NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: WAAAHHH! My iPod touch died on me today! I ordered a new one from Amazon, so I'll get it in my mailbox on Thursday. It'll be a bigger one (64 GB), so I can put more stuff on it!:) I'm sure I can get my data files from my dead one, but it's just having to get a new one that bugs the hell out of me! Oh well. I had it for nearly four years, so I'm surprised that it lasted as long as it did!
BTW, after watching (or trying to watch) last nights RAW (1/5/15) I've decided to give up on the WWE for the time being. I can't describe what's going on without using the word cluster in it. Sure it was cool that Bray won the ambulance match, but it would have been nice to see DEAN pick up a W! What the f?!k!
DISCLAIMERS: See Chapter One. Online Onslaught and Wikipedia provided some of the match play by play.
Chapter Two
"One day you will do things for me that you hate. That is what it means to be family."
― Jonathan Safran Foer, Everything Is Illuminated
"Send us someone. Just don't send us anyone you want back."
― Luke Harper, RAW 5/27/13
With his head down, and his hair covering his face, Daniel let himself be escorted by Bray down the hallway backstage. Luke and Erick brought up the rear, to ensure that their newest convert wouldn't try to bolt. The whispering and bits of hushed conversation buzzed through the air like a swarm of locusts, and Daniel found the noise difficult to ignore.
Even more difficult to ignore were the words that Bray was uttering to his newest addition; "We all must learn to survive in a world as wicked as this one, Daniel. The world casts people like us out, tosses them aside like we're bags of trash. But I take them in, I embrace them, and I give them a sense of purpose. We grow together, and we unite together as brothers and sisters in the name of cause. You'll be safe with us. You'll enter the lion's den as a man, and you'll emerge a monster that's ready to take on and change the world. Just like the rest of us."
Daniel shivered.
The ragtag group made their way to an empty locker room. Having your own space was an unintentional perk of being one of the most feared groups in the WWE, and Bray considered himself and the rest of his family fortunate that the room they used tonight was clean and modern, with hot water and fresh towels.
A blonde man leaned against the doorway, smirky and tousle-haired, his tall gangly frame half-in and half-out of the private room. He wore a pair of faded green pants, brown workboots, and a blue denim shirt that had the sleeves ripped off it. His muscled arms were folded across his chest, and his blue eyes were narrow and piercing. He looked like a man who was willing to fight with his nails, as well as his fists and feet, if he absolutely had to. This man looked familiar, and Daniel wondered where he'd seen him before.
Bray spoke the man's name kindly. "Jay."
Jay Reso grinned. His smile grew wider as he approached Daniel, who looked uncomfortable and resigned. Placing a big hand on his back, he said, "Welcome to the family."
Daniel glanced down silently at his boots.
"Help your new brother wash up and change his clothes," Bray instructed his blonde convert. "We'll have a late supper, and then we'll hit the road."
"Of course." Jay ushered him into the locker room. Even though the showers were semi-private, Bray wanted Erick and Luke to wait until Jay and Daniel were occupied, so they hung back until they heard running water before they entered to take their respective showers.
Jay turned on the water and adjusted the temperature. "Take off your gear and wash up," he ordered Daniel. His manner at the moment was blunt and all-business. He and his brothers had to hit the road soon.
"Come on, Daniel. It's nothing I haven't seen already," Jay pressed on, when Daniel hesitated.
As Daniel peeled off his boots, his trunks and the rest of his wrestling gear, he could sense an aura about the older blonde that read, I'm stronger than you, Daniel, and don't ever forget that. Sure, you're willing to talk the talk, but you'd better be willing to walk the walk. When it comes to this family, you're the low man on the totem pole until you prove yourself trustworthy.
The steamy hot water washed over Daniel's hair and ran down his body as he stepped into the spray. Keeping his eyes averted—he didn't want Daniel any more uncomfortable than he already was—Jay handed him a wash rag and bottle with a blue and white label on it. The cap on the bottle was popped open, and Daniel could smell peppermint.
Jay answered Daniel's question before it was even asked. "It's Castile soap. Has tons of uses. You don't need that much."
"Where are my things?" Daniel asked, his voice wary.
"I collected them earlier. They're already packed." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Now quit stalling and wash yourself. All over."
Daniel shuddered as goosebumps rose on his arms. Avoiding Jay's piercing gaze as much as he could, he turned towards the tile wall and began to bathe. He washed as quickly as he could, scrubbing the Castile soap through his hair and beard (Jay instructed him to water it down; using it straight out of the bottle left the hair feeling and looking greasy), and lathering up his body before standing under the hot spray of water again to rinse off.
When he finished, Jay handed him a fluffy towel, a comb, and a tube of leave-in conditioner. "Now dry off and comb this into your hair," he instructed, stepping out of the way and turning his eyes away so that Daniel could have a semblance of privacy. "Your beard, too. Don't want your hair turning into a rat's nest." Jay motioned to his left. "Your clothes are on the bench."
As he dried off and combed out his hair, Daniel gazed down blankly at the clothing on the small wooden bench. There was underwear, socks, tennis shoes, and a pair of blue coveralls. They were all clean, and the coveralls smelled of fabric softener.
A lump rose in Daniel's throat as he dressed. All he'd wanted was a chance to go one-on-one with Bray tonight and take him apart for everything that he'd been put through the past several weeks. But Brad Maddox (that smarmy little punk) had to turn the opportunity into a gauntlet match of sorts, so that he could make himself look good in front of his bosses. Thanks a lot, Maddox! Daniel thought bitterly, as he tied his shoes. I'm stuck in a cult because you had to suck up to your bosses.
You bastard!
~~~ANGEL~~~
The Wyatt's vehicle was an old but well-kept Winnebago parked at the very end of the lot. Daniel was led into a bedroom so small, there was barely enough room for him to turn around and was instructed to sit down on the bed.
"Don't stray," Jay ordered the new convert, before he exited the RV. Daniel heard a door slam, and then the click of a lock. He then heard Jay speaking to the Wyatt patriarch, and judging by how loud their voices sounded, they were right up against the door to prevent him from escaping:
"I wasn't expecting you back until next week, Jay."
"You're not too inconvenienced, are you?"
"Not at all, Jay. In fact, I appreciated the additional help. The boys and I could handle Daniel all by ourselves, but since you're here, it takes quite a bit of stress off."
"I'm family now. Families do for each other. And besides, I had nothing better to do after my house sold three days ago."
"Really? Well, congratulations."
"Thanks. I attended the closing. Had to make sure the couple that was purchasing the house would agree to not use it as a rental. I even watched them sign all the paperwork."
"Smart move, making sure the new owners don't turn it into a rental. You don't want something you worked so hard for fall into the hands of someone who's irresponsible. Well anyway, I'm glad you're back."
"I'm glad to be back, Bray, even though I'm not performing. I missed you, believe it or not...everyone backstage was looking at me like I'd sprouted horns or something. I can only imagine what they're thinking. What the hell is Jay Reso doing, hanging around with the Wyatts?"
"Let them think what they want, Jay. Their opinion means nothing now..."
Daniel turned away from the conversation. He was beat down and dog-tired, so perhaps a catnap was in order. Wearily, he lay back on the bed and shut his eyes, letting his mind drift off...
~~~ANGEL~~~
From the moment they arrived in the WWE, the Wyatts had targeted and attacked countless superstars, including Kane, Kofi Kingston and The Miz, all in the name of spreading Bray's cause, his preachings and his philosophies.
In late October, during an episode of RAW, the Wyatts attacked Daniel backstage, and later attacked his friend CM Punk in the ring. With Punk and Daniel watching each other's backs, their fights with Erick, Bray, and Luke continued on RAW and Smackdown, until a match between the teams was made for for Survivor Series.
At Survivor Series, Punk and Bryan went up against - and defeated — Luke and Erick. The next night, on RAW, while Punk was attacked by The Shield (under orders from Triple H, the COO), the Wyatts capitalized on the moment and kidnapped Daniel. Their success was short-lived however, when Daniel escaped. The boys had forgotten that their rental car had an emergency trunk latch on the inside, and Daniel simply popped open the trunk and bailed at the first opportunity.
In spite of this setback, the assaults continued. Bray was determined to make Daniel his next son, and he'd do whatever it took to ensure that the WWE's resident underdog joined the fold. He congratulated Daniel on his win over Fandango, and then he painted himself and Bryan as kindred spirits. He underestimated Bryan after seeing him on TV, he told Daniel, doting over his little girlfriend, buying her diamonds and whatnot.
"They look at you like you're some circus clown," Bray pointed out. "They look at you like a gorilla in a cage, Son." He even went so far as to ask Daniel how long he could continue to put up with "their" world, and to care about that universe, while pretending not to notice that "they" didn't want him sullying "their" red carpets. "They can't love you like I can," Bray pressed on, extending an invitation to join his family.
Daniel, of course, wanted no part of it, and the stalking and assaults escalated. At TLC, Daniel faced the Wyatts in a three on one handicap match. Halfway during the action, Bray offered another invitation. Daniel, of course, refused, and Bray's "sons" dispatched of him shortly after.
By the time RAW in Richmond, Virginia rolled around, both Wyatt and Daniel were at the ends of their respective ropes. Each was running out of patience with the other. Daniel was ready to take Bray apart for all the torment. Bray was going to ensure that Daniel joined his family.
Failure was not an option for either man.
Angrily, Daniel stormed into the office of General Manager Brad Maddox, who was bragging to Triple H and his wife that he had everything under control (they were in agreement) and demanded a match with Bray Wyatt. Instead of granting Daniel his wish, Maddox, always looking to impress the Authority, insisted that he would have to earn the opportunity in a gauntlet match. First, he would face Luke Harper. If he won, he'd face Erick Rowan. And if he won again, then and only then would he be able to face Bray Wyatt. Daniel, desperate for some payback, accepted the challenge.
Luke gave Daniel everything he could handle, but Daniel managed to eke out a victory. However, it took nearly twenty minutes to put the Big Rig away, and it left Daniel exhausted.
Erick pounced on Daniel like a giant cat in the beginning of his match and manhandled him until both of them were outside the ring. And then Erick picked Daniel up like he was a sack of laundry and chucked him into and over the announce table. Daniel looked down and out, and Erick gazed down at him proudly before completely dominating the smaller competitor and climbing onto the top rope to deliver a fallaway slam. However, Erick took too much time celebrating the impressive move, leading to Daniel reaching up to roll him up for a surprise pin.
After the match an embarrassed Erick tried to continue a beatdown on Bryan until Luke dove into the ring to pull him away. It created the impression that Bray wanted to do this one-on-one.
Then Bray climbed into the ring. He circled Daniel like a shark circling a life raft...and then signaled for Luke and Erick to attack.
Bray had no intention of going one-on-one with Daniel. He was counting on his sons to take the fight out of his would-be-convert so that Daniel would be left with no other option but to join the family. It was a long-shot, he knew...but if he could bring Daniel Bryan into the fold, then it would all be worth it.
~~~ANGEL~~~
Daniel was vaguely aware of the others climbing into the RV in preparation for their trip to the next venue. He dozed, not really slipping into a deep sleep, because he was still in shock over his situation. Which explained why he was jolted awake by the feel of something being wrapped around his ankle, and the soft sound of something metallic clinking. His eyes flew open. Jay was looming over Daniel, wrapping a steel cuff around his ankle. The cuff was attached to a long chain that ran across the floor of the RV to an unknown source.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Daniel gasped in horror.
"Sorry, Daniel," Jay said, quietly. "We can't take any chances of you bolting. In case you try to bail, the chain's connected to an eyebolt beneath the cabinets along the floor. And there's a padlock on that end, so don't get any ideas. It's long enough that you can walk around in here, but no further."
"But I'm part of your family!" Daniel insisted, his eyes pleading. "You don't need to do this!"
"I know you are," Jay assured him. "But we can't that risk." Bray and the others had learned plenty from the botched kidnapping several weeks ago. And they knew how fast Daniel could be in the ring, so this time around, they were taking as many precautions as possible.
"So, will I have to jump through hoops before you guys let me off the leash?" Daniel questioned his captor, a sarcastic tone to his voice.
"Hey," Jay chastised gently, as he sat down on the bed next to the new convert. "Don't get smart with us. All you have to do is show us that you can be trusted. Then we'll decide if it's time to unlock you."
The words weren't spoken, but Daniel sensed the message as he nodded his head. Be good, and you'll be rewarded. We can be generous and kind, but you have to earn it. And once we give you some freedoms, you owe us your obedience.
The RV rolled out of its parking space and rumbled onto the street.
~~~ANGEL~~~
Bray (who was driving) pulled into the parking lot of some truck stop halfway between Richmond and Washington DC so that he and his sons could eat. Supper was decent, but nothing to write home about. Chicken pot pies from KFC, iced tea and dessert. The Wyatts ate like they were starving. Daniel ate, but he didn't taste much; he just pushed the food down like he was shoveling coal into a furnace.
As he ate, Daniel watched the others interact. The Wyatts had the appearance of sweaty, unhygienic grunge rats in the ring, and he assumed they'd all smell the same way. But they didn't. Their clothes looked faded and old, but they were clean. Their hair and beards were untamed, but clean as well. And sure, they'd smelled a little sweaty earlier tonight, but that was merely from in-ring exertion and not because they didn't bathe.
And what made things more odd was that compared to the others, Jay was much more clean-cut. Sure he had unruly hair and a beard (a Vandyke, to be precise), but his was nowhere near the detonations of hair on Bray and his other two sons.
So, Daniel asked the obvious question while Jay was bringing him dessert, one of those Little Bucket parfaits with the chocolate pudding and whipped cream. "Why don't you have a beard like the others?"
Jay's answer was short, sweet, and to the point. "Because Luke likes me like this."
"What do you mean, Luke likes me like this?"
Jay gazed over towards Luke, who had just glanced up from his meal. Daniel could catch the affectionate gaze both in Jay's eyes and in Luke's. The older blonde didn't need to say the words; his facial expressions spoke volumes.
"Oh...OH!" Daniel shuddered. Reso and Harper...lovers? He couldn't wrap his head around it. "Uhmmm….why? How?" he sputtered.
"Long story. But suffice it to say that he helped put me back together when I was at my lowest and least. Him and Bray. Erick too. They brought me down to the very dust and then built me back up."
You sound like a head case! Of course, coming from some guy who owns five cats, that's no surprise! Daniel wanted to say, but he remained silent. No point in antagonizing the blonde cult member.
Jay, however, sensed Daniel's suspicion. "I know that sounded crazy, but that's how Bray would put it," he shrugged. "I'll put that to you in a different way. Bray and the others found me when I was planning take my own life. It was a lot of tough love, but when it was all over, it was like I was reborn. I owe them my loyalty, and my life."
"Did Bray do the same thing to you? Kidnap you? Chain you up like a dog?"
Jay turned away so that Daniel couldn't see the look of fear that flashed across his face. That question brought up some memories that he wasn't ready to face yet:
-Jay's heart began to race, and a jolt of adrenaline surged through his body in preparation for a flight-or-fight response. Frantically, he twisted his hands this way and that, and tried to move them back and forth in an effort to slip the cuffs off his hands. But his hands were too big, and the cuffs were too snug. They weren't going anywhere, and neither was Jay-
He took a moment to compose himself and pressed his lips into a tight line before answering. His voice was quiet, his expression unreadable. "He did what he had to do."
Daniel decided not to press for any details. Instead, he asked a more easily answered (he thought, anyway) question. "Why does he want me then? Why do you guys want me in your family?"
"Do you hear how loud the people chant for you?" Jay asked. Daniel nodded. "They chant for you, they shout YES, YES YES! Where do those chants lead you? What do they do for you?" When Daniel didn't answer, Jay continued. "I can answer that for you real easy. Nowhere, and nothing.
"And don't get me started on the Authority." Jay let out a derisive little snort. "They were against you since the day they took over. Every time you tried to stand up to them, they always punished you for it. If they genuinely liked you and wanted you to succeed, then they would have listened to what you had to say and engage in some kind of discussion. They would have given you what you wanted and made a one-on-one match with you and Bray. They never would have made you compete in that gauntlet match tonight.
"Everyone knows it was a losing battle. At the end of the night, you were left without a choice. You were spinning your wheels and going nowhere. After a while, it gets to you. It tears you apart. I should know. After Edge left the WWE, I was torn apart as well by people I thought were my friends. I was torn apart by upper management.
"Bray broke me and healed me because he didn't want to see me torn apart. Bray doesn't want to see you torn apart, either. He wants to give you the world. He wants to make you part of something significant. A great revival in this world. He wants to give you love and unconditional acceptance. Things that you haven't gotten since you've been here. But you have to trust him."
Jay smiled kindly. "We can be great friends, Daniel. And I can help you. We can help you." He paused and then got up off the bed and dropped a plastic spoon into Daniel's lap before stepping out of the tiny bedroom. "Now come on. Eat your dessert."
Jay shut the door quietly, leaving Daniel with a chain around his ankle, and a jumbled mess of thoughts in his head.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Soooo….not sure if I liked the ending of this chapter. I wrote this chapter like I did so that I could re-introduce Jay as a bona fide Wyatt. He's trying his hardest to be kind to Daniel, and if you remember how Daniel's saga with the Wyatt's ended, it'll be pretty heartbreaking later on.
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