The Wolf

[Mai Everstone]

November 11th. Mai had been running on the treadmill all morning today. As much as she was confident in her moves- she’d come close to getting Dean- she knew in a match like what was happening at Survival of the Fittest her stamina was the real issue. She needed the focus. She needed to strength to make this count. So she had to get better. She had to be better.

Not for the first time she wished she’d gotten a coach or something. But that was a future Mai problem. As she took out her earbuds to see Abigail standing behind her.

“Uh…hey…?” Mai felt slightly self-conscious, had Abigail been standing there long? Had she been singing along to the music she had been listening to? Had she’d made faces to the audiobook she’d switched to? She adjusted the black shorts she was wearing and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off her neck. “Did you need the treadmill? Was I hogging it?”

“Just wanted ta wish ya luck,” Abby smiled. “I know we kinda got off on the wrong foot before. I may have been a little sharper than I initially intended, but in my defense, a lot was on the line back then and I got some tunnel vision when ya were just tryna be nice. Consider this an overdue apology and an olive branch extended outta courtesy. I don’t wanna come off as cold, especially ta someone I feel like I could have a lot in common with.”

Mai nodded, “I mean, I get it is wrestling but yeah…the ice queen approach did hurt my feelings. I accept your apology.”

“Yeah, sorry. I get a little standoffish at times, it ain’t ever my intention ta hurt anybody’s feelings, especially when they ain’t done nothin’ wrong. Like I said, we probably have more in common than we do in bein’ different, not least ‘cause I’m the odd one out in my family too,” Abby smiled.

“I guess we are, aren’t we?” Mai chuckled, “We probably do have more in common. Is that why you are here? To hang out?”

“Partly, yeah,” Abby nodded. “Also figured ya’d like ta know your birth family misses you. All they want is for you to get in touch. Before ya say it ain’t none of my damn business, you’re probably right, it ain’t. But turnin’ my back on my family like I did for years is one of the worst mistakes I ever made. If I could go back an’ fix that I would. I just don’t wanna see ya makin’ the same mistakes I did, y’know?”

Mai huffs slightly, “I don’t even know how to talk to them. They just want me to just slot into their family. I don’t even know anything about them besides they do southern stuff.”

“I could help ya,” Abby said. “Ya wouldn’t be the first ultra goth I’ve ingratiated inta a nice Southern family. Technically my family now has two, that’s probably why they found it easier ta accept E.”

“It …it feels like it would be like I was betraying my Dad.”

“As far as I know they ain’t sayin’ it’s a him or them choice.”

“I know they aren’t. It’s just…” Mai fidgets slightly, “He raised me. He’s been my whole family. It feels like accepting them would be implying he wasn’t.”

“Maybe you can explain that ta ‘em,” Abby said. “Your concerns an’ feelings are valid, but like, there are all different types of families. Maybe ya can learn ta compartmentalise.”

“I guess. I don't know. They all seem to also be dating your brothers. That has to make things easy for Thanksgiving I guess for you.” Mai tried comedy to cut some tension.

“Jeb’s still single if ya wanna complete the set,” Abby joked. “I think we’ve all dated boys by default, tryna be normal good little girls an’ all.”

“I dated guys, yeah. I just don’t really you know, work. Not that I work with girls either.” Mai laughs. “But it is what it is. More time for the gym and my babies. I mean, my pets.”

“Crows, snakes and spiders, yeah I know,” Abby said. “I’ve seen your work, doesn’t freak me out. Ya have similar pets ta E, actually. Think you two would get along too. She’s a big fan of your whole vibe.”

“Aww, thanks.” Mai smiled. “I guess…I’ll think about what you mentioned. My…the Winstons.”

“That’s all they’re askin’, hon,” Abby said. “A fair chance.”

Mai bounced on her feet as she thought about it, “Okay. I’ll think about it. And yeah, I … If you and Eternity wanted to hang out I wouldn’t say no.”

“We’d like that,” Abby said.

---

I feel like the dark horse in this match. I feel like the person that no one expects to win this match. I mean I only got in this match with a second shoot at it, didn’t I? April won her shot. Shea won her shot with the Queen’s Gambit case. Charlotte won that title through a path of blood and mayhem. I got here by the skin of my teeth. Iron Heiress and all. So here I am. The one who least deserves to be here huh?



Fuck that. I am the wolf at the fucking door.



In this match, we have to try to get the last pin before the time runs out. We have to go balls to the walls crazy to win. We have to throw everything at the wall. We have to be savage and feral. We have to dig down deep and find that animal to rip and tear. We have to be hungry. We have to be able to just keep going despite everything. Shoulder to the stone. And I know what animal I’m taking inspiration from.



I’m hungry in a way you are not prepared for. I want this more than anything. I want to be a world champion. I want to prove all the blood sweat and tears mean something. I want the time and money I coulda used on going to college that I spent hitting every wrestling school having a sale. I sat at home watching wrestling on the TV and new I wanted to be that more than anything. I saw the title and god I thought, why not me? And sure yes, I used to serve coffee on the weekends and my role model was Dean Harper. I’m not perfect. I can’t say I came in all pure intentions and pure athletics. I wanted to win the big one. I wanted the pounds of gold and my name engraved on the side.



I saw people like Maxine Valentine, Eternity, Dean, and yeah even Rowan. I saw how they came in. They believed. They got friends and they got gold. I wanted that for me. Sure a little less than the stellar role models you are meant to have in this business. It should be people like Jessica Reed. But I like the spooky girls, I liked The Pack and Dean. I can’t help it. I am who I am and I make no apologies for that. I want the world title because I know my Dad is going to be in the audience. I want him to see me win the biggest thing in our division. I want him to stand there and see despite the troubles I’ve caused and my less-than-good girl vibes he can be proud of me. I want him to look to someone standing next to him and say ‘That’s my daughter’.



That’s what I want. And I’ll be damned if I have to go home empty-handed. I want this. I want my name on the poster. I want the fame and the recognition. I want to be seen. I want to be noticed. And that title. Being able to put my name as one of the women who got to that height in this company? Yeah. Yeah. That’s the dream.



April. Look I have nothing against you. I know you got turbo fucked. I know you got the short end of the stick. And I’m sure you might have some bad blood feelings about me not putting the boot to Dean to get you that victory. But I just…I couldn’t. I’m sorry. And even match? Sure. These hands are rated E for Everyone. But a beat down? That just…that feels wrong. I’m sorry. I know this could be your redemption. I know this could be your moment to claw your way out of Brooklyn’s shadow and get her affection again. I know she’s likely more focused on Rowan being okay and hyping herself up to watch Dean get everything coming to him. But you need to have your eyes on the prize Girlie Pop. You need to know that everyone is looking to win this. You can’t just have a good showing. You have to be able to do the most and make it count. I don’t know if you have the head space for that. You are talented. You have been a trainer. You have been trained by Brooklyn a multitime world champion. But it just…I don’t think it will be enough here. I hope you prove me wrong. But I want this more then you do. And I will put you down. Nothing personal.



Shea. Shit. Okay. I know, I know. There shouldn’t be some barrier between friends in a wrestling match. I know part of being a wrestler in this business is not letting friendship keep you from throwing down when the time calls for it. Some of the best matches in this business have been between friends. And as much as I admire you. Do not think I am not coming to wreck your shit. You have a lot of personal ambition. A lot of grand ideals. A lot of baggage. You will not hesitate to make an example of me to get there. And I know me and April will be white noise to who your real target is. We all know you have a blinder to take out the champ. You want to pin her and prove you are the best there ever was. And maybe you are. You’ve paid your dues and you’ve lost more than anyone. You’ve had people you cared about used against you. I know you have the drive. But goddamn it I am not going to be second fiddle. I am not going to protect you. I want this just as much as you. In fact, I want it more. I want it so fucking much I could scream. And I know you won't judge me for having my moment. I know you aren’t going to turn around and put the boot on me after this is said and done. But I am going to throw everything I have at this match and if that means I rob you of your shiny moment, I am sorry. But I am not going to hold back just because we are friends.



And then we have the Iron Heiress herself. You beat the Iron Maiden. You won Heiress to the Throne. You beat The Murder. You have gone against a lot of women in this company and come out the other side with your hand in the air. You are the top of the mountain and you fucking earned it. You didn’t lower yourself to thirst traps. You didn’t do back-door deals with management. You didn’t get a lucky win on someone’s off week. You won. You keep winning. You are the girl to beat.

You might have opinions of me. None of them good. I mean maybe some of them good? Rini and I get on like a pair of nerds. Doing comics and trading sweets. Not trying to steal your bestie or anything. She’s just nice. And I don’t hate you. I mean, yeah I have taunted you about getting the beast out. But that’s just…you know, the way of things. I want you at your best. Because I want to beat the best to be the best.

And I want it. I want to beat you. We’ve been in the same ring more often than anyone else in this match. And you have beaten me. Ever. Single. Time. Six matches Charlie. SIX. Six and I end up on my back every single time. You are my white whale at this point. It’s mostly business but I’d be lying that if I even got to pin you once I’d be so fucking happy. And you got the title I want. It’s a win win for me.



So come Survival of the fittest. I am going to be doing everything I can to make myself into the Apex predator. I am going to become the wolf. I am going to kick so much ass. I am going to make you girls see that I am not the weak link. I am not the one to be fucking overlooked. I am walking out of that match with the title in my fucking hands.