I was running, panting… being chased, I just had to, I was trying to get away… it was after me, something, but what…?
"Ah, eh!" The young child cried out as it ran…
It was always different, could be on the beach, in the mountains, the deserts, a city street, a suburb park, a building, outside his home, but this time it was in a forest… The boy gasped as he heard the monster behind him, he got up, dirty and tired, and kept on running… running, running for his life. Finally he skidded to a halt at a dead end ledge. There was nowhere to run, but maybe, to hide…? Finally the monster appeared in the moonlight. Though he could barely be seen, his appearance was well known to this child. It had the mane of a lion, a tail like a cat, stripes on its body with claws and fangs. The monster growled like an animal as he tried to sniff his prey out. The kid looked up from where he hid behind a rock under the ledge. His heart racing, thumping, pounding against his chest as if it were to burst from his lungs, his body swearing, his legs throbbed with worn. His eyes shook, would this monster find him this time…? No. He gave up and walked away, retreating with failure into the night. A sigh of relief… but this monster, was like a sphinx, for it seemed to have the bodily structure, of a man…
Chris Jericho gasped for air as his eyes snapped open amid the noise. He sighed with relief as he stared at the ceiling of his hotel room, he sat up, it was all a dream, just a dream. He looked up and shut off the alarm. He stood up and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom to start yet another day in the life of a pro wrestling superstar.
"Hey Chris, you hungry?" Stephanie McMahon smiled warmly as her best friend approached the table.
"Yeah, a little I guess." Chris rubbed his head as he sat down, digging in.
"Just little huh." Steph smirked, raising an eyebrow.
"Gees save us some you pig, you man whale, you…."
"Okay, okay, we get it Christian…" Trish Stratus rolled her eyes. "Oh, and we get it."
"Humph." Christian pouted, folding his arms. "Fine then…" Trish giggled and pet the little dog in her purse.
"So wow, how about it, being chosen for tonight's PPV past vs present match." Stephanie spoke up. "Rumor has it that it could be Hulk Hogan himself."
"Nah, I'd doubt it." Christian swallowed his food arrogantly.
"Who would you like to face Chris?" Trish asked with a smile.
"You know what, I don't know, anybody would be an honor."
"Oh!" Trish snapped her fingers. "How about Jessie Ventura?"
"Never know." Chris shrugged with a grin, he was really eager for this match and was thrilled that it was him the General Manager had chosen. "Well I'm going to head to the gym, gotta be prepared, I'll see you guys tonight."
"Alright then, later man." Christian waved as Chris left him with the two ladies again.
Chris was working out in the weight room, he was lifting one of the larger bars next to the weight rack, he'd just gotten off an hour of cardio too, he was psyched for this match tonight. He was doing rep after rep as he watched himself in the mirror.
You are not worthy compared to a man like me…Chris groaned and took an uneasy breath as the voice of memory echoed in his head.
The blood is on your hands…Chris struggled to breathe and keep the weight up…
Dad, where is mom, why can't she be here…?
Chris slowly let the bar down from over his head under his chin on his chest…
I'm sorry Chris, but I'm breaking up with you.
Jessica, no wait, please… you can't do this! I LOVE YOU!
"Ah!" Chris cried out, there was pain, and suddenly his world went black…
Chris…?
Chris…
Chris?
"Chris!"
"Steph….?" Chris opened his eyes, his heart was racing, his body was aching. "What happened?"
"I don't know, Christian found you in the weight room, I guess the weights came crashing down on you, you're pretty beat up."
"Huh?" Chris sat up, taking in a sharp breath at the pain as he looked at his body, bandaged over the bruises. "Oh my head… I can't remember, I don't…"
"It's alright, one may have hit your head, you could have a concussion, you should take it easy…"
"Hmm…." Chris sighed, then he gasped. "Stephanie, what time is it!"
"Oh." She looked at her watch. "Four, why?"
"Cripes, Unforgiven!" Chris jumped up. "AH!"
"Oh no, you can't wrestle, I'll talk with my brother."
"No! This is my job, I made a promise to them, to the company, to the people, to you… and to myself."
"But Chris…"
"I'm fine Steph." Chris shot a smile at her. "I just need to walk this off." He stood up and shakily walked down the hall.
Stephanie's eyes shook sadly as she sighed, "Oh Chris…"
Chris walked along, occasionally using the wall to prop himself up as he went on, but just then... "Chris?"
"Huh?"
"Chris, hi!"
"Jessica?" Chris yelped as he whirled around. "What are you doing here?"
"Wow, you look like somebody chewed you up and spit you out."
"Yeah, you!" Chris growled.
"Please, I'm sorry Chris."
"Don't explain… just, what are you doing here?"
"I got a pass in a radio contest, did you forget where you are? Tampa Bay. Where I live."
"Right." Chris stared at the floor, his eyes shaking. Here, there she was, the woman he loved and his heart still yearned for, laughing easy and having fun while his life was miserable.
"Chris." She began. "Look, it's been five months, and..."
"Look, I have to go, I've got a match to prepare for."
She smiled, "Aright then, well you be careful, I'll be watching remember." She winked. Chris groaned and continued towards his locker room…
That night at the match…
"Well folks here we are, getting ready for the Past vs Present match with one of our dream superstars and a classic legend."
"Oh JR I can't wait! Who will tonight's pick be?"
"Well King it's all up to the General Manager, this is just one of the new GM's ideas to send ratings through the roof."
"Oh yeah, and Shane McMahon has done an awesome job! And the fans can't get enough of these!"
Chris Jericho stood in the ring with Stephanie McMahon, Trish and Christian at ringside for support. Chris stretched and moved his arms to loosen up, cracking his neck. Stephanie watched him carefully, she knew he was still hurting, but she also knew there was no talking him out of this… The music hit…!
"OH look at that King!"
"JR, that's the Ultimate Warrior! Oh my God!"
"Oh boy is Chris Jericho in for the fight of his life."
Chris remained focus, his eyes locked on the dangerous wild target as it made its way down the ramp and into the ring.
Stephanie could feel the tension thinken around him, sheslid out on the apron, "Be careful, please Chris."
"Don't you worry, I'll be fine." Chris spoke while not removing his look on his opponent. He swallowed hard, "I'm ready..."
The bell sounded at the referee's command. Ultimate Warrior smiled strangely, taking Chris off guard. With one swift out of the blue blow, Ultimate Warrior sent a fully powered punch right to the side of Chris's neck. He cried out in shock and pain as he flew, flipping in the air, and crashed into the turnbuckle in a crumpled heap on the mat.
"Chris!" Stephanie screamed. Warrior laughed at the exuberating thrill, just exasperated.
"Oh wow, I think he's out." Christian gasped as Trish grabbed his arm in shock.
"Chris, are you alright?" Stephanie rushed over, his eyes were half open but nobody was home, but his expression was glazed, he wascold cocked unconscious. Warrior smirked and approached him slowly, like a monster stalking his pray. "Chris, get up, please." Stephanie cried. "Chris? Chris….!"