Post by Mark Hunter on Dec 8, 2020 14:12:53 GMT -5
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I DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS
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“The best hunters are not those with a natural aptitude for hunting, but those who have had to struggle long and hard to learn every trick of the trade.” ― Théun Mares, Return of the Warriors: The Toltec Teachings - Volume I
Unaired Footage
Unknown Hotel Room
01:50am - December 5th, 2020
"I love you."
I could still hear Jelena's voice now, whispering into my ear. Her gentle touch, the smell of her hair reminding me of honey or a summer's breeze. The outline of her body was in perfect proportion in my eyes but none of it could match her personality, open, incoming, friendly. She was so strong, keeping her brother together both emotionally and physically when his career was over, keeping me sane despite the crushing guilt of causing that pain, Jelena was everything I could ever want in a woman.
She smiled at me as I looked her in the eyes, as blue as an ocean, my heart stopping, fluttering. My breathing becoming heavier and without meaning to, nervousness kicking in. I can perform in front of twenty-five thousand screaming wrestling fans and win World Championships, but when it comes to a woman who I love, to say the words I want to make me feel physically sick, like Stan, the little kid from South Park. It's amazing what her smile could do to me.
"I love you," I return before exchanging a brief, passionate kiss, the sort that makes your knees buckle just thinking about...
I open my eyes, the hotel room covered in a blanket of darkness. It happened again, the dream about Jelena and myself. The sheets on the bed are soaking and I pull them off, sighing. With everything I had been through in the last few weeks, I had found myself thinking of her a lot.
Was coming back to wrestling the right thing to do?
It had to be, it was too late now for me to be questioning myself now and the decisions I had made. Fuck, I was starting to sound like a broken record, but I couldn't help it. Wrestling and Jelena were the only two things I ever thought about.
I sat up onto the edge of the bed, flicking on a lamp then checking my watch, it was exactly "01:50."
Christ.
With both of my hands running through my short hair, while wearing a pair of boxer shorts, I pick up my bag, pulling out a laptop to check out a few things. I wanted to work on something else to keep busy while I could work out what needed to be done about my future with Jelena.
Unaired Footage
Same Hotel Room
02:37am - December 5th, 2020
Jelena.
God damn, she was still in my mind. I put the laptop back in my bag.
My mind still came back to her, the one person I couldn't shake from my system. Right now, I was at a massive moment of my professional career, on debut I had just beat a champion in a promotion that despite being dreadfully underrated, had a lot of elite superstars. But I still felt empty, like I was missing that final piece of the puzzle.
I lay back on the bed, taking my wallet from the nightstand. I pull out a picture of Jelena, it was an image so vivid, I could clearly recall the day the shot was snapped. It was two days after a huge title win just over eighteen months ago.
Manhattan, New York. The tourists may just love this, rain in the city that never sleeps. The cars kept their frantic movement intact and as the fair pitter, patter of the rain struck, pace picked up. The rain surprised us both, myself and Jelena, and we quickly headed for cover.
"Over there," she said, pointing at a bus shelter, which stood empty other than an elderly gentleman. I grabbed her arm as she guided us through a crowd of people, reminiscence of an unkindness of ravens, predatorily, all wanting their own little haven.
We made it into the bus stop, both soaking. I nodded to the old man, who tipped his hat back at me. My long coat may have been wet, but the rest of me was OK. Jelena, who wore a jacket over a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt, smiled at me, her short hair looking stringy from the rain.
"What?" I ask her, as she gazed at me, looking lost in thought.
"Two days ago we were in London, which had some pretty kick ass weather by the way, and now look at us..."
"Stuck in a bus shelter looking like a pair of drowned rats."
"Oooooooooh," Jelena cooed, "I love it when you go all British on me."
I grinned and we shared a quick kiss, the slightest of pecks but it was enough contact to prove we cared. I put my arms around her and it felt as though she moulded into my body.
"I was so proud of you," she said, snuggled into my chest, "I couldn't stop crying."
"I was close," I admitted. It was all I worked for in my career and to be finally recognised as the best a promotion has to offer at that time was rewarding.
"Take a picture," she said, breaking my grip, handing me her samsung, "I want to remember this day forever."
I smiled, shaking my head.
"You're going to get soaked," I explained.
Jelena shrugged, exiting the shelter. I quickly took the shot as she ran her hands through her short hair, picture perfect as the rain began gathering pace. The shot was breath-taking, mostly because of her.
"She's beautiful," the elderly gentleman said to me, the first time he had spoke since we entered the shelter.
"She is," I said, agreeing.
I had never been more happy. Looking back at the picture in my hand, in the hotel room, I remembered that it had been that long ago since I had truly been satisfied until now. Now I know what I’m going to do.
Unaired Footage
Same Hotel Room
08:02 - December 5th, 2020
The light buzzed and flickered on and off before settling back down again. It was dim, but looked brighter with the darkness surrounding this place. The light became sustained, but buzzing and humming along.
The aches I had began to fade now, the pain which hit instantly began to disappear, instead it was replaced by a surrounding of warm, steaming, bubbly water, silky and confiding as I lay back in the bath of a cheap motel. The bathroom in general was modest, as was the bath, one of average size. The walls were going almost yellow, as though too much smoke had been consumed in the room. The water was steaming hot, mirrors and windows had become covered with a sheet of condensation. As cold as the outside was, inside was the ultimate comfort, here balanced out perfectly.
I lay back with my eyes closed, just about fitting in the bath, although my feet dangled over the edge a little. My short hair is freshly washed, my eyes feel sunken, heavy, and tired with my face also sunken from the pain and agony, regaining some form as his health. Alone, bare-chested, I squinted as water gently rolled over scars and bruises I had gathered from last nights match with Indy Darling.
Two out of Three falls in a return after eight months out was probably not the brightest idea.
I opened my eyes, waking myself out of what happened on Friday. The match was detrimental to my body. What type of stupid idiot wants to go two out of three falls with a champion upon their wrestling return?
What the hell am I thinking in general? Well I think I deserve something of note at Unbreakable Resolution, pain or not I’ve proven my ability.
I push the thoughts out of my mind once again closing my eyes, as I let the water once again engulf my body, taking away the pain, the aches as the bubby liquid gently massages and caresses the aching and the pain away. The hairs on my forearm begin standing to attention as water gently passes over and as I lay my arms on the side of the bath, water passes over the top, escaping, falling on the grey tiled floor. Over excitement wasn't a specialty of mine, but intrigue however had certainly begun to creep into the back of my mind.
The card for Unbreakable Resolution was just a short time away and I had taken down one of the company's champions not just once but twice in one night, I must be lined up for something of note.
Slowly, I begin to sit up before standing, the whooshing sound of water moving around and falling off of me back into the tub echoes around the quiet and somber room. I run my right hand through my hair, brushing it back, water spraying off of the tips and onto almost everything. With my left hand, I grab a towel, a yellow, fluffy thing, and quickly hook it around my waist. With heavy bare feet I walk out of the bathroom and into the studio suite, which sounds a lot more developed and equipped than it is. A basic room with a bed, a TV and a kitchen area, one solidarity window stands to the West of the room, overlooking a highway, cement, grass, a few trees and very little else.
Still in the towel, water rolling off of my back, I sit on the edge of the bed, opening up my laptop, which was already on, screen open. I put it on my lap, so it sits just on top of the towel and then turning the volume up on the speakers, I start rewatching the match against Indy for the first time but give up pretty quickly.
The pain from the match slowly begins to filter its way back into my system and pain barrier, so I lie back on the bed, which wasn't rather soft but it felt good.
Ting. Ting.
My phone begins to vibrate on the dressing table which I pick up, looking at the text message.
“Card is subject to change and has not been released, you however will be in a multi-person match. It’s going to be an off site, unsanctioned battle to the end, more details to follow. PH.”
“WHAT THE FUCK? THAT’S FUCKING BULLSHIT!!”
I throw my phone with fair force back on the dressing table I’d grabbed in from, then lay down whilst muttering and swearing under my breath.
"I wanna paint my face and pretend I am someone else. Sometimes I get so fed up I don't even wanna look at myself." ~ The Wreckers, Stand Still and Look Pretty
Unaired Footage
Mann’s Jewelers - Lincoln Ave - San Jose
16:54 - December 8th, 2020
“I’ll take that one.”
I point to a 18ct white gold diamond solitaire ring . The stone is small, but intricate and beautiful in an understated sort of way. I can already picture the ring sitting on her left ring finger and it just seems right. The woman behind the counter smiles in a self satisfied way, knowing that, in her own way, she’s helped me make the perfect choice(and likely because I’ve picked a damn expensive item at that).
“Good choice.”
“Let’s hope she agrees.”
Aired Footage
Lincoln Ave - San Jose
17:00 - December 8th 2020
Mark turns quickly away from the jewelry store, speed-walking to the next block before ducking into another alley. He reaches behind his ear and yanks the cigarette between his fingers. Fumbling in his pockets he finds his lighter, drops it.
“S**t.”
Hunter stoops over and catches the lighter on the bounce in his jittery hands. He pulls the cheap plastic lighter up and promptly lights the butt, taking a long deep inhalation before slowly blowing out a cloud of light smoke up toward the street lights above as they start coming into life. His hands eventually stop shaking.
“We're getting close now, aren't we?” he asks with a brief smile meant to cover up his insecurities and nervousness. “Unbreakable Resolution is next on the agenda and all the contenders are making their final mission statements, writing their manifestos and grand-standing to their constituents hoping for that extra burst of momentum. If I was a blind man listening to all this talking, all this politicking would make me think I'm heading into the ring with Joe Biden and Donald Trump. You boys and girls here in Project Honor really like to talk, huh?”
Mark shakes his head, taking another drag from his cigarette. As a guy that’s just taken eight months off, no one ever paid him much attention during that time, no one ever cared or waited to hear what he had to say. He had now wrestled all of once and in doing so, beat one of Project Honors champions, and already someone cared. Someone had approached him on the subway to wish him luck. It would take some getting used to.
“So, this is all you guys and girls have?”
“Running around, pointing fingers and actually thinking you can defeat Project Honors most dangerous hunter, the man who unbeknown to those in power this company was built for? This ladies and gentlemen is known as my world now.”
“So stand back, rejoice and sing out loud because not only is Christmas nearly here but Project Honor has a special Purge Match on the way where a vast number of their roster members shall be clashing. So many names, so many stars, so much talent in one place, doing what they do best for the sick twisted mind of someone in power.”
“I’ve done my homework. This is the moment they have all been crying out for because I know better than anyone that they all want to get somewhere in this business, to get somewhere you need to beat someone who matters, I’ve done that already, I’m above so many in this fight in regards to not only ability but status in Project Honor. Therefore for nobodies like Eli Atlas, Arik Holt, and Matthew Knox… this right now is an opportunity to beat someone of importance. Any of them beat Mark Hunter in the fight, they have that moment.”
“I’ll be straight, this match type is bollocks and completely below me, I'm a professional wrestler, I deserve better than this. It’s for that very reason I pray I end up on Proving Ground after the draft, a show like Fallout, a show designed for the glorified stuntmen in our business, can fuck off.”
Mark takes a deep breath before taking another drag on the cigarette.
“You know despite the way I feel, I don't hold any personal grudges against anyone in this fight. But where I am right now, In life I have it sorted but in this business, I have shit to lose. In this business, I'm on my own and on a single journey to the top. And this is it…”
“You're the challengers I have in front of me. Due to the barbaric nature of this situation, you all actually do have a chance. Now don't get my words mixed up with your egos though, I don't fear any of you, I'll beat you all and then know I’ll do it again and again in the future if you hang around long enough. But I also know you can get lucky in this environment, just be prepared if you do fluke this, I’ll be waiting one on one to put you back in your damn place.”
“So Project Honor, are you ready to get shot down by the company's greatest hunter? To both respect and fear the name of Mark Hunter because I’m here to stay and take my place at the top of the food chain.”
“Like I said, I don’t hold grudges against anyone in this fight, but can any of you really step up to the plate and become the person who will take this great chance? My assessments of you all don’t make it look particularly likely.”
“Seth Blackheart, forget it, forget ever trying to be anything other than an afterthought in a fed containing me. Your best plan of attack is to run back to your degrees in psychology, ‘cause if you ever try and hang in any wrestling company with yours truly, your own mind will get fucked up beyond repair.”
“Dagvald Riddik, you will not aggressively conquer what is now my land. Project Honor does not need raiders or pirates trying to reign supreme in any damn way.”
“Arik Holt, I know you have often been treated like shit in your past. I however will always treat you equally to the rest, based on that… you have no fucking chance.”
“Josiah Andrew Scott, I’ll be happy to take you on an ego trip your career can’t recover from. So bide your time kid and stay well out of my way, your time is not now.”
“Eli Atlas, nothing about you needs discussing, you simply aren't relevant enough.”
“Victoria Strader, I find it almost comical that you have a name meaning victory in latin, you clearly to date aint a victor in life, it won’t be the case in the wrestling business at my expense either… I assure you of that!”
“Kallie Reznik, is there really anything about you that requires my attention? In no way are you a threat to me or my talent, you are a bit of a nothing. Which means I don’t dislike you as much as the others… you got that going for you I guess.”
“Matt Knox, seriously? Matthew, you always failed to win the big matches back in that small bit indy promotion you competed for in Baltimore, you couldn’t even do anything of note on that small stage, other than running your mouth and talking shit, you did nothing. Project Honor doesn't accept standards that low, therefore if you expect to be anything other than a curtain jerker in a serious federation headlined by the likes of Mark Hunter, you Mr Knox are a fucking delusional prick!!”
“The time that Mark Hunter is recognised as the standard bearer in Project Honor is here, fight it at your peril!”
Mark clearly deems that the end of his tirade as he grabs the phone from his pocket and crushes the cigarette below his left foot. The scene fades as Mark takes a huge breath before writing a text on his phone, the text is for his girlfriends brother.
“Steve, pls call me when you get a spare 5 mins, need to meet up, need a huge chat regarding plans for the future and Jelena. Mark.”