I could feel the pain shoot through my ankle and for the first time in my life I felt weak. For all I knew, this was indeed the end of my career. Even the doctors wheeling me out of the arena looked down upon me with uncertainty on their faces. How bad was it? Nobody knew. As they loaded me up into the ambulance, I remember asking myself a million questions. How long would it be until I met the man who did this to me (multiplied by one million)?

My memories of waking up and being in the hospital were long gone. I just know that I felt so alone, even with Theresa by my side. After the doctors told me I’d never walk again, hatred consumed me. Everything in my world crumbled. The federation I worked for went under and the man who destroyed my life went along with it. That son-of-a-bitch’s career died. I thanked the devil for that. That man deserved nothing more than to have pain invited into his life.

Upon my release from the hospital, a wheelchair awaited me. When I arrived home, my wife couldn’t stand to even see me in such a pathetic state. She took a fulltime job at a rehabilitation center, so she didn’t have to be at home anymore. It pained me to know my own wife couldn’t deal. The next day, I did something stupid. I called my father and told him I was coming back to Connecticut. He laughed over the phone and told me in a cold voice, “Now you need my money.” Sadly, he was right. My trust fund went to paying all of my medical bills. With the last of the money I had, I purchased a ticket for the LAX. I at least had to go out in style, since it would be the last plane ride I’d see for awhile.

My flight sucked! I’ve never heard so many innuendos that definitely were lead-ins to handicap jokes. I arrived in Connecticut early the next morning. My mother picked me up from the airport. I figured my father didn’t want anything to do with me. My mom confirmed it on the car ride home. She said we both were stubborn and pigheaded. Moms are never wrong, but they aren’t always right either.

That night I watched the DVD. One of my so called “fans” found the address to my parents’ house and sent it to them. The Coalition of Darkness beat me within inches of life and no one stopped it, until it was too late. As I paused the tape, I watched the expression on his face. His foot came down and crushed all my dreams. I rewound it over and over again. Finally, I got pissed off and smashed the remote into my father’s new plasma screen. It cracked just a little. I could relate. I fell from the wheelchair onto my knees. Pain began to race throughout my entire body just as it had that night I was lying on the stretcher. I was dying, but I wasn’t dead. Not by a long shot.

Arran Hayden slouched in the office chair behind his father’s oak wood desk. He stared down at the black briefcase on it. A sheet of paper with “revenge” printed on it was taped to the top of it. It was hard to make out in the dark. Someone entered the office and flicked the lights on. Hayden didn’t move at all. A women’s manicured hand gripped his shoulder. Still, he sat unmoved. The women said not a word. She kissed him softly on the cheek and exited the room. Finally, Arran snapped off the locks on the briefcase and began to talk.

Arran Hayden: We all go through Phayzes in our life and Summer is one of them. With that joke aside, I want to wish the both of you good luck. You’ll need it because this is as close as you’ll ever come to touching gold. Corey could book Mr. T in our match and you two wouldn’t even come close to touching his neck, even if you put your hands on it. Not while Hayden is around. You guys may think you need this title as much as I do, but don’t kid yourself. Regardless of whatever skills you posses, they mean nothing. They may have helped you gain a victory against Danny Boy Vegas last week Summer, and Phayze you may have overcome two men but I am different. I’ve been through hell and back twenty times plus both of your ages multiplied together. I can truly say like any superstar who has been on MTV’s Diaries that “you both have no idea.” Everyone in this tournament has no idea what it’s like to broken in half. None of you have been told by a doctor that you may never walk again. None of you were confined to a wheelchair for a whole fucking year, only to walk again and prove everyone wrong! Even your whole family! No, it doesn’t mean that much to you. I want to be proven wrong, yet somehow I doubt that’ll happen. And now I ask myself what more could Hayden say? Then just like that it hits me. Nothing. Then I realize that’s exactly what they want me to say. Nothing. So now I must continue to defy anyone and everything thrown my way. They say the truth hurts but why does it feel this good? Answer that question for me. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.

Arran chuckled to himself and lifted the top of the briefcase open. He stood up and slowly circled it around to the front of the desk, so its contents could be seen. What was inside? A hell of a lot of money, that’s what. He hesitated for a second and thought about exactly what he wanted to say. Before he could continue, the women entered the room again. She eyed him over and then the money. She shut her eyes as if the sight of it all pained her. She could tell he was different. Something about him wasn’t right.

Arran Hayden: You’ve come to try and stop me again? I’ve already told you that my mind is made up. There is nothing you could ever say that would stop me from doing what I’m about to do. I thought you of all people would understand. Phayze and Summer will understand why it isn’t their time. After my match with them, everyone in the locker room will have something in common. They too will understand. Everyone of them will known my pain and only one of them will be able to finish my desire. When that happens, I’ll be free of worry. Then you won’t have to understand. You’ll just accept it.

The Women: I didn’t come to stop you, but I will not be by your side when you cross the line. I’m sure he knows he’s made a mistake. Why can’t you let it go? You’ve been holding a grudge for the past three years.

A fire filled Arran’s eyes and he grabbed her by the arm. She tried to break his grip, but it was too strong.

Arran Hayden: Let it go! There is no way in hell I’ll do such a thing. Can’t you see what he’s done to our relationship? He’s poisoned our whole family and yet you look the other way. This man is only flesh and blood just like you and me. I should know!

The Women: What is that suppose to mean?

She yanked her arm from his grip and began to back away from Arran with a distraught look upon her face. She began to shake her head back and forth. He couldn’t have been the one behind it? He wasn’t capable of such a thing. Or was he? No, she wouldn’t believe it. How could she love a man like that?

The Women: Can’t you see what you’ve become? You’re a monster Arran. How can you even be focused on fighting at this week’s Eternity? With each word that comes out of your mouth, I lose you that much more.

Arran Hayden: You’re right. I have become a monster. With each passing day I feel him growing inside of me. At Eternity, he’ll be at his best. Finally, after three years he will be unleashed upon my opponents and soon after upon him. Hayden has spoken!

With those last words, Arran slammed the briefcase shut. He picked it up and brushed pass the women as if she no longer stood in the room. He quickly made his way down the stairs and out the front door. As his Porsche’s engine roared to life, the women pressed her back against the wall in shock. The sound of screeching tires filled her eyes and she fell to her knees. She buried her face into her hands and began to cry. At that moment, she knew she’d lost him. There was no way she could stop them.