CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CORRI

Corri knew what gunshots sounded like. She'd heard them often enough growing up in New York. She reacted quickly, slamming the door to the second party room shut as soon as Keith yanked Molly inside.

Molly let out a scream of the one word she hadn't used in years. "Dad!" She screamed as she fought against Keith trying to get to her father.

"Molly!" Corri shouted. "Molly, stop! You can't go out there." She pulled Molly into her arms.

Molly thrashed like a wild animal. "Let me go!" She screamed. "That is my father! He's hurt! I have to... I have to help him!"

"You can't. I don't know what's going on, but none of us can leave this room without possibly drawing fire."

"He needs me! I won't leave him!"

"Don't you think I want to go rushing in there? My sister, my husband, and my niece are all in there! But I can't because I have to keep all of you safe!"

Molly stopped fighting and began sobbing. It broke Corri's heart. She hugged her, then looked at Keith. "Take her," she said gently. Keith pulled Molly into his arms and tried to comfort her.

"Corri's right," Stephanie said from the corner she'd ducked into. She was trembling. "We can't risk whoever is out there coming in here." She looked more terrified than Corri had ever seen her. Gone was the confident and frequently bitchy head of WWE. In her place was the frightened little girl she'd been when she'd first shown up in the company.

Corri extended her hand to her. "Come on. We have to get everyone out of here," Corri said.

Stephanie nodded numbly and stood up with her help. "Everyone, go with Stephanie. There's an exit back there."

There were about twenty or so people in the room. Corri looked for a leader amongst them, but most of them were kids, either from NXT or the newer main roster members. She looked to Keith. "Honey, I need you to be brave. Lead them out of here. Take Molly and your brother. Keep them safe."

Keith looked at her. "What about you?" He asked.

"Don't worry about me. I'm going to see if I can help." She kissed his forehead. "Be strong, Keith. They need a leader."

Keith knew better than to protest. He nodded and immediately took charge, keeping Molly and Nicky closest to him. Stephanie stayed right behind him. Corri watched as they left. Then she peaked through the door and saw something that made her heart stop. The person holding the gun was Jordy.

KEITH

Keith led everyone through the stairwell. Halfway down, he heard sobbing. He looked at Nicky. "Take everyone outside," he said. "I need to find whoever that is and make sure they're okay."

Nicky nodded. Keith was proud when his brother took charge of the scared group and led them away. Only Molly refused to leave.

"I… I left the Sire," she said. She was still crying. "I won't leave you. I can't."

He nodded. "It's okay," he said. "Stay with me." He followed the sound of the sobs. He spotted the crying girl pretty quickly.

"Claire?" He called.

Claire sat holding her knees to her chest and rocking. "He… He shot him," she whispered.

Keith might hate this girl, but he couldn't abandon her to whatever danger might be lurking now. "I know. Claire, listen to me… You have to come with us. It's not safe here."

"No… He… He has a gun…"

"The dumb bitch is in shock," Molly said.

"We can't just leave her," Keith said.

"We can, actually, but you're not that person." She sighed. "Claire, come on. You can't stay here."

"No… No…" She was rocking.

Keith knelt beside her. Slowly, he extended his hand toward her. "Come with us, Claire. You'll be safe. I promise."

Claire seemed to see him then. "Keith?" She asked.

"Yeah. Come on, Claire. We aren't safe here."

She nodded and took his hand, letting him help her up. "Why are you helping me?" She asked.

"Because no matter what you did to me, you don't deserve to die and I won't leave you somewhere that you could get killed."

Claire looked shocked. "I… Thank you."

"Walk faster," Molly said. "We need to get the fuck out of here…"

"Molly…" Claire said. "Your father…"

"Don't!" Molly snapped at her. "Just fucking don't! Shut up and walk and be glad we didn't leave you here to rot!"

Claire had enough sense not to say anything else. Together, they found the others. They left the building together, finding safety. Keith prayed the rest of their friends and family were okay. He tried not to worry about the fact that both of his parents, as well as his aunt and cousin, were all inside with a mad man and Molly's father might be dead. He couldn't focus on that. His mother had put him in charge of keeping everyone here safe and that was exactly what he was going to do.

TRIXIE

Seeing her best friend's father collapse on the ground after getting shot had left Trixie completely stunned. She'd reacted quickly, trying to get to Dean, but Ginny grabbed her arm to stop her. The man with the gun was aiming it very close to the two of them. Trixie was startled when someone knocked both of them to the ground and began shielding them with his body. The shot that was heading their way missed.

She looked into their rescuer's eyes. "Danny?" She asked.

"Stay down!" He ordered her. He looked at Ginny. "Sorry... Are you okay?"

Ginny nodded. She hesitated, but finally said, "Thank you."

"I figured I owed you..." He looked at Trixie. "That's two psychopaths trying to kill you in two days. Would you please take that 'I Love Lunatics' sign off of your back?"

"You... saved my life. Again," Trixie said in shock.

"I wish you'd quit needing it." He squeezed her hand. "Fred and Thaddeus are a few feet away, in the corner. Crawl to them. Slowly. No sudden movements. They'll protect you guys."

"My dad..." Ginny whispered.

"He's too far. Stay with Trixie and the Players. It's a safer corner."

Ginny looked like she wanted to protest, but she nodded. Carefully, the two girls crawled toward Fred and Thad. Danny made an effort to hide them as he shifted his body. When they made it, Fred immediately wrapped both girls in his arms.

"You're safe," he promised. "We'll protect you."

"I've got you guys," Thad added.

Trixie dared to look toward the shooter. She started to panic when she realized that he had the gun aimed directly at her mother.

CAYLA

This couldn't be happening. "Jordy, please! What are you doing?" She asked in horror. Dean lay a few feet away. He wasn't moving, but he was muttering curse words every few seconds. She hoped that was a good sign.

"Where's your sister?" Jordy demanded, aiming the gun at Cayla.

"Jordy, don't do this... Please..."

"Tell me!" He starting ranting incoherently, waving the gun around and then putting it back on Cayla.

"I can't," Cayla said.

"You have to! I don't want to hurt you, Cayla. Just tell me where Corri is!"

Cayla shook her head. Jordy let out a frustrated sound and squeezed the trigger. Everything happened in slow motion. Cayla waited for the pain to hit. Instead, she felt something warm splash across her flesh. She couldn't process what had happened at first. She stared at her hands, uncomprehending. Why was she covered in this red fluid? Who had fallen at her feet moments after the shot had been fired?

She forced herself to look down and saw someone covered in blood and lying on his stomach. No one was that size... No one except for Big Show.

Cayla let out a scream that was nearly primal. She was frozen in place, unable to make herself move. Jordy was still aimimg the gun at her when someone knocked her to the floor and it went off again. This time, it didn't hit anyone.

"Cayla, are you hit?" AJ asked. She stared at him unable to form words. "Are you hurt?" He asked again, searching her for any obvious wounds.

"Answer me, Cayla!" Jordy screamed.

"She's not here!" Someone said loudly. "You wanna threaten someone with your big gun because you think that makes you a big man? Threaten me. Let's see who's tougher, kid."

Cayla realized it was Randy speaking. He'd successfully gotten Jordy's attention. The gun was now aimed at her brother-in-law instead of her.

"Cay... You gotta stay down," AJ said. "Do you understand?"

She looked at him. Somehow, she managed to nod. She was already on the ground. She pulled Show into her arms, resting his head in her lap. She stroked it soothingly as he looked up at her. Show tried to form words, but blood came out of his mouth instead.

Seeing the fear in his eyes caused Cayla to find the strength to speak. "Show..." Cayla whispered in horror. "Don't leave me. Please... Just hang on. We'll get you help."

AJ had taken off his jacket. He was trying to apply pressure to the wound, but it was no use. Show was losing too much blood too quickly.

"Don't go," Cayla begged. "Show, please..." He coughed up more blood. "Paul!" Cayla cried. She rarely used his legal name. Everyone called him Show because Paul was Triple H, but he was dying... He was dying, and there was nothing she could do about it. "I love you," she whispered.

He blinked at her and she knew he understood. A moment later, he let out a deep breath. The glassy look in his eyes told her he was gone.

Cayla sobbed harder, refusing to let him go. AJ closed Show's eyes and wrapped his arms around Cayla. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. He paused. "You can grieve later, Cay. Right now, you need to be strong. We're not safe yet."

She knew he was right, but how could she be strong now? She looked around the room. That was when she saw Trixie sobbing in Fred's arms.

Trixie, she thought. Trixie's in danger. That thought gave her the strength to get her head back in the game. Somehow, she released Show.

Another shot was fired. People screamed. One of the NXT boot campers hit the ground dead... Josh, Cayla remembered.

"I guess there's a spot for me now!" Jordy yelled at Paul, who cowered behind Randy.

"Put the gun down, Son," Randy said calmly. "This isn't going to end well for you."

Cayla prayed the same would not be said for Randy.

CORRI

Corri had been helpless as she watched Jordy shoot at the people she loved, including making repeated attempts to hit Cayla. She'd watched Big Show give his life to protect her twin. Cayla was only in danger because she refused to give Corri up. She had to do something.

Randy spotted her. Their eyes locked. She looked at him. He shifted his head. She followed his gaze, spotting her niece and Fred, along with several others who were close to the door. She looked back at Randy. He nodded slightly. She nodded back.

Before her eyes, Randy morphed into the big bad Marine he'd once been. It was like a switch had been flipped. He began speaking to Jordy in a calm, commanding voice and distracted him completely.

She caught Fred's eye. He was close, with Trixie by his side. She motioned for him to come to the door. Slowly, those closest found their way to the door. Corri gave Trixie a quick hug. "The exit's that way," she told Thad. "Take them all and run."

Thad led everyone out of the back room. Corri was relieved she'd at least managed to save her niece, as well as about ten other people. That meant eleven people Jordy couldn't shoot.

Because I cut him, she thought. I knew he wasn't okay. This is my fault. She shook her head. There wasn't time for this right now. She needed to try to help the others. She looked at her incredibly brave husband and prayed he'd be able to stay safe.

CAYLA

Randy had nearly talked Jordy down when someone tried to run. It was one of the NXT kids. She didn't know his name. Jordy fired off another shot. This one missed.

Nikki let out a scream as the shot was fired. Jordy turned to her. "You were such a bitch to me," he said. He pointed the gun at her and Nikki froze in terror. Cayla had never seen her look so helpless. She decided she couldn't let anyone else die tonight.

"Jordy!" She called, standing up. She pushed Nikki to safety as Jordy fired another shot. Cayla barely dodged the bullet herself.

"Cayla, I don't want to hurt you," Jordy said. "You were nice to me. You tried so hard to make me feel better… Please just let me do what I have to do."

"You don't have to do this," Cayla insisted. "Jordy, you're hurting. I know that, but how is this going to help?"

"I'm doing what you told me to do!"

"What?" Cayla asked. "What do you mean?"

"You told me to make them notice me! Well, I bet they did! Right, Triple H? Do you notice me now?"

Cayla's chest felt tight with guilt. "Jordy… This isn't what I meant."

"I know… But how else could I do it?"

"You have so much talent… Potential… The only reason you didn't get a spot was because you're still young and need to learn more… There is nothing wrong with that! But this? Killing people? Trying to kill Triple H and my sister? That won't help. That won't do anything but get you arrested or worse."

He stared at her. "I didn't know what else to do. I lost everything, Cayla… Everything!"

"I know you think you did, Jordy… But this won't fix that." She took a deep breath. "I still believe in you, Jordy. I believe you're a good kid and you just lost your way because you're hurting… But you'll never get out of here alive unless you put down that gun."

"They'll kill me as soon as I do! I'm dead anyway!"

"No, Jordy, they won't kill you. Not if you aren't a threat." She looked at him. "Give me the gun, Jordy."

"I can't!"

She spoke more firmly, looking into his eyes. "Give me the gun," she said again.

He was shaking. Finally, he handed the gun to her. Cayla took it with trembling hands and stepped aside as Randy tackled Jordy and restrained him. The security guards were finally free to come over without risking causing anyone else to get shot. They handcuffed him and Cayla knew it was over. She was still trembling as she held the gun that had done so much damage to the people she loved.

She barely noticed when Randy took the gun from her hands. "Cayla," he said. "Cayla, are you alright?"

She wanted to reply, but she couldn't. With the threat gone, everything else hit her at once. She saw the blood on her hands again and remembered. With that, she fell to her knees. She couldn't breathe no matter how hard she tried.

"Cayla… Cay, breathe honey," Randy said. "It's over. It's okay. You're safe."

"Check… Dean…" she managed to say as she hyperventilated. Randy was reluctant to leave her.

Cayla felt her sister join them. Corri immediately pulled Randy into her arms and kissed him. "Thank God," she whispered. "I thought… He could have…"

"I'm okay," Randy said.

Corri nodded. "Go take care of Dean. I've got Cay. Please make sure my best friend doesn't die."

Randy nodded and left them. "Cay… I'm here. It's okay. It's over," Corri said. She pulled Cayla into her arms. "Please try to breathe, honey. You did amazing. I'm so proud of you."

Cayla looked at her sister. She sobbed into her shoulder for a bit until she could breathe again. Finally, she whispered, "He saved me, Corr… And now he's gone."

Corri was crying, too. "I know. I'm so sorry, Cay…"

To Cayla's surprise, someone else joined them. She looked up and realized it was Nikki. She looked shaken up and like she was trying to figure out what to say. "Cayla…" She said.

Corri tensed, ready for a fight. Cayla looked up at Nikki, wondering how she had the nerve to even approach her after everything she'd done.

"What do you want?" Corri demanded.

"I just… I wanted to say…" Nikki paused. "I'm sorry," she finally said. "About Big Show. I know how close you two were. It's… It's tragic."

Cayla nodded. She knew this was the closest Nikki could bring herself to come to thanking her for saving her life. "Thank you for that," she said.

Nikki turned and walked away. "That was weird," Corri said.

"I knocked her out of the way of a bullet," Cayla said. "I think that was her way of thanking me."

"Nikki being almost nice is a sign of the end of the world."

Cayla had to agree. Then again, this certainly did feel like the end.

SARAYA

Saraya was holding a beer when the news caught her attention. "Our sources in the States have confirmed that there has been a shooting at a large party in Florida," the reporter said. "Several WWE personnel were in attendance at this party. There are confirmed injuries as well as multiple deaths, but names have not been released to the public. We will keep you posted on this story as more information becomes available."

Saraya dropped the beer. It shattered, causing her fellow wrestlers to stare at her. "I- I have to go," she said.

"Saraya?" One of the promotors asked. "What's wrong?"

"The news… I have to get back to the States! I have to bloody go!" She shouted.

"Calm down. What's happened?"

"My wife and my daughter were at that party! I have to go! I… I just lost my Mum. I can't lose them, too!"

Someone tried to comfort her. She didn't even register who it was. She started kicking and punching and screaming at them to let her go.

"Saraya! Luv! Calm down!" A familiar voice shouted. Stu, formerly known as Wade Barrett, forced her into his arms and tried to calm her down. Long ago, they'd had a drunken one night stand. He could be a jerk at times, but Stu was also a friend.

"Stu… I can't… I can't lose them," she whispered.

"You won't, Luv. They're strong. They're going to be okay," Stu promised. "I'll drive you to the airport myself, alright?"

She nodded. She followed him to the car and prayed that she wouldn't receive bad news.

RANDY

Randy knelt beside Dean. "Dean? Can you hear me?" He asked. Joe and Colby were by his side as well.

"Fuck," Dean mumbled, opening his eyes. "Getting shot fucking hurts, man."

"Thank God," Joe mumbled. Colby was crying.

Randy looked at his wound. The bullet had hit him in his side and he'd lost a lot of blood, but it didn't look like it was going to be fatal and the bleeding had slowed down significantly as Joe and Colby had applied pressure.

"You're going to be okay," Randy told him.

"I know," Dean said. "This isn't the first fucking time I've been shot."

"Why am I not surprised?" Randy helped keep Dean talking as they waited for paramedics to arrive. By the time they were ready to leave, Randy was positive he was going to be alright.

Paul knelt beside Dean. He looked at him. "You save my life, Ambrose," he said in shock. "You heal up, alright? As soon as you come back, the title's yours."

Dean laughed. "Fuck, Paul, if I knew all it was gonna take to get the title was saving your life, I'd have had someone shoot at you years ago," he said.

Randy was relieved to hear Dean making jokes. Paul laughed, too. "You did good, Dean. Thank you."

"You are a lucky man. You're stable and the bullet hit in a pretty harmless area and went straight through," one of the paramedics said. "You're going to be fine, but you need to get to the hospital so we can stitch you up properly and get you some blood. You'll need some time to recover, but you're going to be just fine."

The paramedics took Dean away. Randy stood and ran to Corri. "Is Cay alright?" He asked.

"She will be, I think," Corri said. She held him close.

"The boys… Where are they?"

"I had Keith lead everyone out to safety. They're fine."

Randy let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been mentally holding. "I love you," he said.

"I love you, too, Sexy…" She kissed him again. "You just out-sexied yourself with that Marine Bad-assery, by the way."

He focused on Corri and tried to forget everything they'd just been through for just a moment. Corri had always been good at keeping him from thinking about the things that gave him nightmares, but Randy knew that after tonight, he'd have a few new ones to deal with.