Jerry Lynn is awoken by banging on his door. He sits up, still trying to wake up. He groans when the banging starts to get worse.
"Alright, alright, coming," Jerry says. He stands up opening the door to see a very shaken Kip Sabian holding his phone in his hands.
"Check your phone," Kip says. Jerry nods rushing over to the phone. His stomach drops when he sees the message. The message had a photo attached to it; Joey was in a bathtub, blood dripping from his mouth. The water is a mixture of blood and cum. There is a message attached to the picture, 'He's staying strong just like you told him. He's a lot of work, but he's so much fun to play with.' "Did you get the same message?"
"Yeah," Jerry says. "What did yours say?"
"They said they want to keep him forever," Kip says. "What if we never get him back? What if…"
"Hey, hey, we can't think like that," Jerry says. "He isn't giving in, that's for sure. They must have watched the press conference."
"I just want to hold him," Kip says. "I would take his place in a heartbeat."
"I know you would," Jerry says. "I'm sure you'll be able to hold him soon."
"I wonder if anyone else got messages," Kip ponders.
When Kenny exits the bathroom, he finds the Bucks huddled together on the bed looking at their phone. Nick was crying.
"Guys?" Kenny asks rushing over to them. Matt hands him the phone, Brandon on his knees, hands handcuffed behind him, scars visible on his back and shoulder. 'Couldn't protect him, could you?' the message attached to the picture states. Kenny looks over at his phone when it dings. He looks at the Bucks who just nod to him.
"We'll be here, the whole time," Matt says. Kenny picks up his phone, opening the message.
"It's a video," Kenny says. Kenny sits down in the middle of the Bucks'. Kenny takes a shaky breath before playing the video. "Adam…"
"Cornette and DeMott," Matt says.
"Well, Kenny Omega, this is what happens when you speak ill of us," DeMott says.
"Speak ill? All I fucking did was tell the truth!" Kenny yells. He grips onto the bed when the phone is handed over to Cornette, DeMott taking over the beating that was currently happening to Kenny's tag partner.
"How does that feel, huh?" Cornette asks. "Being the cause of your best friend's pain and suffering?" Cornette hands the phone back over to DeMott.
"They are really enjoying this," Nick says.
"You know, maybe this will take you down a peg or two, huh? The almighty Kenny Omega, the best wrestler in the world, hero to all! But you aren't a hero, are you? No, you are just a weak pathetic excuse of a man. Couldn't even protect Page here. Maybe next time, we'll pick one of your lovers? Could do so much more with them. Remember who holds the power here, Kenneth." Matt quickly takes the phone away from Kenny before he can smash it. They all jump when they hear knocks on the door. Matt stands up, opening the door, ushering in both Rick Steiner and Ethan Page.
"What assholes!" Ethan shouts. "Who the hell…who blames another person for this?! You aren't at fault here, Kenny. I just hope that my baby brother has someone looking out for him there. He's…he has always been sort of a loner."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Nick says.
"You don't blame me?" Kenny asks. Ethan sighs looking at Kenny.
"Not in the slightest," Ethan says.
"I know we will find them," Rick says.
Chuck tosses and turns yet again. He was having a hard time sleeping. He was used to sleeping with either Trent or both Trent and Cassidy. He groans when there is a knock on his door. Chuck climbs out of bed, opening the door to reveal Dean Malenko and Arn Anderson at the door.
"What's going on guys?" Chuck asks.
"Have you checked your phone, Dustin?" Arn asks.
"No," Chuck says. "I've been trying to sleep. What's going on?" Chuck asks, rushing over to his phone. "No…no, Greg. Oh my God, is that a…"
"A brand," Arn says.
"I…I would like to know what your message says," Dean asks.
"He...he seemed to enjoy it, maybe not as much as I did, but enjoyed it just the same. This will just be a reminder of what we shared." Chuck reads. Dean sighs, sniffling, handing the phone to Arn.
"You raised a good boy. A perfect balance of fighter and gentleman. You should have heard him begging, it made me just want to hurt him more and more. He will always have a place in my heart, now, he'll always remember me." Arn reads. Chuck collapses onto the bed in tears. Dean rushes over to him wrapping him in a hug.
"He has been through so much…" Chuck says. "All I've ever wanted to do was protect him. He's my best friend, my soulmate. He was finally starting to heal! Now this. How am I supposed to help him? To help them?"
"By being there," Arn says. "Just being by their side helps more than you can even imagine. They are lucky to have you, Dustin."
"I love them," Chuck says.
"We know," Dean says. "You always got us too you know? You may not be able to marry both of them but we consider you family."
Daniels and Kazarian are both up unable to sleep knowing Nash was targeting their son. Kazarian is the first to pick up the phone.
"Chris…" Kazarian says, covering his mouth. He groans standing up, going over to the bathroom sink and throwing up. Daniels grabs his phone.
"That son of a bitch!" Daniels shouts.
"Does…does yours come with a message?" Kazarian asks. "He…John fought with him, said it turned him on even more."
"He…he said that John is a lot like me," Daniels says, his breath gets caught in his throat and he chokes out a sob. "He said that John was good, took it like a champ."
"I'm gonna kill him," Kazarian says. "I am going to fucking kill this motherfucker! Our son…" Daniels stands up, hugging Kazarian letting him sob onto his shoulder.
"We are going to get him back," Daniels says. "And we'll be here like we always are."
"This is…this isn't like the bullying or the harassment," Kazarian says. "We are talking about assault, rape. I never wanted him to go through this."
"I know," Daniels says. "We should get downstairs, show this to Kendall."
Stephanie wakes up to panic in the room. Hunter is pacing back and forth, Shawn against the wall crying into his hands.
"What happened?" Stephanie asks. Hunter shakily hands her his phone. "Heath? Those look like burns. Why send it to you guys?"
"He's been with us for how many years, Steph? He's practically family," Hunter says. "Fucking Hayes said that he's stronger than he looks, didn't start screaming until 3 minutes in."
"He called Hawkins, Zack, and Heath the golden trio. The ones we couldn't let go of," Shawn says. "Said that we just cast everyone else aside, but those three were always saved."
"I'm worried they won't let them leave," Hunter says. "I'm worried that maybe I'll never see them again. Never be able to tell them just how much they mean to me. They are good kids. Such loyal talented kids. I can't lose them."
"Hey! You aren't going to lose them," Stephanie says.
"We should let Rob and Ken know," Shawn says. "I'm surprised they didn't send it to them."
"We are the ones that fired them," Hunter says.
"Would you quit blaming yourself?" Stephanie and Shawn say at the same time. Hunter just chuckles pulling them both into a hug.
Tommaso groans sitting up, reaching over Candice to grab Candice's phone. Candice huffs, sitting up.
"Candy?" Tommaso asks. Candice looks over at him then at the phone. She sits up even more, tears glistening her eyes.
"His hand…" Candice says, covering her mouth. "He can't…those look really fucking bad."
"You see the splints?" Tommaso asks. "They said that two of his NXT comrades patched him up with a helping hand from…Cutler."
"At…at least he's being taken care of," Candice says. "We have to get downstairs. Don't wake Zelina, she needs her sleep."
"You sure?" Tommaso asks.
"She hasn't slept since we got here," Candice says. "She's our friend; I just want to do what is best for her." Tommaso grips onto Candice's hand walking out the door. Regal comes running up to them holding his phone.
"Did you get a message too?" Tommaso asks. Regal sighs, handing him his phone. "Unbelievable, can't even take accountability for their own actions! Johnny didn't cause this. Certainly didn't ask for this! What did they expect you to do anyway? They are acting like you raised him."
"I think they think they did nothing wrong," Candice says. They finally reach the lobby, the rest of the people who received messages down there as well. "Did…did all of you get messages too?"
"Yeah," Hunter answers. "You too?"
"Johnny's fingers are really fucked up," Tommaso says.
"I think that their goal here is to break us apart," Nick says. "To…to somehow make us feel guilty for their actions."
"Well, no matter how hard they try, they can't do that," Cody says. "We're family, regardless of what company we belong to. We all do the same thing, we all love the same thing, we're all connected to one another in some way. Nothing could ever tear us a part."