Beatrix and I stood out in front of the diner to smoke a cigarette. I knew we could smoke inside but something about being buried alive makes you want to be out in the open. I do not recommend being put into the ground while still breathing.

I didn’t say a word to Beatrix as I looked up at the night sky. I couldn’t get one thing out of my mind, and that was one of my best friends, someone I trusted with my life, looked me dead in the eyes and pulled the trigger. Not one word was spoken between us. It wasn’t being almost killed that pissed me off, it was the fact that someone I trusted, someone I gave a fuck about, someone that I had been through thick and thin, someone I viewed as a brother, shoot me in the head.

I wasn’t the type of person to give out my trust and loyalty to just anyone. No, you had to earn that and it was hard to earn that from me but once you did. I’d take a bullet for you. We all have to die at some point in our lives and if it meant that my friend got to live another day because I took that bullet. Then so be it. Trent was the name of the man who shot me, the one who stabbed me in the back. I had known him for a long time. I knew him back when I was still part of the Syndicate. He saved my life while we were out on a mission. In short, it went to shit and I should have been killed, yet Trent came back and brought me home, since then the two of us were like brothers.

That’s why when I saw him pointing the gun at me, I couldn't believe it. Even now, I didn’t want to but that would be foolish of me. I honestly just wanted to go and drink myself into a deep sleep but anger was beginning to fill me up and my mind was wandering to dark places. I had lied to Beatrix, Trent knew how to kill, he was trained in that art, same as I. Still, I couldn’t let this go and it started to eat at my soul. I wanted revenge. It was simple. To right a wrong done to me.

“Felix? Are you alright?” Beatrix said, breaking the silence. I looked at her, she was frowning up at me. I smiled to ease her worries.

“Yes. I’m just thinking.” I said before taking a drag from my cigarette.

“About what?” She asked.

“That I’m going to kill everyone involved from tonight. I don’t know why this happened but I’m not going to let it slide.” I shouldn’t have said that but I could care less. This was going to gnaw at my soul til I made every single one of them pay. I don’t like to be angry. Life is too short to be pissed off all the time but anger and hatred can help at certain times and this was one of those times.

Beatrix shrugged.

“I don’t blame you. I would want to get pay back as well.” Said as she flicked her cigarette out into the street.

“I’m guessing you’re not going to the cops?”

I shook my head. “No, they wouldn’t be able to do shit. This is old fashion wild west justice.”

Beatrix nodded and looked up at me. She smiled warmly.

“Then I want to help.”

That caught me off guard. I raised my eyebrow in question.

“Why? You’ve just met me.”

“I can’t explain it but something is telling me to help you. Plus, it’s not like I have anything here keeping me. I think it’s time for a change and you showing up here tonight, well. That’s enough of a sign for me.”

I thought for a moment. I wanted to say no but I’ve come to realize in my life that everything happens for a reason. I had a feeling this was one of those moments.

“Alright but I’m going to have to train you. You’ll become a bounty hunter and you may have to kill. If you think you can handle that. Then I will take you with me. Tonight.”

Beatrix smiled brightly.

“Yes. I won’t let you down.”

“No, don’t let yourself down. I have a call to make and we’ll say your goodbye to this life and you’ll began a new one.”

TBC

"You know Ned, if I had to pick one thing to like about you, it would be you are always one to give it your all. No matter what you never give up and never back down. You have a will made of fire and that's something I can respect. That's how I know this fight, this battle. It's not going to be easy. To think so would be the undoing of me. I can't let my guard down with you, I can't let you get to the point you become harder and harder to fight. This match, Hell in A Cell is made to break people like us. Yes, us. You and I are very much alike. I too have the fire in my soul. To always move forwards."

"The difference between us is simple. I'm always five steps ahead. You live in the clouds while I'm more grounded. You tend to not give credit where it's due and that is your biggest weakness. You can get a big head and that's why it's taken you so long to finally have gold around your waist. I'm willing to do what it takes. I'm willing to cross lines that someone like you wouldn't dream of. I don't mind hurting you to the point you may never walk again. I would throw you off the top of the cell without thinking twice. I don't fight fair Ned, I fight to win. That's the mindset you have to be in and the fact it's Hell in The Cell. You can't hold anything back."

"This will be a lesson for you Ned. I'm going to teach you why you can't hold back, why you must do what needs to be done to insure victory. Victory at all costs. You earn that Hart title Ned, no one can take that away from you, but I can and will take the Hart belt from your grasps. Then you will know what it truly means to be a champion in the XWF. Look at Shawn or Duke. Those two did what was necessary to get the job done. You still have a lot to learn. In life, it's not about getting the brass ring, it's about holding onto it. Other will always be there to take it from you and if you're not of a level head, if you can't cross lines that should never be crossed, then why are you the champion? Fate has decided it doesn't want you as the Hart champion any longer. You've had your time and you've done nothing with it. So now I have to come in and take it from you. Think on my words Ned and you will see the truth but sadly for you. It's a little too late for that."