Post by Ziu Zhong on Aug 27, 2014 19:09:35 GMT -6
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
For the past week that sentence has been bouncing around in my brain all day, every day. The loss to Lucas McCann at Breakthrough has hit me hard and I’m devastated that after two great victories I was a beaten man once again, just like my debut. After winning the Quest for the Case at Heatstroke and then defeating VOW’s first ever champion - PKA - I felt that I could push on and go on a winning streak but it wasn‘t to be. The only winning streak around here right now is Lucas McCann who has now got a VOW record of 4 wins from 4 matches. Credit to him for managing to do that, and credit to him for managing to beat me.
He’s not a better wrestler than me, though, that’s the thing. I still can’t figure out why I let him beat me. I’m much better than my performance last week and it’s so disappointing to come away from it knowing that I did not put in 100%. Did I underestimate Lucas? I may well have. Well he showed me as he was certainly a match for me, and I just wasn’t prepared enough. Never underestimate a fellow wrestler and always go in hard. Lesson learnt.
I had been driving vigorously for hours in the torrential rain that had now ceased. I had finally arrived at my destination after a lengthy journey where I thought long and hard about various things. I’m surprised I made it here in one piece as I had a lot on my mind. The toots from the cars and the swearing of my fellow drivers still rung in my ears but could not overpower the refs voice from Breakthrough.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
There was a vivid radiance emitting from the lights along the street that exposed the whole road clearly – even the Verizon Wireless Center that was opposite the hotel I would be staying at; the same Verizon Wireless Center that would hold Breakthrough 12 this week. I felt that if I slept nearby and spent my spare time within touching distance of the arena I might feel more at home when I get inside the ring with Brett Carson – my opponent this week.
Vibrant lights surrounded me as I pulled into the parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn. I was looking forward to staying in the area, waking up and seeing the Verizon Wireless Center in anticipation for the week ahead. I found the last available parking space and turn the engine off before soaking in the atmosphere. There was none. It was as quiet as a library.
The night was closing in and the sun was edging around the globe to brighten up another location. I looked out the window at the passing traffic and began to think about Breakthrough 12. I really need to get another win under my belt and fast. Although two wins and two defeats from four matches is ok, I wanted better. Last week I really don't know what happened. Choose any place and any time and Lucas would be flat on his back seeing stars. I let the moment slip and it’s all my thought. I took Lucas too lightly and that can be my downfall sometimes. I now know that I need to change my approach this week and surprise my opponent. Brett is obsessed with PKA and the Xcel Championship and this week I would become obsessed with Brett Carson.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
Although I was focusing on Brett this week, I knew my main focus was getting back to the basics. Since winning two matches on the trot, one being the briefcase win at a PPV and then the second defeating PKA in a VOW main event in only my third match, I had become obsessed with being VOW’s main guy. I VOW’d to do my utmost to take the fed to the top and would stop at nothing to make it happen. Who am I to make a stupid comment like that? I may have been top guy in my last fed XWA but here I’m a nobody. I lost my debut match and just because of a few wins, one against lower card opponents and another against an exhausted PKA, I had not justified the right to make statement as strong as I did. If I want to be VOW’s World Visionary Champion, I had to earn it. I had to put blood and sweat on the line and go all out to prove to VOW management that I can be that guy. Less words, more action.
I departed my vehicle and was instantly harassed by the bitter cold wind that had decided to sleep over Mankato, Minnesota overnight. I traipsed across the parking lot to the entrance with eagerness to get inside the expectedly warm hotel. Hilton’s are always lovely hotels and this was no different. Smart, sophisticated and classy, something Brett Carson is not. He was a true talent but he is clearly beatable seeing as he has the joint most losses here in VOW - 7. He defeated PKA many weeks ago and then lost to him in the first round of the Xcel tournament. Ever since then he has become obsessed with the guy, even showing up on the JumboTron during mine and PKA’s match to get into the guy’s mind. As long as neither of them got in my way, I was happy. I have defeated PKA already and now it would be Carson's turn.
My frigid feet were beginning to feel saturated due to the rain water infiltrating into my slick black shoes. My breath crystallized before my eyes as I approached the automatic doors. I entered the hotel and was met by a sudden gust of an exotic scent that had drifted through the air from the masses of flowers on the wall to my nostrils. I glanced across the glass floored reception area which was pretty much empty with a lone female receptionist meeting my glimpse with a smile. I plodded over to the desk she sat behind and as I got closer I could feel myself feeling warmer. The heater behind her was letting off a sweltering amount of heat which I wasn't complaining about.
"Good evening sir how may I help you tonight?"
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
The woman had a sweaty forehead and greasy long blond hair and looked out of place in a Hilton Hotel. I thought all Hilton’s had pretty receptionist but obviously I was wrong. I gawked at her and smiled a second time before responding.
"Hi. I would like to book a room for three nights please."
"You’re in luck. We have a room available; let me just get the details for you. I won't be a minute."
The woman shot up from her tall cream colored chair and walked off into the back to grab some paperwork. As she waddled off out of sight I took a momentary look at her backside and was shockingly surprised to see a big ol’ booty staring back at me. The type of ass that didn't match the rest of her body. I'd still bang it though, I thought.
“Selfie time!” I said to me self excitedly. After a long old drive in the wet and cold conditions, I was happy to be warm and soon comfortable in my hotel room.
I held my phone up in the air and snapped a selfie with the hotel entrance doors opening behind me. I checked the outcome and couldn’t believe my eyes. Posing in the background – totalling photo bombing me – was an old friend of mine, Paul Pottingham. I spun round and witnessed something that I hadn't seen in years, a cheesy Potters grin special. This guy had the biggest mouth you could ever imagine. He could eat a shark it was that big. His smile should truly be a bucket list wish for many.
"Paul!"
"Yo Ziu."
Paul was one of my old high school friends from back in England. I hadn’t seen him since I left. Arriving in England aged 11, he took me under his wing and we were good friends up until we left school. We see each other at times after that, but once Ling came into my life and we moved to America, we lost contact.
"What are you doing here?”
I flicked my head back and forth from Paul and the reception desk to see if the lady was back or not.
"I am hoping to stay here tonight because I’m going to see my parents tomorrow. They live out here now.”
I nodded and then remembered the receptionist said I took the last room.
"I took the last available room mate but I’m sure I can fit you in."
He looked at me and mulled over the offer for a second and then answered back. "Yeah that's a great idea."
“I’ll just check to see if there’s anything they can do, if not I’ll sneak you in later [haha!]”
"[Haha] You haven’t changed much have you man! Same old ZZ.”
The big booty bouncing receptionist shuffled her way back out to the desk and caught my eye as she placed some papers on the marble surface with a ball point pen slammed on top.
"Can you fill this out for me please?" She had a stressed tone and a face like a spanked ass. It was late and she may be at the end of her shift, but come on, a smile wouldn’t go a miss. Was I meant to be sorry for getting her to rise from her seat? Lazy ass.
"Is there a possibility of you changing the room in any way so that we can have a twin room? It's just my friend is staying here too now." I turned to see Paul still looking on with a bag of his shoulder and his brown hair gelled up high. Same old Potters.
“Erm…”
I switched my attention back to the receptionist who smiled unconvincingly and then told me what I wanted to here. "You’re in luck. It is already a twin room. It was the only room we had."
I turned to Paul and laughed. "Well that was lucky wasn't it?”
I turned my sight back to the receptionist who responded by giving me the strangest look I had received all night. I didn't know why but I moved on quickly because I was eager to get the room sorted. I took the pen in my steady hand and completed the sheet in seconds before the moody woman handed over the keys and I was on my way.
"You’re on the top floor – the 9th floor. I hope you enjoy your stay."
“Thank you.”
I hope you enjoy your stay? Yeah your face tells a different story, love. What a moody cow.
“The lift is over there.”
Paul and I trekked off towards the lift for a bit of banter upstairs. I was in need of cheering up after my loss to Lucas McCann. Being so close to the arena for this weeks Breakthrough was going to help, and now a familiar face in Paul by my side. It was a shame Ling wasn’t here but I really couldn’t go home on such a low. Ling would understand, and she had started her book club so she would be kept occupied with that. My aim would be to defeat Brett and head on home to see her immediately after my match.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
----------------------------
20 Minutes Later
----------------------------
"I’m off for a shower dude.”
I looked up and see Paul heading for the bathroom. He forcefully pulled the door shut causing a loud bang.
"I don’t think the hotel want that door, Paul.”
“[Haha] Shut up you muppet!”
We had settled into our hotel room and caught up briefly, and we would enjoy the rest of the night catching up some more. Paul was a laugh back in school. We were the three musketeers; myself, Paul and Zack.
I lay my head on the soft delicate pillow and mulled over the past half hour. I couldn't believe that I had seen an old friend half way across the world from where we grew up together. I slothfully reached into my jeans pocket and removed my mobile phone before attempting to call my friend Zack back over in England. The signal was pretty weak, as I expected, and it took a while to connect but finally I got through. I sat upright and rested my head on the wall behind.
"Hello?"
"Zack, it's Ziu. How you been man?"
I heard the shower switch on in the bathroom and the continuous run of water.
"Hey! It's been a long time man, how the hell are you?!"
Zack had a strong deep sounding accent. Even though it was Potters that took me under his wing, it was Zack who was my main man. I always contacted him if I had any news or problems, and we kept in contact on a regular basis. I hadn’t spoken to him for some time, though, but not as long as Paul.
"Yeah it has been a long time. I’m doing pretty well for myself, how about you?"
The faint sound of the shower running in the background continued.
"I'm fit and healthy, so yeah, I’m fine. I heard that you left XWA, what happened man?”
“I wanted to improve. I was winning week in week out and wasn’t enjoying myself. I have joined this great new company called Visionaries of Wrestling. It’s got potential to be the best and I have already won a special briefcase and main evented inside four matches.”
"That's brilliant news. Any familiar faces on the roster?"
“Nope. It's a brand new company with wrestlers I've never come across before. They're mainly experienced but there's some fresh talent about. I'm enjoying competing with the best.”
“I always new ‘the centipede’ could go far. I’m so proud of you, dude.”
“Thanks man. Oh guess what?”
“What?”
"You won't believe who turned up at the same hotel I am at tonight."
“Who?" Zack asked on the other end of the phone.
"Only the true legend - Double P!" I shouted with a lot of enthusiasm. Zack must have been thinking about the name. I continued, just in case he had a short memory. “You know, Potters - Paul Pottingham.”
I laughed down the phone but received no reaction from Zackarious. There was silence for a good five seconds before he replied.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" He said it with a sickened tone in his voice. I didn't have a clue why he was reacting like this.
"What?" I questioned with the running water still catching my attention in the background.
"Paul Pottingham...he died last year. This isn’t funny man."
I quickly responded. "He can't have, he is here in my room having a shower right now. It is certainly him; there is no doubt about it. It's 100% Potters; you can never forget the famous grin, you know that.”
Zack got a little heated and I could sense it. "Did you not know that he is dead? I went to the funeral so 100% the famous Paul Pottingham is dead. I was pretty sure someone told you Ziu."
I was so confused at this point. "You’re fucking with me right?" I asked with a sense of hope that he was.
"No! For the last time Ziu, Paul Pottingham is dead. He died over in America when he was visiting his parents. He jumped off the top floor balcony of a hotel and fell to his death. Still to this day nobody found out why.”
My whole body froze and Goosebumps soon covered my arms, legs, back and even my head. My eyes lit up and my hands tightened. Sweat exited my body and I felt very clammy. The water continued to run in the shower as the hairs covering my body began to stiffen.
"Ziu? You there?" Zack asked after waiting patiently for a reaction from me.
"I have to go," I whispered, before ending the call and slipping the phone back in my pocket. I slid off the bed and crept across the dark coloured carpet until I arrived at the bathroom door.
I pushed down on the handle and began to open the door open, slowly and quietly. I entered the light and slowly sneaked across the moist tiled floor before approaching the shower curtain. At this point my heart was pumping more than it ever had. This was worse than falling from a Hell in a Cell Cage, and trust me, I’ve been there. I really didn't know what the hell I was doing. I had just been told that the person I had been speaking to is dead. What the fuck?
I reached out for the shower curtain before swiftly moving it to the right to be amazed at what I saw. There was nothing there. It was empty. There was just water emitting from the shower head and running down the plug hole. I just stared at the running water, wondering to myself what the hell had happened for the past half hour.
A large bang was heard behind me and caused my whole body to fling around. The bathroom door had slammed shut. This was scarier than you could ever imagine. I made my way over to the bathroom door trying my hardest not to slip on the damp floor. The brass handle on the bathroom door gleamed as the small streams of light that broke shone down from the ceiling reflected off its polished surface. I took the handle in my hand and yanked on it but I couldn’t open the door. Suddenly the lights went out.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
My heart was pumping faster and faster and I yanked again at the door handle. The door opened and I stumbled into the bedroom area. The balcony door was now open and the cold night wind blew in, rustling the light brown curtains.
My heart was still beating fast and the running water was now louder as I had left the door open behind me. The bathroom light turned back on again but then began to flicker on and off. All I could think about was speaking to Paul and him entering the bathroom but no one is in there. The phone call; Zack said Paul was dead. What the hell was going on?
I stood in the corner of the hotel room. I began to shake as I placed my back flat against the cold cream painted walls of the bedroom. The lights swiftly dimmed dramatically and I could feel a presence in the room. I started to hear heavy breathing.
All of a sudden out of nowhere I saw Paul appear in the middle of the room and run towards the open balcony door, sending himself over the balcony and crashing to the floor outside. I was shook up. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. Was it a ghost? Was I going mad? Am I insane? Maybe VOW has hit me hard and I need a break already? I really couldn’t think right now.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!” The last thing I wanted to be thinking about was my loss to Lucas! I just can't get that moment our my head!
The faint enticing light of the table lamp caught my eye. I ran over to it, grabbed the door keys and then jumped over the bed and sprinted out the door that I would never open again. I probably took the corridor faster than Usain Bolt. I approached the lift and stabbed the buttons, doing anything I could do get out of this place. I looked back over my shoulder and there was no movement from the lonely corridor.
The doors opened it was a welcome relief. I stepped in and the doors closed behind me. I felt the lift descend to the ground floor where I took the glass floor quicker than I really should of. I could have slipped and broke my neck, and then I wouldn't even make it to Breakthrough. Ling would never see me again. Oh s***, Breakthrough 12! How am I going to concentrate on my matches with all this going on? What am I going to do?! I can’t lose two in a row. I must beat Brett.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
I was breathing heavily as I got closer to the reception desk. Mrs Big Booty still plonked on the seat with a magazine to facilitate her boredom.
"Is everything ok sir?" she asked whilst standing up to check if I were ok.
I took a deep breath and then stared into her worried eyes. "No I’m not ok. First of all, was I on my own earlier when I arrived or was someone else with me?" Once I had asked that her eyebrow raised and she pulled a strange face.
"Erm, excuse me sir?" she replied whilst staring at the sweat that had now tripped off my head on to my Hoody. She should have looked at herself the sweaty, greasy haired, humongous assed tart.
I was angry. "This is serious! Please just answer me; did I go to my room with someone else or was I on my own?" I shouted with a quick swipe of my forehead to wipe the remaining sweat.
She gawked at me before responding. "You were alone the whole time, sir?"
I responded swiftly. "Why didn't you tell me that someone had died in this hotel? In MY room in fact." She started to look frightened but I didn't care. I continued, "This is atrocious service,” I yelled.
“Excuse me sir, I’m sorry but people die and people have to move on. We can’t close our hotel because somebody has died in one of the rooms. It’s life and I apologises if you’re not happy but—“
“Ok, enough.”
All of a sudden I saw what looked to be the manager and a few other colleagues walking across the reception floor in the distance so I gave up. I slammed the door key down on the shinny marble surface and turned around before making my way over to the doors to exit the hotel. I looked back over my shoulder and my eyes connected with my god friend the receptionist.
"Worst receptionist ever. Cheer up once in a while, yeah?" Her mouth opened and she looked shocked with my comment. Tough. What a miserable ol’ bag.
I left the hotel and was met by the same chilly wind that caressed me on the way in. My nose was painfully frozen after seconds of exiting the building. I ran across the parking lot precariously to my car and jumped in before slamming the door shut. I sat there in silence for at least two minutes, mulling over what the hell just happened. It was the weirdest and probably scariest night of my life.
This week is very important because I can put my foot down and stamp my authority by saying 'I've arrived' because I don't want to be pushed back down the roster. I don’t want to be the first match of the night, I want to be in the main events. I have worked my ass off to get where I am today, and I love being the focal point. I need to stay there, I need to beat Brett Carson and keep him below me. To do this, though, I had to get my mind right. Tonight was not helping.
“Here is your winner... Lucas McCann!!!!”
I put my foot down and sped out the parking lot wondering where the night would take me. I had to find another hotel and quick. I was not staying anywhere near the Hilton Garden Inn. It was late, I had to find another hotel, but could I sleep in a hotel after what just happened? I could be haunted for the rest of my life.
I began to drive towards the bright lights of the local city and something caught my eye. I took a sudden glimpse in the inside car mirror. Staring back at me was the famous Potter Grin. There he was again, Paul sitting in the backseat with that smirk on his frail face. He was no longer human looking and looked more like a zombie. Dried blood on his face and one I looking at the roof of the car with the other eye dismantled. Half of his face ws crushed. I lost control of the car and swerved off the side of the road, just missing a tree before stopping in the middle of a muddy area.
Once the dust had settled I turned my neck and the backseat was empty; he was gone again. Why did this have to happen to me? Or was I creating this myself? Was I really just seeing things, or was I seeing the dead? I couldn't believe what I was thinking but it was hard to dismiss after the night I have had. So much has gone on lately that I don't know what day it is. Arrive in Vow, lose debut, win the special Quest for the Case match at the Heatstroke PPV and then main event on my third match against PKA and then lose to Lucas. I had ups and downs with Ling and now I have this to worry about.
I would have to wait and see what the next few days would turn out like. One thing's for sure, I need to get my act together before Breakthrough 12.
"Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
I shook my head violently.
“NO!”
Thinking ahead to Breakthrough all I could think about was my match with Brett Carson and the refs voice after the match.
“Here is your winner… Ziu Zhong!!!!”
I must get it right this week.
Must. Defeat. Carson.
For the past week that sentence has been bouncing around in my brain all day, every day. The loss to Lucas McCann at Breakthrough has hit me hard and I’m devastated that after two great victories I was a beaten man once again, just like my debut. After winning the Quest for the Case at Heatstroke and then defeating VOW’s first ever champion - PKA - I felt that I could push on and go on a winning streak but it wasn‘t to be. The only winning streak around here right now is Lucas McCann who has now got a VOW record of 4 wins from 4 matches. Credit to him for managing to do that, and credit to him for managing to beat me.
He’s not a better wrestler than me, though, that’s the thing. I still can’t figure out why I let him beat me. I’m much better than my performance last week and it’s so disappointing to come away from it knowing that I did not put in 100%. Did I underestimate Lucas? I may well have. Well he showed me as he was certainly a match for me, and I just wasn’t prepared enough. Never underestimate a fellow wrestler and always go in hard. Lesson learnt.
I had been driving vigorously for hours in the torrential rain that had now ceased. I had finally arrived at my destination after a lengthy journey where I thought long and hard about various things. I’m surprised I made it here in one piece as I had a lot on my mind. The toots from the cars and the swearing of my fellow drivers still rung in my ears but could not overpower the refs voice from Breakthrough.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
There was a vivid radiance emitting from the lights along the street that exposed the whole road clearly – even the Verizon Wireless Center that was opposite the hotel I would be staying at; the same Verizon Wireless Center that would hold Breakthrough 12 this week. I felt that if I slept nearby and spent my spare time within touching distance of the arena I might feel more at home when I get inside the ring with Brett Carson – my opponent this week.
Vibrant lights surrounded me as I pulled into the parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn. I was looking forward to staying in the area, waking up and seeing the Verizon Wireless Center in anticipation for the week ahead. I found the last available parking space and turn the engine off before soaking in the atmosphere. There was none. It was as quiet as a library.
The night was closing in and the sun was edging around the globe to brighten up another location. I looked out the window at the passing traffic and began to think about Breakthrough 12. I really need to get another win under my belt and fast. Although two wins and two defeats from four matches is ok, I wanted better. Last week I really don't know what happened. Choose any place and any time and Lucas would be flat on his back seeing stars. I let the moment slip and it’s all my thought. I took Lucas too lightly and that can be my downfall sometimes. I now know that I need to change my approach this week and surprise my opponent. Brett is obsessed with PKA and the Xcel Championship and this week I would become obsessed with Brett Carson.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
Although I was focusing on Brett this week, I knew my main focus was getting back to the basics. Since winning two matches on the trot, one being the briefcase win at a PPV and then the second defeating PKA in a VOW main event in only my third match, I had become obsessed with being VOW’s main guy. I VOW’d to do my utmost to take the fed to the top and would stop at nothing to make it happen. Who am I to make a stupid comment like that? I may have been top guy in my last fed XWA but here I’m a nobody. I lost my debut match and just because of a few wins, one against lower card opponents and another against an exhausted PKA, I had not justified the right to make statement as strong as I did. If I want to be VOW’s World Visionary Champion, I had to earn it. I had to put blood and sweat on the line and go all out to prove to VOW management that I can be that guy. Less words, more action.
I departed my vehicle and was instantly harassed by the bitter cold wind that had decided to sleep over Mankato, Minnesota overnight. I traipsed across the parking lot to the entrance with eagerness to get inside the expectedly warm hotel. Hilton’s are always lovely hotels and this was no different. Smart, sophisticated and classy, something Brett Carson is not. He was a true talent but he is clearly beatable seeing as he has the joint most losses here in VOW - 7. He defeated PKA many weeks ago and then lost to him in the first round of the Xcel tournament. Ever since then he has become obsessed with the guy, even showing up on the JumboTron during mine and PKA’s match to get into the guy’s mind. As long as neither of them got in my way, I was happy. I have defeated PKA already and now it would be Carson's turn.
My frigid feet were beginning to feel saturated due to the rain water infiltrating into my slick black shoes. My breath crystallized before my eyes as I approached the automatic doors. I entered the hotel and was met by a sudden gust of an exotic scent that had drifted through the air from the masses of flowers on the wall to my nostrils. I glanced across the glass floored reception area which was pretty much empty with a lone female receptionist meeting my glimpse with a smile. I plodded over to the desk she sat behind and as I got closer I could feel myself feeling warmer. The heater behind her was letting off a sweltering amount of heat which I wasn't complaining about.
"Good evening sir how may I help you tonight?"
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
The woman had a sweaty forehead and greasy long blond hair and looked out of place in a Hilton Hotel. I thought all Hilton’s had pretty receptionist but obviously I was wrong. I gawked at her and smiled a second time before responding.
"Hi. I would like to book a room for three nights please."
"You’re in luck. We have a room available; let me just get the details for you. I won't be a minute."
The woman shot up from her tall cream colored chair and walked off into the back to grab some paperwork. As she waddled off out of sight I took a momentary look at her backside and was shockingly surprised to see a big ol’ booty staring back at me. The type of ass that didn't match the rest of her body. I'd still bang it though, I thought.
“Selfie time!” I said to me self excitedly. After a long old drive in the wet and cold conditions, I was happy to be warm and soon comfortable in my hotel room.
I held my phone up in the air and snapped a selfie with the hotel entrance doors opening behind me. I checked the outcome and couldn’t believe my eyes. Posing in the background – totalling photo bombing me – was an old friend of mine, Paul Pottingham. I spun round and witnessed something that I hadn't seen in years, a cheesy Potters grin special. This guy had the biggest mouth you could ever imagine. He could eat a shark it was that big. His smile should truly be a bucket list wish for many.
"Paul!"
"Yo Ziu."
Paul was one of my old high school friends from back in England. I hadn’t seen him since I left. Arriving in England aged 11, he took me under his wing and we were good friends up until we left school. We see each other at times after that, but once Ling came into my life and we moved to America, we lost contact.
"What are you doing here?”
I flicked my head back and forth from Paul and the reception desk to see if the lady was back or not.
"I am hoping to stay here tonight because I’m going to see my parents tomorrow. They live out here now.”
I nodded and then remembered the receptionist said I took the last room.
"I took the last available room mate but I’m sure I can fit you in."
He looked at me and mulled over the offer for a second and then answered back. "Yeah that's a great idea."
“I’ll just check to see if there’s anything they can do, if not I’ll sneak you in later [haha!]”
"[Haha] You haven’t changed much have you man! Same old ZZ.”
The big booty bouncing receptionist shuffled her way back out to the desk and caught my eye as she placed some papers on the marble surface with a ball point pen slammed on top.
"Can you fill this out for me please?" She had a stressed tone and a face like a spanked ass. It was late and she may be at the end of her shift, but come on, a smile wouldn’t go a miss. Was I meant to be sorry for getting her to rise from her seat? Lazy ass.
"Is there a possibility of you changing the room in any way so that we can have a twin room? It's just my friend is staying here too now." I turned to see Paul still looking on with a bag of his shoulder and his brown hair gelled up high. Same old Potters.
“Erm…”
I switched my attention back to the receptionist who smiled unconvincingly and then told me what I wanted to here. "You’re in luck. It is already a twin room. It was the only room we had."
I turned to Paul and laughed. "Well that was lucky wasn't it?”
I turned my sight back to the receptionist who responded by giving me the strangest look I had received all night. I didn't know why but I moved on quickly because I was eager to get the room sorted. I took the pen in my steady hand and completed the sheet in seconds before the moody woman handed over the keys and I was on my way.
"You’re on the top floor – the 9th floor. I hope you enjoy your stay."
“Thank you.”
I hope you enjoy your stay? Yeah your face tells a different story, love. What a moody cow.
“The lift is over there.”
Paul and I trekked off towards the lift for a bit of banter upstairs. I was in need of cheering up after my loss to Lucas McCann. Being so close to the arena for this weeks Breakthrough was going to help, and now a familiar face in Paul by my side. It was a shame Ling wasn’t here but I really couldn’t go home on such a low. Ling would understand, and she had started her book club so she would be kept occupied with that. My aim would be to defeat Brett and head on home to see her immediately after my match.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
----------------------------
20 Minutes Later
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"I’m off for a shower dude.”
I looked up and see Paul heading for the bathroom. He forcefully pulled the door shut causing a loud bang.
"I don’t think the hotel want that door, Paul.”
“[Haha] Shut up you muppet!”
We had settled into our hotel room and caught up briefly, and we would enjoy the rest of the night catching up some more. Paul was a laugh back in school. We were the three musketeers; myself, Paul and Zack.
I lay my head on the soft delicate pillow and mulled over the past half hour. I couldn't believe that I had seen an old friend half way across the world from where we grew up together. I slothfully reached into my jeans pocket and removed my mobile phone before attempting to call my friend Zack back over in England. The signal was pretty weak, as I expected, and it took a while to connect but finally I got through. I sat upright and rested my head on the wall behind.
"Hello?"
"Zack, it's Ziu. How you been man?"
I heard the shower switch on in the bathroom and the continuous run of water.
"Hey! It's been a long time man, how the hell are you?!"
Zack had a strong deep sounding accent. Even though it was Potters that took me under his wing, it was Zack who was my main man. I always contacted him if I had any news or problems, and we kept in contact on a regular basis. I hadn’t spoken to him for some time, though, but not as long as Paul.
"Yeah it has been a long time. I’m doing pretty well for myself, how about you?"
The faint sound of the shower running in the background continued.
"I'm fit and healthy, so yeah, I’m fine. I heard that you left XWA, what happened man?”
“I wanted to improve. I was winning week in week out and wasn’t enjoying myself. I have joined this great new company called Visionaries of Wrestling. It’s got potential to be the best and I have already won a special briefcase and main evented inside four matches.”
"That's brilliant news. Any familiar faces on the roster?"
“Nope. It's a brand new company with wrestlers I've never come across before. They're mainly experienced but there's some fresh talent about. I'm enjoying competing with the best.”
“I always new ‘the centipede’ could go far. I’m so proud of you, dude.”
“Thanks man. Oh guess what?”
“What?”
"You won't believe who turned up at the same hotel I am at tonight."
“Who?" Zack asked on the other end of the phone.
"Only the true legend - Double P!" I shouted with a lot of enthusiasm. Zack must have been thinking about the name. I continued, just in case he had a short memory. “You know, Potters - Paul Pottingham.”
I laughed down the phone but received no reaction from Zackarious. There was silence for a good five seconds before he replied.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" He said it with a sickened tone in his voice. I didn't have a clue why he was reacting like this.
"What?" I questioned with the running water still catching my attention in the background.
"Paul Pottingham...he died last year. This isn’t funny man."
I quickly responded. "He can't have, he is here in my room having a shower right now. It is certainly him; there is no doubt about it. It's 100% Potters; you can never forget the famous grin, you know that.”
Zack got a little heated and I could sense it. "Did you not know that he is dead? I went to the funeral so 100% the famous Paul Pottingham is dead. I was pretty sure someone told you Ziu."
I was so confused at this point. "You’re fucking with me right?" I asked with a sense of hope that he was.
"No! For the last time Ziu, Paul Pottingham is dead. He died over in America when he was visiting his parents. He jumped off the top floor balcony of a hotel and fell to his death. Still to this day nobody found out why.”
My whole body froze and Goosebumps soon covered my arms, legs, back and even my head. My eyes lit up and my hands tightened. Sweat exited my body and I felt very clammy. The water continued to run in the shower as the hairs covering my body began to stiffen.
"Ziu? You there?" Zack asked after waiting patiently for a reaction from me.
"I have to go," I whispered, before ending the call and slipping the phone back in my pocket. I slid off the bed and crept across the dark coloured carpet until I arrived at the bathroom door.
I pushed down on the handle and began to open the door open, slowly and quietly. I entered the light and slowly sneaked across the moist tiled floor before approaching the shower curtain. At this point my heart was pumping more than it ever had. This was worse than falling from a Hell in a Cell Cage, and trust me, I’ve been there. I really didn't know what the hell I was doing. I had just been told that the person I had been speaking to is dead. What the fuck?
I reached out for the shower curtain before swiftly moving it to the right to be amazed at what I saw. There was nothing there. It was empty. There was just water emitting from the shower head and running down the plug hole. I just stared at the running water, wondering to myself what the hell had happened for the past half hour.
A large bang was heard behind me and caused my whole body to fling around. The bathroom door had slammed shut. This was scarier than you could ever imagine. I made my way over to the bathroom door trying my hardest not to slip on the damp floor. The brass handle on the bathroom door gleamed as the small streams of light that broke shone down from the ceiling reflected off its polished surface. I took the handle in my hand and yanked on it but I couldn’t open the door. Suddenly the lights went out.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
My heart was pumping faster and faster and I yanked again at the door handle. The door opened and I stumbled into the bedroom area. The balcony door was now open and the cold night wind blew in, rustling the light brown curtains.
My heart was still beating fast and the running water was now louder as I had left the door open behind me. The bathroom light turned back on again but then began to flicker on and off. All I could think about was speaking to Paul and him entering the bathroom but no one is in there. The phone call; Zack said Paul was dead. What the hell was going on?
I stood in the corner of the hotel room. I began to shake as I placed my back flat against the cold cream painted walls of the bedroom. The lights swiftly dimmed dramatically and I could feel a presence in the room. I started to hear heavy breathing.
All of a sudden out of nowhere I saw Paul appear in the middle of the room and run towards the open balcony door, sending himself over the balcony and crashing to the floor outside. I was shook up. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. Was it a ghost? Was I going mad? Am I insane? Maybe VOW has hit me hard and I need a break already? I really couldn’t think right now.
Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!” The last thing I wanted to be thinking about was my loss to Lucas! I just can't get that moment our my head!
The faint enticing light of the table lamp caught my eye. I ran over to it, grabbed the door keys and then jumped over the bed and sprinted out the door that I would never open again. I probably took the corridor faster than Usain Bolt. I approached the lift and stabbed the buttons, doing anything I could do get out of this place. I looked back over my shoulder and there was no movement from the lonely corridor.
The doors opened it was a welcome relief. I stepped in and the doors closed behind me. I felt the lift descend to the ground floor where I took the glass floor quicker than I really should of. I could have slipped and broke my neck, and then I wouldn't even make it to Breakthrough. Ling would never see me again. Oh s***, Breakthrough 12! How am I going to concentrate on my matches with all this going on? What am I going to do?! I can’t lose two in a row. I must beat Brett.
“Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
I was breathing heavily as I got closer to the reception desk. Mrs Big Booty still plonked on the seat with a magazine to facilitate her boredom.
"Is everything ok sir?" she asked whilst standing up to check if I were ok.
I took a deep breath and then stared into her worried eyes. "No I’m not ok. First of all, was I on my own earlier when I arrived or was someone else with me?" Once I had asked that her eyebrow raised and she pulled a strange face.
"Erm, excuse me sir?" she replied whilst staring at the sweat that had now tripped off my head on to my Hoody. She should have looked at herself the sweaty, greasy haired, humongous assed tart.
I was angry. "This is serious! Please just answer me; did I go to my room with someone else or was I on my own?" I shouted with a quick swipe of my forehead to wipe the remaining sweat.
She gawked at me before responding. "You were alone the whole time, sir?"
I responded swiftly. "Why didn't you tell me that someone had died in this hotel? In MY room in fact." She started to look frightened but I didn't care. I continued, "This is atrocious service,” I yelled.
“Excuse me sir, I’m sorry but people die and people have to move on. We can’t close our hotel because somebody has died in one of the rooms. It’s life and I apologises if you’re not happy but—“
“Ok, enough.”
All of a sudden I saw what looked to be the manager and a few other colleagues walking across the reception floor in the distance so I gave up. I slammed the door key down on the shinny marble surface and turned around before making my way over to the doors to exit the hotel. I looked back over my shoulder and my eyes connected with my god friend the receptionist.
"Worst receptionist ever. Cheer up once in a while, yeah?" Her mouth opened and she looked shocked with my comment. Tough. What a miserable ol’ bag.
I left the hotel and was met by the same chilly wind that caressed me on the way in. My nose was painfully frozen after seconds of exiting the building. I ran across the parking lot precariously to my car and jumped in before slamming the door shut. I sat there in silence for at least two minutes, mulling over what the hell just happened. It was the weirdest and probably scariest night of my life.
This week is very important because I can put my foot down and stamp my authority by saying 'I've arrived' because I don't want to be pushed back down the roster. I don’t want to be the first match of the night, I want to be in the main events. I have worked my ass off to get where I am today, and I love being the focal point. I need to stay there, I need to beat Brett Carson and keep him below me. To do this, though, I had to get my mind right. Tonight was not helping.
“Here is your winner... Lucas McCann!!!!”
I put my foot down and sped out the parking lot wondering where the night would take me. I had to find another hotel and quick. I was not staying anywhere near the Hilton Garden Inn. It was late, I had to find another hotel, but could I sleep in a hotel after what just happened? I could be haunted for the rest of my life.
I began to drive towards the bright lights of the local city and something caught my eye. I took a sudden glimpse in the inside car mirror. Staring back at me was the famous Potter Grin. There he was again, Paul sitting in the backseat with that smirk on his frail face. He was no longer human looking and looked more like a zombie. Dried blood on his face and one I looking at the roof of the car with the other eye dismantled. Half of his face ws crushed. I lost control of the car and swerved off the side of the road, just missing a tree before stopping in the middle of a muddy area.
Once the dust had settled I turned my neck and the backseat was empty; he was gone again. Why did this have to happen to me? Or was I creating this myself? Was I really just seeing things, or was I seeing the dead? I couldn't believe what I was thinking but it was hard to dismiss after the night I have had. So much has gone on lately that I don't know what day it is. Arrive in Vow, lose debut, win the special Quest for the Case match at the Heatstroke PPV and then main event on my third match against PKA and then lose to Lucas. I had ups and downs with Ling and now I have this to worry about.
I would have to wait and see what the next few days would turn out like. One thing's for sure, I need to get my act together before Breakthrough 12.
"Here is your winner… Lucas McCann!!!!”
I shook my head violently.
“NO!”
Thinking ahead to Breakthrough all I could think about was my match with Brett Carson and the refs voice after the match.
“Here is your winner… Ziu Zhong!!!!”
I must get it right this week.
Must. Defeat. Carson.
