Walking back toward my apartment, I feel much calmer than I did when I left. Maybe it was the weird kind of pride I felt after stopping a thief, regardless of my thoughts on the victim. Whatever the case was, I was more focused on getting home. My eyes are getting heavy, and that sidewalk looks comfortable...

Shaking my head in an attempt to keep myself awake, I look off into the distance and see the silhouette of a man. Could it be the thief? No, he wouldn't be walking this way, would he? As I continue to walk in the direction of the man, I can't help but hear "Hallowed be thy Name" playing in the back of my mind. How fucking fitting, might I add...

The closer to the shadow I get, the easier it is to tell that it's not the thief. The thief was a lot bigger and more intimidating, which made me wonder why he'd be stealing a purse, he looked like he should've been the bouncer of a club or something. No, the man is a lot smaller, and walked with an awkward strut.

I start to speed up a bit, no longer afraid that I'm going to get jumped. I can't help but think I've seen the man before. He's turning into the entrance of my apartment building, so maybe that's where I've seen him. I speed up some more, hoping to get a glimpse of his face.

As I turn into where the entrance of my building is, I see the man walking down the hall, looking at each number. That's weird, if he lived here he should know where his is. Walking down the hall after him, I know I've seen him before. Where?

Wait a minute, he's stopping at the door to my apartment!

What does he want?

He reaches out his hand to knock, but before he can I call out to him from down the hall:

"Can I help you?"

The man turns around to face me and I instantly recognize him.

Steve Sayors.

Fuck me.

He runs up to me, that is if you can call that weird motion pattern running. Stopping himself inches away from my face, I can see just how pissed off he looks. Is he going to like go postal on me? Do I have health insurance? Wait a minute, it's just Steve Sayors.

"Ms. Diaz, I believe we have some unfinished business to attend to."

What, the microphone thing? Did he really track me down to my damn apartment just to get that thing back?

"What, an apology or something?"

Dammit Jessie, this is no time to be sarcastic!

"No Ms. Diaz, I would like to schedule another interview with you in a few days."

Is he fucking serious? After insulting him, stealing his microphone, and walking off with it, he wants another interview? I really have concerns for this guy's mental health.

The look of shock on my face must've been apparent, because he continues to speak although I haven't said anything in response to his proposition.

"I'll be honest, I've had a lot worse things happen during interviews. I've been beaten down by numerous people, so a few insults aren't going to be enough to keep me away."

Well, this is getting kinda awkward...

"So um, when do you want to schedule it?"

He pulls out a little day planner, maybe I should get one of those. Looking through the days, he has an eureka moment and points to a day.

"I can pencil you in for the 14th, you should be in Calgary by then."

Yeah, Calgary. I'm so on that it isn't even funny.

"Well, okay then. Sounds great! I was hoping there were no hard feelings between us for what happened..."

"Yeah, don't worry. I've had worse."

With that, he walks off. Back outside the building and out of my hair. Couldn't have had better timing on my part, if I had shown up even three seconds later, Anna would be in for a weird surprise...

I unlock the door and step inside. Pushing the door close and turning the inside lock, I barely make it five feet before falling to ground and shutting my eyes.


Thoughts rush through my head as I await Steve meeting me in my hotel room. It's odd that he wants to conduct the interview there, but another public place might be too embarrassing for him. What was the excuse I made to Anna about why I'm here, again? It isn't too important, but just in case she calls, I want to know what lie I used...

I hear a knock at the door, it must be Steve. I should be more excited for this, but I'm really not. Anxiety is what I'm really feeling, I kinda just want it to be over already. Another knock, I probably should open the door now...

Steve steps through the door as I open it, big fake television smile on his face. It sickens me just how phony this guy is, but I guess it's better than being totally apathetic, like I am right now. The camera man gives his signal, and Steve appears ready to give another of his "classic" interviews...

"So, Ms. Diaz, it's been a few days since our last interview, is there anything you'd like to get out of the way before we continue?"

Hmm, something kinda humorous. I really don't want people to think I got a stick shoved up my ass or something.

"My roommate doesn't know I'm here..."

Wow, I think I might've just set a record for the most awkward response to a question ever. Maybe Drill Sargent Sayors will ask me if I'm from Texas next, so I can quote the entire opening of Full Metal Jacket. That would be kinda funny.

"Very well then, I take you've heard the things Hunter Payne and his valet Joy Giovanni have said about you..."

Is he expecting me to just go on a rant or something? Did he think I'd actually watch another episode of their podcast? Fuck, all I know is what the transcripts said. There were some pretty good burns in there, if you ask me.

"Well Steve, I didn't actually watch the podcast."

His eyes widen at me as if I said I shot JFK.

"What do you mean you didn't watch it? Payne's your opponent!"

"What? I didn't enjoy the quality of the first one, so instead of bitching incessantly about it, I decided to not watch it."

He starts to come back to reality, possibly acknowledging the truth in my words.

"So, do you at least know what they said?"

Jesus Steve, I'm new, not a fucking moron. Okay, maybe I am, but that's beside the point.

"Yes, I did. It's a tad hypocritical, telling someone to kill them self and then saying to the entire group 'no, I have no problem with any of you' but okay then. If he wants to play it off like it's no big deal, then me responding to it won't really pique his interest in any way, so I won't waste my breath."

He looks a little annoyed, but nothing too bad. Come on, I just need to go along with this interview for a little longer.

"So, how about Jack Killborn?"

Which one was he again? The big guy with no brains, right?

"The only thing he said about me was that I was a 'dumb chick'. Well, I can say something to Mr. Killborn. Hey Jack, you know this 'dumb chick'? This is the same girl who's going to beat you from post to post before you even realize what happened. I'll tear the tendons in your legs slowly, one by one. When it's obvious that you can even stand anymore, I'll move onto your arms. After the bones are snapped like twigs and the skin's ripped open, I'll zone in on your big head.

What I'm saying is, I'll beat you stupider than you already are.

Why?

Just to prove myself. Something you couldn't do, seeing as you're in the match against the rooks. It'll be like a damn chess match.

When I first started talking, you were in check. You failed to move your king away, so Checkmate."

Steve's eyes are widening again. This is pretty funny actually, seeing his pupils dilate and contract and stuff.

"And wh-wh-what about Swift Ion?"

Yeah, he's scared.

"Too damn swift? Really, Ion? You're going to say that, more than once? Are you being serious?

Guys! I think Swifty's suffering a bit too much from that concussion! I think he thinks he's actually special!

Look Ion, I frankly don't give a damn about your 450. I'll just kick your fucking head in until you can't even remember your own shitty catchphrase. That's what I'm going to do in that ring. You're nothing but a target, just stuck in my way.

Maybe I'll just give you a more severe concussion than you already have.

I might tear your fucking ACL.

Maybe I'll stomp your lungs until you can't breathe.

Possibly I'll break your arms.

And I just might finish it off with humiliating you more than you can humiliate yourself."

Steve just motions for the camera man to leave the room with him, letting the door close behind them. I think I may have scared them off...

Was it something I said?