WAIT, JCH ISN'T DEAD?

After the Manhunt

We stood there at the top of the stage – much like we did at the end of the last ReVival – as the chaos in the arena came to an end and Vince Howard was given the honor to announce the winner of the Manhunt match.

Cancer Jiles.

We raised his hand, a job well done by one and all. We had fulfilled a promise made, and won the match in honor of Coral Avalon. It was a good feeling, that I was sure we would address at the next ReVival. We turned and headed to the locker room, bruised and beaten, some of us stained in blood, but victorious nonetheless.

Right now though, I only had one thing on my mind…Olivia.

I needed to head to San Antonio right away, and figure out what the hell was going on. Victoria had been pretty vague, told me only that someone had shared a video that involved my daughter and that it was bad.

When I first found out that Victoria and Olivia were alive, that I had a child in the World, I imagined what I would do if anyone hurt her. Reality is a cruel mistress that slaps you in the face when you realize it isn't feasible to follow through with some of the ideas that run through your mind. I am not an assassin that could just walk into someone's house, kill the person responsible for causing my daughter pain, and avoid the consequences of my actions. Not even the connection to someone that knows someone that could do the job for me would leave me free from suspicion, especially when the mother of my child is in law enforcement.

The only option was to allow the proper authorities to handle it, to go through the legal channels, and hope that the right person is punished for their actions. I struggled to keep the character I portray in front of the camera at bay, because that is not the man I wanted my daughter to see.

Victoria told me that Olivia did not want me there, but the situation at hand was too serious for me to stay away. I needed to be there, to show her my support, because that is what a father would do. I know I may not be a typical father, and came into the position a little later in life than I would have liked, but I was going to be there…even if she hated me for it.

-_-_-_-_-

Awkward glances.

Hushed conversations.

As Olivia Henderson walked down the crowded hallway of Mark Twain middle school, she knew what they were talking about and why they avoided making eye contact with her.

The video.

It was uncertain who uploaded the footage of Eddie fondling her in the gym – which then led to him assaulting her when she stopped him from going any further – but it had been shared with the whole class, and eventually everyone in the school including the administrators. That is how her mother found out, who then called her father. She had made it clear that she didn't want him to be a part of her life, and now he knew about a video that captured a moment in her life that she never wanted anyone to know about.

Most of the people at school believed Eddie's story, that she had promised to pay him if he touched her, that she wanted to know what it would feel like to have a boyfriend. That he only hit her because she lied about paying him, and he was offended and grossed out from touching her. She couldn't understand how any girl would believe another girl would want to go through what she had, why they thought she would enjoy it.

She continued down the hall, her head down and hair in her face to cover up the tears that started to well up in the corner of her eyes. A few people darted around the corner at the end of the hall, then a few more followed as the word fight was passed along the hall to others loitering about. The crowd followed like lemmings, the possibility of someone getting hurt was reminiscent of a siren’s sweet song of temptation.

Olivia had too much on her mind, and dreaded the fact that she needed to head down that hallway to get to her next class. If nothing else, the possibility of something else being talked about instead of her was something to look forward to.

As she made the turn, she noticed quite the crowd had gathered a few dozen feet down the hall. Cell phones held above their heads, a new video would soon be circulated and hopefully cause the one released about her to be forgotten about.

At least here at school.

She doubted anything would make her parents forget. Tony had caught the first flight out of Japan, and Victoria would just break down in tears at random. There were definitely more hugs lately, and while she avoided her father he tried his best to be there for her.

She wanted to let him.

“Fight me alone you coward,” she heard someone shout. The voice seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn't figure out why. “Or are you only brave enough to hit girls?”

“You should mind your own damn business,” that voice she recognized right away. It was the voice that haunted her every time she closed her eyes, the one that whispered into her ear as his hands fumbled along her body like he was in a race to touch every piece of her before time ran out. “You don't even know that little bitch.”

He meant her.

She looked up, but the crowd was too thick to see who he was talking to.

“No one deserves to be treated like that.”

Why did that voice sound familiar?

Who had decided to step in and defend her?

“Maybe you just want to see if she'll put out for you.”

She heard a yell, then a grunt, right before the crowd audibly ooh'd in unison.

“You're going to pay for that, you little shit. Hold his arms.”

Eddie sounded pissed, but she couldn't see why. She couldn't get through the crowd, but she did see Benji King and Lionel Sinclair holding someone up by the arms on someone's phone screen as they recorded what was happening in front of them. It was Travis Greipe, and Eddie had just punched him in the stomach. Travis grunted as his legs weakened beneath him briefly.

Why was he doing this?

Eddie followed up with another punch, this one to the chin. Benji and Lionel let Travis drop to the floor this time, then the three of them began to kick at him with the bottom of their heels as he curled up in a fetal position.

“STOP IT,” she finally yelled out. “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” A few people turned to look at her – a few phones as well – as she tried her best to squeeze past them. This was her fault. Travis was being beaten by Eddie and his friends because of her, and she needed to stop things before they got worse.

Try as she may, it was a struggle to get through the horde that surrounded the three on one assault taking place at its center. Finally, she could see Benji's back as he continued to drive the heel of his boot into Travis’s back. She forced herself through the last row of people in front of her, and immediately threw herself onto Travis.

“Eddie, please stop.” Olivia looked up at him with tears in her eyes. She wasn't sure when or why she started crying. Nor did she understand why someone she had spoken to two or three times since they met, had decided to stand up to Eddie in her defense. Regardless of the reason, it didn't matter. What mattered was whether she could put an end to it.

“He started this,” Eddie replied as he placed a hand on Lionel's arm to pull him away. “Son of a bitch sucker punched me.”

“Hey, break it up!”

“Shit, it's Mr. Jacobi,” Benji ran into the crowd as it scattered. Lionel mixed in with the other students as well, but Eddie just stared at Olivia with that crooked grin of his as the last few kids ran off in different directions.

“Don't you move, Mr. Cruz,” the United States History teacher called out as he approached. He didn't need to say anything though, because Eddie Cruz didn't plan to go anywhere. He just stood there and stared at her.

The chaos pleased him, especially since she was at the center of it.

-_-_-_-_-

“She hasn't said one word to me the whole time I've been here.”

Tony Gamble holds a coffee mug with both hands, the steam visible as it rises and evaporates in front of his face. A few days of stubble cover his chin and cheeks, save for the area around his scar. His hair is disheveled, and the wrinkles on his light blue button up are pretty noticeable.

Victoria Henderson is sitting across from him, her hair is pulled back in a tight bun and she is wearing a navy blue pants suit with a white blouse. She places a hand on Tony's forearm and pats it a few times. “I know she's not showing it, but she's happy you're here. I can tell.”

“Well, she has a funny way of showing it,” Gamble exhales, unintentionally causing the steam from his green tea to dissipate as he glances at Victoria's hand briefly.

“Don't I know it,” she replies. She pulls her hand away and grabs her mug, bringing the rim to her lips and taking a quick sip. “One of the joys of parenthood, according to Stacy Stewart. She's actually on her third teenage girl, so the rest of the mom's consider her an expert on the subject.”

“I can't imagine,” Tony shakes his head, letting out a slight chuckle as he does so. After a beat, he looks over at Victoria, then continues. “I was thinking about giving Troy a call, let her know what's going on, see if she can get someone to take my spot against Hall.”

“Don't be silly,” Victoria dismisses his suggestion with a smirk. “Sitting here isn't going to make things move any quicker. Go to Canada, take your frustrations out on the walking Ken doll, then come back. You don't see me playing hooky, do you?”

“Pretty sure your job's a little more important than mine is,” Tony pulls the mug up, but doesn't take a drink. “But you have a good point about Hall, he would make a great substitute for the little shit that hit Olivia.”

“Yeah, I'd hate to have to arrest you.”

“Would you though?”

“You're right,” she laughs. “I used to imagine putting you in cuffs.”

“I mean, if that's what you're into,” Tony extends his arms toward her, wrists together on the table as he tries his damnedest to smile seductively.

It looks really awkward.

“Not what I meant,” she rolls her eyes at the suggestion. “I was talking about when I thought you were a criminal.”

“I'm just saying,” he lifts his arms up and leans forward so they are closer to her, emphasizing the offer is still on the table. “I'm not opposed to it.”

“Don't forget why you're here.”

And just like that, the mood is ruined.

“I'm trying to keep my mind off killing the little shit stain,” a sigh passes through slightly pursed lips.

“Definitely not something you should say in front of me,” cocking her head to the left slightly, while her eyes widen, Victoria looks over at Tony.

“I just wish there was more I could do,” Tony pinches the bridge of his nose. “Makes me feel like I suck at parenting.”

“It's not easy, but I trust the detectives handling the case.” Victoria takes another drink of her coffee.

Tony continues to nurse his tea, which is cooler than it was before, as the truth settles in more and more as time passes…

Being a parent is hard.

-_-_-_-_-

“I am a lucky guy.”

That grin.

“I am probably the only person on the roster, other than actual Universal title contenders, that has had countless matches against current or former champs.”

The Grin.

“Without actually being in a Universal title match.”

Tony Gamble is sitting on the floor.

“I'm not going to sit here and pretend I should have one, because let's face it, my record is horrendous.”

There is no stool in sight.

“I mean, there's been a few cluster matches with a Universal title shot available that I've been a part of, but I'm talking about an actual title match.”

The Stool is not going to make an appearance today.

“I've faced a who's who of Universal champs, from our freshly crowned Cecilworth Farthington to the Revolution era's Jason Snow.”

I know you're upset, but Tony is willing to sit on the floor to avoid giving The Stool another chance to outshine him.

“And now, Jonathan-Christopher, I get to face you. I don't know what I did to get this lucky, but I'm going to go out and buy a lottery ticket.”

Gamble has read the fan mail, and doesn't know how an inanimate object could be so popular.

“I've been away from the carton for a bit, but you won't believe how many texts and emails I've received from Coral, Conor, Vickie, and Cancer on what I need to do to win this match.”

Despite the success of a mannequin, a homicycle, and Joe Fontaine, Tony cannot fathom why The Stool can have such a following.

“I don't think I'm going to be using Vickie's advice, because I really doubt you're going to sit in the corner and beat yourself while I jump up and down in the center of the ring.”

He doesn't care that you're going to be disappointed.

“But I have to say, I really like my chances. You see, I've been dealing with some things lately that are out of my control, and while you have nothing to do with it…I need a way to vent, to let out my frustrations, and you, my friend, are the person that is going to help me with that.”

You should be here for him, for a PRIME Hall of Famer, not a damn stool.

“In a way, that also makes you a lucky guy.”

The Stool is here to serve, not be a distraction.

“I feel like we're really connecting, us both being so lucky.”

That's why The Stool is holding the camera today.

“Maybe one day we'll both be former Universal champs too.”

Because that's where it belongs.

“That will also make me and your buddy Ivan twinsies too, seeing how we both lost to Cecilworth.”

The Permascar Superstar stands up.

“Who am I kidding…that's never going to happen.”

Tony approaches the camera.

“It sounded good though, right?”

That grin.