The long awaited Road to Ruin ppv had come and was now finally over. Somehow she held it together just long enough to make it back through the curtain with Butch and to their locker room where she complexly broke down again. The night for her had certainly lived up to its name leaving a mangled wreckage in its wake. There was no escaping the decision she had made. Regret and resolve, villainy and vindication, shame and satisfaction. Wave upon wave of emotion continued to slam against her like water upon rock, taking the smallest bits and pieces of her away with it. She felt guilty. Here she was being a little crying bytch while Butch had just gone through hell out there in the ring, and in large part had her to thank for it. They could have been back at the hotel packing to head home, but there they were…he exhausted and with god knows what injuries, and she a mental catastrophe. Butch had laid the World Title on the desk in the room, the palms of his hands pressing down on it, and his head hung low taking shallow breaths as his adrenaline begins to wear off and his body relaxes. He lifts his head seeing her behind him in the mirror, and turns around to face her. It was then that he first realized the state of the dressing room, notably some familiar looking Parker holes in the wall, only this time not from his fists. He almost wanted to smile, maybe even laugh out of pride or understanding but the cause was serious and it may have only made the moment worse. He turns from the desk and walks over to her, his eyes locking onto hers and her beautiful face. He reaches down taking her by the hands and pulls her up from the couch, then pulls her arms around his waist. He head lays on his chest and kisses her forehead. How does he do this, she thought? Where does he get the ability to absorb the dark energies of those around him, and lighten their pain with a single look or embrace? How does he do this even in the moments like this when it’s he who could use some TLC? She didn’t know and right now she didn’t care. His arms where like a cave to a bear in winter and she nestled inside for his comfort. After a few moments he pulls her away just slightly enough for their faces to meet.
(Butch): We’re going to get our things here, hit the hotel, and go home to our daughter….ok?
(Wisdom): Ok….no wait…I want to see her. I should see how she’s doing.
(Butch): Alright.
(Wisdom): And I want you to get looked over too.
Butch lets out a mellow and dismissive grunt, but before he can respond with his usual “I’ll be alright” he notices his blood having dripped down into her hair and surrenders.
(Butch): Alright.
She forces him to sit down and she darts around the room collecting and packing their things up. Having something to do kept her mind focused, but it was only a brief reprieve from what she knew she would face.
Day One – Road to Ruin: The Hospital
As expected the media presence at the hospital remained strong even hours after the show. The moment they stepped out of the car the pandemonium began.
(Reporter): Butch Parker…do you condone what your wife did so you could be World Champion again?
(Reporter): Wisdom, what was going through your mind when you chose to brutally assault a 70 year old woman?
(Reporter): Mr. and Mrs. Parker, is there any truth to the rumor that this situation has gotten out of control with Michael James over a twisted love Triangle? Is your wife an adulterer?
(Reporter): Wisdom, what are you going to do if Elizabeth Shevington dies as a result of her injuries at your hands?
Question after horrible question, the flashing camera lights, the yells, the microphones being shoved in their faces…while all familiar, it seemed far more intrusive than usual, and she couldn’t help but feel stung by it all. They made their way in through the frenzy and were greeted by a few personnel. Butch headed off for a “brief” observation and Wisdom turned to the elevator. Suddenly her head spun, the lights appeared to darken and the hallway seemed to stretch out long like a scene in horror movie. There was a “bing” and the elevator door opened snapping her back to reality. She enters the elevator and heads up to the ICU. Stepping out she’s brought back to the ppv. Tears in Elizabeth’s eyes as she begs.
“Please…don’t do this”
She pushes the thoughts back in her mind as she passes the waiting area to the nurses station.
(Wisdom): Excuse me, I’m looking for…
Then “Bam” she’s kicked in the leg from behind enough to grab her attention by a little girl, maybe 8 years old. The girl frowns at her then runs back to the waiting area across from them and points. A man in perhaps his fifties gets up as the girl shouts “Pa-pa” still pointing. He looks at Wisdom and several others around him stand. She quickly realizes that they are Shevington’s family members, the man now approaching likely her son. He speed walks over and raises his fist to strike, and Wisdom doesn’t move. He stops himself from hitting her, but gets right in her face.
(Shevington’s Son): Lady, I ought to kick your arse up and down this hallway. What gives you the bloody right put your hands on woman, my mum, doing her job?
Other family members chimed in, shouting and screaming obscenities at her. They looked like a pack of wolves, young and old circling her like their next meal. If this was penance let it come, she thought. Maybe this is what she deserved, she could take it. If it made them feel bettering getting in a few licks then so be it. The crowd parted as older man came between the split with a cane. Wisdom’s eyes shut briefly as she remembered the face of Shevington’s husband having seen his photo on her desk before. The muscles in his face twisted and contorted particularly at the mouth as he stepped forward looking at her. It was painful to look him in the eye, but to turn away would only add to the pain he must be feeling so she didn’t. His old, clouded eyes looked up at her as his lips quivered. He opened his mouth and the pungent stench of hospital coffee and old man breath nearly knocked her down.
(Mr. Shevington): She’s got a collapsed lung the doctors said. One of her ribs broke so bad it pressed up against it and punctured it.
Another flashback hits her, she believes she knows the exact moment when this occurred. Shevington was already out cold and after 5 “Talon Tosses” but she was only halfway through. On the third “Domintraix” she heard bones break. Wisdom covers her mouth in fright, tears coming down her face as she stares at Shevington’s husband.
(Mr. Shevington): There’s this and that and they said all other sorts of things and they’re running more tests but…
Tears begin to form in his eyes, his mouth shutters…
(Mr. Shevington): I told my Lizzie…“don’t you leave me”…“don’t you leave me, you hear?” She wanted to quit you know? Last year when all that tv business took you people off the air, she wanted to quit. I had a bit of car accident, messed this leg up and she wanted to quit. She said it was a “sign that we needed to slow down, retire.” I told her “nonsense.” I worked from home anyway, and I already had cut back on clients, but I knew being home would drive her stir crazy with nothing to keep her busy. I told her to stay. She wanted to quit, and leave that slimy bastard boss of yours and I told her to stay. She was the only good in the company, the only thing helping some of you young people. Do you understand what I’m telling you lass? I told her to stay, and you made her leave…we’re both guilty you see.
Wisdom can’t contain herself any further. She grabs him and hugs him tight, tears now flowing freely from both their faces.
(Mr. Shevington): She’s gonna be alright….she’s gonna be alright.
(Wisdom): I’m so sorry for this, I don’t know what else to say.
Then a pair of hand pry them apart. Shevington’s son has clearly had about all he can stomach of her.
(Shevington’s Son): You’re sorry isn’t going to heal my mother. You’re sorry isn’t going to help my dad.
(Mr. Shevington): That’s enough Eric!
(Shevington’s Son): No dad, it’s not enough. It should be you (sticking his finger in Wisdom’s face) laid up in there fighting for your damn life. It should be you with tubes sticking through your body and goddamn machines breathing for you. Why didn’t you walk away? Why couldn’t you be an obedient little wife and do what your husband told you to do?
Tempers begin to rise again as other family members join in once more shouting at her. Once more she feels the wolves ready to pounce and gnaw at her. Then a familiar voice…
(Butch): What’s going on here?
Butch moves in and pulls Wisdom to him. He immediately surmises that Wisdom’s been cornered by the Shevintgon family.
(Butch): Look, I know what you’re all going through, and I’m damn sorry for it, I really am but this is not the time or place.
(Shevington’s Son): Bollocks! What do you know? You can both take your “sorries” and stick ‘em up your arse.
(Mr. Shevington): Eric I said that’s enough!
Silence comes between them. That uncomfortable moment of having nothing to say, but feeling obliged to remain in one another’s presence. Butch looks to Mr. Shevington and gives him a nod. Their eyes someone telling what the other is feeling. Butch puts his arm around Wisdom’s waist and they turn away back towards the elevator.
(Shevington’s Son): I hope it was worth it. I hope your precious gold, and quest for vengeance was worth it. You’ll burn for what you’ve done. Fuk you Parkers, you hear me? You, your damn daughter, the whole lot of you.
Butch looks back at Shevington’s son. The raw emotions pouring from the man. The other family members a mixture of anger and anguish. He holds Wisdom tight as the elevator doors close and the scene fades to black.
Message Thread
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