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Chapter I: Death In The Family
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I'm not sure whether I enjoy my life, or hate it, at the moment.
On one hand, I'm on top of the wrestling world. Current GDW Undisputed Champion, sure-fire Hall of Famer in such a short time... I've accomplished more in just a couple of years than most wrestlers ever will in their lifetimes.
On the other hand... I have no real friends... Change doesn't really count, as while we want the same thing, I know they'd turn on me in a split-second if it meant more success for them. My Sister hates me, my Mother wants nothing to do with me, my Father... I'm not even sure if he's dead or alive right now. Last time I saw him, he was on his death-bed.
Most of all... the woman I'm in love with is married to another man.'
I sigh to myself. At the moment, I'm at a quaint little cafe called Marigolds, trying to enjoy my coffee and relax for the day... but I just can't, no matter how hard I try.
Is all this karma coming back to bite me in the ass? Did I do something so terrible in my life that I deserve to not be truly happy in the end? Hmph, maybe that's the reason that I have to face the man whose twice beaten me.. albeit by cheating and luck... and possibly a woman who is a complete psycho for MY Undisputed Title at Civil War.
I don't even know why I might have to face Lohan again. I mean, she got her re-match... and she blew it! sure, Kingsley had something to do with it... but that's not my fault, damnit! But, because of what happened, now I can't even fully prepare, because I don't know whether it's going to be one on one, or a triple-threat match!
It's not fair, blast it! I deserve better than this!
Oh, stop your whining.
"Who the...?" I look around me, to see if someone had just spoken... but I don't see anyone looking in my general direction. Maybe all the stress has finally gotten to me, and I'm hearing voices now. Yeah, that must be it.
Partially correct, but you're mostly misinformed.
There it is again! Okay, it's official... I'm losing my friggin' mind!
Not at all... your 'mind', as it were, is just tired of your cryin' and moanin' like a little bitch. So yes, you can consider me your... 'inner voice', if you want.
'Shut up.' I snap in my head.
Well, least your smart enough not to talk out loud to yourself in front of a bunch of people... want a cookie?
'What the Hell do you want, you... whatever you are?' I ask the 'inner voice' mentally.
What I want is for you to get a damn grip and stop going 'whoa is me' blah blah blah! You need to realize that you got it pretty good for yourself, and stop bitchin' about the things you don't have.
'Well, maybe I have the right to be angry!' I bark in my head at my 'inner voice', despite having no idea why I'm even doing so in the first place. 'It just seems like the crap keeps piling up on me! If it's not one thing, it's another!'
Like what? The fact you don't have friends? Boo-fuckin'-hoo! Who needs hanger-ons? They'll just slow you down! Or the fact that 'Lil Sis' hates you? Big deal! She's an annoying little snit, you're better off without her! Oh, is it Mommy and Daddy issues? Big deal! They weren't there for you growing up, so fuck them! No, wait... I know what's really bugging you... it's that woman you're sweet on. What's her name again? Gina, Ginger, Greta... oh yeah... Glory. Glory Braddock... yeah, that's it.
'Don't go there.' I warn the 'inner voice'.
It's true, isn't it? You've let that bitch wrap you around her little finger. You're so hung up on her, she knows it... but what does she do? She goes and marries some idiot and doesn't even have the nerve to tell you herself! If I were you... oh wait, I am... anyways, personally I'd tell her to go fuck herself. However, seeing as you won't, you should just do the manly thing... walk into her office, tear her clothes off, and fuck her silly! She'll quickly dump that loser she's with, when she realizes what it's like to get fucked by a real man!
I frown. 'It doesn't matter anymore... she's made her decision... it's over...'
Bullshit! It's not over until it's YOUR name she's screaming in the bedroom, as you're plowing her! Face it, you should be the one making babies with her... not that jackass husband of hers. So the question is... just how far are you prepared to go to help her see what a big mistake she made by marrying him?
'What are you talking about?' I ask, irritated.
Well, you could do the obvious and come up with a well-crafted plan to get her to divorce him.. maybe plant some doctored photos of him in bed with another woman... I'm sure Glory would love that. You could always make sure Williams has a 'fatal' accident...
'I'm not a killer.' I mentally snap at my inner voice... although to my complete shock, and rather frighteningly... I don't find the idea as appalling as I should.
Well, there's always 'Plan B'...
'... Which would be?' I almost dread the answer.
Simple... remember when you kissed Glory? How she froze up on you? If there's anything good that bastard Henry did, it might have been to make her rather weak to men forcing themselves on her. You could go even further than a simple kiss, if you wanted... you could mow her brains out, and she wouldn't even try and stop you, she'd be so frightened...
"I would never do that to her!" I shout out loud. I notice several people looking at me weirdly. I glare at them, and they quickly turn away.
'I would never do something that horrible...' I respond to my 'inner voice'.
Oh really? Think about this... if I'm suggesting the idea, and I'm a part of you... then wouldn't it stand to reason that you've already had such a thought in your head?
"..."
I can tell I've given you something to chew on. Here's something else to think about... this little match at that Civil War show you got with that piece of shit Kingsley, and maybe that she-male, Brittany Lohan... I'm thinking you need to do what should have been done a long time ago and take Kingsley out, once and for all. Lohan, too, is she gets into the match.
I was glad to think about something else, besides... that. 'I know what I have to do. I'm going to beat Kingsley... and Lohan too, if she gets into the match. It's as simple as that.'
No, moron, I'm not just talking about winning the damn match... I'm talking about ending their careers! Kingsleys been nothing but a pain in your ass since he came to GDW... remember how he cost you the Undisputed Title the first time you won it? He made sure you went down in history as the shortest-reigning GDW Undisputed Champion of all time! He deserves a good crippling... Lohan does too, for that matter. She's been getting in your way lately... might be time to get rid of her for good. Not like anybody in GDW would miss her.
I have to admit, the 'inner voice' raises some good points... especially about Kingsley. Getting rid of him would eliminate one of my biggest headaches. If need be, getting rid of Lohan too would also eliminate one of the top challengers to my Undisputed Title. Besides, wouldn't be the first time I ended a career... even though that time was an accident.
'... You're right.' I tell the 'inner voice'. 'If I'm going to remain Undisputed Champion, then I'll have to eliminate all potential challengers... starting with Kingsley and Lohan.'
Good, you're learning... well, I don't think you need me around anymore. I'll leave you be... just remember what we discussed. Not just about your upcoming match... but about your love-life, as well. Who knows, maybe I'll return someday to straighten you out again... later.
I no longer hear the voice, and frankly, I'm happy it's gone. There's a lot I have to digest right now...
Suddenly, I feel my cell phone going off in my pocket. Who would be calling me? Matt? I shrug, pulling out the cell, and look at the number across the sceen.
"Katie?" I mutter to myself. What the Hell does she want? We haven't spoken for months... not since she told me the news that Da... no, he doesn't deserve to be called that... Barry, was dying.
I flip open the cell. "Yeah?"
"Kurt... it's me." I hear my sisters trembling voice over the phone. Wonder whats her problem?
"I know it's you... what do you want, Katie? Here to get on my case again about my life choices?" I state sarcastically.
"Kurt..." She pauses. "It's Dad..."
I roll my eyes. "What about him? I said what I needed to say about that bastard..."
"He's dead, Kurt!" She yells through the phone, and I can hear her crying. Then, in a quieter voice... "The Hospital called a few hours ago and told me."
"I..." I'm not sure what I should do. I don't really feel anything concerning this news... but Katie is taking it pretty hard, and despite being angry at her, she's still my little sister. "... I thought he had passed away already."
"Kurt... the funeral is in two days at Grants Memorial. Will... will you be there?" Katie asked, a bit of a pleading tone in her voice.
Did I want to go? Not really... but I didn't want to upset Katie any further. "... Yeah. Yeah, I'll be there."
We said our goodbyes, and I left the cafe after paying my bill. I was headed off in a new direction... to get a suit for the funeral.
Just what had I gotten myself into?
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Chapter 2: Funeral Thoughts
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Why am I even here?
The entire funeral was, as expected, a somber affair. I wasn't surprised by the lack of people there... Barry never really had many friends, and he drove away most of the rest of his family away with his drunken rages.
Hmm... except for the drunk part... almost sounds like me.
I shake my head... I really didn't want to compare myself to him. I was better than he was, and I sure as Hell didn't plan to drink my life away anymore like he did. I learned that lesson a long time ago. If there's anything that jackass Redfield gave me that I'm thankful for, it's a sense of purpose in my life.
Not that my life has been so great lately.
I can barely pay attention to the Clergymans ramblings. Yeah, Yeah, we get it... just get it over with and let me out of this place! That's what I want to say, but I hold my tongue. Instead, I turn my thoughts to something a bit more important... my upcoming Undisputed Title defense against one David Kingsley... and possibly Brittany Lohan, too.
Kingsley, Lohan... like two sides of the same damn coin. Similar, yet opposite... the one major thing they have in common is that they're both major pains in my ass. Plus, they both enjoy hurting people... something, I have to admit, I've started finding myself enjoying more and more over the past couple of months. Especially when it comes to people I hate... and those two, they're definitely high on the list.
Kingsley... the hatred I feel for him really knows no bounds whatsoever. He should've left well enough alone all those years ago, instead of coming after me in a misguided attempt at revenge. He cost me the Undisputed Title once... he won't be taking it from me again. But I'm not going to be satisfied just beating him, oh no... I want to cripple him. I want him to be in a Goddamn wheelchair for the rest of his miserable existence. That's the very least that he deserves after the Hell he made my life for the past year.
As for Brittany Lohan... I've beaten her twice already, and yet she still gets another possible crack at MY title. Where is the justice in the sort of decision? Oh, that's right... it's because that dumb bitch, Brianna Singer, wants the Undisputed Title off me. Well, it's not going to happen... if Lohan somehow lucks out and gets put in mine and Kingsleys match, I'll have no problem whatsoever in beating her for a third consecutive time. Maybe then she'll finally get the damn clue that she's just not in my league.
The only good thing about this mess is that either Kingsley or both Kingsley and Lohan will be beaten and tired after that match against each other. I, on the other hand, will be fresh as a daisy when it comes time to defend MY title. Now that I think about it, I have no reason to be so pissed at the extra stipulation... it favors me more than it does those two. Regardless, whether it's just Kingsley, or Kingsley and Lohan, I am still going to be walking out of Civil War as the GDW Undisputed Champion.
I snap out of my thoughts, as everyone starts heading back towards their cars. Soon, the only people left at the grave-site were me, my sister and a dead man.
"Hey." I pat my sister on the shoulder. "Why don't you head back to the car? I'll meet up with you in a little bit."
"Okay." Katie sniffles, wiping a tear out of her eye. She turns and heads to my car. I'll never understand why she's so upset... the bastard treated us both like trash, he doesn't deserve our sympathy.
I look down at the freshly dug grave, at the coffin containing the body of the man I hate most in the world. "Hello, Barry... guess your drinking and all your other bad habits finally caught up with you, huh? Can't say I'm going to miss you, personally... but you already knew that, after our 'conversation' at the Hospital all those months ago. Honestly, I'm surprised you had stayed alive as long as you did... but your luck finally ran out, huh?"
I shake my head. "You know what really burns me, though? Not the Hell you made my life... no, I can handle that. It's that, for all that you've done, my sister still loves you. I can't figure out why... I despise you myself. There's not a person still living on this Planet that I hate more than your dead carcass. Well, Katies always been a bit of a softie, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised."
I kneel down in front of the open grave. "I almost didn't even come... if it weren't for Katie, I wouldn't even be here right now. See, unlike you, I'm actually a success at life right now. I'm a Champion of a wrestling promotion... a rather big one, at that... called Global Division of Wrestling, and I got a title defense coming up against one, maybe two challengers, at a show called Civil War. Not that you'd be interested in such things, right?"
I smirk. "Yeah... David Kingsley and Brittany Lohan... they both sorta remind me of you, you know. They're both pathetic pieces of shit who, in the grand scheme of things, don't mean jack in the grand scheme of things. I plan to send Kingsley, and maybe Lohan, back to the bottom of the trash heap where they belong!"
I sigh to myself. "I'm not even sure why I'm talk about this to you... you're dead, and even if you were alive, you wouldn't give a damn."
Standing up from my kneeling position, I glare at the coffin below me. "I'm done with you... I've said all I need to said... well, except for one last thing..."
I spit on the coffin. "Goodbye Barry... I hope you burn in Hell."
Turning away from the open grave, I begin to head down the hill and back to my car.
That was that, then... without a glance backwards, I had closed a chapter of my past and had officially moved on with my life. Now I could get back to the most important thing going for me...
Making sure I retained MY Undisputed Title.
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Final Thoughts.
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David Kingsley... Brittany Lohan... oh, how I wish that you would just go away and leave me be. For the past year, I've had to deal with Kingsley, and for the past few months, I've had to deal with Lohan. It seems like I can never get away from the two of you. Because now, at Civil War, there's a possibility that I'll have to wrestle the both of you in a triple-threat match... that is, Lohan, if you manage to beat Kingsley in a match beforehand. Of course, if Kingsley beats you, then it's just him and me... one on one.
I suppose I shouldn't really be complaining... after all, I'm the one going into Civil War with the advantage. It doesn't matter who wins, because both you will be tired and battered after your match. All that will remain for me to do is deal with the scraps, as it were. Brianna Singer might have thought that she was putting me as a disadvantage by changing the rules.. but all that stupid slut has really done is make sure that I'm guaranteed to walk out with MY Undisputed Title.
Far as I'm concerned, I hope you two beat the living Hell out of each other. I hope you both hurt yourselves severaly, break some damn bones, for all I care. Not that it would matter, anyways... because I can beat both of you at the same time, with one arm tied behind my back. That's how good I am, and that's just how much you both suck. Neither of you are in my league, and I'll prove it at Civil War.
Kingsley, don't think just because you scored a few fluke wins in the past, that it's going to happen again... that was then, this is now. Now, I'm the GDW Undisputed Champion... something you have not, and will never, become. Frankly, I'm tired of you getting in my way... so I ALMOST hope you do manage to beat Lohan, just so I'll have the pleasure of dismantling you all to myself. Beating you would be almost as sweet as the day I got back MY Undisputed Title... almost.
Brittany Lohan... you just don't seem to get it, do you? I have beaten you, not once, but twice now. Yet still, you keep coming back for more humiliation. What, do you think that the third time will be the charm for you? I hate to be the one to shatter any illusions you might have... no, actually, I'm not... but you don't have a chance in Hell of beating me. Face it Lohan, I am your superior in every way... and if you someone manage to beat Kingsley and turn my match into a triple-threat, I'll prove it yet again.
At this point, I'm sick and tired of just talking about what I'll do to you two. I wish that Civil War was already here, so I could prove to you both and all the other idiots around the world that I am, without a shadow of a doubt, the very best in the business today. Don't believe me? Well, these belts of mine prove otherwise. You two don't like it, then you can try and do something about it at Civil War... but in the end, I promise you, I'll be walking out of Civil War still the GDW Undisputed Champion. The Prophet of Change... has spoken.
I'm hideous.
I stare at my uncovered face for what feels like the millionth time that day, and the facts still slap me with a heavy dose of reality, with as much force and raw pain as that fireball that bitch Angela Jameson shot at me just a little over a month ago...
I am an ugly, hideous excuse for a human being.
'Not exactly an unpopular opinion among others concerning you.' I can hear a tiny little voice in the back of my head biting back sarcastically.
Well, fuck that voice and fuck everyone else! I don't care what others think about me... what I do care about is when someone tries to physically maim me like Jameson did! Now, every time I look in the Goddamned mirror, all I see staring back at me is a wretched, scarred face... ARGH!!!
I smash my fist into the mirror, shattering it and causing blood to pour out from numerous cuts on my hand, to boot. Just fucking great... more scars...
"David, you alri... what the Hell?"
I turn to face my 'manager', Charles Kessler, who gives me a look of shock and confusion.
"David, what happened in here?"
I roll my eyes. "My fist, the mirror, you figure it out."
Charles shakes his head. "Good grief, David... when I invited you over to discuss strategy for Lohan and Logan, I didn't think you were going to destroy my property... or your hand, for that matter. Ah well, never liked that mirror, anyways. C'mon, let's go into the living room, and I'll patch your hand up as best I can."
We walk out of the bathroom and into Charles rather spacious living room. He directs me over to his black leather couch.
"Sit." He tells me. I do as told, and he heads into his kitchen. A few moments later, he returns with a medkit. Charles kneels down in front of me and checks for any stray glass that might've gotten in the cuts. Satisfied there wasn't, he starts cleaning my cuts with a alcohol-soaked cotton swab. I hiss in pain, but I can bear it...
After all, the fireball was worse.
Finally, he wraps my hand in gauze and leans back, satisfied. "Good thing I'm used to doing this... wouldn't be a good manager if I didn't know how to take care of my clients, right?"
I barely pay him any attention. "Sure, whatever."
Charles sighs. "Look David, you need to stop worrying about your face and focus on Civil War. You got not one, but TWO big matches you have to prepare for. You know Lohan is gonna be tough, and if she beats you, she'll be added to your Undisputed Title Match with Logan."
I glare at Charles "She won't beat me."
Charles holds his hands up. "Fine, even if.... I mean, WHEN, you beat her, you still have to deal with Logan!"
"Logan won't be a problem." I mutter.
Charles apparently overheard me, because he fixes me with a stern look. "I know you hate his guts, but don't underestimate him, he isn't the Undisputed Champion for nothing. Plus he has the rest of that 'Change' group backing him up."
"Logan's lucky he has that belt in the first place. Don't forget, it was me who made sure he kept it." I tell Charles. "Far as his little lapdogs go, they won't be a problem. They try and get involved... well, it won't end well for them, I guarantee you that."
"Well, just don't go doing anything to get yourself disqualified.... not this close to the Undisputed Title." Charles says.
I stare daggers at him. "Just what the Hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just saying... after the 'incident' with the mirror a few moments ago, you seem to have quite a bit of bottled up anger inside. Combine that with facing someone you absolutely despise... for the biggest prize in the business today... and it could very well be a recipe for disaster. So just make sure you keep your cool, follow through with the gameplan, and soon you''ll be the next Undisputed Champion!" Charles states.
I glare at Charles for several more seconds... but eventually, the glare melts into a frown. Much as I hate to admit it, he does have a point. I do have a bit of a temper.... and what Jameson did to me has only made me even more pissed off than usual. If I want to become the next Undisputed Champion, I need to go in with a clear head... I'm already at a disadvantage, what with having to wrestle a match before my title shot. Not that I won't be successful, of course... but better safe than sorry.
"You're..." I struggle to get the next word out. "... right."
"Of course I am." Charles smirks. "Now, how 'bout we go grab a bite to eat? I'm starving!"
I have to admit, food does sound pretty good right about now. Still... I'm uncomfortable about being out among so many people. Call it what you want, but I don't need them staring at me...
Hell, I'm letting this get to me too much. We're just getting some grub.
What's the worst that could happen?
~~~~~~~~
Okay, this was a bad idea.
As soon as we stepped foot into the restaurant... O'Tooles, I think it's called... I could feel the gazes piercing me from all directions. I even saw a small kid hiding behind her Mother after getting a good look at my mug.
Last thing I need is a bunch of slack-jawed yokels giving my face the once-over. However, Charles convinced me to stick around... not sure why I'm even listening to him, but whatever. We get seated, and order our meals. Once the waiters gone, Charles gives me a pointed stare.
"You really have to stop giving everyone the evil eye." Charles says.
"Well, if they'd stop staring at my damn face, I wouldn't have any reason to." I tell him.
Charles rolls his eyes. "Seriously David, your face isn't that bad. It's healing, slowly but surely."
"Whatever." I mutter. "Can we discuss something other than my looks?"
Charles nods. "Fine... maybe we should over our game plan for Civil War one more time?"
"What's there to go over?" I reply. "I'm going to kick Lohans she-male ass and make sure she doesn't enter the equation... and then I'm going to beat the shit outta Logan and become the next Undisputed Champion."
"Well, just don't go into those matches too cocky... otherwise, you'll be walking out of Civil War empty-handed." Charles reminds me.
"Look," I say. "Every time me and Logan have faced off, whose come out on top?"
"You have." Charles replies.
"Now, who was it that beat Lohan for the belt?" I can tell Charles is confused.
"Logan... what does this have to do with Civil War?" Charles asks.
"My point is," I tell him. "If I've owned Logan, and he beat Lohan... then I'm not going to have a problem beating either one of them. That belt is as good as mine."
"If you say so." Charles looks a bit skeptical.
I raise an eyebrow. "You think I won't win?"
Charles shakes his head. "It's not that... I just want you to be cautious, that's all. There's too much riding on this match to be overconfident."
"Don't worry, everything will work out... I'm not stupid, I'll be a hundred-percent focused at Civil War." I assure him.
At that moment, the waiter returns with our food. "Here's your meal, sir, and here's yours... sir."
I notice the look the waiter is giving me, and it's pissing me off. "Do you have something you'd like to say to my face, punk?"
The waiter looks surprised. "I don't..."
I interrupt. "Don't? Don't what? Have a set of balls to say what you want to say to me out loud? Here, let me help you... I'm a freak. Yeah, I said it, my face is a scarred-up wreck and I'm a reject from the Phantom of the fucking Opera! Happy now!?"
"David..." Charles tries to calm me down, but I'm not having it. I notice everyone around us is staring at me. Fuck them.
"No, Charles, I'm sick of the stares, the murmurs... I'm sick of this crap!" I grab my plates and throw it to the ground. The waiter jumps back in fright. "I'm not hungry anymore." With that, I turn and head to the exit. I can hear Charles in background, telling the waiter...
"Check, please!"
~~~~~~~~
Kurt Logan, Brittany Lohan... two people who don't seem to have anything in common. One is a brute of a so-called 'woman' who enjoys hurting her opponents as much as she does winning matches. The other is a spineless worm of a coward whose been fortunate to hold onto his most prized possession. But, at Civil War, those two are going to have one thing that will connect them together... they're both going to be my next victims.
Brianna Singer thought she was 'punishing' me by booking me against both Lohan and Logan, with the stipulation that if I lost to Lohan, then Lohan would be added to my match with Logan, making it a triple-threat. All she really did was make sure that I had an extra person to beat the living piss out of. See, unlike anyone else who'd be in my position, I'm not worried about being in two matches at all... in fact, I relish it. It just means I get to have a little more enjoyment dishing out pain... which I'm very good at.
Brittany Lohan, you like to consider yourself thtop baddest bitch in GDW. Well, you walking hermaphrodite, I'm the baddest son of a bitch there is, and I'm going to get a lot of pleasure out of hurting you, and most of all, humbling you. I'm sure you have all sorts of evil ideas concerning what your going to do to me to pay me back for costing you the Undisputed Title... well, get those thoughts out of your pea-brain, because any plan you might have is destined to fail. Just accept that I'm your superior, I'm going to beat you at Civil War, and make things easier on yourself.
Kurt Logan... where, oh where, do I begin with you? You and I, we've got quite the history, don't we? Friends at one time, then you back-stabbed me, I came to GDW, kicked your ass... but this time, this time, it's different. This time, when I beat you from pillar to post, it's going to be for the biggest prize in our business... The GDW Undisputed Title. That's right, not only am I going to knock you around like a red-heaed step-child, but I'm going to take away the one thing that gives you any source of pride. The best part is... I'm going to relish every single moment of it.
Lohan, don't think you're going to make it a triple-threat at Civil War. I promise you, that just isn't going to happen. Logan, last year at Civil War, I ruined your first Undisputed Title reign and cost you the belt mere seconds after winning it. I'm going to do the same thing again... only this time, it won't be Samantha Raine walking out with the belt, it'll be me! Civil War is going to be my night to shine, and soon everyone in GDW is going to learn to call me by a new name... Champion.
