Bad Choice Road | Cage Hostile Intent #1
May 24, 2022 12:19:40 GMT -5
Dave D-Flipz, bloodiedfox, and 2 more like this
Post by Drag on May 24, 2022 12:19:40 GMT -5
Orleans Parish Prison
May 18th
“Y’know, I normally ain’t the philosophising type.”
A dishevelled man sits behind bars, head leaning against the metal. Glazed smile illuminated in stark glory under the buzzing lights.
“But, I believe each of us has a-… A road, I guess. Now an’ then there’s a fork in it; with a good choice…”
“And a bad one.”
The Dog tilts his head upwards, shadows cascading across his face as the light flickers above.
“Seemed like, everytime, I made the bad choice. First, I thought it was just a problem, somethin’ broken inside my head? That, eventually, if I were good enough, I could fix it. But I’ve long since realised, to make the bad choice every. Single. Time?”
“Ya gotta know what the good choice is.”
Stands, eyes red, yet pushing past the exhaustion. His hands clasp around the metal bars.
“So it ain’t surprising to me that my road’s led to a situation I’m all too familiar with.”
“Surrounded by hungry, greedy, vicious fucks. In a cage.”
Knuckle taps against the cell, he smirks at the irony of it all.
“I wanna dispel any smug notions likely comin’ from certain pricks in this match; you ain’t here based on merit. You ain’t even really in it based on name value. You’re gettin’ this opportunity based solely on how much damage Gunn thinks you can do to me. Will he get a return on investment?”
The Dog spits a glob of hate onto the concrete floor, looking up with a sneer.
“Not on your fuckin’ life.”
“I’ve made my LIFE on never quittin’, never stoppin’ myself from walkin’ my road no matter who it pisses off. I sink my teeth into somethin’ an’ don’t let go. But even without all that? This match is a wild animal cornered by some of the “best” NLW’s got to offer. My shoulders have yet to even be pinned down for three consecutive seconds. Can you, truly, look in the mirror and believe yourself sayin’ you got what it takes to make me say “I quit”!?”
“I give UP!”
“I CAN’T TAKE IT! I’VE HAD ENOUGH!”
The question hangs in the air
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be the one startin’ the match, there’s even fuckin’ less that I’ll be the one finishin’ it.”
He looks at the assailant with disdain. Sat across from the Officer is the luckiest man alive. His own boss, somehow, declining to press charges. The attack itself, not even recorded. His cold gaze turned to the approaching camera crew, scoffing and taking his leave. The dog, now alone, looks up. Unimpressed.
“Make sure not to miss nothin’. I’d hate for Gunn not to get his money's worth.”
Scratching the back of his neck with a grunt. Hands cuffed together.
“Seventh Circle of Hell... Fancy name. I’m sure it’s barbaric, probably. Ain’t exactly able to rent tapes in here. But, if Gunn’s keepin’ me around? I’m expectin’ myself and five other cunts to get put through the meat grinder.”
“Ain’t a secret. Every moment as Champion’s had Gunn in the back, pullin’ strings, prayin’ for my failure. Hostile Intent is him playin’ all his cards. Either one of ya has the stars align and ya beat me so badly I’m injured to the point of paralyzation. Or I die in the ring.”
Eyes narrow, gazing down the road.
“I ain’t lookin’ at nobody and quittin’. Each of those motherfuckers are tough. I’m man enough to admit that.”
Turning to the camera. Awake.
“But, what can I say? I was born for this.”
A finger extends.
“Fox. Perseverant. But muddled. Twisted up by Seth an’ all their history. Ain’t been livin’ up to his potential since he got here. Has what it takes! But, in a match like this? Your head’s either in, or out. If it ain’t in, it’s gotta be out.”
A second.
“Thespian. Cunnin’. But unsure. Stealin’ moves and hidin’ away after a big loss? Normally, I wouldn’t care. You’re tough, skilled, ugly as shit. But, Thes, when it gets unpredictable and things ain’t goin’ your way? Ya might just fold. I don’t know if it’s in ya to say ya quit, but one wrong move?… Could end with ya leavin’ again. Without comin’ back.”
A third.
“Sparks. Talented. But vapid. If she’s in control? She’s no less arrogant and annoying, but she’s a force. The second she’s not? Well, all the kind words from her sycophants ain’t enough to keep her head in the game. It cost her the title, twice, her unpinned streak and next show when she somehow worms into another title shot? It’ll cost her then too!”
A fourth.
“Spike. Vicious. But deluded. Braggin’ about bein’ my bench warmer, braggin’ about his list of accolades. Want another title on that list? Wanna be Champ, Spike? Fuckin’ ask politely for this belt and I’d happily give it to ya! I won’t mythologize our encounter like you. All that matters is that you’re an old cunt with some life in ‘im. Which means you at least got one thing separatin’ ya from Tommy Kelly.”
An open hand.
“Seth… Accomplished. But, who fuckin’ cares? The most dangerous person in the match. Not ‘cause of talent or experience or intelligence or capacity for violence. But, because the man’s so fake, wearin’ so many masks… It’s impossible to figure him out. What choice is he gonna make when our roads collide at Hostile Intent? Man came back from the dead! How’re we gonna know his limit?”
“I guess, we’re just gonna have to find out. Together.”
An officer arrives, key in hand. With two clicks, the Dog’s chains are unlocked.
“You’re not gettin’ the best of Nathan Fuckin’ Cage. You’re all gettin’ the worst. The ugliest most vile parts; that led to me consciously picking the worst fucking choice. Every. Fucking. Time.”
Standing, he turns and makes his exit. Disappearing down the hall.
Continuing his road.
