Part 7-One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Over the next week, I called Shane 3 times...and I got his voicemail each time.

I know I should have listened to Kenny in regards to staying away from him, but I needed to see Shane for myself.

So the night of the next Raw, I called him one more time.

"Hello?"

"Shane? It's Ryan Shamrock."

"Ryan, hi! I haven't forgotten about you. I've just been busy running the company and all. With my father watching over Stephanie, it leaves me in charge."

"I understand. Listen, about our date-"

"Yes, I'm sorry that our night got ruined by the Ministry. I know you weren't expecting any of that to go down."

"Definitely not. I just wanted to make sure that you were all right, especially after I...you know, did what I did to you."

"I don't want to relive that. But what about you? Are you doing well?"

"I'm...O.K., I guess."

"What does that mean?"

"Well..." I took a deep breath. "Shane...while I was being held hostage, the Undertaker...he'd blindfold me. The next thing I knew, someone was...someone had forced me to...I can't even say it."

"Go ahead, Ryan. You can trust me."

"Shane..." This was the first time I'd told anybody this since I'd escaped. "I...I was raped." I confessed, a tear escaping my eye.

After a long pause, Shane spoke. "Those bastards. I should have known they'd try something with you."

"They did and I'm ashamed of myself for not putting up more of a fight."

"Ryan, I'm so sorry that happened to you. I don't know what else to say."

"That's O.K. I don't expect you to understand what I'm going through."

"Are you kidding? The Undertaker forced you to do the same thing to me. So, of course I understand what may be going on in your mind."

"I still feel horrible about that."

"Hey, don't feel bad. You were made to do that against your will. I know you wouldn't have done that under normal circumstances."

"No way."

"Ryan, I believe that you're a good person. One that had to endure such a horrible ordeal. I don't hold anything against you."

"You don't?"

"No. The Undertaker has become so evil lately, it's like there's someone controlling him."

"Well, whatever's going on, I hope he doesn't get his hands on Stephanie again. He told me some messed up shit that he was going to do to her should they cross paths again."

"Damn him. We're all hoping that he doesn't come near her again."

"Listen, my brother told me that he left the Corporation last week because you didn't protect him from the Ministry a couple of weeks ago."

"Right now, I could honestly care less about him. I'm just worried about you."

"Yeah, well, he also told me that I should stay far away from you."

"Well, whatever to that. He can't watch over you all the time."

"I know, but he's just keeping an eye out for me in case the Ministry try something again."

"That's understandable. I know one thing...I'd really like to try going out with you again."

"Really?"

"Yeah. If Ken doesn't like it, oh, well."

"Exactly! But what if-"

"Trust me. No one's going to mess up our time together this time."

"I hope not."

"How about after the show, you and I meet up for a nightcap?"

"I'd like that very much."

"Where are you located now?"

I gave him the hotel information, including my room number.

"All right. If all goes well, I'll see you later."

"O.K. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up, feeling pretty damn good for the first time since my ordeal with the Ministry.

I took a quick shower and got dressed.

As I was putting my shoes on, I heard knocking at my door.

"Ryan! Open up! Are you in there?"

It was Kenny. He sounded really worried.

I opened the door. He rushed by me and began searching the room.

"Where is he? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Ken. What happened? You look ready to kill someone."

"It's the Under-, I mean it's Mark. He said he knew where you were and that he was on his way."

"What?! How could he possibly know where I am?"

"I don't know. He even said what room you were in. I don't know how he could know that. Unless..."

I didn't want to tell him I'd given that information to Shane. Who knew how he'd react? He was pissed off enough. I didn't want to see him completely snap tonight.

"Ryan...did you tell anybody where you were?"

"No, I didn't, I swear."

"All right. I believe you. But we have to leave right now."

"But I already made plans."

"Well, your plans just changed. I'm not taking any chances. I don't want the Ministry coming after you again. Get packed and meet me outside in 15 minutes."

"But Kenny-"

"No buts, Ryan. Now get moving." He said before he turned and left.

I sighed out loud. Damn it! Why did the Undertaker have to disrupt my life so badly?

I got packed in record time. I checked and double checked to make sure I had everything. But I still owed Shane an apology.

So I called him and left a voicemail.

"Shane, it's me. I'm so sorry to have to do this, but I'm going to have to take a raincheck for tonight. The Undertaker threatened me and Ken is taking me somewhere safe. I don't know where that is. But anyway, I'm really sorry. Call me back if you want to reschedule. Thanks. Bye."

I hung up, grabbed my bags and went to meet my brother. I was so over the Undertaker and his mind games. But I still wondered how he knew my room number. Shane was the only person, other than Kenny, who knew that information. I briefly thought that Shane might have been working together with the Undertaker.

Nah, there was no way that Shane would align himself with someone as sick and depraved as Taker. Lord, I hoped I was right about that.