CHAPTER 9

The bell rang signaling the start of the tag team bout of Cesaro and Sheamus vs Enzo and Cass. All four men were standing in the ring trash talking each other when the familiar guitar riff started throughout the arena. The crowd cheered when they saw Dean Ambrose, with Mark Calaway at his side, making their way to the ring. They entered into the squared circle and took out Sheamus and Cesaro with a dirty deeds and a chokeslam. Mark, in Undertaker fashion, rapidly turned his eyes towards the referee causing him to flee to the backstage area. Dean demanded for a microphone and turned to Enzo and Cass.

"Now. The two of you better skedaddle out of this ring. Otherwise, we will gladly deliver a Texas sized beating with the style of Cincinnati. How ya doin'?"

Enzo and Cass glanced at each other and nodded. They agreed to exit the ring. After the tag team were backstage, Dean stood in the middle of the ring.

"I'm sure everyone was not expecting me to be back in the WWE for quite a little while yet. For those of you who don't know why I've been absent, here's my reason. In just a few short weeks, my wife Renee Young will be giving birth to our first child. In just a few short weeks, I will be a father to a beautiful baby girl."

The crowd applauded and hooted.

"HOWEVER! Over the weekend, somebody broke into our house and attacked me, knocking me out cold. I woke up the next morning to find my wife was abducted."

The WWE Universe gasped.

"That morning had two more intruders inside my house beating me, and attempting to kill me in my own bathtub. Obviously, I'm still here. Luck me, and thank God above, the man to my right Mark Calaway, better known to you as The Undertaker, was in town this past weekend and came to my rescue. We both tussled with our attackers and won. I got on the phone and called the person responsible behind the attempted murder on me and the kidnapping of my wife and unborn child. He gave me specific instructions to be here tonight."

"Well, whoever you are, here I am. The question is where are you? I'm here like you wanted. Where are you?"

The lights flickered briefly, then came back on. A man in a red and black mask appeared on the titantron.

"Well, done, Ambrose. You made it. I'm so happy you make it. Now, what everyone there heard was true. I have Renee Young in my possession. If you don't believe me, here's proof."

The man held up a cellphone and displayed a picture of Renee, sitting on a floor, looking frightened. Her face was filthy and tear streaked. Dean had to turn away from the image turning his back to the titantron. Mark placed a hand on Dean's left shoulder.

"Horrifying, isn't it, Ambrose? I know you want her back and you would do anything for your wife and unborn child. I believe that. So, here are your instructions, like I promised to deliver. You must fight the WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins. Win the belt and bring it to me to the location later to be revealed. And just in case you're not taking me seriously..."

Dean faced the titantron again.

"Just to let you know, it's not only the lives of Renee and your child at stake here. Let me show you another picture, if I may."

The man scanned his phone for another picture, then found it. He pressed his thumb to the image, then turned the screen of the phone back towards the camera. The crowd gasped again at the image of not one, but two, people in the photo. A woman and a little girl. Michelle and Kaia Calaway. Mark eyed the picture in horror. The looks on his family's faces showed fear. He closed his eyes and turned his back from the titantron.

"Mark..."Dean started to say.

"Oh, Mark. You should have made sure your family would be safe before you left Texas for the weekend. Shame on you. Dean, you know the rules. Win the match, bring the title to me, and I will let them go. But, if you fail, then neither of you will see them again and you, Dean, will never know what it's like to hold your baby in your arms. It's all up to you...Jonathan David Good. Best of luck."

The screen went black on the titantron. Mark was seething as Dean stood by. Mark cast his angry eyes towards Dean before exiting the ring. Dean dropped the microphone and followed Mark backstage as RAW went to commercial break. Coming back from commercial break, a video played showing Dean following Mark in the backstage area .

"Mark! Mark, I'm sorry."

Mark just kept walking.

"Would you please stop and talk to me?"

Mark continued walking. Dean sighed heavily and grabbed Mark by the right arm and turned him around. Mark jerked his arm back and gave Dean a shove.

"Don't touch me."

Dean shoved back. "Don't push me."

Mark's right hand wrapped around Dean's throat and pushed him up against the wall. Dean's hand wrapped around Mark's wrist.

"Mark...don't..." Dean pleaded.

Mark quickly released him. Dean coughed as he rubbed at his throat. Mark got close to Dean and met his eyes.

"You had better win that title...or you'll answer to me."

Mark walked away, leaving Dean looking on. Dean knew tonight what he had to do. There was no other option. It was for all or nothing.