-
*REC
I have the lens pointed at my face as I’m still trying to get away from the homeless guy but he was clearly some kind of track star in High School, could probably even match the speed of Katie Moicelle - and that’s seriously saying something.
“Okay so, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for the resilience and endurance test but hey, when life gives ya lemons!” I turn the camera the other way so it can pick up everything in my path.
There’s countless people in small crowds that I’m forced to shove out of the way, sincere apology to go with the action though. I reach a street corner and swiftly turn left, flashing the camera behind me to get a view of the wild madman in chase mode. Turning it back to the path ahead, I notice an alley and make way through until I come to a set of steel meshed, padlocked gates. With parkour like reflexes I climb using only my freehand and legs before sliding over the top and landing on the other side. I turn around with a cocky smirk as the hobo reaches, I can tell by the look on his face that he knows I could make the quick escape here, even if he does climb the fence. That’s when he looks to the bottom right hand corner, a grimace spreading across his face instantly. He strides over to where the steel mesh has been pried from its foundations and peels it back before squeezing through the gap.
“Ah, fuck.” I mutter to myself before spinning heel and hastily making my getaway. I look towards the camera. “I didn’t think this through...but hey, I’m pretty sure this is showing how resilient I am, right?”
I’m forced to choke on my words as the hobo spears me from behind, taking me down against the concrete. Clearly, it’s now time for the test of brutality. He tries to rip the camera from my grasp but I refuse to allow such thing, sending an elbow against the bridge of his nose causing him to fall backwards against his spine. I stand just as a kid cautiously comes walking down the alley, he looks extremely concerned about what’s happening.
“Are you guys okay?” He sincerely asks, innocence plastered on his face.
I toss him over the camera to which he catches with impressive reflexes. “Hold onto that and make sure you catch all of this on tape, alright?”
“Um, okay…”
With a firm grip I yank the hobo up to his feet and shove him back before making the order that he raises his fists and gets himself into a suitable fighting stance. A second passes and I come very close to regretting messing with this dude as he slightly bends his knees and raises his arms in the air, he knows muay thai. I take a step forward with a right hook in mind but I’m met with a fierce kick to the side of my body that causes a blood-curdling scream to force its way out. I have no choice but to take a knee, clutching my ribs with deep breaths. However, he wastes little time before thrusting a single foot forward, taking me down with a straight teep. This guy’s rendering me useless, what can I do against a fighting style I’ve never properly witnessed?
“Had enough yet?” He asks with a cocky tone that could even match that of Ryder Blade’s sense of self-glorification.
With struggle, I manage to push myself up to my feet though on spaghetti legs. “No. I don’t care what it takes, this is my moment. I may not be invincible but, I am The Hardcore Hero and I must live up to that name. Not only now but also at Nothing Else Matters, Tyler Storm needs to know that I ain’t playing around and that the I4NI Championship will be mine. So, Mr. Hobo, hit me with your best shot.”
“Quite the speech. Too bad you’re only motivating yourself for failure.”
He leaps up into the air, a knee swiftly knocking me across the chin. My entire world goes hazy and I can feel myself quickly slipping into unconsciousness, the air beneath me breezing passed as my one way ticket to the pavement occurs. That’s when I decide enough is enough and refuse to be put down, not now and not at the PPV. I send one foot back to hold my ground before finding an open spot, launching myself forward with a single fist that connects with his stomach. He’s winded and bends over, clasping his midsection before I send a stern elbow against his neck where he finds himself getting a mouthful of hardened cement. Swaying from side to side I stumble over to the kid and stare into the lens of the camera.
“You see that, Storm? That wasn’t only his fate but will be yours, as well. I don’t care if we’re pals, I don’t care if we respect one another and I don’t care if we’re still on good terms after the bout because at the end of the day ‘Nothing Else Matters’ other than myself walking away with the championship you hold so dearly to your heart. Don’t get me wrong, the last thing I want to do is to hurt, break and destroy another friendship but in this business, shit like that just tends to happen and there’s nothing that can be done about it apart from fighting, fighting and more fucking fighting.
Since I began in VoW, I’ve watched you defend that title with everything you’ve got, saying that you put your heart and soul into it wouldn’t suffice because you’ve done even more than that. In a way, the I4NI Championship has actually…become you. Ace Watson didn’t have a chance and neither did Dathyn. The only one that did was Scarlet Flint and it didn’t take long for the title to understand that it was in the wrong hands before choosing you to represent its name once more. Many people would believe that you’re the one who’s supposed to be the I4NI Champion, that you’re its master and in some way, shape or form the two of you will continue to find each other throughout any type of strife or war you find yourself in.
However, I beg to differ. I believe that you’re only keeping it warm, giving it a place to stay until it finds its feet and arrives at the place it’s truly meant to be, a home it can stay comfortably for the rest of its proverbial life. Somewhere it can put its legs up and relax without having to worry about being passed around or stolen, somewhere like right here…” I rub a hand along my right shoulder, indicating the home I’m talking about.
“You’ve battled against the odds to keep it alongside you but I’ve done more than, I’ve climbed mountainsides and jagged, uphill cliffs to get to this spot and to earn the number one contendership. I’ve scratched and clawed my heart out to achieve this reward and don’t think for one second that I won’t continue to do just that after this is all said and done. Once with me, that championship will come to understand the true meaning of family as the bond we will share shall blow the one you had completely out of the water. You hold it with pride, prestige and honour, while I’ll hold it with love, admiration and obsessive fixation. There are no two things on this earth that are more destined to be with each other than myself and that title. It calls out to me like an angel playing a harp, like the sound of gushing water within an oasis, like voices deep within a lonely abyss…we will define one another to the utmost of our capabilities.
So, Tyler, do me a favour. Say goodbye to the I4NI in the sweetest, most cherishable manner you can come up with because it’s only a matter of time until you’re forced to pass the torch onto me, not only to begin the next stretch of its history but so that you can come to learn what the true meaning of what destiny is. Do not hold onto strings that are better left to fray as that will only wind up sending you into a world of obscurity. Once I’m champion, move on and find your destiny, whether that’s moving into a nice suburban home with Zelda and your child to live a happy family lifestyle or whether it’s getting opportunities in higher places, like perhaps for the world title against English. Just know that when the I4NI’s mine, it’s staying that way for a very long time.
With that, I leave only two more words. Good luck.”
I take the camera from the kid and turn it off before pulling out my wallet and handing him a few five dollar notes.
“Cheers mate, you did well.”
He grins and runs off, pocketing the money as he does so. Still finding it difficult to stand, I go over to the hobo and give him a little shake to wake him up. His eyes open as I roll him over before reaching out a hand.
“Come on man, I owe you a drink. Screw what Missy says, alcohol’s good for me going into something like this.”
“I don’t know who this Missy is,” he mutters, “but I could definitely go for a drink.”
I help him up and wrap an arm around his neck as we hobble our way through the remainder of the alley, talking and laughing about the full on, action packed battle that had just occurred between us only minutes before.
Fin.
Ryan, Karen and I are all sitting along a green coloured sofa that rests in their hotel room while we watch the Television set - The Avengers is playing, which is Ryan’s all time favourite movie. I have my arm around him with a beer in my free hand and every so often I feel Karen’s eyes peer over at us, hopefully with a little smile to match. I was never a family man back in the day but now that I’ve grown up and taken the time to mature, I feel like I could seriously get used to all of this. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your son loves you, despite every bad thing you’ve done throughout the majority of his lifetime. It really makes you reflect and come to understand the mistakes you’ve made.
The credits begin rolling to signal the end of the film, Karen pats a hand against Ryan’s knee to grab his attention. He looks over at her, his left hand rising and rubbing against his eye on the same side. She shoots him a look as I take a sip of my beer, finishing what’s left in the bottle before leaning forward and placing my empty on the surface of the coffee table.
“Time for bed now, sweetie. We’ve got an early flight to catch.” She tells him, I glance over with a frown.
“You’re not staying for the PPV?” I ask, disappointingly. I had figured that maybe if Ryan were there at ringside, it’d give me more incentive to walk away with the victory.
“Afraid not. This one has a lot of studying to catch up on back home.”
“But...I want to see Dad win the I4NI-” Ryan pipes up before being interrupted.
“You can, on TV.”
“It’s not the same though…”
Karen gets that sort of “you have to do as I say” expression that all mothers have from time to time and immediately, Ryan complies, standing up and stretching out his back with a yawn. He turns to me, a face full of determination.
“Dad, I want you to teach me how to wrestle.”
I look over at Karen, who doesn’t appear to have anything to say, she’s waiting for my response. I rest a hand on each of Ryan’s shoulders, his eyes glaring back at mine.
“You’ve already missed so much school, bud. I couldn’t possibly make you miss out on more…”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “Not now, dad. I mean, in the future. Summer vacation starts at the end of May...and when it comes, I want to travel around with you...and learn the ropes of the family biz.”
With a glance back at Karen, she gives me the lightest nod. I turn back to Ryan and pull him into a hug. “Of course, my son.”
Ryan roars with excitement, pulling away from my hug and jumping around the room. He does a couple forward rolls across the floor before leaping back up to his feet with a right fist held firmly in the air. Throughout all that’s happened, all the times he’s conspired against me and hit me with that Bo-staff, I had almost forgotten that he’s still just a child.
“I make this vow, this oath, that in at least ten years, I will be a wrestler like my father before me! And I’ll become a World Champion too, just like he was! Hardcore Hero v.2 baby!”
“You’ll be smarter than I am, kid. I think you’d be more of a Technical guy. Maybe you could call yourself…’The Technical Turbo’?”
He turns and stares at me with an eyebrow raised, “That’s just stupid.”
Karen nods in agreement, “It is kinda stupid.”
With a shrug I roll my eyes, “Tough crowd.”
“Okay, bedtime mister.” Karen orders with a clap of the hands to which Ryan responds with a hug.
“Night mom.” He runs over to me and does the same. “Night dad.” He disappears off down the hall, Karen slowly slides over towards me, biting her bottom lip.
“Been a while…” she says, almost like she’s trying to make small talk.
“Since we’ve seen each other? Yeah, sure has.”
She shakes her head, reaching over and firmly placing a hand against my inner thigh. “Not what I meant.”
The twinkle in her eye tells it all, I know exactly what she’s on about now. I take a grasp of her hand and pull her over so that she’s sitting on my lap, facing me. She grinds her lower half against mine before tilting forward and pushing our lips together, her tongue shoving past the proverbial gates and entering my mouth. I reciprocate by doing the same before throwing her against the base of the couch, her legs wrapped around my waist.
“Ryan’s not the only person you have a lot to make up to, you know.” She announces with a cheeky little wink.
“Oh, I know.” I reply before pulling off my shirt to which she excitedly squeals, doing the same with her own.
-
Morning comes as I discover when there’s a loud knock at the door, waking me up immediately. I half expect to see Karen on the couch beside me but she isn’t, must have went to bed. The knocking just won’t stop, it seems to be never ending. With a groggy groan I stand up and stumble over to the door, fumbling around for a moment before pulling it open. There stands a man in hotel employee uniform, he looks rather confused.
“You’re not the woman who checked in the other day…” He mutters, scratching his forehead.
“No, I’m not.” I reply, this moment getting far more awkward with each passing second.
“Is there a Karen Gallagher around? She was meant to check out about an hour ago.”
“Uh, yeah, okay. She probably just overslept.”
I turn, going back through the living room and down the hall before peering into the bedroom I believed Karen to be sleeping in, however all I find is a freshly made bed with a little note sitting on the bedside table. I walk in and go over, picking it up for a read.
“Consider this as part of making things up to me!
Xoxo
Love Karen”
I raise my head and glare out the window with a shake of the head alongside a frustrated smile, my tongue flicking against one of my back teeth. With a sigh, I pull out my wallet and yell out to the guy at the front door with a strain in my voice.
“...how much does the bitch owe you?”
-
I sit here in awe, just staring at the towering behemoth that stands before me. A seven layer cheeseburger calling out my name with a heavenly melodic tone. My stomach grumbles as I watch it with intent, reminding me that this thing isn’t just for show and that it’s there to be eaten - or to be devoured. I flatten it down a bit to make it easier to pick up and as I do, vast amounts of ketchup and mayo ooze out the side, making my mouth water ever so more. Wrapping my fingers around it, I bring it up towards my face, inching closer to that wonderful first bite that will certainly have potential at sending shivers down my spine. I feel the eyes of the rotund man from a couple tables over fixated on me and my burger, his jaw probably wide open, drool pouring out the sides of his mouth like broken plumbing. My front teeth are ready to take a chomp but before they get the chance, my cellphone rings. Angrily, I drop the burger back down against its plate before pulling out my phone and answering it.
“Hello?” I ask, somewhat rudely.
“Don’t you dare.” A woman's voice replies, anger hidden behind the comment.
“Huh?”
“I said, don’t you dare.”
“Don’t I dare, what?”
“Eat that junk. If you want to win the I4NI Championship, you must know that it’s in your best interest to stay in tiptop condition. That means no fatty food or soda’s, running every day until the PPV, working out and most importantly, no alcohol!” I finally click, the only person in the entire world that has the gall to lecture me in such a way is none other than Missy Chick, my manager whom I hadn’t heard from in at least a month and a half.
“Come on Chewie, I’m fuckin’ starving over here…” I pause, turning my head to the window with a frown. “Hold on, how do you know I’m about to eat a cheeseburger?”
“Order the tomato and cheese sandwich.”
“Answer the damn question, Missy.”
“Fine, look to your right.”
I do as she says but all I can see is a little old woman in a flower patterned muumuu, wide pruple brimmed sun hat and pair of glasses sitting at a table with a cup of tea in front of her while she has a cell phone pressed up against her ear.
“All I see is some geriatric old bat talking on a phone she can probably barely fuckin’ use.”
I hear Missy giggle into the phone, the old lady doing the same. That’s odd, must be a coincidence though. The old lady reaches up and takes off the sun hat to reveal a head of thick blonde hair tied back in a tight pony tail before looking at me with a grin. It takes me a second but it finally registers in my brain that Missy is the old lady. She pulls her hair tie out before putting it around her wrist and picking up her cup of tea. She walks over to my table and takes a seat on the opposite side.
“Why the fuck are you wearing a muumuu?” Is of course, my first question.
“Well, I thought it’d suit the disguise…”
“And why the fuck were you in disguise?” My second question, which in hindsight, probably should’ve been my first.
“I have my reasons, Heath.”
“Yeah, the reason being so that you could fucking spy on me. You’re just as sneaky as ever, Chick.”
Missy raises her hand and calls for the waitress, who comes over in a flash due to the poor amount of customers within the diner. “How can I help you, miss?” She asks in a gentle tone, pen and paper in hand.
“One tomato and cheese sandwich, please. This one has to watch his figure.” Missy replies, gesturing towards me.
The waitress smiles before writing down the order. “Anything else?”
“Would you like anything else, Heath?”
“Yeah. My seven layer cheeseburger.” I state, reaching over for it.
Missy’s too quick and gets a hold of it before I do, taking a huge, sloppy bite that causes the insides of the burger to paint themselves against her cheeks. The waitress awkwardly walks away as the look of pure delight washes over Missy’s face, her eyes roll around in the back of her head and she slumps down in her chair.
“Oh my god...wow, just wow. Good choice, Heath. Good choice indeed.” This bitch is straight-up teasing me.
“How much do you weigh nowadays, Missy? Like, two-ten?” Payback’s a bitch and so is she.
She frowns and puts the burger down. “I’m helping you out, douchebag.”
“Mhm. Sure you are. Why are you even here?”
“You didn’t think I’d miss prepping up my second favourite client for his first VoW singles title match, did you?”
“Well, you kinda vanished there for a while so I just forgot about you. Besides, you obviously have a hidden agenda. You always have a hidden agenda.”
She glares for a moment before relaxing back into her seat. “Fine, you’re right. No point lying about it now considering he’s gonna be here any minute now.”
My face drops, jaw with a slight clench. “Who’s gonna be here any minute now?”
“Take a guess, genius.”
Almost as if to answer for me, the glass doors at the front of the diner are pushed open and in walks none other than my Requiem partner, Tyron Bickerton. He looks around for a moment before spotting us at our table and casually striding over. He pulls up a chair and takes a seat literally seconds before the waitress appears with the tomato and cheese sandwich, placing it down.
“Ooh, food.” Tyron smiles as he picks up the sandwich and takes a bite.
I sigh, shaking my head. “What is it with everyone and eating my food today?”
“Oh, sorry, was this yours dude? You can have it back, if you want?” He says sincerely as the waitress leaves again, holding out the sandwich and waving it in front of my face. I can see where the bread’s been dampened by his saliva, now I’m completely put off eating.
“Er, no, I’m good.”
“So,” Missy pipes up with a mouthful after taking another bite of her burger. “you’re probably wondering why I asked you both here.”
“You didn’t…” I say with a raised eyebrow. “I came here by my own free will and found out you were stalking me.”
“Okay well, that’s beside the point. Listen, guys, I’ve noticed from the things said on Twitter that...you’re drifting apart and it’s such a sad thing to see because, well, you are meant to be best friends after all.”
“Exactly!” I shout, slapping a hand against the table, garnering some unwanted attention from some of the nearby tables. “Tell that to this prick. We’re meant to be best friends and he wouldn’t let me come to any of his tests.” I turn my head to Tyron. “You had a fucking cancer scare dude, I wanted to be there for you damn it! But you wouldn’t let me!”
Tyron sadly nods, eyes full of guilt. “I know, man. I just needed some time to think, to be with Jos...I was close to being sure that my time in this world had come…”
“What? And you just thought I wouldn’t wanna be with you before it did come? I’ve known you a hell of a fucking lot longer than Jos has, don’t forget that. Then again, you are one to put hoes before bro’s, aren’t you? Need I remind you about Sally Jenson?”
The guilt in his eyes quickly turns to fire that I had obviously just thrown fuel against. “The fuck[/i] did you just say?!”
“What? About Sally?”
“No. Jos. You just called her a hoe.”
I lean forward, “Have you seen her prance around that wrestling ring and the backstage area trying to pretend she’s some sort of fucking saint? And the way she acts with that Spencer bitch? They’re totally fucking, dude. Bet you fifty bucks they use a double ended vibrator every single fucking night.”
Tyron loses it and throws the sandwich straight against my cheek, it falls apart and a couple slices of tomato land on my pants. He bolts up with one of the most menacing looks I’ve ever seen from him.
“Take that back, right fucking now. I mean it, Heath.”
I too stand before looking him dead in the eyes, by now the entire diner’s watching this all unfold. “No.”
Within an instant, Tyron goes to clock me one across the chops but Missy quickly grabs his forearm and he immediately stops. He shoots me a deathly glare for a moment before turning and walking towards the doors.
“Wait! You’re going to be there to manage Heath at Nothing Else Matters, right?!” Missy yells, causing him to stop dead in his tracks.
“Yeah. If anyone knows how much of a jerk he can be, it’s me. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna see him win that piece of gold. See you out there, Heath. Oh, and do me a favour, lose the fucking attitude by then.” He continues forward and before long, he’s outside and away from view.
Missy looks at me, clearly unimpressed with my behaviour. “Seriously Heath? You couldn’t have at least tried to be civil?”
“Fuck that dude. I don’t even want him at ringside.”
“Look, I get that you’re upset but you need to see things from his point of view...he had his reasons, okay? He just didn’t want you making a fuss over him, he wants you to be something in this business, Heath and didn’t want to jeopardize anything. He knew you’d take time off if he made it obvious that he wanted you around. He loves you, you’re his big brother.”
Her words hit me like a spiralling, silver bullet. Oh my god, she’s right...I feel my face soften, a small tear rolling down my cheek. How could I be such an insensitive moron? I let my emotions get the better of me, something I’ve always done and seriously need to outgrow. A few moments pass before I wipe away the tear and rub a hand through my hair, looking up and nodding at Missy.
“I see it, now. I’m a fucking asshole…”
“Give him a call, tell him to come back.”
“No...after that we need a bit of space from each other...I’ll talk to him after the match with Storm and clear the air.”
“Good.” Missy says with hands attached to her hips before looking back down at her burger. “Okay, I’m gonna sit down and finish this bad boy now.”
She does just that, or at least…tries. Very, very well I might add.
-
*REC
I have my video camera turned around and pointed at me as I sit high up in a lovely, lush, green tree and upon looking down, I can see a homeless man taking a nap with his head resting against one of the tree’s stuck out roots. My eyes direct themselves back at the camera, I give a little smile before deciding to speak.
“Kia Ora koutou kotiro and hūmārie!” I pause, realizing that I should probably translate that through to english. “Or, hello ladies and gentlemen! Now, I know what you’re thinking...why the fuck am I in a tree? I actually wish I could blame it on alcohol but uh, I’m completely sober. I am up here for a reason though…
You see, I’ve been on a bit of a losing streak as you all know...I haven’t won a match since...uhh...shit, I can’t even remember...and well, despite Tyler Storm being a nice, modest guy I’m assuming that he probably thinks he’s got the upperhand in this I4NI title match, due to said losing streak. So, before I officially get started let’s go through what the I4NI’s really all about.” I take out my phone, going on my web browser and entering the link for the VoW website.
“Okay, so here’s the exact backstory straight from the VoW boards:
This belt represents toughness and resilience, going above and beyond the threshold of human endurance. With Visionaries of Wrestling incorporating various styles, it was only a matter of time until sheer brutality increased. Noticing this trend, General Manager Sky Sangue created the championship and secured it as a mystery prize to be won inside the Quest For The Case. Tyler Storm won the case and officially became the belt's first champion. As its name implies, Eye for an Eye sets the tone for this championship and its division.
From reading that, the four main words that pop out at me like a 3D movie are ‘toughness’, ‘resilience/endurance’ and of course, ‘brutality’. So, to prove that I’m the perfect contender and that Storm should be sweating at the brows, I’ve set up three tests that will see myself conquer all of those aspects that the belt represents. First up, toughness.” I point the camera towards the ground.
“As you can see, I’m pretty high up. So, what I’m gonna do is here actually pretty darn simple. I’m gonna jump. That’ll prove how tough I am, right? Well, it fuckin’ better. Let’s get this show on the road.”
I point the camera back at my face before leaping towards what I hope to be a soft patch of grass that might make my fall hurt a little less. However, before making it, my elbow slams into one of the other branches before sending me on a spinning course right against the sleeping hobo. He wakes up with a grunt and a groan before taking a moment to figure out what’s going on. I’ve managed to keep a hold of the camera and with it I stand, pointed at the hobo.
“Shit, I’m sorry man…”
He pushes himself up off the ground and cringes, showing off his sharp, jagged teeth. “You made a fucking mistake, buddy!”
With a gulp, I turn the other way and quickly shut off the camera before fleeing the scene, hobo in tow.
-
*REC
I have the lens pointed at my face as I’m still trying to get away from the homeless guy but he was clearly some kind of track star in High School, could probably even match the speed of Katie Moicelle - and that’s seriously saying something.
“Okay so, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for the resilience and endurance test but hey, when life gives ya lemons!” I turn the camera the other way so it can pick up everything in my path.
There’s countless people in small crowds that I’m forced to shove out of the way, sincere apology to go with the action though. I reach a street corner and swiftly turn left, flashing the camera behind me to get a view of the wild madman in chase mode. Turning it back to the path ahead, I notice an alley and make way through until I come to a set of steel meshed, padlocked gates. With parkour like reflexes I climb using only my freehand and legs before sliding over the top and landing on the other side. I turn around with a cocky smirk as the hobo reaches, I can tell by the look on his face that he knows I could make the quick escape here, even if he does climb the fence. That’s when he looks to the bottom right hand corner, a grimace spreading across his face instantly. He strides over to where the steel mesh has been pried from its foundations and peels it back before squeezing through the gap.
“Ah, fuck.” I mutter to myself before spinning heel and hastily making my getaway. I look towards the camera. “I didn’t think this through...but hey, I’m pretty sure this is showing how resilient I am, right?”
I’m forced to choke on my words as the hobo spears me from behind, taking me down against the concrete. Clearly, it’s now time for the test of brutality. He tries to rip the camera from my grasp but I refuse to allow such thing, sending an elbow against the bridge of his nose causing him to fall backwards against his spine. I stand just as a kid cautiously comes walking down the alley, he looks extremely concerned about what’s happening.
“Are you guys okay?” He sincerely asks, innocence plastered on his face.
I toss him over the camera to which he catches with impressive reflexes. “Hold onto that and make sure you catch all of this on tape, alright?”
“Um, okay…”
With a firm grip I yank the hobo up to his feet and shove him back before making the order that he raises his fists and gets himself into a suitable fighting stance. A second passes and I come very close to regretting messing with this dude as he slightly bends his knees and raises his arms in the air, he knows muay thai. I take a step forward with a right hook in mind but I’m met with a fierce kick to the side of my body that causes a blood-curdling scream to force its way out. I have no choice but to take a knee, clutching my ribs with deep breaths. However, he wastes little time before thrusting a single foot forward, taking me down with a straight teep. This guy’s rendering me useless, what can I do against a fighting style I’ve never properly witnessed?
“Had enough yet?” He asks with a cocky tone that could even match that of Ryder Blade’s sense of self-glorification.
With struggle, I manage to push myself up to my feet though on spaghetti legs. “No. I don’t care what it takes, this is my moment. I may not be invincible but, I am The Hardcore Hero and I must live up to that name. Not only now but also at Nothing Else Matters, Tyler Storm needs to know that I ain’t playing around and that the I4NI Championship will be mine. So, Mr. Hobo, hit me with your best shot.”
“Quite the speech. Too bad you’re only motivating yourself for failure.”
He leaps up into the air, a knee swiftly knocking me across the chin. My entire world goes hazy and I can feel myself quickly slipping into unconsciousness, the air beneath me breezing passed as my one way ticket to the pavement occurs. That’s when I decide enough is enough and refuse to be put down, not now and not at the PPV. I send one foot back to hold my ground before finding an open spot, launching myself forward with a single fist that connects with his stomach. He’s winded and bends over, clasping his midsection before I send a stern elbow against his neck where he finds himself getting a mouthful of hardened cement. Swaying from side to side I stumble over to the kid and stare into the lens of the camera.
“You see that, Storm? That wasn’t only his fate but will be yours, as well. I don’t care if we’re pals, I don’t care if we respect one another and I don’t care if we’re still on good terms after the bout because at the end of the day ‘Nothing Else Matters’ other than myself walking away with the championship you hold so dearly to your heart. Don’t get me wrong, the last thing I want to do is to hurt, break and destroy another friendship but in this business, shit like that just tends to happen and there’s nothing that can be done about it apart from fighting, fighting and more fucking fighting.
Since I began in VoW, I’ve watched you defend that title with everything you’ve got, saying that you put your heart and soul into it wouldn’t suffice because you’ve done even more than that. In a way, the I4NI Championship has actually…become you. Ace Watson didn’t have a chance and neither did Dathyn. The only one that did was Scarlet Flint and it didn’t take long for the title to understand that it was in the wrong hands before choosing you to represent its name once more. Many people would believe that you’re the one who’s supposed to be the I4NI Champion, that you’re its master and in some way, shape or form the two of you will continue to find each other throughout any type of strife or war you find yourself in.
However, I beg to differ. I believe that you’re only keeping it warm, giving it a place to stay until it finds its feet and arrives at the place it’s truly meant to be, a home it can stay comfortably for the rest of its proverbial life. Somewhere it can put its legs up and relax without having to worry about being passed around or stolen, somewhere like right here…” I rub a hand along my right shoulder, indicating the home I’m talking about.
“You’ve battled against the odds to keep it alongside you but I’ve done more than, I’ve climbed mountainsides and jagged, uphill cliffs to get to this spot and to earn the number one contendership. I’ve scratched and clawed my heart out to achieve this reward and don’t think for one second that I won’t continue to do just that after this is all said and done. Once with me, that championship will come to understand the true meaning of family as the bond we will share shall blow the one you had completely out of the water. You hold it with pride, prestige and honour, while I’ll hold it with love, admiration and obsessive fixation. There are no two things on this earth that are more destined to be with each other than myself and that title. It calls out to me like an angel playing a harp, like the sound of gushing water within an oasis, like voices deep within a lonely abyss…we will define one another to the utmost of our capabilities.
So, Tyler, do me a favour. Say goodbye to the I4NI in the sweetest, most cherishable manner you can come up with because it’s only a matter of time until you’re forced to pass the torch onto me, not only to begin the next stretch of its history but so that you can come to learn what the true meaning of what destiny is. Do not hold onto strings that are better left to fray as that will only wind up sending you into a world of obscurity. Once I’m champion, move on and find your destiny, whether that’s moving into a nice suburban home with Zelda and your child to live a happy family lifestyle or whether it’s getting opportunities in higher places, like perhaps for the world title against English. Just know that when the I4NI’s mine, it’s staying that way for a very long time.
With that, I leave only two more words. Good luck.”
I take the camera from the kid and turn it off before pulling out my wallet and handing him a few five dollar notes.
“Cheers mate, you did well.”
He grins and runs off, pocketing the money as he does so. Still finding it difficult to stand, I go over to the hobo and give him a little shake to wake him up. His eyes open as I roll him over before reaching out a hand.
“Come on man, I owe you a drink. Screw what Missy says, alcohol’s good for me going into something like this.”
“I don’t know who this Missy is,” he mutters, “but I could definitely go for a drink.”
I help him up and wrap an arm around his neck as we hobble our way through the remainder of the alley, talking and laughing about the full on, action packed battle that had just occurred between us only minutes before.
Fin.
