Post by Xavier Cross on Dec 3, 2017 6:24:29 GMT
Reaching out, the cold walls that had become my home over the last few weeks. This tiny room, empty, cold, it had grown to be, that’s a lie. It was shit, this entire situation was shit. What laid my path to get here. My entire body ached, I was sore, my stomach pains came and went, I hadn’t had a real meal...god it feels like forever since I’ve had a hot meal. I was able to open both eyes now, which had grown use to the darkness. A soft breath escapes my lips. Dean was in charge now, Rowan, exorcised. The fuck was going on while I was locked in this square hole.
“How...did I end up like this.”
Like acid reflux, a disgusting taste filled my mouth. One man’s name floated around my head, this wasn’t Rowan, Dean, or the Pack’s fault. This wasn’t Steve Awesome’s fault...this wasn’t my fault. Only one man could hold responsibility for this. The reason I came back to this god forsaken place. The reason I stepped back into this imperial ring. The sword I had forged many months ago, the one fuel in the fire that would always burn.
Spike Kane.
“Next time...Dean, I should offer a hand...I should tell you whatever sweet words you need to hear. Bow to the demon, do whatever it would take to return Rowan back into her vile grace. Just for a chance. If I could line the cross hairs up on that Blood God, I’ll drive my knee through his skull. Even if it means sacrificing my soul to the Pack...I will have my revenge...The Council, oh my sweet brothers...Kole, Ulf, Sandman...where are you? What are you doing now? I let you three slipped through my fingers, I was so focused on Steve, the glue fell loose, and brothers went their separate ways. One day they’ll come to seek vengeance on my mortal soul. I tampered with Ulf’’s morality, he should strike my heart where the darkness lies. Sandman, I led him on a path of destruction, never worried about the shadows that lie in his soul, he shall take my mortality, the afterlife I never deserved. Kole, he will take my bones, I gave him a path of chaos to sow, I owe him nothing, but he will take everything. My sweet Rowan, my sweet sister. You took my trust, my faith. I believed in you, and you turned it to your own power. That I cannot shame, nor find distaste in. You are…….were strong. I took advantage, and this is the fate, this is the karma that surrounds me. I am the horseman of famine, everything I touch, turns to nothing. I am the starvation. The hunger in your stomach's, in your souls. You crave blood, mine will flow, you covet pain, I shall scream. You require death….not yet...I cannot die….not without him in front of me. Not without you Spike….”
My finger traces the wall, the rough concrete. My eyes floated to the shadows fleeting in my vision. I close my eyes, as the paranoia rattles to my bones. Many what ifs, questions, regrets float through between my ears. Rattling my brain into near madness…
But what would life be like, what if I had never met Hank...I was sixteen...What if I had never gotten hurt? What if?
-New Beginnings-
“Uh, this is kinda weird?”
The voice of a very young Xavier Cross, sitting down in a chair, wearing a nice suit. A nervous smile on his face as he looks around. The video camera rattles a bit, as a young girl walks around, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She lets out a tired sigh.
“C’mon Xavier! We have done like twelve takes now! You are making national news! This will be great for the School report!”
“I know, but like...I’ve never been interviewed by a classmate before, like what? The ESPN guys were professional, but like this…”
The young Cross waves his hand around, he’s sixteen years old, just now tasting his glory. A top ranked college recruit in Basketball, top twenty for his graduation class in the Nation. In front of him, was a classmate, and neighbor, Helena Roya. A very outspoken girl, with large ambitions, she wanted to be a reporter. She would cover anything, grading scandals, to this, a sit down interview with the new athletic star.
“What are you trying to say, I’m not professional!”
Her hands were resting on her hips, but her eyes were burning. Cross holds his hands up nervously, laughing softly.
“I’m sorry! I just, this is weird...I mean, I’m not very outspoken, this is just. I don’t know, I don’t like this fame, I don’t like talking. I just like...doing y’know? I’m not one to trash talk, or to brag...I mean…”
“Yes, we get it Xavier, you’re quiet and humble, oh sweet king. But I need you to ACT like it.”
“Can we do this later? I mean we do have a game in a few hours...maybe do post game, I’ll probably be more relaxed? And what is with this suit! It smells funny.”
“You are the one who didn’t come prepared! You’re looking Terry always wears a suit to school!”
We pan over, to see another young man, with messy hair, and a wide eyed smile on his face. He was wearing your stereotypical gym clothes, as Xavier was wearing his suit.
“I still can’t believe you made him change. I’m so sorry Terry.”
“Don’t apologize to Terry! Terry knows what sacrifice means for the greater good.”
“You mean...your ambitions...Terry c’mon, before she makes us wear the suit together.”
“Xavier Cross!”
“Sorry Roya, I promise I’ll do your silly interview later!”
You can almost see the steam come out of her ears, as Xavier grabs Terry and rushes off to the men’s locker room. Helena shakes her head, watching them leave…
“It’s not silly…”
-Prison-
“...Helena...God, I haven’t seen you in years...Working for CNN now...You were never one to give up...you achieved everything you set out to do...golly...It’s hard to believe that was so long ago…”
Cross lets out a sad sigh, leaning his head back.
“That was the same day, the last game I had ever played….Fuck…”
His knuckles crack a bit, a wince of pain rushes through his body as his fist clenches.
“I...wonder what would happen...if…”
He closes his eyes again, drifting off into sleep.
-The Good Ol’ Days-
Young Xavier is standing at the scorers table. His eyes were darting around, watching the game. He was just waiting for a stoppage in play, so he could be substituted back in the game. His eyes glance up at the scoreboard, they were up by a few points. Coach wanted him to get in there, and get the score out of reach. Put the game to bed. He reaches up, grabbing a water bottle, taking a quick swig. The ball flies out of bounds, and the whistle blows. Holding his arms up, he stretches a bit, before rubbing his right knee. It felt different, but nothing he wasn’t used to.
He slaps the hand of his teammate, as they exchange places. Jogging over, he looks around, giving the boy who would guard him a wink, before stepping back a bit. The whistle blew once more, as the ball was handed to an opponent to throw in bounds. Cross’s eyes lit up, as he took a step forward, spun his body and threw himself forward. The ball came out just as he suspected, and within a moment. The ball was in his hands, he turned quickly sprinting down the court ball in hand.
This was the moment….
Cross would go up for a layup, and the boy guarding him would catch him in the lower back. Cross would never get off the ground. Cross’s knee would crumble under him, this would be the period, the end of everything.
Cross stops at the three point line, pulling up a jump shot. The guard flew past him, never touching him once. The ball flies through the air, tickling the net as it goes in. Three points is added the score. Cross smiles a bit, as he jogs down the court.
In a few moments, the game would get out of reach. The coach would sub Xavier out, and the game would end in a victory. The statline for Xavier alone was great, more importantly...he never got hurt…
-A few years later-
The television screen was focused on ESPN, the late, great, Stuart Scott, was speaking.
“Many of the nation's top recruits have committed, we are just reporting that the number 2 overall prospect, and number one point guard prospect will join Jay Williams at Duke University! Xavier Cross is a Duke Blue Devil! He will join Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavey Jr, making what looks to be Blue Devil Dynasty in the making!”
Clapping is heard, as Cross looks around the living room. Friends and family had gathered in the Cross family estate. Pats on the back, and such as he stands up making his way out of the crowded room. They had done the ceremony earlier at the high school, but his mother had wanted to throw a little party. Cross didn’t like crowds too much, so he exited the excitement after a few handshakes and hugs.
Stepping out on the deck of the Atlanta home, he found his way to the railing, taking a deep breath. Letting it all soak in for a moment.
“This is it…”
He begins laughing a bit, tears running down his face. He was feeling utter joy…
-Prison-
“...That would have been sweet...so...so sweet...That team...I can’t believe I’m fantasy matching up college basketball from 2000 in my head...I guess I have to escape this place some how…”
A soft chuckle escapes his lips.
“I never got hurt. I never met Hank. I never rehabbed and became a wrestler. I never...would have been here, I never...I never…”
Tears well up in his eyes, as it begins pouring down his face. Clutching his head in the darkness, sorrow bellows out from his mouth.
“I never would have met Cari...I never would have had my beautiful kids...I never...I...actually love this...this ring, this business...fuck...fuck…”
He forces himself to his feet, hand planted on the wall…
“I have to get out here...this...this is not over…”
“How...did I end up like this.”
Like acid reflux, a disgusting taste filled my mouth. One man’s name floated around my head, this wasn’t Rowan, Dean, or the Pack’s fault. This wasn’t Steve Awesome’s fault...this wasn’t my fault. Only one man could hold responsibility for this. The reason I came back to this god forsaken place. The reason I stepped back into this imperial ring. The sword I had forged many months ago, the one fuel in the fire that would always burn.
Spike Kane.
“Next time...Dean, I should offer a hand...I should tell you whatever sweet words you need to hear. Bow to the demon, do whatever it would take to return Rowan back into her vile grace. Just for a chance. If I could line the cross hairs up on that Blood God, I’ll drive my knee through his skull. Even if it means sacrificing my soul to the Pack...I will have my revenge...The Council, oh my sweet brothers...Kole, Ulf, Sandman...where are you? What are you doing now? I let you three slipped through my fingers, I was so focused on Steve, the glue fell loose, and brothers went their separate ways. One day they’ll come to seek vengeance on my mortal soul. I tampered with Ulf’’s morality, he should strike my heart where the darkness lies. Sandman, I led him on a path of destruction, never worried about the shadows that lie in his soul, he shall take my mortality, the afterlife I never deserved. Kole, he will take my bones, I gave him a path of chaos to sow, I owe him nothing, but he will take everything. My sweet Rowan, my sweet sister. You took my trust, my faith. I believed in you, and you turned it to your own power. That I cannot shame, nor find distaste in. You are…….were strong. I took advantage, and this is the fate, this is the karma that surrounds me. I am the horseman of famine, everything I touch, turns to nothing. I am the starvation. The hunger in your stomach's, in your souls. You crave blood, mine will flow, you covet pain, I shall scream. You require death….not yet...I cannot die….not without him in front of me. Not without you Spike….”
My finger traces the wall, the rough concrete. My eyes floated to the shadows fleeting in my vision. I close my eyes, as the paranoia rattles to my bones. Many what ifs, questions, regrets float through between my ears. Rattling my brain into near madness…
But what would life be like, what if I had never met Hank...I was sixteen...What if I had never gotten hurt? What if?
-New Beginnings-
“Uh, this is kinda weird?”
The voice of a very young Xavier Cross, sitting down in a chair, wearing a nice suit. A nervous smile on his face as he looks around. The video camera rattles a bit, as a young girl walks around, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She lets out a tired sigh.
“C’mon Xavier! We have done like twelve takes now! You are making national news! This will be great for the School report!”
“I know, but like...I’ve never been interviewed by a classmate before, like what? The ESPN guys were professional, but like this…”
The young Cross waves his hand around, he’s sixteen years old, just now tasting his glory. A top ranked college recruit in Basketball, top twenty for his graduation class in the Nation. In front of him, was a classmate, and neighbor, Helena Roya. A very outspoken girl, with large ambitions, she wanted to be a reporter. She would cover anything, grading scandals, to this, a sit down interview with the new athletic star.
“What are you trying to say, I’m not professional!”
Her hands were resting on her hips, but her eyes were burning. Cross holds his hands up nervously, laughing softly.
“I’m sorry! I just, this is weird...I mean, I’m not very outspoken, this is just. I don’t know, I don’t like this fame, I don’t like talking. I just like...doing y’know? I’m not one to trash talk, or to brag...I mean…”
“Yes, we get it Xavier, you’re quiet and humble, oh sweet king. But I need you to ACT like it.”
“Can we do this later? I mean we do have a game in a few hours...maybe do post game, I’ll probably be more relaxed? And what is with this suit! It smells funny.”
“You are the one who didn’t come prepared! You’re looking Terry always wears a suit to school!”
We pan over, to see another young man, with messy hair, and a wide eyed smile on his face. He was wearing your stereotypical gym clothes, as Xavier was wearing his suit.
“I still can’t believe you made him change. I’m so sorry Terry.”
“Don’t apologize to Terry! Terry knows what sacrifice means for the greater good.”
“You mean...your ambitions...Terry c’mon, before she makes us wear the suit together.”
“Xavier Cross!”
“Sorry Roya, I promise I’ll do your silly interview later!”
You can almost see the steam come out of her ears, as Xavier grabs Terry and rushes off to the men’s locker room. Helena shakes her head, watching them leave…
“It’s not silly…”
-Prison-
“...Helena...God, I haven’t seen you in years...Working for CNN now...You were never one to give up...you achieved everything you set out to do...golly...It’s hard to believe that was so long ago…”
Cross lets out a sad sigh, leaning his head back.
“That was the same day, the last game I had ever played….Fuck…”
His knuckles crack a bit, a wince of pain rushes through his body as his fist clenches.
“I...wonder what would happen...if…”
He closes his eyes again, drifting off into sleep.
-The Good Ol’ Days-
Young Xavier is standing at the scorers table. His eyes were darting around, watching the game. He was just waiting for a stoppage in play, so he could be substituted back in the game. His eyes glance up at the scoreboard, they were up by a few points. Coach wanted him to get in there, and get the score out of reach. Put the game to bed. He reaches up, grabbing a water bottle, taking a quick swig. The ball flies out of bounds, and the whistle blows. Holding his arms up, he stretches a bit, before rubbing his right knee. It felt different, but nothing he wasn’t used to.
He slaps the hand of his teammate, as they exchange places. Jogging over, he looks around, giving the boy who would guard him a wink, before stepping back a bit. The whistle blew once more, as the ball was handed to an opponent to throw in bounds. Cross’s eyes lit up, as he took a step forward, spun his body and threw himself forward. The ball came out just as he suspected, and within a moment. The ball was in his hands, he turned quickly sprinting down the court ball in hand.
This was the moment….
Cross would go up for a layup, and the boy guarding him would catch him in the lower back. Cross would never get off the ground. Cross’s knee would crumble under him, this would be the period, the end of everything.
Cross stops at the three point line, pulling up a jump shot. The guard flew past him, never touching him once. The ball flies through the air, tickling the net as it goes in. Three points is added the score. Cross smiles a bit, as he jogs down the court.
In a few moments, the game would get out of reach. The coach would sub Xavier out, and the game would end in a victory. The statline for Xavier alone was great, more importantly...he never got hurt…
-A few years later-
The television screen was focused on ESPN, the late, great, Stuart Scott, was speaking.
“Many of the nation's top recruits have committed, we are just reporting that the number 2 overall prospect, and number one point guard prospect will join Jay Williams at Duke University! Xavier Cross is a Duke Blue Devil! He will join Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavey Jr, making what looks to be Blue Devil Dynasty in the making!”
Clapping is heard, as Cross looks around the living room. Friends and family had gathered in the Cross family estate. Pats on the back, and such as he stands up making his way out of the crowded room. They had done the ceremony earlier at the high school, but his mother had wanted to throw a little party. Cross didn’t like crowds too much, so he exited the excitement after a few handshakes and hugs.
Stepping out on the deck of the Atlanta home, he found his way to the railing, taking a deep breath. Letting it all soak in for a moment.
“This is it…”
He begins laughing a bit, tears running down his face. He was feeling utter joy…
-Prison-
“...That would have been sweet...so...so sweet...That team...I can’t believe I’m fantasy matching up college basketball from 2000 in my head...I guess I have to escape this place some how…”
A soft chuckle escapes his lips.
“I never got hurt. I never met Hank. I never rehabbed and became a wrestler. I never...would have been here, I never...I never…”
Tears well up in his eyes, as it begins pouring down his face. Clutching his head in the darkness, sorrow bellows out from his mouth.
“I never would have met Cari...I never would have had my beautiful kids...I never...I...actually love this...this ring, this business...fuck...fuck…”
He forces himself to his feet, hand planted on the wall…
“I have to get out here...this...this is not over…”
Well howdy there pardner.