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Chapter Six

By ~ Mistico Lobo

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Days had passed and they were now in the city of Los Angeles. She had only seen Rock through the halls, but every time he would see her, he would give her a look before going in the opposite direction. His avoiding her was annoying her worse then the questions she wanted to ask. Had he heard from him again? Or the voices? She hadn't been able to find any traces of Sphinx either. That was, until she receive a note from one of the guards who had been told to deliver it to her.

What peeked her interest was the melted wax stamp that sealed it. The wax itself was red, but it was the stamp she thought was pretty. It was of a starburst with many lines and dots; both curved and straight. She took her time in opening it because she wanted to keep the wax in tact.

She read, written in perfect calligraphy, yet again simple words. The crystal is the messenger. Seek out the fighter and the master. The crystal befriends the two but wares them. You have only met the fighter the master will soon make himself known. Bare the following to the fighter for it is his first riddle. Answer correctly and he will pass and find the next. If he fails to by this time tomorrow, he will come in contact with an enemy of warning: High in the tower she rests; high in the tower she waits. In the ballroom she dances until the stroke of twelve. But what you seek is where the echo sings back.

In order to fully comprehend what the note had said, she had to read it over four times. What the hell was this? She knew it was from the Sphinx; it couldn't be more obvious from the riddle. She didn't know what to make of it, but maybe it would be best to force Rock to stay put long enough to read it.

"It's Snow White's wishing well."

"What?" she asked as she took back the note.

"Don't you know Disneyland? It's talking about 'Sleeping Beauty' at first and then 'Cinderella.' Ya know, she rests 'cause she's dead and the strike of twelve. Haven't ya ever seen those movies before?"

She felt a blush rise in her at her ignorance. Of course it was. They were in LA, right? Anaheim was right next door, practically. That's where Disneyland was and Cinderella's castle. Right next to it, in the courtyard, was Snow White's wishing well where a recording played of her famous "I'm Wishing" song. Her echo sung back. "So that means we have to go there and go get the next." She grinned at him when he frowned. "Maybe the master will be there."

He mimicked her and rolled his eyes. "You're so stupid. This guy is sick. He's just playing games for his enjoyment and you've fallen for it. Look at his," he said as he snatched the note from her and repeated the part about his failure. "It's empty threats. No one's been able to do anything before, and no one ever will. Screw 'this enemy.' It's just some fan of Angle's that's pissed 'cause I beat 'im. Whatever he has planned for the Rock, he can take it. Like he always says," he put on his sunglasses with a slight scowl and lifted his hand, "'Just bring it.'"

The way that he looked with his hand out was funny, but with that combined with his knowledge of Disney, information that she didn't even know, was just too much for her and began bursting out in laughter. "That is hilarious!"

Nothing could convince him now that this chick needed serious help. "What?"

"Anyone who looks at you sees this big, strong guy with a major attitude. No way could ya have a weakness. And if ya did, I wouldn't think it would ever be Disney!" She continued to laugh while he tried to find the humor in it.

"What's wrong with Disney?"

She began to stop laughing at his seriousness, but slowly. "I just thought it was funny. So who's your favorite? Donald?" She grinned then, but when it was obvious that he wasn't going to answer, she scoffed at him and folded her arms. "You really do need to learn to loose up. When was the last time you actually smiled?"

"Yesterday." Short, simple, to the point.

"A real, happy smile?"

Too long for him to remember... He couldn't think of a time he was truly happy to have a 'real' smile. "Is there a reason why you're still here?"

"You need to go to Snow White's well."

"And when is that? The Rock has told you once, and he'll tell you again. He's too busy to play little kid games."

"But he can watch Disney movies... Ok, Mr. High and Mighty, what are you too busy with?"

"I have a date."

She was surprised at that. She didn't think that he had a good enough heart to catch the eye of anyone. "Yeah?"

He was silent for a moment before smirking and starting for his destination. "With the vending machine."

The day had passed and nothing out of the ordinary occurred. He hadn't wrestled that day but only cut a promo. Nothing special. At least according to Vince. But, whatever. He didn't care what he thought. A promo was a promo, and its what made the people happy. Therefore he was happy.

Then why did he feel so shitty? He had driven up to a hill overlooking the city the next afternoon just for the sake of wanting to know that there were people in this gigantic city. It was funny, because as large as it was and how big the population extended, he felt alone. From his seat on the bench he watched lovers walk hand-in-hand under his French burette and through his dark shades. He had more money than what he knew what to do with and could buy anything he wanted. Hell, he could even have a personal prostitute if he wanted, but it was love that he wanted, not some chick selling her body. That's all that he would ever come across anyway. When he was close to, perhaps, finding even the 'ok' ones, it was all out of lust for them.

It was dark by the time he started making his way to his car. Because of the chilly air, his hands were in his pockets. His head was bowed as he looked at the small pebble that he was kicking. Maybe it was better to just forget everyone. They were all bullshit anyway.

Opening his door he slipped inside. He put the key in the ignition but didn't start it yet. Love was for fools anyway. Just how all the songs say... It was better to just move one with his life and accept that he would be alone for the rest of his life. It would be easier on him anyway, since he wouldn't have to worry about cheating and divorces like so many others in this world.

He was about to start the car when he heard something in the seat next to him. Frowning deeply, he looked down only to come face to face with one of the vilest creatures ever to slither on God's green earth. A cobra, its body fully erect, stuck his tongue out at him, testing him and smelling his fear. His eyes widen and he froze, his hand still on the key. What the hell was this!?

Carefully, with his left hand, he made to slowly open the door.  Careful now. No sudden movements. He had managed to put one leg out the door when the snake struck out. He leapt out of the car with his back turned to the monster and rolled on the ground. The snake now sat on his seat, ready to strike again. He jumped to his feet, trying to get away from it as it made its move. Although he had managed to miss it again, the black cobra was just as quick. Its tail curled under it as it hissed at him, its tongue sticking out once last time. It slithered off then under the bushes. Then everything was quiet except for the frantic beatings of his heart.

Was that just coincidence that an Egyptian Cobra had managed to find its way into his locked up car, or was this guy for real? Either way, he had almost died. With just one bite, well, he didn't want to think of the consequences. And people had the nerve to say snakes were good? He made a thorough look of his car before he settled in. He wasn't going to take another chance that there was another one of those pieces of shit about to take a chomp out of him.

While looking, he found a single white piece of paper with the wax stamp identical to the one Jessie had. He opened it roughly, pissed. He knew who it was: Strike one.