Inside My Shadows
Disclaimer: I disclaim, period.
Spoilers: Nada.
Rating: T, for stuff.
Pairings: Not really important, trust me.
Summary: A terrible accident leaves Lita stranded in the shadows of her tormented mind. Can anyone save her? Even from herself?
Notes/Warnings: there is a character death in this piece, matter of fact, it happens in this chapter. If you don't like it, then don't read the piece. Don't leave me a review asking me, why did I do it? It's my story, my plot, capiche? Currently storylines/angles/real life scenarios are being ignored, come to think of it, I have no set starting time for this piece. Consider this another piece with a mix between scripted and non. Real names used because I feel like it. Rosters are joined simply because it makes it easier for me to write.
…………..
Prologue: Pull Me Under
7:30 a.m., Sanford, North Carolina
A contented sigh escaped Trish Stratus as she crept out of the bedroom of Amy Dumas' Sanford home. Her fiancé, Randy Orton, was still sleeping soundly, .. More than likely exhausted from the engagement party Amy had just hosted last night. One of the many guests, Chris Irvine, was sleeping in the guest room across the hall. The blonde Diva tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, peering in on the blonde man before she made her way downstairs. A soft smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, four more of the guests were dispersed haphazardly on the couch and the chairs. She caught sight of Lisa Marie's raven locks on the couch, Jason Reso's body was curled up on a chair whilst Lillian Garcia was curled up in another chair. And on the floor, Trish caught sight of John Cena; her fiancé's best friend and designated best man in their upcoming wedding. Or at least he would be when they asked. Granted yes, John had been informed before hand, but the official announcement had been made last night. At any rate, the Canadian Diva navigated through the house, making her way to the kitchen. Her eyes fell first on the dirty dishes and glasses lining the counter; the blonde woman figuring that Amy was just too tired to start cleaning last night. Then again, Amy, Jeff and Matt had played taxi last night .. Taking guests back to the nearby hotel when the party finally ended.
They had said they would be back, or at least Amy would be; once Jeff and Matt had been dropped off in nearby Cameron. It wasn't that far from Cameron to Sanford, .. But then the blonde figured that Amy may have just decided to stay the night with Matt or Jeff. Whatever the case, she finally turned her attention to the dishes, grasping a few plates with a wrinkle of her nose. She had just started running the water in the sink when she heard the soft blare of the television in the living room. It would seem that someone had woken up, and as Trish glanced back over her shoulder; she noted it was none other than Lisa Marie. The Canadian Diva sent the California resident a smile before turning back to the dishes in the sink.
"And in other news today, there was an accident last night in nearby Cameron. Among the victims, is Sanford resident: Amy Dumas. We have been informed that Ms. Dumas has been taken to the Duke University Medical Center in nearby Durham. Ms. Dumas, known to the sports entertainment industry as 'Lita' , has been listed as being in serious condition."
"Oh my God.."
"Cameron residents, Matthew and Jeffrey Hardy were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. According to an eye-witness report, Matthew was driving at the time. The vehicle was sideswiped on the passengers side, sending the car off the road. The witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, also stated that the vehicle then flipped a total of two times before landing . It is with deepest regrets that we say, Matt Hardy died en route to the Duke University Medical Center.. Jeff Hardy is being treated for minor injuries at the Central Carolina hospital here in Cameron."
A dish dropped from the blonde Diva's hand. "Oh my God.."
Lisa Marie sat up fully on the couch, "We have to find them… we have to see them. I-"
"And we will," Trish confirmed, the Canadian ringing her hands together, "Wake up those guys, I'm gonna wake up Chris and Randy. The sooner we leave here, the better."
The raven haired woman nodded numbly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Jay.." Lisa paused, poking the man in the shoulder, "Jason.."
"Huh?" he blinked sleepily, "What time is it?"
"Early," the raven haired woman forced a smile, "Come on, rise and shine .. We have to go."
Jason yawned widely, "Why?"
"I'll explain in a minute okay? Help me wake those two up." Lisa gestured between the still sleeping Lillian and John. "Come on Jay, get a move on."
The blonde man rolled his eyes, reaching a foot down to kick the West Newbury native in the side. "John .. Yo, man, wake up!"
"Who the hell-"
"John, come one." Lisa glanced back from the chair, "Wake up, we've gotta go somewhere."
Cena yawned, "It is way too early to be goin' anywhere."
"Why the hell aren't you guys moving yet?" Chris snapped irritably as he made his way downstairs. "Let's go."
"Chris.. Calm down." Trish reprimanded as she and Randy followed behind. "We-"
"We need to get going." Chris snapped back, "I won't sit around here while-"
"Wait a minute," John stretched his arms overhead, "where's the fire? Why are we leavin'?"
The blonde Diva bit her lower lip, "Did you know that Amy never made it home last night?"
Jason raised an eyebrow, "So? She could be staying with Matt or Jeff."
Lisa Marie sighed, "They didn't make it home either."
Lillian blinked then, "What do you mean?"
Trish let out a sigh, "They were in a car accident.. On their way to Cameron I guess and-"
"What happened?"
The blonde Diva blinked through the tears, "Amy's at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham .. Jeff's at the Central Carolina Hospital here in Cameron and.. And.."
"And?" Jay prompted, "What about Matt?"
Lisa Marie swallowed audibly, "Jay .. Matt died on the way to the hospital."
"Which is why we need to go now," Chris reminded them all, "We have to get to Durham and-"
"Chris," Randy interrupted then, "Look I know you're worried about Amy, but .. Think about Jeff."
"Yeah," Lisa wrapped her arms around herself, "Jeff just lost his brother and Amy, well .. What if-"
Lillian sniffled miserably, "We need to be there for both of them."
Jay shook his head, denial written clearly on his features. "You're lying, Trish .. Lisa, this is just some joke right?"
A watery smile crossed the blonde Diva's features. "It was on the news Jay..Lisa and I heard it."
"Then there must've been a mistake." Jay stated shakily, "I mean, Amy's just staying with Matt or Jeff .. That's why she isn't here."
"I'm sorry Jay.." Trish reached out a hand, squeezing his shoulder slightly. "I know how close you all were.."
"Which doesn't explain why we're still standing here." Chris muttered then, "Let's go."
"We'll have betta luck tryin' to get in to see Jeff." John mentioned distantly, "If Ames is in serious, they might only let family members in."
"I don't care," Chris raked his hands through his hair, "I don't care who we see first, hell it could be the Wizard of Oz, I just want to see at least one of my best friends, now."
"Someone should call Shane, Shannon, Stacy .. Dawn.."
"We'll call them at the hospital," Randy offered gently, "Come on, we'll visit Jeff first, then hopefully Amy'll be in better condition and.."
"Whatever," Chris jammed his hands into his pockets, concerned beyond belief for two people that were like family to him. "Let's just go alright?"
………..
The group fell silent, all in various stages of shock, denial and concern. This just couldn't be happening, could it? Jay kept shaking his head, repeating to himself that it wasn't true. That Amy would be standing in the driveway or that Jeff would call at any moment. They were supposed to be going camping that weekend. That was why everyone had stayed overnight at Amy's house. The party had just been last night; Matt had been cracking bad jokes, Jeff had shown off his newest piece of artwork while Amy had spent her time trying not to lose her mind. They couldn't be in the hospital .. Matt was still alive, wasn't he? With a heavy sigh, Jay turned darkened eyes to the sky, pleading silently that his friends were okay. The blonde man offered a half hearted smile as he climbed into the backseat of Lillian's car. It was clear to see that Chris, who was sitting in the passengers seat, was in no condition to drive… and neither was Lisa Marie beside him. He glanced out the window, noting then that Randy was commandeering Trish's car, while John was stretched out in the backseat. Jay could clearly see the tears flowing from the Canadian Diva's face, and the strained expression on Randy's. The West Newbury native, however, was sporting a blank look. Jay watched on as John shifted to accommodate his frame, the blank mask never faltering as he did so.
Granted yes; Randy, Lisa Marie, Lillian and John weren't as close to the Hardy brothers and Amy as he was. But that didn't mean that they didn't belong. The friendship between himself, Jeff, Matt, Amy, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit and Chris Irvine had been forged back when the TLC matches were run, before the WWE got the F out. Those days were gone now, but their friendship still remained tight as ever. Trish had been introduced to their group, and had been accepted quite readily. In particular by Jeff and followed quickly by Amy. Over time, others had been accepted into the small circle, and now that group was pretty much capped. They shared their good times - like the engagement party- and the bad times together. Always together. But what would happen now? That thought ran through Jason's mind non stop as they drove the short distance to the hospital.
"Jay?" Lillian glanced over her shoulder, "We're at the hospital.."
The blonde man forced a smile, "Thanks .. Just thinking that's all."
Lisa Marie smiled half heartedly, "Just keep hoping, .. Things can only get better right?"
"I just want to see them," Jay admitted quietly, "That's all I want at this point."
"Well, sitting in this car won't get us anywhere," Chris muttered impatiently, "Come on, let's go see Jeff."
The raven haired Diva suppressed a frown, but exited the vehicle none the less.
"Trish?" Lillian spoke up when they had all be re-united, "I'll call a few people if you want."
The Canadian Diva nodded absently, "Sure .. That'd be great Lil, thanks."
"They'll be alright Trish," Randy squeezed her hand comfortingly, "I mean we don't even know the extent of Amy's injuries or anything.. And besides, she's tough as nails, I'm sure she'll bounce back from this."
"I know that Randy, it's just.." Trish expelled a heavy sigh, "I'm worried about what it's going to do to Jeff and Amy .. Matt was the glue that kept those two from going insane."
"Then we'll just hafta be stronger for them," Lisa Marie offered sullenly, "We'll get through this.."
Trish could only nod, "Lillian? Can you call Dawn, Eddie and Stacy?"
"Of course," Lillian offered her best smile, "Are you sure you don't want me to call anyone else?"
The Canadian Diva shook her head, "I'll call Shane and Shannon .. That's if they haven't heard already, you know?"
"Who else is there?"
"Aside from us really," Lisa Marie shrugged slightly, "I think that's it .. Though someone should call management and-"
"They'll find out when they find out," Chris reasoned as they stepped inside the hospital. "We're wasting time, lets just go see Jeff."
"Hey kids," Gilbert Hardy greeted them as they entered the lobby. "I didn't know y'all were in the area.."
"We just wanted to see Jeff.." Trish offered quietly, "Gil? I'm sorry…"
He could only nod, "Jeff's sleepin' right now, so I was gonna step out, get some fresh air. He broke a rib or two, had some stitches put in, but aside from that? My boy is okay."
Chris nodded, "We're gonna head over to Durham later .. See if we can't visit Amy."
A broken smile crossed the elder man's face. "I already called her mom .. She's on her way up from Ft. Lauderdale now."
"Can we see Jeff?" Trish questioned hopefully, "I mean I don't want to wake him up or anything, it's just-"
"I'm sure Jeff would love to see his friends." Gil interrupted gently, "Just .. He doesn't know .. 'bout Matt yet."
Trish hesitated before she offered the elder man a hug. "We'll be there for Jeff .. He's family to us."
"Thank you." Gil nodded slightly, "Jeff's on the second floor, third room on the left."
They all nodded then, John and Jay lingering near the back as they trekked upstairs. It was comforting, if only slightly, that they could see Jeff now. But all the same, they still couldn't see Amy. Nor would they ever see Matt Hardy again. For a weekend that had started out so wonderfully, it was really starting to become downright depressing.