Hi, I'm back. Look, I haven't disappeared. It's just that lockdown during this pandemic and the amount of work I had to do for my thesis paper since I am doing my Masters Program. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Becoming a wrestler wasn't as easy as Waylon thought it would be.
Besides having tryouts to see if he will get in, he needs a coach to help motivate him and train him for all of his matches. So far as he expected, no one dares to be around his presence so Waylon has to take matters into his own hands.
Or claws in this case!
He began his training in the swamps, using his strength, cunningness and even the gators of the swamps became his training companions. He never knew that these scaley reptiles would be his trainer and coach before the tryouts.
Of course, he had to train at night and sometimes early morning before the sun is up, fearing if anyone sees him. Kayla, her family and even to an extend those kids were the ones who could see him for who he is.
There's no point if he decided to wear his hearts on his sleeves.
Like any animal, being cautious and blend into the surroundings would mean the chances off survival would be more successful. He doesn't mind getting bitten or whacked from the gators because technically, he's encroaching on their territories.
That's why he has some chum full of fish, meat and whatever meat he could scrap to appease them.
How he knew about it? Kayla of course!
Speaking of Kayla, she said she would stop by to visit him when she's off work. He was given a key by the Harpers, knowing that he will be home late and will leave early for training. This new routine keeps messing up his much needed sleep but after several days, Waylon got used to it.
He will have to ask Kayla if there's a book about crocodiles and gators' sleeping pattern so that he would fit right into the mould.
'Heh, funny how I accepted the name that was calling me a freak,' Waylon thought to himself about the wrestling name he dubbed himself as. Killer Croc will make his debut into the ring and he will guarantee that it would strike awe and fear into everyone!
He may not show it now but if he passed, he will surely bare his fangs.
"Waylon!" an all-too-familiar voice calls out his name. He arched his neck out of the water to see Kayla sitting near the edge of the water. He swims closely to greet her.
"Hey Kayla," he grins. "You do know it's dangerous coming all the way close to the water's edge when there are gators here?"
"I know," Kayla giggled. "But they won't cross a crocodile in their midst."
Waylon laughed. "Yeah, that's right. So how's work today?"
"Really good, considering that there's not much people at the library today. So I had the time to finish up a book series. How's your training coming along?"
Waylon smirks before flexing a bicep at her. Kayla would be lying if she's not blushing at the bulge of his muscles. She's surprised to see the gators being unharmed minus the bruises. She has seen what her boyfriend is capable of.
"I can tell, you're going rise up at the tryouts," said Kayla. Waylon smiled, knowing that his girlfriend meant well. He sometimes got into extreme lengths during his trainings when he was a circus freak but no one paid any attention to him.
They only want to see a crocodile man wrestle alligators and snap their necks to show that he is part croc as some would assume.
He wished he was rather than just born with a terrible skin condition that made him look like one. It would make so much sense! Nonetheless, he's fine with what he is now.
"Waylon?" Kayla's hand reached his large hand. "Are you okay?"
He reassures her by gently squeezing her hand, careful not to crush her bones. "I'll be fine, Kayla. Besides, I am going to be done soon before getting back. So Kayla, you believe I can do it?"
"Of course!" Kayla kisses his hand. "I will be there to support you. You're not alone in this Waylon."
The crocodile man can't tell what is this pain that he's experiencing in his chest. He hopes that it's not a heart attack and that would be a problem if he collapse before trying out. The wrestling tryouts is in two weeks from now and there's no excuse as to why he should slack.
Waylon took a deep breath before resuming his training.
...
The tryout was tough considering there were a lot of contestants who wanted to participate. But all of the buffed, swollen ones almost dropped their jaws to the ground when they say a giant of a man covered with scales like a crocodile, sharp teeth and those muscles that could crush a truck in two.
Next to him was a middle-aged man, they assumed to be his coach or manager.
Waylon was used to people staring at him with fear so he shrugged it off. He had Mr Harper accompanying him. Kayla wanted to come but a last minute call from her boss made her attend her work. He's thinking of going alone until Mr Harper volunteered to go with him.
"Are you sure about coming here with me?" Waylon asks, his words mumbled between his teeth. He didn't want anyone to hear their conversations. But Mr Harper chuckled and patted the crocodile man on his back.
Well, his torso since Waylon is pretty tall!
"Don't worry, Waylon. It's been a long time since I've been in a real fight without being the bloodsucking lawyer," Mr Harper whispered. "My wife knows that I can be a rebel!"
The crocodile man smiles his toothy smile. He wonders if this is how it's like to have a supportive father after his encounter with his biological one before? He can see why Kayla and her mom loves him so much. He's dedicated, passionated, has a good heart and has a sense of humour.
He wonders if things would be different if-
He shakes his head. It's bad enough to dwell on the past and look where it got him. He still has memories of killing his aunt and his biological dad in his dreams when he and Kayla got back from their trip.
Taking a gulp Waylon is nervous yet excited about the tryouts.
...
"Would you look at that guy!" one of the wrestlers watch the tryout with aw.
"I bet he wrestles alligators for real," another bystander commented. "There's no way he could pummel ol' Rick down like that!"
"Don't wanna get too close to him," one of the uncertain ones whispered. "Those teeth seemed like they could cut through metal."
Waylon had introduced himself with his wrestler's name: Killer Croc. The name that used to be an insult but now, it showed his strength and survival throughout his life. His eyes peer at the corner while he was wrestling, seeing Mr Harper watching him with...Pride?
He never felt that before!
Maybe meeting Kayla was like a miracle for him. Both her and her parents helped to give him a purpose in his primal life. The opponents he's fighting barely had any effect on him. But one was smart enough to take aim at his belly.
He almost forgot that his belly is the only place that's soft enough to give him pain.
"Heh, gotcha now, Croc!" the opponent laughed. "I bet you'd look good in the interiors of my car. Or maybe a new bag for my girlfriend."
Waylon reminds himself that it's just a match. No offence should be taken seriously. He's not sure if he should bare his teeth or not. So far, he's been using his fists, legs and even full body on his opponents.
Luckily, it's enough to maim them but not kill them or else he will be disqualified.
In the end, Waylon clawed his way up to fifth place. Well, he knows that not everyone can get straight to first place. But it's enough to allow him to enter competitions, win money and fight more opponents. He couldn't wait to tell Kayla about this!
Little did he know, someone in the shadows of the crowd was observing his every move. Oh yes, he has big plans for the crocodile man and it would a waste of an opportunity to wait...
Wow, I wonder who is that guy in the end? Don't worry, I got some ideas from Season of Infamy and Joker's Asylum.
Stay safe and let your mind wander with my stories!