Chapter 3
"Mercedes," Ashley Sebera (Dana Brooke) said coming over to her friend.
Ashley and Pam came through the door then. They saw Mercedes on the floor and Ashley S. near her.
"What's wrong?" Ashley S. asked.
Mercedes shook her head. "I flashed back to then. I flashed back to then," Mercedes said, looking up at Ashley F. and Pam.
"I'm sorry," Pam said. She got down on the floor. She hugged her friend.
"What the hell happened?" Ashley S. asked.
"Mercedes was raped," Pam told.
"What the fuck?" Ashley S. said. She looked at the other women of the Raw roster. It was Victoria Crawford (Alicia Fox), CJ Perry (Lana), and Lina Fanene still.
"When did it happen?" Victoria asked.
"Three days ago," Mercedes sobbed. She then told her story of what happened.
"'Thanks, babe,'" CJ mimicked. "What a jackass!"
"Definitely," Lina said as Victoria agreed.
Mercedes nodded her head.
"I had a freak out in catering just now," She said.
"What happened there?" Ashley S. asked.
"The three of us were getting food and someone suddenly came up behind me, grabbing me and lifting me off my feet. I screamed, dropping my plate looking to see Ettore. He apologized for scaring me. I looked around seeing all eyes on me and I ran. I just had an uneasy feeling with everyone looking at me."
"I'm sorry for that," CJ said. "Do you want me to grab you something to eat?"
"That would be great," Mercedes replied with a smile.
"What would you like?" CJ asked.
Mercedes told her what she wanted.
"I'll be right back then."
"I'm going with you," Ashley F. said. "I'm hungry too, but I'm coming back here."
"Will you get me something, Ash?" Pam asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Thank you."
"Does anyone want anything else?" CJ asked.
The rest of the ladies said they were okay. CJ and Ashley F. then walked out of the locker room.
"Come on," Pam said. "Come sit over here."
Mercedes grabbed onto Pam's hands and she helped pull her up from the floor. "Thank you."
Pam nodded her head, gesturing to a chair. Mercedes took a seat. The locker room was quiet. Mercedes knew she was the reason. But she did not want to talk about it. She was getting tired of telling her story too.
Ashley F. and CJ both walked into catering. Mostly everyone looked at them. Ashley ignored them and went to grab food for herself and Pam.
"Ashley," Austin Creed (Xavier Woods) said.
"I will not tell you or anyone what that was about," Ashley said, looking over at him. "Mercedes will tell you and everyone else about it when she is ready to." She looked over at CJ. "You ready?"
"Yes," CJ said.
Ashley smiled and the two headed toward the door.
"Ashley," Rami said, stopping her.
"I am not telling you or anyone else what is going on!" Ashley yelled. "Mind your own damn business!"
Ashley stormed out of the room. CJ close behind her.
Rami could not believe what happened there. He knew there was something definitely going on, because Ashley only got all fired up that way when something serious was going on.
"Something serious happened," Rami said, sitting back down with his friends. "Ashley is only that fired up when something serious is wrong. She was actually that way when Fergal got hurt. She knew something was up after his shoulder hit."
"We all did," Kevin said.
Colby nodded his head. He was really worried. He wanted to know what was wrong with Mercedes so bad. He couldn't handle not knowing. Especially when he had strong feelings for her.
"Thank you," Mercedes said taking her food from CJ.
"You're welcome," CJ said. "Now eat up. You'll feel a little better."
Mercedes nodded her head. She began to eat. Pam and Ashley were both near her as they ate. As they ate, Ashley said happened back in catering with her, Austin, and Rami.
Mercedes shook her head. People just needed to mind their own business. Of course, not a lot of people in the locker room did mind their own business. Sometimes the crew and other workers didn't mind their own business either.
"Mercedes," Danielle Moinet (Summer Rae) said, coming into the locker room with Renee Paquette (Renee Young).
Mercedes rolled her eyes.
"What's going on?" Danielle asked, walking over to her.
"Okay, I'm done talking to people about this," Mercedes said. She began to cry. "I am tired of telling what happened."
Pam was right there to comfort her friend. "Do you want me to say?"
Mercedes nodded her head.
Pam looked at Danielle and Renee both. "She was raped."
"Oh, my God," Danielle said as Renee gasped.
Pam nodded her head.
"It happened three nights ago," Ashley F. explained and she told the story for Mercedes.
"Now I don't blame you for your freak out," Renee said.
"I agree," Danielle said. "I'm happy you did go to that clinic to get checked out."
"Me too," Pam said.
"I can't believe I freaked out in there," Mercedes said. "Now everyone is going to be gossiping about it wanting to know what is going on."
"Maybe all us girls need to be on people's asses if we hear them talking about Mercedes the rest of the night," Lina said.
"Good idea," Ashley S. said.
"Stephanie and Mick would definitely have something to say," Renee said.
"They actually know too," Mercedes said. "I had to tell them. I can't wrestle right now. And I need to deal with this right now without having to worry about work."
"Maybe they'll let you be home for a little bit while you figure things out," Victoria said.
"I don't know about that. But then again I don't know about being here either. I just want to crawl into a hole and not come out until this passes."
"It's going to take a little while for that," Pam said.
"Yes, but we're here for you," Ashley F. said.
"Yes, we all are," Ashley S. said.
Mercedes smiled. "Thanks everyone."
Everyone whispered about Mercedes's freak out and Ashley's defense to Mercedes. They also found out the change of card for that weekend of houseshows. It was the women's matches. Sasha Banks was not written on anything as it had been before. Everyone knew there was definitely something wrong with Mercedes with that.
Colby sat watching one of the women's matches booked that night for the houseshow. That one was supposed to be Sasha Banks versus Charlotte. But it was changed to Bayley versus Charlotte. The fans were enjoying it and the two ladies were giving a great match.
Colby still thought about Mercedes. The girl hated to miss out on performing. She was as addicted to competing as mostly everyone else was. That was what Colby liked about her. She had tons of heart and dedication to the business. But also her own goals.
Ashley picked up the win.
Colby sat forward in his seat, looking around. He spotted Mercedes. She had her arms crossed around her chest. She looked like a person who was sick and didn't feel well. But her look was of someone who might be anxious about being around people. He sat for a moment and thought.
She said she was dealing with some stuff. And that she didn't want to talk about it then. She was about to cry when we were talking. She has been confiding in me for the last few months about everything.
But with the way she freaked out when Ettore grabbed onto her and seeing everyone look at her she ran. Then Ashley almost had a fit with people. Sasha Banks has been taken off the card for the weekend of listed matches. Now she is hesitant about being around people.
Colby ran these thoughts through his head. It suddenly clicked to him.
Was she attacked?!
Ashley and Pam walked backstage with a smile on their lips. They were talking about their match and how well the other had performed and what they should do the next time they were in the ring.
Colby saw Mercedes give a small smile as her friends approached her. It made him smile. She had a beautiful smile no matter what.
Mercedes heard her name. She looked to see who was around. It was two female workers. They were about her age.
"What?" Mercedes shouted, facing them. The two women froze. "What?!" Mercedes demanded. "Are you hoping for me to have another freak out?!"
The women didn't say anything.
"Of course, typical. When someone is being called out, they don't normally face the person who is calling them out. Well, I'm calling you two bitches out!"
"Calm down, Mercedes," Pam said.
"No! No!" Mercedes said, crying. "Does everyone want to know why I had my freak out in catering today?"
People were looking over at her.
"I was raped!" Mercedes said.
There were mixed reactions from people. But Colby stayed quiet, shaking his head, knowing the truth now.
"That's right!" Mercedes sobbed. "I was raped! Talk amongst yourselves about it!"
Mercedes turned her back and walked away fast crying.
Pam and Ashley looked over to see both Rami and Kevin approaching them. Colby was a little bit behind them.
"Is that what is going on?" Rami asked.
Ashley nodded her head.
Rami looked at Kevin. Kevin shook his head.
Colby shook his head. He looked to where Mercedes headed. He turned and stopped. He then looked back to there. He quickly walked that way.
Mercedes stopped and grabbed onto an equipment crate. She felt her legs about to give way. Everyone knew now. Everyone knew what happened. What were they going to say about with what happened? What was she doing? Was she drinking? What was she wearing? Did she lead him on in any way?
Some typical questions and thoughts about rape and sexual assault survivors.
"Mercedes," A male voice said.
She knew the voice. She turned to see Colby.
"Don't bother trying to say something to make me feel better," She said, turning away from him.
"There's nothing to say that can make you feel better," Colby replied. "Not with me maybe. Until you want to discuss it. If ever."
Mercedes smiled. She turned around to face him.
"I know all the girls are probably saying this and you're tired of hearing it," Colby said. "But I'm here for you if need be."
Mercedes smiled again.
"Just like I have been the last four months with whatever you have wanted to talk about."
"Thank you, Colby."
"And if you need some distance I'm fine with that. The thing with Ettore and me touching your arm is a dead giveaway for distance between with this whole thing."
"Maybe. I don't know."
"Well, whatever you want and say. And if you want to talk about it with me, you can. If you ever do. I am here for you. I'll always be here."
"Thank you," Mercedes said. "And you're really sweet."
"It's true, Mercedes. I…"
"…Not right now, Colby! I can't…" She trailed off.
"I understand. But I just wanted to throw that out there. You do whatever you need to do."
"Again thank you."
"You're welcome," Colby replied. "I need to go now. I need to get in my pre-match routine, you know?"
"I do know," Mercedes smiled.
Colby smiled for her smile. "Take care."
Mercedes nodded her head. Colby smiled and walked away.
Mercedes bit her lip watching him as he walked away.
The next few days that followed with houseshows, everyone kept their mouths shut with knowing what had happened to Mercedes. Some people did not talk to Mercedes for an extended amount time. It was all greetings and "how are you" pleasantries. But Mercedes kept her distance from some people too. It was a few of the male superstars. None of them were offended in any way. They knew why.
On Monday afternoon, Mercedes was at the arena for Raw that night. She was okay a little. But she was approached by Mick Foley.
"How are you?" He asked.
"Okay. Not bad. But okay," Mercedes replied.
Mick nodded his head. "I think it is best if we pulled you from action for a little bit. You need a little bit of time to get through it. But doing the things you love are a good way to help with that. Like your workout and dieting routines. Getting some rest is good too. You know I do work for RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network). Physical care and self-care are good."
"I actually went on the RAINN website on Friday evening. I was very nervous about going through airport security. And I still am."
"Yes. But I am glad you looked there."
"Yes, I have decided to go see a counselor. I am going to go to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. I want to talk to someone who is actually trained to counselor people who have been survived sexual assault."
"That's great," Mick said. "You do what you feel you need to do. But if you need anything let me know. We can even do something stupid if it you think it will help you move along."
"Thanks, Mick," Mercedes said.
"You're welcome, sweetheart. Got lots to do for Raw, though."
"Yes, go be the GM."
"I will," Mick replied with a smile. He then walked away.
Mercedes sighed. She was going to do what she needed to do to help her move on from her rape. She wanted to be able to be comfortable around certain people. She was catering to Ashley and Pam more so with the women's locker room as well. But she wanted to be comfortable with her male superstar friends. She hated being distanced from them. She wanted to be closer with Colby too. And she knew he did as well.