Post by Rated R on Oct 13, 2014 15:11:56 GMT -5
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The Truth of a Revolution; Part Two
A Trace Demon Roleplay
WFWF Headquarters; The Office of Trace Demon
October 8th 2014
Paperwork man, I hate paperwork. Bane of my very rich, very luxurious life. But you can’t control a company like the WFWF without dotting the I’s, crossing the T’s and breaking some skulls. That last part isn’t in the original saying but I think it sounds a lot better that way, bit more realistic you know. Anyway, paperwork bloody sucks.
Trace Demon: Get these mailed out for me.
Jason Anders: I’m not your assistant Trace, you’ve got some teenage out in that lobby for that.
Trace Demon: Yeah but Lucy’s got a date tonight and she’s got to leave early to get ready.
Jason Anders: Did you just say… what?
He looks at me quizzically, what did I say that was so weird?
Trace Demon: What’s the problem? The girl works hard, she’s entitled to a social life. Just because you’ve got no love life doesn’t mean everyone else has to be miserable.
He shakes his head, probably decides it’s best not to argue. Good call, I can argue all day, kind of enjoy it too.
Jason Anders: You got any envelopes for these?
Trace Demon: Do I look like the kind of guy who keeps envelopes around? I'm amazed I even have a pen with me.
His eyes begin to scan over the letter on top, don't remember saying he could read company documents but whatever, who really cares? Nowadays any dude with a computer can find everything you've ever done and post it online anyway.
P.s. Jennifer Lawrence I salute you.
Jason Anders: Wait this is a letter to the Deans.
Trace Demon: Yeah, so?
Jason Anders: It says the WFWF won't be paying for her medical costs or rehab because she's responsible for her own well being in the ring.
Trace Demon: I know what it says Anders, I'm the one who wrote it.
Well Lucy wrote it actually, girls got mad finger skills.
For typing you pervs.
Jason Anders: You can't do that.
Trace Demon: I can’t, well someone better invent a time machine, travel back about an hour and tell past me because present me has already done it.
Jason Anders: You can’t just cut her off like that because you’ve got a match with her husband next show, or because she’s part of that stupid saviours group.
Trace Demon: I can, and I have. Anders you’ve got to start thinking with your head and not with your c**k man, just because you’ve got some crush doesn’t mean I’m about to let it interfere in our plans. That’s not my style and you know it.
Jason Anders: No, you’re style is burn the entire world down just to make a path.
Trace Demon: Ooh I like that.
Jason Anders: You can't do this, it isn't fair.
Trace Demon: And why not, because you've got some ridiculous thing for a married chick?
Jason Anders: I don't have a thing for her, I'm just thinking about her kids, she's got a family.
Trace Demon: You've gotta stop lying man, you're forgetting I can check you net history. I don't know why you think Nikki's the kind of chick who'd be involved in that kind of thing but come on dude, not at work.
It's always a bit awkward seeing a grown man blush, especially a man who you've got to at least try to trust. Never trust a man who can't handle his weird porn preferences kids, that's a life lesson to love by.
Jason Anders: I get that you want to stop the Saviours but this isn't the way to do it.
Trace Demon: This is exactly the way to do it. I'm tired of reacting to problems, I should have seen this whole business with Lila coming but now we're on the backfoot. I'm not letting that happen again with Demento's little playgroup. I'm ending them now before they get the chance to be even so much as a nuisance.
Jason Anders: Then do it physically, in the ring.
Trace Demon: No! This is how we do things, by any means necessary. You knew that when you signed up. You want your girl back, you want her to respect you then you shut up and accept it. If you can't do that then run along because I'm doing discussing this.
Jason Anders: Trace-
Trace Demon: I'm done!
He keeps quiet now, his little display of rebellion quashed like the pathetic pipe dream that it is. He might think I don't understand that what I'm doing is wrong, that it will hurt children who have done nothing more than be born to two parents with questionable taste in friends. He might think if don't understand but I do.
I just don't care.
< *** >
Los Angeles, California; A Certain Mercedes Benz Amg
October 9th
No girl Emily's age should have a card like this, it's not even funny how unfair it is. But that's what happens when your brother is a millionaire I guess, even if he does seem to have sociopathic tendencies.
Shouldn't bad mouth the dude too much; he took me into his home when he totally shouldn't have bothered with me. First time I met Trace he picked me up on the side of a desert road and I promptly stole his car. Not the best first impression I guess but he still left me his number so hey, thieves must be his thing. His missus Alexa wasn’t too happy at the idea, they’ve got that tot running about the place and I guess I’m a bad influence, but I’m coming up roses on all fronts so what’s there to complain about really?
Emily Hall: Those tops look so cool on you, gets you out of those rags as well, no offence.
Caitlyn Lucia: No offence fashionista.
The one I really didn’t expect to bond with was Emily, Trace’s kid sister. Well, eighteen as of last month and prepping for all that college rubbish. Still seems like first impressions don’t much matter around here since the first time we ran into each other I’d broken into Trace’s house and she was smacking me upside the head with a baseball bat. Seriously, crazy must run in the entire freaking family.
Emily Hall: Just because you’ve got no fashion sense doesn’t mean you’ve got to look so-
Caitlyn Lucia: Mind what you say Em.
Emily Hall: Certainly wasn’t going to say street trash, nope, not one bit.
Caitlyn Lucia: Nice save princess.
I’m not exactly used to having girly girl-friends, the kind of guys and gals I ran with back in Chicago weren’t exactly the calm type let’s say, they preferred your traditional drugs, sex and rock n’ roll to shopping for clothing. Can’t really blame them, the party scenes got it’s upsides for a nineteen year old like yours truly, let alone a bunch of rejects who’ve seen their best hopes for a half-decent life vanish.
Caitlyn Lucia: Can’t you speed up, you’ve got a serious car here, let’s open her up a bit.
Emily Hall: We’re like a minute away from the house, why would I do something like that?
Caitlyn Lucia: Because I asked you to.
She tries to hide her grin but I can see it there as she slams down on the accelerator and we plummet off down the road towards the old Demon house. The best thing about opening up a car like this is that you can feel it beneath you, around you, on top of you… I’m getting tingly just thinking about it.
And Emily might like to pretend that she’s this good girl but when she wants to she can let loose, and damn can she drive. Carving up the road, controlling the car like she’s a pro, girl’s got some skills even if she does nearly smash right into the gate leading up to the old Demon house, breaking just in time to stop an inch away like a scene from an old film.
Caitlyn Lucia: Are you trying to get us killed?
Emily Hall: Thought you liked living dangerously?
Caitlyn Lucia: Prime wording there is living.
She laughs as the gate opens up and starts to take us up to the big house on the hill. Okay, not exactly a hill but still, it’s a big house. I might joke around calling it the old Demon house but I’m straight up living in a mansion! How the hell did that happen? Not even six months back I was living in this horrible, dingy apartment and now I’m here.
Emily Hall: Who’s car is that?
That’s… s**t.
Caitlyn Lucia: No no no.
Emily Hall: What is it? Do you know that guy?
She pulls up and now I can see him, looking at us with a smirk. That disgusting freaking pervert is here. How the f**k did he find me?
Emily Hall: Who is he?
Caitlyn Lucia: Alan, my mother’s boyfriend.
Emily Hall: That’s-
I nod, that’s all I can manage. The words won’t come. They're trapped in my throat, shock pushing them back down. His little piece of s**t car screams that he's out of place here, more than I've ever been. How the hell did he even get in?
Cl: Drive.
Eh: Cait-
Cl: Just drive!
And she does, she shifts into reverse quickly and is about to head straight back down the driveway and out onto the drive but he’s in the way before she gets the chance, trying to grab hold of the door handle to yank it open. Does he think we’re not about to drive off with him holding onto the car because I damn well will make sure we do.
Alan Bennett: Woah woah wait up little ladies, where the f-
Trace Demon: Who the f**k are you?
Everything kind of stops at once. Emily’s foot is off of the accelerator and that bunghole’s hand is off of the handle. Everyone looks off at another car that’s just pulled up, Trace standing there with the door still open. He looks pissed. Say what you want about him but he’s got mad timing.
Alan Bennett: I’m not here for no trouble, I-
Trace Demon: I said… who… the f**k… are you.
Alan begins to back away towards his craptacular motor, he’s always been a coward, can’t do anything unless it’s on someone smaller than him, someone he can bat around with worrying about what’s going to come back at him. You see a guy like Trace and you know there’s no pushing him around no matter what. That’s not what Alan’s about.
Alan Bennett: I’m Alan, that’s my girl Caitlyn you got there, her mom’s worried sick and I’m just here-
Did he just call me his girl? I feel sick, not in the car, not in the car, not in the car…
Trace Demon: Oh so you’re the guy I promised to kill if I ever met him, good to know.
Alan Bennett: Like I said, just here to get what I deserve for raising that girl all these years. Now we can-
Trace Demon: Oh you’re gonna get what you deserve all right, don’t you f*****g worry about that. I’m all about giving people what they deserve.
Trace is closing the gap between them pretty swiftly, not sure how much bravado’s he’s putting on to seem threatening or if he’s actually gonna kick the crap out of him. Hoping it’s the latter.
Alan Bennett: Look, call me when you’ve calmed the f**k down, the girls got my number, we’ll sort something out. I’m only here for what’s mine, nothing more than that, but nothing less.
Emily Hall: Should we do something?
I think she’s about to open the car door so I grab her hand, squeeze it tight and she stops. Learned that trick a few years back and it never fails, like a little subconscious message to the brain that you’ve got to stop whatever stupid thing you’re about to do.
Trace Demon: The only thing you’re gonna get if you stick around is your head through your car window, and that ain’t no threat scum bag, I don’t do threats.
Alan Bennett: Just call me, I’m not going anywhere ‘till you do.
He pulls open his car door and climbs in as quickly as he can, starting the thing up even quicker. Never seen him high tail it so quickly, firing off straight past Trace and nearly knocking him over in the process. Trace only watches him go, staring intensely at the back of the car.
Then his eyes are trained on me. Ah crap.
< *** >
Demon Residence
October 9th
Literally Moments Later
I’m not a compassionate man and you’re not going to find anyone who tells you any different. Not even Alexa, love me as she does. That girl and everyone else knows that I struggle to even care about other people and that I’m not ashamed of that in the slightest. Compassion for another human being is, well I’m not about to say it’s a weakness but if you let it affect your judgment then it’s certainly a mistake and it’s not one I’m about to make.
So then why is it a man like yours truly, a man so devoid of compassion, finds himself stood in a room with a girl trying to pretend she isn’t shaken and finds himself caring so much to boot. What is it about her?
Trace Demon: So that’s him, that’s your mom’s boyfriend.
Is it that deep down I do care, that I do have empathy? It is f**k.
Trace Demon: How did he find you? How the hell did he find you here of all places?
It’s because I recognise the look of someone broken by family, real family or not. And I can’t say I like looking at it anymore on someone else than I ever did looking at myself in the mirror. Most kids think their parents are being cruel if they make them do their homework or ban them from playing their damn video games, they don’t know what cruelty even is.
Caitlyn Lucia: I don’t know… Facebook?
Trace Demon: Facebook?
Caitlyn Lucia: There’s like location tags on posts now.
Trace Demon: Oh my god.
Social f*****g media man, a nightmare for a guy with a high profile like me.
Trace Demon: I told you when I took you into my house that I didn’t want you bringing any trouble to my door. I get in enough of that without any help. And guess what, you brought trouble to my door.
Caitlyn Lucia: But-
Trace Demon: Right to my door, literally in my driveway. It’s meant to be a figure of speech Caitlyn, you don’t actually bring the trouble to my house, that’s ridiculously literal!
I might be getting a little fixated on the wrong thing if I’m being honest. Maybe a little bit more concerned on the actual trouble at my door rather than the fact it was physically here. But come on, at my freaking door! Or at the very least in my freaking driveway!
Caitlyn Lucia: I get it, I screwed up, I violated your trust or some s**t like that, what else do you want me to say? If you want me to pack up I’ll pack up and get the hell out of here, just point me as far away from home and that guy as possible.
Like I said, compassion isn’t something I’m too good at. But even without that weakness I can tell when I’m doing the wrong thing. It’s not often that happens but it just reminds me that I’m not infallible, even somebody as good as yours truly has to keep working at it.
Trace Demon: You’re not going anywhere.
Don’t think she can decide whether to be relieved or shocked, settle for a little bit of both girl, it won’t hurt you.
Trace Demon: You ran because of him, didn’t you. That guy, your mom’s boyfriend, he’s the reason you were on that road. He’s the reason you came here two months back?
Caitlyn Lucia: Yeah, he’s… he’s not a good guy, he doesn’t care about me or my mom, he’d spend her wages on booze and gambling, he did what he wanted and she was too weak to stop him. And he… he…
I know that look as well, don’t feel the need to go explaining it. It’’s not something you can just explain, not the act nor the feelings you have after it. You shouldn’t be telling that to some guy you’ve known two months, especially not one with as little empathy as me.
Trace Demon: Don’t, I don’t need to know. You want him gone?
Caitlyn Lucia: You don’t have to do this for me, you don’t owe me anything.
Trace Demon: I asked if you wanted him gone.
She replies timidly but with determination, without any doubt about the answer.
Trace Demon: Give me his number.
She looks at me with trepidation, yes she wants him gone but she’s so closed off, doesn’t want anyone else involved in what she’s fighting against. I know all about that, took me a long time to realize that a revolution like mine needs bodies behind it, a king needs an army.
A girl needs a friend, even if that friend is a man like me.
She pulls out her phone, scrolls through until he’s got Alan’s number on the screen and hands it to me. I type it into my own and pass the phone back.
Trace Demon: You can go, you don’t need to know what happens next.
Caitlyn Lucia: What are you going to do?
Trace Demon: You don’t need to know.
Trepidation again, any other man would start to think she doesn’t trust me. Difference between me and every other man is that I don’t need to think it, I damn well know it. She’s a smart girl and smart girls know not to trust men like me. Especially me. If I was her I wouldn’t trust me either. Sometimes I’m not even sure I do myself. She doesn’t say anything, her desire to get him out of her life stronger than her urge to do the right thing and stop me. I wait until she leaves, pretending to ignore that small glance back she gives as she leaves the ring and walks out likely into the waiting arms of Alexa and Emily waiting to show the care and compassion I’m incapable of giving.
Then I ring, waiting for his obnoxious disgusting voice to answer.
Alan Bennett: Hello.
Trace Demon: Alan, right?
I can hear a little chuckle in his voice. It disgusts me.
Alan Bennett: Knew you’d call, so-
Trace Demon: No small talk, no conversation, just one question with a simple answer. What the f**k do you want?
< *** >
Los Angeles, California
Some Underpass
October 9th, That Night
Money.
It’s what it always comes down to with men like Alan, of course it is. They say that men who have money don’t think about what it’s like not to have it. I’ve been in both situations so I know, I know the feelings of jealousy, the feelings of wanting what other people have and worst of all the feelings of inadequacy. So I’m not about to condemn a man for doing whatever it takes to try and make a bit of extra cash.
But you’ve got to be smart about it.
Alan Bennett is not a smart man. He’s trying to leverage the situation, claiming he only wants the cash back that he’s spent ‘looking after’ Caitlyn and her mother. You find me a man willing to pay a scumbag for something like that and I’ll spit in his face because that’s what he deserves. And I’m not about to be spat upon by the likes of nobody. So no, Alan isn’t about to get his cash, but I will give him exactly what he deserves.
Couldn’t have picked a more grim setting either, probably saw these kind of underpass handovers go down in a bunch of films and thought it was the sensible thing to do. But what’s sensible about meeting a man you don’t even know in a dark, grotty little place like this? S**t, don’t answer that.
Alan Bennett: Didn’t think you actually had the balls to turn up.
I can feel my blood boil the moment I see him, wearing the same scuzzy clothing he was earlier just complete with trenchcoat that’s probably meant to cover his face. I get that they’re cliches for a reason but some of them are better left for bad TV, B-list films and a Saturday night in the life of Yukio Blaze.
Trace Demon: Knew you would, you haven’t got the brains not too.
People always tell me not to antagonise a man who might be a threat to you. To those people I ask who in the hell is really a threat to a man like Trace Demon?
Alan Bennett: I’m not looking for trouble now, just want what’s owed to me.
Trace Demon: You really think you deserve money for what you did to that girl? At best you deserve a jail sentence, at worse… well, I’m a family man, can’t be describing things like that in detail can I.
Alan Bennett: I took that girl in when I had no need to, I took care of her like she was my own.
Trace Demon: You call what you did taking care of her?
And people call me crazy.
Alan Bennett: You know how much that kid cost me? All the problems she causes, all the trouble she got herself in, all the worry she caused her mother, she’s a-
Trace Demon: Just shut up. Seriously, all the f*****g time I let your type drone on and on and then I make some kind of wisecrack at the end like ‘did you say something’ well no! Not this time! I don’t need to hear your excuses for why you’re such a piece of s**t. You just are.
Alan Bennett: Oh look at you mister high and mighty, shame we can't all be-
Trace Demon: Seriously man, shut up. You didn't come here to talk did you, you came here for the money.
Alan Bennett: So you've got it then?
Trace Demon: Not carrying this around for fun.
I hold up a duffel bag because obviously he wanted cash in a duffel bag. If he had asked for unmarked bills in a briefcase I would have died of laughter there and then.
Trace Demon: Seriously have you never heard of a bank transfer?
Alan Bennett: And let the taxman get his hands on it? No thanks.
Trace Demon: Do you even understand how tax works? Never mind, let’s just get this over with.
Alan Bennett: Then pass it over.
Greed can blind a man you know, even to what’s right in front of them. Certainly blinding Alan here, the poor guy doesn’t even know what’s going on.
Trace Demon: Fine.
I throw the bag with little force, not too keen to part with money you see, and it lands closer to me than to him. He eyeballs me then the bag, not quite sure whether it was intentional or not. I signal to him to go and get it, he’s not quite sure. Survival instinct’s a strong thing you see, that ringing in your head, that thought that tells you this isn’t a smart thing to do, usually you should listen to it. But a man like Alan, well I know he isn’t thinking straight, not when there’s all that money involved.
He rushes across to it, not thinking about all the mistakes he’s making right now. See I’ve got a lot of cash, and a lot of people involved in the stranger jobs in the wrestling business who’ll pick up on short notice.
Alan Bennett: What the f-
Turns out the guy who rigged up the red mist I used for a stint a while back also knows how to rig that kind of stuff out in, let’s say bigger situations. So the moment our dear friend Alan opens the bag he finds his face covered in the kind of mist that burns to the touch. He trips up and lands in just the right angle that the gun he so poorly hid at his waist goes off and sends a bullet right through his foot. Wish I could say I’d been planning that bit but hey, I figured exploding mist was good enough that I could wing whatever came next.
His screams of pain are like music to my ear but there’s not really enough time to savour it. I go for the ribs with my boot first, make sure he’s winded as I remove the gun from the equation. I know a guy who’ll give me a few extra dollars for this piece of crap handgun, no questions asked.
Trace Demon: Told you you didn’t have the brains.
A second swift boot to the ribs, definitely feel a few crack. Exactly why I chose the steel toe cap boots, might be banned in the WFWF but when a good old fashioned street fight is what’s required they do wonders.
Trace Demon: Really thought I was about to give you the cash? I mean come on you stupid son of a b***h, you think I’ve always been this calm, debonair rich gentleman you see right now? You think I don’t know how a con works?
The steel of my boot cracks across his jaw, breaks it pretty messily, the screaming becomes a bit garbled, bit more blood involved. Bit of a disappointment if I’m being honest, have to get my kicks back with a second complimentary boot for good measure.
Trace Demon: I know this game, you come here, take the money now and then when it runs out you come back. Well I’m afraid blackmail simply isn’t my thing. I made my money fairly and I’m not about to give it a way to scum like you. People earn what they deserve and you don’t deserve a damn thing. Now you…
I tread down on the foot, complete with fresh bullet hole and hear it crunch beneath my sole.
Trace Demon: You leave, you hop along and you don’t come back or I’ll finish the job.
I turn to walk away but he’s not content with mercy. He still wants to speak and though it comes out garbled, words contorted by blood and broken teeth, I can still make it out clear as day.
Alan Bennett: You ain’t got it in you, I’ll be back for what I deserve.
Trace Demon: Oh Alan, really wish you hadn’t said that.
I reach into the mist soaked bag and pull out a crowbar, feeling the cool metal within my grasp. I look back at the poor excuse for a man who lays crumpled and bloodied on the floor and I see the fear of god enter him. No, not a fear of god because he’s not going up there. No, that’s a fear of death. A fear well founded.
Trace Demon: Because now you’re gonna get what you deserve.
I approach and with crowbar in hand… I swing.
< *** >
The Demon Residence
October 10th
It’s the early hours of the morning by the time I pull up outside the house and cut the car. I realize that for the entire trip back I’ve been gripping the wheel like it’s a life raft in the middle of the ocean and a deep white imprint has formed across my hands where the blood’s been cut off. I don’t notice any lights as I head for the front door and make sure to keep quiet as I make my way inside. I don’t want to go asking any awkw-
Caitlyn Lucia: What happened?
Ah s**t.
Trace Demon: Go to bed for gods sake.
Caitlyn Lucia: Not until you tell me what happened, what did you do to him?
Trace Demon: I took care of it okay, he won’t be bothering you again, he’s not going to contact you, he’s not going to turn up in the driveway, he’s not going to do anything. He’s gone, he’s dealt with, it’s done. Now go to bed.
I make a move for the stairs, heading past her in the hope that she’ll take the message.
She doesn’t.
Caitlyn Lucia: You’ve got blood on your sleeve.
What?
She’s right, on the edge of my jacket sleeve is a red blotch, unmistakable in texture. Anyone with some common sense knows what dried blood looks like and I’m not about to try and bulls**t her. I don’t need to explain myself to anyone.
Trace Demon: What’s your point?
She’s not sure whether she wants to ask. At the same time she knows she can’t stay here without knowing.
Caitlyn Lucia: Did you… did you get rid of him.
I simply nod and begin to walk away, but she’s got one more question for me.
Caitlyn Lucia: Is he dead?
I look her clean in the eyes and ask the only question worth asking.
Trace Demon: Do you really think I could kill a man?
Well… do you?
< *** >
WFWF Headquarters; The Office of Trace Demon
October 11th 2014
Trace Demon: You were right.
It’s not often I say that, it’s not often it’s true, but on this occasion it is. Jason Anders, a man who thinks himself as my one and only friend, sits stunned opposite my desk.
Jason Anders: What did you just say?
Trace Demon: I said you were right.
Jason Anders: Are you feeling okay, have you been sleeping, you look like crap.
Trace Demon: Well it’s been a busy couple of nights.
Jason Anders: So I was right?
Trace Demon: Sadly so.
Jason Anders: Sorry I’m just having a hard time processing you saying that. What was I right about exactly?
I can’t help but sigh, Anders is a fine ally to have for the small tasks but when it comes to genuine, honest to god thinking he’s not the smartest tool in the shed.
Trace Demon: Here.
I throw the papers across the desk at him and he catches them like he’s fumbling a football.
Jason Anders: This is a letter.
Trace Demon: Correct.
Jason Anders: To the Deans.
Trace Demon: Correct again.
Jason Anders: You’re going to pay for Nikki’s medical bills?
Trace Demon: Well you’re just batting a hundred right now aren’t you.
He still hasn’t quite clicked on and I can’t really blame him, it’s a bit of a U-turn on three days back and I’m not renowned for changing my mind when I’ve made a decision.
Jason Anders: But why?
Trace Demon: Because the last few days I’ve seen some sense, I made a call for all the wrong reasons, as much as it pains me to say that. I want to tear down their little group but not at the expense of a family.
He stares at me, probably taking in how saintly I’m being right now.
Jason Anders: No seriously what’s the real reason.
Okay maybe not.
Trace Demon: I’m being serious Anders. I might not be the most compassionate man, in fact I might be slightly sociopathic in how little I care about other people, but I recognise the value of family. It’s not fair that those kids of theirs suffer because of the sins of their father. Those kids are gonna need all the help that they can get and if Josh isn’t about to start caring about his family then I guess I’ll have to.
Jason Anders: I don’t want to question the one unselfish thing you’ve done this year but this doesn’t feel right. This isn’t you.
When you develop a reputation for being a villain it stays with you no matter what. People don’t see that all I’ve done in the past three months is try to help them all, that’s all my revolution is, a way to show them the way to a better world. But no, my reputation taints me; Lila Sleater paints me as the villain. I should be used to facing these doubts now, even from my so called allies but even I, with everything I have and everything I have become, would prefer not to admit that I am not a trustworthy man.
But you do not need to trust me to know that I am doing the right thing. You just have to keep your eyes focused.
Trace Demon: I didn’t want to pay because I thought it would impact these so called saviours but tell me Anders, how dangerous is Nikki Dean right now?
Jason Anders: Well she’s injured so… not dangerous at all?
Trace Demon: Exactly, I’ve nothing to fear from her and nothing to gain from ruining her like this. And Josh… well if I do this to his woman then he’ll come at me with reckless abandon and I need him focused if this is to work. Can’t have a loose cannon firing off everywhere, I’d much rather he be predictable. He’s easier to manipulate that way, easier to break.
Jason Anders: I knew there was a catch.
Can’t stop the grin. It just comes naturally sometimes.
Trace Demon: No catch, just an upside. See the saviours think they know me, they think they know what I’m capable of, but they don’t, nobody does. I’ll do anything it takes. Anything. They want to think I’m crazy, out of my mind? Let them, at least then they’re not looking to see what it is I’ve got planned, and I’ve got big plans. Big plans indeed.
Jason Anders: And these plans, you still won’t tell me what they are?
Trace Demon: Oh no Jason, a man’s got to have his secrets.
Secrets, a bloody crowbar in the river and a plan to take it all.
Yes, some things never change. They just get better with age.
< *** >
Some men lose their edge when they grow older and start a family. They mellow, begin to care more for their family than for what brought them to the dance in the first place. Not me, not Trace Demon. I am still as dangerous and unpredictable as ever. I mean just this week I took a crowb… well, some things are better left unsaid when all is said and done. Point is family has not mellowed me one bit; it’s just given me some perception on what’s important in life. And what’s important is keeping what’s mine safe, keeping what’s mine from harm and keeping it away from anybody who wants to hurt it.
The WFWF is my baby and there are bad men trying to hurt it.
Josh Dean, you’re the latest to oppose me, the latest man to try and get in my way when all I want to do is save my child. Out of everybody I thought you’d be able to understand that what I’m doing is right. You’ve got a family right? Don’t you want to protect them? Don’t you want to make sure that no harm comes to them? Well look who I’m talking to. You couldn’t stop Nikki from coming to harm could you, I know why that is now. It’s because you don’t care about her. I mean where were you when it happened man? Why weren’t you right there by her side the moment she went down, why’d it take you so long?
It’s because you were getting ready for your own match, wasn’t it?
I have seen men like you Josh, men who care more about their own lives than the people they’ve built that life with. To you Nikki and your children are just hangers on, possessions you’ve picked up along the way. You disgust me, you really do. You’re meant to protect them Josh but instead you sent your wife into the ring and she got injured. You may as well have beat her yourself. I mean come on Josh, it could have been so much worse and then where would you have been? With two kids and no wife. Or at least not one with a functioning brain anymore. And we both know you wouldn’t look after your family, you’re not capable of that, it’d get in the way of your glory. Because that’s who you are.
You’re no man, you’re a disgrace.
But not me, I fight for what’s right, my revolution is dedicated to protecting my child from monsters like you. So you think you’re going to step inside that ring and get one over on me? Think again because I will not lose to the likes of you. I won’t lose to a disgrace like Josh Dean. Instead of being at home with your injured wife you decided to come and fight me. That was a mistake because I’m going to send you straight back home to be with her myself. The pair of you are gonna get plenty of time together because neither of you will have a career left by the time I’m finished with you. And then how will you cope, when you have to see your wife every day knowing that you’ll never be a winner again and she’ll never respect you? What will you do looking at your kids knowing that they can’t respect their loser of a father.
Maybe I’ll do you a favour Josh.
Maybe I’ll send you home in a body bag.
The Truth of a Revolution; Part Two
A Trace Demon Roleplay
WFWF Headquarters; The Office of Trace Demon
October 8th 2014
Paperwork man, I hate paperwork. Bane of my very rich, very luxurious life. But you can’t control a company like the WFWF without dotting the I’s, crossing the T’s and breaking some skulls. That last part isn’t in the original saying but I think it sounds a lot better that way, bit more realistic you know. Anyway, paperwork bloody sucks.
Trace Demon: Get these mailed out for me.
Jason Anders: I’m not your assistant Trace, you’ve got some teenage out in that lobby for that.
Trace Demon: Yeah but Lucy’s got a date tonight and she’s got to leave early to get ready.
Jason Anders: Did you just say… what?
He looks at me quizzically, what did I say that was so weird?
Trace Demon: What’s the problem? The girl works hard, she’s entitled to a social life. Just because you’ve got no love life doesn’t mean everyone else has to be miserable.
He shakes his head, probably decides it’s best not to argue. Good call, I can argue all day, kind of enjoy it too.
Jason Anders: You got any envelopes for these?
Trace Demon: Do I look like the kind of guy who keeps envelopes around? I'm amazed I even have a pen with me.
His eyes begin to scan over the letter on top, don't remember saying he could read company documents but whatever, who really cares? Nowadays any dude with a computer can find everything you've ever done and post it online anyway.
P.s. Jennifer Lawrence I salute you.
Jason Anders: Wait this is a letter to the Deans.
Trace Demon: Yeah, so?
Jason Anders: It says the WFWF won't be paying for her medical costs or rehab because she's responsible for her own well being in the ring.
Trace Demon: I know what it says Anders, I'm the one who wrote it.
Well Lucy wrote it actually, girls got mad finger skills.
For typing you pervs.
Jason Anders: You can't do that.
Trace Demon: I can’t, well someone better invent a time machine, travel back about an hour and tell past me because present me has already done it.
Jason Anders: You can’t just cut her off like that because you’ve got a match with her husband next show, or because she’s part of that stupid saviours group.
Trace Demon: I can, and I have. Anders you’ve got to start thinking with your head and not with your c**k man, just because you’ve got some crush doesn’t mean I’m about to let it interfere in our plans. That’s not my style and you know it.
Jason Anders: No, you’re style is burn the entire world down just to make a path.
Trace Demon: Ooh I like that.
Jason Anders: You can't do this, it isn't fair.
Trace Demon: And why not, because you've got some ridiculous thing for a married chick?
Jason Anders: I don't have a thing for her, I'm just thinking about her kids, she's got a family.
Trace Demon: You've gotta stop lying man, you're forgetting I can check you net history. I don't know why you think Nikki's the kind of chick who'd be involved in that kind of thing but come on dude, not at work.
It's always a bit awkward seeing a grown man blush, especially a man who you've got to at least try to trust. Never trust a man who can't handle his weird porn preferences kids, that's a life lesson to love by.
Jason Anders: I get that you want to stop the Saviours but this isn't the way to do it.
Trace Demon: This is exactly the way to do it. I'm tired of reacting to problems, I should have seen this whole business with Lila coming but now we're on the backfoot. I'm not letting that happen again with Demento's little playgroup. I'm ending them now before they get the chance to be even so much as a nuisance.
Jason Anders: Then do it physically, in the ring.
Trace Demon: No! This is how we do things, by any means necessary. You knew that when you signed up. You want your girl back, you want her to respect you then you shut up and accept it. If you can't do that then run along because I'm doing discussing this.
Jason Anders: Trace-
Trace Demon: I'm done!
He keeps quiet now, his little display of rebellion quashed like the pathetic pipe dream that it is. He might think I don't understand that what I'm doing is wrong, that it will hurt children who have done nothing more than be born to two parents with questionable taste in friends. He might think if don't understand but I do.
I just don't care.
< *** >
Los Angeles, California; A Certain Mercedes Benz Amg
October 9th
No girl Emily's age should have a card like this, it's not even funny how unfair it is. But that's what happens when your brother is a millionaire I guess, even if he does seem to have sociopathic tendencies.
Shouldn't bad mouth the dude too much; he took me into his home when he totally shouldn't have bothered with me. First time I met Trace he picked me up on the side of a desert road and I promptly stole his car. Not the best first impression I guess but he still left me his number so hey, thieves must be his thing. His missus Alexa wasn’t too happy at the idea, they’ve got that tot running about the place and I guess I’m a bad influence, but I’m coming up roses on all fronts so what’s there to complain about really?
Emily Hall: Those tops look so cool on you, gets you out of those rags as well, no offence.
Caitlyn Lucia: No offence fashionista.
The one I really didn’t expect to bond with was Emily, Trace’s kid sister. Well, eighteen as of last month and prepping for all that college rubbish. Still seems like first impressions don’t much matter around here since the first time we ran into each other I’d broken into Trace’s house and she was smacking me upside the head with a baseball bat. Seriously, crazy must run in the entire freaking family.
Emily Hall: Just because you’ve got no fashion sense doesn’t mean you’ve got to look so-
Caitlyn Lucia: Mind what you say Em.
Emily Hall: Certainly wasn’t going to say street trash, nope, not one bit.
Caitlyn Lucia: Nice save princess.
I’m not exactly used to having girly girl-friends, the kind of guys and gals I ran with back in Chicago weren’t exactly the calm type let’s say, they preferred your traditional drugs, sex and rock n’ roll to shopping for clothing. Can’t really blame them, the party scenes got it’s upsides for a nineteen year old like yours truly, let alone a bunch of rejects who’ve seen their best hopes for a half-decent life vanish.
Caitlyn Lucia: Can’t you speed up, you’ve got a serious car here, let’s open her up a bit.
Emily Hall: We’re like a minute away from the house, why would I do something like that?
Caitlyn Lucia: Because I asked you to.
She tries to hide her grin but I can see it there as she slams down on the accelerator and we plummet off down the road towards the old Demon house. The best thing about opening up a car like this is that you can feel it beneath you, around you, on top of you… I’m getting tingly just thinking about it.
And Emily might like to pretend that she’s this good girl but when she wants to she can let loose, and damn can she drive. Carving up the road, controlling the car like she’s a pro, girl’s got some skills even if she does nearly smash right into the gate leading up to the old Demon house, breaking just in time to stop an inch away like a scene from an old film.
Caitlyn Lucia: Are you trying to get us killed?
Emily Hall: Thought you liked living dangerously?
Caitlyn Lucia: Prime wording there is living.
She laughs as the gate opens up and starts to take us up to the big house on the hill. Okay, not exactly a hill but still, it’s a big house. I might joke around calling it the old Demon house but I’m straight up living in a mansion! How the hell did that happen? Not even six months back I was living in this horrible, dingy apartment and now I’m here.
Emily Hall: Who’s car is that?
That’s… s**t.
Caitlyn Lucia: No no no.
Emily Hall: What is it? Do you know that guy?
She pulls up and now I can see him, looking at us with a smirk. That disgusting freaking pervert is here. How the f**k did he find me?
Emily Hall: Who is he?
Caitlyn Lucia: Alan, my mother’s boyfriend.
Emily Hall: That’s-
I nod, that’s all I can manage. The words won’t come. They're trapped in my throat, shock pushing them back down. His little piece of s**t car screams that he's out of place here, more than I've ever been. How the hell did he even get in?
Cl: Drive.
Eh: Cait-
Cl: Just drive!
And she does, she shifts into reverse quickly and is about to head straight back down the driveway and out onto the drive but he’s in the way before she gets the chance, trying to grab hold of the door handle to yank it open. Does he think we’re not about to drive off with him holding onto the car because I damn well will make sure we do.
Alan Bennett: Woah woah wait up little ladies, where the f-
Trace Demon: Who the f**k are you?
Everything kind of stops at once. Emily’s foot is off of the accelerator and that bunghole’s hand is off of the handle. Everyone looks off at another car that’s just pulled up, Trace standing there with the door still open. He looks pissed. Say what you want about him but he’s got mad timing.
Alan Bennett: I’m not here for no trouble, I-
Trace Demon: I said… who… the f**k… are you.
Alan begins to back away towards his craptacular motor, he’s always been a coward, can’t do anything unless it’s on someone smaller than him, someone he can bat around with worrying about what’s going to come back at him. You see a guy like Trace and you know there’s no pushing him around no matter what. That’s not what Alan’s about.
Alan Bennett: I’m Alan, that’s my girl Caitlyn you got there, her mom’s worried sick and I’m just here-
Did he just call me his girl? I feel sick, not in the car, not in the car, not in the car…
Trace Demon: Oh so you’re the guy I promised to kill if I ever met him, good to know.
Alan Bennett: Like I said, just here to get what I deserve for raising that girl all these years. Now we can-
Trace Demon: Oh you’re gonna get what you deserve all right, don’t you f*****g worry about that. I’m all about giving people what they deserve.
Trace is closing the gap between them pretty swiftly, not sure how much bravado’s he’s putting on to seem threatening or if he’s actually gonna kick the crap out of him. Hoping it’s the latter.
Alan Bennett: Look, call me when you’ve calmed the f**k down, the girls got my number, we’ll sort something out. I’m only here for what’s mine, nothing more than that, but nothing less.
Emily Hall: Should we do something?
I think she’s about to open the car door so I grab her hand, squeeze it tight and she stops. Learned that trick a few years back and it never fails, like a little subconscious message to the brain that you’ve got to stop whatever stupid thing you’re about to do.
Trace Demon: The only thing you’re gonna get if you stick around is your head through your car window, and that ain’t no threat scum bag, I don’t do threats.
Alan Bennett: Just call me, I’m not going anywhere ‘till you do.
He pulls open his car door and climbs in as quickly as he can, starting the thing up even quicker. Never seen him high tail it so quickly, firing off straight past Trace and nearly knocking him over in the process. Trace only watches him go, staring intensely at the back of the car.
Then his eyes are trained on me. Ah crap.
< *** >
Demon Residence
October 9th
Literally Moments Later
I’m not a compassionate man and you’re not going to find anyone who tells you any different. Not even Alexa, love me as she does. That girl and everyone else knows that I struggle to even care about other people and that I’m not ashamed of that in the slightest. Compassion for another human being is, well I’m not about to say it’s a weakness but if you let it affect your judgment then it’s certainly a mistake and it’s not one I’m about to make.
So then why is it a man like yours truly, a man so devoid of compassion, finds himself stood in a room with a girl trying to pretend she isn’t shaken and finds himself caring so much to boot. What is it about her?
Trace Demon: So that’s him, that’s your mom’s boyfriend.
Is it that deep down I do care, that I do have empathy? It is f**k.
Trace Demon: How did he find you? How the hell did he find you here of all places?
It’s because I recognise the look of someone broken by family, real family or not. And I can’t say I like looking at it anymore on someone else than I ever did looking at myself in the mirror. Most kids think their parents are being cruel if they make them do their homework or ban them from playing their damn video games, they don’t know what cruelty even is.
Caitlyn Lucia: I don’t know… Facebook?
Trace Demon: Facebook?
Caitlyn Lucia: There’s like location tags on posts now.
Trace Demon: Oh my god.
Social f*****g media man, a nightmare for a guy with a high profile like me.
Trace Demon: I told you when I took you into my house that I didn’t want you bringing any trouble to my door. I get in enough of that without any help. And guess what, you brought trouble to my door.
Caitlyn Lucia: But-
Trace Demon: Right to my door, literally in my driveway. It’s meant to be a figure of speech Caitlyn, you don’t actually bring the trouble to my house, that’s ridiculously literal!
I might be getting a little fixated on the wrong thing if I’m being honest. Maybe a little bit more concerned on the actual trouble at my door rather than the fact it was physically here. But come on, at my freaking door! Or at the very least in my freaking driveway!
Caitlyn Lucia: I get it, I screwed up, I violated your trust or some s**t like that, what else do you want me to say? If you want me to pack up I’ll pack up and get the hell out of here, just point me as far away from home and that guy as possible.
Like I said, compassion isn’t something I’m too good at. But even without that weakness I can tell when I’m doing the wrong thing. It’s not often that happens but it just reminds me that I’m not infallible, even somebody as good as yours truly has to keep working at it.
Trace Demon: You’re not going anywhere.
Don’t think she can decide whether to be relieved or shocked, settle for a little bit of both girl, it won’t hurt you.
Trace Demon: You ran because of him, didn’t you. That guy, your mom’s boyfriend, he’s the reason you were on that road. He’s the reason you came here two months back?
Caitlyn Lucia: Yeah, he’s… he’s not a good guy, he doesn’t care about me or my mom, he’d spend her wages on booze and gambling, he did what he wanted and she was too weak to stop him. And he… he…
I know that look as well, don’t feel the need to go explaining it. It’’s not something you can just explain, not the act nor the feelings you have after it. You shouldn’t be telling that to some guy you’ve known two months, especially not one with as little empathy as me.
Trace Demon: Don’t, I don’t need to know. You want him gone?
Caitlyn Lucia: You don’t have to do this for me, you don’t owe me anything.
Trace Demon: I asked if you wanted him gone.
She replies timidly but with determination, without any doubt about the answer.
Trace Demon: Give me his number.
She looks at me with trepidation, yes she wants him gone but she’s so closed off, doesn’t want anyone else involved in what she’s fighting against. I know all about that, took me a long time to realize that a revolution like mine needs bodies behind it, a king needs an army.
A girl needs a friend, even if that friend is a man like me.
She pulls out her phone, scrolls through until he’s got Alan’s number on the screen and hands it to me. I type it into my own and pass the phone back.
Trace Demon: You can go, you don’t need to know what happens next.
Caitlyn Lucia: What are you going to do?
Trace Demon: You don’t need to know.
Trepidation again, any other man would start to think she doesn’t trust me. Difference between me and every other man is that I don’t need to think it, I damn well know it. She’s a smart girl and smart girls know not to trust men like me. Especially me. If I was her I wouldn’t trust me either. Sometimes I’m not even sure I do myself. She doesn’t say anything, her desire to get him out of her life stronger than her urge to do the right thing and stop me. I wait until she leaves, pretending to ignore that small glance back she gives as she leaves the ring and walks out likely into the waiting arms of Alexa and Emily waiting to show the care and compassion I’m incapable of giving.
Then I ring, waiting for his obnoxious disgusting voice to answer.
Alan Bennett: Hello.
Trace Demon: Alan, right?
I can hear a little chuckle in his voice. It disgusts me.
Alan Bennett: Knew you’d call, so-
Trace Demon: No small talk, no conversation, just one question with a simple answer. What the f**k do you want?
< *** >
Los Angeles, California
Some Underpass
October 9th, That Night
Money.
It’s what it always comes down to with men like Alan, of course it is. They say that men who have money don’t think about what it’s like not to have it. I’ve been in both situations so I know, I know the feelings of jealousy, the feelings of wanting what other people have and worst of all the feelings of inadequacy. So I’m not about to condemn a man for doing whatever it takes to try and make a bit of extra cash.
But you’ve got to be smart about it.
Alan Bennett is not a smart man. He’s trying to leverage the situation, claiming he only wants the cash back that he’s spent ‘looking after’ Caitlyn and her mother. You find me a man willing to pay a scumbag for something like that and I’ll spit in his face because that’s what he deserves. And I’m not about to be spat upon by the likes of nobody. So no, Alan isn’t about to get his cash, but I will give him exactly what he deserves.
Couldn’t have picked a more grim setting either, probably saw these kind of underpass handovers go down in a bunch of films and thought it was the sensible thing to do. But what’s sensible about meeting a man you don’t even know in a dark, grotty little place like this? S**t, don’t answer that.
Alan Bennett: Didn’t think you actually had the balls to turn up.
I can feel my blood boil the moment I see him, wearing the same scuzzy clothing he was earlier just complete with trenchcoat that’s probably meant to cover his face. I get that they’re cliches for a reason but some of them are better left for bad TV, B-list films and a Saturday night in the life of Yukio Blaze.
Trace Demon: Knew you would, you haven’t got the brains not too.
People always tell me not to antagonise a man who might be a threat to you. To those people I ask who in the hell is really a threat to a man like Trace Demon?
Alan Bennett: I’m not looking for trouble now, just want what’s owed to me.
Trace Demon: You really think you deserve money for what you did to that girl? At best you deserve a jail sentence, at worse… well, I’m a family man, can’t be describing things like that in detail can I.
Alan Bennett: I took that girl in when I had no need to, I took care of her like she was my own.
Trace Demon: You call what you did taking care of her?
And people call me crazy.
Alan Bennett: You know how much that kid cost me? All the problems she causes, all the trouble she got herself in, all the worry she caused her mother, she’s a-
Trace Demon: Just shut up. Seriously, all the f*****g time I let your type drone on and on and then I make some kind of wisecrack at the end like ‘did you say something’ well no! Not this time! I don’t need to hear your excuses for why you’re such a piece of s**t. You just are.
Alan Bennett: Oh look at you mister high and mighty, shame we can't all be-
Trace Demon: Seriously man, shut up. You didn't come here to talk did you, you came here for the money.
Alan Bennett: So you've got it then?
Trace Demon: Not carrying this around for fun.
I hold up a duffel bag because obviously he wanted cash in a duffel bag. If he had asked for unmarked bills in a briefcase I would have died of laughter there and then.
Trace Demon: Seriously have you never heard of a bank transfer?
Alan Bennett: And let the taxman get his hands on it? No thanks.
Trace Demon: Do you even understand how tax works? Never mind, let’s just get this over with.
Alan Bennett: Then pass it over.
Greed can blind a man you know, even to what’s right in front of them. Certainly blinding Alan here, the poor guy doesn’t even know what’s going on.
Trace Demon: Fine.
I throw the bag with little force, not too keen to part with money you see, and it lands closer to me than to him. He eyeballs me then the bag, not quite sure whether it was intentional or not. I signal to him to go and get it, he’s not quite sure. Survival instinct’s a strong thing you see, that ringing in your head, that thought that tells you this isn’t a smart thing to do, usually you should listen to it. But a man like Alan, well I know he isn’t thinking straight, not when there’s all that money involved.
He rushes across to it, not thinking about all the mistakes he’s making right now. See I’ve got a lot of cash, and a lot of people involved in the stranger jobs in the wrestling business who’ll pick up on short notice.
Alan Bennett: What the f-
Turns out the guy who rigged up the red mist I used for a stint a while back also knows how to rig that kind of stuff out in, let’s say bigger situations. So the moment our dear friend Alan opens the bag he finds his face covered in the kind of mist that burns to the touch. He trips up and lands in just the right angle that the gun he so poorly hid at his waist goes off and sends a bullet right through his foot. Wish I could say I’d been planning that bit but hey, I figured exploding mist was good enough that I could wing whatever came next.
His screams of pain are like music to my ear but there’s not really enough time to savour it. I go for the ribs with my boot first, make sure he’s winded as I remove the gun from the equation. I know a guy who’ll give me a few extra dollars for this piece of crap handgun, no questions asked.
Trace Demon: Told you you didn’t have the brains.
A second swift boot to the ribs, definitely feel a few crack. Exactly why I chose the steel toe cap boots, might be banned in the WFWF but when a good old fashioned street fight is what’s required they do wonders.
Trace Demon: Really thought I was about to give you the cash? I mean come on you stupid son of a b***h, you think I’ve always been this calm, debonair rich gentleman you see right now? You think I don’t know how a con works?
The steel of my boot cracks across his jaw, breaks it pretty messily, the screaming becomes a bit garbled, bit more blood involved. Bit of a disappointment if I’m being honest, have to get my kicks back with a second complimentary boot for good measure.
Trace Demon: I know this game, you come here, take the money now and then when it runs out you come back. Well I’m afraid blackmail simply isn’t my thing. I made my money fairly and I’m not about to give it a way to scum like you. People earn what they deserve and you don’t deserve a damn thing. Now you…
I tread down on the foot, complete with fresh bullet hole and hear it crunch beneath my sole.
Trace Demon: You leave, you hop along and you don’t come back or I’ll finish the job.
I turn to walk away but he’s not content with mercy. He still wants to speak and though it comes out garbled, words contorted by blood and broken teeth, I can still make it out clear as day.
Alan Bennett: You ain’t got it in you, I’ll be back for what I deserve.
Trace Demon: Oh Alan, really wish you hadn’t said that.
I reach into the mist soaked bag and pull out a crowbar, feeling the cool metal within my grasp. I look back at the poor excuse for a man who lays crumpled and bloodied on the floor and I see the fear of god enter him. No, not a fear of god because he’s not going up there. No, that’s a fear of death. A fear well founded.
Trace Demon: Because now you’re gonna get what you deserve.
I approach and with crowbar in hand… I swing.
< *** >
The Demon Residence
October 10th
It’s the early hours of the morning by the time I pull up outside the house and cut the car. I realize that for the entire trip back I’ve been gripping the wheel like it’s a life raft in the middle of the ocean and a deep white imprint has formed across my hands where the blood’s been cut off. I don’t notice any lights as I head for the front door and make sure to keep quiet as I make my way inside. I don’t want to go asking any awkw-
Caitlyn Lucia: What happened?
Ah s**t.
Trace Demon: Go to bed for gods sake.
Caitlyn Lucia: Not until you tell me what happened, what did you do to him?
Trace Demon: I took care of it okay, he won’t be bothering you again, he’s not going to contact you, he’s not going to turn up in the driveway, he’s not going to do anything. He’s gone, he’s dealt with, it’s done. Now go to bed.
I make a move for the stairs, heading past her in the hope that she’ll take the message.
She doesn’t.
Caitlyn Lucia: You’ve got blood on your sleeve.
What?
She’s right, on the edge of my jacket sleeve is a red blotch, unmistakable in texture. Anyone with some common sense knows what dried blood looks like and I’m not about to try and bulls**t her. I don’t need to explain myself to anyone.
Trace Demon: What’s your point?
She’s not sure whether she wants to ask. At the same time she knows she can’t stay here without knowing.
Caitlyn Lucia: Did you… did you get rid of him.
I simply nod and begin to walk away, but she’s got one more question for me.
Caitlyn Lucia: Is he dead?
I look her clean in the eyes and ask the only question worth asking.
Trace Demon: Do you really think I could kill a man?
Well… do you?
< *** >
WFWF Headquarters; The Office of Trace Demon
October 11th 2014
Trace Demon: You were right.
It’s not often I say that, it’s not often it’s true, but on this occasion it is. Jason Anders, a man who thinks himself as my one and only friend, sits stunned opposite my desk.
Jason Anders: What did you just say?
Trace Demon: I said you were right.
Jason Anders: Are you feeling okay, have you been sleeping, you look like crap.
Trace Demon: Well it’s been a busy couple of nights.
Jason Anders: So I was right?
Trace Demon: Sadly so.
Jason Anders: Sorry I’m just having a hard time processing you saying that. What was I right about exactly?
I can’t help but sigh, Anders is a fine ally to have for the small tasks but when it comes to genuine, honest to god thinking he’s not the smartest tool in the shed.
Trace Demon: Here.
I throw the papers across the desk at him and he catches them like he’s fumbling a football.
Jason Anders: This is a letter.
Trace Demon: Correct.
Jason Anders: To the Deans.
Trace Demon: Correct again.
Jason Anders: You’re going to pay for Nikki’s medical bills?
Trace Demon: Well you’re just batting a hundred right now aren’t you.
He still hasn’t quite clicked on and I can’t really blame him, it’s a bit of a U-turn on three days back and I’m not renowned for changing my mind when I’ve made a decision.
Jason Anders: But why?
Trace Demon: Because the last few days I’ve seen some sense, I made a call for all the wrong reasons, as much as it pains me to say that. I want to tear down their little group but not at the expense of a family.
He stares at me, probably taking in how saintly I’m being right now.
Jason Anders: No seriously what’s the real reason.
Okay maybe not.
Trace Demon: I’m being serious Anders. I might not be the most compassionate man, in fact I might be slightly sociopathic in how little I care about other people, but I recognise the value of family. It’s not fair that those kids of theirs suffer because of the sins of their father. Those kids are gonna need all the help that they can get and if Josh isn’t about to start caring about his family then I guess I’ll have to.
Jason Anders: I don’t want to question the one unselfish thing you’ve done this year but this doesn’t feel right. This isn’t you.
When you develop a reputation for being a villain it stays with you no matter what. People don’t see that all I’ve done in the past three months is try to help them all, that’s all my revolution is, a way to show them the way to a better world. But no, my reputation taints me; Lila Sleater paints me as the villain. I should be used to facing these doubts now, even from my so called allies but even I, with everything I have and everything I have become, would prefer not to admit that I am not a trustworthy man.
But you do not need to trust me to know that I am doing the right thing. You just have to keep your eyes focused.
Trace Demon: I didn’t want to pay because I thought it would impact these so called saviours but tell me Anders, how dangerous is Nikki Dean right now?
Jason Anders: Well she’s injured so… not dangerous at all?
Trace Demon: Exactly, I’ve nothing to fear from her and nothing to gain from ruining her like this. And Josh… well if I do this to his woman then he’ll come at me with reckless abandon and I need him focused if this is to work. Can’t have a loose cannon firing off everywhere, I’d much rather he be predictable. He’s easier to manipulate that way, easier to break.
Jason Anders: I knew there was a catch.
Can’t stop the grin. It just comes naturally sometimes.
Trace Demon: No catch, just an upside. See the saviours think they know me, they think they know what I’m capable of, but they don’t, nobody does. I’ll do anything it takes. Anything. They want to think I’m crazy, out of my mind? Let them, at least then they’re not looking to see what it is I’ve got planned, and I’ve got big plans. Big plans indeed.
Jason Anders: And these plans, you still won’t tell me what they are?
Trace Demon: Oh no Jason, a man’s got to have his secrets.
Secrets, a bloody crowbar in the river and a plan to take it all.
Yes, some things never change. They just get better with age.
< *** >
Some men lose their edge when they grow older and start a family. They mellow, begin to care more for their family than for what brought them to the dance in the first place. Not me, not Trace Demon. I am still as dangerous and unpredictable as ever. I mean just this week I took a crowb… well, some things are better left unsaid when all is said and done. Point is family has not mellowed me one bit; it’s just given me some perception on what’s important in life. And what’s important is keeping what’s mine safe, keeping what’s mine from harm and keeping it away from anybody who wants to hurt it.
The WFWF is my baby and there are bad men trying to hurt it.
Josh Dean, you’re the latest to oppose me, the latest man to try and get in my way when all I want to do is save my child. Out of everybody I thought you’d be able to understand that what I’m doing is right. You’ve got a family right? Don’t you want to protect them? Don’t you want to make sure that no harm comes to them? Well look who I’m talking to. You couldn’t stop Nikki from coming to harm could you, I know why that is now. It’s because you don’t care about her. I mean where were you when it happened man? Why weren’t you right there by her side the moment she went down, why’d it take you so long?
It’s because you were getting ready for your own match, wasn’t it?
I have seen men like you Josh, men who care more about their own lives than the people they’ve built that life with. To you Nikki and your children are just hangers on, possessions you’ve picked up along the way. You disgust me, you really do. You’re meant to protect them Josh but instead you sent your wife into the ring and she got injured. You may as well have beat her yourself. I mean come on Josh, it could have been so much worse and then where would you have been? With two kids and no wife. Or at least not one with a functioning brain anymore. And we both know you wouldn’t look after your family, you’re not capable of that, it’d get in the way of your glory. Because that’s who you are.
You’re no man, you’re a disgrace.
But not me, I fight for what’s right, my revolution is dedicated to protecting my child from monsters like you. So you think you’re going to step inside that ring and get one over on me? Think again because I will not lose to the likes of you. I won’t lose to a disgrace like Josh Dean. Instead of being at home with your injured wife you decided to come and fight me. That was a mistake because I’m going to send you straight back home to be with her myself. The pair of you are gonna get plenty of time together because neither of you will have a career left by the time I’m finished with you. And then how will you cope, when you have to see your wife every day knowing that you’ll never be a winner again and she’ll never respect you? What will you do looking at your kids knowing that they can’t respect their loser of a father.
Maybe I’ll do you a favour Josh.
Maybe I’ll send you home in a body bag.
