Earlier this week..I had to make an unfortunate trip to help someone out. I got a call in the middle of a night from a friend saying he was in jail. So scraping up the bail money, I had to go get him..he'd do the same for me. After I paid the bail the officer directed me towards the cell..
Griffin Hawkins: Thanks Nate..
He nods to me and opens the cell before leaving. I look in the cell and see it's Aiden. He has his head down and then looks up at me.
Aiden Ravencroft: Hey...
Griffin Hawkins: Hey...
Aiden Ravencroft: So uh..you paid my bail.
Griffin Hawkins: Yep...every penny.
Aiden Ravencroft: Fine, let's just go home.
We leave the police station and head to the parking garage. The whole time we were heading to my car, we were silent. Finally after a while...I decided to break the silence.
Griffin Hawkins: So we're...not gonna talk about it?
Aiden Ravencroft: What's to talk about?...
Griffin Hawkins: Well I figured you would have a lot to talk about, seeing as you got a DUI and all..
Aiden Ravencroft: I don't want to talk about it, I just want to go home.
Griffin Hawkins: Well who else is gonna talk to you about it?
Aiden Ravencroft: Can we please just go home? Why are you pushing this?
Griffin Hawkins: Because I wanna know what the fuck is wrong with you man..
Aiden Ravencroft: People get DUI's every day..don't you watch Cops?
Griffin Hawkins: Yeah but usually you stay out of trouble.
Aiden Ravencroft: What are you my warden now? Are you my guardian angel?
Griffin Hawkins: No..I'm your friend.
Aiden Ravencroft: Fine...you wanna know so bad? I had a blow up with the old man.
Griffin Hawkins: I see...
Aiden Ravencroft: I told him that I am nervous about this whole job..the pressure is on me and he told me to toughen up.
Griffin Hawkins: ...So why don't you just quit? Say you don't want this anymore.
Aiden Ravencroft: And do what? What am I gonna do when my whole life I've been groomed to take over a potential company?
Griffin Hawkins: Look man...I know how you feel...
Aiden Ravencroft: Sure you do...
Griffin Hawkins: No seriously...I do. My old man tried to mold me into his image, but I refused to conform. I did whatever I wanted and even though it cost me the only home I ever knew..it was worth it. You don't have to do this man..is this what you want to do?
Aiden Ravencroft: I don't know Griffin...I just don't know...
Griffin Hawkins: Well if there's one thing you can do is stop binge drinking. You're gonna hurt yourself...think about Amanda...
Something told me his little sister was his soft spot. He did seem like the protective type.
Aiden Ravencroft: ...Okay.
I slowly guide him to the backseat of my car...hopefully he doesn't puke in it. After I shut the door, I get in the drivers seat and drive off, leaving the parking lot. I hope none of what happens with him gets traced back to me.
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~Flashback~
What does every teenager without adult supervision like to do? Party. When I had no rules and no one to watch over me, that's what I did. It didn't take me long after moving in with Marquis that I managed to find the Nightclubs downtown. Every night I went out to party, just had the right Fake ID and I was in. But on one particular night, something seemed to go awry. As I was getting a drink, a brown haired exotic looking woman seemed to take interest in me and started dancing near me on the dance floor.
I figured...this night could go well..
We must've danced for a long time...as the song says, I could've danced all night. There was something about this woman that really drawn me to her. After a while of dancing, she motioned for me to follow her out of the club. With her index finger she motioned for me to come with her..and like a moth to the flame, I followed her. We went out the back door of the club and the minute we shut the door, that's when it all happened. I had her against the wall as we began kissing. It felt amazing as she had her arms around me as I continued to kiss her up and down her neck. My moment of bliss ended when I felt something sharp on my neck. I immediately pulled away.
Griffin Hawkins: What the fuck!?...
I looked and saw her teeth was extending...they looked sharp.
Griffin Hawkins: Oh my God...
Thinking fast I run down the alley, wanting to get out of there. But before I could reach the corner to leave, I'm stopped by a mysterious figure with short blonde hair and a long black coat.
"Going somewhere?"
He was obviously with that female Vampire. I backed away and saw that she had caught up with me, her cold eyes gleaming in the moonlight. I then began to run the opposite direction. I can hear the male vampire calling after me.
"Go ahead and run! It'll give us some sport!"
I continue running down the street past the buildings until I nearly bump into Marquis.
Marquis Laveaux: Griff, you okay?
Griffin Hawkins: Do I look like I'm okay?...there's some crazy freaks after me!
And right on cue come those said freaks.
"Ah Marquis, you caught our dinner."
Marquis Laveaux: Back off Gideon..he's with me.
Gideon Blackwell: What?! Have you lost your bloody mind?
Marquis Laveaux: Look..it's hard to explain, but he's a friend of mine.
The female vampire comes closer...looking at me with a sick look in her eyes.
Camilla Bartley: Come on Marquis...let us play with him for a while.
Marquis Laveaux: Nobody is touching him alright?! Just...leave.
Gideon Blackwell: Fine..whatever, this scene's dead..let's go Camilla, lets leave them to do eachother's nails and hair.
She laughs as they walk away.
Marquis Laveaux: You alright?
Griffin Hawkins: Yeah...who the hell were those guys?
Marquis Laveaux: Old friends of mine...from the old days.
Griffin Hawkins: But those guys are freaks! How can you be friends with them?
Marquis Laveaux: It's too complicated to explain alright?...Just stay away from them.
Griffin Hawkins: Okay okay...I'm sorry. But..have you ever figured you deserve better friends than them?
He sighs.
Marqus Laveaux: I understand if you feel that way, but I kind of have a life debt to them. But that doesn't mean I agree with everything they do.
Griffin Hawkins: Well..that's a relief.
Marquis Laveaux: Come on..I'll take you home.
On that night I came face to face with my worst fear...I could've fought Gideon, but he would have easily overtaken me. Part of me was tired of being scared...sooner or later I knew I'd have to take action.
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The best part about living in Los Angeles is that you're right near some Hollywood sets. I was lucky enough to have a friend who was willing to help me out for my next promo. The cameras open up at a Hollywood set. The room has a gothic touch to it as there's candles lit all around the place. Right in the middle is a coffin..sitting alone. I walk into the shot, dressed in a long black brown coat and a Van Helsing style hat. I slowly make my way towards it and begin to speak.
"Vampires...fearsome creatures they are. Throughout history there has been many classic vampires..but one of the most iconic ones was Count Dracula. That man set the standard for all creatures of the night with his fearsome presence. Since then...every kind of Vampire whether it be fictitious or real have been popular. Course there are many ways to end these demons of the night. There's classic ways like a stake through the heart...garlic..or exposure to sunlight. But there are other ways such as silver...or fire...or my favorite, cutting their head off. Either way there's more than one way to kill a Vampire. Now...throughout my career...I have wrestled many demons. Clowns, sadists, alleged zombies, bikers, anarchists....but a vampire is the only thing I have not beaten the hell out of. And in this match...myself and the World Champion...are facing two kinds of vampires, one literally...and one figuratively. While I don't have a stake or garlic...the only thing I need are my two fists to get me through this match. And whether Calvin Harris likes it or not...he's gonna have to deal with me being his partner and he's gonna have to back up all the trash he's been talking while Dmitri wasn't around to defend himself. If we are lucky...we will see a sunrise. I'm no Buffy...but on this night I will be a Vampire Slayer."
I lean against the coffins and continue.
"Dmitri....The Prince of Darkness himself. For the last year he has cast a shadow over SCW itself.
He's a man who has no doubt shown that he isn't just some gimmick...he is the real deal. After all he was the World Heavyweight Champion. I respect the man for what he's done...but the thing is...like all vampires...he can be hurt.
That was proven when he was defeated for the belt itself. And now he is looking to regain what was taken from him...but before that....he's gonna have a little bump in the road. Dmitri...for so long you have dominated the scene here in SCW, you've faced so many and crumbled their bodies in your wake. Your list of victims are long...but nowhere on there is me. This is in fact our first official meeting here in SCW...so people are gonna expect the unexpected between us...even if it's not one on one. I've already shared a ring with your tag partner...but I've yet to share it with you Dmitri. And I am just counting down the days and hours this tag match will begin. You are an intimidating figure indeed, but I'm not that easily scared. Why? Because I've lived through it all...you may have been around longer than I have in life, but I have had my fair share of life changing experiences..things that would end a normal man.."
Dmitri being a former World Champion is a big opportunity for me. I wasn't sure if I could beat him or not..but only time would tell.
"In your eyes Dmitri...it's the end of days, I see that everyone must come together in times like this. I told my brother there will be problems, times and tears for fears but we must live each day like it's the last. I have a different look on life than you do....while you live in the darkness...I look to the light. Some would see this as a true battle of good and evil....but I don't see it like that. I see it as a true clash of the titans...two of SCW's best eye to eye..man to man. I realize that you're bigger than me...you're stronger than me...you're more powerful than me..I know that I am facing an uphill battle...but am I scared? No. Many men before me have fought your kind in battle, and while some were victorious...some have died in battle. I don't know the outcome of this match...but if this is the end of me, I'll go down fighting. I'm willing to destroy myself if it means defeating you. In SCW...this is a game of survival...it's kill or be killed, and I refuse to lay down and die. I am looking to send a message to your little sidekick through you..in speaking of which..."
I step away from the Coffin.
"Are you insecure of your tag partner James Tuscini? I mean...why do you keep him at arm's length? Did you turn down his challenge because you consider him a threat? Do you lay awake at night in your bed...wondering if he'll one day surpass you? See....he too has beaten my tag partner, but he refuses to drink from the devil's cup and take that one last step to immortality and take what has eluded him for so long. I dunno..maybe he's too stupid to realize that he has much right to that title...or too scared of what you'll do to to him if he goes for the holy grail that you're craving for. You two are supposed to be friends...did the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants hold back one another from achieving their goals? No. I haven't seen the movie...but I'm pretty sure they mailed eachother pants..but that's besides the point. Of course...like a good little monkey, he's gonna do whatever he can to impress you in this match, because he wants to do right by you. He wants to prove that he is on your level. But regardless what happens in this match..at High Stakes VII, I am going to take that very title that he holds so dear away from him. But as for now, you and me and Calvin and Tuscini are gonna give the people of Sydney a little preview oft High Stakes VII."
As eager I was to get in the ring Tuscini, I wanted to test my skills against Dmitri.
"When I get tagged in Dmitri..and you're right across from me, i'm coming right at you. I don't care how bigger you are or stronger you are than me...I'm not intimidated by you whatsoever. You got a hell of a challenge at High Stakes VII, having to go through Calvin Harris...and many say you do have a good chance of taking back the title, but at Climax Control on Sunday...things might be just a little bit different. I mean think of it....what would happen if I pin you right in the middle of the ring...what does it mean for me? I mean..a victory over a former World Champion does mean a lot...something your tag partner can't get through his thick skull. But unlike Calvin, I'm not gonna act like this is gonna be another day at the office, I treat this as my biggest challenge to date. Sharing a ring with the Internet Champion..and two men who have held the World Heavyweight Title...can light extinguish darkness? Guess we'll have to find out.."
I then decide to open the coffin...but I don't reveal what's inside.
"And then we have his partner in crime...James Tuscini. He reminds me of one of those Vampire servants who want nothing more than to please their master. but truth being....another word can be said for Tuscini. He's nothing more than a parasitic little worm who latches his lips onto Dmitri's tit because he is afraid to walk alone...that's why he wants for the Unholy Alliance to remain a thing...because once he inevitably loses the Internet Title, he's gonna go running back to Dmitri for one more run with The Unholy Alliance. But before that happens, I wanna take my piece. This night is the beginning of the end for you Tuscini, because you have something that belongs to me, that Internet Title. I came down and looked at you face to face and I told you that that title belongs to me, and I am looking to take it by force in just a matter of weeks. But in this tag match, who knows if you're gonna make it to the Pay Per View."
The more Tuscini ran his mouth, the more I wanted to close it.
"I'll give you one thing Tuscini, you managed to defeat me, congratulations. On one night you managed to accomplish something major. See...what I did right there, is admit that I was defeated. Something that you have never done. That seems to be the whole sad ass story with you James, whenever someone comes along and defeats you, you conveniently ignore it and move along as if nothing happened. For the last few weeks you've been acting like you're this big badass dude and everyone should be afraid of you, when in reality..you're nothing more than a simple sidekick who's done nothing but get by on dumb luck. You call out Kristopher Ryans every time and he has beaten you countless times, but you act as if nothing happened. You refuse to wake up to reality and see things for what they really are. Shit..and they say Donald Trump is delusional. You live in your own little world where everyone pisses themselves in fear of you when in reality they laugh at you. Intimidator?...Please. I've seen bowls of oatmeal more intimidating than you. I looked into your eyes last week..and I was not intimidated in the slightest...but I think..I may have seen doubt in your eyes. I put my foot on your title..and you didn't do anything about it. I pretty much gave you a chance to cross the line, but you didn't bite. That tells me right there...that you're afraid. You're afraid that your title reign is gonna end very..very soon. Well, you should be afraid...at High Stakes...and this tag match."
I look down at the casket and smile before turning back to the camera man.
"I took every thing you could do to me weeks ago...and I am still standing..and I am still in your face. Just like I will be once Climax Control rolls around. I'm sure you're thanking the wrestling gods above that this match is not for the title...and I'm giving you a chance to cross the line this time. Are you gonna face me like a man....or are you gonna hide behind Dmitri like someone hiding behind their Mom and Dad? You barely made it out of our last encounter...but now I know how you play...I watched the match over and over, and while I hated it, you were the better man that night, but that doesn't mean you will be the better man this Sunday in Sydney Australia. Sure...you beat Calvin Harris which isn't an easy task to do, but the world knows that you're not gonna do it again...because you're afraid of going after him again, knowing this time you're not gonna get lucky. And while he's busy with Dmitri....there's gonna be nowhere for you to run."
I then bring the camera man over to the coffin. In it is a mannequin dressed like Tuscini, I even manage to have a wig and a Sicilian T-Shirt on it.
"High Stakes will be your final resting place...but on this night, you will get your last rites when we clash in that ring. The doubt in your eyes tells me that James Tuscini can...no...will be beat. How long was your last title reign James?...A month? Was it even that long? How long will this one be? Will this be one of the final times we see you with the Internet Title? What happens if I pin you? What happens if you're beaten by the Challenger? That will put all your dreams of the Championship into jeopardy. It doesn't matter if I run into you...it doesn't matter if I run into Dmitri.....someone is gonna get a stake through the heart.."
I reach into my coat and pull out a stake, driving it into the chest of the dummy.
"Ashes to Ashes....dust to dust..."
I look to the camera man, tipping my hat before disappearing into the darkness.
