Time: Approximantely 1 day and three hours after our heroes read Stephunzel or the 12th day of our heroes' captivity (whichever you, the reader, prefer). The date on Earth is June 25th.
Place: The den of the Satellite of Degenerates.
It was darker than usual. It was quieter than usual. The television wasn't on and no one was talking.
The crew members of the SOD were all present. At the moment, they were sitting around the coffee table in their sleep clothes. The couch had been pushed back to the den's wall to allow for more space.
Each crew member sat on the ground, each on a different side of the table. Shawn sat on the east side. To HBK's left, on the south side, sat Sean. Hunter sat on the west side. Finally, Bret sat on the north side of the table.
On the table, there were seven small lit candles. Each was placed in a candle holder. Our heroes appeared to be watching them burn.
Shawn looked up momentarily, and that's when he saw that the wall camera was on.
Shawn: Guys…(motioning toward the wall)
Bret: (obviously upset)Great timing.(Shawn actually puts a hand on Bret's shoulder)
Sean: It's going to be okay.
Shawn: (to the camera)You're probably wondering what we're doing. (looking around at everyone's faces) And since no one else is really in the mood to talk, I guess I'll begin explaining. Almost two hours ago, Vince appeared to us. Actually, he woke some of us up. (he looked over to Hunter, who's head was down) What he had to tell us was…(even this news is difficult for him to say) was that Sensational Sherri, Chris Benoit, and Benoit's family are…are…
Hunter: (finishing) Dead.
There is a moment when no one speaks.
Sean: (finally breaking the silence) I just can't believe it.
Shawn: None of us can.
Bret: I just don't understand it…I knew Chris since he was a teenager training in my dad's dungeon. I didn't know his family well, but…I don't…I don't understand it. (tears are forming in his eyes)
Shawn: Just let it out.
Hunter: I didn't know Chris much outside the business, but I knew that he loved his job…and his family.
Shawn: And Sherri…she helped make me a singles star…(choking up) (after a moment, he continues his explanation) I…knew that we had to deal with this. Some of us tried to shut ourselves away…to shut each other out.
Bret: You were right to get us to stay together. To face this together. I'm sorry I lashed out at you.
Shawn: I understand. I decided that we should light candles to represent the dead. I've seen it in Texas. Jose showed me…
Hunter: Seven candles. To represent our losses: Bam Bam Bigelow, Bad News Brown, Sensational Sherri, Chris Benoit, Nancy, Daniel…and a seventh for anyone else that we've lost.
Bret: It's was a good idea that you had Shawn.
Shawn: Sean's was too.
Sean: I thought we should set them up on the coffee table and sit around the table, each person at a different side because each side represents a part of who he is. Shawn is sitting on the east side because he's the one who began thinking about what we should do.
Shawn: When you came up with the four corners idea, Sean, I thought you should be on the south because South represents the Earth and you have kept us grounded at a time when we need to be.
Sean: And I can be childlike at times. Hunter is representing the West because he represents strength and he's the one that looks to himself the most.
Shawn: And that left Bret on the north side, the side that reflects on things, particularly on what happens in the East, and the side that has wisdom.
Bret: You displayed wisdom today.
Shawn: I learned from the best.
Hunter: (after a moment) I don't really feel any better.
Shawn: It'll take time.
The familiar beeping sounded.
Bret: He wouldn't…
Our heroes looked at the tv screen.
Vince: Gentlemen.
Bret: Vince, we're really not in the mood.
Vince: I know. That's not what I'm here for.
Shawn: Then, why…
Vince: I wanted…I wanted to tell you…I'm sending you home.
Hunter: Home!
Sean: Seriously?
Bret: (knowing not to trust Vince whole-heartedly) What's the catch?
Vince: It's a temporary thing.
Shawn: How temporary?
Vince: Fifteen days. Long enough for you to spend with your families and do anything else you feel that you need to do.
Shawn: Starting when?
Vince: When you are ready. I'm sure you want to change into regular clothes, pack if you need to…blow out the candles.
Bret: Why are you doing this?
Vince: Even I have feelings. I've even released Stephanie back into your house Hunter, where you will be sent. Bret and Sean will likewise be sent to their respective houses.
Shawn: And me?
Vince: You will be sent to your house too.
Shawn: But Rebecca…
Vince: Will not be there. The kid's will be, but she's going to her parents for the fifteen days that you'll be home.
Shawn: I guess…thanks.
Vince: See you again in a few moments gentlemen.
Vince disappeared, leaving our heroes alone, contemplating on Vince's act of kindness.
Bret: (after a time) We should get moving.
End of Chapter 1
What do you think? Remember that on June 25th, Benoit and his family's deaths had just been reported and the gruesome details were not yet known.
For the meaning of the four directions, I went on the Internet and found the following descriptions from two different websites. I tried to fit the descriptions with our heroes' personalities the best that I could. You might think that I had a lot of time on my hands today.
Anyway, here are the descriptions. You can determine for yourself how closely each description fits.
North (represented by Bret): the direction of ancient knowledge. This direction is associated with the knowledge of the past, that which is old and forgotten. It is also about our knowledge of our personal past and how to bring it up and bring it forth, to bring that which we suppress into conscious awareness without hesitation and to bring the ancient wisdom to help harness the pain of the past. This is associated with the water elements. This element is associated with our feelings and the sensations of feeling and sensitivity. North is also is the spirit of wind. The cold wind blows from the north. It is the power of wisdom. Here we take time to reflect on what we began in the east, in the morning, in our youth.
South (represented by Sean): the direction of earth. It is associated with reclaiming our spiritual child. The one who is connected with nature. The earth is the sign of transformation since the earth and the elements goes under constant change. It is associated with being open yet protected. All the animals and minerals and elements of wood and nature would go here.Also, the south is where the sun at its highest point. It is the direction from where warm winds blow. South is the spirit of earth, the power of life. It represents peace and renewal.
West (represented by Hunter): the element of air. This is the direction of the mental. The personality of self and how to overcome the self is the challenge here. The mental world of thought and personal self. It is also the direction of death and letting go of the personal self. The entire ego and persona of self and our goals are released and worked on in this direction. West is finally the spirit of water. It is the direction from which darkness comes. It is the power of change, the place of dreams, introspection and the unknown. The west signifies purity and strength.
East (represented by Shawn): the direction of fire, and creation. In this direction, all things ascend and move into the upper realities. The idea of ascension is born in this reality. The fire is a symbol of spirit and of non-earthly awareness, to become something of a more open space. This is the direction of spirit and of higher ideas, to know your inner space. This is one of higher ideas and the purity that is born of the space. Also, East is where the sun rises. The eastern spirit of sun or fire brings warmth and light. It is the place of beginnings. Its light brings wisdom. It is the power of knowledge.
