E+C story but before they went to the WWF. Based on a true story from Adam Copeland's (Edge's) autobiography. Review if you want.
Crack, smash, splash. Standing in the middle of Canada, in - 30 C and less, I hear as I watch the others at the van, the series of noises that makes all hell break loose. We were crossing a frozen lake at 6.00 am to get to our destination. This had been one of the hardest tours we had been on since starting wresting outside the training. Tony was driving across the lake, as I wasn't able too. The sky was dark and it was freezing.
Now, this particular lake, from others experience, takes about 1 hour to cross. Tony drove slow, to avoid the ice breaking and causing a catastrophe. We got across and got out of the van to watch as the ring van was then driven. Brian Jewel, another wrestler with us was driving but decided to take a different route. Tony asked us to go across the icy path in case they needed help. We walked and stopped and watched once more.
A hole in the frozen lake was undisturbed, that is until Brian went around it. Tony told him it was the wrong way but Jewel didn't listen. Wham! The van plunged 2 feet into the ice, water shooting everywhere. It splashed us and we were dazed, plus it was cold. In the extreme atmosphere, Brian exited the van with Tony shouting orders. Brian, Tony, Cheetah, Joe, Keith, Rhyno, Jay and I started rushing around trying to get away from the water. It was so cold, you could get hypothermia. Anyway, the frenzy continued and some of us calmed down. The water still shot out at us and we couldn't run in fear of falling. Then, hell broke loose. Here's what happened.
Incident in Adam's (Edge) POV
The water was killing us. Not literally yet but close to it. All I am thinking is how can it get any worse. I skid over to a part of the ice, the water was mad but at least I was far from it now. The others get away until it slows but it continues to fly. Jay comes over beside me and catches my arm to stop himself from moving. He nearly pulls me over though.
"What do we do ?", he asks me, desperation in his voice.
"I don't know, where's Tony ?", I reply, equal desperation in my voice.
I look at him and he shrugs his shoulders. I look around for Tony but the water and the shouting of voices distracts me. Then, all of a sudden, I feel my arm drag. I look to my left, to see Jay has disappeared. "Shit", I hear him shout. He must have slipped on the ice. I look down and to my horror, discover that he hasn't slipped. He has fallen through the ice into the extremely cold water.
He shouts in panic and thrashes around, trying to get out. I don't move for a second in fear of what could happen but then go into action mode. "Tony, somebody, help", is all I shout before I bend down to get Jay out. He gets out and I help him up. While this was happening, Rhyno heard me and hightailed it in the wrong direction. As I got Jay out, Rhyno reappeared and accidentally speared Jay onto his soaked ass.
I guess that was the birth of the gore. So, Jay spins around unable to stop, meanwhile a panicked Rhyno runs back to the ring van. The water is settling and the others notice what has happened. I get Jay to his feet again and notice his legs are nearly frozen. I clutch him and walk quickly to the other van. I look at Jay as we run and see his face. His teeth are chattering madly, his lips are pale and his eyes are so wide. I turn away as I realise he is still in a lot of trouble. As we nearly approach the van, Brian and Joe come out of nowhere and scoop Jay from my arms.
"Go help the others at the ring van, we'll take care of Jay", Joes shouts.
I look at Jay as they drag him into the ring, he is no longer able to support his body. A tear forms in my eye and I pray that he will be all right. I walk briskly back to the ring van and take a hold of one side of the van. Everyone one bar Joe, Brian and Jay are doing the same and we pull. We pull it with all our might and we get it out a few feet away from the large hole. We take a short break before going back to check the van. Brian walks out of the other van and runs to where we are standing.
He reaches us and Tony speaks up, "Is Jay alright, Brian ?", he asks.
Everyone waits for his answer. "I think he'll be alright. He is in a lot of shock though. His legs are also frozen as are his feet and he has severe frostbite but we have the heaters on and and everything. Oh, I'm so sorry", he falls to the ground, feeling guilty for making this mess.
Now knowing everything is under control, I start jogging to van, careful not to slip. When I get there, I go in and see Jay with his feet on the heat vents, towels wrapped around him and his frozen solid pants and boots on the ground. I look at him and he looks at me. Tear tracks line his face and his teeth are chattering. He is sitting on the warm chair but is shaking rapidly.
I can't bear it anymore. I walk over to him, sit down and crush his body with a hug. I breath in relieve and wrap my arms tighter around him. When you go through nearly loosing someone that close to you, you realise how short life is. He starts sobbing and so do I. I feel his arms curl around my torso as he returns the embrace. We sit like that for what feels like hours.
I spy Cheetah looking through the window but he turns away to give us privacy. The guys know our friendship is strong. When I pull away from Jay, I feel his leg. It is still pneumonia cold. I yank my hand away. Jay gives me an innocent face.
"Sorry, your still freezing", I say.
"I I I knnow. Can't helpit. GGod, I ccan't believe that jusst happpened, Addam", he stutters.
"I know, buddy. But your alright and that's all that matters", I reply, wiping tears from my eyes.
We sit in silence once more. I peek at Jay's face again. He's staring forward. "We got the ring van out of the water", I say, breaking the silent vibe.
"TThat's goood", he says emotionless.
"Are you ok?", I ask concerned. I wait a few seconds before getting of the chair and kneeling in front of him. He avoids my eye contact. " Hey, Jay. Look at me. You just went through a traumatic event. It's alright to be shocked and scared".
He looks at me, an icy (pun intended) glaze over his eyes. He bites his lip and looks at the floor.
"I I'm alrightt", he mutters. I continue to look at him and frown, knowing he isn't alright.
"You should help thee otherss".
I know he's right and he won't let me help him now. I hate when he shuts down from me. I stand up and say, "If you need me, I'll be just out here, okay? I'll check on you when we get the van fixed up. Do you need anything?".
"No", he says.
I look at him before I open the van door. "Adamm". I turn back as Jay calls my name. "Yeah, what is it?".
"I, wwell…. Nevver mind".
"No, what is it?", I say, hoping for a response.
"It doessn't matter!", he replies almost angrily. I'm taken aback at his sudden change in mood. I falter before I decide to leave him. As I go to shut the door from the outside, I see Jay sit back slowly and close his eyes. I shut the door gently and walk slowly away from the van and over to the others.