*Song lyrics from Christina Aguilera's CD Stripped*
Amy Dumas sat in her hotel room, staring listlessly at the ceiling. She laid there in the empty bed, contemplating her life. She thanked God that he had come along when he did… otherwise, who knows what would have happened to her. She closed her eyes and tried to think of where she went wrong, what she did to make her life slip out of her own control. If he hadn't come along, she would still be with the same man, in the same relationship that physically and mentally tore her apart. She cursed herself for even getting involved with him in the first place, but at the time she didn't know any better. The façade he put on, the mask he wore for all that time… everyone had believed it. He fooled everyone with his talent, his humor, and his charm. He even fooled his own brother. He was just so damn good at living a double life, making everyone think he was a good guy. Amy turned onto her side, cursing herself for ever getting involved in the first place. Then again, she thought. I'm not the only one who got fooled.
I was naïve, your love was like candy.
Artificially sweet, I was deceived by the wrapping
1996
The young woman in the ring was grappling like a pro. Matt Hardy stared at her in awe, watching as she climbed to the top rope and took one of her trainers down with a hurricanrana. Turning to his brother Jeff, Matt had to pry his eyes off the beautiful woman.
"Hey Jeff," he remarked. "Check that girl out." The younger Hardy nodded in agreement. The girl was wrestling like a pro, even getting in the ring with some of the bigger guys and grappling with them. She was the only female there. Matt watched, enamored, until her practice match was over. Once she exited the ring, he left his brother and his friends and went over to her. Grinning broadly, the dark haired man tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hi," he said, offering his hand. "I'm Matt Hardy." The pretty woman smiled, reaching out to shake his hand. He was cute.
"I'm Amy… Amy Dumas. Nice to meet you Matt," she replied, grinning at him. Matt grinned back, debating on whether or not to start a conversation or just jump straight into what he came for.
"You're a great wrestler… trained in Mexico, right?" he said, noticing her lucha libre style, and she nodded. "Anyway, I know we just met, but I see something in you Amy… something I like a lot. Do you… do you think we could… hang out some time? Like just me and you?" Amy raised an eyebrow at him curiously… did he just ask her out? At first she was a little suspicious, but then again, he was nice, and he was cute.
"I'd like that Matt."
Got caught in your web, and I learned how to bleedI was prey in your bed, and devoured completely
2000
"Lay down and shut up!"
Amy squeezed her eyes shut and cried out as Matt slapped her across the cheek. She bit her lip to prevent herself from yelling too loudly. She had once made the mistake of yelling too loud, so loud that Adam and Jay, who were the sharing the hotel room next door, actually came to see if everything was okay. Matt smiled and made up a story through clenched teeth, while Amy sat back and nodded, silently cursing herself for not telling Adam and Jay the truth and begging them for help. His explanation was enough to satisfy the two Canadians and they made their way back to their room. Needless to say, later on Amy learned to keep her mouth shut when Matt was doing anything he shouldn't be.
"I said lay down you stupid bitch!" he called again, balling his hand into a fist. She couldn't help but whimper when he punched her. The connection of his fist with her cheek caused her to bite down harder on her lip, and Amy was positive she'd drawn blood.
She felt the tears stream down her cheeks as Matt pinned her down. As she felt his hot breath on her neck, she could smell the liquor on it. For a guy who said in interviews that he never drank, Matt sure knew how to put them away. And when he drank, he turned into a completely different person, even worse than he already was. He held her down to the bed and started tearing at her clothes. Instead of fighting, the redhead gave in… she knew it was useless, it wasn't like she could win. She simply shut her eyes and let him have his way, much like he always did. When he was through, he turned his back to her, quickly falling asleep. Amy laid silently in bed, fresh tears running down her cheeks. She knew she should never have gone back to Matt, but she had just joined the WWF, and it seemed right. He seemed that he had changed. Yet there she was, bloody and torn. She knew she didn't deserve this treatment, but the fear of being alone overcame any fears she had of Matt. If she could only talk to someone, get them to understand what she was going through. But she couldn't tell anyone, not even Jeff, who was like a brother to her. Once, she came close to telling Rob, but she decided to hold off, figuring she'd rather talk to Jeff first. But what would he think of all the rotten things his big brother, whom he idolized and looked up to, did? Not much, she thought. It was a horrible situation, one that Amy knew she had to get out of… but she couldn't.
And it hurts my soul, cause I can't let goAll these walls are cavin' in, I can't stop my suffering
I hate to show that I've, lost control cause I
I keep going right back to the one thing that I need…
To walk away from
2001
Amy sat in the women's locker room, which was currently empty. She leaned in closely to the mirror, eyeing the bruise on her left cheek. It didn't look too bad, and the redhead figured all it would take to cover it up was a little foundation, maybe a little blush. After she got the mark covered, she began to head to the locker room Matt was using. He said he wanted to see her, make sure that she covered it up properly. As she headed down the hall, she pushed the tears out of her hazel eyes. The emotional pain of Matt hitting her was far greater than any of the physical pain it caused. It was like a snake's venom, leaking deeper and deeper into her blood. Turning around a corner, she smacked into someone. She looked up to meet the eyes of Rob Szaktowski. He was eyeing her with concern, and Amy knew right away that he would be able to tell she was about to cry.
"What happened Amy?" he asked, placing his arm on her shoulder gently. Amy looked up at him with an empty gaze. She needed to get to Matt soon, or he would start to wonder where she was.
"N-nothing Rob. I was just… on my way somewhere," she said quickly, moving to walk past him. Rob caught her, placing his hands on her forearms and holding her in place.
"Don't lie to me Ames. Something's wrong… and it has to do with him, doesn't it?" he asked knowingly. Rob despised Matt Hardy for what he did to Amy. What he hated even more than the fact that it was happening was the fact that Amy was letting it happen without a fight. When he'd known the redhead in ECW, she was completely opposite. She wouldn't have taken that kind of shit from anyone. She looked at him with wide hazel eyes.
"Rob, look… you know I'm so grateful that you try to help me, but you just need to stay out of it. I can handle myself," Amy said, pushing past him and walking away. Rob shook his head… he wasn't so sure about her statement, and to be honest, he wasn't sure she was either.
Once she finally disappeared from Rob's line of vision, she felt the tears burning at her eyes. Part of her screamed to listen to him and let him help her. She knew he was sincere, as he always had been a great friend to her, and if anyone could get her out, it would be him. Still, there was another part of her that was petrified to leave Matt. Amy couldn't believe what she had been reduced to over the last couple years. She was supposed to be strong, sexy, fiery, and independent like the fans saw her to be. But she was nothing but a prisoner, trapped with nowhere to run by a man named Matt Hardy.
I should have known, that I was used for amusementCouldn't see through the smoke, it was all an illusion
I've been licking my wounds, but the venom seeps deeper
We both can seduce, but darlin' you hold me prisoner
LATE 2001
"Where the hell were you?!" Matt yelled as Amy walked in their hotel room door. Her eyes widened as she stared at him.
"I-I was with Jeff… he said he told you," she replied nervously. The two of them had just gone shopping for a little while, and Jeff said that he had called Matt ahead of time.
"Yeah, like I'm going to believe him. That bastard would lie for you in a split second and you know it!" Matt cried. Sometimes his damn brother was nothing but a pest.
"Matt, I swear, I was with Jeff. We just went shopping," Amy promised, but Matt didn't buy it. He shoved her back to the door, slamming her up against it.
"Get out," Matt said, glaring at her angrily. "Go fuck my brother or something… just get the hell out of my sight."
With that said, he moved her away from the door just long enough to pull it open, and then he shoved her out, slamming the door in her face. The tears filled Amy's eyes as she walked sadly down the halls. She debated on who's door she would show up at. It was always the same. Matt would throw her out and she'd show up at Jeff or Rob's door, they would beg her to leave Matt, and she would refuse and go back the next day. She just couldn't get away… and it was tearing her apart.
I'm about to break, and I can't stop this acheI'm addicted to your allure and I'm fiendin' for a cure
Every step I take, leads to one mistake
I keep going right back to the one thing that I need…
I can't mend, this torn state I'm in
Getting nothing in return, what did I do to deserve?
The pain of this slow burn, and everywhere I turn
I keep going right back to the one thing, that I need…
To walk away from
2002
"Jeff, don't fucking lie to me!" Matt yelled, glaring at his brother furiously. Jeff stared at his older brother in disbelief. Matt had just accused him of sleeping with Amy.
"I'm not lying Matt! Amy and I are just friends and that's all we'll ever be! You know I love my girlfriend man… why would I go and ruin everything by sleeping with Ames?" Jeff asked. He was shocked at the allegations, much like Amy was. The redhead was like a sister to him… he could never have sex with her.
"What the hell does *that* mean? What, she's not good enough for you?" Matt asked angrily. Sitting on the bed behind them, Amy watched sadly as the two brothers fought. She decided to speak up.
"Matt, all he's saying is…"
"Shut up Amy! This is between me and him," he interrupted, gesturing to Jeff. Jeff groaned loudly.
"All I meant was that Amy is like a sister to me and I couldn't do that to her. I never said there was anything wrong with her. She's beautiful, I just…"
"So you ARE fucking her!" Matt exclaimed. Jeff was about to scream.
"Ugh… NO! What part don't you get?" he cried. He just wanted this damn conversation to end so he could go to his room and go to bed.
"Then why were you in here when I got back!?" Matt demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. Jeff narrowed his eyes at his brother.
"Not that this is really any of YOUR business, but I was checking on her bruises. You know, the bruises that YOU gave her!" he cried angrily. Amy winced as the two brothers got in each other's faces and started screaming. She hated that they were fighting like this… especially about her. They eventually came to blows, and fist fought their way out into the hallway. Amy jumped up and followed them, desperately trying to get them to stop.
"Guys, stop! Don't fight about this… Matt, let him go!" she cried as Matt grabbed Jeff by the throat. Upon hearing her statement, he shoved his younger brother clear across the hall, causing him to hit his head on the wall and drop to the floor. Turning to her, he grabbed a handful of her red hair.
"Why don't you stay the fuck out of this?!" he screamed, pressing her up against the wall. Amy squeezed her eyes shut, once again asking herself why in hell she stayed with this man.
Every time I try to gasp for air, I am smothered in despairIt's never over, over
Seems I'll never wake from this nightmare, I let out a silent prayer
Let it be over, over
Inside I'm screaming, begging, pleading no more
Now, what to do… my heart has been bruised
So sad, but it's true… each beat reminds me of you
"Hey!"
The sound of the voice caught Amy's attention. Matt noticed it, but didn't pay attention, continuing to hold her up against the wall. Suddenly, Amy saw a fist connect to Matt's jaw, and he stumbled away. She looked up to see who her rescuer was… Rob.
"Hey… back off the woman," he said dangerously, eyeing Matt with murder in his eyes. Instead of continuing the assault, he went over to Amy. Cupping her face in his hands, he eyed her with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. She nodded, though she still looked frightened. Turning his head, he could see that Jeff had taken over where he had left off, and he was currently stomping a hole in his big brother.
"Come with me… I'll get you away from him," Rob said, taking Amy's hand and leading her to his room. Once they were inside, he led her to the bed, having her sit on the edge as he kneeled in front of her.
"You're done with him Amy. Tomorrow, you're getting your stuff and leaving. It's over," he said, determination shining in his tone. If anyone's going to help this woman it's going to be me. He gazed at her softly as she fought to control the tears threatening her eyes. If only someone could make this woman realize how beautiful she was, and how much she didn't deserve the treatment she was getting.
"I-I don't know if I can Rob. I need help, and I don't know who will…"
"*I* will," he replied sternly. "Amy, I know I'm a pretty laid back guy, and I don't usually show too much emotion, but damn it, I don't like seeing you this way. I'll help you get out of this, I promise. I really care about you, and I *will* get you out of this, even if it's the last thing I ever do."
Amy's lips curved up into a tiny smile. He was going to help her. She thought it was incredibly sweet that he'd actually want to take on a project like her, and she was so thankful. She finally found someone that would help her walk away.
It hurts my soul, cause I can't let goAll these walls are cavin' in, I can't stop my suffering
I hate to show that I've, lost control cause I
I keep going right back to the one thing that I need…
I'm about to break, and I can't stop this ache
I'm addicted to your allure and I'm fiendin' for a cure
Every step I take, leads to one mistake
I keep going right back to the one thing that I need…
I can't mend, this torn state I'm in
Getting nothing in return, what did I do to deserve?
The pain of this slow burn, and everywhere I turn
I keep going right back to the one thing that I need…
To walk away from
PRESENT
Now Amy sat in her and Rob's hotel room, about four months after that night. Rob had really been trying his hardest to make her feel comfortable, but it wasn't easy. She just couldn't give her trust away easily anymore, not after what happened with Matt. She told Rob that she'd have to take things slowly after he'd confessed to having feelings for her, and he said he was okay with that. So far, he'd stayed true to his word. He'd been amazingly sweet to her, and he'd shown her a side of Rob Szaktowski that the world just didn't see… a compassionate, caring, and sweet man. She didn't know what she would do without him… but she was completely grateful he was there.
Only thing I need to do…
Is walk away from you.Should I continue?? LOL, I'm not really sure, so please let me know!!!!