Making a Moment.
Meltdown 23 Anoki Vs Michaels
Michaels stands, broken body not willing, face a mask of pain. Anoki stands, frowns, feints a kick. Michaels flinches. Anoki dives the other way. Arm reaches round, back bends, Michaels is rolled up for the count of three. Mercy seldom makes a moment, but some things have to be done.
Backstage Entrance to the Gorilla Position
People are scattered like sand. Drums are heard in the background. Anoki comes through the curtain. The fight took no toll on him but his body has withered like a plant in darkness. Mouth is dry. Eyes are gray. He knows that he should rest, but sometimes you need to make a moment. Some things have to be done.
Feet tread heavily. Anoki slowly wades his way through the dunes, heading for the door. Leon tries to catch his eye, but Anoki ploughs onwards. Tonights match was not a victory. There is no honour in taking down a wounded man, and he has no desire to revel in it. Tonights victory came before the match, and there is only one lady who would truly understand. She has been with him every day since he left, but this is a convocation that should happen face to face.
Reaching the back door to the arena, Anoki disappears into the night.
Three Days after Meltdown A Hill outside Carson City.
Anoki stands acrest the hill. The journey has taken a toll. His clothes are stained with dirt, but his eyes are soul are cleaner then when he set out. This is where he always came when he wanted to talk to her. Sometimes she let him sleep up here when the shadows of the pit became too much.
He gazes down into her neon face.
Im Back
I say Im back; but we both know youve been following me all this time.
He pauses. He has walked all the way here, thinking about what to say to her. Now he has arrived she has once again bound his tongue and mind.
I think well always carry a piece of each other. I sold you my soul for your silver for fourteen years, I guess some things rub off after that much time. I think Ive gained more daemons than you have angles though, but then I guess you had more to give.
I met some new faces. I think theyre what got me thinking about you again. Youd like them. I think thats why I started spiralling again. I was afraid. Afraid that if I kept loosing then Id have to come crawling back to you again. Pay you the last vestiges of my humanity and live my life as a shadow.
Anoki pauses. He knows he hates her, but she always listens. He can express himself better to her than any person hes ever met. Until now.
Im not afraid of you anymore.
Silence. The moment has been made. The declaration made. Either she will cut him loose or kill him now. He stares down at her, almost willing her to respond. All that emanates from her is the ceaseless drone of traffic. Always the same.
It occurs to me that I never really said goodbye before. Just turned and ran like a scared little boy. I think thats best. I may not be the scared little boy any more, but Im still running.
He turns his back to her. Twelve months ago this simple gesture cost him almost everything he had. Some things get easier with time. He walks away. He stops. Some things need to be done. He turns back to take one final look at the city. His city. Hes seen inside her rotten streets, but from here she always managed to look beautiful to him. He stands still, moonlight bathing his frame, gazing at her beauty. The face of the young interview girl flashes across his mind, and he remembers that he has a job to do.
He leaves. In the darkness atop the deserted mount his words echo.
Im not afraid of you any more.
Anoki will never return to this hell. Moments stay made.
Its been a week of revelations for me.
Before I thought that everything I gave to win was lost.
No I know that if I give everything to win, risk everything on a throw of the dice and lose,
Then I still have everything to give.
Tonight I fight, as ever everything will be given to win,
But should the dice fall wrong, should I fail,
Then everything is still there.
The walls will still stand, the journey will continue,
Revelations.