Post by Gabriel Baal on Jun 2, 2018 21:57:57 GMT -5
Dear Lucy,
Anyone who knows us would agree that this match has been over a year in the making – the story of boy meets girl, girl has husband, girl leaves husband, girl finds out boy wants to just be friends, girl becomes crazy stalker, boy turns the tables and becomes stalker himself, boy arranges for girl to be kidnapped, boy takes girl's World Heavyweight Championship…
You know – that old chestnut.
The thing is – it’s always been about so much more than just a title for us, hasn’t it Luce? We’ve been destined to reach a rip-roaring climax since the moment we set eyes on one another. Lucy Wylde was always going to be drawn to the dangerous and manipulative Gabriel Baal – because she’s as weak as her father purports. She craves the nightmare – she’s desperate for the world to treat her like something they found on her shoe.
Lucy Wylde is the perennial victim.
I know, I know – some would say her performances over the last year and a half would attest to different. But that’s not really the case, now, is it? At first she was known as Mrs. CJ, and then she wanted to be Mrs. Gabriel. Now she’s Mrs. Lockhart and we’re all supposed to believe that it’s unicorns and rainbows for the two of you. But truth be told Lucy, I know the fear you hold in your heart – I know that which ails you.
You fear being alone.
You proved that at Outlast – you’d have lay down for me, in every way possible, if I’d have asked it. You’d have given me victory and your body in one neatly tied package. Yes, Lucy – the heart was burned from you when I chose to be apart of the Court instead of becoming Lubriel. I’m sorry that I hurt you, dear, sweet Lucy. I’m sorry that I took away your hopes and dreams. And I’m sad to say… I’m going to have to do it all over again.
I’ll have to prove how weak you are.
I know you felt vindicated at Infinity – when you finally put a stake through the heart of the big bad Gabriel. But the truth was much simpler. You got lucky – and with all your humble bragging about being honoured and privileged, you remained the same short-falling Lucy Wylde you’ve always been. Yes, my dear, you lost – which meant that at the end of that night. Despite having participated in two more matches than me, you were still nothing more than the girl who almost got everything she wanted.
And how many times has that been said about you?
A happy marriage? Fail. A sexy British boyfriend? Fail. Finally being accepted into the UGWC universe and no longer being seen as an outsider and a foreigner? Fail. Being able to control your personal life? Fail. But luckily, you found yourself a woman who was willing to put up with the bull-shit lies. Tell me, Lucy – when do you plan on putting your dagger in Maggie’s back? Just like you did with CJ? Just like you did with me? Yes, my dear, this has been coming. And when I take your championship and leave you with nothing, you’ll have no-one left to blame.
No-one but yourself.
The white panel van pulled up half underneath a bridge and slowed to a halt. The windows were tinted and the legitimate plates were hidden behind those of a van registered to a Painting and Decorating firm in South Dakota. As the van stopped, the roaring of the engine dulled to a low hum as it began to cool. The passenger door opened and a man in a white uniform climbed down onto the dirt path below. He adjusted his belt, before making his way round to the back of the van and pulling on the handle of the door – just inside the door, a pair of heavy looking boots can be seen leading into the darkness – the man stepped backwards as the second door was opened from the outside.
"You know – I’m not entirely sure these vehicles are designed for human travel." Said Gabriel as he dusted off his dark navy blue suit and stepped out. He returned the lollypop between his teeth and ran his hands through his hair, fixing it back into position.
"Is he here yet?" Gabriel asked.
"No, sir." The nameless orderly answered. Gabriel turned his back to the van and leaned against the side, leaving just the feet in view. "Well he’d best not keep us waiting for too long – otherwise I’ll find space for her amongst my trophies at Demonsacre."
The orderly let out a chuckle as Gabriel placed a hand on the thick boots.
"Well… I suppose you’d best get her out." Gabriel said quietly. The Orderly nodded and slapped his hand against the wall of the van. Moments later, a second white uniformed individual shuffled into view and the two of them made a show of stepping inside of the van. They lifted the body slightly and brought it forward, until the legs hung off the back. As they lift into a seated position, Gabriel sits down and throws his arm around the shoulders.
"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy." He says almost wistfully. "How did we manage to get here, hey? I know you had visions of the two of us sat under a bridge in the back of some kind of vehicle, but I bet you never expected it to be like this."
The Orderlies chuckle again. But Gabriel pulls her tight against him.
"Honestly, when we first met…" Gabriel ran a hand over his jaw. "Actually… It wasn’t when we met. I saw you from a distance… Standing there… Looking all… Rebellious. But I could see… There was a sadness there. Something… Missing, perhaps?"
He considered, for a moment, that moment – the first time he saw her. So long ago…
Outlast 2016
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
"Are you sure it was such a good idea to pick Larry? I mean, it’s not like he’s ever been… Reliable." Asked Gabriel as Rogan fixed the laces of his boot.
"Of course, fella – couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather have on his team. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?" Asked Rogan.
"He could be eliminated first – by JK of all people." Gabriel said, his eye being caught by the women at the far end of the hall. She was Lucy Wylde – the charismatic and beautiful OWF Network Champion. By her side was her husband – the dangerous CJ Wylde.
"I see the riffraff have arrived." Gabriel said with a smile. Rogan turned his head, double taking.
"Ohhh yeah – the Wyldes." He said, non-plussed. "Can’t see them making it through the first round."
Gabriel considered Lucy from a distance. CJ was distracted by something further down the hall, and Lucy pushed her hair from her face. As she did, Gabriel caught her eye and the corner of his mouth curled into a smile.
For a moment, he wasn’t sure if she was going to merely look away or storm down the corridor and ask him what the fuck he was smirking about. Instead, her eyelids flickered slightly and she allowed herself to return his overture with a smile of her own.
"She has fire that one." Gabriel said, leaning against the wall. "And chaos burns inside of her."
"Could you not?" Rogan asked. "I don’t think we need a vendetta from an angry husband when you accost his wife."
"Would you mind? I’m not that kind of man." Gabriel said as CJ wrapped his hand around Lucy’s and slowly started to pull her down the corridor. She cast him another quick smile before she disappeared around the corner. "Besides, it looks like they’re solid as a rock."
"Alright, soldier. At ease…" Rogan said quietly. "One mental female at a time if you don’t mind."
"Eden? Why, what’s she going to do burn my house down?" Gabriel said with a snigger.
"Hardly – but she’s not exactly a wall flower – and she’d take great pleasure in you being distracted by the new blonde." Rogan added.
"Ugh. Correct. Perspective. Although I have to admit… I really can’t wait to punch her in the face. Could you imagine having to spend more than five minutes in a room with that woman?" Gabriel said as he pulled his jacket over his shoulders, before speaking under his breath. "Conscious at least…"
"What was that?" Rogan asked, standing up to his full height.
"Nothing," Said Gabriel smiling. "Come on – let’s go win the whole thing."
"Right behind ya, buddy." Said Rogan, slapping Gabriel on the back.
Gabriel’s mind is dragged back to the present moment as blinding headlights turn into view. Gabriel lifts his hands to shield his eyes, and for a moment, he could have sworn he felt Lucy stir. His attention was immediately taken away by the opening of the van door,
"You there!" Called the voice as the man stepped out of the van. "Take your hands off my daughter."
Gabriel smiled at Gary, who moved towards him slowly. When he entered the light cast by the car, he could see a smile across the smarmy face. As he reached the van. Lucy’s father extended his hand. Gabriel looked down at it, before pulling his arm from behind Lucy’s shoulders and standing up, his cane pressed into the ground. He steadied her, as one of the Orderlies took his place.
"This is a business arrangement, Gary, nothing more." Gabriel said quietly. "We conclude our business and go our separate ways."
"I can see why Lucille likes you." Gary said his mouth curling into a smile. "You remind her of me."
Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"Alright, are we done here?" Gabriel asked.
"You don’t believe me?" Gary asked, moving to block Gabriel’s path. "She looks for a kind of strength in men. A dominance. I can see that in you."
He looked to Lucy, her head lolled to a side, and allowed himself a smile. And then he stepped towards Gary slowly.
"I’m not entirely sure you have any idea what your daughter wants. For my part, I’ve done some terrible things to your daughter and to the people she cares for. The last seven months have seen her go through quite the change. For my part, I think I see her much more clearly than you ever have." Gabriel said as he moved past Gary with a forceful shoulder bump.
"Are you judging me, Doctor?" Gary said with a hint of amusement. "You? Who have a reputation for drugging, maiming, cheating, lying and… As of tonight… Kidnapping?"
Gabriel stopped in his tracks and turned his head half towards Lucy’s father, unwilling to look Gary in the eye.
"You’re dangerously close to me reneging on our deal, Gary. Choose your words carefully."
"She’s mine now, Gabriel. I’m not sure you’re willing to do what needs to be done in order to renege on this agreement." Gary said with confidence.
Gabriel span deftly, and brought the head of his cane up to Gary’s neck – he held it there, the silver fangs just millimetres away from their point of contact.
"One moment." Gabriel said slowly. "One. Single. Moment and it would have been you in the back of that van, and Lucy waking up at home thinking this had all been one bad dream."
"But then you wouldn’t get what you want, would you doctor?" Gary said with a low hum. "Because deep down you have a fear that you can’t beat my daughter. That shiny gold belt is what you covet more than anything – and with her gone, they’ll have no choice but to award you with it."
Gabriel refused to answer, but he also refused to lower the cane – the threat was constant.
"You’re the same you and I – yet you dare to judge me? We’re both willing to do whatever it takes to assert our authority? Our dominance. Both willing to crush everyone around us to get what we want. You want… That belt. I want… My daughter. Don’t you dare look at me like I’m less than you when we’re both stood here right now bargaining the life of a woman we both once held in our arms."
The silver teeth bit through the skin and Gary winced as they did. Gabriel moved his thumb on the dial, expertly – he knew how many times it required to move. He slid his thumb to the dosage and turned that until it reached the maximum dose. When he pulled his thumb away, he glanced for a final check – Paralysis.
"I press this button and enough of my serum will course through your body to ensure you never move again. You’ll feel. You’ll exist. But your ability to move your muscles will be taken away from you. Life given to you through a fucking tube." Gabriel said with more than a hint of anger. "Don’t you dare try to tar me with your brush, you cretin."
Gabriel turned the handle this way and that, causing the teeth to dig deeper and deeper into his neck – the discomfort was plane to see.
"Everything I do is for the betterment of those who I care about. My family, my friends. I would die for each and every one of them if it kept them safe. I have forgiven the greatest of betrayals for that which we call love." Gabriel spat the final word, as if using it around this man had somehow tainted it. "You stand here talking about the life of your daughter. That’s what she is – your fucking daughter. You forgive everything for your children. You suffer the consequences and the pain so they don’t have to. That’s what a fucking parent is supposed to do."
Gabriel was becoming frantic and panic had began to set on Gary’s face. His eyes were wide and he feared what Gabriel would do next.
"My father was like you – selfish. Arrogant. Always thought he knew what was for best. He fathered three children and did nothing about trying to raise them until it was too late. Yet in the end, he showed remorse. He showed… Regret about all of the things he’d done. My father was evil, and cruel. Yet he’s a thousand times the man you are." Gabriel added as he pulled Gary closer and closer to him using the teeth of the serpent.
"Make sure your daughter is locked away until after the Massive Melee, Gary, and do whatever it is that you feel you need to do. She and I are no longer friends. But I will make you a promise – should any damage remain permanent, I will make it my life’s work to ensure you spend the rest of your days in a confined cell suffering all manner of horrors. Do you understand?" Gabriel asked quietly.
"Of course." Lucy’s father replied quietly as the teeth retracted back into the cane and his hand shot up to his neck to rub the two small bleeding wounds. Gary turned to the Orderlies and wordlessly tilted his head towards the car. They looked to Gabriel who nodded. Between them, they scooped Lucy and her belongings up and began to carry her to the car.
"Wait!" Called Gabriel, Gary slowly turning to face him again, but Gabriel didn’t stop. He walked past him and towards Lucy, before stopping with one of the Orderlies. His fingers stretched out and wrapped around the leather of Lucy’s UGWC World Heavyweight Championship.
He leaned forward and pulled her towards him into an embrace – his free hand snaking up her back and into her hair. Gary was too far away to notice Gabriel pressing something tiny into the nape of her neck.
"You’ll be found. I swear it." Gabriel said, quietly before pulling her forehead against his. "I’m sorry it had to be this way."
"Can we go?" Gary asked, all of his earlier confidence having seeped away. Gabriel smiles.
"You are dismissed, Gary." He says with a touch of humour before he begins to sing quietly. "There’s a devil waiting outside your door, he’s bucking and he’s braying and he’s pawing at the floor…"
Gabriel watches as Gary pulls open the door and climbs inside with haste. Gabriel slid his hands into his pockets and watched as the van pulled away.
"Sure you did the right thing?" Came the voice from behind him. Gabriel jumped, as both of the Orderlies were now back in the van.
"How is you always show up everywhere you’re not needed?" Gabriel asked as Ichabod picked through what appeared to be a box of popcorn. "Why do you have popcorn?"
"Well, I did consider a full dinner for the show but I didn’t want to carry a table out here." Ichabod said before nodding at the van fading into the distance. "He’s a fucking choad."
"Perhaps." Said Gabriel. "But he’s my ticket to the World Heavyweight Championship."
"I wonder what you’d have said when you two first met if I’d predicted you’d be stood here today watching her be carted off in a van by her deranged father." Ichabod said between mouthfuls of popcorn.
"I’d have said… Please allow me, to introduce myself." Gabriel added quietly
Seven Deadly Sins 2017
The Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"Lucy." Said Gabriel as she watched CJ battle Eden Morgan for the UGWC World Heavyweight Championship. She looked up with a smile which faltered when she saw who said her name.
"Hey." She said quietly. "Can I help you?"
"May I sit down?" He asked. Lucy shrugged, but her lack of an immediate refusal gave him confidence to take a seat. "I just wanted to say… You did this title proud. And I hope that I can defend it with half of the honour…"
"Save it." She said – but there was no anger there, just a weariness. "You did great out there. You deserve to be the Champion."
"I’m not sure Zane Scott would agree." Gabriel said with a half-smile.
"Who cares? If he doesn’t have the balls to walk through a fucking weed whacker, then he doesn’t have the balls to hold that." She said, looking down at the title lay across Gabriel’s lap.
"I should really find out where that is – I sense a need to use it to mock him at some point in the near future." Gabriel said looking around the area, as if it would just be leaning against the wall. Lucy chuckled.
"So what’s next for Lucy Wylde?" Gabriel asked quietly. "The Melee?"
"Probably." She said, her eyes not coming off the screen. "I just… I don’t know, I still feel like such an outsider around here. And it wasn’t so bad when it was CJ and I against the World but he’s… Obsessed with Eden Fucking Morgan…"
"I know the feeling." Said Gabriel under his breath.
"And the World Title and it’s eating him up. And… I’m not sure there’s enough space in his life for him to be both the “The Ghost” and my husband at the same time." She paused, and slowly turned her head to face him. "And I have no idea why I’m telling you all of this."
"It’s the therapist in me – tends to drag things out of people that they’d normally keep hidden." Gabriel said with a smile. "If it’s any consolation, I don’t see you as an outsider. And if you need a friend, well… I have a few openings."
Lucy smiled and nodded.
"Even Joe… You know, JC? He comes and goes but it’s not the same – I may not have liked most of the OWF roster but they were familiar. Here I just get looks like I don’t belong." She said quietly.
"You and me both, my dear." Gabriel said with a smile, leaning back in his chair – he slid slightly so his shoulder brushed hers. "I’m sure you and CJ will be fine. I’ve seen the two of you together – you’re a team. The last thing I expect is a horrible divorce."
"Uhm… Thanks… I think." She said with a kind’ve giggle. Gabriel wasn’t sure what she was laughing at. A few moments later, she slid down her chair and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Can I ask you a question?" She said, looking on as CJ and Eden exchanged blow after blow in the ring.
"Of course." Gabriel said, a welcoming tone in his voice.
"Have you ever been so confused about a person, that you can’t decide if you want to hold them and tell them everything will be okay, or crush their skull with a brick?" She asked as the camera lingered on CJ. And then it panned, to show Eden on the outside of the ring.
"You have no idea." Gabriel said, as he rested his head on top of Lucy’s. And they watched the rest of the match together.
It had been almost ten days since Lucy’s father had taken her to a warehouse somewhere in Maryland. Gabriel knew where and had a constant lock on her condition. There had been times where he’d almost sent his men in… But then she would stabilise, and everything would be okay. This particular cycle had caused Gabriel to be come somewhat lackadaisical about the entire process – and at times he hadn’t even checked the vitals until an hour or so after the alert.
"For the thousandth time, Ichabod… I don’t care how I win it, so long as I do." Gabriel said as he fastened his tie. He turned away from the mirror into Jenny who fussed with it some more. Gabriel rolled his eyes and waved her away until she swatted his chest and turned her back on him.
He turned back to the mirror and his tie was much improved. He felt it prudent not to give her the satisfaction.
"And another thing, why is it that you keep showing up all of a sudden? I wasn’t aware we’d renewed the membership on our friendship." Gabriel said as he stepped out of the apartment and closed the door behind him.
"We haven’t. But the number of people who are still active that I used to acquaint myself with seems to be dwindling by the week. And if you spend more than five minutes with Eden, people assume you’re fucking her." Ichabod replied.
"Tell me about it." Gabriel said, his mind seemingly coming to some kind of realisation. "Maybe you should go and visit Eden – she’s…"
"Blackveil. I know." Ichabod said, with a hint of sadness in his voice. "Alas, I can’t go there."
"Oh come on, the almighty Ichabod goes wherever he wants, right?" Gabriel said as the elevator dropped to the foyer of his building.
"It’s not as simple as all that." Ichabod adds quietly.
"Is anything with you?" Gabriel asks as he steps out onto the sidewalk. He stops and moves to put out his hand, but as he does a cab pulls up. The door opens and in the back seat, is Ichabod.
"Never." He said with a half smile. "Fucking get in."
Gabriel slipped inside the car and pressed the button on his Bluetooth headset – but for reasons he couldn’t explain, he never removed it.
"Joe’s Shanghai." Gabriel said to the driver.
"Which one, buddy there’s three?" He asked.
"China Town." He said before turning to Ichabod.
"Not driving them anymore?" He asked.
"I’ve gone up in the world – I don’t even pay anymore." Ichabod replied.
"How’s that?" Gabriel enquired.
"Because you are." Ichabod said as he began to light up a Newport. Gabriel looked to the driver who didn’t seem concerned – which was odd given that his cab was clearly no smoking. Still, who was he to question?
The cab and its occupants weaved through the New York traffic.
"How long has it been? Since you’ve seen her?" Ichabod asked.
"A couple of days – she and Caleb went out there yesterday to get ahead…" Gabriel began, but Ichabod cut him off.
"Not Eden. Lilith." Ichabod asked.
"Oh." Gabriel said, scratching his jaw. "I set her free in August – she decided to go home. Or at least…"
Gabriel’s mind rolled over the months since – what Lilith must have been through. How long had it been? How had they even known?
"Gabriel? Gabriel?" Ichabod said, cutting through Gabriel’s thoughts of what horrors Lilith had endured.
"Sorry I was just…" Gabriel said quietly. "In my own head."
"I’ve noticed. You’ve developed this strange urge to blame yourself for every bad thing that happens to everyone you know. Except me. No blame there, right?" Ichabod said.
"Correct – you brought that upon yourself." He said quickly with a half-smile.
"Be that as it may, if you think every choad you ever meet should be able to blame you for every single thing that goes wrong in their life then you’re more of an idiot than I’d ever imagined." Ichabod said. "Eden. Somers. Lilith. They all knew what they got into when they climbed into bed with you."
"I’ll have you know, I’ve never been to bed with Jet." Gabriel said – and then he realised what he’d said when Ichabod raised his eyebrows. "Or Eden! Christ, Ich – you used to be able to recognise a joke."
"I still can…" Ichabod said with a half-smile of his own.
Gabriel turned his head away and looked out of the window for a second.
"Although…" Ichabod said, musing. "Those women who have felt your kiss do tend to find themselves kidnapped in the end."
"Don’t remind me." Gabriel said quietly.
Synergy, July 24th, 2017
Chicago, Illinois
Gabriel slides closer to Lucy – he could feel the heat of her now. She could feel it too – he knew it. She sucked in a breath.
"Don't we all fear the same thing?" She asked – Gabriel curled his lips into a smile – she had a point
"And what’s that?" He asked, close enough to feel her breath on his lips. He felt his skin prickle as she swallowed hard. She held her position, unwilling to bend an inch. She wasn’t going to be intimidated.
"Irrelevancy. Failure. Unhappiness... betrayal. We're all moulded from the same clay in that aspect." She said quietly. There was a kind of longing in her voice. He could feel it – an electricity crackling in between them. He reached up, his hand reaching around the back of her neck. His lips lightly brushing hers, but only just. And then he pulled away – something dousing him like cold water. He didn’t want this – he didn’t want another notch on a bed-post. No – she was meant to be a friend, not a lover. This is what everyone was expecting.
" What else are you afraid of?" He asks, staring into her eyes, not wanting to pull away. Not wanting to show his hesitance as not to upset her. Offend her. After a few tense seconds with the two of them sitting so close, Lucy finally grins and pulls herself away from him. She sits back in the chair and shakes her head.
" Honestly?" She asks, her smile slowly fading, "I'm scared to death of being alone. I'm scared of losing myself and what I believe in. I'm scared of losing a friend, the only person who's treated me with any decency since I came here..."
Gabriel smiles, pulling back himself. And there it was – the passing moment. The one where he and Lucy were no longer destined to be anything more than friends. He smiled, knowing that he had done the right thing – that he would find love elsewhere.
" Perhaps." He says, almost wistfully. "I suppose we have to find a way to belay one another's fears."
" What do you fear, Gabriel?" She asks quietly, their eyes locking once more.
"That someone else that I choose to trust will sink a blade between my vertebrae." He says, looking her up and down from head to toe. "And being alone. Much like you."
" I know its been said many, many times... But I'm not that kind of woman. I know I'll have to prove it to you... and I will." She says with a determined nod.
"Sounds like fun..." Says Gabriel with a smirk.
"Of course it does... you do know who you're talking to, right?" Lucy replies, returning his smirk. "So… Your first title defence. Who do you think?"
"I have no idea." Said Gabriel as he stood up and began to collect his things. "I just hope it isn’t Zane Scott. The boring cunt."
"Thirteen eighty, buddy." The driver said, dragging Gabriel back to the present. He fumbled in his pocket and paid, plus tip. Gabriel pulled on the door.
"You coming?" He asked, but Ichabod shook his head.
"Two’s company, and all that." Ichabod said.
"Since when did you concern yourself with etiquette." Gabriel asked.
"Fuck you. I’m as considerate as they come." Ichabod said, the driver eyeing them both with suspicion "Let’s go. I’ve had enough of this fucking choad."
"Could you close the door buddy, I gotta get going." The driver said. Gabriel furrows his brow.
"Fine – see you around then." Said Gabriel, closing the door.
"Whatever pal." Said the driver.
"Actually I was talking to…" Gabriel started, but the driver took off into the waiting traffic. "… Him. Lovely."
Gabriel turned and pulled open the door of Joe’s Shanghai. He stepped inside and a regular waiter made his way over to him.
"Mr. Gabriel, sir. Your guest is here already." He said. "She’s waiting at your usual table."
Gabriel nodded as the waiter led him up a staircase to the upper level. Other waiters and passing customers criss-crossed in front of him, and he could only catch glimpses of her pale skin, her dark hair and the red dress she wore.
As he reached the table, his breath caught in his throat. Lilith had always been slim, but her current state could only be described as emaciated. Her skin seemed to hang from her bones with almost nothing beneath. She looked gaunt and tired. Yet somehow, she managed to maintain that innocent beauty that had attracted Gabriel to her… Was it almost three years ago now?
As he reached the table, he walked to where she stood.
"Lilith, I…" He began – but she was already crying. She stood easily with a strength that belayed her appearance and wrapped her thin arms around his neck.
"I’ve missed you." She said quietly into his ear. She pulled away from him and pressed her palms against her cheekbones to stop the make-up from running.
"Are they here? Watching you?" Gabriel asked quietly.
"No – they’ve…" She paused, as if holding back more sobs. "They’ve let me go."
"Okay – we can get you somewhere safe. We can get you away from all of this." Gabriel said quickly, taking a seat by her side.
"Can… We just… Take some time?" She said quietly. "It’s been so long."
"Lilith, we have all the time in the world. But I need to make sure you’re safe." Gabriel said hurriedly – he was keen not to waste time in getting her to safety.
"Please. Just. Give me this?" She asked – her eyes shining ever so slightly with tears.
"Yes… Yes of course." He said quietly. Lilith immediately seemed to relax, and she sat back in her chair.
"I’m sorry about… How I… Look." She said, with a touch of shame. "It’s been a difficult… How long has it been?"
"Ten months." Gabriel said. His mouth was dry – he took a sip from the glass of water the waiter had poured for him. "Ten months since we said our good-bye at Demonsacre. Not a day has gone by where I haven’t thought…"
"Let’s not lie to one another." She smiled. "I know how busy you’ve been – old friends, new friends – they let me keep up to date. The Order. They felt it was important I understood that you had moved on without me."
"It wasn’t like that." Gabriel said, guilt burning through him like fire. "I thought you were safe… I thought you were away from this life… From me."
He reached out and took her hand – she made no effort to pull away. Even now, Gabriel could feel a warmth even though her hands were like boned claws.
"I’m sorry Lilith – I should never have sent you away unprotected. I had no idea that the Order would go to this lengths."
"You took one of theirs – they took one of yours. The only difference was that they made no attempt to telegraph it. Instead, they kept me hidden, tortured me. Tried to extract information."
Gabriel thought about asking what she had told them – but it didn’t matter. The truth was simple – whatever she had been through had been his fault. And the pain she’d felt had been at his hand. He deserved whatever betrayal that came his way.
"I told them nothing. I knew nothing of importance anyway – but I remembered Gabriel. I remembered your final command. You told me that I was never to speak of anything I’d seen or heard – you told me never to repeat anything."
"That was… Just a warning. There was no order – I never said the words." Gabriel said. "You stupid girl! You should have told them everything – they would have taken you in. They would have rewarded you!"
"My highest law is to you, Gabriel – sir… My Master. My devotion to you is unbreakable." She had tears in her eyes again, but they weren’t of sadness or remorse. They were of happiness – and he realised that she was whole again, sat here by his side, just holding his hand.
"Everyone I’ve ever known has betrayed me…" Gabriel said quietly. "Even you. Why would you choose suffering over the option to save yourself?"
"You sent me away because of my betrayal – I had hoped that proving my reliability would bring me back to you. So I could call you my master once again." She said, but she swayed. "I never meant my betrayal, Gabriel – please understand. I was afraid, and I didn’t know what else to do. I loved you. I never meant to hurt you…"
"I know, my dear… I know." Gabriel said quietly.
Outlast 2017
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
"I’m sorry, Gabriel. Please, you have to believe me." Lucy said, as Gabriel stood looking out at the empty arena. The ring crew were busy dismantling the ring for one of the other events that would take place in the arena in the upcoming week.
"Lucy, enough." Gabriel said with just a hint of anger. "I don’t want to hear it."
He was furious – burning to the core. First Lucy, and then Rogan. He felt his skin prickle and he had the urge to turn around and bludgeon the poor woman. And then she was behind him, her fingers on his skin. He felt a chill, and he spun around.
"Let me make it up to you." She said. He wasn’t sure if she was implying what he thought she was implying. He had no interest in finding out. Her mouth curled into a smile. She reached down and entwined her fingers into his."Come on, we can plan on just how you’re going to get the World Title back."
"Are you fucking serious?" Gabriel said, pulling his hand away from hers. "Lucy, I’ve just lost the World Title. To Rogan fucking MacLean. And you think I’m going to drink coffee and discuss strategy with the woman who put me in this fucking position."
"I’ve said I’m fucking sorry, what more do you want? Blood?" Lucy snapped and Gabriel advanced.
"Don’t fucking tempt me." He said with an anger and bitterness that poured out from him. He pushed past her and strode towards the backstage area, before turning on the spot. "Why the fuck did you choose me in the first place?"
"Because believe it or not, people I could trust in this fucking place were at a premium." She spat. "CJ. Gone. Joe. Gone. I trusted Eden fucking Morgan for Christ sake, and look how that fucking went. She’s fucking Court. That bitch tried to make me believe she was a decent human being. So please, Gabriel, please – tell me who the fuck I could trust that isn’t you?"
"And I should trust you? After this last month?" Gabriel asked, not angry anymore but dejected. "You cost me everything… Everything, Lucy. And you think “I’m sorry” will make the slightest bit of difference."
"Gabriel… Please…" Lucy said, a note of pleading in her voice. "I didn’t mean…"
"Will you just… stop." Gabriel said quietly. "Just… Leave me the fuck alone."
And he turned and walked away. He didn’t know if she cried, and he didn’t care. She’d been part of the reason he’d lost tonight. He had a meeting to attend to – it was time to Face The Court.
"I’m so happy we’re back here." Lilith said smiling. Her eyes were brighter. More content. Gabriel felt his phone starting to buzz in his pocket.
"Can you give me a second?" He asked. Lilith nodded, the light fading a little. Gabriel answered the phone.
"What is it?" He asked,
"It’s Ms. Wylde. Her vitals have dropped significantly." Said the voice.
"They’ll come back – they always do." Gabriel said, moving to shut off the phone.
"They’ve been like this for a while sir – they’re nearing critical." He answered.
"Fuck… Right, fine." Gabriel said looking at Lilith. "I’ll be right there."
He ended the call and moved back to the table.
"I’m sorry love, I’m going to have to cut lunch short – but I’ll join you for dinn…" Gabriel began.
"No! Don’t! Please don’t leave… There’s… Something… We don’t have much…" She said, her eyes wild.
"Lilith, you’re safe now – we have all the time in the world." Gabriel answered. But as he did, the tears began to run from her eyes.
"You… You don’t understand. They released me so I could see you one more time. So that… I could deliver a message." She sobbed. People were watching but Gabriel didn’t care.
"What do you mean… One more time?" He asked, his blood running cold. "What happens after this?"
She coughed… And when she pulled back the napkin, the white was stained red. Gabriel’s eyes widened in horror – they had used something powerful.
"No, you… You can’t… They can’t…" Gabriel said, as Lilith gripped his hands.
"They’re coming for you, Gabriel – you and Eden." She said, delivering the message she’d been given. "Do whatever you need to do to keep everyone safe… But they’re coming."
She began to cough more vigorously now, and the blood was seeping from the corners of her mouth. He scooped her up and carried her down the stairs – as they moved into the street, Gabriel stumbled and they fell to the ground. Her breathing was wheezy now – and bubbles of blood were bursting at the corners of her mouth.
"Please… Gabriel… Don’t leave me…" She said as the blood became a trickle, and then a gush.
"Lilith! No! Fuck no! Not another one… Not now… Please!" Gabriel said as people walked past undeterred by his plight.
"Help… Me." She gargled.
"How? What can I do? It’s too far… You should have fucking told me!" He snapped as he pulled her against him. "Please tell me… Please."
"Make… The pain… Go away." She said. "You know… How."
"Lilith… I… Can’t." He said, his tears dripping onto her body.
"Yes… You can. Please… Give me this… One… Last… Thing…" She said, her mouth curling into a smile despite the bitter blood on her lips. "M… Master."
He closed his eyes and pulled her tight against him. And then he took a deep shuddering breath.
"Pareo." He said, calmly. And her coughing almost instantly stopped. He pressed his lips against her ear and whispered. "It’s Okay, my darling girl. There we are. It doesn’t hurt anymore… Just close your eyes. It’s time for a rest… Rest now."
And when he pulled back from her, she sighed and smiled. Before her eyes became fixed and unstaring.
The Order had struck again.
Horizons 2017
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Gabriel stepped back through the curtain, having watched Ichabod be carted away on a stretcher for what would hopefully be the final time. He felt a sense of abject pride at a job well done – Ichabod destroyed, Rogan humiliated. Now, if he’d only managed to…
"Baal! You fucking prick!" Shouted Lucy Wylde whose match was up next.
If only he’d managed to take Lucy out too.
"Good evening Ms. Wylde – good luck in your match this evening. I’ve had quite the night so far." Gabriel said as she stormed towards him. She reached back and unloaded across his face with an open hand slap. He smiled.
"I know you like it rough, my dear, but you have a match up next." He added.
"Why?" She asked, her eyes burning. "Why the fuck would you do that? Take out Rogan and then Ichabod?"
"Because they betrayed me, Love." Gabriel said dangerously. "I gave them my trust and they spat it back in my fucking face."
"Ichabod gave you fucking everything!" She snapped.
"He gave me a Note in which to write my manipulations. And when I got to the end, I had been his crowning glory. The biggest manipulation of his career – he took everything that I gave to him and he crushed it for the sake of playing a game." Gabriel said before leaning towards her. "You should be thanking me – your name would have been next."
"My eyes are open, Gabriel. I’m not as gullible as everyone thinks… I’m not even as gullible as most of the idiots around here." She spat.
"Of course not sweet heart." Gabriel said reaching up and touching her cheek. Lucy pulled away, disgusted. "What’s the matter, sweetheart? I thought you were desperate for my touch… For my body."
He advanced upon her, pushing her back against the wall, not letting her move away.
"Fuck you. You disgust me – I can’t pull this shit anymore." Lucy said. "You make me sick."
"Aghast!" Shouted Gabriel. "You mean to tell me that your mind games were little more than tomfoolery and chicanery? I. Am. Appalled."
Lucy recoiled as he pushed his face towards her.
"I should have known you didn’t have the stomach for the hard graft, my dear." Gabriel said quietly. "I think perhaps I should show you… Just what real obsession is."
He leans forward and places a kiss on the tip of her nose.
"I can’t wait to see you and young Maggie throw down – I can imagine your performance will be the stuff of legend." Gabriel added as he moved away."Toodle-Oo… And good luck."
Gabriel sat on the floor of his office, his shirt still stained with blood. His men had arrived too late, and they’d found Gabriel holding onto Lilith much like he had Quentin two months earlier. They’d taken her back to Demonsacre to find out just what it was that had killed her. When Gabriel had arrived home, Ichabod had been waiting for him. They were alone – Jenny and Solomon were at their apartment, Eden and Cal were ready for their trip to Blackveil
They’d sat for hours in silence, through the night – dawn had broken and Gabriel had hardly said a word.
"For what it’s worth – I’m sorry." Said Ichabod finally.
"It’s worth nothing." Gabriel said. "She’s dead because of me. That’s four this year… Four people dead because of my connection with the Order."
"Is this your own personal pity party, or can anyone join?" Ichabod asked.
"Fuck you." Gabriel spat. "What the fuck are you doing here anyway? I don’t want you here. I don’t need you here."
"If that was the case then I wouldn’t be." Said Ichabod. "Yet here I am. Ungrateful choad."
"Then fucking leave! I don’t… fucking… Need you!" Gabriel spat.
"We’ve known each other for a while. And one thing I can tell you for sure is that, you only let me hang out when you need something. You don’t want to be alone. Which is natural when you’ve just lost someone – but moping does no-one any good. Mourn her, and then honour her." Ichabod said.
"That’s your advice? Is that the way of chaos then? All seeing Ichabod?" Gabriel said, his eyes fixed on his bald guest.
"What do you want me to say? That you’re right? It’s all your fault. Because it is. Fine… You want to hear that? All of it is down to you. Now what the fuck are you going to do about it? Sit here and cry like a little bitch? Or do something about it?" Ichabod replied.
Gabriel opened his mouth to snipe, but he was interrupted by his phone. It wasn’t the regular tone – his heart stopped for a second as he reached up to the desk and pulled it down. The message was from Eden.
999
His eyes were like saucers as he read the message once, twice, three times… Something had happened. Something was wrong at Blackveil.
"Ichabod, I need you to go. Now. To…" Gabriel started.
"Are you coming?" Ichabod interrupted. "To Blackveil?"
"I’ll follow – you can go ahead, you know the place better than I do. I need to get a team together, but you know that place better than anyone."
"I can’t go." Said Ichabod quietly.
"I know you have some weird fucking rules but Eden is in trouble. You can’t just leave her there! Please!" Gabriel said, his eyes opening wide.
"I can’t go. I can’t leave you." Ichabod said again.
"Fucking hell! I’m a grown man! I’ll be fine – but she might not. Go! Now!" Gabriel added as he began to search through papers.
"I can’t…." Ichabod said again.
"Like fuck you can’t!" Shouted Gabriel. "You get to fucking Blackveil. Now. Or that back injury will be nothing compared to what I do to you."
Ichabod let out a guttural sigh.
"He’s not going to listen to me. Can you help, please?" Ichabod said.
"Do I have to do fuckin’ everything?" Came a thick Texan accent. Gabriel’s heart leapt to his mouth. He turned on the spot to find Quentin stood just behind Ichabod. And then, a moment later, a long knife sliced through Ichabod’s neck and the head tumbled to the floor.
Gabriel recoiled and fell back against his desk which collapsed under his weight. Ichabod’s head landed at his feet. And then a moment later, the eyes shot open.
"Make more sense now, you stupid fucking choad?" Icha-head said.
"Sorry brother-mine – we can’t go anywhere without you. See… We’re in your head." Quentin said.
Gabriel was unable to speak – and somewhere, deep in the annuls of his psyche, he was sure he could here Gabe and Daniel sniggering.
"Fuck…" Said Gabriel, as tears began to well in his eyes.
You see, Lucy – you’re a parasite. It took me a long time to realise it but it’s true – you attached yourself to CJ and used his success to propel yourself to stardom. In the end, when he faced Eden at Seven Deadly Sins last year, he was a shadow of the man who looked like a conquering hero at Outlast the year before. And then came Ichabod – a mentor of sorts. You took what you could from him before he was left an oddly broken husk at the hands of the man you face this coming Monday. And let’s not forget Jason… And Rogan… Both fallen prey to your need to be in the spotlight.
I really did have a lucky escape.
Luckily, I didn’t let you hitch your fucking caravan to my car – I saw you for what you were and did everything I could to keep you at arms-length. Unfortunately for dearest Maggie, I couldn’t break that bond this past week – I wanted to. I tried to. Alas, she’s still hypnotised by those long legs of yours. One day, when she looks back at the career she could have had if she’d kept away from you, she’ll think of me and what I did almost two weeks ago. She’ll see why I did it. She’ll thank me for it.
But it will still be too late for her.
Tainted by your desperation, besmirched by your association. Everyone who comes into your life leaves it worse off than they wee before they entered it. Your family. Your friends. Your lovers. Your partners – every single one of them have suffered for your art. One day, you’ll realise that the life you crave – relevant. Wanted. Loved – that life is dangerous for all who come into contact with you. You would be best spending the rest of your days in isolation. I’ll help you with that this Monday… When I take the World Heavyweight Championship away from you.
It’s the least I can do.
I know you wonder what’s next for Lucy Wylde – and I can help there too. You could follow the Roxy Cotton school of money making and show your vagina on the internet – I’m sure there are wrestling fans around the world who would pay good money to see that which Gabriel Baal turned away. Or perhaps you could move on to yet another new company – you can play the poor, unfortunate outsider card all over again – maybe this time it will resonate. Or maybe you could come up with an idea yourself.
That would be novel.
Lucy Wylde – the woman whose entire existence is predicated on other people making her look better. Well – I for one am not going stand by and further watch our World Heavyweight Championship further devalued by the UGWC version of Deadpool. And not the good version., The Wolverine Origins version – you know what I mean. Created from all the choice parts of those whose very life force you’ve managed to suck out over the years. Well, luckily for our business, there’s one person left who you never managed to sink your claws into.
Please allow me, to introduce myself.
Yes Lucy – in just a few days’ time, the world will get what it’s been asking for – the end of Lucy Wylde as our World Heavyweight Champion, and the return of Gabriel Baal to the pinnacle of our entire business. Don’t feel bad – it is better to be a footnote in history than never to be mentioned at all – and that is where you’re destined to be in the annuls of our chronicles… A foot note. I do hope you manage to make it to Cleveland. It would be a crying shame for me to have to be declared the winner by default. Look after yourself, Ms. Wylda.
It’s been an honour.
Yours in anticipation.
Gabriel.
