*Chicago, Illinois... sometime in the evening.*
*The explanation of what has transpired over the last few hours can not be easily summarized without providing a complete back story on the who's, what's, and where's that are involved. Needless to say while Kyle Matthew Lee and Bryce Knight play crucial roles in this story, they are not the only characters. In fact the other players in this ongoing drama are even now planning for the worst and taking all precautions to avoid tragedy for taking place in the very near future.*
*Today Kyle made a handful of phone calls, however there were two calls made that were of the utmost importance. One was made to Santa Claire, California and the other to Chicago, Illinois. Now while he could have flown to Santa Claire from his home in Huntington Beach, California and been there to offer his full support he decided instead to fly to Chicago. The reasons for this will become all the more clear as this small portion of the story unfolds. Because as was stated earlier, the full story is nearly impossible to retell without going back at least fifteen-years.*
*Back before the fall...*
*It had been cloudy and sprinkling all day over Chicago, that combined with the 80-degree temperature had left a mugginess in the air that made it hard to breath. But for Bryce Knight and his fiancée Erika D'laney, safely tucked away in 70-degree confines of their SUV, the outside world was of little concern to them at the moment as they drove towards O'Hare Airport *
NIGHTSTRYKER: Now... explain to me again why he just couldn't get a cab?
*An agitated Bryce asked of his female companion as he checked his mirrors to make a lane change.*
Erika D'laney: Because, honey, he's our friend now and that's what friends do for each other.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Hmm... okay... so then why do we have an Eye with us again?
*He says as he jerks a thumb towards the backseat indicating the camera. Erika shrugs a bit.*
Erika D'laney: I don't know, Kyle said it was important.
*The was the part where I explain why a camera was present... very obvious I know. Let us continue.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: Yeah well you know what's generally important to Kyle isn't too important to the rest of us, and there he is right there.
*The camera follows Bryce's gaze out of the rain speckled windshield of his vehicle to find the familiar form of Kyle Lee on the curbside with duffle bag on shoulder. Erika starts to drop her window...*
NIGHTSTRYKER: I hope he doesn't think he's staying with us.
Erika D'laney: Oh shush...
*She begins and then leans out of the window to shout at November.*
Erika D'laney: Kyle! Over here! Hi!
*As Lee waves and starts towards them D'laney drops back into her seat and raises her window.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: You're serious aren't you? He really is staying with us isn't he? I mean come on hon it's Sunday, and...
*His tune quickly changes as the rear passenger side door opens.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: Hey Lee... good to see you at ten in the evening on a Sunday, buddy.
*Climbing into the SUV Kyle gives a quick glance to the camera before looking over to Erika with a pleasant smile.*
November: Hi Erika.
*She looks up and back at Kyle exposing her long and slender neck and the diamond pendant hanging around it.*
Erika D'laney: Hey Kyle... have a good flight?
November: No not really.
*Lee shakes his head as he pats Stryker on the shoulder.*
November: And yeah, I'm not happy about being here in this humid hell hole either, but it's a necessary evil. I'm hungry though so find us some place where we can eat, your treat, and I have a story for you while we go.
*Lee looks to the camera.*
November: A private story.
*The hint's taken and we start to fade but not before Knight gets in the last word.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: You still owe me dinner for that thing in Vegas...
*Fade and silence...*
*The clinking of silverware and a backdrop of dinner conversation blended with Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" greets our ears before the screen comes back to life upon the forms of Erika, Kyle, and Bryce sitting around a table. The setting is that of a small 60's style diner; glistening chrome, neon signs, and waitress' dressed up like Marilyn Monroe and Bette Davis pay testament to that, but despite this cheerful sitting the three situated around their corner booth table look anything but cheery.*
November: ...so that's as much as I know about what's going on.
*Lee finishes saying as he swirls the remnants of a cherry Coke around with his straw. Erika meanwhile looks out the window into the night.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: And you're sure you really are Kyle Matthew Lee? I mean THE Kyle Matthew Lee?
*Bryce says with a smile as he pops a French fry into his mouth.*
November: Hardy-har-har-har... Listen asshole it's not like I asked for this. I'm not exactly thrilled to be stuck in this situation, but by proxy you're just as involved in this as I am.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Pssh, I'd just as soon dump your ass and find a new partner then have to deal with all this baggage.
November: And you say that as if you have so many options out there. You're an asshole remember? Nobody likes you.
*Knight shakes his head thoughtfully.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: Oh yeah.
*Erika finally pulls her gaze away from the window to look back at Kyle.*
Erika D'laney: So you don't know who Kindred is then?
*Kyle lets out a snort of laughter as he sits his glass back down on the table and looks over to her.*
November: If I knew that then we wouldn't be having this conversation. Like I said I called everyone in my Family. Drake, Twilight, Roe... everyone, and nothing. So either they're all lying to me OR we're all suffering from the biggest case of mass amnesia that I've ever heard of. Then again maybe I;ve heard of bigger cases and I just can't remember.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Stop trying to be funny. You're not very good at it.
November: Thanks.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Not a problem. So what if they are lying to you?
November: I'd expect that from like most of those people, but well I also talked to my mom, and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't lie to her little boy.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Only pretty sure huh?
November: Well she did lie about Santa and the Easter Bunny.
NIGHTSTRYKER: You're trying that funny thing again.
November: Sorry.
*A moment of silence settles over the table before Erika breaks it up with another question.*
Erika D'laney: So what did Marcus have to say when you told him?
*A look of contemplation comes over Lee's face.*
November: Not a lot. He thanked me for the heads up, but when I asked him if he knew who the dude was he told me he'd have his dad call me. That's been awhile ago now and nothing.
NIGHTSTRYKER: That is odd because usually you can't get a Collins to shut their mouths.
November: Look at who's Mr. Funnyman now huh? In any matter I have a feeling William knows something... in fact I have a feeling Marcus knows something too, but they don't want to share.
NIGHTSTRYKER: And yet you're trying to help them?
November: It's Angelica's family.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Oh come on man you have got to...
*Erika interrupts Bryce mid-sentence.*
Erika D'laney: And you're sure Tenegra isn't a major player?
*Lee makes a face and shakes his head.*
November: I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a fucking clue what's going on. Like I said how I have it figured is that some guy got a hold of this Kindred guy, crossed his wires, like what happened to Toper, and sent him after me. For what reason?
*Kyle shrugs.*
November: I don't know the Charms have had a lot of enemies in the past, but I do know Tenegra isn't one of those enemies. He seems to have just fallen into the mix by pure coincidence.
Erika D'laney: Yeah but he did dig up the Collins name and Kindred does seem to know a lot about your family.
*Lee lets out a deep sigh as he looks to Erika.*
November: Which is exactly what he wants everyone to think. Listen everything he spouted off can be found by surfing the net, renting a few old wrestling events from your local Blockbuster, and asking around. There was nothing he said that isn't public knowledge. Listen Erika the guy's full of all kinds of nutso, if he knew anything he'd be able to tell me, uh... he'd be able to tell me the name of my aunt's cousin. We're not worried about the validity of his statements I'm worried about him going after the two of you because he's a live wire.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Dude... I think I'd smell that guy coming a mile away. I mean his stench persisted in that ring even after he was gone. What's your thing with attracting smelly people. Rain, this guy... who's next Oscar the Grouch?
November: He'll be here all week people.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Thank you, thank you.
*Erika shakes her head and smiles at their antics. A few of you are wondering how it all happened, most of you don't care, but Erika is delighted it's happened.*
Erika D'laney: I think you're taking this all a bit lightly Kyle. I mean you will be getting into a ring with a guy who wants to "hurt you".
*Lee shrugs.*
November: I've been hurt before sweetheart. That's nothing new... it comes with the territory. If I didn't want to be hurt I'd play pool for a living...
NIGHTSTRYKER: You suck at pool.
*Kyle continues on ignoring Bryce.*
November: ...so no I'm not too concerned. It's a wrestling match. Us versus them. Bryce and I have dealt with worse in the past... I mean you know before he threw his big hissy fit and started blaming me for every single one of his problems.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Fuck off dick. My reasoning's for hating you were legitimate. You just can't accept blame.
November: Now you sound like Kindred.
Erika D'laney: And you both need to get serious about this match, and stop taking these two so lightly.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Oh come on babe! Don't ask me to consider Danny Tenegra and Kindred serious threats. One of them can't put together coherent sentences and the other one smells. Look Kyle's right we've rolled through guys like this time and again. Sure we may be a bit rusty going out there Saturday...
November: Speak for yourself.
NIGHTSTRYKER: ...BUT it's not like we haven't done this before. I mean Kyle here already squashed Dann-
November: Dude... that's just lame.
*Bryce laughs.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: I'm sorry but I had to. He more or less dared to use that against him.
November: Yeah, me... not you - you know what don't defend me anymore.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Fine then, but don't come crying to me when Kindred "decimates and destroys" your face all over that ring on Saturday.
November: OH! OH! You didn't just go there! Destroys my face? Well how about when you have to endure Danny Boy's wrath? That guy use to be a champion you know?
NIGHTSTRYKER: Oh yeah?
November: Oh yeah.
*Bryce lets out a deep breath and looks to Erika.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: And you got us a match against a former champion? How are we expected to compete against odds like that?
*D'laney rolls her eyes and sighs.*
Erika D'laney: Okay yuck it up you two, but if you lose I'll be there to say I told you so. Kindred seems to be bringing emotion to this match, and well Tenegra seems kind of fired up as well. And here the two of you sit blowing straw wrappers at one another.
*Kyle makes a face.*
November: I was just helping Bryce work on his hand eye coordination. He didn't do so well.
NIGHTSTRYKER: That kind of hurt.
November: Well if that's true then Danny's probably gonna make you cry on Saturday.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Well if he plans to attack me with straw wrappers then yeah.
*Erika smiles, but the smile is uneasy as she looks to the two.*
Erika D'laney: Mm-hmm, and this Shadow Man then?
*Kyle looks to D'laney still smiling.*
November: Yeah? What about him?
Erika D'laney: You're not concerned about who this could be?
November: No not really.
Erika D'laney: Even with Fley suddenly coming out of seclusion?
*Lee takes a sip of his watered down soda before answering.*
November: No... Ponytail man and his lackeys don't worry me. I have a feeling if they had a beef with us all of these games wouldn't be involved. Styx is kind of a blunt fellow... doesn't quite possess the wit to play mind games.
NIGHTSTRYKER: Amen to that.
November: I mean I'm sure we'll have our run ins with Fley... it's bound to happen, but they're not behind this. And really Eri I don't care enough to find out. I'm here to make a paycheck and that's about it.
*Bryce snorts.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: Yeah, you better hope we win these titles. You kind of need this bonus considering how much-
*Bryce is suddenly interrupted by a waiter baring a striking resemblance to a young Elvis Presley, but he doesn't even attempt the accent...*
Waiter: So will you folks need anything else tonight or are you done?
*They all look around the table at each other and then Bryce looks over to the waiter.*
NIGHTSTRYKER: We're done thanks.
*End Transmission*