Memories

[Avery McCullen]

Act 1: Memories

“Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.”
Lewis B. Smedes

The scene opens on a long stretch of empty road. The sun was starting to set in the distance, and the night was coming on quickly. Dust blew along the ground as vultures started to circle over the stretch of road as if waiting for their next meal or knowing something was about to happen. The sound of sirens filled the air mixed with the sounds of large trucks heading down the long stretch of road side by side. One of the trucks stops, and three men hop out of the cab. As the camera pans over we see Avery sitting in the driver's seat. She seems focused on the other truck that had turned around and had now stopped as if it was waiting for her. She revs the engine a couple of times and grips the steering wheel and throws the massive 18 wheeler into drive. Avery's eyes are filled with determination knowing this could be her last ride. She stares at the other driver who was laughing knowing this little girl couldn't beat him. The trucks get a little bit closer with each bit of ground that they cover, and soon the sound of crunching metal is heard, and all that is seen are the remains of what is left of the 18 wheelers that had collided. The frames had somehow intertwined and become one massive chunk of broken glass and steel. Avery's body was limp, and it was getting harder to breathe with each breath she took. She smiles knowing that she had taken out the head of the 52 Devils. Now they would be unorganized and wouldn't cause any more problems for the innocent people that traveled down route 52 and 66. State Trooper cars soon pull up to the scene of the carnage followed by a few EMT's. Avery sits up covered in sweat and looks out the window at the still darkened sky. Her heart was pounding and she gasped for air as she stared out the window. The chirping of the crickets filled the still night air, and a light breeze moved through the trees that surrounded the vast grounds. She gets out of the bed and opens the door and walks down the stairs on silent feet. The dark wood was cool under her feet, as she moved through the darkness and toward the front door.

Voice: Where are you going this late?

Avery turns around and sees an older gentlemen sitting by the fire that was slowly dying in the fireplace. Avery's heart seems to skip a beat as she moves toward him and sits in the other chair that was in front of it.

Man: You never did answer my question little Avery. Where were you going?

Avery: I was just going for a walk uncle Shamus. I couldn't sleep.

Shamus: Bad dream? I've had a lot of those in my day. I've seen a lot of things in my day and I can't forget any of it. In World War 2 I lost a lot of friends, and I still see their faces when I close my eyes.

Avery sits quietly watching the fire dance within the confines of the fireplace. It popped and cracked as it burned brightly casting it's light into the room behind them.

Avery: I don't know what it is that's been bothering me, but something has. It feels like a piece of me is missing.

Shamus: You haven't been back to the states to see your father have you?

Avery: No... I haven't had the time really. I mean I fly out for the show and leave just as quick. Maybe that's it then... Before I come back I'll stop and see him.

Shaums: I know he'd be happy to see you. He called yesterday but you were out with Marty and Shaun.

Avery: Why didn't you tell me?

Shamus: I forgot.

Avery sighs, and gets up from where she sits. The old man stares into the fire and is soon dozing off as she heads out the door and into the night. The cool air felt good against her skin, and the sounds of the crickets and frogs filled the air. A heavy mist had started to move in, covering the ground. The lights from the posts could barely be seen in the darkness and fog as Avery moved the vast yard.

Avery: The last two weeks I've had a win, and this week won't be any different. I've walked away from death, and been through a lot in my life already, and now I've found my way into a square circle ready to kick anyone's ass that steps in my way. Ayla lost to me, and so did what's his face, and you Crystal won't be any different. I've seen your type in a lot of places that I've been, and they have seemed to meet their fate. Crystal you are everything that I hate about society today. You're arrogant, snobish, and so full of yourself that you can't see the whole picture.

Avery continues to walk along the long pathway leading to the bar where the lights were still on, and sounds of music were coming from. She loved her family and knew that they were kind and would do anything for a neighbor, but if you pissed them off your life would come to a sudden end. Her mother had been one of those people. Avery remembered her as a woman that was sweet and quiet. She never lost her temper, and did what she had to do. Sure she had killed people, but that was back when she was part of the IRA but once she had Avery she had changed.

Avery: I got my hands on one of your promos and I have to say that I'm not impressed with you. I mean when you're kid was growing up you weren't even there for her. You were either wasted, or high. When a woman in our family has a child they put aside everything, just to make sure that they are raised right. My mother gave up everything just so she could have me, and make sure that I was raised the way she was. That has made me a good person, and someone that stands up for what they believe in. Sunday night you'll see why I've won the last two matches I've been in. I've beaten Ayla, and it wasn't easy but I managed to do it. Tell me what have you done since you've been in the IWF? Anything at all? I doubt it, because you're like me, a newbie as they call us. But that doesn't matter. Before I came here I explored the world, and did things that I never thought I would ever do. From what I can figure about you, you would rather sit on your ass all day and let people wait on you hand foot. But that's not good. You never experience anything that way. Hell if I wanted to right now, I could say to hell with all of this, and just stay right here, and live a life of luxury considering the wealth my family has accumulated over the years and not do anything ever again. but I've learned in my travels that if you do things for someone else, and not care about what is in it for you, then it's worth while.

Avery smiles to herself as she continues to walk almost falling in a rather large hole that still adorned the property. She stops at the edge of it, and looks down into the darkness. They were still working on repairs and it would take some time before everything would be done, now that the bar was finished.

Avery:Tell me Crystal how far will you go to win this match on Sunday night? What will you do to try and stop me? I'm not going to underestimate you, no matter how incompetent I think you maybe in the ring. Do you even know how to wrestle or are you just going to step into the ring, and try to scratch my eyes out with your manicured nails? You know there are rules you have to follow and that move is illegal... But only if you get caught, and I'll make sure you do. I'm not a dishonest person, and I do what is right... Well most of the time. Crystal I've seen your match against Ayla and I have to say I thought you were pretty bad. I hope you've improved since then or you're not going to last long against me on Sunday night. I've beaten a lot of guys in snake costumes into nothing, and you're not going to be any different. I'm going to kick your snobish ass all over that ring on Sunday and not even think twice about it. I know what you're thinking about me and I really don't care. You're probably going to say that I got lucky on my matches, and that nothing that I have said has actually happened, but let me tell you something little miss I'm better that you, you're day is coming, and your downfall will be because of me.

Avery goes around the large hole, and continues on. The night was dark and the lights were hidden behind the fog that had rolled in. She shivers and starts to head for the bar.

Avery: Sunday is coming quickly and I know I'll be ready for our match Crystal, but the question is will you? For the last few days I've been training and doing what needs to be done to get ready for this match. Of course when I was traveling I learned a lot but most of it was with guns and I know that's something that they really frown upon in the ring. Besides what's the point of beating you if you don't learn anything from it? This will be my third win when I'm done with you and then all I have to do is climb up the ladder and to the top, and gathering a few gold trinkets along the way. But I have a while to see those I guess, but I'll get there in time, and you Crystal is just another stepping stone in my path but not for long. See ya soon.

Avery smiles to herself and heads for the bar. It was warm and inviting, and she was starting to get chilled in the night air. The moon was full, and cast it's light down to earth. She heads inside, and closes the door behind her, as the camera focuses on a lone shadow moving along the ground. A set of blue eyes could be seen before they faded away into nothingness, as the scene fades to black.