As he walked, "Enemy" by Imagine Dragon blared through his headphones, drowning out the noise of a busy Friday night in New York City. He stumbles back and forth, lost in his own thoughts and memories that seem to trip him up at every turn.
The lyrics of the song spoke to him, as if they were written specifically for him, for this situation. He couldn't help but feel like everyone was against him, like he was constantly battling the world.
Ash couldn't shake off the feeling of being alone in a crowded city, questioning if getting in that ring was worth it. If showing tears of rage and anger was his first mistake. Remembering the words of his father " They will sharpen their swords on your weakness and drown you in your own tears if you show them emotion" "I wake up to the sounds of the silence that allows, For my mind to run around," echoed in his head as he walked, his mind lost in a sea of emotions. "Oh the misery, Everybody wants to be my enemy"
Eventually, he finds himself standing on the edge of the sidewalk, the roar of the cars blurring together. He can't bring himself to step off, as if something is holding him back.
As the song comes to an end, his breathing calms, the tensions in his clenching fist he hides in his pockets begin to loosen up, not quite sure if he's ready to take off his headphones yet as he slowly lifts his head to look around. He catches a glimpse of faces he knows will most likely appear in his dreams when he's old trying to remember his youth. He finally removes his headphones only to feel the weight of the world crash down on him all at once. But he couldn't just stand frozen in time, frozen in the memories of his father, he couldn't let it define him. With a deep breath, he steps forward off the curb and lets out a sign of relief as if he had expected to fall straight though the crosswalk into the darkness. With a slight shake of his head, realizing how silly that thought was, that he would just melt through the pavement, he continues on thinking about about what he always heard his father speak about. "If you want to see where your Journey takes you, don't use a map" He chuckles to himself realizing that it's his memories that will guide him as he continues moving forward with a renewed sense of determination.
Ash gets jolted to the side and is shaken out of his, what we call the Manhattan walk, full speed, straight forward as if no one else exist on the sidewalk. He looks back to see a young women wearing a headset of her own running for a cab and didn't even have the courtesy to quickly turn and throw a apology back at him.
Ash Phoenix: I f'king hate this city
He turns back around and quickly notices he is where he needs to be. Maybe it was his dad sending that stranger to stop his march so he wouldn't pass right bye or just maybe stupid luck from the typical New York Azzhole. What ever it was, there was no reason to question it or try and find deeper meaning. he composes himself and looks for any resemblance of what was once his dad infamous bar "E-Squared" The big Wooden bar doors still existed with a fresh coat of paint having covered natural oak wood color and now there were private locks on them with a steel mailbox on the door frame. The fancy window from the pictures was now typical apartment size windows that were gated and the sign that once read "E=Squared" replaced with a sign that read "East 13th" He looks around, crippled with the decision to knock or walk away.
Ash Phoenix: Maybe another day
Ash turns and before he even walks ten feet away an older gentlemen walks towards the door, checks the mailbox, pulls out a few letters and starts fumbling with some keys. Ash turns back still trying to come to a decision rather to knock or not only to be relieved that someone is by the door he might want to talk to or at least as a few questions.
Ash Phoenix: Excuse me
With some grit and wear in his voice the older gentleman responds while not making any eye contact while focused on trying to find his apartment keys
Gentlemen: Not today son, not interested.
Ash Phoenix: I'm not selling anything sir
Gentlemen: Then why did you turn back around to have this little conversation with me.
Ash Phoenix: I just wanted to ask a question
Gentlemen: Go ahead
(He finds his keys and begins to unlock the first lock)
Ash Phoenix: How long have you lived here
Gentlemen: What is this kid, it's late Friday night and you asking dumb ass questions. I'll warn you, if this is attempt to do anything other then ask me questions, you picked the wrong apartment
Ash Phoenix: I promise you, it isn't. Let me start over
Gentlemen: Stop wasting my time kid, ask your damn question
(Gets both locks open and turns the knob)
Gentlemen: Sorry kid, took to damn long. Bother someone else
Ash Phoenix: Sir, please,
(The gentlemen starts closing the door)
Ash Phoenix: When did E-Squared closed
(The door stops and the gentlemen pauses. He slowly looks back out the door at the kid finally making eye contact)
Gentlemen: What did you just ask?
Ash Phoenix: When did E Squared close down
Gentlemen: What is it to you. You look pretty young to know anything about E Squared. What are you some retro wrestling fan boy trying to get some likes and follows on your social media page or something
Ash Phoenix: No not at all. Just.....
(Ash looks at the gentlemen and thinks he remembers him from pictures)
Ash Phoenix: Wait...Anton, is that you?
Gentlemen: What is this kid, how the hell you know my name
Ash Phoenix: My father
Gentlemen: I assure you kid, I'm no ones father. I haven't been with a female since high school, if you knew me like you are trying to convince me that you do, you would know women ain't my thing
Ash Phoenix: Not you, you are not father, you knew my father
(Anton opens the door and looks at Ash up and down and stares at him. Anton's face changes from a brooding, rough scowl to a much softer yet surprised look on his face as he cracks but a small smirk)
Gentlemen: Holy shit.
Ash Phoenix: you never showed up to the funeral. Your nor Davis.
(Anton looks at the ground as emotion fills his face and eyes slowly become glossed with emotion)
Anton: Come in
(Ash Phoenix pulls out two envelopes)
Ash Phoenix: one was a letter; date, time address of funeral home and reason behind my fathers death, the second was one of many invitations HWA sent him for this god forsaken reunion show. A show I had hoped to see you at so we could go out there and burn it all down
Anton: Oh boy, there's a lot I need to catch you up on son. Come inside kid. I won't talk out here, want a sandwich or a beer. come in.
Ash Phoenix: You got tequila?
Anton: Of course, just like your dad. Come in, lock the door behind you
(Ash enters Anton's apartment as the door closes)
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