Rising Fury
There was a flash of silver followed by a splash of crimson, the red particles dispersing in the air to create a haze of blood that blocked Draeden's vision momentarily as he watched the corpse fall to the ground. What fell in slow motion before him was once a living man, strong, healthy, fast. Now there was nothing but a sack of meat and bones that fell limply to the ground, devoid completely of a soul. As Draeden looked into those dead eyes as the head came to rest on the floor he realised he stared into the windows of Hell, within that empty blackness lurked his fear, his weakness. His future.* * *
He awoke in a cold sweat, hair in face and the scent of blood that grew fainter with every second Draeden took a breath in the real world. Although this grim memory was just a dream, the horrors remained fresh in his mind, a whipping reminder that Draeden had many more battles to come, a lot of work to be done. His loss against DBR was a bitter one, though he took comfort in the fact that it took the alleged "best" the VWF had to offer to beat him, with a few buddies to back him up of course, and he certainly didn't go down from the first punch. The match made it clear in his mind that losing was not as terrible as he'd first believed, though who could blame him, coming from a world where one mistake would mean his death? Not many people had the kind of drive Draeden did.
He was now labelled a Faggot Ass Bitch, but it could've been worse. In China he would already be dead. He sighed and wondered who he was trying to kid, being humiliated in such a manner was unacceptable. In his chosen line of work respect meant a lot and without it you'd become nothing. To have been disrespected in this way was worse than unacceptable and the slight would have to be repaid tenfold - in blood. It was the only way.
With the resolution made, Draeden got out of bed and went to the minibar. Alex and Styx had all but demolished the contents of the minibar in the short time they'd been in Draeden's room, all that remained were some rum and brandy miniatures. He took the rum and slammed the door shut. He unscrewed the cap from the first rum bottle and necked it in one go, throwing the empty plastic container in the corner of the room. He growled as the alcoholic warmth hit his empty stomach. A few more, then bed. It was 5:45 on Monday morning. A good start.
* * *
Monday afternoon. Draeden heard a knock on his hotel room door but didn't bother making a move to answer it. As expected, Alexandra marched in. Draeden was sat on the end of the bed wearing shorts and trainers.
Alex: Morning Fag--
Draeden was now only wearing one shoe, the other had been narrowly avoided by Alex's head.
Alex: Still sore I see, but not just physically.
Draeden: I'm in a fucking lousy mood, yes, if that's what you mean.
Alex: How's your face?
Draeden turned his face for Alex to see. She wasn't exaggerating when she told him it looked like it hurt more than a ballsack full of porcupines. Draeden agreed. It wasn't that bad really, more the bruise it'd left on his pride, along with being nicknamed the Faggot Ass Bitch of the VWF for the next month. That alone was like a baseball bat to the bare bollocks of Draeden's pride. Worse yet, it'd been his own stipulation to bring DBR back down to Earth that had backfired and now made him the subject of ridicule amongst the rest of the roster. He'd not had to face it yet but he certainly didn't look forward to it. The only good part was the fact that he'd been cheated out of his victory over DBR, there was a good chance of Draeden winning if it had not been for The Fam's interruption of the match to snatch DBR from Draeden's clutches and save him from being put in his place. Draeden didn't give a shit if he was the champion, he commanded little respect of Draeden to begin with and this coward's victory diminished anything that so much as resembled a shred of respect from the long-haired fighter.
Alex was waving her hand in Draeden's face and had been for a while, he realised. He looked at her.
Alex: Still here?
Draeden: Yes I'm still fucking well here.
Alex: Just you've kinda sat there staring into space for the past five minutes. I just asked you if you were hungry.
Draeden's thoughts had drifted off again. The wrongs that were inflicted upon him on Sunday would be repaid, starting with the one who put him down for the 10 count. Tha Answer.
Alex: I said, are you fucking hungry!?
Draeden looked back at her and grinned.
Draeden: Too fucking right I am!
Alex's confused look surprised him.
Draeden: What do you expect, I spewed my lunch on Sunday and I've not eaten since. Hurry up woman, there are snacks to be scoffed and dinners to be destroyed!
The sudden cheer in Draeden's voice took Alex by surprise, as did him getting up and throwing on one of his own VWF t-shirts. He put on his cow-print cowboy hat and opened the door. He gestured for Alexandra to exit first and followed her out of the room. She was most confused.
* * *
Just outside the restaurant they'd chosen to go to Draeden was approached by a group of kids, two of them asked for his autograph, which he gave, but the the third kid grinned wickedly as he approached. Draeden noticed his DBR t-shirt.
Kid: You suck.
Draeden: Fuck you, kid.
Kid: DBR killed you, man. You're a dead man. Dead. Cuz you suck. Faggot Ass Bitch!
Draeden: Fuck off you scruffy little cunt! You're just jealous because the only person who calls YOU that is your fuckin' paedo dad while he's bumming you senseless!
The three kids stared at him in shock, as did Alex, while Draeden stomped angrily into the restaurant. Alex hurried after him.
Alex: You can't say shit like that!
Draeden took his PDA out of his pocket and pulled up the calendar.
Alex: Now what are you doing!?
Draeden: Looking for the last time I gave a fuck.
Alex full-on bitchslapped him.
Draeden: Bitch.
Alex: Fight fire with fire. Save your hate for Scott Carr.
* * *
They'd been seated, served and satiated. Draeden muttered to himself and Alex watched him fester with anger. He dropped something on the table between their empty plates. Alex peered over and looked. Tha Answer's knuckle dusters.
Alex: Where'd you get THAT?
Draeden: Answer left them behind. I'll need to give them back at the next available opportunity.
Alex: You'll get your chance, don't worry. Just stay focused. Only you know what you're capable of, don't make threats. Act.
Draeden looked up at his friend and saw the seriousness in her eyes. Sound advice.
He'd take it.
