My Enemy's Enemy
Chapter 1
"They say to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer. But what if you don't know which is which?"
Stacey found it hard to keep her eyes on Scott's match with Test. Her eyes kept traveling to Test's new valet, Vanessa Cleveland. She saw what the crowd didn't – the small spot where make-up and what not had rubbed off on her stomach, the tiniest bit of a sickening greenish bruise showing through, the way her eyes didn't meet her expression when she winced when Test slammed against the mat, and the way fear jumped onto her face every time it looked like Scott would pin Test for the win. Once during the match, her eyes had strayed from the ring, casting a longing glance over at the crowd. Test had caught her, snapping something at her before turning back around. The fear had shown through on her face in an open show then.
Stacey bowed her head quietly, knowing she could do nothing. By the various exchange of words and looks, she was scared half to death of him. But she loved him. A slight shiver crept up her spine, reminding her that that was exactly how she felt. Even when she did want to get away from him, she couldn't scrounge up the courage. Startled when the bell rang, Stacey looked up to see Scott lying motionless in the ring. She slipped into the ring, crawling over to Scott, checking his pulse, when she felt her hair being yanked from her scalp. Stacey stood up slowly to ease the sharp pain in her skull, knowing that it would be Test's face she would look into next.
He laughed at her, pulling her into a position for a pump-handle slam. Stacey struggled for all she was worth, but he easily overpowered her. She felt her breath catch as Vanessa jumped into the ring, pleading with Test not to do it. The pity overwhelmed her again, seeing the wild hope in her blue eyes as she gripped his arm, still pleading, even as his face turned to a new shade of red.
Test threw Stacey from him and grabbed Vanessa's bright blond hair. She thrashed, trying to tug her hair from his grasp. He slugged her across the face, enjoying the cry of pain she emitted. Vanessa lay in a heap, gently caressing the spot that was already turning red, hiding in shame behind her mane of hair, holding onto the fact that she stopped Test from doing more damage, when she heard Stacey cry out again. Test watched as Vanessa stumbled to her feet and toward him. The cover-up that she'd been using to hide the bruises had wiped off when he punched her, and now the display of multicolored wounds on her left cheek was on display for everyone. Once again, she begged for him not to slam Stacey, but this time he wasn't going to listen to her.
And he didn't, not until she slapped him across the face in a desperate attempt to get Stacey the chance to leave. Her look of triumph disappeared into fear as he stomped toward her, his knee ripping against her stomach. He didn't relent after he'd essentially backed her into a corner using punches, kicks, and chops. Test wrapped his massive hand around her throat, squeezing her windpipe savagely. Her boots tapped against him as she found her strength dissolving. As her eyelids began to flicker, he tossed her across the ring. She didn't cry out, all she could manage to do was rasp as she lay on the mat, closing her eyes tightly, hoping that he would leave it at just that.
Test grabbed her head, tossing her over the ropes, laughing at the crowd's reaction as Vanessa hit the padded concrete, bouncing up like a stuffed animal. He slowly exited, relishing in the announcer's comments and in the fan's boos. Grabbing Vanessa's hand, he dragged her up the ramp, not caring that with every inch the steel tore away her skin. Vanessa managed to get to her feet, fighting to keep her eyelids from closing. As he led her up the ramp, she thought that it was finally over, until he let go at the top, turning around to face her. His hand reached out and backhanded her, his hand colliding with her jawbone. Vanessa careened to the ground, unable to stand. He passed a sneer, and then turned, going back to his locker room.
After a moment of rest, Vanessa pushed herself onto her hands and knees, not letting the tears run at the humiliation at leaving the ramp like this. The image of Test's face as he attacked her was fresh on her mind. The quicker she got to him, the less the punishment would be tonight. She hung her head, hating herself for standing by him. But it wasn't like she had any other chance… If she left him, and stuck with her 2 good friends, RVD and Chris Jericho, he would simply get to her and them at the same time. If only for their sake, it was best that she stayed with him.
She could already see the night's events unfolding as she staggered to his room. Vanessa rested her hand on the handle, murmuring a quiet prayer, wishing for someone to save her.
She'd been wishing the same thing for 3 months, and no one had.
* * * * *
A/N: Please review!