A/N: Keep those reviews coming, thank you for all the love that I am
getting from Phoenix and Sam, much love to you guys.
Ray slept for most of the ride to Shane's house; she didn't eat or sleep unless Shane told her to. She was like a zombie; she didn't know her right from her left a lot of the time.
"Ray," Shane said. "Ray honey, what's wrong?"
So Mark hadn't told him after all. That was good; she didn't want to talk about it anyway.
"I'm just tired I guess." She said softly.
He nodded understandingly; he didn't want to tell her that Mark had told him about Corey and Kevin. He wanted her to trust him enough to tell him herself, he understood her pain and only wished she would share it with him.
"Okay, well we shouldn't be too much longer now." He said touching her hand lightly.
She didn't care how much longer it took, she just wanted to sleep. She thought if she slept long enough maybe she would wake up and realize this was all one big nightmare.
"Okay." She said softly.
Shane felt as if his heart was being torn out of his chest. He looked over at her; she looked like a lost child, and she didn't even know that her father was facing parole at this very moment. He watched as a tear rolled down her cheek it was then that he vowed that no matter what, he would protect her from everything.
"You know you can tell me anything don't you Ray?" Shane said to her putting his hand over hers.
"Yeah, Shane. I know." She said. She didn't want to tell him her family was dead. She didn't even know how they died. She didn't want to be morbid but she wouldn't be at all surprised if it was Lydia that killed them.
"Just so you know." Shane said. He didn't want to give up on her. But she was making it so hard.
Ray's cell phone rang loudly, "Hello?"
"Ready to come home yet?" Lydia hissed into the phone.
"When's the funeral Lydia?"
"I'm not about to tell you that." She said.
"Will you at least tell me how they died?"
"I'm not heartless Ravyn. You should've seen it, it was terrible. They were barely recognizable." Ray felt heat travel all through her chest. "The brakes failed."
Or were cut, Ray thought to herself but said nothing.
"It is definitely going to have to be a closed casket." Lydia went on, "There was just too much damage."
"I understand."
"But do know dear Ravyn," she said, "when this mess with your father and brother is done with, then I will be coming for you."
Ray hung the phone up quickly, her chest heaved, she thought she was going to have a heart attack.
"Calm down Ray, calm down." Shane coaxed her. He pulled the car over, "Breathe deeply Ray."
Ray was trying to focus on Shane's voice, trying to slow her respiration. But the fact remains she was indeed panicking.
"You have to relax Ravyn," Shane commanded softly, "cool down."
She was trying, but her chest was tightening. She could see her brother and father in her mind, charred flesh, lying in the middle of the street and Lydia, how she could be so heartless as to not let her say goodbye.
"That's it Ray, just calm your respiration. Good girl let's get some air in those lungs."
It was a good fifteen-minute battle, but Ray's breathing slowly relaxed. She had scared the hell out of Shane, but to know that she was okay was all the relief he needed.
"Now, you care to tell me what that was all about?" he asked starting the car back up.
She just shook her head no. She was still having a difficult time breathing and her chest wasn't loosening up any.
"Fair enough." Shane sounded hurt. He did not know how much more he had to do to prove to her that he was sincere and that he genuinely wanted to help her.
"Shane," she whispered. "It so complicated.
"Well let's see if we could work on a way to make it uncomplicated." He smiled over at her.
Ray couldn't say no to that winning smile. Especially when he was so much to try and help her. She looked over at him and took a deep breath. Okay, she thought, here it goes.
************************************************************************
Shane wanted to punch a wall. He sat in his bedroom after he made sure Ray was sound asleep. How could someone do something like this to that girl? And why would you want to?
Shane watched her sleep fitfully, it was not going to be a good night, and yet he was going to be up for every minute of it, in case she needed anything.
"Hello?" Shane answered his cell phone.
"Hey son, where's darlin'?" Mark asked.
"Asleep. She had a rough trip."
"Well what happened?"
"She almost stopped breathing on me. I think she had an anxiety attack, but that's all under control now. Her mother called again. Told her how Kevin and Corey died."
"I'm goin' tell you something son," Mark said gravely, "I been doing some research on this, and that was no accident."
"What?!"
"Oh yes son. Those brake lines were cut."
"You mean they were murdered?" Shane was incredulous. If someone could do that to Corey and Kevin, they would certainly have no problem whatsoever, coming after Ray.
"I know what you're thinking son," Mark said. "I'm thinking the same thing. I've already talked to Vince, and he's going to talk to the boys. You and I are going to go with her to that funeral, it's next week."
"Okay,"
"And from that point on, she's not to be out of anyone's sight."
"Got ya. When are you coming up for the funeral?"
"Sometime within the next week." Mark said.
"That's sounds good. I know she misses you."
"I miss her too. Be sure to kiss my darlin' for me."
"Okay Mark. See you next week." Shane hung up the phone. He walked down the hall to check on Ray.
"Hey Shane." She sat up by the window.
"Hey, why aren't you in bed?"
"I can't sleep alone. I keep wanting Corey to be beside me." She sniffled, "He used to sleep on the floor next to my bed all the time."
Shane's heart went out to her. This wasn't going to be easy and he knew it.
"Well I'm no Corey, but I'd be more than happy to keep you company."
Ray shot him a smile. God she was pretty when she smiled. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure she smiled all the time.
"I'd like that." She brought her long legs up to her chest.
"Okay, cool." Shane made himself comfortable on the floor. "Now what?"
Ray just burst into tears. Why, she didn't even know herself, but just the sight of Shane lying on the floor opened up the floodgates. She was acting like such a woman.
"What's wrong?" Shane asked her.
"Nothing. Can you just hold me?" she asked.
Shane would do anything in his power to make her feel better. So he did as she asked.
The second Ray felt those strong arms wrap around her, she knew she was going to be okay. That with Shane and Mark with her all the time, it was like having a new brother and father and with them, she was going to be okay.
************************************************************************
Ray wore two black bands over her left biceps, she was eternally grateful to Shane and Mark for taking her to the funeral and now she wore the arm bands in honor of the two men that believed in her most, even when she didn't believe in herself.
"You ready to go out there darlin'?" Mark stood beside her in gorilla as he pulled his bands over his biceps as well. He was doing all it took to make her feel better. Even if it meant honoring two men he barely knew.
"Yeah, I'm ready." She said adjusting her robe. Tonight, she was going to win that IC title, and she was going to take it away from the one man that would hate it the worst, Randy Orton.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first the challenger, being accompanied by The Undertaker, from Boston Massachusetts, weighing in at 190 pounds, Torrid the Slayer."
Torrid walked down the ramp with the Undertaker right behind her. She hasn't been the most beloved since she super kicked the Hurricane, but you know what they say, that's life.
"Next the champion, from Boston Massachusetts, being accompanied to the ring by fellow Evolution member Batista, he weighs in at 230 pounds, he is he Intercontinental Champion, Randy Orton."
Torrid stared him down from the ring, what she wanted was clear; it was wrapped around his slender waist, glistening in the light. She wanted that championship belt around his waist.
"Torrid and Randy Orton locking up here," J.R. reported, "Torrid back in the title hunt now tying to get the title from Randy Orton."
"I have to admit, when I first saw this girl, I like everybody else back there, thought she was a boy."
"And now that you know otherwise?" J.R. questioned.
"Look at her, need I say more?" King said.
Torrid reversed the sleeper shooting him into the ropes. She went for a drop kick but missed. She leaped back up to her feet just in time for him to catch her in the jaw.
"Now I know the rules, but she is a female." J.R. said.
"Yeah, but she wants to mix it up with up the big boys." King said.
Torrid got up from the kick, her jaw ached a little bit, but nothing she couldn't handle. She wanted that title. Another kick sent on her spine hard. Randy pinned her but she kicked out after two. She was not giving up like this.
"This young woman just refuses to give up." J.R. said.
"She a tough cookie she is."
Torrid jumped up off her back, she felt like it was time to go martial arts on him.
"Concentrate." The Undertaker hissed at her. Torrid knew she couldn't disappoint him. Punishment comes with failure, she knew.
She closed her eyes and focused her energy to her body. She was going to shut down her mind. She had to be void of all emotion. Here we go. She began and all out leg assault on Randy, kicking and swinging like a bat out of hell.
"Look at the educated feet of Torrid the Slayer." J.R. reported. "Torrid using her feet to take Randy Orton off his feet."
"I'm looking at Torrid, but her educated feet aren't what I'm interested in."
"Oh will you relax?" J.R. asked.
Torrid had Randy trapped in a triangle chokehold, a move she liked to call, The Destructive Force.
"What in the world?" King questioned. "She has Randy twisted up like a pretzel."
"She calls that the Destructive Force." J.R. reported.
"Well she's certainly destroying Randy Orton with it. It'll be a miracle if he can walk after this."
Tap, she chanted to herself, get him to tap. Suddenly she felt a sharp blow to the back of her head. She fell letting go of Randy.
"Damn that Batista. That animal." J.R. called.
"She landed right on her chest." King squealed.
Torrid didn't have time to think. She only had time to react. Randy grabbed her by the leg, she didn't have much choice, so she gave Randy a strong enough enzuguri to knock him on his face. She rolled him over feeling like victory was sure she climbed to the top rope and sailed through the air.
"Looks like," J.R. called, "Yes, Torrid Heat. She landed Torrid Heat."
Torrid looked up long enough to see that Batista was paying for putting his hands on the Dark Angel. She pinned Randy.
"Here's your winner and the new World Wrestling Intercontinental Champion, Torrid the Slayer."
SHOUT!
Torrid held the belt above her head. The crowd cheered its excitement. She then remembered her duty handing the belt to her Lord bowing over it as she did so.
"Congratulations, Dark Angel." He bellowed, "You have done well here."
"Thank you my Lord."
Torrid turned around allowing the Undertaker to snap her belt around her waist.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the new Intercontinental Champion."
************************************************************************
Randy was throwing furniture around the locker room in a frenzy. How the hell did that bitch beat him for his title? What happened to beneath him in bed not on top of him in the ring? She was going to pay for humiliating him like this.
"Hey, big man." Ric Flair called out, "Calm down."
"I can't Ric," Randy fumed, "that bitch just took my belt."
"And we'll get it back. She's a woman." Ric said. "And no woman can resist Randy Orton."
Randy smirked looking down at himself, Ric was right.
"See all you have to do is turn on a little charm and she'll be eating right out of your hand."
"And when the time is right,"
"We'll strike, getting your belt back around your waist."
Randy nodded smugly, that bitch doesn't stand a chance. He walked down to the men's locker room where undoubtedly she would be celebrating.
"I'm so proud of my darlin'!" Mark yelled.
"Thank you daddy." Ray smiled.
"Good match." Shane said patting her on the back.
"Thank you." She said again smiling. She hadn't smiled this hard since she realized she was going to be in the WWE.
"Speech!" the locker room chanted.
She held her belt up to the sky, one lone tear stood out in her grey eyes, "Corey, Kevin, this is for you."
Ray slept for most of the ride to Shane's house; she didn't eat or sleep unless Shane told her to. She was like a zombie; she didn't know her right from her left a lot of the time.
"Ray," Shane said. "Ray honey, what's wrong?"
So Mark hadn't told him after all. That was good; she didn't want to talk about it anyway.
"I'm just tired I guess." She said softly.
He nodded understandingly; he didn't want to tell her that Mark had told him about Corey and Kevin. He wanted her to trust him enough to tell him herself, he understood her pain and only wished she would share it with him.
"Okay, well we shouldn't be too much longer now." He said touching her hand lightly.
She didn't care how much longer it took, she just wanted to sleep. She thought if she slept long enough maybe she would wake up and realize this was all one big nightmare.
"Okay." She said softly.
Shane felt as if his heart was being torn out of his chest. He looked over at her; she looked like a lost child, and she didn't even know that her father was facing parole at this very moment. He watched as a tear rolled down her cheek it was then that he vowed that no matter what, he would protect her from everything.
"You know you can tell me anything don't you Ray?" Shane said to her putting his hand over hers.
"Yeah, Shane. I know." She said. She didn't want to tell him her family was dead. She didn't even know how they died. She didn't want to be morbid but she wouldn't be at all surprised if it was Lydia that killed them.
"Just so you know." Shane said. He didn't want to give up on her. But she was making it so hard.
Ray's cell phone rang loudly, "Hello?"
"Ready to come home yet?" Lydia hissed into the phone.
"When's the funeral Lydia?"
"I'm not about to tell you that." She said.
"Will you at least tell me how they died?"
"I'm not heartless Ravyn. You should've seen it, it was terrible. They were barely recognizable." Ray felt heat travel all through her chest. "The brakes failed."
Or were cut, Ray thought to herself but said nothing.
"It is definitely going to have to be a closed casket." Lydia went on, "There was just too much damage."
"I understand."
"But do know dear Ravyn," she said, "when this mess with your father and brother is done with, then I will be coming for you."
Ray hung the phone up quickly, her chest heaved, she thought she was going to have a heart attack.
"Calm down Ray, calm down." Shane coaxed her. He pulled the car over, "Breathe deeply Ray."
Ray was trying to focus on Shane's voice, trying to slow her respiration. But the fact remains she was indeed panicking.
"You have to relax Ravyn," Shane commanded softly, "cool down."
She was trying, but her chest was tightening. She could see her brother and father in her mind, charred flesh, lying in the middle of the street and Lydia, how she could be so heartless as to not let her say goodbye.
"That's it Ray, just calm your respiration. Good girl let's get some air in those lungs."
It was a good fifteen-minute battle, but Ray's breathing slowly relaxed. She had scared the hell out of Shane, but to know that she was okay was all the relief he needed.
"Now, you care to tell me what that was all about?" he asked starting the car back up.
She just shook her head no. She was still having a difficult time breathing and her chest wasn't loosening up any.
"Fair enough." Shane sounded hurt. He did not know how much more he had to do to prove to her that he was sincere and that he genuinely wanted to help her.
"Shane," she whispered. "It so complicated.
"Well let's see if we could work on a way to make it uncomplicated." He smiled over at her.
Ray couldn't say no to that winning smile. Especially when he was so much to try and help her. She looked over at him and took a deep breath. Okay, she thought, here it goes.
************************************************************************
Shane wanted to punch a wall. He sat in his bedroom after he made sure Ray was sound asleep. How could someone do something like this to that girl? And why would you want to?
Shane watched her sleep fitfully, it was not going to be a good night, and yet he was going to be up for every minute of it, in case she needed anything.
"Hello?" Shane answered his cell phone.
"Hey son, where's darlin'?" Mark asked.
"Asleep. She had a rough trip."
"Well what happened?"
"She almost stopped breathing on me. I think she had an anxiety attack, but that's all under control now. Her mother called again. Told her how Kevin and Corey died."
"I'm goin' tell you something son," Mark said gravely, "I been doing some research on this, and that was no accident."
"What?!"
"Oh yes son. Those brake lines were cut."
"You mean they were murdered?" Shane was incredulous. If someone could do that to Corey and Kevin, they would certainly have no problem whatsoever, coming after Ray.
"I know what you're thinking son," Mark said. "I'm thinking the same thing. I've already talked to Vince, and he's going to talk to the boys. You and I are going to go with her to that funeral, it's next week."
"Okay,"
"And from that point on, she's not to be out of anyone's sight."
"Got ya. When are you coming up for the funeral?"
"Sometime within the next week." Mark said.
"That's sounds good. I know she misses you."
"I miss her too. Be sure to kiss my darlin' for me."
"Okay Mark. See you next week." Shane hung up the phone. He walked down the hall to check on Ray.
"Hey Shane." She sat up by the window.
"Hey, why aren't you in bed?"
"I can't sleep alone. I keep wanting Corey to be beside me." She sniffled, "He used to sleep on the floor next to my bed all the time."
Shane's heart went out to her. This wasn't going to be easy and he knew it.
"Well I'm no Corey, but I'd be more than happy to keep you company."
Ray shot him a smile. God she was pretty when she smiled. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure she smiled all the time.
"I'd like that." She brought her long legs up to her chest.
"Okay, cool." Shane made himself comfortable on the floor. "Now what?"
Ray just burst into tears. Why, she didn't even know herself, but just the sight of Shane lying on the floor opened up the floodgates. She was acting like such a woman.
"What's wrong?" Shane asked her.
"Nothing. Can you just hold me?" she asked.
Shane would do anything in his power to make her feel better. So he did as she asked.
The second Ray felt those strong arms wrap around her, she knew she was going to be okay. That with Shane and Mark with her all the time, it was like having a new brother and father and with them, she was going to be okay.
************************************************************************
Ray wore two black bands over her left biceps, she was eternally grateful to Shane and Mark for taking her to the funeral and now she wore the arm bands in honor of the two men that believed in her most, even when she didn't believe in herself.
"You ready to go out there darlin'?" Mark stood beside her in gorilla as he pulled his bands over his biceps as well. He was doing all it took to make her feel better. Even if it meant honoring two men he barely knew.
"Yeah, I'm ready." She said adjusting her robe. Tonight, she was going to win that IC title, and she was going to take it away from the one man that would hate it the worst, Randy Orton.
"The following contest is scheduled for one fall, introducing first the challenger, being accompanied by The Undertaker, from Boston Massachusetts, weighing in at 190 pounds, Torrid the Slayer."
Torrid walked down the ramp with the Undertaker right behind her. She hasn't been the most beloved since she super kicked the Hurricane, but you know what they say, that's life.
"Next the champion, from Boston Massachusetts, being accompanied to the ring by fellow Evolution member Batista, he weighs in at 230 pounds, he is he Intercontinental Champion, Randy Orton."
Torrid stared him down from the ring, what she wanted was clear; it was wrapped around his slender waist, glistening in the light. She wanted that championship belt around his waist.
"Torrid and Randy Orton locking up here," J.R. reported, "Torrid back in the title hunt now tying to get the title from Randy Orton."
"I have to admit, when I first saw this girl, I like everybody else back there, thought she was a boy."
"And now that you know otherwise?" J.R. questioned.
"Look at her, need I say more?" King said.
Torrid reversed the sleeper shooting him into the ropes. She went for a drop kick but missed. She leaped back up to her feet just in time for him to catch her in the jaw.
"Now I know the rules, but she is a female." J.R. said.
"Yeah, but she wants to mix it up with up the big boys." King said.
Torrid got up from the kick, her jaw ached a little bit, but nothing she couldn't handle. She wanted that title. Another kick sent on her spine hard. Randy pinned her but she kicked out after two. She was not giving up like this.
"This young woman just refuses to give up." J.R. said.
"She a tough cookie she is."
Torrid jumped up off her back, she felt like it was time to go martial arts on him.
"Concentrate." The Undertaker hissed at her. Torrid knew she couldn't disappoint him. Punishment comes with failure, she knew.
She closed her eyes and focused her energy to her body. She was going to shut down her mind. She had to be void of all emotion. Here we go. She began and all out leg assault on Randy, kicking and swinging like a bat out of hell.
"Look at the educated feet of Torrid the Slayer." J.R. reported. "Torrid using her feet to take Randy Orton off his feet."
"I'm looking at Torrid, but her educated feet aren't what I'm interested in."
"Oh will you relax?" J.R. asked.
Torrid had Randy trapped in a triangle chokehold, a move she liked to call, The Destructive Force.
"What in the world?" King questioned. "She has Randy twisted up like a pretzel."
"She calls that the Destructive Force." J.R. reported.
"Well she's certainly destroying Randy Orton with it. It'll be a miracle if he can walk after this."
Tap, she chanted to herself, get him to tap. Suddenly she felt a sharp blow to the back of her head. She fell letting go of Randy.
"Damn that Batista. That animal." J.R. called.
"She landed right on her chest." King squealed.
Torrid didn't have time to think. She only had time to react. Randy grabbed her by the leg, she didn't have much choice, so she gave Randy a strong enough enzuguri to knock him on his face. She rolled him over feeling like victory was sure she climbed to the top rope and sailed through the air.
"Looks like," J.R. called, "Yes, Torrid Heat. She landed Torrid Heat."
Torrid looked up long enough to see that Batista was paying for putting his hands on the Dark Angel. She pinned Randy.
"Here's your winner and the new World Wrestling Intercontinental Champion, Torrid the Slayer."
SHOUT!
Torrid held the belt above her head. The crowd cheered its excitement. She then remembered her duty handing the belt to her Lord bowing over it as she did so.
"Congratulations, Dark Angel." He bellowed, "You have done well here."
"Thank you my Lord."
Torrid turned around allowing the Undertaker to snap her belt around her waist.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the new Intercontinental Champion."
************************************************************************
Randy was throwing furniture around the locker room in a frenzy. How the hell did that bitch beat him for his title? What happened to beneath him in bed not on top of him in the ring? She was going to pay for humiliating him like this.
"Hey, big man." Ric Flair called out, "Calm down."
"I can't Ric," Randy fumed, "that bitch just took my belt."
"And we'll get it back. She's a woman." Ric said. "And no woman can resist Randy Orton."
Randy smirked looking down at himself, Ric was right.
"See all you have to do is turn on a little charm and she'll be eating right out of your hand."
"And when the time is right,"
"We'll strike, getting your belt back around your waist."
Randy nodded smugly, that bitch doesn't stand a chance. He walked down to the men's locker room where undoubtedly she would be celebrating.
"I'm so proud of my darlin'!" Mark yelled.
"Thank you daddy." Ray smiled.
"Good match." Shane said patting her on the back.
"Thank you." She said again smiling. She hadn't smiled this hard since she realized she was going to be in the WWE.
"Speech!" the locker room chanted.
She held her belt up to the sky, one lone tear stood out in her grey eyes, "Corey, Kevin, this is for you."