Post by Jessica Reed on Sept 15, 2013 18:32:24 GMT
Snow gently flutters down through the barren trees which litter the white landscape, thrusting up towards a neglectful sun. Leaf float gently in the air as a mighty stag, its proud antler displayed powerfully upon his skill as Jessica Reed slowly creeps up towards it, alone. He bow creaks in the cold air as she steadies herself as best she can.
Jessica Reed: Stay still…
Jessica’s breath plumes gently up into the air as her eyes focus on the stag which continues to feed unwittingly. Her fingers gently tighten around the grip as her other hand shakes with the tension in the bow.
Jessica Reed: I’m so sorry…
Suddenly the whistle of an arrow slices through the calm with a predictable thud shortly afterwards as the stag let’s out a guttural roar. However, instead of falling to the ground the beast rears up, shaking its front legs wildly before stomping frantically into the forest. Jess stands up, clearly frustrated with herself.
Jessica Reed: Shoot…
Picking up her supplies Jess tosses the bag over her shoulder before leaping through the bushes, her bow in hand, before she begins to follow the trail of blood and the hoof prints in the soft snow which crunches beneath her hasty feet. Her breath flows out in short bursts, akin to a steam engine roaring into the frontier as she pursue her prey.
Jessica Reed: Come on little guy, let me put you out of your misery.
Suddenly, Jess comes to a halt as she throws herself up against a tree, her chest heaving as we can see the injured stag limping wearily only a few meters away. Jess closes her eyes before steadying her breathing and reaching for another arrow from her quiver, silently sliding it into position as she prepares to calm herself down as quickly as possible.
Jessica Reed: Let’s finish this…
Jess pushes herself forward, ready to unleash another arrow into the neck of the stag but as she does so a loud gunshot rings out through the valley prompting Jess to hit the deck immediately as the stag does so, lifelessly. A few moments pass as Jess’ heart races anxiously before two large figures trudge down to the stag.
Jessica Reed: Who are these two? Wait…
As they grow ever closer, despite their dishevelled appearance, we can see that one of the men is none other than Cyrus Daniels, a satisfied grin stretching across his face. Jess’ eyes dart back and forth between the pair as she notices that only the nameless lackie appears to be armed. Her heart drops as she realises she has no other choice than to fight her way to safety.
Jessica Reed: Why aren’t I surprised he survived all this chaos? Still, after all the times I told Roberto that killing was wrong…
Jessica shakes her head.
Jessica Reed: No, focus Jess, this is about survival, it’s him or me…
Resolving her course of action Jess suddenly rears up, her bow ready as she unleashes a second arrow which fling through the air straight into the shoulder of the second man who lets out a blood curdling scream. Cyrus suddenly jumps back, standing straight to attention as he stares with surprise at his colleague who drops his rifle to the ground whilst clutching his wound.
Man: Argh!
Jessica Reed: Stay right where you are!
Jess slowly emerges from the bushes, this time she has a pistol point at the two men as the injured men continues to curse.
Man: You fucking bitch!
Cyrus Daniels: Abraham, language, there is a lady present.
Cyrus smiles sadistically at Jess who fires a warning shot just past his head, causing him to freeze.
Jessica Reed: Cut the wise cracks.
Cyrus Daniels: Well, well, if it isn’t little Miss Reed, long time no see.
Jessica Reed: If you move an inch it’ll be the last time you ever see me.
Cyrus Daniels: Oh there is some spark in you.
Abraham: What the hell do you want you little whore?
Jessica Reed: That is my kill, just walk away and leave the gun with me and we’ll have no trouble.
Cyrus Daniels: Really? He didn’t look very dead, did he Abraham? Not until ye put that bullet in him?
Abraham: He sure as shit wasn’t.
Cyrus Daniels: Then, Miss Reed, we have a bit of a dilemma ere. There’s gotta be a bit of give and take, ya know?
Jessica tightens her grips on her gun as she shuffles a little in the snow.
Jessica Reed: What do you want?
Cyrus Daniels: I want my share of the kill, you’re not the only one who is starving. Are you alone?
Jessica Reed: That’s none of your business.
Cyrus Daniels: That’s a yes then, what a crying shame that Robbie never made it…
Jessica Reed: Don’t you dare!
Cyrus laughs before eyeing a wound on Jess’ shoulder, a light bulb igniting in his devious mind.
Cyrus Daniels: I wager you could do with some antibiotics, that wound looks awfully nasty…
Jessica Reed: Well…
Cyrus Daniels: Then how about this, love, you let Abraham go and he will go and get you some supplies. You and me, we’ll stay here, you can keep his gun and I’ll cut up the beastie and share him out all equal like.
Jessica Reed: I swear if there is any funny business…
Cyrus Daniels: You’ll put a bullet in me… yeah yeah, I am used to that sorta arrangement young lady. You have me word that no harm will come to you and if it does you can feel obliged to put a bullet right between my eyes.
Jessica pauses for a moment, realising she has little choice.
Jessica Reed: Ok… deal.
Cyrus Daniels: Splendid, Abraham, please oblige the lady… and get yourself patch up, you look like a mess.
You know there really are some very mean spirited, very dangerous girls floating around this company who seem to believe that it is amusing to fake the suicide of people’s best friends and then, because that isn’t bad enough, crack people on the head.
Ouch guys!
Whatever have I done to you to deserve this sort of treatment? Is this some sort of game to pick on the quiet girl who doesn’t mean anybody harm just to amuse yourselves? Is Eternity really so insecure about her chances that she needs to soften me up before our inevitable showdown? I’d like to believe it was simply the last one, because then I could kinda understand that is just business, but it was so vindictive so…
Cruel.
Nobody who is just trying to get a sporting advantage would ever stoop that low and you know what really sucks? All I’ve ever done is try to help Eternity, see I can see a lot of me in her, the tormented mind, the abandonment issues and sure I’ve been a little worried about her, even imploring her to end this stuff with Tiffany but I’ve never victimised her or lashed out.
Not like she has.
With that… woman.
I mean talk about a low blow, not only did she see fit to give me a migraine for three days, but she had the woman who almost tore more family apart to get herself ahead do it for her. I guess I was wrong about you Eternity. You really will do anything that causes other people pain for your own amusement.
Pretty uncool.
However, I guess I can’t dwell on that forever, I have to move forward and concentrate on this week. This is such a big match for me, I get to team up with a… I am not saying that.
Yes you are.
Ugh, Berto, when you said you’d help me with my promos now your back I didn’t mean…
Just say it.
… Fine. Now that I get to team up with a bonafide icon of male professional wrestling, an astute businessman and an exquisite lover… wait, oh God that’s gross, seriously? Look, this week is really important to me because, despite the fact he is a jerk, I never dreamt for a second that I would be teaming up with a guy I’ve known for so who was kinda good once in a professional match.
Cute.
Just be quiet you. This is a proud moment for me, whatever you want to say about Roberto, and believe me he can make Eternity look like a pussycat in eyeliner, he invested his entire faith in me over a year ago when my father tossed me out like trash for daring to pursue my dream. He pushed me, he found me opportunities, he believed in me and now I have my opportunity to represent a whole division.
So I guess he isn’t that bad really.
Although to be honest some of the things he’s said about you in past Mike probably wouldn’t be broadcastable and you’ll never hear them coming out of my mouth. I didn’t even know what some of the words meant but the general gist I got was there’s no love lost there and if I have any sense at all I’d stay well out of that one.
Ahem.
Hey, shut up, I am not lacking any sense! Just, go! Sit over there! Now!
Sorry about that, apparently ruining my concentration is some people’s favourite past time! Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Mikey! I mean you don’t mind me calling you that do you? I notice that you seem to think that this week is all about making a convenient excuse for Bertie, erm, “when” you beat him. Did you ever think that even the Egosaurus over there can take the odd defeat?
I look at this completely differently. You wanna talk about a male dominated industry? I mean sure there’s a lot more sausages back here but have you ever thought that perhaps Bertie is trying to gain some exposure for us ladies by booking his return to the ring as a match involving two of the hottest talents in the company alongside you two boys?
The only way anything will ever change is if those in charge have the will to help it happen, and thankfully we do.
Sure, I still have to endure the shameless gestures and lewd ravings by fans from time to time and let’s be honest, some of the guys in the back have barely matured past puberty mentally sometimes but in terms of opportunities.
We’ve never really had it as good. Heck, the first ever IWF main event included two women, I mean, you should know right? It was you and your star pupil that lined up opposite my bestie. Two men, two women. That is equality, no? Inequality would be like, the girls on the dark show and just producing the odd swimsuit calendar.
Instead we are in some the best matches this company showcases on a weekly basis. Yes, even the girls who apparently have it in for me. I’m happy to give them props even if all they give me in return is brain injuries.
You see Mike, I have nothing against you at all, I honestly don’t, but just don’t trivialise this week as some complex scheme to get Bertie over win or lose. This is about giving some of the best wrestlers, male and female, a chance to show everybody what they can do and sure, somebody has to lose, but if we all treat this properly we can all be winners.
I mean, this is your chance to earn yourself further opportunities, for Ashley to really stake herself a claim to perhaps even compete for my belt someday. Why is everyone so eager to conjure up conspiracy theories. Seriously, as somebody who lives with two high ranking corporate members it far less exciting.
No, really. They make phone calls, have meetings over pointless Coke advertisement… oh yeah, “Buy Coke guys, it’s really fizzy and stuff… and then, when they’re really playing it dangerous they might, only might, have a board meeting. When Hannah and Bertie get home they just sorta… lay there, like seals, which would be cute if he didn’t keep trying to wind me up.
As for you Ashley, and I guess it’d be pretty unprofessional of me not to mention you at all, what with us being only able to wrestle each other. You’ve been so impressive recently, it’s genuinely been so great to see another relative rookie blossom here, it’s proof that whilst experience is a pretty useful weapon, it isn’t necessarily a pre-requisite.
Us new girls can succeed just as much as the old guard. No offence intended girls.
I know that Mike has instructed you to beat me to send a message and you know, I really can’t disagree with him. I mean, as much as I aren’t really that keen on it, I have built up quite the reputation as the girl to beat and I guess putting me away, or at least going close to, is a strong way to stake a claim on the Diamond’s Championship, or maybe even the Ruby as well.
For better or worse, right now I am the pinnacle of female wrestling and whilst I have never bought into these stories of how I am all super invincible and stuff and defeating me is like some sort of triumph akin to a Greek odyssey I know that there is some prestige attached to pushing me to a limit or leaving me laying.
Perhaps I should be a little concerned, but honestly, I am glad that by just doing what I love I can inspire girls so much.
It’s all I really wanted beyond being champion. If I can contribute in some way to make all the young girls out there see this business as a real avenue for them to pursue I will be so proud, and if by doing that I make the ones who are here already even hungrier.
That’s just awesome.
I don’t underestimate you, honestly, I don’t ever think a victory is a foregone conclusion, anybody can beat anybody and months ago you can be sure nobody would have every said I would be the first ever Diamond’s champion, so why couldn’t you beat me?
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t really want to suggest that I hope you do, but I won’t write you off, it’d be awfully shallow of me. I am excited to get in that ring with you and see how far you’ve come. Perhaps one day we’ll share a ring for a big prize or even just a high profile match, but for now let’s just show everybody what the Diamond’s can do.
We’ll leave the boys to their spats. I don’t need to drag your name through the mud, despite everybody telling me I should do. I genuinely want us to just have a high octane contest that people remember and look at and think “Hey these girls can really go” and whether I win or I lose I will still respect your ability out there.
No hard feelings.
I’ll see you out there Ashley, bring me everything you’ve got, don’t hold back, and maybe, just maybe we’ll upstage our more famous partners…
In your dreams.
I said be quiet!
A fire crackles as night slowly begins to draw in on Cyrus and Jess who sit in a clearing beside the dead stag, the latter clutching a gun which she keeps pointed at her guest. Cyrus clutches a knife in his head which he uses to gradually slice the flesh away from the dead animals carcass, piling it neatly on some pits of cloth which he ties together to seals the meat inside.
Cyrus Daniels: So… you’ve been out here, all this time, by yourself?
Jessica remains silent, choosing to ignore his question.
Cyrus Daniels: Come on girl, I won’t bite… well… not hard anyway.
Cyrus smiles as Jessica shudders with disgust.
Jessica Reed: I can handle myself.
Cyrus Daniels: Oh, I am sure you can…
Cyrus clears his throat.
Cyrus Daniels: So, what happened to old Bertie…
Jessica suddenly gets tense as a tear rolls down her cheek.
Jessica Reed: He… he fell.
Cyrus Daniels: I’m sorry to hear that, he were a right bastards, my kinda fella…
Jessica Reed: How much longer do I need to wait for this man on yours and how can I trust that he won’t just bring more of your lackies with him?
Cyrus Daniels: I’m an honourable bloke me, would I do that to you?
Jessica Reed: You’re a crook.
Suddenly Cyrus lets out a big laugh.
Cyrus Daniels: In another life maybe, now I am a master of me own destiny pet.
Jessica Reed: I doubt that is a good thing.
Cyrus Daniels: We had a deal, if they turn up in numbers, put a bullet through me and run.
Cyrus slices through the flesh of the stag again, expertly dismantling the mighty beast when suddenly, the sound of footsteps can be heard approaching. Multiple footsteps. Jess leaps up, grabbing the other gun as well as she aim straight at Cyrus’ head.
Jessica Reed: You promised me no funny business!
Cyrus Daniels: Easy pet, easy now…
Jessica Reed: No! Tell them to back off!
Cyrus Daniels: Alright, alirght…. Boys!? Back off from the Sheila, aye?
The footsteps continues to get closer.
Cyrus Daniels: Boys?
Suddenly, the sound of clicking can be heard alongside the sound of approaching footsteps as Cyrus curses under his breath.
Cyrus Daniels: Shit.
Jessica Reed: Clickers!? Where did they come from?
Cyrus Daniels: I don’t know, but it sounds like there’s a lot of them.
Jessica Reed: Gosh darn it…
Cyrus Daniels: I know this may be an unpopular question love, but do you want to share the firepower a little?
Jessica looks at him distrustingly.
Jessica Reed: No!
Cyrus Daniels: Alright, but there’s a lot of them, if you think you can handle it…
Jessica looks around and sees the shapes of numerous infected approaching the pair. Jessica let’s out a sigh.
Jessica Reed: I swear, if you cross me…
Jessica tosses the rifle over to Cyrus who immediately prepares it to fire with expert ease.
Cyrus Daniels: I’ve got your back love, ye won’t regret it.
Jessica Reed: I have a feeling I will…
The pair both raise their weapons and as the infected appear from the tree line the sound of gunfire echoes through the forest as the scene slowly fades to black, the sound of infected screeching eerily closing the scene.
Well howdy there pardner.