Post by Ziu Zhong on Oct 8, 2014 18:49:58 GMT -6
A flock of scintillating stars dominate earth's atmosphere above New York City. It’s one of those nights, rather chilly with a gentle breeze that isn’t helping the conditions. The night sky is full of little bright lights that are supposedly a million light years away. A handful of clouds gradually pass on by but the enormous, dominant bright moon is what catches the eye. It’s as if the full moon is showing off so high in the sky shouting ‘look at me, look at me’. Don’t worry your attention seeking ass, Moon; we’re all watching intently.
Not far from JFK International Airport is a place called Highland Park where during the day friends and family meet for a chat, play sports, walk their dogs or simply enjoy the lush green scenery. The pond and tree combinations give off stunning views and that relaxing feeling that takes all your troubles away. There’s also a play area for the kids to drain their energy, and when you’re a parent it’s a relief to see them tiring themselves out because you know that you’re in for an easier and quieter evening. By nightfall, the park feels like a completing different place.
When the sun goes down for its nap and the night blanket covers over the city, Highland Park changes dramatically. There are no happy families playing with their children and pets, no coffees or milkshakes being shared by loved ones, and no teenagers canoodling beneath the tree branches. No, come nightfall the sparkling little dots in the sky and that lovely, captivating moon oversee a much changed Highland Park. Gangs take up their territory and the hibernating recluse animals come out and investigate the grounds. The earlier sounds of people moving around switches to an empty, calm silence. The occasional outburst of noise emits from the various gangs moping around trying to find things to do but other than that it’s generally quiet. The eerie atmosphere within Highland Park isn’t helped by the various cemeteries’ that surround the park.
On the outskirts of Highland Park lies a rundown building. We have been here before but never seen the perimeter. You would think that it’s the park officer’s office but you would be incorrect. The gentle breeze picks up into a gust of wind that attacks the building but cannot find a way in. We’re the lucky audience who get to go inside the warmth of the four walls before us and the dark, eerie atmosphere outside isn’t much different inside. We have certainly been here before.
The interior is much better looking than the exterior. Although there is minor lighting, we have a modern looking room with dimly lit wall lights revealing various picture frames. In the middle of the room lies a wrestling ring which is lit up by a hanging bulb from above. Other weights and gym equipment complete the remaining space available within the building. It’s not the best of gyms but has obviously been created for the use of very few people. In one of the corners of the ring is a guy sitting on top of a ladder after a hard workout. As gangs send their lives down the drain outside in the cold, one man is working hard inside in the warm on his career.
VOW wrestler and No 1 Contender for the Zero Gravity Championship – Ziu Zhong – is the guy sitting at the top of ladder. He is wearing sea blue pants and boots and a white towel draped over his shoulder and naked chest. We were in this very room all those weeks back when Ziu Zhong delivered his hard hitting promo that eventually helped him win the Quest for the Case at Heatstroke against Judas Dathan, Patrick Jones and Daniel Kennedy. He shook all his opponents and by the time they entered the ring there was only one winner. Where are those three wrestlers today, you could ask?
On the walls we once again see the various pictures that surround the room that consist of Ziu’s mother and father, who died when he was just 11 years old; his wrestling idols such as The Rock, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy; various selfies of Ziu with his fans and posing in front of famous landmarks. Ziu has certainly made this place feel like home but there’s one picture missing from the wall that was there last time and isn’t now. His wife Ling is nowhere to be seen. Probably the most important picture of them all but it is now shattered on the floor.
Ziu blames Ling for his defeat to Berlin Anderson this past week after she announced that she was pregnant. Ziu had been nothing but happy and supportive to his wife after he found out the news. ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m so happy we’re going to start a family’ is what he said to her face but deep down he wanted out. After all the arguing they had been through of late Ziu was pretty certain that he was going to end their marriage and ask for a divorce but Ling beat him to it with the pregnancy announcement. From being close to being single to having an addition to the family was like going from one extreme to the other. His mind was all over the place, deciding whether to file for a divorce or not but throw in the pregnancy news and Ziu’s head was in overdrive. His stress levels and attention span had gone haywire literally hours before his return to the ring after his leg injury at the hands of Brett Carson. He may have lost to Berlin but he was ready to put Brett down for good this time. This week Brett would pay for what he did.
Being in this atmosphere shows just how much variety Ziu Zhong has. We’re familiar with the guy that walks down to the ring clapping the fans hands with a smile on his face and taking selfies with the audience. Occasionally being the joker who would humiliate his opponent at the expense of the crowds’ laughter. Behind the scenes we don’t see much of that. Ziu can also be quite dark and mysterious, as well as a serious man. Ziu is also very familiar with mood swings. We all know him as ‘Mr Selfie,’ the fans favourite with fantastic high flying aerial ability but we are starting to see the more and more of the real Ziu as each week passes.
Ziu knew he had to be in familiar surroundings to get back on the winning track so decided to go with the gym promo once again. He stares straight into the eye of the recording camera and talks from the heart.
“I want to start by thanking the boss for coming out the other night on Breakthrough and giving me a second chance at gold. I earned that briefcase and for it to be invalid was like a dagger to the heart but Mr. Frei has done the right thing and given me a shot at the next PPV. It was not my fault that I couldn’t make it to Armed and Dangerous and whoever thinks I have been given special treatment here is obviously stupid. I realise the boss didn’t have to do what he did but he can see the work I put in each week and it’s only fair that what Brett Carson took away from me is returned in some way. I couldn’t be the first ever Zero Gravity champion but I sure as hell will do my utmost to be the second.”
Ziu brings his hands up and symbolizes the belt around his waist.
“Shane Sparx, I see that you’re the current champ for that belt. I’m not going to sit here and run my mouth about you because quite frankly, you may not even be the holder of that belt by the time we get to the next PPV. But I will say this…”
Mr Zhong licks his lips and then points towards the camera as if the Zero Gravity champion is right there in front of him.
“If YOU are in fact the champion by the time I get my shot at the belt, I guarantee you that it will be the most exciting, most demanding and most exhausting match of your career. You see Shane, that’s what I do; I drain people of their energy and use it for my own adrenaline. It’s as if my opponents are feeding me as they’re losing blood. I get stronger and fitter as the match goes on and my opponent gets weaker. I’m the energizer bunny and if you’re the champ who gets to meet me in the ring at the PPV then unlucky you.”
Ziu wipes the sweat from his forehead after his strenuous workout that is still having its effects.
“I know what you’re going to say, you’ve lost 3 out of 6 matches. Yeah, you’re right; I have lost half of my matches here in VOW. I’ve got a 50% win rate and I can clearly be beaten. You can be beaten too. Everyone can be beaten. But the fact is, I am still finding my feet here and I will get to where I want to be eventually. I can see my flaws and I’m working on them. I can see flaws in my opponents too, though, and I’m certainly going to be working on them. You beat Berlin at the PPV and he then went on to beat me, but you know, Shane, you have to lose to win and you have to lose to get to where you want to be. No one likes losing but it’s pushing me closer and closer to where I want to be. Maybe you will get to find out at the next PPV just how close I am?”
Ziu looks off into the distance in the corner of the room where the dark shadows lie and wonders what it would feel like to crush Shane Sparx and become a VOW champion.
“You may be asking why I’m sitting here at the top of a ladder. My answer is that I like it up here. I’m born to be airborne. I live for the moments in matches where I am upside down or flying off ladders like this one. I’m comfortable up here. That’s why the Zero Gravity Championship is going to be all mine very soon.
Ziu brings the bottle of cold water to his mouth and takes a big gulp. He tips a tiny bit over his head and it trickles down his face and you can immediately see that it felt good. The water starts to drip off his face as he continues to speak to the VOW audience.
“Berlin Anderson. As we showed at the end of our match this past week, we have a mutual respect for one another. We gave everyone a show out there and I want to congratulate you on the win. I felt that I had done enough to take the win but it shows that you need to be on your toes here in VOW. There’s talent at every turn and you defeated me and you have certainly gained my respect due to this. Anyone that beats me gains my respect. Well if you don’t cheat that is, and I dealt with Judas Dathan when I first arrived. Lucas McCann was my only other loss and he is on fire so well done on the win Berlin but I’m sure you will be seeing me again. Shane beat you, you beat me, and if Shane is still champ come next PPV then I’m taking the belt right off him.”
Mr Selfie runs the towel over his face once again and this time leaves it drooped over his head leaving just his handsome yet sweaty face on view.
“Brett Carson, you’re just dying for me to speak about you aren’t you? I can see you right now, standing there with your smug grin, thinking you have got one up on me. Let me just remind you that it’s 1 and 0 between us and that’s not in your favour. You felt the need to damage my leg and put me out for a few weeks and because I haven’t done anything about it I bet you feel like you have beaten me, right? Let’s just get this straight ‘BRETT,’ I didn’t feel like wasting my time with you but now that VOW management have given me this chance to defeat you again, I’m going to take it and I’m going to enjoy it.”
An evil grin appears on Ziu’s face and he can just imagine the smug look on Brett’s face that he has now wiped off.
“There’s going to be a lot of pain, Brett. I’m going to have a long hard think about what part of the body I start with. I don’t want to rush a thing. I want to enjoy it. You should have walked away when you lost to me and not tried to end my career. It made me realise that you’re not a real man. No Brett, you’re just a failure who needs to grab on to whatever small chance he has of being in the public eye. The heart of the attention so to speak. Well don’t worry because this week you will have my undivided attention.”
Ziu begins to laugh.
“You see Brett, Back to the Future aka Slap-Fest is a deadly move of mine and once I have hit the four slaps to your chest and move on to the fifth slap across your face, you won’t know what day it is.”
Double Z takes his hand out and starts to quietly count the days of the week but gets confused on purpose before shaking his head and moves on.
“I bet you were laughing your ass off when you injured me six weeks ago. I can see you logging into VOW’s website and seeing the big news, ‘ZIU ZHONG OUT OF ARMED AND DANGEROUS’. I just know that you were loving life when you see that. Pleased with yourself for putting away the new talent. And that’s what it’s all about; you were trying to put talent out of the game. You see me climbing the VOW mountain, straight past yourself, and you saw the opportunity to throw me off. Well Brett, look off into the distance and you will see a rope. You will also see somebody attached to that rope and you will see them getting nearer and nearer and nearer to you, because come Breakthrough this week I’m coming to take my rightful place on the VOW mountain. I’m strapped and ready for battle and my leg is as good as ever. I’m climbing that VOW mountain and it all starts with going past you this week.”
He rubs his chin and sniggers to himself.
“It’s funny because I rarely see you main event here in VOW. I believe you have been here since day one and yet you’re more like a welcoming guest for the newcomers than a main eventer. I can see you right now, clapping your hands on your lonesome getting excited about the opportunity to be in the spotlight. You want to know what’s even funnier, Brett? I was in a VOW main event on my third event. I lost my debut, won the rematch and then VOW management see my potential and put me straight in at the deep end. Even better, I won. You see, the only reason you’re in this week’s main event is because of me. They want to put on a show and they want to see me humiliate you and gain revenge for you injuring my leg. They see it getting messy and put it on as late as possible to avoid complaints. After facing me for the second time you will never want to take part in a main event again.
The centipede swigs out of his bottle of water and then begins to laugh again and at the same time trying to control himself.
“I almost forgot. Nice try in trying to gain some info on me this past week. Trying to break into my personal belongings are we, Brett? I received a call from VOW staff who claimed they had a request from you for entry into my iPad and Phone. I don’t think I, or the VOW fans, have ever heard of something so ridiculous in all our lives. Really? Did you really go there? Maybe instead of looking into other people’s private lives you should get one yourself? All I ever see from you is you situated in front of a camera talking about how great you are. And they call me vain? You need to get a life; find a hobby or something so that your book of life isn’t so boring. How about that? Create some stories in your life instead of trying to affect other peoples. Worry about your own life.
Ziu looks down on the floor at the broken glass lying together with the picture of his pregnant wife, Ling. The anger boils up inside Ziu’s body and you can feel his pain.
“I can feel it coming, Brett.”
The No 1 Contender for the Zero Gravity Championship takes a deep breath.
“It’s ready to come out.”
Ziu takes the biggest breath of them all and his chest is now really puffed out.
“It’s time to release the beast from within.”
Ziu clinches his knuckles and stares straight through the cameras lens and all the way through the satellite in the skies and back down through the signal and all the way through to his on-looking opponent this week – the allegedly next level athlete.
“Brett Carson – you’re the beasts first casualty.”
Ziu whips the towels off his head and tosses it in the cameras direction which topples it over and hits the ground, ending the filming to black.
Ziu gathers his belongings together, including the camera equipment and flips the light switches off on the wall before departing his gym with his over-the-shoulder gym bag.
Rain is now descending from the dark clouds above that seem to be protecting the night sky from us humans. It’s as if the moon and the stars have committed a crime and the clouds are guarding them from the public eye. A huge change compared to earlier when the night sky looked so beautiful. The raindrops connecting with the ground being the only source of noise. A little bit of rain and the gangs in the park run off home. Puddles are forming under the park light’s, and the earlier dry grass is now extremely soaked.
Suddenly the night sky is lit up with a flash of electricity. This is soon followed by an intense, bomb sounding thunder that makes its presence felt over Highland Park. If it’s not careful the weather will wake the dead from the numerous cemeteries nearby.
Ziu Zhong heads for the short walk home with his hood covering his head. The gentle sway of the trees on either side of the pathway eases his nerves after his stressful promo. A decent workout and a plan in line for Brett, Ziu was ready for Breakthrough. For now, though, he would enjoy the calm walk home despite the persistent, clothes-drenching rain.
Suddenly on the road that leads to his own home, he walks past a couple with their son on a bicycle. Ziu stares at them with jealously and wonders what it would be like to have a Mother and Father who could teach him how to ride a bike. Ziu has never been taught how to ride a bike. Ziu’s parents died when he was 11 years old and has missed out on so much with them. The little boy before him is so happy and is riding in the middle of his parents. Quality time with your family – something Ziu never experienced. With a kid on the way with Ling Ziu could think of nothing worse. It would just bring back too many memories of his mother and father. Ling is just not the one for him anymore, either.
Persistent rain.
Flicker of lightning.
Roar of thunder.
He turns a corner and there at the end of the road is his home. The one with the smoke emitting from the chimney. The Zhong’s love a log fire; the smell, the authentic feel about it, and most importantly, the heat. There it was in full flow, inviting Ziu in to be warmed up for the night.
Ziu arrives at his home and walks through the door, turning his head to the right to watch the logs burning profusely in the front room. He heads straight for the kitchen for food but finds no dinner on the table. Ling is always around when he arrives home. Something isn’t right.
"Ling?"
Ziu searches the entire house and then realises that Ling is certainly not here. Where the hell is she?
Suddenly, Ziu hears a ringing sound and runs over to his phone that he left on the kitchen table and picks it up and holds it to his ear.
"Hello?"
"..."
Silence.
"Hello, who is this?"
Just as Ziu takes the phone away from his face, he hears a noise and places it back against his ear.
"You shall address me as Mr. X."
"What? Who is this?"
"I told you my name, now listen up.”
“I don’t have time for this, go away!”
“Oh you have plenty of time my friend. Plenty of time [evil laughter].”
“Who the fuck do you think you—“
The guy on the other end of the phone interrupts Ziu and raises his voice at the same time.
“I have already told you, my name is Mr. X!”
“What the hell do you want?!”
“……I know where your wife is.”
Ziu is now sitting on the edge of the sofa with his mouth wide open. He can’t believe what he is hearing.
"What!! Where is she?!"
"Be quiet. I do the talking, you do the listening. Let’s get that straight."
“How dare you speak to me like that. Who do you think you—“
"In case you've forgotten, I know where your precious little wife is. Or should I say pregnant wife!
“You little fuck!”
“If I were you I would be quiet and listen very carefully."
"I promise I’ll kill you!”
Although he was ready to end the marriage and get a divorce, Ziu has spent majority of his life with Ling. They know each other inside out and there is a lifetime bond between them and they will always love one another. With Ling gone Ziu was starting to realise once again just how much love he has for his wife.
“There will be no one killing anyone, unless you listen to Mr. X. I own you now.”
Ziu takes a deep breath, runs his hand through his hair and then calms down before responding.
“Ok, I'm listening. Where is she?"
"You're going to be doing a lot of listening over the next few weeks so get used to it. My name is Mr. X, well that's what you'll address me by anyway."
"I don't care who you are, I just want to know where my wife is. I don’t understand what is going on! Please just tell me where she is!"
”I said listen. I won't answer any of your questions so you're wasting your breath. Just listen; it's not hard is it?"
Ziu’s heart is pumping faster than it has in a long time. This was big news! Ling has vanished and this stranger on the phone claims to know where she is.
"I know where your wife is because I have her here with me right now. Come and say hello; don't be shy, Ling."
"Ziu!"
"Ling!"
“Me loves you!”
“Ling, where are you?!”
Ziu hears a struggle taking place on the other end of the phone before realising that this guy must have placed tape back over her mouth.
“Ok enough of the lovey dovey bullshit. That's all you're getting unless you do as you’re told."
"If you touch her!"
"If I touch her you will do what? I don't think you're in a position to be making threats now, do you?"
”You’re sick! She’s pregnant! What kind of person are you?!
”I’m a winner. Somebody you should learn from. Now do as you’re told and listen.”
"Ok, ok! I'll do whatever you say!"
"Good. Now listen to this very carefully. Ling is fine and it will remain way if you do what I say. I'm a betting man and this is what this is all about. You see, I've lost a significant amount of money in the past year and I've barely got any money left. I have taken Ling and she will be staying with me for the foreseeable future, getting fed and showered and she will even have entertainment in her room. I have found a unique betting website that has odds on VOW and each week I plan to place some money on a certain bet and you will need to make sure I win. When I have enough money that I'm satisfied with I will arrange a meeting with you and release your wife."
"This is crazy. Why are you doi—“
"STOP! I told you already, no questions! I will call you in between your VOW events and will notify you of the bet I will be placing. If I win my bet Ling stays unharmed for another two weeks and will even get treats if the odds for my bets are decent ones. See I’m not a bad man. A guy has got to do what he’s got to do. However, if I lose any bets I will hurt her. No ifs, butts or maybe's, I will inflict pain on her all because of you. In fact, it won't be me hurting her, it'll be you. If I lose my bet then it's your entire fault that Ling is unrecognizable. You see Ziu, this is very serious. It’s a matter of life and death and I can guarantee you that I’m not afraid of killing someone. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. You had better be listening!"
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Ziu tries to hold back the tears that are forcing their way out of his eyes. They begin to trickle down his face as he speaks again.
"Just tell me when I will have her back."
"I've told you already, once I'm happy with my winnings I will let you have her. It could be a few weeks or it could be a few months, I have no idea just yet. Remember that if I lose a bet not only will Ling get hurt but my winnings will decrease. Bare that in mind. If you want her back as soon as possible you'll have to make sure my bets go through with perfection, at all costs!"
"Ok, I get it. So what do I have to do this week?"
"Eager, that's what I like to hear. Well, these bets could be to do with your matches, other people's matches, how long you hold a belt for, how long you hold a briefcase before you cash it in; there is a surprising amount of bets on this betting website. They're fond of VOW too, so there's a nice variety. This week, however, we will start with a nice easy one. I will be placing my money on you to defeat Brett Carson. The odds aren't great as you have already beaten him but he will be out to make amends for that loss and you need to make sure you get the job done. So defeat that wimp and Ling stays untouched for another few weeks and we're off to a winning start. Can you do this, Ziu, or should I just slit her throat right now?"
"NO! Please don't! I will...I will do this. I can do this. I will beat him."
"You better do, Ziu. If I lose more money you won’t want to find out what I do to your wife.
Mr. X starts laughing down the phone, the evil noise entering Ziu’s ear and travelling through his body until it reaches his heart, stabbing him where love hurts most. He takes a deep breath and responds in a calm manner.
"Just don't hurt her."
"Just make sure you win then. Oh and Ziu."
"Yes?"
"If you call the police she's dead. I will know if you have or not. It won't get you anywhere because the police will never find me. If you want Ling alive you do exactly as I say, and that starts with beating Brett Carson this week. Good luck..."
And with that Mr. X hangs up the phone. Ziu Zhong hears the crackle on the end of the phone and realises that the connection is up. He clinches his fist and then throws his phone across the room before dropping to his knees and yelling his wife’s name out loud as the log fire burns in the background.
"Ling!"
Persistent rain.
Flicker of lightning.
Roar of thunder.
If the Brett Carson match wasn't a must win already then it certainly was now.
Not far from JFK International Airport is a place called Highland Park where during the day friends and family meet for a chat, play sports, walk their dogs or simply enjoy the lush green scenery. The pond and tree combinations give off stunning views and that relaxing feeling that takes all your troubles away. There’s also a play area for the kids to drain their energy, and when you’re a parent it’s a relief to see them tiring themselves out because you know that you’re in for an easier and quieter evening. By nightfall, the park feels like a completing different place.
When the sun goes down for its nap and the night blanket covers over the city, Highland Park changes dramatically. There are no happy families playing with their children and pets, no coffees or milkshakes being shared by loved ones, and no teenagers canoodling beneath the tree branches. No, come nightfall the sparkling little dots in the sky and that lovely, captivating moon oversee a much changed Highland Park. Gangs take up their territory and the hibernating recluse animals come out and investigate the grounds. The earlier sounds of people moving around switches to an empty, calm silence. The occasional outburst of noise emits from the various gangs moping around trying to find things to do but other than that it’s generally quiet. The eerie atmosphere within Highland Park isn’t helped by the various cemeteries’ that surround the park.
On the outskirts of Highland Park lies a rundown building. We have been here before but never seen the perimeter. You would think that it’s the park officer’s office but you would be incorrect. The gentle breeze picks up into a gust of wind that attacks the building but cannot find a way in. We’re the lucky audience who get to go inside the warmth of the four walls before us and the dark, eerie atmosphere outside isn’t much different inside. We have certainly been here before.
The interior is much better looking than the exterior. Although there is minor lighting, we have a modern looking room with dimly lit wall lights revealing various picture frames. In the middle of the room lies a wrestling ring which is lit up by a hanging bulb from above. Other weights and gym equipment complete the remaining space available within the building. It’s not the best of gyms but has obviously been created for the use of very few people. In one of the corners of the ring is a guy sitting on top of a ladder after a hard workout. As gangs send their lives down the drain outside in the cold, one man is working hard inside in the warm on his career.
VOW wrestler and No 1 Contender for the Zero Gravity Championship – Ziu Zhong – is the guy sitting at the top of ladder. He is wearing sea blue pants and boots and a white towel draped over his shoulder and naked chest. We were in this very room all those weeks back when Ziu Zhong delivered his hard hitting promo that eventually helped him win the Quest for the Case at Heatstroke against Judas Dathan, Patrick Jones and Daniel Kennedy. He shook all his opponents and by the time they entered the ring there was only one winner. Where are those three wrestlers today, you could ask?
On the walls we once again see the various pictures that surround the room that consist of Ziu’s mother and father, who died when he was just 11 years old; his wrestling idols such as The Rock, Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy; various selfies of Ziu with his fans and posing in front of famous landmarks. Ziu has certainly made this place feel like home but there’s one picture missing from the wall that was there last time and isn’t now. His wife Ling is nowhere to be seen. Probably the most important picture of them all but it is now shattered on the floor.
Ziu blames Ling for his defeat to Berlin Anderson this past week after she announced that she was pregnant. Ziu had been nothing but happy and supportive to his wife after he found out the news. ‘I love you’ and ‘I’m so happy we’re going to start a family’ is what he said to her face but deep down he wanted out. After all the arguing they had been through of late Ziu was pretty certain that he was going to end their marriage and ask for a divorce but Ling beat him to it with the pregnancy announcement. From being close to being single to having an addition to the family was like going from one extreme to the other. His mind was all over the place, deciding whether to file for a divorce or not but throw in the pregnancy news and Ziu’s head was in overdrive. His stress levels and attention span had gone haywire literally hours before his return to the ring after his leg injury at the hands of Brett Carson. He may have lost to Berlin but he was ready to put Brett down for good this time. This week Brett would pay for what he did.
Being in this atmosphere shows just how much variety Ziu Zhong has. We’re familiar with the guy that walks down to the ring clapping the fans hands with a smile on his face and taking selfies with the audience. Occasionally being the joker who would humiliate his opponent at the expense of the crowds’ laughter. Behind the scenes we don’t see much of that. Ziu can also be quite dark and mysterious, as well as a serious man. Ziu is also very familiar with mood swings. We all know him as ‘Mr Selfie,’ the fans favourite with fantastic high flying aerial ability but we are starting to see the more and more of the real Ziu as each week passes.
Ziu knew he had to be in familiar surroundings to get back on the winning track so decided to go with the gym promo once again. He stares straight into the eye of the recording camera and talks from the heart.
“I want to start by thanking the boss for coming out the other night on Breakthrough and giving me a second chance at gold. I earned that briefcase and for it to be invalid was like a dagger to the heart but Mr. Frei has done the right thing and given me a shot at the next PPV. It was not my fault that I couldn’t make it to Armed and Dangerous and whoever thinks I have been given special treatment here is obviously stupid. I realise the boss didn’t have to do what he did but he can see the work I put in each week and it’s only fair that what Brett Carson took away from me is returned in some way. I couldn’t be the first ever Zero Gravity champion but I sure as hell will do my utmost to be the second.”
Ziu brings his hands up and symbolizes the belt around his waist.
“Shane Sparx, I see that you’re the current champ for that belt. I’m not going to sit here and run my mouth about you because quite frankly, you may not even be the holder of that belt by the time we get to the next PPV. But I will say this…”
Mr Zhong licks his lips and then points towards the camera as if the Zero Gravity champion is right there in front of him.
“If YOU are in fact the champion by the time I get my shot at the belt, I guarantee you that it will be the most exciting, most demanding and most exhausting match of your career. You see Shane, that’s what I do; I drain people of their energy and use it for my own adrenaline. It’s as if my opponents are feeding me as they’re losing blood. I get stronger and fitter as the match goes on and my opponent gets weaker. I’m the energizer bunny and if you’re the champ who gets to meet me in the ring at the PPV then unlucky you.”
Ziu wipes the sweat from his forehead after his strenuous workout that is still having its effects.
“I know what you’re going to say, you’ve lost 3 out of 6 matches. Yeah, you’re right; I have lost half of my matches here in VOW. I’ve got a 50% win rate and I can clearly be beaten. You can be beaten too. Everyone can be beaten. But the fact is, I am still finding my feet here and I will get to where I want to be eventually. I can see my flaws and I’m working on them. I can see flaws in my opponents too, though, and I’m certainly going to be working on them. You beat Berlin at the PPV and he then went on to beat me, but you know, Shane, you have to lose to win and you have to lose to get to where you want to be. No one likes losing but it’s pushing me closer and closer to where I want to be. Maybe you will get to find out at the next PPV just how close I am?”
Ziu looks off into the distance in the corner of the room where the dark shadows lie and wonders what it would feel like to crush Shane Sparx and become a VOW champion.
“You may be asking why I’m sitting here at the top of a ladder. My answer is that I like it up here. I’m born to be airborne. I live for the moments in matches where I am upside down or flying off ladders like this one. I’m comfortable up here. That’s why the Zero Gravity Championship is going to be all mine very soon.
Ziu brings the bottle of cold water to his mouth and takes a big gulp. He tips a tiny bit over his head and it trickles down his face and you can immediately see that it felt good. The water starts to drip off his face as he continues to speak to the VOW audience.
“Berlin Anderson. As we showed at the end of our match this past week, we have a mutual respect for one another. We gave everyone a show out there and I want to congratulate you on the win. I felt that I had done enough to take the win but it shows that you need to be on your toes here in VOW. There’s talent at every turn and you defeated me and you have certainly gained my respect due to this. Anyone that beats me gains my respect. Well if you don’t cheat that is, and I dealt with Judas Dathan when I first arrived. Lucas McCann was my only other loss and he is on fire so well done on the win Berlin but I’m sure you will be seeing me again. Shane beat you, you beat me, and if Shane is still champ come next PPV then I’m taking the belt right off him.”
Mr Selfie runs the towel over his face once again and this time leaves it drooped over his head leaving just his handsome yet sweaty face on view.
“Brett Carson, you’re just dying for me to speak about you aren’t you? I can see you right now, standing there with your smug grin, thinking you have got one up on me. Let me just remind you that it’s 1 and 0 between us and that’s not in your favour. You felt the need to damage my leg and put me out for a few weeks and because I haven’t done anything about it I bet you feel like you have beaten me, right? Let’s just get this straight ‘BRETT,’ I didn’t feel like wasting my time with you but now that VOW management have given me this chance to defeat you again, I’m going to take it and I’m going to enjoy it.”
An evil grin appears on Ziu’s face and he can just imagine the smug look on Brett’s face that he has now wiped off.
“There’s going to be a lot of pain, Brett. I’m going to have a long hard think about what part of the body I start with. I don’t want to rush a thing. I want to enjoy it. You should have walked away when you lost to me and not tried to end my career. It made me realise that you’re not a real man. No Brett, you’re just a failure who needs to grab on to whatever small chance he has of being in the public eye. The heart of the attention so to speak. Well don’t worry because this week you will have my undivided attention.”
Ziu begins to laugh.
“You see Brett, Back to the Future aka Slap-Fest is a deadly move of mine and once I have hit the four slaps to your chest and move on to the fifth slap across your face, you won’t know what day it is.”
Double Z takes his hand out and starts to quietly count the days of the week but gets confused on purpose before shaking his head and moves on.
“I bet you were laughing your ass off when you injured me six weeks ago. I can see you logging into VOW’s website and seeing the big news, ‘ZIU ZHONG OUT OF ARMED AND DANGEROUS’. I just know that you were loving life when you see that. Pleased with yourself for putting away the new talent. And that’s what it’s all about; you were trying to put talent out of the game. You see me climbing the VOW mountain, straight past yourself, and you saw the opportunity to throw me off. Well Brett, look off into the distance and you will see a rope. You will also see somebody attached to that rope and you will see them getting nearer and nearer and nearer to you, because come Breakthrough this week I’m coming to take my rightful place on the VOW mountain. I’m strapped and ready for battle and my leg is as good as ever. I’m climbing that VOW mountain and it all starts with going past you this week.”
He rubs his chin and sniggers to himself.
“It’s funny because I rarely see you main event here in VOW. I believe you have been here since day one and yet you’re more like a welcoming guest for the newcomers than a main eventer. I can see you right now, clapping your hands on your lonesome getting excited about the opportunity to be in the spotlight. You want to know what’s even funnier, Brett? I was in a VOW main event on my third event. I lost my debut, won the rematch and then VOW management see my potential and put me straight in at the deep end. Even better, I won. You see, the only reason you’re in this week’s main event is because of me. They want to put on a show and they want to see me humiliate you and gain revenge for you injuring my leg. They see it getting messy and put it on as late as possible to avoid complaints. After facing me for the second time you will never want to take part in a main event again.
The centipede swigs out of his bottle of water and then begins to laugh again and at the same time trying to control himself.
“I almost forgot. Nice try in trying to gain some info on me this past week. Trying to break into my personal belongings are we, Brett? I received a call from VOW staff who claimed they had a request from you for entry into my iPad and Phone. I don’t think I, or the VOW fans, have ever heard of something so ridiculous in all our lives. Really? Did you really go there? Maybe instead of looking into other people’s private lives you should get one yourself? All I ever see from you is you situated in front of a camera talking about how great you are. And they call me vain? You need to get a life; find a hobby or something so that your book of life isn’t so boring. How about that? Create some stories in your life instead of trying to affect other peoples. Worry about your own life.
Ziu looks down on the floor at the broken glass lying together with the picture of his pregnant wife, Ling. The anger boils up inside Ziu’s body and you can feel his pain.
“I can feel it coming, Brett.”
The No 1 Contender for the Zero Gravity Championship takes a deep breath.
“It’s ready to come out.”
Ziu takes the biggest breath of them all and his chest is now really puffed out.
“It’s time to release the beast from within.”
Ziu clinches his knuckles and stares straight through the cameras lens and all the way through the satellite in the skies and back down through the signal and all the way through to his on-looking opponent this week – the allegedly next level athlete.
“Brett Carson – you’re the beasts first casualty.”
Ziu whips the towels off his head and tosses it in the cameras direction which topples it over and hits the ground, ending the filming to black.
Ziu gathers his belongings together, including the camera equipment and flips the light switches off on the wall before departing his gym with his over-the-shoulder gym bag.
Rain is now descending from the dark clouds above that seem to be protecting the night sky from us humans. It’s as if the moon and the stars have committed a crime and the clouds are guarding them from the public eye. A huge change compared to earlier when the night sky looked so beautiful. The raindrops connecting with the ground being the only source of noise. A little bit of rain and the gangs in the park run off home. Puddles are forming under the park light’s, and the earlier dry grass is now extremely soaked.
Suddenly the night sky is lit up with a flash of electricity. This is soon followed by an intense, bomb sounding thunder that makes its presence felt over Highland Park. If it’s not careful the weather will wake the dead from the numerous cemeteries nearby.
Ziu Zhong heads for the short walk home with his hood covering his head. The gentle sway of the trees on either side of the pathway eases his nerves after his stressful promo. A decent workout and a plan in line for Brett, Ziu was ready for Breakthrough. For now, though, he would enjoy the calm walk home despite the persistent, clothes-drenching rain.
Suddenly on the road that leads to his own home, he walks past a couple with their son on a bicycle. Ziu stares at them with jealously and wonders what it would be like to have a Mother and Father who could teach him how to ride a bike. Ziu has never been taught how to ride a bike. Ziu’s parents died when he was 11 years old and has missed out on so much with them. The little boy before him is so happy and is riding in the middle of his parents. Quality time with your family – something Ziu never experienced. With a kid on the way with Ling Ziu could think of nothing worse. It would just bring back too many memories of his mother and father. Ling is just not the one for him anymore, either.
Persistent rain.
Flicker of lightning.
Roar of thunder.
He turns a corner and there at the end of the road is his home. The one with the smoke emitting from the chimney. The Zhong’s love a log fire; the smell, the authentic feel about it, and most importantly, the heat. There it was in full flow, inviting Ziu in to be warmed up for the night.
Ziu arrives at his home and walks through the door, turning his head to the right to watch the logs burning profusely in the front room. He heads straight for the kitchen for food but finds no dinner on the table. Ling is always around when he arrives home. Something isn’t right.
"Ling?"
Ziu searches the entire house and then realises that Ling is certainly not here. Where the hell is she?
Suddenly, Ziu hears a ringing sound and runs over to his phone that he left on the kitchen table and picks it up and holds it to his ear.
"Hello?"
"..."
Silence.
"Hello, who is this?"
Just as Ziu takes the phone away from his face, he hears a noise and places it back against his ear.
"You shall address me as Mr. X."
"What? Who is this?"
"I told you my name, now listen up.”
“I don’t have time for this, go away!”
“Oh you have plenty of time my friend. Plenty of time [evil laughter].”
“Who the fuck do you think you—“
The guy on the other end of the phone interrupts Ziu and raises his voice at the same time.
“I have already told you, my name is Mr. X!”
“What the hell do you want?!”
“……I know where your wife is.”
Ziu is now sitting on the edge of the sofa with his mouth wide open. He can’t believe what he is hearing.
"What!! Where is she?!"
"Be quiet. I do the talking, you do the listening. Let’s get that straight."
“How dare you speak to me like that. Who do you think you—“
"In case you've forgotten, I know where your precious little wife is. Or should I say pregnant wife!
“You little fuck!”
“If I were you I would be quiet and listen very carefully."
"I promise I’ll kill you!”
Although he was ready to end the marriage and get a divorce, Ziu has spent majority of his life with Ling. They know each other inside out and there is a lifetime bond between them and they will always love one another. With Ling gone Ziu was starting to realise once again just how much love he has for his wife.
“There will be no one killing anyone, unless you listen to Mr. X. I own you now.”
Ziu takes a deep breath, runs his hand through his hair and then calms down before responding.
“Ok, I'm listening. Where is she?"
"You're going to be doing a lot of listening over the next few weeks so get used to it. My name is Mr. X, well that's what you'll address me by anyway."
"I don't care who you are, I just want to know where my wife is. I don’t understand what is going on! Please just tell me where she is!"
”I said listen. I won't answer any of your questions so you're wasting your breath. Just listen; it's not hard is it?"
Ziu’s heart is pumping faster than it has in a long time. This was big news! Ling has vanished and this stranger on the phone claims to know where she is.
"I know where your wife is because I have her here with me right now. Come and say hello; don't be shy, Ling."
"Ziu!"
"Ling!"
“Me loves you!”
“Ling, where are you?!”
Ziu hears a struggle taking place on the other end of the phone before realising that this guy must have placed tape back over her mouth.
“Ok enough of the lovey dovey bullshit. That's all you're getting unless you do as you’re told."
"If you touch her!"
"If I touch her you will do what? I don't think you're in a position to be making threats now, do you?"
”You’re sick! She’s pregnant! What kind of person are you?!
”I’m a winner. Somebody you should learn from. Now do as you’re told and listen.”
"Ok, ok! I'll do whatever you say!"
"Good. Now listen to this very carefully. Ling is fine and it will remain way if you do what I say. I'm a betting man and this is what this is all about. You see, I've lost a significant amount of money in the past year and I've barely got any money left. I have taken Ling and she will be staying with me for the foreseeable future, getting fed and showered and she will even have entertainment in her room. I have found a unique betting website that has odds on VOW and each week I plan to place some money on a certain bet and you will need to make sure I win. When I have enough money that I'm satisfied with I will arrange a meeting with you and release your wife."
"This is crazy. Why are you doi—“
"STOP! I told you already, no questions! I will call you in between your VOW events and will notify you of the bet I will be placing. If I win my bet Ling stays unharmed for another two weeks and will even get treats if the odds for my bets are decent ones. See I’m not a bad man. A guy has got to do what he’s got to do. However, if I lose any bets I will hurt her. No ifs, butts or maybe's, I will inflict pain on her all because of you. In fact, it won't be me hurting her, it'll be you. If I lose my bet then it's your entire fault that Ling is unrecognizable. You see Ziu, this is very serious. It’s a matter of life and death and I can guarantee you that I’m not afraid of killing someone. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again. You had better be listening!"
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Ziu tries to hold back the tears that are forcing their way out of his eyes. They begin to trickle down his face as he speaks again.
"Just tell me when I will have her back."
"I've told you already, once I'm happy with my winnings I will let you have her. It could be a few weeks or it could be a few months, I have no idea just yet. Remember that if I lose a bet not only will Ling get hurt but my winnings will decrease. Bare that in mind. If you want her back as soon as possible you'll have to make sure my bets go through with perfection, at all costs!"
"Ok, I get it. So what do I have to do this week?"
"Eager, that's what I like to hear. Well, these bets could be to do with your matches, other people's matches, how long you hold a belt for, how long you hold a briefcase before you cash it in; there is a surprising amount of bets on this betting website. They're fond of VOW too, so there's a nice variety. This week, however, we will start with a nice easy one. I will be placing my money on you to defeat Brett Carson. The odds aren't great as you have already beaten him but he will be out to make amends for that loss and you need to make sure you get the job done. So defeat that wimp and Ling stays untouched for another few weeks and we're off to a winning start. Can you do this, Ziu, or should I just slit her throat right now?"
"NO! Please don't! I will...I will do this. I can do this. I will beat him."
"You better do, Ziu. If I lose more money you won’t want to find out what I do to your wife.
Mr. X starts laughing down the phone, the evil noise entering Ziu’s ear and travelling through his body until it reaches his heart, stabbing him where love hurts most. He takes a deep breath and responds in a calm manner.
"Just don't hurt her."
"Just make sure you win then. Oh and Ziu."
"Yes?"
"If you call the police she's dead. I will know if you have or not. It won't get you anywhere because the police will never find me. If you want Ling alive you do exactly as I say, and that starts with beating Brett Carson this week. Good luck..."
And with that Mr. X hangs up the phone. Ziu Zhong hears the crackle on the end of the phone and realises that the connection is up. He clinches his fist and then throws his phone across the room before dropping to his knees and yelling his wife’s name out loud as the log fire burns in the background.
"Ling!"
Persistent rain.
Flicker of lightning.
Roar of thunder.
If the Brett Carson match wasn't a must win already then it certainly was now.