Post by The Dropkick King on Apr 22, 2017 18:28:38 GMT
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don’t ask why
It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time
It’s something unpredictable but in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life
April 2nd, 2017
Cameras: OFF
“What happened?!”
It was almost like time was standing absolutely still. Everything around Adrien Cochrane was going in slow motion as one of the backstage officials was alerting Adrien of what had happened to Stacy Sterling, his beloved girlfriend who was backstage while Adrien was wrestling. Adrien was just seconds removed from his match against his protege, Kenzie Rydell when this specific backstage official that Adrien was on a first name basis with stopped him in his tracks.
Adrien: “When did this happen, Scott? And where is she?”
Scott: “She’s around the corner from your locker…”
The Dropkick King didn’t even stick around to let Scott finish his sentence. The former track star may have been twelve years removed from competitively sprinting across a racetrack against other runners, but Adrien was running as fast as he ever had in his life. He barely slows down to turn around a corner, having to propel himself off the wall to get his momentum redirected. He sees the medical personnel standing around and he immediately squeezes through the bodies.
Adrien: “Stacy? Stacy, can you hear me?”
Stacy: “Adrien?!”
Her voice was frantic, the initial pain of the mist had worn off slightly, but she was completely blind, which blocked out the majority of the pain. She was reaching towards Adrien’s voice, her fingertips and fingernails stained a dark black from the mist from wiping at her eyes, which she has now been advised against doing.
Stacy: “ADRIEN!?”
Her fingertips extend towards his voice again as the medical team tries to keep Adrien back, to flush out the former KCW Showcase Champion’s eyes. They didn’t stop Adrien from successfully grabbing her hand and refusing to let go, despite the many voices telling Adrien to step back.
Adrien: “I’m here, Stacy! I’m here!”
He does everything he can to keep the panic in his tone from being audible. He knew the last thing Stacy needed to hear. Everything else around Adrien wasn’t even registering in Adrien’s mind. He then feels multiple people grab at him to try to remove him.
Adrien: “I’m not going anywhere, Stacy. I’m here.”
Adrien feels a few more hands grabbing him before turning to address it.
Adrien: “Listen, do you what you have to do to treat her, but I’m not fucking going anywhere. Worry about helping her and not about removing me, are we perfectly clear?”
The words came out in anger. The language was even rarer than the raised voice. Every single person took a step back the moment Adrien’s voice raised. While compared to most male wrestlers, Adrien was a bit on the small side, but when someone is over six feet tall and literally beats people up for a living, regular everyday people take a step back. Stacy, who would normally oppose Adrien using such harsh language, clung to his hand as tight as she could.
Medic: “Sir, we need room to evaluate her. We only just got here before you did. Do you want us to be able to give her the proper care?”
Stacy: “I want him to stay.”
Stacy was hyperventilating before Adrien arrived, but had visibly calmed down some with him beside her.
Stacy: “The two little girls, are they okay? There were two little girls here right before it happened. I heard them crying for their parents.”
Her words came off a bit mumbled, but Adrien was able to understand everything she was saying.
Adrien: “Was anyone else injured? She said two young girls were present.”
Medic: “No. She’s the only victim.”
Adrien holds tight to Stacy’s hand.
Adrien: “The little girls are okay. Just shook up from seeing what happened. Let’s worry about you, okay?”
Adrien looks around and sees a few medics going towards the door. Adrien, being a bit of a veteran to situations like this in a backstage area, was able to interpret what they were up to.
Adrien: “They’re about to get a stretcher and get you to an ambulance, okay? Can you be strong for me, Stacy?”
The only positive thing about Stacy not being able to see was that she couldn’t see the tears beginning to form in both of Adrien’s eyes. He bites his lower lip in frustration that this happened to his beloved paramour.
Stacy: “I’ll be strong, Adrien, just be careful, please? Ally is still out there.”
The personnel begin helping the blonde to her feet. Her face still stained from the mist.
Stacy: “Are you coming with me?”
Adrien looks back at the medic. Adrien didn’t have to audibly ask the question; the medic already knew.
Medic: “We really can’t let you in the ambulance. We can only fit her and one of us.”
Adrien’s eyes burn a fire red, but he knew it wasn’t the man’s fault. Stacy, hearing the medic explain to Adrien that he can’t be in the ambulance, starts to hyperventilate again. Both of the men notice this.
Adrien: “I’m following the ambulance. I’m not being separated from her for any longer than a couple of minutes.”
Medic: “Fine.”
Stacy: “I’ll go with you in our car!”
It’s clear that the usually timid Stacy doesn’t want to be separated from Adrien, even for a few minutes.
Stacy: “Adrien I can’t see ANYTHING! Tell them you can drive me!”
Adrien pushed towards her again, just enough to grab her, unbothered by the wet mist. He held her close and could feel her heart pounding furiously in her chest as her breathing escalated. She began talking again, but the words weren’t coming out clear or concise.
Adrien: “If she refuses the ambulance, you legally can’t take her…”
Maybe I did learn something from after all that time hanging around Stephen Nair.
Adrien: “Just tell me where the nearest hospital is and I’ll get here there as fast as I can.”
The medic didn’t seem happy with that response, but he knows his hands are tied.
Medic: “About two blocks east. Be quick. I’ll let them know you’re coming.”
Adrien: “Thank you.”
He turns back to Stacy.
Adrien: “I’m going to take you there myself, okay, honey?”
Stacy: “Okay...okay...okay.”
She repeats herself as the medical personnel around her begin dispatching and gathering their equipment, relinquishing Stacy to Adrien entirely. Ally had done accomplished what not many have in Stacy’s short time in wrestling, and that was to temporarily take her out, and may have potentially gotten into the head of The Dropkick King.
Stacy: “Where is Ally? Is she gone?”
Stacy’s concern other than her vision was the safety of Adrien. Ally’s current location was the last thing on Adrien’s mind, but she wasn’t anywhere to be found, probably changing into her ring gear before her match.
Adrien: “She’s not here and I’m not giving her the chance to do any more damage. I’m about to pick you up, okay?”
Stacy: “Okay.”
Stacy was still in a state of shock as Adrien lifted her from the ground and held her in his arms. A few #FSociety staff members came by and offered to help, but Adrien was quick to turn them away and let them know that he had the situation under control.
Stacy: “Am I going to be able to see again? Adrien...I’m scared.”
An admission of being afraid was rare from the woman who many call a superhero of the ring, but there it was, in a hushed tone so no one other than Adrien could hear it. He could still feel her heart racing as the pulse in her wrist pounded the back of his neck as she hung on to him.
Adrien: “This is the same substance she hit me with two weeks ago. I can see now and you’ll be able to see again soon. Take deep breaths, Stacy.”
Adrien reaches the exit of the arena and has to kick the door open as both of his arms are being used to carry Sterling. For the first time in God knows how long, Adrien was scared, not for his own safety. Adrien had said in the previous weeks that he doesn’t care what people do to him. But carrying Stacy to the hospital in his arms because of an attack designed to send a message to him...that was a fear he had hoped he would never have to face. The worst part is that Adrien had no idea what to do next.
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang them on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
April 4th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
Adrien Cochrane softly closes the door to his bedroom in the hallway. Knowing he doesn’t want to disturb a resting Stacy Sterling on the other side of the door, he tightens his fist and silently thrusts it into the air. His teeth clenched as the footage of what happened replays in his head. The poor girl has to wrestle in three days against the man who took her championship, someone who has tormented her on social media, and the egotistical spokesperson for the owner of the company, yet Stacy can’t even see well enough to look into Adrien’s eyes.
It took a moment, but Adrien realized there were two sets of eyes staring at him displaying frustration outside his bedroom. No one said a word before he feels the right hand of Eddie Walker pat him on the back followed by a hug from Kenzie Rydell...just silence for about three minutes. The silence is broken by the manager.
Eddie: “How is she holding up?”
This tone was almost unheard of from Walker. There was no snark, no sarcasm, no pride in his voice. It was sullen and had concern sprinkled all over it. His face matches his voice as his eyes look into Adrien’s without blinking. This might have been the first time Adrien didn’t see Eddie Walker without some grin or silly expression in all the years he’s known him.
Kenzie: “I’m sure she’ll be okay. Stacy’s tough. Right, Adrien?”
Adrien wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Yeah, he recovered from the mist within a week. But this is a timeline that doesn’t give Stacy that full week to recover before she is trusted into the ring.
Adrien: “She’s tough. But she is human, contrary to what she believes. This match coming up against Brutus, Keenan Hunt, and Bishop Kroft is really important to her and now she might be stuck going into the ring blind as a bat. I dunno what to do.”
The 21-year-old Kenzie looks down at her sneakers for a moment, thinking to herself before she responds.
Kenzie: “Has she gone to a doctor yet?”
Her hazel eyes flickered back up towards Adrien again.
Kenzie: “Maybe they can give her some eyedrops or something? It might help get rid of the mist residue quicker than it took you.”
Eddie: “Yeah, we sent her to my doctor down here. Same one who treated Adrien and I’m pretty sure eyedrops were prescribed. But that’s not going to get her vision back in three days for her match.”
Adrien remembers taking the eyedrops himself, but he still had to wear glasses just to move around the house without bumping into everything.
Kenzie: “I knew we could never trust Ally. She does this stuff all the time…”
Adrien: “I’m the naive one usually and I would have said to stay away from Ally. But that’s the thing about Stacy. Her heart is so big and full of warmth that she wants to believe that everyone has good in them deep down. Which puts her in situations like this.”
Kenzie: “I don’t deny that somewhere within Ally is something good. You see it in the way she interacts with Tyson, after all.”
Eddie: “Yeah, well, Hitler had a wife. Apparently even he was charming and chivalrous to her. Just because they are capable of love like another human doesn’t mean they are a person worth trusting. She’s an evil sociopath who has a bloodlust that can’t be quenched and no remorse for anything she’s done.”
Kenzie scrunched her nose.
Kenzie: “I’m serious! I’ve talked to her before she decided to all of a sudden be a heartless bitch and she wasn’t a bad person. And you can say it was a lie all you want, but I still think Stacy’s mindset had some merit. It’s just that now isn’t the time. And maybe we’ll never see that side of her ever again. All I know is, we shouldn’t trust her. No matter what good she might have within her, it’s not worth us getting hurt just to try and find it.”
Eddie: “I’ll agree with you there. Ally Morrow is on a blacklist for anyone in this house to dare go anywhere near. Agreed, Adrien?”
Adrien has been silent for the past few minutes as Kenzie and Eddie debated about what was the right thing to do with Ally Morrow. Adrien didn’t care what good was inside of Ally Morrow at this point, if any. Adrien wants to make Ally pay for hurting him and hurting the woman he loves.
Adrien: “Oh, I’m going to go near her.”
Eddie: “Oh boy...I think we riled him up, Kenz…”
Adrien: “We can’t just sit here, living in fear of Ally Morrow. Someone has to stand up to her. Someone has to stop her from doing this. And it looks like it’s going to have to be me.”
Eddie: “Are you nuts?!”
Kenzie’s eyes flickered from Eddie and back to Adrien.
Kenzie: “Do you need backup? I could help—”
Adrien: “No. No one else is getting hurt in this crossfire. I don’t want you to be the third one heading to the hospital from a case of the mist.”
Kenzie reluctantly nodded.
Kenzie: “Somebody still needs to stop Chris Night and his goons from causing mayhem, though. Nothing’s stopping him and his clowns from running down to that ring and hurting even more people.”
Adrien remembers what happened to Kenzie Rydell at the hands of Chris Night the same night Ally attacked Stacy.
Adrien: “Eddie, let me speak to Kenzie alone for a moment.”
Eddie looks slightly bewildered. But as the loyal employee he is, he obliges.
Eddie: “Yes, sir. I’ll be trying to find out what the matches will be next show.”
As soon as Eddie takes off downstairs, Adrien turns back to Kenzie.
Adrien: “Listen, Kenzie, we’re probably going to need to move a bunch of different pieces in different directions if we’re going to do this. I know you want revenge on Night. And I want mine on Ally. We can’t expect to all go at the same place and wrap things up in a neat little box with a bow all wrapped up. We’re going to have to really be smart about this.”
Kenzie: “Think about it, Adrien. The one way evil wins is if good people like you and me do nothing.”
Adrien: “I’m not suggesting we do nothing, Kenzie. I’m suggesting we need to be smart about how we go about doing this.”
Kenzie sighed.
Kenzie: “If Night’s clowns decide to try any funny business, Spencer and I know some people who might be able to help. We could defend people.”
Adrien: “I’m not as worried about a failure of a tag team like those two as much as I am worried about Ally getting involved in us taking down Night or vice versa. I know someone who is willing to take care of I-10, and his name is Hutch Lanahan.”
Adrien shakes his head.
Adrien: “Listen, there’s an important question that I need to ask you, Kenzie. And this is a major thing to me that I absolutely need to know.”
Adrien pauses dramatically. This is the part of the conversation he didn’t want Eddie around for.
Adrien: “Do. You. Trust me?”
She hesitates.
Kenzie: “Of course I trust you.”
Adrien looks back up at Kenzie again. The hesitation did not go unnoticed.
Adrien: “Are you sure? Because I’ve been worried ever since we were booked against one another that the trust hasn’t been there. And I absolutely need you to trust me if we are going to be able to accomplish taking down this dictatorship.”
Kenzie: “I’m… I’m still worried that I’ll end up disappointing you again, honestly. I know it’s stupid, and I know we went over this already, but I just feel like when the chips are down and it's all up to me to put the final pieces in place, I’m just going to end up screwing up again. I trust you, I do, from the bottom of my heart, but… I don’t think you should trust me as much as you do.”
Adrien remembers the past few weeks, everything that’s been going on between him and Kenzie. But he remembers something else as well.
Adrien: “Yeah, there’s a few people who will think it’s foolish of me to probably trust you after everything that’s happened. Maybe Stacy is rubbing off on me though because I do. Whether or not everyone else thinks it’s a good idea, I’m having to put some eggs in the Kenzie Rydell basket.”
Kenzie: “You know I’m sorry, right? I said what was bothering me at the time, but you know I’ve always respected you? Always will.”
Adrien: “Don’t worry about that now. It’s water under the bridge. It’s over. We’re moving forward and onto a much bigger problem.”
Adrien pauses for a moment. His frustration from everything that’s been happening around him takes a second to put back at bay.
Adrien: “I’m sorry for putting you in a position where you didn’t think I was there for you and putting you in a position where you felt bothered. But we need to put that behind us because we have to get past this Night problem.”
Kenzie nods firmly.
Kenzie: “Okay. Okay, that sounds good to me.”
Standing up straight like the true army brat that she was, Kenzie mock saluted Adrien with a goofy grin on her face.
Kenzie: “So what’s the next step, General?”
Instead of Adrien’s voice responding to that, another one comes from downstairs.
Eddie: “Ummm, guys. I got good news and bad news…”
Eddie Walker rushes back upstairs to address Kenzie and Adrien once again.
Eddie: “Which do you want first?”
Adrien: “Go ahead, rip off the band-aid and tell us the bad first.”
Eddie Walker looks down at his phone, still in shock.
Eddie: “We are all going to have to find new jobs because this will be the final #FSociety show.”
Kenzie: “Wait. Are you serious?!”
Adrien is a lot calmer than Kenzie is. He’s seen the rise and fall of so many companies, that this almost feels like a pattern for him at this point.
Eddie: “I mean, there are companies already booking Adrien in special appearances so he’s going to be fine. We need to find somewhere for Kenzie to go.”
Adrien: “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’m not going to let Kenzie sit unemployed for long.”
Adrien looks back at Kenzie. His eyes ask the same question he asked while Eddie was downstairs. Do you trust me?
Kenzie: “After NGW closed, it took me a while to find a new place of employment. It’ll be good to get some help this time.”
Kenzie’s attention moves from Adrien to Eddie.
Kenzie: “This is the part where I ask… What’s the good news?”
Eddie: “Well, maybe getting revenge will come on a silver platter for you two after all. The final show will include Kenzie Rydell versus Chris Night. And in the main event, the final match ever in #FSociety, Adrien Cochrane versus Ally Morrow.”
Adrien’s eyes widened. So did Kenzie’s. They both get the person they want to make pay for their actions in a one on one match.
It’s something unpredictable but in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and don’t ask why
It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time
It’s something unpredictable but in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life
April 2nd, 2017
Cameras: OFF
“What happened?!”
It was almost like time was standing absolutely still. Everything around Adrien Cochrane was going in slow motion as one of the backstage officials was alerting Adrien of what had happened to Stacy Sterling, his beloved girlfriend who was backstage while Adrien was wrestling. Adrien was just seconds removed from his match against his protege, Kenzie Rydell when this specific backstage official that Adrien was on a first name basis with stopped him in his tracks.
Adrien: “When did this happen, Scott? And where is she?”
Scott: “She’s around the corner from your locker…”
The Dropkick King didn’t even stick around to let Scott finish his sentence. The former track star may have been twelve years removed from competitively sprinting across a racetrack against other runners, but Adrien was running as fast as he ever had in his life. He barely slows down to turn around a corner, having to propel himself off the wall to get his momentum redirected. He sees the medical personnel standing around and he immediately squeezes through the bodies.
Adrien: “Stacy? Stacy, can you hear me?”
Stacy: “Adrien?!”
Her voice was frantic, the initial pain of the mist had worn off slightly, but she was completely blind, which blocked out the majority of the pain. She was reaching towards Adrien’s voice, her fingertips and fingernails stained a dark black from the mist from wiping at her eyes, which she has now been advised against doing.
Stacy: “ADRIEN!?”
Her fingertips extend towards his voice again as the medical team tries to keep Adrien back, to flush out the former KCW Showcase Champion’s eyes. They didn’t stop Adrien from successfully grabbing her hand and refusing to let go, despite the many voices telling Adrien to step back.
Adrien: “I’m here, Stacy! I’m here!”
He does everything he can to keep the panic in his tone from being audible. He knew the last thing Stacy needed to hear. Everything else around Adrien wasn’t even registering in Adrien’s mind. He then feels multiple people grab at him to try to remove him.
Adrien: “I’m not going anywhere, Stacy. I’m here.”
Adrien feels a few more hands grabbing him before turning to address it.
Adrien: “Listen, do you what you have to do to treat her, but I’m not fucking going anywhere. Worry about helping her and not about removing me, are we perfectly clear?”
The words came out in anger. The language was even rarer than the raised voice. Every single person took a step back the moment Adrien’s voice raised. While compared to most male wrestlers, Adrien was a bit on the small side, but when someone is over six feet tall and literally beats people up for a living, regular everyday people take a step back. Stacy, who would normally oppose Adrien using such harsh language, clung to his hand as tight as she could.
Medic: “Sir, we need room to evaluate her. We only just got here before you did. Do you want us to be able to give her the proper care?”
Stacy: “I want him to stay.”
Stacy was hyperventilating before Adrien arrived, but had visibly calmed down some with him beside her.
Stacy: “The two little girls, are they okay? There were two little girls here right before it happened. I heard them crying for their parents.”
Her words came off a bit mumbled, but Adrien was able to understand everything she was saying.
Adrien: “Was anyone else injured? She said two young girls were present.”
Medic: “No. She’s the only victim.”
Adrien holds tight to Stacy’s hand.
Adrien: “The little girls are okay. Just shook up from seeing what happened. Let’s worry about you, okay?”
Adrien looks around and sees a few medics going towards the door. Adrien, being a bit of a veteran to situations like this in a backstage area, was able to interpret what they were up to.
Adrien: “They’re about to get a stretcher and get you to an ambulance, okay? Can you be strong for me, Stacy?”
The only positive thing about Stacy not being able to see was that she couldn’t see the tears beginning to form in both of Adrien’s eyes. He bites his lower lip in frustration that this happened to his beloved paramour.
Stacy: “I’ll be strong, Adrien, just be careful, please? Ally is still out there.”
The personnel begin helping the blonde to her feet. Her face still stained from the mist.
Stacy: “Are you coming with me?”
Adrien looks back at the medic. Adrien didn’t have to audibly ask the question; the medic already knew.
Medic: “We really can’t let you in the ambulance. We can only fit her and one of us.”
Adrien’s eyes burn a fire red, but he knew it wasn’t the man’s fault. Stacy, hearing the medic explain to Adrien that he can’t be in the ambulance, starts to hyperventilate again. Both of the men notice this.
Adrien: “I’m following the ambulance. I’m not being separated from her for any longer than a couple of minutes.”
Medic: “Fine.”
Stacy: “I’ll go with you in our car!”
It’s clear that the usually timid Stacy doesn’t want to be separated from Adrien, even for a few minutes.
Stacy: “Adrien I can’t see ANYTHING! Tell them you can drive me!”
Adrien pushed towards her again, just enough to grab her, unbothered by the wet mist. He held her close and could feel her heart pounding furiously in her chest as her breathing escalated. She began talking again, but the words weren’t coming out clear or concise.
Adrien: “If she refuses the ambulance, you legally can’t take her…”
Maybe I did learn something from after all that time hanging around Stephen Nair.
Adrien: “Just tell me where the nearest hospital is and I’ll get here there as fast as I can.”
The medic didn’t seem happy with that response, but he knows his hands are tied.
Medic: “About two blocks east. Be quick. I’ll let them know you’re coming.”
Adrien: “Thank you.”
He turns back to Stacy.
Adrien: “I’m going to take you there myself, okay, honey?”
Stacy: “Okay...okay...okay.”
She repeats herself as the medical personnel around her begin dispatching and gathering their equipment, relinquishing Stacy to Adrien entirely. Ally had done accomplished what not many have in Stacy’s short time in wrestling, and that was to temporarily take her out, and may have potentially gotten into the head of The Dropkick King.
Stacy: “Where is Ally? Is she gone?”
Stacy’s concern other than her vision was the safety of Adrien. Ally’s current location was the last thing on Adrien’s mind, but she wasn’t anywhere to be found, probably changing into her ring gear before her match.
Adrien: “She’s not here and I’m not giving her the chance to do any more damage. I’m about to pick you up, okay?”
Stacy: “Okay.”
Stacy was still in a state of shock as Adrien lifted her from the ground and held her in his arms. A few #FSociety staff members came by and offered to help, but Adrien was quick to turn them away and let them know that he had the situation under control.
Stacy: “Am I going to be able to see again? Adrien...I’m scared.”
An admission of being afraid was rare from the woman who many call a superhero of the ring, but there it was, in a hushed tone so no one other than Adrien could hear it. He could still feel her heart racing as the pulse in her wrist pounded the back of his neck as she hung on to him.
Adrien: “This is the same substance she hit me with two weeks ago. I can see now and you’ll be able to see again soon. Take deep breaths, Stacy.”
Adrien reaches the exit of the arena and has to kick the door open as both of his arms are being used to carry Sterling. For the first time in God knows how long, Adrien was scared, not for his own safety. Adrien had said in the previous weeks that he doesn’t care what people do to him. But carrying Stacy to the hospital in his arms because of an attack designed to send a message to him...that was a fear he had hoped he would never have to face. The worst part is that Adrien had no idea what to do next.
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang them on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while
April 4th, 2017
Cameras: OFF
Adrien Cochrane softly closes the door to his bedroom in the hallway. Knowing he doesn’t want to disturb a resting Stacy Sterling on the other side of the door, he tightens his fist and silently thrusts it into the air. His teeth clenched as the footage of what happened replays in his head. The poor girl has to wrestle in three days against the man who took her championship, someone who has tormented her on social media, and the egotistical spokesperson for the owner of the company, yet Stacy can’t even see well enough to look into Adrien’s eyes.
It took a moment, but Adrien realized there were two sets of eyes staring at him displaying frustration outside his bedroom. No one said a word before he feels the right hand of Eddie Walker pat him on the back followed by a hug from Kenzie Rydell...just silence for about three minutes. The silence is broken by the manager.
Eddie: “How is she holding up?”
This tone was almost unheard of from Walker. There was no snark, no sarcasm, no pride in his voice. It was sullen and had concern sprinkled all over it. His face matches his voice as his eyes look into Adrien’s without blinking. This might have been the first time Adrien didn’t see Eddie Walker without some grin or silly expression in all the years he’s known him.
Kenzie: “I’m sure she’ll be okay. Stacy’s tough. Right, Adrien?”
Adrien wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Yeah, he recovered from the mist within a week. But this is a timeline that doesn’t give Stacy that full week to recover before she is trusted into the ring.
Adrien: “She’s tough. But she is human, contrary to what she believes. This match coming up against Brutus, Keenan Hunt, and Bishop Kroft is really important to her and now she might be stuck going into the ring blind as a bat. I dunno what to do.”
The 21-year-old Kenzie looks down at her sneakers for a moment, thinking to herself before she responds.
Kenzie: “Has she gone to a doctor yet?”
Her hazel eyes flickered back up towards Adrien again.
Kenzie: “Maybe they can give her some eyedrops or something? It might help get rid of the mist residue quicker than it took you.”
Eddie: “Yeah, we sent her to my doctor down here. Same one who treated Adrien and I’m pretty sure eyedrops were prescribed. But that’s not going to get her vision back in three days for her match.”
Adrien remembers taking the eyedrops himself, but he still had to wear glasses just to move around the house without bumping into everything.
Kenzie: “I knew we could never trust Ally. She does this stuff all the time…”
Adrien: “I’m the naive one usually and I would have said to stay away from Ally. But that’s the thing about Stacy. Her heart is so big and full of warmth that she wants to believe that everyone has good in them deep down. Which puts her in situations like this.”
Kenzie: “I don’t deny that somewhere within Ally is something good. You see it in the way she interacts with Tyson, after all.”
Eddie: “Yeah, well, Hitler had a wife. Apparently even he was charming and chivalrous to her. Just because they are capable of love like another human doesn’t mean they are a person worth trusting. She’s an evil sociopath who has a bloodlust that can’t be quenched and no remorse for anything she’s done.”
Kenzie scrunched her nose.
Kenzie: “I’m serious! I’ve talked to her before she decided to all of a sudden be a heartless bitch and she wasn’t a bad person. And you can say it was a lie all you want, but I still think Stacy’s mindset had some merit. It’s just that now isn’t the time. And maybe we’ll never see that side of her ever again. All I know is, we shouldn’t trust her. No matter what good she might have within her, it’s not worth us getting hurt just to try and find it.”
Eddie: “I’ll agree with you there. Ally Morrow is on a blacklist for anyone in this house to dare go anywhere near. Agreed, Adrien?”
Adrien has been silent for the past few minutes as Kenzie and Eddie debated about what was the right thing to do with Ally Morrow. Adrien didn’t care what good was inside of Ally Morrow at this point, if any. Adrien wants to make Ally pay for hurting him and hurting the woman he loves.
Adrien: “Oh, I’m going to go near her.”
Eddie: “Oh boy...I think we riled him up, Kenz…”
Adrien: “We can’t just sit here, living in fear of Ally Morrow. Someone has to stand up to her. Someone has to stop her from doing this. And it looks like it’s going to have to be me.”
Eddie: “Are you nuts?!”
Kenzie’s eyes flickered from Eddie and back to Adrien.
Kenzie: “Do you need backup? I could help—”
Adrien: “No. No one else is getting hurt in this crossfire. I don’t want you to be the third one heading to the hospital from a case of the mist.”
Kenzie reluctantly nodded.
Kenzie: “Somebody still needs to stop Chris Night and his goons from causing mayhem, though. Nothing’s stopping him and his clowns from running down to that ring and hurting even more people.”
Adrien remembers what happened to Kenzie Rydell at the hands of Chris Night the same night Ally attacked Stacy.
Adrien: “Eddie, let me speak to Kenzie alone for a moment.”
Eddie looks slightly bewildered. But as the loyal employee he is, he obliges.
Eddie: “Yes, sir. I’ll be trying to find out what the matches will be next show.”
As soon as Eddie takes off downstairs, Adrien turns back to Kenzie.
Adrien: “Listen, Kenzie, we’re probably going to need to move a bunch of different pieces in different directions if we’re going to do this. I know you want revenge on Night. And I want mine on Ally. We can’t expect to all go at the same place and wrap things up in a neat little box with a bow all wrapped up. We’re going to have to really be smart about this.”
Kenzie: “Think about it, Adrien. The one way evil wins is if good people like you and me do nothing.”
Adrien: “I’m not suggesting we do nothing, Kenzie. I’m suggesting we need to be smart about how we go about doing this.”
Kenzie sighed.
Kenzie: “If Night’s clowns decide to try any funny business, Spencer and I know some people who might be able to help. We could defend people.”
Adrien: “I’m not as worried about a failure of a tag team like those two as much as I am worried about Ally getting involved in us taking down Night or vice versa. I know someone who is willing to take care of I-10, and his name is Hutch Lanahan.”
Adrien shakes his head.
Adrien: “Listen, there’s an important question that I need to ask you, Kenzie. And this is a major thing to me that I absolutely need to know.”
Adrien pauses dramatically. This is the part of the conversation he didn’t want Eddie around for.
Adrien: “Do. You. Trust me?”
She hesitates.
Kenzie: “Of course I trust you.”
Adrien looks back up at Kenzie again. The hesitation did not go unnoticed.
Adrien: “Are you sure? Because I’ve been worried ever since we were booked against one another that the trust hasn’t been there. And I absolutely need you to trust me if we are going to be able to accomplish taking down this dictatorship.”
Kenzie: “I’m… I’m still worried that I’ll end up disappointing you again, honestly. I know it’s stupid, and I know we went over this already, but I just feel like when the chips are down and it's all up to me to put the final pieces in place, I’m just going to end up screwing up again. I trust you, I do, from the bottom of my heart, but… I don’t think you should trust me as much as you do.”
Adrien remembers the past few weeks, everything that’s been going on between him and Kenzie. But he remembers something else as well.
Adrien: “Yeah, there’s a few people who will think it’s foolish of me to probably trust you after everything that’s happened. Maybe Stacy is rubbing off on me though because I do. Whether or not everyone else thinks it’s a good idea, I’m having to put some eggs in the Kenzie Rydell basket.”
Kenzie: “You know I’m sorry, right? I said what was bothering me at the time, but you know I’ve always respected you? Always will.”
Adrien: “Don’t worry about that now. It’s water under the bridge. It’s over. We’re moving forward and onto a much bigger problem.”
Adrien pauses for a moment. His frustration from everything that’s been happening around him takes a second to put back at bay.
Adrien: “I’m sorry for putting you in a position where you didn’t think I was there for you and putting you in a position where you felt bothered. But we need to put that behind us because we have to get past this Night problem.”
Kenzie nods firmly.
Kenzie: “Okay. Okay, that sounds good to me.”
Standing up straight like the true army brat that she was, Kenzie mock saluted Adrien with a goofy grin on her face.
Kenzie: “So what’s the next step, General?”
Instead of Adrien’s voice responding to that, another one comes from downstairs.
Eddie: “Ummm, guys. I got good news and bad news…”
Eddie Walker rushes back upstairs to address Kenzie and Adrien once again.
Eddie: “Which do you want first?”
Adrien: “Go ahead, rip off the band-aid and tell us the bad first.”
Eddie Walker looks down at his phone, still in shock.
Eddie: “We are all going to have to find new jobs because this will be the final #FSociety show.”
Kenzie: “Wait. Are you serious?!”
Adrien is a lot calmer than Kenzie is. He’s seen the rise and fall of so many companies, that this almost feels like a pattern for him at this point.
Eddie: “I mean, there are companies already booking Adrien in special appearances so he’s going to be fine. We need to find somewhere for Kenzie to go.”
Adrien: “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. I’m not going to let Kenzie sit unemployed for long.”
Adrien looks back at Kenzie. His eyes ask the same question he asked while Eddie was downstairs. Do you trust me?
Kenzie: “After NGW closed, it took me a while to find a new place of employment. It’ll be good to get some help this time.”
Kenzie’s attention moves from Adrien to Eddie.
Kenzie: “This is the part where I ask… What’s the good news?”
Eddie: “Well, maybe getting revenge will come on a silver platter for you two after all. The final show will include Kenzie Rydell versus Chris Night. And in the main event, the final match ever in #FSociety, Adrien Cochrane versus Ally Morrow.”
Adrien’s eyes widened. So did Kenzie’s. They both get the person they want to make pay for their actions in a one on one match.
It’s something unpredictable but in the end, it’s right
I hope you had the time of your life