Post by Devilkiller on May 13, 2019 2:18:35 GMT -5
Be Scared of Not Being Scared.
I'll have to finish what Drakz started.
---16 days before SuperBrawl---
Devilkiller, wearing baggy blue jeans like it is the 90's again, with an Audioslave t-shirt on is sitting in a chair, his leg crossed over the other with a bit of an older iPhone pressed to his ear.
Yeah I can do the match. You don't have to worry about ring rust Ms. Sleater. I promise I'll provide a great show for SuperBrawl. Yeah, I'll go up there after SuperBrawl if you want me too. Thanks for the offer, glad I was one of the first few you contacted. See you then!
Devilkiller hangs up his phone, laying it on a little brown stained end table beside him. He sighs, unrolling his left t shirt sleeve to reveal a pack of full flavored cigarettes. Devilkiller opens the pack and sees the last one in there, flipped the opposite way compared to the ones before it. Devilkiller takes the lucky cigarette in hand and lights it with a few quick puffs and a zippo.
He wanders into space, not focusing on any one thing, but instead just staring blankly forward, taking a drag from his cigarette every now and then but not bothering to ash it.
Sweetie, lunch is ready! Can you go get Carter from the backyard?
Devilkiller groans as he struggles to push himself out of the chair, letting out a whimpering "Yes dear" as he puts his cigarette in his mouth. He goes to the back glass sliding door and watches his son do some kind of wrestling moves on a trampoline. Devilkiller can't help but to admire his adrenaline and tenacity, even if he is getting the technique wrong. He watches as Carter hits some kind of twisting front flip onto a stuffed animal. He smiles as he hears his little voice through the door scream the count of 3. Begrudgingly, he opens the door and steps outside.
Carter, momma says it's time for lunch.
Dad! I was about to face the champion!
I know buddy, but mom trumps all. I'm sorry, but hey, you're doing pretty good. I enjoy watching you wrestle. What was that move you did at the end?
Oh, the 240 Crusher? It's a move I made up! I was doing flips one day and then I ended up landing on my face. I don't know how I did it or how I do it! I just jump, flip, and I land on my face. I guess I turn while I'm jumping I don't know.
Well I'll tell you what, I will come out here after lunch and watch you do the 360 Crusher.
It's the 240 Crusher dad, but okay!
The brown haired kid jumps off the trampoline and lands on his feet, his striped shirt hugging his non existent muscles and his khaki shorts covered in pieces of the trampoline mat. He races up the porch steps and follows behind Devilkiller toward the source of smell.
It's in here guys! Carter I have your plate already made at the table. Logan, I left the tea out if you want a glass.
Devilkiller smiles towards Kaitlyn, her golden hair laying across her shoulders covering them up over her tank top. Her lips curl into a beautiful smile of their own, her little freckle close to the corner of her mouth rising with it. Devilkiller puts out his cigarette with a quick turn of the kitchen faucet and throws it away before looking at the meal full of nutrition that sits on the island with plates and forks on either side. Devilkiller grabs a piece of baked chicken and starts to cut it into little strips, each slice crescendoing as the knife bangs the island. His eyebrows frowned in a bit of frustration, his lips curling at the thought of being back in the ring at SuperBrawl, against someone who's done it all.
Sweetie, not so hard. It's pretty tender and you don't have to cut it so hard.
Devilkiller shakes his head, smiles towards his wife and mutters a low "Sorry" before sliding the chicken into a bowl. He mixes some salad along with it before going to sit down next to his family.
---12 Days before SuperBrawl---
Don't hurt yourself doing it buddy. The key is to break the wall that's stopping you from flipping. You can almost feel an actual wall stopping you in your tracks when you go to do it don't you?
Yeah! It's weird. I am trying really hard but my body just stops.
The sunlight is making the day outside a beautiful one, a light breeze carries the scent of freshly mowed lawns and swimming pool chemicals wafting through the air. The weather is great for kids playing, or dads helping kids learn a new trick, as the case with Devilkiller.
Devilkiller is standing beside the trampoline watching his son Carter attempt do to a backflip, and keeps trying to give him lessons and advice. Carter, already sweating, is doing everything in his power to do as his father says.
The trick is to let go of the care. Don't worry about anything. Imagine you're up fifty feet in the air. Imagine how easy it would be to do a backflip then. Now, jump, pretend, and break down that wall that's holding you back. Tell yourself you're no longer scared, break through, and nail it. I promise you will get it.
The ten year old takes a few deep breaths before trying again to do a backflip, getting closer but not quite doing a straight backflip. He gets up in frustration, growling at the imaginary object stopping him.
It's okay! It's okay. Let's take a break and we can try it again tomorrow or something.
Okay dad. Maybe we can go watch videos on YouTube of other people doing them?
Devilkiller shrugs towards his offspring and helps him off the trampoline. He stops for a quick second, hesitating, the gears in his mind grinding on an idea.
Hey Carter, get back up there. I want to do something if you can.
It's not gonna hurt me right?
No buddy. It shouldn't hurt you.
Carter nods and climbs back onto the trampoline. Devilkiller follows behind him, hopping up on the trampoline. The size difference is almost comical, a 6'6 man on a trampoline with a 5' even 10 year old.
Devilkiller picks Carter up on his shoulders in an argentine style lock, but careful not to actually lock it in.
Now when I flip you, I'm gonna flip you so you can land on your stomach okay?
Okay just don't hurt me.
LOGAN! What are you doing?
Kaitlyn's voice rings out over the yard as Devilkiller turns to look at her. Her eyes daggers and her lips curled in a snarl. He hurries to put his son back down on his feet to try to explain to his wife why it looked like he was going to kill Carter.
No honey, it's not what it looks like. I was trying to see if I could do this move still that's all.
You mean the one that can break necks and cause concussions right?
Yes and no, I was going to make him land on his stomach, I was gonna rotate him enough for th-
Why do you need to know if you can do the move anyway? I mean, you done it just a few months ago at the show on the Island, I don't understand why you think you need to try it again?
I wanted to see if I could hit it on someone a bit shorter.
Why? Are you wrestling kids now at these shows? What's next, you're gonna want to try it on me?
Devilkiller opens his mouth to speak but stops. Kaitlyns words are repeated in his mind as he sizes her up. She's 5'8, she weighs around the 140 pound mark. She's just the right size.
Actually yes. Carter, get down. Kaitlyn, get up here please.
What the f-, what the HELL do you think you're gonna do? I'm not getting up there, Logan.
Please Kaitlyn. I won't hurt you. You're doing a backflip. You can do those, you did as a cheerleader!
No! That's completely different. I'm in control of my body when I do a backflip. When you pick me up I'm at your mercy. What if something goes wrong? Your knee gives out again? You're gonna drop me off of the trampoline and I'm gonna be hurt bad. No Logan, and don't do it to Carter either. Come in Carter. I'll make you a sandwich or something.
Okay Kaitlyn, okay. I have to tell you something.
Okay, does it have to do with why you want kill me or Carter?
First, I don't want to kill you guys. I..
Devilkiller lets out a long sigh. He looks down at his feet contemplating on telling them the truth or not. He gazes back up at Kaitlyn's baby blue eyes and he knows he can't lie to her.
I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl.
Carter's eyes light up like a Christmas tree the night before Christmas and Kaitlyn's get widened out of pure shock.
What?!
What!?
Devilkiller takes in another breath, a weight lifted off his shoulders. He nods toward both of them.
Yeah. I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl.
Who are you facing? Do we get to go? Are you going back like for good? Do I get to see you on TV again?
What do you mean you're wrestling at SuperBrawl? When were you planning on telling me? Why haven't you told me? When did you find out?
Try to keep up with the answers, I'm going to try my best to answer them all. I'm facing a very established name, no you guys aren't going, I don't know we haven't came that far in talks, and you'll see me for SuperBrawl at least on TV. Kaitlyn, I mean I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl, I guess today is as good as ever, and I found out just a few days ago. I haven't known for too long.
Carter's eyes are still shining brightly as he looks towards his mom, whose eyes are still fixated on Devilkiller, a lot like heat seeking missiles, she's not necessarily mad, more like she can't believe what she has just heard.
Carter, can you go in for a minute sweetie? I'll be in there to fix you something soon.
But mom I still have so ma-
No longer a question sweetie. Go in.
Hey buddy, I'll answer your questions later, okay? Just do what your mom says.
Carter's eyes drop as he sulks inside the house. Kaitlyn takes a few steps closer to the trampoline so it's a bit more private of a discussion, her jaw clenched fairly tight.
You're wrestling at SuperBrawl?
I've answered that a few times already sweetie. Yes.
Okay, what happened to not wanting to go back to WFWF? You wanting to start transitioning out of wrestling?
Yeah, I know, but come on Kaitlyn. You know that all I've ever wanted to do is wrestle. I'm 27 years old now, I'm not too old to wrestle by no means, and I've wanted this since I was 10. That's how we're together is wrestling, do you know that? That's how we have that beautiful boy in there. That's how we have this home. Don't you want something nicer? I don't want to be stuck doing business stuff like being a landlord. I don't want it. I want wrestling. Wrestling is the one thing that can't change in my life. It so happened WFWF needed a match for Penny Shannon at SuperBrawl. The payout for it is more than I made this past year in the Indy's. More than double actually. Are you telling me we can't use that? Then, if I decide to stick around, we can't use an extra $300,000 a year? That's what I would get paid. Compared to last year, after merch sales and bookings, I made only $160,000? WFWF needs faces to bring some of the older fans back. I may not have been the best wrestler or the most popular, but I had a slight following. Almost cult like, I can bring some of them back to WFWF and it's a win win for everyone.
I don't care if you wrestle, the format now seems like you'll spend more time home anyway. My thing is why not talk to your wife first? Aren't we a team?
We are a team baby, but when it comes to wrestling it doesn't take a team to know the answer.
Kaitlyn sighs, she nods in understanding. Her tone changes from slightly angry to more understanding.
So when do you leave?
Exactly a week from today.
How long will you be gone?
A week. I'll be back the next Wednesday. After the show they're gonna fly me to WFWF headquarters to figure out the details of my contract if I want one. I e-signed for a single date, the other days I'm talking to the costume designer and the other techs about my entrance.
Kaitlyn once again sighs. She looks around in wonder, choosing her words carefully.
You said you're facing Penny Shannon? Just don't get hurt. We'll talk more later. Now I just want to lay down for a while. I know why you want to do this, and I don't care for you doing this, but I have to put in question all feelings. These past 4 months with you not wrestling and you being here all the time kind of spoiled me. I'll figure something out. Don't get hurt.
Devilkiller opens his mouth to speak, but Kaitlyn turns around and goes inside, signaling the end to this conversation.
Devilkiller falls back on the trampoline, collecting his thoughts as the bouncing slowly subsides. This is what he wants to do. This is how he wants to live his life. This is how he wants to be remembered. He doesn't need to be a businessman. He needs to be an enigma.
---5 Days Before SuperBrawl---
Devilkiller, clad in basketball shorts, a short sleeve t shirt, and newly done red highlight hair, sits down on the couch beside Carter. Carter hands Devilkiller his legal pad and pen back to him as Penny Shannon comes on screen against Phillip Schneider. Devilkiller intently watches and takes notes on her. He is on the 5th page of this pad and is filling it up with every offensive, defensive, and reversal she's ever done thus far. He's finally getting closer to catching up with the current times.
Dad, we've been watching her for like 3 hours. Can we watch one of yours?
Why? You don't like Penny?
Yeah, but I see her on TV all the time. I don't see you.
I know buddy. You'll see me in a few days though. You'll see me leave with my hands in the air too. Let me keep watching a little bit more buddy. I want to make sure I have something for every little thing she has.
Carter understands and sits quietly watching the grueling match that is Penny Shannon .VS. Phillip Schneider. Devilkiller takes as many notes as he can, he thinks he has some kind of counter to almost every move Penny has. The only doubt in his mind is when she will do the moves and if he'll be ready when she does them.
After the match ends, Devilkiller turns the TV off and clicks the pen to hide the ballpoint. He smiles toward Carter as he slides the pad in his carry on bag.
Aren't you excited to see your old man on TV?
Yeah! But aren't you scared at all?
No, why should I be? I think I got it man. Don't you?
I hope you do, but it's Penny Shannon dad. She's done some crazy stuff. Aren't you scared she could do it to you?
Nope. Sure not. I think I can handle a 5'6 former drug dealer.
Logan, can you come in the kitchen for a minute?
Sure honey. Don't worry about me Carter. You just enjoy SuperBrawl buddy.
Carter smiles and takes a swig of his apple juice as Devilkiller gets up from the couch and walks into the kitchen. Kaitlyn closes the refrigerator door and gets close to Devilkiller to make sure unwarranted ears listen in.
Did you just say you're not scared whenever I came in there?
Yeah, I'm not scared of Penny Shannon, why?
Why are you not scared of Penny Shannon?
Because I have no reason to. I mean, I've done this for a long time. I think I can get her. Why does no one believe me around here? She's no different than say a Carter Contra, a Jayson Sykes, or a ZMaster.
That's where you mess up and just categorize her. She's definitely different than all of those guys combined. Are you just not scared of her because she's a girl? What if I was to pack my stuff right now? Would you be scared of a girl then?
Devilkiller's eyes drop and the blood rushes faster through his veins. He feels his blood pressure rise to new heights as he is forced to think of the unthinkable. Kaitlyn notices this so she cuts him off before he can even respond.
So it's not a woman thing? Good. Do you really want your son, who hasn't seen you wrestle in 5 years mind you, watch you get beaten to a pulp on TV? No? Then why not be scared of her? Let me tell you why you should be scared of her.
Be glad your son watches every time it comes on and I watch with him, because I know her. She has a lot of disdain right now. Anna Ahriman has a championship match at SuperBrawl. She literally asked and pretty much bullied her way into one. Then Penny is down to having to BEG for a challenge. I saw the tweet she made. She's not happy. She has motherf**kers to prove wrong. You really think she won't make an example out of you? She's going to be pulling out every single stop. She's going to be gunning for blood, no, she's going to be drawing blood. Penny has a very impressive resumé and what does Anna have, really? Compared to Penny that is? Penny is going to chew you up and spit you out dude.
Are you scared of her now?
Devilkiller, whose eyes still haven't been picked up after being dropped, his breathing more shallow, more jagged. His lips quivering as he lets out a very mediocre "yes" much to the pleasure of Kaitlyn.
Good. Now don't be scared of her.
Devilkiller cocks his head to the side and looks at Kaitlyn with daggers for eyes.
Di- Did you just say don't be scared of Penny Shannon? After breaking me down and telling me all of these reasons to be scared, you're telling me not to be scared? What are you going through Kaitlyn? I-I-I can't just stop being scared of her after realizing how much she has to prove, and how much of a great target I am. What the hell do you mean don't be scared of her?
I get it, she's beaten a list of very impressive people. I get it, I told you every single reason you should be scared s**tless right now. But don't be scared of her. Don't be scared of her because you now have every single piece of homework you need to beat her. You have your list you've been working on for hours now, you have the reasons to be afraid, you have everything you need. Be scared of not being scared. That's the factor that's going to make you win or lose this match. Be scared that you're now so confident after learning everything about her, you're gonna mess up a move or miscalculate one single thing. Be scared of not being scared of her. Remember how you told Carter to no longer be scared and break through the wall and nail that backflip? Take your own advice right now.
Devilkiller starts nodding aggressively, agreeing with everything Kaitlyn is saying. His eyes now with a twinkle in them and his heart beating faster with adrenaline instead of dread.
Take everything I just told you about Penny, crumple it up into a tiny little ball, and throw it into the embers that is your passion and let it burn brighter than it ever has. Penny's gonna pull out all the stops, what are you gonna do?
I'm.. I'm gonna stop at the stop sign, get out of the car, pull the whole damn stop sign out of the ground and hit Penny Shannon over the head with it.
Kaitlyn can't help but laugh at her husbands creativity, even if it's a serious matter.
What are you gonna do if she's going break neck 90?
I'm gonna slow her down to a f**king turtles pace.
And then what are you gonna do when she's going 0?
I'm gonna take her to lightspeed.
Good! Now change your clothes, kiss me bye, tell Carter bye, get on your plane, go to SuperBrawl, and finish the job Drakz started and go put her back in the hospital.
Devilkiller smiles enthusiastically as he kisses Kaitlyn long and passionately, never wanting to leave her black cherry tasting lips. He pulls away begrudgingly but excitedly, and goes to the bedroom to put on dark navy jeans and a red button down shirt, looking professional and ready. He starts to go towards the living room to see his son, but Kaitlyn stops him one last time.
Go out there and make SuperBrawl the best damn show Devilkiller has ever been on.
Devilkiller smiles as he turns back and goes into the living room, meeting Carter right by the door.
Don't get hurt dad, okay?
Have your mom tell you why you shouldn't be scared and why you will be watching me win in a few nights.
Carter smiles softly as he kisses his dad on the cheek. Devilkiller stands up and grabs his luggage and walks out the door. He drags it along through the grass, looking up to the skies above as he smiles towards them. He sets all of his luggage down at the curb. He checks his phone and sees his Uber is just under a minute away, and he can't help but smile.
I'll do whatever it takes. I'm beating Penny Shannon. I'm no longer afraid of her. She needs to be scared of me. I'll have to finish what Drakz started.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
And you wanna do this why?
For old times sake. Indulge me a little.
One of the WFWF ring crew guys lifts up Devilkiller's phone oriented long ways, landscape style, and presses the record button.
On the tiny screen, Devilkiller is inside a dimly lit room, the only source of light coming from a red light bulb. If we didn't know it was a reflection from a mirror, we would think Devilkiller's dirty. Devilkiller's sitting in a steel folding chair, hunched over with a hood over his head.
They say stars burn out more often than we think. They say much of the solar system as we see it is burned out because the stars are so far away, we only see the past version of them. The years forget me, much like they have for my real life.
Devilkiller looks up towards the mirror which in turn, seems like he's looking into the camera lens. His face painted up with white, red, and black face paint in intricate designs and shapes spreading across his face.
The years of Devilkiller's past was unfortunately forgotten to a lot of people. Many don't remember me, many don't want to remember me. Some times they want to forget, some times they are forced to.
I myself forced myself to forget this life long ago, some 6 years ago actually. I told myself 'Self, I will NOT wrestle full time again. I will NOT work the days and weeks and months I used to.
But time changes everyone. For most it's wisdom and grey hair, for others it's rotten teeth and bags underneath their eyes. But for me, some will classify it as stupidity. Idiotic. Self-destructive. I classify it as me finding myself and coming back to my roots.
Devilkiller stands up and jumps towards the mirror, the metal chair falling back and clinking and clanging against the concrete floor. Devilkiller has intent in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.
THIS is what I was meant to do. THIS is where I need to be in my life. THIS is where I, Devilkiller, the Hardcore King, the Creator of Hell, make my return to WFWF. I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
The scary thing? The scary thing is I'm not going to stop until I prove a bunch of mother f***ers wrong. I will not stop, I will not give in, I will crawl myself back from the depths of Hell as I have had to do time and time again to prove them wrong.
This is the last red room talk we will probably ever have. But for memory's sake, remember these days. For my sake, look back on these days in fondness. Because just like everything, time changes.
As for you, Penny Shannon? You're gonna be like Carrie White by the end of tonight. You're gonna be the laughing stock of WFWF. There will be Hell in the hallways for you here after I'm done with you. What sucks for you, you don't have any powers to extract your revenge. So sad, but that's okay. I'll use the power I have and end you. Better get some glass eyes chick, because I'm ripping your good one out and putting it on my mantle.
With that, Devilkiller rears back and punches the mirror as hard as he can, his reflection shattering and crumbling apart as the glass falls and all that's left is a piece of wood handing on a wall. The tech waits a couple of extra seconds before cutting the camera off and handing Devilkiller his phone back.
Devilkiller watches it back and smiles, reminiscing on the older days, but acknowledges how much he's grown as well. He goes to Twitter and posts the video with a timer so it will go live 1 minute before his match is supposed to start. He's excited, he's ready, and most of all, he's back.
I'll have to finish what Drakz started.
---16 days before SuperBrawl---
Devilkiller, wearing baggy blue jeans like it is the 90's again, with an Audioslave t-shirt on is sitting in a chair, his leg crossed over the other with a bit of an older iPhone pressed to his ear.
Yeah I can do the match. You don't have to worry about ring rust Ms. Sleater. I promise I'll provide a great show for SuperBrawl. Yeah, I'll go up there after SuperBrawl if you want me too. Thanks for the offer, glad I was one of the first few you contacted. See you then!
Devilkiller hangs up his phone, laying it on a little brown stained end table beside him. He sighs, unrolling his left t shirt sleeve to reveal a pack of full flavored cigarettes. Devilkiller opens the pack and sees the last one in there, flipped the opposite way compared to the ones before it. Devilkiller takes the lucky cigarette in hand and lights it with a few quick puffs and a zippo.
He wanders into space, not focusing on any one thing, but instead just staring blankly forward, taking a drag from his cigarette every now and then but not bothering to ash it.
Sweetie, lunch is ready! Can you go get Carter from the backyard?
Devilkiller groans as he struggles to push himself out of the chair, letting out a whimpering "Yes dear" as he puts his cigarette in his mouth. He goes to the back glass sliding door and watches his son do some kind of wrestling moves on a trampoline. Devilkiller can't help but to admire his adrenaline and tenacity, even if he is getting the technique wrong. He watches as Carter hits some kind of twisting front flip onto a stuffed animal. He smiles as he hears his little voice through the door scream the count of 3. Begrudgingly, he opens the door and steps outside.
Carter, momma says it's time for lunch.
Dad! I was about to face the champion!
I know buddy, but mom trumps all. I'm sorry, but hey, you're doing pretty good. I enjoy watching you wrestle. What was that move you did at the end?
Oh, the 240 Crusher? It's a move I made up! I was doing flips one day and then I ended up landing on my face. I don't know how I did it or how I do it! I just jump, flip, and I land on my face. I guess I turn while I'm jumping I don't know.
Well I'll tell you what, I will come out here after lunch and watch you do the 360 Crusher.
It's the 240 Crusher dad, but okay!
The brown haired kid jumps off the trampoline and lands on his feet, his striped shirt hugging his non existent muscles and his khaki shorts covered in pieces of the trampoline mat. He races up the porch steps and follows behind Devilkiller toward the source of smell.
It's in here guys! Carter I have your plate already made at the table. Logan, I left the tea out if you want a glass.
Devilkiller smiles towards Kaitlyn, her golden hair laying across her shoulders covering them up over her tank top. Her lips curl into a beautiful smile of their own, her little freckle close to the corner of her mouth rising with it. Devilkiller puts out his cigarette with a quick turn of the kitchen faucet and throws it away before looking at the meal full of nutrition that sits on the island with plates and forks on either side. Devilkiller grabs a piece of baked chicken and starts to cut it into little strips, each slice crescendoing as the knife bangs the island. His eyebrows frowned in a bit of frustration, his lips curling at the thought of being back in the ring at SuperBrawl, against someone who's done it all.
Sweetie, not so hard. It's pretty tender and you don't have to cut it so hard.
Devilkiller shakes his head, smiles towards his wife and mutters a low "Sorry" before sliding the chicken into a bowl. He mixes some salad along with it before going to sit down next to his family.
---12 Days before SuperBrawl---
Don't hurt yourself doing it buddy. The key is to break the wall that's stopping you from flipping. You can almost feel an actual wall stopping you in your tracks when you go to do it don't you?
Yeah! It's weird. I am trying really hard but my body just stops.
The sunlight is making the day outside a beautiful one, a light breeze carries the scent of freshly mowed lawns and swimming pool chemicals wafting through the air. The weather is great for kids playing, or dads helping kids learn a new trick, as the case with Devilkiller.
Devilkiller is standing beside the trampoline watching his son Carter attempt do to a backflip, and keeps trying to give him lessons and advice. Carter, already sweating, is doing everything in his power to do as his father says.
The trick is to let go of the care. Don't worry about anything. Imagine you're up fifty feet in the air. Imagine how easy it would be to do a backflip then. Now, jump, pretend, and break down that wall that's holding you back. Tell yourself you're no longer scared, break through, and nail it. I promise you will get it.
The ten year old takes a few deep breaths before trying again to do a backflip, getting closer but not quite doing a straight backflip. He gets up in frustration, growling at the imaginary object stopping him.
It's okay! It's okay. Let's take a break and we can try it again tomorrow or something.
Okay dad. Maybe we can go watch videos on YouTube of other people doing them?
Devilkiller shrugs towards his offspring and helps him off the trampoline. He stops for a quick second, hesitating, the gears in his mind grinding on an idea.
Hey Carter, get back up there. I want to do something if you can.
It's not gonna hurt me right?
No buddy. It shouldn't hurt you.
Carter nods and climbs back onto the trampoline. Devilkiller follows behind him, hopping up on the trampoline. The size difference is almost comical, a 6'6 man on a trampoline with a 5' even 10 year old.
Devilkiller picks Carter up on his shoulders in an argentine style lock, but careful not to actually lock it in.
Now when I flip you, I'm gonna flip you so you can land on your stomach okay?
Okay just don't hurt me.
LOGAN! What are you doing?
Kaitlyn's voice rings out over the yard as Devilkiller turns to look at her. Her eyes daggers and her lips curled in a snarl. He hurries to put his son back down on his feet to try to explain to his wife why it looked like he was going to kill Carter.
No honey, it's not what it looks like. I was trying to see if I could do this move still that's all.
You mean the one that can break necks and cause concussions right?
Yes and no, I was going to make him land on his stomach, I was gonna rotate him enough for th-
Why do you need to know if you can do the move anyway? I mean, you done it just a few months ago at the show on the Island, I don't understand why you think you need to try it again?
I wanted to see if I could hit it on someone a bit shorter.
Why? Are you wrestling kids now at these shows? What's next, you're gonna want to try it on me?
Devilkiller opens his mouth to speak but stops. Kaitlyns words are repeated in his mind as he sizes her up. She's 5'8, she weighs around the 140 pound mark. She's just the right size.
Actually yes. Carter, get down. Kaitlyn, get up here please.
What the f-, what the HELL do you think you're gonna do? I'm not getting up there, Logan.
Please Kaitlyn. I won't hurt you. You're doing a backflip. You can do those, you did as a cheerleader!
No! That's completely different. I'm in control of my body when I do a backflip. When you pick me up I'm at your mercy. What if something goes wrong? Your knee gives out again? You're gonna drop me off of the trampoline and I'm gonna be hurt bad. No Logan, and don't do it to Carter either. Come in Carter. I'll make you a sandwich or something.
Okay Kaitlyn, okay. I have to tell you something.
Okay, does it have to do with why you want kill me or Carter?
First, I don't want to kill you guys. I..
Devilkiller lets out a long sigh. He looks down at his feet contemplating on telling them the truth or not. He gazes back up at Kaitlyn's baby blue eyes and he knows he can't lie to her.
I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl.
Carter's eyes light up like a Christmas tree the night before Christmas and Kaitlyn's get widened out of pure shock.
What?!
What!?
Devilkiller takes in another breath, a weight lifted off his shoulders. He nods toward both of them.
Yeah. I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl.
Who are you facing? Do we get to go? Are you going back like for good? Do I get to see you on TV again?
What do you mean you're wrestling at SuperBrawl? When were you planning on telling me? Why haven't you told me? When did you find out?
Try to keep up with the answers, I'm going to try my best to answer them all. I'm facing a very established name, no you guys aren't going, I don't know we haven't came that far in talks, and you'll see me for SuperBrawl at least on TV. Kaitlyn, I mean I'm wrestling at SuperBrawl, I guess today is as good as ever, and I found out just a few days ago. I haven't known for too long.
Carter's eyes are still shining brightly as he looks towards his mom, whose eyes are still fixated on Devilkiller, a lot like heat seeking missiles, she's not necessarily mad, more like she can't believe what she has just heard.
Carter, can you go in for a minute sweetie? I'll be in there to fix you something soon.
But mom I still have so ma-
No longer a question sweetie. Go in.
Hey buddy, I'll answer your questions later, okay? Just do what your mom says.
Carter's eyes drop as he sulks inside the house. Kaitlyn takes a few steps closer to the trampoline so it's a bit more private of a discussion, her jaw clenched fairly tight.
You're wrestling at SuperBrawl?
I've answered that a few times already sweetie. Yes.
Okay, what happened to not wanting to go back to WFWF? You wanting to start transitioning out of wrestling?
Yeah, I know, but come on Kaitlyn. You know that all I've ever wanted to do is wrestle. I'm 27 years old now, I'm not too old to wrestle by no means, and I've wanted this since I was 10. That's how we're together is wrestling, do you know that? That's how we have that beautiful boy in there. That's how we have this home. Don't you want something nicer? I don't want to be stuck doing business stuff like being a landlord. I don't want it. I want wrestling. Wrestling is the one thing that can't change in my life. It so happened WFWF needed a match for Penny Shannon at SuperBrawl. The payout for it is more than I made this past year in the Indy's. More than double actually. Are you telling me we can't use that? Then, if I decide to stick around, we can't use an extra $300,000 a year? That's what I would get paid. Compared to last year, after merch sales and bookings, I made only $160,000? WFWF needs faces to bring some of the older fans back. I may not have been the best wrestler or the most popular, but I had a slight following. Almost cult like, I can bring some of them back to WFWF and it's a win win for everyone.
I don't care if you wrestle, the format now seems like you'll spend more time home anyway. My thing is why not talk to your wife first? Aren't we a team?
We are a team baby, but when it comes to wrestling it doesn't take a team to know the answer.
Kaitlyn sighs, she nods in understanding. Her tone changes from slightly angry to more understanding.
So when do you leave?
Exactly a week from today.
How long will you be gone?
A week. I'll be back the next Wednesday. After the show they're gonna fly me to WFWF headquarters to figure out the details of my contract if I want one. I e-signed for a single date, the other days I'm talking to the costume designer and the other techs about my entrance.
Kaitlyn once again sighs. She looks around in wonder, choosing her words carefully.
You said you're facing Penny Shannon? Just don't get hurt. We'll talk more later. Now I just want to lay down for a while. I know why you want to do this, and I don't care for you doing this, but I have to put in question all feelings. These past 4 months with you not wrestling and you being here all the time kind of spoiled me. I'll figure something out. Don't get hurt.
Devilkiller opens his mouth to speak, but Kaitlyn turns around and goes inside, signaling the end to this conversation.
Devilkiller falls back on the trampoline, collecting his thoughts as the bouncing slowly subsides. This is what he wants to do. This is how he wants to live his life. This is how he wants to be remembered. He doesn't need to be a businessman. He needs to be an enigma.
---5 Days Before SuperBrawl---
Devilkiller, clad in basketball shorts, a short sleeve t shirt, and newly done red highlight hair, sits down on the couch beside Carter. Carter hands Devilkiller his legal pad and pen back to him as Penny Shannon comes on screen against Phillip Schneider. Devilkiller intently watches and takes notes on her. He is on the 5th page of this pad and is filling it up with every offensive, defensive, and reversal she's ever done thus far. He's finally getting closer to catching up with the current times.
Dad, we've been watching her for like 3 hours. Can we watch one of yours?
Why? You don't like Penny?
Yeah, but I see her on TV all the time. I don't see you.
I know buddy. You'll see me in a few days though. You'll see me leave with my hands in the air too. Let me keep watching a little bit more buddy. I want to make sure I have something for every little thing she has.
Carter understands and sits quietly watching the grueling match that is Penny Shannon .VS. Phillip Schneider. Devilkiller takes as many notes as he can, he thinks he has some kind of counter to almost every move Penny has. The only doubt in his mind is when she will do the moves and if he'll be ready when she does them.
After the match ends, Devilkiller turns the TV off and clicks the pen to hide the ballpoint. He smiles toward Carter as he slides the pad in his carry on bag.
Aren't you excited to see your old man on TV?
Yeah! But aren't you scared at all?
No, why should I be? I think I got it man. Don't you?
I hope you do, but it's Penny Shannon dad. She's done some crazy stuff. Aren't you scared she could do it to you?
Nope. Sure not. I think I can handle a 5'6 former drug dealer.
Logan, can you come in the kitchen for a minute?
Sure honey. Don't worry about me Carter. You just enjoy SuperBrawl buddy.
Carter smiles and takes a swig of his apple juice as Devilkiller gets up from the couch and walks into the kitchen. Kaitlyn closes the refrigerator door and gets close to Devilkiller to make sure unwarranted ears listen in.
Did you just say you're not scared whenever I came in there?
Yeah, I'm not scared of Penny Shannon, why?
Why are you not scared of Penny Shannon?
Because I have no reason to. I mean, I've done this for a long time. I think I can get her. Why does no one believe me around here? She's no different than say a Carter Contra, a Jayson Sykes, or a ZMaster.
That's where you mess up and just categorize her. She's definitely different than all of those guys combined. Are you just not scared of her because she's a girl? What if I was to pack my stuff right now? Would you be scared of a girl then?
Devilkiller's eyes drop and the blood rushes faster through his veins. He feels his blood pressure rise to new heights as he is forced to think of the unthinkable. Kaitlyn notices this so she cuts him off before he can even respond.
So it's not a woman thing? Good. Do you really want your son, who hasn't seen you wrestle in 5 years mind you, watch you get beaten to a pulp on TV? No? Then why not be scared of her? Let me tell you why you should be scared of her.
Be glad your son watches every time it comes on and I watch with him, because I know her. She has a lot of disdain right now. Anna Ahriman has a championship match at SuperBrawl. She literally asked and pretty much bullied her way into one. Then Penny is down to having to BEG for a challenge. I saw the tweet she made. She's not happy. She has motherf**kers to prove wrong. You really think she won't make an example out of you? She's going to be pulling out every single stop. She's going to be gunning for blood, no, she's going to be drawing blood. Penny has a very impressive resumé and what does Anna have, really? Compared to Penny that is? Penny is going to chew you up and spit you out dude.
Are you scared of her now?
Devilkiller, whose eyes still haven't been picked up after being dropped, his breathing more shallow, more jagged. His lips quivering as he lets out a very mediocre "yes" much to the pleasure of Kaitlyn.
Good. Now don't be scared of her.
Devilkiller cocks his head to the side and looks at Kaitlyn with daggers for eyes.
Di- Did you just say don't be scared of Penny Shannon? After breaking me down and telling me all of these reasons to be scared, you're telling me not to be scared? What are you going through Kaitlyn? I-I-I can't just stop being scared of her after realizing how much she has to prove, and how much of a great target I am. What the hell do you mean don't be scared of her?
I get it, she's beaten a list of very impressive people. I get it, I told you every single reason you should be scared s**tless right now. But don't be scared of her. Don't be scared of her because you now have every single piece of homework you need to beat her. You have your list you've been working on for hours now, you have the reasons to be afraid, you have everything you need. Be scared of not being scared. That's the factor that's going to make you win or lose this match. Be scared that you're now so confident after learning everything about her, you're gonna mess up a move or miscalculate one single thing. Be scared of not being scared of her. Remember how you told Carter to no longer be scared and break through the wall and nail that backflip? Take your own advice right now.
Devilkiller starts nodding aggressively, agreeing with everything Kaitlyn is saying. His eyes now with a twinkle in them and his heart beating faster with adrenaline instead of dread.
Take everything I just told you about Penny, crumple it up into a tiny little ball, and throw it into the embers that is your passion and let it burn brighter than it ever has. Penny's gonna pull out all the stops, what are you gonna do?
I'm.. I'm gonna stop at the stop sign, get out of the car, pull the whole damn stop sign out of the ground and hit Penny Shannon over the head with it.
Kaitlyn can't help but laugh at her husbands creativity, even if it's a serious matter.
What are you gonna do if she's going break neck 90?
I'm gonna slow her down to a f**king turtles pace.
And then what are you gonna do when she's going 0?
I'm gonna take her to lightspeed.
Good! Now change your clothes, kiss me bye, tell Carter bye, get on your plane, go to SuperBrawl, and finish the job Drakz started and go put her back in the hospital.
Devilkiller smiles enthusiastically as he kisses Kaitlyn long and passionately, never wanting to leave her black cherry tasting lips. He pulls away begrudgingly but excitedly, and goes to the bedroom to put on dark navy jeans and a red button down shirt, looking professional and ready. He starts to go towards the living room to see his son, but Kaitlyn stops him one last time.
Go out there and make SuperBrawl the best damn show Devilkiller has ever been on.
Devilkiller smiles as he turns back and goes into the living room, meeting Carter right by the door.
Don't get hurt dad, okay?
Have your mom tell you why you shouldn't be scared and why you will be watching me win in a few nights.
Carter smiles softly as he kisses his dad on the cheek. Devilkiller stands up and grabs his luggage and walks out the door. He drags it along through the grass, looking up to the skies above as he smiles towards them. He sets all of his luggage down at the curb. He checks his phone and sees his Uber is just under a minute away, and he can't help but smile.
I'll do whatever it takes. I'm beating Penny Shannon. I'm no longer afraid of her. She needs to be scared of me. I'll have to finish what Drakz started.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
And you wanna do this why?
For old times sake. Indulge me a little.
One of the WFWF ring crew guys lifts up Devilkiller's phone oriented long ways, landscape style, and presses the record button.
On the tiny screen, Devilkiller is inside a dimly lit room, the only source of light coming from a red light bulb. If we didn't know it was a reflection from a mirror, we would think Devilkiller's dirty. Devilkiller's sitting in a steel folding chair, hunched over with a hood over his head.
They say stars burn out more often than we think. They say much of the solar system as we see it is burned out because the stars are so far away, we only see the past version of them. The years forget me, much like they have for my real life.
Devilkiller looks up towards the mirror which in turn, seems like he's looking into the camera lens. His face painted up with white, red, and black face paint in intricate designs and shapes spreading across his face.
The years of Devilkiller's past was unfortunately forgotten to a lot of people. Many don't remember me, many don't want to remember me. Some times they want to forget, some times they are forced to.
I myself forced myself to forget this life long ago, some 6 years ago actually. I told myself 'Self, I will NOT wrestle full time again. I will NOT work the days and weeks and months I used to.
But time changes everyone. For most it's wisdom and grey hair, for others it's rotten teeth and bags underneath their eyes. But for me, some will classify it as stupidity. Idiotic. Self-destructive. I classify it as me finding myself and coming back to my roots.
Devilkiller stands up and jumps towards the mirror, the metal chair falling back and clinking and clanging against the concrete floor. Devilkiller has intent in his eyes and a smirk on his lips.
THIS is what I was meant to do. THIS is where I need to be in my life. THIS is where I, Devilkiller, the Hardcore King, the Creator of Hell, make my return to WFWF. I'm not leaving. I'm not going anywhere unless ABSOLUTELY necessary.
The scary thing? The scary thing is I'm not going to stop until I prove a bunch of mother f***ers wrong. I will not stop, I will not give in, I will crawl myself back from the depths of Hell as I have had to do time and time again to prove them wrong.
This is the last red room talk we will probably ever have. But for memory's sake, remember these days. For my sake, look back on these days in fondness. Because just like everything, time changes.
As for you, Penny Shannon? You're gonna be like Carrie White by the end of tonight. You're gonna be the laughing stock of WFWF. There will be Hell in the hallways for you here after I'm done with you. What sucks for you, you don't have any powers to extract your revenge. So sad, but that's okay. I'll use the power I have and end you. Better get some glass eyes chick, because I'm ripping your good one out and putting it on my mantle.
With that, Devilkiller rears back and punches the mirror as hard as he can, his reflection shattering and crumbling apart as the glass falls and all that's left is a piece of wood handing on a wall. The tech waits a couple of extra seconds before cutting the camera off and handing Devilkiller his phone back.
Devilkiller watches it back and smiles, reminiscing on the older days, but acknowledges how much he's grown as well. He goes to Twitter and posts the video with a timer so it will go live 1 minute before his match is supposed to start. He's excited, he's ready, and most of all, he's back.