No More Guardian Angels

Damn it. It was everything Casanova English was looking for... The Queen. His fascination, his obsession with drawing out the other entity or personality whom resides in Vanessa’s body was taking it’s toll on her. It was bad enough that Nessa agreed to allow the Queen to have equal control of her body inside the ring in situations such as now. However, to play, to prey upon their inner turmoil. The leader of his revolution was down right sickening.

Not more than 12 feet away from me as I clapped my hands on the outside trying to cheer Vanessa on for some added momentum, Edward Myers spied his opportunity to hold on a front facelock, He with barely half his strength hoisted the platinum-haired beauty for his signature stalling suplex. The fans could be heard chanting at the top of their lungs “One Mississippi... Two Mississippi...” So on and so forth all the way to “Twenty Mississippi.” But Vanessa who was still controlled by the Queen started to shake her legs around, plotting her escape from such a precarious position. Eddie felt the weight shift above his head and impatiently decided to drop her down to the canvas... Square on her head. Casanova English was in the opposite corner of the ring from me and he started to seethe... He was simply savoring the moment that his faithful disciple dominated the Queen, but even English knows what happens whenever this lady gets bonked on the noggin. Edward threw himself on top of Vanessa... Hooked her legs...

1...

2...

3...

Vanessa kicked out in a split second before the refs hand hit the mat, and when she whipped her hair out of her face, the docile expression told me that The Queen was being suppressed yet again. Ed rolled to his knees, disbelief crept across his face at the abrupt display of a second wind from my sister as she used her bare feet to hack away at the my large ex-brother-in-law. He regained control and without a hesitation, grabbed her around the waist, picking her clear off the canvas. Nessa slid around back and back up to her feet. She quickly grabbed the big guy’s head and took him down with some deViate!!! She could totally get the victory... V could score the V at this moment.

No... That bastard, Casanova tried to intervene... In retaliation, I suddenly relinquished the tag rope and slungshot myself into the ring. I charged English with a back elbow strike that took us both to the outside, feeling satisfied with the shot I proceeded to shout at him to stay out on the apron.

CRACK!!!

The loud sound diverted my attention back to the ring and I saw Nessa fall to her knees then faceplant the mat. As a brooding female stood over her with steel chair in hand. The sight horrified me. Who would do this to my sister? Forget who... I need to stop this woman... Out of desire to defend Vanessa, I slid into the ring and looked into her eyes behind the mask. I knew who it was and she knew I knew. So she wound up and the last thing I remember was the steel chair connecting with my face.

It was sadly funny.

I came to, to find a trainer tending to the gash on my forehead. Seven stitches. I’ve been through worse... Ryan was standing over me concerned, holding my hand, looking into my eyes. It went black and fuzzy after that.

Some could say that was a shitty day. My first time in Thunder Bay had the potential to be my worst time in Thunder Bay. But should I keep dwelling in the past, or should I look forward to the bright, bright future?

“How did nobody see it coming?” I ask Ryan as I laid on the sofa, the back of my head resting upon his lap as he lovingly stroked my hair. “I mean Cassie is a master of his craft. He knows his strengths and utilizes them. Not even a single weakness or flaw of his comes to mind right now. How do I compete with that? I’m beginning to think I bit off more than I can chew with this fight.”

His fingers glide through the long raven strands and melted my mind to ease.

“You’ve been on a roll lately.”

“We won our last match because Cera nailed Vanessa with the chairshot...”

“AND YOU WEREN’T EVEN GOING TO TELL US!!!” Paxar’s voice chimed out from the basement where her and Reya’s bedrooms were.

“PAXAR, ENOUGH!” Reya snapped back.

Reya came up the starts and pulled a rather large suitcase up with her and planted it on the carpet. Paxar came storming up after her.

“No, not enough... You had this idea in your head for a month or so, and didn’t even tell anybody.”

“Tell anybody what?” Ryan inquires.

“The thing is... I am leaving.”

“Leaving? Did we do something wrong?” I asked as I sit up off of Ryan’s lap and lean towards Reya. Paxar was stuck in a pose with arms folded and her head shaking ‘no.’ Her foot tapping at a quickened pace as if she was waiting for Reya to drop a bomb on us.

“No, nothing of the sort, Rayne... It is just... There are people dealing with crisis and nobody is lifting a finger to help them. I need to step up and give back. I need to help them.”

Reya seemed a little reluctant to specifically mention what she was referring to but Paxar looked ready to put in her two cents.

“Reya’s deciding she’s going to Africa... She’s gonna catch ebola... She shouldn’t go.”

“They need me Paxar. God does not want them to suffer, I am answering his call.”

At that moment a groggy eyed, Vanessa tip toes down from the upper floor where she helped put Aiden and Rodney down for naps and may have got a short one herself.

“What’s all the temper for?”

Reya started to get flush. It was at that moment, I realized she hadn’t even told her little sister. Vanessa recently committed to sticking to Reya through and through, but destiny seemed to have thrown a monkey wrench right into those gears.

“Vanessa, my sister... I am leaving indefinitely... It could be up to a year. It may even be longer. There is a mission and relief effort funded by the Church for the ebola outbreak in West Africa. There are people who could use my help...”

Vanessa went silent her arms dropped to their sides and her face went blank, almost as if she went into a trance. I jumped up off the sofa and threw my arms around the redhead.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

Reya inhales deeply seeming like she wants to choose her words carefully.

“I want to help people. I want to be where my skills and compassion are needed. I want to be where the Lord wills me.”

A car horn sounds from out front.

"That sounds like my taxi."

I wrapped my arms tightly around Reya one last time as the tears streamed down the side of my face. This was temporary... It wasn’t going to be forever, right? Reya Serra has been the one woman who was always at my side for the past two years. She never betrayed me. She couldn’t betray me. She didn’t know how. It’s not how she’s wired. It’s funny because all the flashbacks keep coming to me. Like in UPW when Cera and Aurora Deadwood tried to abduct me... But Frank Finelli kept them at bay as Reya used her lightning fast legs to rocket the gurney in which I was strapped down the corridors to safety. Until Reya, I’ve never had an older sister figure to look out for me. Over the years I was close to Stacy Jones... We’ve travelled the roads together with our ex husbands but the slight age difference of four years seemed to slightly effect our relationship as I would look out for Stacy as an older sister would.... Even when we had a falling out when I started seeing Ryan before I divorced Jason. Eventually Stacy understood why I did what I did, even if she couldn’t fully agree with it. She’s entitled to her opinion and I still love her.

Vanessa is another one who I gladly call my sister. It’s funny how I have no blood relation to her and how one of her own older half sister’s refuses to acknowledge her as a person let alone her own kin. This is the beautiful tragedy that dances elegantly around Vanessa Janason’s life. It doesn’t define her in any way, shape, or form... But damn does it play a part into her eternal quest for happiness. Speaking of Vanessa. I could see her out of the corner of my eye... Cold, barren... Almost as if someone stuck a knife in her heart and twisted it. But she was silent. Not a word escaped her lips. I simply whispered into Reya’s ear.

“Stay safe, and come back home... I’m not done having my guardian angel... I’m gonna miss you, and damn it... I know you’re not one to get mushy, but you are my sister, Reya Serra Janason and I love you.”

“As I you, Rayne Marie Draven-Schilling. We will never be far apart as long as we carry each other in our hearts.”

Before I let go, I tightened the embrace... There was no way to want to let go. As much as I knew she needed to do this... As much as I knew she wanted to do this... I wanted to be selfish... I wanted to tell Reya that she shouldn’t go, that she couldn’t. That she should be here with her sisters... Be here with Nessa, Paxar, and myself... Allies like Stacy and Seifer. Liberia wasn’t a place you go to vacation. Maybe I myself am selfish because I’m not going to help. But how could I help there? What skills do I have to offer? It’s not like you can suplex a virus. Seeing how great Reya is. How she puts whatever fear she has on the back burner as she marches forward to help. I’m not saying it wasn’t the case before... But moving to another continent... Into ground zero of a deadly virus... To help a suffering people rise, overcome... She’s a modern day hero.

I gave one curtsy as we giggled... I probably looked like hell with running mascara but I didn’t care about my appearance at this moment. Reya wasn’t crying, but even she was susceptible to the tears just starting to well up. I had to turn around and just walk before I completely lost it... As much as I’ve overcome, I couldn’t be brave enough to say ‘see ya later, alligator.’ Paxar came up and comforted me as I turned back my head to catch Reya open the door and reach down for her bag. Nessa shook her head and lifted up the load for her as they both walked out the door... The look on V’s face was one of disappointment. I have no idea what will be said between them on the way to the cab, but I know Vanessa has to be down about her one blood sister who wanted that bond with her, leaving half way around the globe. Especially when she recently committed herself to being here for both Reya and myself.

“You alright?” Paxar asks me with a somber look plastered to her face. As she looks back to the door almost begging for her long time bestie to comeback through the door and stay.

“I’ll be fine... How ‘bout you? You’ve been at Reya’s side for how many years now?”

“Long enough to know our girl will be safe and she will return home to us someday.”

Paxy and I embraced for a bit. Reya was putting her faith where her mouth was and was willing to walk into a clusterfuck of an epidemic, to help people. She believed she was going to be okay as she helped those less fortunate. Therefore it would only be right if we believed with her and, more importantly, in her. However even with the positive thoughts I would send Reya’s way, how could I look forward to defeating VoW’s resident cult of personality?

“It’s funny, Paxy... I lost my guardian angel just a week before I’m to wage war with an antichrist. Isn’t that some shit luck. I mean... How am I supposed to compare with him? It would be tactical suicide if I played his game and cut vignettes and promos. The guy is let’s face it, downright gorgeous. Those eyes... Those dimples... The people eat up any word that comes out of his mouth. He’s a master linguist. Any word the flows out of his mouth entrances and captivates the imagination and hijacks the thoughts of dreams of anybody who listens. His following is growing. Eddie, Cera... That’s only the start. Somebody needs to rise up and stop them.”

Paxar’s hand gently rubs between my shoulder blades, as I feel the warmth from her palm.

“Isn’t that what you and Vanessa have been doing? Not to mention, Stacy and Seifer have had personal feuds with certain members. I would think they could help you all out...”

Paxar had a point. Even though the four of us weren’t really a unit, I knew that the kind of people that myself and Vanessa, Stacy and Seifer were... We could possibly be one of the more cohesive defenses that VoW has to offer.

“My question is how do I beat someone who can be a media darling, like Casanova English. He’s the guy that makes rooting for the bad guy cool. He’s edgy, he’s sexy. I couldn’t go and cut a promo of my own on him. It would be like Richard Nixon when he tried to go up against JFK on the first ever televised presidential election. JFK arguably the most sexy president in U.S. History was cool, calm, collected in front of the camera. He was no stranger to media. Richard Nixon... Now, I have more self esteem than to say I’m frumpy...”

“Frumpy? You’re hawt!!!” Paxar argues with me.

“Meh, I guess I’m just too self conscious... But what I’m trying to get at is Richard Nixon’s strength wasn’t presenting through the media in fact it was his weakness. To be honest that’s my weakness. That’s why I rarely, if ever, go out to the ring to call anybody out. That’s why I don’t take interviews backstage... To stand out and make the show about me, to be in the spotlight... It’s not who I am. I wrestle because I’m good at it and, I enjoy it, and it makes me feel strong, independant. Not because I want to be famous... Honestly it’s an adverse consequence in my opinion. I appreciate any fan support I get... I really do... Those people touch my heart. The same people that Casanova English wants to use to further his path of hate and destruction... And this man... He wants to use them... To legitimize his delusions of grandeur... He doesn’t care about them. He’s a man who would rather watch the world burn. He’s the man that wouldn’t even tinkle on the embers to put them out.”

The more I thought about it, the more it angered me.

“This war he’s declared on Nessa... I’m sick of it. I’m losing one of my sisters to a good cause, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. But I’ll be damned If I let Casanova English draw out the Queen and feed upon Nessa’s body which is a war zone for two separate souls. One being the blank eyed beauty with a heart of gold, a love for magic and coffee, and a modest temperment, virtually resistant to nay praise... The other a parasite masquerading as royalty and needs to be put in her place. I’ll be damned and burning in hell before I let Casanova English adds to the hell that is Vanessa’s life.

Casanova English wants a war with the ‘Omega-Janason’ family... It’s odd though how for someone who wants a war... He was sure as well pleased to have Cera join his ranks. He maybe playing her like Link plays the ocarina.”

Paxar who’s entranced with something on her cellphone made a gag face at the reference.

“I didn’t mean it like tha.... Eww... Awkward... I didn’t mean it like that and you know it. He may not even care about Cera personally... I mean for her it’s just business. But I wouldn’t be surprised if when his plans succeed or fail beyond redemption... He’d quickly turn on her... She fancies herself a pureblood Janason sister... But given how she’s stuck her nose in my business many times over the past couple years trying to make my life a living hell, I can’t say I’d have the smallest ounce of sympathy for her when that day comes.”

I hated being this person but the seething hatred just started pouring out. Maybe saying ‘bon voyage’ to Reya had affected me in more negative ways then I would care to admit. I wanted so hit faster, kick harder, and just spit more verbal venom.

“Casanova English can look at me and think I’m easy pickings, just another way for him to get closer to Vanessa. He can blame me for ‘sticking my nose in his business.’ However the thing he has to realize is when he ran one of my friends like Starrkadian out of contention, when he looks for the physical and emotional decimation of my sister, Vanessa. He made it my business. Maybe he wanted a piece of me because not only would it peak Nessa’s interest in him.. But it would perk Ryan’s interest in him as well. If he wants to make me a martyr for his vision of how professional wrestling should be. Come and take me as I stand here, throwing myself to the ever-hungry wolves. I want Casanova English looking at me like I’m some juicy tender steak. I want him to want me. Maybe I’m flirting with disaster, a beautiful tragedy... but Casanova English is a charlatan and a placebo for those who are infatuated with destruction. And come Darkest Hour... I myself am going to take that placebo and expose it for everything it is. You hear me, Paxar? English is gonna regret the day he prescribed himself as the antidote.”

“I hear you loud and clear and so does Youtube...” Paxar points out in a humored tone with a smirk on her face.

“Youtube?”

“Yeah, you watched me record you... You were passionate... Casanova needs to know he shouldn’t be taking you lightly. Give him a fair fight.”

“Wait, you filmed me without my permission?”

I started to remember all the headaches Paxy gave Reya. I would mostly defend Paxy and smooth the minor tensions between her and her oldest friend out. They were inseparable but even the worlds’s most loyal duo had its kinks.

“Paxy, your phone.. Give it.. I need to delete that video...”

“Too late Rayne... I already posted it... Once on the internet, always on the internet."

In desperation, my arms flailed to get Paxy’s phone but she darted up the stairs, and I gave chase. I may have no more guardian angels, but it looks like I have a full-time manager looking to do her damnedest to get me out there... Even if I disagree with it.

“Paxar!!! Paxar!!!”