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The Dark
Robin sits at the kitchen table, her head in her hands. The noise of the Keurig filling a cup of coffee as she looks up tears run down her face leaving streaks of eyeliner. She stands up and walks over to the counter and takes the mug of hot coffee from the machine and dumps french vanilla flavored creamer into it, nearly overflowing the mug. She then takes a spoon and stirs the now almost milk colored cut of coffee splashing it over the sides of the mug and onto the counter. “Dammit” she whispers and reaches for a paper towel then begins wiping the coffee up. Lifting the mug to wipe under it which only causes more to spill out. She lets out a sigh and wipes the remaining bit up then throws away the paper towel as she walks out the door and down the hallway. The office on the left was Tommys on the right, the bathroom in the office three voices can be heard. Tommy Romeo, Erin Wallace and Shawn Wylde, Robin leans against the wall outside the door and sips her coffee waiting for the right moment to enter the room.
“Tommy I know you're convinced they are gone but I've read the books I've read the history. There's always more. Always someone else to pick up the mantle. Just like on our side, You should know this better than anyone. They wait for the right moment and when you least expect it they strike. This isn't over. I can feel the world's mana swirling. I need to follow it.” Shawn frowns and slumps in his chair.
‘I hear you Shawn but we can't chase every feeling you have. We did that for months and it worked for a while but it was exhausting and some of those leads eventually just led us to idiots messing with shit they didn't understand. If they re-emerge again in our lifetime we will be too old to fight them and it will be up to the next generation.” Tommy winks at Erin and turns the photo of their little family around showing it to Shawn. In the picture Tommy and Erin stand facing each other holding Raine between them and kissing his cheeks,
Erin puts her hand on Shawn's shoulder. “Besides, you have a job to do here. We're counting on you to get Robin back on track. We agreed to sign her because you saw potential in her. She's 0 and 10 Shawn. I think you need to try something different, because whatever you're doing isn't working”
“Don't bother.” Robin turns the corner and walks into the office placing a hand on her hip. “Let him do whatever he wants. I’m done. I Quit.
Tommy looks at Shawn and scowls. “This is your fault. I Want to chase every feeling.” he says mockingly.
Shawn stands up and turns to Robin. “Listen. I know I haven't been the most present but I was turning that around. I joined the Ice Crown Tournament to show you that I'm not a has been.
Ive done alot of thinking. Since we last saw each other. I'm going to be a better mentor”
Erin takes the hand still on Shawn's shoulder and pushes him back into his chair. “Robin come with me.”Erin ushers Robin from the office but looks back in behind her and shushes the boys before closing the door. “Listen Robin, I'm not gonna stand here and beg you to stay. I know there are better options and opportunities for you out there. I just ask you to remember that it was Shawn who saw the potential you have in you to become a star athlete. It was Shawn who got you into wrestling and got you your contract with First Class and while the two men in that office back there are great big children. I wouldn't want anyone else in my corner.” She ponders the statement a moment. “Kevin.. Maybe Kevin” She thinks out loud then leads Robin to the front office door and opens it for her. “All I'm saying is go home, get a bath and think about this before you make your choice okay?”
Robin nods and smiles at Erin before turning around and walking to her car. With every step realizing she had just been customer serviced right out the door. She huffs as she gets into the car and drives off.
A few hours later Robin sits in her bathrobe under the heat lamp in her bathroom and twirls the business card she had received from Zeke last week in her hand. The red glossy numbers flashing in the light every time they face rightside up. After what seems like forever she stands up and exits the bathroom. The tub water cycloning around the drain making a slurping noise as she closes the door behind her. Walking into her bedroom she tosses the card onto her nightstand and climbs into bed.
Robin regains consciousness, her back on the cold mat, the stadium lights bright in her eyes. She tries to stand up but is only able to sit up. Still loopy from smacking her head on the ground after flying over the top rope. Shawn runs to her to check on her as Lauren Edwards stands mocking her still in the ring. She slams her fist on the mat and glares at Shawn. “This is your fault you said this one was mine! It doesn't matter what you do or how much you encourage me, you're not helping! I'm no better than I was on day one! Get away from me Shawn. You've had so many chances to help me improve and get a win! Just one win Shawn! Your Fired im done!.” Robin gets up on her feet only to look up as Latoya Hix comes down on top of her from over the top rope in the ring.
Gasping for air she sits up straight only to find herself still in her bed. “ A dream…. It was just a dream.” After a few moments of deep breathing to slow her heart rate she composes herself. “ A dream I'm not going to let come true.” Robin grabs the card from her nightstand and enters the numbers into her phone, takes one more deep breath and presses the green call button. It rings,then again a second time before the other line is picked up.
“It took you long enough” The voice on the other end was familiar, feminine but gruff, commanding but calm though Robin might be able to tell who it was.
Alessia for her own part would be relaxing in her hotel room already having made her way to New York
"Um excuse me?" I think I might have the wrong number." She picks up the card and pulls the phone away from her face to look at the number dialed. "Maybe not." She mutters as she puts the phone back to her ear. "Um my name is Robin I got a card with your number on it from a friend of mine Zeke. He said you could help me with my career.?"
“Wow I’m upset, we work together don’t you know” she chuckles “you should at least remember me beating you and Hixx….so you're ready to be a winner?” The question is posed like it’s already been decided as Alessia let’s it hang in the air.
“I can help you with that….”
"Alessia? You're cocky for being new. But youve put your money where your mouth is so far. What can you do for me?" Robin grins cheekily and places her elbows on her knees leaning on them like a little kid. Realizing that this is the first time she had spoken to anyone from First Class outside of the arena.
“Show you what it takes to be better than you are now…I won’t lie you have some skill…your fire just needs to be fanned into an inferno! You see the last guy you were with….garbage…RMI? Super garbage! Training with a real woman warrior like me is just what you need! Are you confident about the pay per view?”
"N No... Why do you think I'm calling? The last thing I want is another tally in the L column. I just dont think i can keep up with them with what i've been taught." Admitting out loud almost caused her to choke as her thoughts manifested themselves physically.
“That’s the first step yah know…accepting the things you can’t change….like being an alcoholic…..or forever loser……Robin what do you think is too far to go for a win? I don’t think anything is off the table…besides shit like getting help or using a weapon…..unless it’s a hardcore match heheh”
“I mean… At this point I’d pretty much do anything to get a win. Have you seen my record?”
“Well prove it, I don’t care if you win or lose this next one…you haven’t begun your new training yet….but I’ll be at ringside watching……what I want you to do is simple……show me that brutality you’ve got deep inside. Show those others your past seeing them as anything less than bumps on your road to success, get me?….your old trainer was Wylde yeah? Washed up old guy who needs to retire hahaha!”
“Okay! I’ll do it. I think you're right. I think I need to just let go.. Let the rage out. “ For the first time in months the Red light behind Robin's eye begins glowing. Something was different this time. A smile grows slowly across her face. “I understand now. I can control it. I just needed to accept it.” She says to herself but also into the phone.
“No you need to understand it or that rage can still overtake you….even if you accept it…..I’m sure you saw my idiotic blunder at my Evolution title match….” She scoffs into the phone “Have you heard of the Left Hand?”
“Is that what that means on this card?” Robin flips it in her hand again showing the Red outlined hand. “That makes sense. What are they? Some sort of management company?”
“Something like that….I’m sorta a higher up with them…do mostly what I want hehehe….and I think you’d be a great fit for our First Class stable….after you show me your willingness to be a wolf”
"Okay then at Noreaster i'll do just that. Latoya, Lauren, Aaliyah, Edda and Geri. All of you need to watch your backs cuz if not.. I'm going to break them. See you there Alessia."
“….Good luck…..” Alessia hangs up abruptly
The red light behind her eye glows brightly as the maniacal grin that had formed fades into black.
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