Title: Floating Up

Chapter 14: Over

Author: Kora

E-mail: KrazyKora@aol.com or WinterViolet24@aol.com

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The following characters belong to WWE and all the people and companies who deal with all that legal stuff. I am simply using the characters for my own twisted enjoyment. All warnings featured on Part 1.

Author's note: WARNING! This chapter is graphic and VERY disturbing! You have been warned.

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Last time I talked to you

You were lonely and out of place

You were looking down on me

Lost out in space

Laid underneath the stars

Strung out and feeling brave

Watch the riddles glow

Watch them float away

You're falling back to me

The star that I can't see

I know you're out there

Somewhere out there

You're falling out of reach

Defying gravity

I know you're out there

Somewhere out there

-Our Lady Peace, 'Somewhere Out There'

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Stephanie sighed as she walked down another hallway closer to her office, Rufus behind her as she gently tugged the leash in her hands. Smackdown's offices would be closing soon but she felt like sitting behind her desk for a few moments longer, just to savor it. She had been enjoying her permitted time back at work but could still remember strenuous hours spent with the police.

They had grilled her about anyone she suspected from people she knew now to people she knew in high school as they considered the recent picture to link her attacker back to someone she knew in her past but she had no good answers to give. She couldn't remember enough about her attacker and honestly had no idea who would want to hurt her.

But remembering the parking garage had been good enough and the police had gone to the Chicago stadium, scoring it for clues. In the meantime they urged Vince to let Stephanie go about her normal activities, hoping to maybe draw out her attacker. It was kind of frightening to think of herself as bait but anything was better than just sitting around doing nothing and it wasn't like she didn't have enough distractions, what with putting things into order that Shane had forgotten as well as spending time or rather, avoiding time, with certain co-workers.

Jamie Noble and Nidia had been trying to convince her all day to go to the near by country fair with them and Rikish had offered to cook her a ten course meal she was positive she couldn't eat. Not to mention Kurt's continued advances and Dawn Marie's sleepover offers. The only thing Stephanie was interested in taking up was Torrie's boat trip offer that was only a few days away. Stephanie was looking forward to it, the sun and wind in her hair. Sand beneath her bare feet. Maybe she'd even bring Rufus, she had been enjoying having a dog a lot lately. Her a dog person, who knew?

These thoughts made her smile as she turned another corner. Shane had been happy to get away from work at last. He had told her he wouldn't wish the general manger position on his worst enemy and she had laughed at that. She loved her job and didn't see what was so hard about it.

But then, Shane was a whole lot more fun loving than she had ever been. Though that certainly seemed to be changing, what with all the activities she'd been up to lately. Still, he had been happy to get out, especially since he had a date with some girl named Maria. Apparently he and Isabel had had a falling out and now he was with this new girl.

She would have questioned how he had become such a ladies man if she hadn't all ready known he'd spent time with Shawn. Apparently he had picked up some tricks of the trade. She even teased him about it, calling him, 'HBA', 'Heart Break Apprentice'.

Shawn.

God, he was the last person she wanted to think about right now. She rubbed her arms and bit her bottom lip, her stride slowing as she thought of their last confrontation, which wasn't that far behind her. She wondered if he had gone back to wherever it was he was staying in the area or if he had gone all the way back to Texas. She had told him to do as much hadn't she? Told him to leave. But then, he wasn't always the kind to listen, that stubborn streak in him so strong you could almost see it in his face. Not to mention he'd have to come for the dog eventually.

And there was the fact that her words didn't quite represent her actions. She blushed at that, as her skin grew uncomfortably hot at the memory of his kiss. God, it was as good as she had always thought it would be. She could still feel it, her lips burning with it. He had made sensations creep through her system that she never thought she'd feel. She could still remember how her body had moved in his grip, the sounds that had peeled out of her at his touch. She could recall the pressure of his hands on her body. Thinking of it now caused a pleasurable throb to blossom in her as well as embarrassment.

How inappropriate to get aroused in the workplace. Still, thoughts of him and their kiss caused the feeling to only multiply. She wondered vaguely if he'd crop up while she was here, be waiting for her at her car or something but she doubted it. She shook her head and picked back up her pace. Yes, she and Shawn had kissed and it had been wonderful-okay, no, more like fantastic-but it hadn't fixed anything. Hell, that was why she had pushed him away. Or maybe she had just run away.

Whatever it was, her troubles with Shawn Michaels were no where closer to being resolved and she knew it would be in her best interest not to think of him for a while. She passed a few workers on the way to her office and wished them a good night. A few commented on the dog and patted his head, some of them letting her know a few minor-closing details of the day, how much their final numbers were as well as calls she received.

The only one of interest was a call from Hunter and the surprising news that Benoit and Rhyno had apparently chipped money in together and were buying everyone a round of drinks at the local bar. They informed her she was invited as well and she thanked them then excused herself to continue on her way.

It wasn't until she was a few feet from her office, when she and the dog were all alone and the building had grown silent, that she felt something was wrong. She drew closer to her office and felt her heart begin to pound stronger. This was ridiculous, what was she worried about? So it was quiet, so everyone had left for the day and they were closing. So what? It wasn't like she was scared of the dark. Or silence. Or being alone.

She swallowed and nodded her head resolutely at that thought stopping for a moment to find a good place to tie up Rufus before she went to her door, reaching out to take the handle, edging it open. She found it gave easily, obviously not all the way shut. She saw a simple blue carton box on her desk, a black string tied around it. She looked at it with wide eyes, trembling slightly. That hadn't been there when she left. Shaking her head she walked over to it, her feet sure.

It was just a box. No big deal. Probably another present. A lot of people had been giving her gifts since it all began. No big deal. She reached out, her hands shaking slightly. She let out a gruff sound of determination from her throat and grabbed the box tightly, fingers easily untying the string and tossing it aside. She popped off the top of the box and screamed. She dropped it to the floor, a hand clasping on her mouth as her eyes watered in her horror, the sound of Rufus barking worriedly in the background deafening.

A bloody full head of hair fell out of the box. A scalp. There was a note sticking out beside it, stained with dried crimson and Stephanie knelt down, snatching it up quickly and away from the massive lump of hair and flesh. She unfolded it and read it, her veins still gripped tightly in fear and revulsion. The words on the note were typed in a simple font, reading, 'Remember yet?'

Stephanie gagged and fell back against a nearby wall, suddenly dizzy. She didn't want to look at the hair but she found her eyes fixated to it. It was a scalp all right, obviously removed from someone's skull and the hair was long and brown, much like her own. She stared at it, transfixed and numb when suddenly the pounding in her head began again.

"Oh no. Noooo," Stephanie moaned lowly as she felt herself fall to the ground, her head in her hands as the flood of white and black took her vision from her, the sound of the barking fading away as the memories began to play again.

Her body ached, there was some blood and she could feel the stinging bruises on her skin. Could feel the areas where his teeth had sunk in. Worse, she could feel where he had sunk in. Inside her.

She wanted to cry but couldn't. She felt dead. Empty.

He tucked himself away and zipped up. Then he looked at her.

His eyes were blue.

So light blue they looked white.

Icy. Cold.

So cold. She was cold. Her arms went around herself as she curled into a fetal position, the pain and shame still coursing through her body, thundering everywhere. He merely laughed.

He walked away and when he came back he was wearing raingear, he reached down and grabbed her by her hair. She couldn't even hiss in pain, too far gone as he dragged her. Finally he stopped and released her. Her scalp ached but she was fine, he hadn't dragged her too far, just enough to hurt her more. But she couldn't be hurt anymore. There was no pain worse than this.

She was gone.

He opened the door to outside and she could dimly hear the rain falling as he bent down, scooping her up. He walked towards the back of the parking lot. He wasn't getting a drop of water on him, protected by his gear but she was all ready getting soaked.

They were far away from the other cars and the lampposts and she could see a gutter in front of her, covered in filth. He tossed her in the gutter.

'This is where you belong, Stephanie.' He had said, looking down at her with clenched fists, those eyes burning with triumph. Those horrible blue/white eyes.

He pulled out something.

'Smile, this is for posterity,' he'd whispered.

There was a flash.

A snap.

He'd taken a picture.

'I want to remember this night for the rest of my life. Don't you, Stephanie? No, I suppose you don't. But I know you will. You'll never forget it for as long as you live. And this picture will be my little momento of our wonderful evening together,' his voice had been full of rancorous humor.

She didn't move, didn't answer. He leaned down and brought those horrible eyes closer. She wanted to tremble but had no strength. The rain weighting her down as it drenched her, her hair mixing in with the gutter water. His breath was hot and stank as he hissed, 'You won't ever forget me again, will you? You'll always remember.'

Stephanie was crying, sobbing and she clutched her hands to her chest as she rose to her feet. Trying to find strength. She resolved to stop crying. She had to get help. Get someone, anyone. She edged closer to the door, as if afraid to get near the scalp. She remembered now, her own head burning at the memory of his hands on her, the tugging of her hair and his eyes. She shuddered and was almost out the door when she saw one of the staff standing there, "Ms. McMahon?"

"Oh thank god, thank god," she gasped, unable to help herself, "I need some help-um-erm…"

"Mitch," he supplied.

"Mitch, I need you to go call my father and find some other staff members and the police and-"

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, I can barely understand you," Mitch said and entered the office, he saw the scalp and froze, "My god…"

"Y-You see?' Stephanie gasped and walked around to her desk. She took her phone and lifted it up, ready to dial out, "Now go on and help me, will you?"

Mitch turned to leave and Stephanie put the phone to her ear. There was no dial tone. She let out a cry and noticed her phone line had been cut, she thought to pull out her cell phone but couldn't think of where she had put it. She heard her office door close, Mitch turned, "I see you remembered."

Stephanie froze as she unsteadily rose to her feet. As Mitch walked over to her she suddenly noticed his eyes. His horrible blue/white eyes. She opened her mouth to scream but he moved in a flash, shoving her forcefully against a wall, his hand over her mouth, "Shh! Shh! Not a word, princess! Not a word! Don't want anyone coming, though I doubt anyone will."

Stephanie looked in those eyes and shook, felt his hand on her mouth, so strong. He laughed, "Surprised? I'll just bet you are. Disappointed too. Hoped it was someone bigger, did you? Someone more important? Someone like your precious Hunter or maybe Kurt? Jericho even? No, no sorry to say it was just little 'ol me.

"A lowly member of your staff. I work security, did you know that? Refereed some matches too. Mostly house shows. Nothing big. Nothing important. But I've done more for you, Stephanie. So much more and you still don't remember me, do you? DO YOU?!"

His eyes grew wild as he spit at her and Stephanie screamed beneath his hand, terrified. He laughed again, "I went through so much trouble for you, princess, you should be flattered. And yet I still don't ring any bells for you, do I? You still don't remember and thanks to you others have suffered and paid the price. But don't you worry, I'll make sure you remember this time."

She heard his zipper go down and she struggled, he forced her against the wall more tightly, her head snapping back against the wall and she whimpered. He pulled out a gun and rubbed it against her cheek, she looked at it with wide eyes as he hissed, "Don't make me use this, Steph. I'd like to fuck you again with your head still on but if I have to…"

She shuddered and he sat the gun on her desk, not far out of his reach as he tugged at her clothing. Hot tears escaped her eyes, ugly shame taking her as she felt panic rush though her. Oh god, not again, not again, not again…

"Don't you worry, no one is going to save you this time. You and me, we're all alone." Mitch chuckled when suddenly her office door burst open. Shawn stood there, an untied Rufus at his heels and his eyes widened at the sight before him. He looked at Mitch and pointed a finger at him, "I-I know you."

Mitch looked at Shawn and let out a crazed laugh of relief, "At last, someone remembers."

Mitch went for his gun but Stephanie came to life then, moving faster. She kicked out, the heel of her shoe meeting violently with Mitch's knee. He screamed and released her. She raised a hand and slapped him viciously, her whole arm pumping out the adrenaline in her system. He collapsed to the ground and Rufus, growling now, rushed over and bit into his shoulder, teeth sinking in hungrily. Mitch cried out and Shawn rushed to Stephanie's side. She was kicking at Mitch as he struggled with the dog, her heel meeting with first his face, tearing open his lip and then his crotch.

All the noise drew the security guards who had been making their final rounds. They found the messy scene and quickly grabbed hold of Mitch, extracting Rufus from him. Mitch was screaming and cursing as the guards wrestled with him. Dragging him off. Stephanie collapsed into Shawn's arm, burrowing into them as she cried hysterically, tears pouring out of her as Shawn tried to calm her, his own voice high and shaky as he spoke, "It's okay, it's okay. It's all over now. All over."