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Marf · (03-03-2021)

We open to the sounds of a slow drip smacking the concrete floor. As we come into focus we see the drip this time, a drop of blood falling and splatting to the floor of the locker room. Marf is sitting on the bench, his face still a mess from just competing in a first blood match. Blood continues to leak from his multiple wounds, collecting onto his hairy chin, travelling through his beard and diving to the floor below. Marf looks around but not really focusing his eyes on anything in particular. None of the other Left Hand members appear to be around.

Marf: Hold on, where is everyone?

Marf slowly stands up and walks across to the washroom but nobody is there. He steps in and looks at the mirror, finally seeing his bloody face for the first time. He gives himself a strange little smirk before turning the tap on. He leans into the sink and washed the blood off his face. Marf stands up straight and looks into the mirror but jumps in shock. His wounds have opened up wider and the skin on his face has almost peeled right off. Marf attempts to press the skin back onto his face but it’s just flops and melts in his hands.

Marf moans as his flesh appears to be burning off of his skull now. Steam rises off of his face and head while all his skin and muscle slides down. He stares in horror at his bloody skull smiling back at him. Marf slams a fist into the mirror but as it shatters the glass is sucked inwards. Marf’s arm is sucked into the hole, pulling the rest of him. He tries to hold onto the wall with his other hand but he is completely sucked into the hole a few moments later. Marf screams and flails his arms around while spinning wildly into the darkness. He suddenly comes crashing to a halt, slamming into some hard looking plastic boards.

Marf crumples to the ice after being slammed into the boards by two of the opposing defenders at the same time. He pulls himself back up, grabs his hockey stick and rushes to get back into the play. He can hear the coach yelling obscenities at him for staying on for such a long shift but he doesn’t care. Marf puts his head down and takes long, fast strides to get back to his own end where the other team was trying to set up a big play. Marf’s amazing hockey hair flow whips out from under his helmet as he races into the defensive zone. The players make a few passes and set up a wide box while Marf watches his man at the blue line. As a pass goes towards the point, Marf flies over and levels his man with a massive body check.

The hit causes the puck to pop loose and into the middle of the zone. One of Marf’s teammates pounces on the turnover. Marf turns as the puck is sent up the middle and he receives the pass mid-stride. Marf blows past the other defender and comes in on a breakaway. With a nice forehand to backhand deke Marf lifts the puck over the goalie and into the back of the net. The goal horn blasts through the arena as Marf jumps and slams into the boards in celebration. Marf looks around as people all over are jumping up from their seats to celebrate as well. Marf looks up at the jumbo tron and sees there’s hardly anytime left in the game.

The crowd goes wild as Marf’s incredible goal breaks the tie with only seconds remaining. The team swarms him and celebrates while the opposing team watching in disappointment. Marf gets a lot of props from his teammates but he looks into the crowd trying to spot her. There’s a quick flash of blue hair that catches his eyes and he pushes past the other skaters to get to the bench and head to the back. Marf is able to climb into the stands and tries to follow her but she ducks into an exit. Marf rushes to the exit to give chase.

He slams into the door and falls outside, tripping and wiping out. Marf lands with a thud onto the old, cobblestone road. Marf stands up and looks down to see the uniform and skates are gone and he’s in black dress shoes, a dark suit and covered with an style butcher’s apron. He looks around at the foggy evening and spots a sign that reads Bucks Row, Whitechapel district. As Marf walks by the sign he spots a newspaper on the ground by his feet and scoops it up. The date on the paper says Friday August 31st 1888 as Marf looks at it in confusion and drops it back to the ground.

A flash of blue catches his eye again and Marf looks up to one of the nearby alleyways. There’s a hint of blue light and Marf runs over to the alley. He heads down the now darkened alleyway looking for the girl. He thinks he can see a shadow at the back end of the alley and races forward. Marf loses track of the shadow for a moment, turns and then crashes into someone. There’s a piercing scream and as Marf shakes his head and tries to get up he realizes he’s now on top of someone. He looks down and sees his left hand choking and holding down a young woman.

His right hand is holding an old scalpel to the person’s throat now. He moves his left hand to cover the mouth and then rips and slashes at the throat. He carves into it way too deeply and actually cuts all the way to the vertebrae. Marf wipes the bloodied scalpel across his apron before tossing it aside. He then pulls out an eight inch knife and begins stabbing into the body repeatedly. He stares down at the face as a light blue glow coming from an unknown area illuminates the face just enough to make it visible. Marf continues plunging the large knife into the lower abdomen and then notices the face is a female. As he looks closely he sees that she’s starting to look less like Mary Ann Nichols and more like Lycana.

Marf screams out but can’t seem to stop himself. He’s pulled out a cork cutter now and is repeatedly jamming it in and out of her sides. Her innards are starting to leak out from the lower body wounds while Marf starts to shake violently. Blood and intestines are creeping out of her while Marf tries desperately to wrench himself away. He’s trapped on top and his entire body continues to shake uncontrollably. An inaudible voice starts to break through and get Marf’s attention now. He strains to hear it while still stabbing into the poor girl that may or may not be Lycana.

Lycana: Marf? Marf! Wake up!

Marf is being shaken by Lycana, causing him to wake up still in the locker room. He looks around in bewilderment while Lycana stares at him with heavy concern. On the other side of the room Andrew Logan and Geri Vayden look over at Marf in confusion. Lycana takes a damp cloth and cleans off Marf’s face while he calms down. He looks at Lycana then over to Geri and Andrew before nodding. Andrew Logan walks over and gives him props before leaving the room. Marf goes over to the washroom to finish cleaning up while Geri whispers something in Lycana’s ear and then leaves. Lycana walks over to Marf and places a sweet hand gently on his shoulder.

Lycana: Take a few minutes to collect yourself. I’ll go meet with the others to prepare, come find us when you’re ready.

Lycana ruffles his hair with her hand for a moment while looking him over. Marf glances at her and nods in appreciation. She gives him a light smile before turning and exiting the room. Marf turns and looks at himself in the mirror and his face thankfully doesn’t melt this time.

Marf: Betsy, Betsy, Betsy Granger. So you’re next up on the docket I see. The current Shooting Star champion, although I suppose I should use an asterisk for that title. I mean let’s be honest here, Lycana allowed you, Betsy, to walk out of the triple threat with her and Ash. She let you keep your fancy title because of the bigger picture, destroying that yellow bellied rat Ash Quinn. Oh, actually that reminds me, sorry hold on a second.

Marf stops and turns away from the mirror now. He looks directly into the camera while his face becomes stoic and frighteningly calm.

Marf: Ash, I hope you don’t think we’re finished with you. The Left Hand will never forget your betrayal. And now, we’re going to just keep coming to get youuuu...

Marf smiles unsettlingly before clearing his throat and backing up into the washroom to look at the mirror again.

Marf: Sorry about that Betsy. For what it’s worth, I haven’t forgotten about you either. I know we haven’t fully crossed paths yet but it seems you’re still connected to me. You’re aligned with the dipshit brigade known as RMI. You’ve been there before on the wrong side, trying to stop the Left Hand. Trying to put a halt to my fun. Lycana was fortunate enough to get a piece of you already. But now it is my turn. Fate decided it was only a matter of time before you’d be put in front of me.

Marf turns away from the mirror once again and looks at the camera. He spreads his arms open and grins like the maniac he is.

Marf: And here you are. The impossible traveller, Betsy Granger. Someone who might actually be more batshit insane than even me. Now that’s saying a lot. At least the majority of my insanity can be blamed on my dreams. I think. Whatever, better than the drug fueled nonsense you spew out each week. Somehow this has helped you go on quite the tear in the past couple months. And hey, good for you Betsy, I’m sure it’s got you feeling pretty damn good about yourself. Cool beans.

But now you have to stand in that ring and face off with me. Whether it’s a regular match, a first blood, a cage, or a March madness round one match, none of the gimmicks matter to me. What matters is it will be my turn to get my hands on you. My chance to work out some demons from your past interference. My opportunity to hurt you, maim you and take you down just like you attempted to help take down the Left Hand. Unlike your weak attempts though Betsy, I’m going to be successful.

No more racing forward at a blinding pace of momentum. No more navigating your way through the March madness tournament just so you can call yourself a queen of XWF. As if we really need another god damn Jenny Myst. No more rising star known as the impossible traveller, Betsy Granger. Unfortunately for you, when we meet it will signal the beginning of your fall from grace. You rose up pretty high pretty quick, I hope you’re bracing yourself for the big fall.

Marf allows a blood-chilling smile to creep out onto his sober face. The mirror makes a gentle rattle from behind him. Marf turns and looks at the mirror as we fade out.

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode Darling, I’ve been having dark dreams...
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