| ..........From the Ashes
We reside within one of Las Vegas' nightclubs, but why we are here remains to be seen.
Bodies writhe lustfully and contort against others in the flashing light, twisting to the steady rhythm of the music. A revered silence is held, everyone losing themselves in the music. This is a place where responsibility is lost. Where there is no guilt. It is for the self-indulgent. Those looking to forget. Those who wish to drown their sorrows in alcohol and sex.
At the dimly-lit bar sits a woman. Although the constant flashes distorts the image somewhat, we can still see she sits sideways on her stool, but is turned away as she talks with the barman. Loose blonde curls cascade down her back, and from beneath her classic short black dress protrudes her sleek legs, crossed and resting on the chrome pipe encircling the bottom of her stool. She seems comfortable in her surroundings, but somewhat...well...preoccupied, drumming her nails on the scuffed bar anxiously.
As she turns away from the bar, vodka shot glass in hand, we see it is Faith.
The Faith we have seen this week, however, is very different to who we thought her to be. She is aloof, remote, cutting herself off from those who care about her.
And cutting herself off from Free World Wrestling.
But only in action. For in her mind that is all she can think about. In but two days she will be defending her title, the Underground Championship, in a 4-man match. The pressure is immense. She does not even need to be pinned to lose the title she strived for. And that is why she intends to make an impact. Everyone is a target. Come Monday night, no-one will be saf-
"There you are!"
A hand appears on each of Faith's bared shoulders, causing her to move forward suddenly as a reflex. She turns to the brown-haired woman stood behind her, sighing deeply.
Woman: "Still grumpy, eh? Come on - we brought you out to partaaay! Cheer you up a bit!"
Faith rolls her eyes and turns back away from her friend, muttering monotonously,
Faith: "I don't want cheering up."
She leans her head on her hand unhappily, and puts her still full shot glass back down upon the bar.
Woman: "Course you do!"
The happier of the two sits opposite the blonde and waves her hand before her eyes as if trying to wake her from a trance.
Woman: "Look, you're not the only one defending their title at Sex and Violence. Do you think that Jericho-"
Faith: "Jango."
Woman: "Jango Cross is sat being all moody and stuff?"
Faith remains silent.
Woman: "Or Kyle Thingy - Kyle...Travis, is sat panicking about his title match?"
Faith: "He should be."
Woman: "Well they're not. And you shouldn't be either."
Faith remains silent. Her friend, some remember her name to be Sarah, sits up straight on her stool, and looks her straight in the eye - Faith not returning the gesture but instead looking at the floor.
Sarah: "This is because you lost your match, isn't it?"
The blonde suddenly picks up her red-tinted shot glass and throws her head back, downing it in one. She then stands and walks hastily out of the crowded room.
Outside in the darkened street now, the heavy beat of the music inside echoes in the night. Bright pink neon light illuminates the littered street below, casting an eerie glow upon rowing friends and embracing couples. And from the door emerges Faith, storming out of the club and across the road.
But her friend too exits the club, walking even faster than Faith to catch up with her.
Sarah: "Faith!"
She does not turn around. The brunette, almost level with her now, grabs her shoulder and spins her round to face her.
Sarah: "What the hell was that?!"
Faith knocks her friend's hand off her and turns to continue walking, silent. Sarah stands still, watching her leave.
Sarah: "What is your problem?!"
The blonde now spins on her heel and takes a step forward back towards her friend, pointing to herself angrily.
Faith: "What's my problem?!? MY problem?! What's the freakin' world's problem!"
She cuts the air with her hand, taking another step towards her equally angry companion.
Sarah: "You've been acting like this since Monday night - since your defeat. You think we didn't see your little stunt in the hotel room?"
Faith suddenly looks away, a mixture of pain and embarrassment darkening her features.
Sarah: "You've got to get over that damn defeat-"
She cuts in before Sarah finishes speaking, almost laughing in disbelief.
Faith: "Defeat? Defeat!? You still think this is about one measly defeat?!"
Sarah: "Then what the hell is it, Faith?"
Their raised voices, angry shouts overpowering even the music, draws the attention of those standing nearby, some turning and pointing in drunken hope of a cat-fight.
Sarah: "You've got everything you've ever wanted. You're rich. You're famous. You're loved."
Faith: "Loved?!"
She turns away, laughing dubiously.
Faith: "By who?"
Sarah: "Me. Your friends. Your fans."
She turns back to Sarah suddenly, shaking her head slowly.
Faith: "The fans? The fans?! You think they actually give a rat's ass about me? They don't love me. They love a show - and I just happen to give them one...for now. I could be fired from FWW tomorrow and within the week they'd have forgotten my damn name."
Sarah: "Don't talk like this. You need to get a grip-"
Faith: "They don't care about me. No-one cares about me. I forgot that."
The pair both become silent.
A strange look dawns upon Sarah's face, almost of fear but also of knowing. She takes a slow step towards the troubled blonde.
Sarah: "Don't - Faith - Don't talk like..."
Her eyes widen.
Sarah: "Y-You've been talking to him again."
Faith: "And so what if I have?"
Sarah shakes her head, as if it could change what she has just heard. What has come to pass. But it can't. Nothing can change the past.
Sarah: "No. Faith. No."
Faith: "He speaks the truth. And the truth is what I need."
Sarah: "You're a fool. The truth is you're deluding yourself. You've made it this far alone. You're the Underground Champion, for God's sake!"
Faith: "And for how long Sarah?"
Sarah: "Well...That's up to you."
Faith: "Screw 'up to me'. Screw. It. Screw my defeat. Screw Williams. Screw Page. Screw Neo. Screw everything!"
Sarah: "And screw you!"
Faith hiccups, taken aback by Sarah's shout. It seems even the music from within the club quietens, leaving a solemn silence between the two. As we look at her, Faith actually looks hurt. But Sarah's face stays strong and resilient.
Sarah: "Boo-freakin'-hoo! You want to believe you're such a rookie - such a failure, then go a-friggin'-head. 'Cause we're sick of trying to get through to you. You wanna lose so bad then fine! A pathetic person like you doesn't deserve that damn title. I hope you do lose - then maybe you'll be happy."
And with that she turns and walks away angrily.
Faith: "The hell I will!"
Sarah stops.
Faith: "I may have lost once but I damn sure I ain't doing it again. I'm Faith. And I'm good at what I do. Kicking ass. There's a reason this belt is around my waist. And after Sex and Violence it'll still be there. And I don't care what you say. Or Williams. Or Page. Or even Neo. I'm the damn champion and it's gonna stay that way!"
Sarah turns slowly to face Faith. A smile dawns upon her face.
And as Faith realises what she has done and what she herself has said, all the anger and doubt that has plagued her fades from her fair face and leaves a smile.
Sarah steps back to her and puts her arm around her comfortingly.
Faith: ".....Thanks."
Sarah: "No need, girl, any time. Come on."
And so they turn and leave the scene, the crowds that have been watching them all turning away and continuing with their drunken antics.
Faith has been to the brink, losing all she believed in and the faith she had in herself.
The anger she held burnt her up inside...
but from the ashes she revives, stronger.
As she always will. | |||||||||||
| (C) Layout made by silver. Free World Wrestling rocks - deal with it. | ||||||||||||
