CHAPTER SIX
CORRI
It had been entirely too long of a day. Corri was just hoping for a nap when she spotted Danny working out hard by himself in the hotel gym. He was throwing punches so hard, she thought he might break the punching bag. She heard the sound of a harsh, taunting voice coming from somewhere in the gym.
"Is that the best you can do? Pathetic! No wonder they won't give you a title shot or even a quality match. You're weak, Daniel. I don't know why I waste my time with you," the voice said.
"Because you knocked up my mother," Danny spat back, hitting the punching bag harder. Corri could see how neutral he kept his face and his voice was filled with hatred, but there was a hint of something in his eyes...
Harper, as he was most commonly referred to, came into her line of sight then. He punched Danny's face pretty hard and said, "Your mother is nothing but a little slut, Daniel! Don't lie to yourself about that. I made a bad choice because I was drunk and she used it to trap me into paying child support for eighteen damn years but don't think for one second that I owe you anything more than that! I gave you life! You don't even deserve that much!"
"And you never let me forget it!" He punched the bag again.
"Don't talk back to me!" Harper punched his son in the gut. Danny doubled over and clutched his side. Harper started to kick him, rapidly and repeatedly.
Corri had seen enough. She threw the gym door open and went straight for Harper, knocking him off of his son with one swift kick to his head.
Harper stumbled back. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He demanded.
"Back the fuck off before I call the cops on your stupid ass!" Corri told him.
"For what? Child abuse? He's twenty-one, bitch! It's not abuse, so stay the fuck out of it!"
"You're right, it's not abuse. It's assault. Get the hell out of here before I kick your ass myself!"
Harper glared at her before leaving. Corri knelt beside Danny. He was curled up on the ground and clutching his stomach. He was also coughing up a little bit of blood.
"Jesus, Danny," she whispered. She helped him sit up slowly. "Are you okay?"
"Why do you care?" Danny asked. He coughed some more, then added, "I had it handled."
"Right. You were just coughing up blood to catch him off guard when you finally attacked."
"I'm fine."
"You need to go to the hospital, Kid."
"I'm not a fucking kid, and no, I don't."
He was acting like a little shit as usual, but Corri could see the fear in his eyes. He was shaking. She decided she couldn't turn her back on him, not after what she had just seen. She had a thing about the broken ones... She felt compelled to help them. "Look, Danny, being your father doesn't give him the right to hurt you."
"It's not a big deal. I'm an adult. I can take care of myself."
"You weren't always an adult, Danny. I know that look in your eyes. That's the look of a haunted little boy who survived hell."
"What would you know about hell?"
"I have a condo there." She flashed him a sarcastic smirk. "You don't have to put up with this, Danny. Paul would never stand for it."
"Don't tell him!" He sounded slightly frantic, but recovered quickly. "I don't want pity or special treatment. I'm fine, Corri. Please just let this go."
"Not until you let me get you checked by a doctor or a trainer at the very least."
"Fine. A doctor. At a clinic. No one from WWE and no hospitals."
She nodded. "I'll take what I can get." She led him downstairs and into her car before driving around in search of a place that accepted walk-ins. It took her about twenty minutes. They sat in silence in the waiting room before Danny finally spoke.
"Why are you being nice to me? I was picking on your niece and beating on your son last night," he said.
"And today, you got your ass kicked by a man who is supposed to love you but who did nothing but knock you down, emotionally and physically. I understand having a shitty father, and I think today made me understand you a little better. So you get a pass this time. Piss me off again and I might change my mind," she said.
He nodded. They didn't speak again until the doctor called them in. Danny was roughed up, but it wasn't as serious as Corri had feared. The doctor gave him something for the pain and Corri drove him back to the hotel. She looked at her watch. A nap was now out the window. She had to get ready for Smackdown. She was walking her sons out to the ring that night.
As Corri turned to leave, Danny grabbed her arm. "Thanks," he said quietly. Then he let her go and walked away.
If this was several years ago, I'd have taken him back to my room to "comfort" him, Corri thought with amusement. Danny was actually a good-looking guy, and she was so drawn to the bad boys who were really just trying to cover up their wounds. She hoped he'd find someone to take care of him. Danielle loved her son immensely, but that would never be enough to heal the damage his father had done. He reminded Corri a bit of Randy, only Danny was a much bigger asshole about things. Her husband had once been that wounded. His eyes had hidden horrors she couldn't even imagine. He'd shut the world out, too, often with anger just like Danny. The difference was that Randy had a support system of people who pulled him back from the edge. Corri could tell Danny didn't have that. All he had was Danielle, and one person could only do so much.
I'm going to help that kid, she decided. Whatever it takes.
MOLLY
It was an awesome night. Molly was set to tag with Trixie and Ginny against three loser Divas who totally couldn't take them. It was Trixie's first official match ever, and Molly was excited to be part of it. They walked out to Hell's Bells by AC/DC because that had been Molly's music for a while. The pop they received as soon as her music started really got Molly pumped. The arena was bathed in red strobelights as they slowly walked toward the ring.
It was a pretty quick match. Molly started it out. She hit Ditz Number One with Dirty Deeds almost immediately, but her cheerleader friends jumped in to break up the pin. Molly tagged Trixie in.
"You've got this, Trix," she whispered in her ear. She could tell Trixie was nervous.
Trixie went for the newly tagged in Ditz Number Two and hit her with a superkick. The girl kicked out of her pin attempt, so Trixie tagged Ginny in.
Molly had seen Ginny work before, but she often forgot how talented she actually was. Ginny grappled with Ditz Number Three for a bit before hitting a DDT. She immediately followed this up with a splash that got an insane amount of height. The ditz was down, but her friends came in and pulled Ginny off of her by her hair.
Molly and Ginny had collectively decided to let Trixie have her moment since it was her debut match. Trixie did not disappoint. When Ginny tagged her back in, Trixie went for the first ditz. The others tried to attack, so Ginny and Molly went after them and kept them distracted.
Trixie surprised everyone by climbing up on the ropes and executing the most beautiful hurricanrana Molly had ever seen. This time, as the crowd went insane, Trixie got the pin.
Molly and Ginny raised Trixie's hands in victory before they bounced backstage to the perky entrance music they WWE had given Trixie. When they got there, Trixie flung her arms around them. "Oh my God, that was amazing!" She shouted.
"You did great, Trix," Molly said. "I knew you would!"
"Not bad, Trixie," Ginny said. Even she was smiling.
Trixie grabbed her cell phone as soon as they hit the locker room. She smiled and looked like she might cry as she read a text.
"You okay?" Molly asked.
"My grandmum was watching a live feed," Trixie said.
Molly read the text over her shoulder.
That's my girl! Kick bum, take names, and remember how proud I am that you're my grandbaby! I love you more than words, little trickster!
Molly smiled. "Your grandmother rocks," she said. "She's the coolest."
"She definitely is," Trixie agreed.
Molly checked her own phone. Colby had sent her a photo. She opened it and saw all three Shield members smiling like goofy idiots and giving the camera thumbs up. She laughed. She might not have any grandparents she knew, but the family she did have was beyond awesome.
Tell the Sire I humbly request a dinner date with my three favorite bitches, Molly texted Colby.
He replied quickly. We're in. Love you!
She smiled. It amused her that Colby never questioned being called her bitch. The night was getting better by the minute. Dinner with the Shield was always a good time. Molly headed toward the shower feeling completely relaxed.
NICKY
"Oh God... I'm going to puke," Nicky said. His debut match was tonight and it was a singles match. Keith would be in his corner, and so would his mother, but that didn't stop the terror he felt.
"You do look a little green," Dave Bautista said. He was a special guest for the night. "You're Orton's boy, right?"
"Yeah," Nicky said nervously.
Dave shook his hand. "Dave Bautista. I used to tag with your dad."
"I know. You guys were in Evolution together."
"Yep, when we were almost as green as you are." Dave laughed. "Those were good times. Listen, Kid, everyone gets nervous. It's natural, but if you're anything like your dad, you can handle it."
But am I like my dad? Nicky wondered. Keith was like Randy Orton 2.0, but Nicky had never quite lived up to that.
"Here," Dave said, handing him a couple of pills. "For nerves."
Nicky hesitated. "These aren't... I mean... They're not steroids, are they?" He asked in a whisper.
Dave looked stunned, but then he started laughing. He had a really hearty laugh. "Jesus, Kid, what exactly did your dad tell you about me? No, they aren't steroids. They're an herbal supplement to help relax you. It's perfectly legal." He shook his head. "Orton must have painted me as some kind of addict."
"It's not that," Nicky said quickly. He was so embarrassed! Herbs were harmless enough, right? He took the pills to give himself a minute to recover. "My dad had a steroid issue, so he always warned me and my brother not to touch them."
Dave smiled. "Look at Orton, becoming a responsible parent! I'm proud of him. He's right, Kid. Steroids cause a lot of trouble, and if you get caught, you'll get fired. Well, maybe not you. Triple H has a soft spot for your dad. He got more than a few chances before he finally got his act together. Hunter's very supportive of him. Always has been."
"Hunter? You mean Paul?"
"Yeah, sorry. We all used kayfabe names back then. Paul gave your dad a lot of second chances other people wouldn't have gotten... I shouldn't complain, because he got me a lot of my best opportunities in the company, too, but yeah, Orton's his favorite protégé and always has been."
Nicky was starting to get uncomfortable. Dave had seemed friendly, and his father had never said anything particularly bad about him except that he had a serious steroid issue, but now it seemed Dave had a lot of annomosity toward his dad. Maybe it was because while Dave had grown weaker and unable to put on a good match after years of abusing his body, Randy continued to do well. Both had film careers, but Randy was still actively wrestling and Dave was generally considered a has-been. He made an occasional Legend appearance, but he wasn't medically cleared to wrestle anymore so all he did was talk.
"It was nice meeting you, Young Orton. Maybe we can talk some more later," Dave said. "Good luck tonight."
"Thank you," Nicky said. He should have been nervous about Dave's behavior, but he wasm't. In fact, he was completely calm, and his energy was getting better. Whatever that herb was, it had done the trick.
You're reading too much into it, he told himself. Dave was just trying to be friendly. He's your dad's friend. Everything's fine.
Keith and his mother appeared backstage together. "Ready?" Keith asked him.
"Completely," Nicky said. In that moment, it was true.
"I'm so proud of you," his mother told him. She kissed his forehead.
His entrance music started and the three walked out together. Nicky was having a trial by fire. He was wrestling Jericho. It was an insanely amazing opportunity, and he had to wonder why it was his. Brandon and Gabe had both wrestled at NXT for a while, while Nicky was brand new. He didn't deserve this match, not yet. Jericho was known for putting new guys on the map. It wasn't his time yet.
It's because you're Randy Orton's son, he realized. He hadn't earned this, but Paul had given it to him anyway. It wasn't a test; it was a reward for being born into the right bloodline. Nicky wasn't sure he was okay with that.
As the match began, he stopped thinking about it. He fought hard. He hit Jericho with moves no one knew he had yet. His skill set largely resembled that of the Young Bucks. He used superkicks and splashes, hurricanranas, dives, whatever involved speed and flying off the ropes.
Jeticho didn't make it easy for him. He pulled Nicky into the Walks of Jericho. He'd planned the match out with Nicky earlier in the day, and because it was Nicky's first-ever real match, he was very thorough. He'd even given Nicky a signal to use if it was too much and he needed to lay off a bit. As pain started to shoot through Nicky's body, he nodded slightly twice.
Jericho was paying close attention. He immediately loosened his hold. Nicky crawled to the ropes and Jericho let him go. Nicky recovered and hit him with an RKO out of absolutely nowhere. The fans began cheering louder as Nicky pinned Jericho for the three count.
His mother and Keith jumped into the ring and raised his hands. Everything was perfect. As they led him backstage, he was met by his father, who pulled him into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, Nicky!" He said.
"I knew you could do it, bro!" Keith added.
His mother was beaming at him. "That was amazing," she said. "No one has a debut like that!"
"You didn't fuck up once," Keith told him. "And Jericho is no joke."
Trixie ran toward him and flung her arms around him. "We did it!" She screamed. "It's official now! We're on the map!"
He laughed, hugging her back. "Your match was great, Trix," he said.
"Thanks! I was really nervous, but Molly and Ginny made it easier. You were alone, though! Was it terrifying?"
"A little, but I had Mom and Keith, and Jericho is great to work with."
"Come on, guys," his mother said. "You deserve food after that. Let's go get dinner. Cay and Saraya are already waiting."
Nicky was starving. He'd never been so hungry in his life. "Yes!" He proclaimed. "Food is exactly what we need to make this night even better."
They headed out to find dinner. Nicky couldn't even remember why he'd been so worried before.
SARAYA
The bloody phone rang at an ungodly hour the following morning. Saraya rolled over and looked at it, then groaned and answered it with, "Dad, you know better than to call me at seven in the bloody morning!" Cayla had already gotten in the shower to head to the gym, but Saraya was enjoying sleeping in.
"Saraya..." Her father paused. "Luv, we need to talk."
"About what?" Saraya asked nervously. She'd never heard her father sound so shaky before. She was instantly awake.
"Something's happened...Your mum, she was really tired earlier, so she laid down to take a nap..."
"Dad... What's going on?" Was her mum sick?
"I went up to wake her, and... I couldn't."
"What? Dad, what are you saying?"
"She's gone, Luv. Passed on in her sleep."
"No! You're wrong! I just talked to her, Dad. She's fine! This is one of her jokes, right?"
"No, Luv... I wish it was..."
His words made no bloody sense. How could her mum be gone? She was perfectly fine. "She's been ill, Saraya. Heart troubles. She didn't want to worry you."
It clicked then. Her mum had seemed so desperate for her and Cayla and Trixie to come visit, but Saraya had blown her off... In the last conversation they'd had, she'd bloody blown her off! And now, she would never have the chance to go see her mum again...
Her chest felt tight. She couldn't breathe. She was shaking. "I... I've got to go, Dad." She hung up before he could protest. Then she threw her phone with all of her strength at the hotel door. The screen shattered, just like her universe.