Atara Themis was in her hotel room wrapped snug in a floral patterned comforter when her phone alarm announced the beginning of a new day. Reluctant legs first peeked from the fabric and her silken skin was goosebumped by the chill Iowa air. Atara was immediately reminded how much she missed the warmth of the Mediterranean and when she lifted up, she was also reminded of her match from a few nights ago. Despite what they said, Barney Green still had a little left in the tank.

Wincing momentarily, her seraphic facial features contorted, before relaxing so cerulean orbs could adjust to the days light and take in the rather chintzy affair that was her hotel. Silently, with no lack of sarcasm, she thanked the penny pincher's at XWF for the five star treatment her low card status deserved before ending the incessant noise coming from her phone. Feet on the floor, her day had officially begun and the first order of business was of course a shower where her thoughts would take her through her itinerary. She hoped this place had a decent water heater.

Minutes later, the room's cold air was warmed by the steam of the shower water. In a moment of bliss it stung her skin with the odd gratification that made you wonder if deep down you may be sadist. The sybarctic moan than emanating from her throat did little to help the thought, fleeting as it may have been. Her mind on her future match at Spooks, Atara watched, hands braced against the shower wall as water trickled down the statuesque frame of her body. Saturday was sure to put it to test and she was admittedly concerned. The XWF was a stock full of various talents she had never dealt with.

It wasn't the match type, but her opponents that worried her. Each seemed unhinged in one fashion or the other and each would have unexpurgated freedom to do to her what they could to win. Atara had all the skill she needed to win a straight forward bout, she could improvise when needed, but this was far from straightforward and her adversaries where the most extreme cases of cryptic she had ever faced.

Brian Lance concerned her the least. Atara wouldn't say she dismissed him entirely, but of the three he was the most...normal. A hardcore enthusiast apparently, Atara assumed he was only as threatening as whatever weapon he was holding and his in ring ability probably went little further than that. His was a type that were a dime a dozen in the wrestling world. Basic for lack of a better word, she figured Brian would be the cause of his own demise. Self destruction in an ill fated attempt to cause harm to someone else.

Dracula, well, who hadn't seen a vampire movie or read the book. It never ended well for a vampire. Garlic, crucifix, Stephenie Meyer, all possible terrible ends for the Impaler. Maybe the match would take place while there was still daylight. Atara was concerned with his supposed supernatural powers. If he was legitimate, how would she adjust for that? Her moniker was Aphrodite Incarnate...not Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Her mind went finally to the last of names and the word involuntarily made her eyes dart downward towards her abdomen.

Mercy.

Despite the warmth of the water pouring over her, Atara still shivered. Honestly Atara wanted no part of Mercy and would just as soon shoot her than attempt fight. Intuition had already spoke when Atara first saw the card, she was in for a fight for more than just a win. Hardcore Holly and Count Chocula despite the wealth of experience and supernatural gifts put her in less danger. Mercy was a woman scorned, beaten, and broken by the world. There was an agenda there that went beyond glory in the ring.

Atara felt she herself was a reminder for Mercy of what had been lost. Atara felt a target would be placed on her back. Atara felt she was in real danger. She felt...she felt...cold. The heater had ran out, her shower turned frigid. She turned the water off, Mercy's name crossing her mind one final time, and shivered.

She was afraid, alone and desperately in need of advice. Unsure of who she could turn to, if any, a name would come to mind. A name she was quite familiar with. Her name.

Themis.

To Be Continued