Slow Chemical
Chapter 10 - His Master's Voice
All of his life, Kane had waited, strived, yearned for companionship. All of his life he had watched others walking, shopping, playing, -living- as if a social existence was not above them. He watched them, tried to emulate them, tried to -be- like them, all of that time hoping that someone will notice. He hoped that, if he tried hard enough, someone would care about him, maybe even love him.
All of those nights he sat alone in the cold, damp and empty basement, wondering what others had that he so lacked.
His master had plenty of answers.
You dare to think that you are capable of a normal existence?
You dare to think that anyone would care about a scarred, wretched monster like you?!
Years after his master's abandonment and several betrayals later, Kane had finally come to the conclusion that Paul Bearer was right. He even had come to accept it.
Yet, a certain martial artist compelled him to question this conclusion.
"Ready to kick some ass tonight, Champ?" Rob's cheerful voice broke the big man from his thoughts. The two stood before the RAW arena's back entrance, and the show was just about to start.
Throughout the past week, the duo had hung out…not beat up numerous foes…not question each other's motives or intentions…just hung out. The long drive to the current RAW arena, the fast food restaurants with their greasy burgers and cold fries, the cheesy B movie they went to see when they were tired of the car ride…it was the longest Kane had ever spent with another other than his master. Even with X-Pac, Tori and his own brother, the big man avoided lengthy social activity. Despite his desperate want for companionship, it was matched by an overpowering fear. He wasn't sure whether it was change, or the powerlessness that came with friendship that he feared? Perhaps on some subconscious level he suspected the betrayals that had been so soon to come. Kane didn't know.
During the week they learned such minute and useless information about each other…such as Rob's strange habit of singing car songs during long drives with a voice that would never sell albums, and the funky dances Kane would perform after winning a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos…yet every moment pushed the doubts, the nightmares, the fears further and further away. Nevertheless, the big man couldn't help but wonder…why did RVD put up with him? Why did the martial artist stay so steadfast by his partner's side despite the drama that ensued?
Turning to face his partner, Kane pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind, shifted the bag he carried over his shoulder and grinned. "Born ready."
"Alright!" RVD marched confidently into the arena. The Big Red Machine walked silently in after him.
Why do I even put up with you?
Horrendously disfigured wretch.
Worthless.
Stupid.
His master had reminded him time after time that it was pity alone that gave him a roof over his head at all. Time after time, he had been told that he was not worth compassion, or love. After hearing it so many times, even so many years after their separation Kane was compelled to believe it.
Yet, the events of this past week forced him to wonder…
Perhaps he was worth it after all.
Only Rob Van Dam was scheduled a match that night, against Lance Storm. The stipulation was that no one could interfere - neither Kane nor Morley were even allowed to accompany their partners into the ring. Despite his injury from the previous week, RVD was still much more experienced and skilled than Lance so the stipulation would work in the martial artist's favor. It sounded too easy, and Kane was immediately suspicious. They have had quite a conflict with Lance and Morley, and Eric Bischoff was known for his favoritism. Fairness wasn't within the man's character. However, Kane didn't want to jeopardize his partner's match by testing the rules. So when Rob's music began to play and he walked out to the ring, he immediately retreated into the backroom where he could watch the entire match through the television screen.
If they decided to play dirty and try to hurt RVD during or after the match, the Big Red Machine was ready to make himself involved.
What Kane failed to realize was that he, not Rob, was the target.
With a spinning heel kick to his temple, Lance reared back against the ropes and held onto them to steady himself.
Rob grinned mischievously, making a quick glance around the ring to make sure that none of his antagonist's "buddies" were hiding somewhere. Unfortunately for Lance, there was no one in sight.
Perhaps Eric Bischoff somehow grew a conscience since last week and decided to play fair for once?
Lance charged forward and rammed his shoulder into Rob's abdomen. When the martial artist doubled over in pain, the smaller man took the opportunity for a suplex. Afterwards the former tag champion immediately went for the pin. RVD immediately kicked out, before the referee even had a chance to start the count. He flipped onto his feet with amazing grace. The injury from the previous week had almost completely healed, and his foot no longer protested to the weight he placed on it.
Even if Lance's buddies decided to interfere, Rob knew he could fight them off. Even if he was overwhelmed, he could count on Kane to come to his aid. With a confident smile, he charged at his enemy, focusing all of his energy entirely on this match…
Intently Kane watched the ongoing fight. As time elapsed and Rob was making his superior abilities known, the big man noticed that Lance was being abnormally defensive. Surprisingly, he didn't cheat or try any dirty tricks. Yet, at the same time, it didn't look as if he was trying to win as he barely attacked Rob at all. It was…as if he was preserving his strength, as if trying to stretch the length of the match as long as possible…
Suddenly, a loud crash snapped Kane from his thoughts. The Big Red Machine whirled around to see boxes strewn about him, yet there was no one else there. Whoever it was apparently had not wanted to catch the big man's attention.
It was too late for that.
With a growl, he stormed out of the room and looked around. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone rush into a room down the hall and shut the door. Kane walked to the door and pushed it open. The room appeared dark, the only light source coming from behind him. He took a few steps inside, feeling along the wall for a switch, when the door behind him abruptly slammed shut and he was enveloped in darkness.
A feeling of dread gnawed at the pit of his stomach and immediately he raced to the door and tried to push it open. It was locked. While it wouldn't hold long against his massive strength, something about this room only strengthened his increasing dread. At that point, his eyes had already begun to adjust, and a morbid sense of curiosity compelled Kane to look over the room.
The area was almost completely empty. There were no windows, no lights, no decor. Along the walls were chains and there were what appeared to be empty, rusted cans strewn about the floor. The numbing chill refused to dissipate, instead it strengthened. The view conjured a strange feeling of deja-vu, as if he had been there before. However, this was only the second time he had ever been to this particular arena and he didn't recall ever being in this specific room.
It was then Kane realized that the room itself was not what tugged at the edges of his memory. It was the layout…the chains, the darkness, the emptiness…it was so terribly familiar…
A whisper, so low that Kane wondered if it had been there the entire time and only now had he noticed it, echoed throughout the room. It sounded as if it came from an intercom, but the echoes it left behind rendered it impossible find the source. He strained his ears, trying to discern the voice and the words.
His eyes widened as recognition filled him with horror.
It was…
…his master's voice…
It said…
"…come home…"
Author's Notes: I've been working at this chapter fairly hard for the last few days. I've been a bit worried about over-dramatization. This chapter is supposed to be fairly emotional (although the upcoming chapters will be the most emotional), and I tried to be careful not to overdo it. Thank you for waiting, and I hope that this chapter has lived up to your expectations. ;D