A/N: I love you all! The reviews I got were all loving and supportive and I love you all. Wow, I really am not upholding my pen name...oh well. My special thanks to all who reviewed: lknights91 and Caged Sparkle Black. I'm glad both of you like Shannon and my story.
CHAPTER TWO
Cara Frost sat alone in her car. Her face was in her hands, her sobs thunderously loud in the small space. Another sleepless night, another horrible phone call, with another terrible day lying ahead. She stopped her crying to clean up; her eyes were red-rimmed. She was glad she didn't wear makeup for this reason. She spent so much time crying that she would spend all her other time putting it on again. Cara wiped her face, hoping the redness would fade from her eyes. She pulled the pins out of her hair, letting it fall around her face. A little cover for the moment would do. She climbed out of the car, clutching her jacket around her as a sharp, icy wind blew. She hurried into the arena, her heels clicking; the noise however brought sharp memories to her mind.
He tapped the pipe along the wall, listening to the metallic ring. He walked along, listening to each change in the pitch of the pipe. She lay on the floor, her lip busted open.
"Tell me, Cara. What did you tell the police?" he asked. His voice was a harsh hiss, biting into her very soul.
"I didn't tell them anything. I swear I didn't say anything to them." She cried. Cara shied back, her dark hair falling over her eyes as he stepped closer; he knelt to her level.
"You had better hope so Cara. Because if I see one cop sneaking around here, or showing up with a warrant, I promise that you and I will have a very harsh discussion." He growled, grabbing her throat. Cara clutched his arm, whimpering. "Be a good girl, Cara. Because there will never be anyone but me to catch you when you fall. And I may not always decide to catch you."
"Cara, are you ok? CARA?" a hard voice was yelling. Cara shook her head, clearing her mind of the harsh memory. She looked to see James, the head stage manager looking at her. "Are you ok, Cara? You look pale as a ghost." He touched her shoulder gently, even though she shied away.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just this darn cold snap. I'll be ok, don't worry about me." Cara brushed him away as she walked to the staff lockers. She clutched her arm to her side, ignoring the burning pain spreading across her chest. "God, they're just a bad as before." Cara mumbled to herself. She stored her purse, placing her pad of paper in her pocket before she walked to the management office. Her hands were buried in her pockets, the burning feeling fading slowly. A single tear slid down her face; she brushed it away quickly. The memories she tried so hard to suppress, to bury in her past were beginning to surface more and more. A single touch now brought memories. Cara sat alone in a steel chair, the pain of the memories now leaving her cold.
"Cara, take these to the Diva's locker room, will you?" Josephine, the senior management head, asked her.
"Sure." Cara stood stiffly, taking the small box and tucking it under her arm.
"Are you doing ok, Hun? I know this is a big change for you and I know you haven't had the best of times." Josephine was the only one who knew Cara's past and why she was hired. Cara could barely nod to the only motherly figure in her life. Josephine was like a mother to everyone on the backstage crew, especially to Cara.
"I'm doing ok. I just…I just keep remembering things around here. All the violence in the ring, all the pain these men feel. It's just too similar." Cara sighed. "I know it's not real, but still, they feel that pain. They feel pain; that is real. The story is all lies but the pain is real. I just keep getting reminders when I'm supposed to forget." Cara dropped the box and started crying again. Josephine wrapped her arms around Cara, soothing her.
"Just let it out, sweetie. I know; I know you feel bad. Just let it all out." Josephine whispered. Cara continued crying, her small body shaking violently. They stood that way for a long time: Cara crying out the pain in her heart and Josephine just giving her the silent comfort she needed. When the tears stopped coming, Cara pulled back and wiped her eyes. "Feel better honey?" Josephine asked. Cara nodded, still wiping the moisture from her cheeks. "Go clean yourself up and I'll deliver this for you." Josephine said. She picked up the small box and walked from the office. Cara moved slowly to the bathroom; she washed her face, cleaning away the signs of her inner turmoil. Once she found herself presentable, she looked at herself in the mirror. She really wasn't a bad looking girl: dark brown hair, chocolaty eyes, a height of 5'2" and a figure that most girls would die to have naturally. But she still saw flaws in herself. She thought she was too skinny. The women here, the women that got all the dates and guys they could ever want, were fuller than she was, more attractive than she was. Cara pinned back her hair again; she didn't care if anyone saw. Nobody really cared anyway so why should she hide it. She placed her hands on her hips, staring at herself critically.
"I think you look just perfect, sweet thing." A Southern voice echoed in the bathroom. Cara jumped visibly, moving away from the door. Jamie Noble was leaning against the frame, watching her with a perverted smile. "No need to be scared, darling." He said, stepping into the bathroom. Cara stepped back even more. "I'm sorry. I really should introduce myself. I'm Jamie Noble. I know you've probably seen me around the locker room but we've just never been introduced. May I know your name, my dear?" Jamie smiled.
"Cara. Cara Frost." She stammered slightly. Cara backed against the wall; her fear had not died in the years since she had come here.
"NOBLE! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!!" Josephine's angry voice screeched. Cara flinched slightly at the yell but made sure to hide it. Jamie ran from the room but not before flashing a smile to Cara. "Cara, honey, you ok? Did he try anything?" Josephine was instantly beside her. Cara shook her head.
"I'm fine," she said quietly. Josephine wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Stay in the office tonight, honey. You'll help me around here. You shouldn't be running around with these insensitive buffoons." Josephine ordered. Cara could only nod to her superior. They walked back into the office, Cara sitting on the sofa. "Now, could you review these forms and make sure they're correct. Once they're confirmed, I'll get Melody to deliver them." Josephine handed her a stack of papers. Cara smiled a bit and began flipping through the pages.
"Hi, Josephine, Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare; I thought I would miss the whole show." Melody strolled in over an hour late. "Hey, Cara," Cara barely looked up from her work. Melody and Cara didn't see eye to eye on many things. Melody worked to meet the big muscular men like Chris Mordetzky or Chuck Palumbo. Cara worked to travel and see the world. Melody would always stroll in, no hurry at all, no matter how late and blame it on traffic or some lame excuse. Cara ignored Melody's high-pitched, whiny voice and continued her work.
"Well, Melody. I hate to say this but your tardiness is becoming a problem. I'm afraid that if you are late again, I'm going to have to fire you." Josephine sat back in her chair. Melody looked like she had been slapped across the face.
"What? I have only been late like two times." Melody protested.
"Try two hundred," Cara muttered under her breath. Melody turned on her.
"Don't you dare be snooty with me! At least I can get any guy here to talk to me; which is better than you who send men running away with your emotional baggage." Melody laughed. "No wonder your dad didn't like you. You couldn't please a man if you knew how." Cara snapped and tackled Melody to the ground.
"DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY AGAIN, YOU FILTHY WHORE!! YOU CAN GET THEM TO TALK BUT COULD YOU GET THEM TO STAY?!" Cara screamed as Josephine struggled to pull the tiny Cara off of Melody.
"You little bitch!" Melody screamed back. Cara pulled out of Josephine's arms and attacked Melody again. They careened out the open door into the hall, still attacking each other. Cara scratched, kicked, and punched until several strong arms pulled her away from Melody. Melody was held back by Glen Jacobs and Dave Finlay, their strong arms effectively restraining her and making her legs flail to try and get to Cara. Cara felt an arm around her waist and several on her arms.
"BOTH OF YOU, ENOUGH OF THIS!!" Josephine's voice echoed in the hall. Cara stopped immediately, but Melody still struggled. She screamed to be let go but Glen and Dave refused to release her. "You," Josephine barked, pointing at Melody, "Are finished here. You are the cause of more fights and disruptions among the stage assistants than anyone. Get your things and leave now." Josephine turned to the men holding Cara. "Take her into my office." The command didn't leave room for question as the men escorted her back to the office. Cara didn't struggle; she simply walked into the office. The men released her and a few left but two remained to keep an eye on her: Matt Hardy and Shannon Moore. More screaming came from the hall before Josephine blew in like the Wicked Witch of the West.
"Josephine," Cara started. "I'm really sorry for attacking her. I know I don't have justification but I couldn't let her just talk to me like that." Josephine stopped her with a wave of her hand.
"Cara, I know what has happened to you and I understand your reaction. However I will ask that you restrain yourself from now on. I know it will not be easy but I will not tolerate any violence among the stage assistants." Josephine paused to gather her thoughts. "Go back to the hotel, Cara. Your punishment will be a temporary suspension. One week, and if I hear of any violence from you, I will extend it." Josephine stated blankly. Cara simply nodded, and stood up. "Shannon, Matt. If you wouldn't mind, make sure Cara reaches her car without incident, from anyone." Josephine eyed the two men carefully. They both nodded and followed Cara out of the office. Cara pulled her purse from her locker and shoved her pad and pen back inside. A week off would be good for her; she could recover and get her emotions under control again. She walked to the garage, ignoring many of the men. She knew she was probably bruised a bit and maybe had some scratches from Melody's nails. Cara ignored every bit of pain from her limbs as she continued down the hall. She pushed through the exit door, stomping into the cold air. Cara hurried through the blustery wind to slip inside her car. Cara started the car, cranking up the heat. As she waited for the warm air, Cara pulled out her phone. The screen blinked 'One New Voicemail.' Cara wanted to scream but reluctantly listened to the message.
'You little whore! If I ever find out where you ran to, I am going to track you down and beat you so bad you won't move again! I'm giving you one last chance to come home. If you aren't at my house in one week, I'm going to hunt you down and there will be no mercy! Be there or be dead!' Cara deleted the message. More tears slid from her eyes. She blinked them away before pulling out of the parking lot and driving to the hotel.
Shannon and Matt had stood in the cold, waiting until Cara's car left. After only a few minutes, the car drove out of their sight and they both hurried back inside the arena.
Ok, weird things happen now. Not so much Shannon in this chapter but it sets up stuff for later. Please hit the shiny button labeled 'Review'. PLEASE!