I was running late by twenty minutes, when I walked through the front doors of Elio On Fire. An up and coming, Italian restaurant in the heart of Manhattan, that featured fresh, modern takes on traditional, home cooked meals. Splicing together classical, old-world cuisine with contemporary, ultramodern chic. A familiar comfort, for the cutting edge. The ones that could afford it anyway. Dinner at this up-to-date, hot spot was not meant for those that were eating on a budget. Although, those that suffered from that tragedy, more than likely wouldn't even bother stepping inside.


The risk of the awkward, social embarrassment and lack of cash would be enough to keep them away. Not to mention the up-scale, dress code and mile long waiting list, that secured that only the prestigious, top tier, crème de la crème, would ever be seated there. In other words, the best of the best and all others, need not even waste their time. All it took was one phone call and I had a table booked. Like there was ever any doubt, on my ability to pull that off. Please... you're simply lying to yourselves if you thought otherwise. I'm Donovan Blackwater, I'm not first class, I'm elite class and don't you ever forget it.


Unfortunately, I was also a tremendously busy man, constantly on the go, working and such. Keeping appointments and taking meetings. All a part of my duties being an accountant/financial consultant. My entire day was literally consumed and coupled with the nightmare of traffic, before I knew it, I was running late. It was unavoidable, really. Another phone call allowed me to know that the table would stay reserved, so I didn't have that to worry about. No, my concern fell upon, who I was meeting there.


Before you make the false assumption... no, this wasn't a date. Not that I suddenly lost the ability to attract the eye of the fairer sex or obtain their attention long enough, to set such a plan in motion. I just wasn't ready to partake in those types of social engagements, in order to seek out new, potential prospects. Not yet. Nothing beyond a sporadic tyrst or hook-up anyway. In other words, meaningless sex and nothing more, that's all I was up for these days. And this was not an intended interaction orchesrated for that sort of purpose.


No, this was dinner with someone important. Someone special. My sister - Lila Laroque.





Well, half-sister. Same father, different mothers. Currently she was in a romantic relationship with Griffin MacAlister, although that wasn't the reason for our dinner engagement. I mean, Griffin's a great guy and if there was anyone suited to date my sister, it would be him but that didn't bode any bearing or basis behind this evening's agenda. No, my sister and I were meeting up tonight because she recently got a promotion. Lila was a historian, basically she would go to random museums and help with the research or investigation process, authenticating artifacts and pieces of fine art. One of the main institutions that sought out her expertise and services was the American Museum of Natural History. Recently, they decided to take her on, full time as their main, chief historian and today, she was offered the position of Associate Curator.


A job that she happily accepted. So this was a bit of a special occasion. Lila was excited and I wanted to do something nice for her, to congratulate her good fortune. She's my sister, after all. I was thrilled that her career goals were being properly met. Also, we didn't exactly grow up knowing each other, we couldn't have had further straying upbringings and only within the last few months, have we ever even interacted with one another, this gave me a chance to spend some quality time with her. I might have gone a tad overboard on the venue but I felt that it was worth it.


Plus, a part of me slightly wanted to show off and make her aware, that her brother was extremely prosperous and well off. I grew up with two brothers, and we're all the same age. That's a far more competitive scenario. Even if it wasn't done on purpose, it just happened. This was different. This was my sister... my older sister, I couldn't help but seek out approval. In spite of never needing it before, I found myself overtaken with the requirement. Silly, I know but very true, nonetheless.


Hence the concern directed towards my tardiness. I didn't know her all that well, so I couldn't foresee what her reaction would be, when she saw I wasn't there. A state of unease that proved to be unfounded, for as soon as I entered the fine eating establishment, I discovered that she was seated at our table. With a slight grin, I approached. Watching as she tended to something on her phone. When I was about two paces away, she raised her sights; almost instinctively, and smiled.


"Sorry, I'm late."


I stated as I took my place at the table, sliding into the seat across from Lila.


"My work day ran longer than I anticipated and traffic was brutal."


"Nonsense. No need to apologize, I understand. I tend to get rather absorbed with work too. It happens."


"That's right. Your exciting new promotion. Congrats by the way."


"Thank you."


"Are you about ready to order?"


"If you could just give us a... oh crap."


Yeah, I didn't mean for my sentence to go that way but you know when you turn and the most unexpected sight, happens to exist, right in front of you... that's what just occurred. Standing right next to me, pad of paper in hand, ready to take our order... was the splitting image of my wife. The carbon copy, perfect replica of Abigail Monroe.


"Are you okay?"


My jaw practically hit the table. She even sounded precisely the same.


"Sir..."


Not my finest hour. Eyes wide, mouth agape, in total shock. Words lost all meaning. I couldn't speak. I literally could not utter a single sound. That's how bad it was. Can you blame me though? The last time I saw my wife, she got decapitated.


"Is he okay?"


The waitress asked Lila. Full of immense concern.


"I don't know. Donovan? Are you alright?"


Lila reached out and touched my hand. Momentarily pulling my attention towards her. That was enough to get the gears turning as I gradually regained the ability to speak.


"The... waitress..."


Somewhat.


"Yeah, what about her?"


"She..."


Pause.


"She... looks like..."


Thoughts askew, I closed my eyes and shook my head, attempting to pull myself together. If only to relay the proper message. Except when I opened my eyes and turned back to the waitress. She looked completely different. Nothing like Abigail, at all. Not even in the slightest. Oh great, not only am I losing my mind, I had to alert others to the fact, as well.


"Nothing. No one. Sorry. Work must have gotten me a tad more stressed out than usual. It's honestly, been a long day. Nothing more."


Mind still reeling from what happened, I scrambled for my excuses.


"Seriously, allow me to give, my deepest apologies. I didn't mean to cause a concern. Or make a scene. Please, forgive my lapse in behavior and etiquette."


Self-conscious. Embarrassed. Fighting off the rising panic. Yep. I was all of the above. And I hid it all with a deep breath and a sheepish smile. Flashed quickly as I gave a polite, apologetic nod. The waitress laughed and gave a slight wave of her hand as she shook her head.


"It happens. No worries. I've been there myself."


No, you haven't. You are clearly covering up for how my strange mannerisms made you feel. But then again, what were you supposed to do? Order me to leave. It's common knowledge that you don't confront or enrage a crazy person. And that's what I clearly must resemble. I know, I was raised by an unhinged individual. The signs are unmistakable. Can't really blame you for reacting to them. So instead, I forced another smile as I tried to reassure you. It's the least I could do for creating such an awkward situation.


"I'll give you a moment."


She touched my arm. Sympathetically. Then rushed off.


"Are you okay?"


That's when I realized, Lila's hand hadn't left mine and I immediately retracted it. Latching onto a glass of water along the way, I took a sip and swiftly set it back down.


"Yeah. Fine."


Liar.


"Totally fine. I promise. Like I said. It's been a hectic day. Lots of stress."


Even the glass of water knew that I wasn't telling the truth but Lila dropped the subject and instantly changed it to something else. Try as I might I couldn't really follow. The incident was fresh in my mind and ripened me with thoughts of dread. Was I losing my mind? Or was there something else going on?





"What can I say about Barney Green?"


"No. Seriously. What can I say about Barney Green?"


"He wrestled before my time. Another guy making a comeback, except what exactly is he coming back from and why? What provokes his return? If he were some great performer of the past, I think I would have heard of him. For instance, when Centurion returned, that was highly anticipated and astounding. He's a decorated wrestler, cherished and adored by all. While I didn't follow his career back when he was wowing fans the first time around, I can look back at old footage and read up on his history. His accomplishments are well documented and kept readily available. New school talent can enjoy his past feats and derive inspiration from them. Find a sense of appreciation and develop respect for a legend, making a triumphant return. That's awesome. The stuff of gossip and debate."


"But Barney Green coming back to the federation? Huh? What? I don't get it at all. It doesn't make any sense. He's just some fat, sweaty guy that hasn't dropped dead of a heart attack... yet. Zero accolades or accomplishments, to save his life. Nothing impressive or remarkable about him. He can't even say he's a hasbeen... cause he has never been anything worth mentioning. So when he makes his epic comeback, guys like me are left baffled and wondering why??? Why??? Barney help me to understand. Why are you back in the XWF? Do you owe some loan sharks or drug dealers a huge chunk of change? Did they threaten to break your kneecaps or something if you don't pay up? Are you in some kind of trouble? What's going on? Why are you back man? Give it to me straight fella, what are your reasons for a return?"


"For fuck's sake..."


"That's not even the most confusing or peculiar part. For some reason, I was selected by him. Requested. To be his opponent. Why? Does he have a death wish? If you're a pathetic loser, wrestling for some quick cash... you don't pick a phenomenal wrestler like me. An outstanding marvel to behold. You pick someone worse. It's tough finding someone worse off than a man that spent his entire life wrestling and still has nothing to show for it but I bet the XWF management team, could've dug someone up. Hire a junkie or a hobo. There's gotta be some poor sod out there that's basically half dead that Barney can beat. Maybe like a guy that's missing all his limbs or someone that's in a coma. An actual rotting corpse could work in a pinch too. They could tie its limbs up with strings and work it out like a marionette. Then Barney could pay off his debts and fade back into obscurity. Where he belongs. Cause he sure as fuck don't belong here."

Donovan Blackwater
Former 1x...