(Thank you all for the feedback. Updates may be slow this week as I am going away for five days to get married.)

The sound wanted to keep ringing in his ears until it finally faded. John sat for a long time, just trying to get his breathing under control. He knew it was a dream but it had been so real. He knew Randy still held deep feelings for him and was frustrated that he could not commit. How far would he go? John did not manage to fall back asleep until near morning as he passed out from exhaustion. There was a knock on John's door late morning.

John had overslept and sadly missed his early morning appointment. He walked to answer the door, feeling stressed and grumpy. A worried looking Cody was standing there. "Hey, John." He gave a faint sideways glance.

"Hey...come on in." John moved so Cody could come inside. "I take it you heard about Randy?"

"Yeah and you missed your radio interview. I got pulled to cover." Cody told him, walking in.

"I know...shit, I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep last night so I overslept." John told him as he closed the door. "Randy's not doing well at all."

"How bad? The hospital wouldn't tell me shit." Cody told him as he sat down.

"They have him restrained...he attacked a nurse." John sighed as he sat. "They tried to shine a light into his eyes to check it and he freaked out."

"Damn...all from a concussion?" Cody asked, shocked.

"Guess so...he called me from some park and had no idea how he got there." John replied sadly. "He was hanging out with me in my room the night before..I woke up in the morning and he was gone."

"Damn...Randy has been having a hell of a time for a few weeks. No clue how bad it had actually gotten." Cody told John.

"Yeah." John closed his eyes with a sigh. "I'm so worried about him."

"Really?" Cody sounded a little unsure. "Sorry. I'm sure you are."

John opened his eyes to look at Cody. "Why did you say that? Of course I'd be worried about my best friend. We've been close for years."

"Until a couple years ago." Cody told him.

John looked confused at Cody. "Um...no. We've always been buddies."

"Sorry. I just know...you to were closer until a couple years ago."

There was something about the way Cody was looking at him that gave John some suspicions. "You know about us...don't you?" He told more than asked.

"Yeah I know...or knew." Cody replied. "Anything new going on? Is that why he gets in trouble and it seems to be your number on speed dial again?"

"Yes and no." John said, wondering why Randy told Cody. "It never really ended for us...I broke up with Nikki so we hooked up a few times."

"Just don't hurt him again, John." Cody told him. "Growing up I am one of the few people he had let in. He took your refusal hard."

"I...I know. I'm trying not to." John told him. "I...I was honest and upfront with him."

"How far will he stretch until he really snaps, John?" Cody told him. "Love is a powerful drug at times...and Randy's hooked on it bad when it comes to you." Cody then bit his lip, looking down standing. "Damn, I said too much."

John shuddered, fear flashing in his eyes as he remembered the dream. He pictured Randy really snapping. Cody didn't see the reaction. "Well, I better get going. If you can get in to see him...let him know I tried?"

"Sure...sure." John forced out. The seeds of doubt Bray had planted in John's mind were starting to grow. Cody headed for the door, showing himself out. John sat alone in the room with a racing heart. Cody had all but enforced the dream by asking him how much could Randy take before he snapped. He cared for Randy but was this getting out of hand?

John phone rang a couple minutes later. "Hello?" He said as he hurried to answer it.

"Hey, John." Bray's voice sounded slightly distorted. "Just wondering if you busy for lunch."

"Um...no. I guess not." John remembered how Randy had been so angry with Bray. "But I don't know if I want to eat with you. You hurt Randy pretty bad the other day."

"I hurt him?" Bray acted shocked and hurt that radiated through the phone. "You have any clue what he did to me? I only wished friendship. I am lucky I don't have a broken nose."

"You deserved it. You took him out to dinner...made him feel something then you came here and...well, fucked me. It was like a slap in his face." John told him.

"He jumped to the conclusion it was more than it was, John. The guy is desperate for companionship." Bray tried to sound sympathetic.

A little of John's anger faded at the words. "Yeah...I know. I'm just worried because he's in the hospital with his head again."

"Yes...I heard. Hunter is trying to convince me it was...an...episode that caused him to lash out at me." Bray told him.

"I had a rough night...guess it might be nice to get out for lunch." John admitted.

"See you soon then." Bray told John, hanging up the phone. When John reached the room. Bray made sure to answer the door to John would get a clear view of the bruise to his nose and eye.

John looked in shock at how badly Bray looked. "Ran did that to you?"

"Yeah...looks worse then it feels at this point." Bray tried to play it off.

"Fuck." John sighed. A shiver ran through him as he remembered the dream.

"You okay, John? You look a little under yourself." Bray tried to show concern, ushering John into the room.

John nodded. "I'm okay...didn't rest well last night...keep having these nightmares and sensations that someone is watching me...I guess it's stress."

"Sorry to hear that. What are you in the mood for? I haven't ordered yet." Bray informed him.

John gave Bray his order and the two men ate. John seemed a little distracted and quiet before he excused himself. The next few days passed with John feeling more and more stressed. Every night he was plagued with violent nightmares that made him wake up in cold sweats. Randy was finally released from the hospital and the older man tried not to be nervous as he knocked on the younger man's hotel door that evening after his house show.

Randy opened the door with a smile. "Hey, John."

John gave him a smile in return. "Hey...thought I'd stop by to see you."

"Thanks." Randy turned, moving into the room. "I can't wait for Doc to fully clear me." He sighed. "Guess I'm lucky to still have a job."

"I'm just glad you're out of there." John moved to sit his duffle bag by the door. He was dressed in his ring gear. "Sorry if I smell sweaty. I didn't shower after my match yet."

"Awe, couldn't spend another moment away from me?" Randy joked. Sitting on the coffee table was the dark wrap around sunglasses Randy was given to wear outside and even at the arenas.

"Nah...I just hate showering with all those sweaty guys. I shared a locker room." The older man joked back.

"The great Cena gave up his private room?" Randy joked, sounding shocked. He moved to sit on the couch. He was dressed in black lounge pants.

John took a seat on the other end of the couch. "Yeah...well...you know sometimes I share a room." He turned to look at Randy. "I did really miss you."

" I missed you too. I missed you when you had to leave town." Randy admitted.

John smiled, his dimples showing. "Thanks...can I use your bathroom to clean up real fast? I have a change of clothes in my bag."

"That's fine...though you don't need to rush on my account." Randy told him.

"Thanks." John stood up and walked to grab his duffle bag. He carried it into the bathroom to wash off the ring dust.

Randy watched John as he went. He waited a little while before he got up to follow him. "Want a hand?"

John looked surprised by the offer but nodded. "Sure, if you're offering." He sat the duffle bag down and began to strip.

"I asked didn't I?" Randy laughed as he went to remove his pants. John chuckled as he gathered a clean towel for drying off afterward. He turned on the water and set the temperature before stepping under the spray. Randy stepped in behind him, taking the cloth and soap to wash John's back, his eyes tracing down over John's body to his ass. Randy took his free hand to swat John's ass maybe a little harder then he used to in the past.

John jumped at the unexpected slap. "Damn...you must have really missed me." It was more along the lines of how Bray would hit him than his sweet Daddy but it heated his blood. He had not played with anyone in days.

"I did...want to show I can be accommodating." Randy told him as he set the cloth aside to grab the back of John's neck, giving another hard swat. "You like it hard I can play hard."

John gave a mix of a sound that was both heated and surprised. Randy was turning him on in record speed but the cursed nightmare wanted to haunt him. He told himself he was being paranoid. That Randy was doing this for him and his benefit. After all he had told him he liked it this way. "Fuck, Daddy...never saw this side of you." He panted out.

Randy voice sounded low over the water near John's ear. The hand that swatted his butt now grabbed a handful of the wet flesh. "But you like it don't you? This what you needed."

"Yes." John groaned, dragging the word out. "But you don't have to change yourself for me."

"Maybe it's always been there, John." Something seemed off in the way his name passed Randy's lips. Before John realized it Randy moved his hands to spin John around, forcing him against the tiled wall so hard he almost saw stars before Randy crashed their lips together, essentially pinning John between him and the cold wall. John was conflicted as his mind tried to process what was happening. His body was aroused by the treatment as moans left him but his mind was screaming something was wrong. Randy never called him John during sex. It was Baby or Johnny. Being kissed so roughly against the wall was almost a flashback to his nightmare. He tried to push the thoughts out of his mind so that he could enjoy.

Nails wanted to claw at John's wet flesh as a faint copper taste brushed their mouths as Randy's tongue moved to try to explore John's. John's mind sent off warning bells as he felt sharp pain from the nails. Rough was one thing but Randy seemed almost intent on devouring his body...consuming him. He gave a small cry, opening his mouth for Randy to explore further. Randy groaned, feeling John against him. The fingers of one hand digging near John's hip, rubbing his aroused member against John. The other hand braced over John's throat.

John gave a moan as he felt their hard cocks rub together. His eyes opened however as the hand pushed slightly on his throat, making his head spin. This was not like Randy at all. A small spanking maybe but even Bray had never acted this...intense. Randy moved his lips down John's jaw towards an exposed part of his throat. Something in the younger man just screamed danger. John's chest heaved as some of his excitement began to fade. He wanted Randy to ease up a little but he was afraid if he said something he would hurt the man who was trying so hard to please him. He rationalized maybe this was what Randy thought he wanted. "Y-You can ease up a little, Daddy." John said at last as the fear got too strong. "I like rough but I know this isn't you."

Randy pulled back to look in John's eyes. Instead of his caring Daddy John saw the hard jaw set glare of the venomous Viper in his nightmares. Something snapped in John at the look as days of reoccurring nightmares ran through his mind. He began to struggle to put separation between himself and Randy but it was difficult being against the shower wall. "Stop! Just stop, Ran!"

"Stop? Stop?" Randy laughed maybe even closing his hand just a little tighter around John's throat. "You been wanting this, John...dying for this."

A cold, unfamiliar laugh reached John's ears he had never heard from Randy. He felt almost powerless as more air was forced from his lungs. Not enough to suffocate him but enough to make the endorphin run and his head spin. John was a strong man but so was Randy and he had the advantage of leverage at the moment and surprise. A part of the older man hoped this was another nightmare. "N-Not like this." He choked out, his ocean blue eyes almost pleading.

Randy's head spun and his grip loosened on John before he stumbled back. The sudden release caused John to drop to his knees. John fell to the shower floor on his knees, feeling dizzy and a little disoriented as his chest heaved for breath. He could taste blood in his mouth and feel the slight pain from where Randy had held his throat just moments ago. Randy looked over. The venomous look replaced by lost and scared. He head was spinning and pounding. What was going on? What was he doing? "Jo-Johnny?" He called out before he slowly tried to move closer.

John was half afraid to look up and see what he would be faced with. Relief filled his face as he saw the dark look gone but his body shook slightly from nerves. "I...I'm sorry, Johnny." Randy told him before he stumbled back with a cringe. "Fuck." He groaned.

John stood slowly to his feet, noticing streaks of blood on his skin where Randy had almost clawed him to pieces with his short nails. He walked to help Randy up. "Why did you do that? I asked you to stop and you laughed at me." The older man's voice sounded slightly betrayed. "I...I haven't seen you in days and you just attacked me."

"Do-don't know." Randy replied. He shook his head trying to clear it. "It...it wa-was like…" He closed his eyes as he body wanted to sway.

John helped Randy out of the shower despite wanting to run away. "I...can't do this, Ran. I love being with you but not until you get some help." He said once Randy was safely on the bed. "You really scared me...your eyes looked like a fucking serial killer."

Regret filled his eyes. "I...I under stand...go clean...th-then go. If...If I would even hurt you I can't be safe to be around alone." Randy fought to swallow a hard lump in his throat that wanted to still his own could hardly stand the misty look in Randy's eyes but he had to protect himself. What if the younger man had decided to choke him until he passed out or worse? He nodded and then moved to the bathroom to do a quick clean up. Randy moved in the bed more under the blankets rolling on his side. He couldn't stand to watch John go. Not like this, but what other option was there.

John did not waste time until he came back out from the bathroom dressed with his bag in hand. He paused by Randy's bed a moment. "Please...go get help, Daddy." He said lowly before letting himself out with an aching heart. Randy wasn't even sure he fully heard John until he heard the door closing in the distance. He soon fell into a troubled sleep. John did not break down until he was back in his room. He sat on the bed and began to shake, knowing there was no one around to see him. He was stressed and worried and angry all at once.

Bray was in his room he sat back away from the candle he was focused in. "Soon...soon." He stated to himself. "The crowning piece will soon fall into place."

"We get to play?" Erick asked near by.

"Patience my children. You will have someone new soon. Just need that final push." Bray smiled.

The next few days went by in agony for John until he felt like a tight string ready to break. He was so worried about Randy his stomach constantly churned but at the same time he was afraid to face him while he was violent and unpredictable. He was not resting well at night either. To top it all off Nikki had made John look like a royal pain in the ass online and his Twitter feed was flooded with angry female fans.

Hunter called John and told him he was being given three days off after the house show that night. He wanted the older man to get some rest before he snapped or got injured in the ring. John agreed, thinking some time out of the public eye might be nice. They were in Louisiana that night so he figured he could spend the days off seeing the local sights. He sat in his hotel room a few hours before the show thinking over what he would say in his promo with Bray that night. The thought of the other man made him feel angry.

Bray made his way to John's room, knocking. He was not the one to normally go on the chase, but the older man seemed to have been avoiding him as of late. He knocked on the door waiting. John opened the door a few minutes later, his eyes narrowing as he took in the man. "What do you want?" He almost snapped as he moved back to let Bray inside.

"Whoa...why the hostility, John?" Bray asked as he walked in. "I haven't see you in a while and wanted to see if there was anything you wish to cover for tonight."

John let out a sigh but still looked angry. "If you want to talk about work...fine. But that's all. After tonight I'm a free man for three days anyway."

"Free man?" Bray moved. "Looking at you...you seem anything but free. You been keeping yourself locked away."

"Yes, free from the public eye to relax. As for how I look that's your fault." John snapped at him. "Because of you I told Randy that I needed pain. He felt burdened to be like you so he was rough with me and went too far. You drove him over the edge and now I can't even be with him."

Bray looked wounded. "Me...you blaming me because I see you as no one else can? You blame me for the Viper's fangs digging too deep? I am to blame for offering you the freedom you wanted?" His voice grew slightly aggravated with each line. It then calmed back down. "No...no ...no, John. I merely showed you the door...gave you the key. You are the one that opened it and embraced what was on the other side. "

Pain filled John's eyes before he spoke. "Maybe I didn't want to see it. I was happy without it for years. I loved being with Randy. Just...just leave me alone. The only thing I want to talk to you about anymore is work related. I'll be glad when our story line is over next month."

"I am really sorry to hear you say that John." Bray told him. He changed the subject to work and their promo that night before Bray took his leave. John felt a burden lift after Bray left. He felt free of the man and knew it was for the better. Yes, Bray was exciting and captured his imagination but at the same time he was not good for him. He showered for the show and then spent a little time chatting with his cousin Marc.

Bray had returned to his room knowing he had plans that he had waited long enough to set into motion. John would not come freely with a little guidance so now it was time for something more and that night was the perfect night to begin. John went to the house show and tried to stay professional in the ring. He knew after this he could just relax and enjoy his evening alone. It hurt his heart to see Randy looking as lost as he felt as the younger man passed by him in the hallway afterward. He wanted to run to him but he knew it was out of the question.

Randy hated the limited way he seemed to be placed. For now he was cutting mostly backstage promos where security could keep a close eye on him in case he had one of his episodes. At least he was working though. He could have been locked up. He was sad to not be around John, but glad John didn't report the attack either.

John as always was one of the last people to leave the arena. He walked out of his locker room and into the night air, heading for his vehicle that was parked in the parking lot behind the building where the superstars parked. As he bent down to look for his key in the dim light he suddenly felt a strong arm jerk him backward against a hard chest. He let out a gasp but found that was all he could do as a meaty hand pushed up under his jaw, rendering him almost mute. It all happened so quickly John had little time to react as he was pulled backward near an old pickup truck. While the one man held him another large figure pulled his hands together and began to tie them tightly with a piece of coarse jute rope. In the light of the few street lights John was shocked to see the man restraining him was Erick of the Wyatt Family. He could only assume the one holding him was none other than Luke.

Once his wrists were bound the hand dropped from his jaw but before John could scream for help a sweaty bandanna was put inside his mouth, a knot tied in the middle to fill his mouth. John grunted as Luke tied a knot behind his head and looked at his companion. "Need something to cover his eyes." John shook his head no at the words, his eyes wide in fear. Eric pulled his ever present sheep mask from his pocket and put it over the older man's head. Luke shook his head. "He can still see." Eric looked puzzled a moment before moving to the back of the truck. He brought out a roll of duct tape and put a piece over each eye hole. John began to jerk and struggle as he was lifted into the back of the truck bed. He felt his ankles being bound with the same coarse rope, digging into his legs as he struggled.

The two men looked around before covering John with a tarp. They then got into the truck and drove off into the night. John's heart pounded as he rolled in the back of the truck. What was going on? Was he about to be murdered by jealous coworkers? He tried to escape to no avail, the ropes growing so tight they dug into his skin from the efforts. After what seemed like hours the truck stopped and the men got out to take their prize to their leader.

Bray sat in the main room of the weathered cabin. Dampness hung in the air and sound of the swamp creatures could be heard through the walls. He sat in a weathered and worn upholstered chair. Next to him was the whitewashed rocking chair slowly moving. He lifted his head slightly as he heard his children returning. He saw the large form hulled over Luke's shoulder still covered in the tarp. "Remove that thing...we don't want him to suffocate now."

Luke nodded and laid the bundle on the ground nearby so he could unwrap it. John could be seen still in his ring gear wearing the lamb mask. His chest heaved as his muscles strained in the tight ropes. Bray laughed seeing the mask. "Really boys? Maybe soon enough...he is indeed a lost little lamb that needs to be shown the way home. That is a little uncalled for though isn't it?"

Erick shrugged from the corner. "Luke said cover his eyes. It was all I had." John's body tensed even more as he heard Bray speaking.

Bray shook his head as he moved to crouch down to take the mask off handing it back to Erick. "Hello, John." He smiled. He looked over the ropes then stood. "Luke, untie his hands….those ropes are beginning to cut."

The moment John's hands were freed he struggled to his feet with his feet still bound. He raised his hands to pull the gag from his mouth and took a fighting stance. "You have one fucking minute to untie my ankles and get me out of here before I call the cops on your asses." He spat, fire in his eyes. "You're a bunch of fucking psychopaths!" Erick looked on as Luke looked unsure of what to do.

Bray just laughed as he moved to the chair to sit. "Luke, make sure his phone isn't on him...please."

Luke moved toward John and the older man panicked, throwing a punch that hit the larger man in the face. Luke gave a grunt as he reached for his face at the pain. While John was focused on Luke Erik came behind him and put him in a full nelson hold. "Let me the fuck go!" John roared as he struggled but the man was built like a rock.

Bray sighed. "Well that answered that question." He moved over to John, pulling the phone from John's left short pocket. "I'll take this for safe keeping. So much for cops." He laughed, moving back to his seat. He looked at Luke. "Go ice that."

Luke nodded as he left. Erick looked at Bray as if he was afraid to release his hold on the pissed off older man fearing the same fate as Luke. "What about him?"

Bray looked John over. "Take him to the ritual room and secure him."

"Bed or chair?" Erick asked as John tried with every ounce of strength he had to fight the hold he was in.

"Bed." He looked toward Luke. "Go help."

John cursed and fought as he was picked up and carried into the other room. He felt as though he was fighting for his life. Ritual room? Was he about to be sacrificed or something?

Luke and Erick were finally able to get the writhing man on the bed, his wrists fastened in the thick, padded cuffs at the head of the full sized bed. His ankles were freed from the rope only to be cuffed as well until he was almost spread eagle on his back. "Fuck you both." He hissed, spitting in Luke's face.

A look of rage crossed the large man's face before he bent to squeeze John's jaw roughly. "You...Don't...Do...That." The blue bandanna around John's neck was pulled back up into his mouth before both men took their leave.

All John could hear was his pounding heart as he looked around the dark room. A few candles gave the only light.

Bray looked as they came back in. "Now give him time with his own thoughts...or those the dear sister wished to share with him." He gave a good laugh. His face then grew serious. "Please tell me you moved his rental and got his bags." The men looked at each other before shaking their heads no a little sheepishly. Bray wanted to palm slap himself then slap them. "Well then….GO!" He snapped. "Before you say I word...I know how far it is...you should have done it right the first time!"

"Sorry." Luke said before the two men left to do as they were told.

Bray sat down in the chair to relax while he let John's own mind and that of his beloved Sister Abigail begin the work for him. John struggled for awhile before finally admitting defeat and waiting on his fate. His mouth felt dry with the cloth inside and his muscles were sore as he was stretched out. Suddenly it did not feel like he was alone in the room...there was a heaviness as if he was being watched although no one had come in yet. His mind began to fill with erotic images of all the things Bray had done with him in the past.

A faint low humming could be heard in the room, an unseen hand brushing his face. John's heart pounded faster if that were possible. Who was touching him? The touch then faded. Movement could be heard in the next room. Bray walked in a moment later with a glass of water that had a straw in it. He walked over, removing the bandanna from John's lips.

John wanted to scream at Bray but he knew he was at the crazy man's mercy so he just looked up at him waiting. "Here. Drink." Bray told John as he lowered the glass placing the straw near his lips.

John drank the water, feeling a little better when the cool liquid hit his throat. "Why did you do this? This is kidnapping...it's wrong." John told him once he could speak. It suddenly hit him that he had three days off and no one would even know he was gone.

"Plans are in motion, John...the hands of time moving...but it seems they are moving just a little to slowly for our likin."

"Come on, Man...just let me go..take me back to the hotel...I just wanted to be alone." John almost begged. "I won't mention this to anyone."

Bray laughed. "You see me a fool, John?" He spoke almost boisterously. "Oh I just let you go and you be off your merry way as if nothing happened?" He laughed again. "You must think me the fool indeed, John. Everything I have planned for months! I am to cast it aside because of your mighty word?"

"P-Planned?" John looked at Bray in confusion, a sick feeling in his gut. "I don't understand."

"What did I always tell you I crave, John?" Bray asked with a sicking smile.

John thought before it dawned on him. "Power? I don't understand...how will dragging me out here give you that?"

"You will see soon enough...soon...soon your eye will truly be open, John." Bray told him with a laugh before he moved to leave the room again. Oddly John didn't feel he was alone though.

John felt goosebumps on his body at the feeling. As much as Randy had freaked him out the last he saw him the older man wanted nothing more than to see his Daddy. "Leave me alone." He whispered into the air. John began to hear the soft humming and the hand smoothing his face again. He wanted to run but he could hardly move at all with the way he was cuffed. It was beyond terrifying. "Please...go." He choked out.

A soft woman's voice lightly hushed the terrified man. Despite how scared he was John almost found the voice to be soothing, lulling him to sleep. Little by little the tension eased from his body as his eyes closed. It reminded him of the way his mother had put him to sleep as a child. "Rest my dear child and may you wake with fresh eyes." The woman's voice whispered as John slipped to sleep. As his body rested the ghostly entity worked on his mind to bend him to them.