The camera shows the inside of a hospital room, where a Doctor and his Nurse were in deep conversation over the condition of the patient in the room. He patient’s medical chart had the name “Cory Allen” on it, giving the man’s identity. Cory looked to be in a bad way: he was pale, gaunt, and was hooked to various machines and tubes that were sustaining life for him in his comatose state. He remains lifeless as his Doctor and nurse talked over his condition and what caused it, and the Nurse looked horrified at what the doctor was telling her.
Nurse: So there’s a chance that he may never wake up?
The Doctor nods somberly, causing her to gasp in stunned disbelief. She had hoped that the young man’s situation would improve after he was admitted little over a month ago, but she had no idea that he was injured this severely. The Doctor glanced at Cory for a moment, and then looking back at the nurse
Doctor: Yes. Aside from being hung by that hook, he suffered other multiple injuries that night. A concussion and a cracked skull, severe spinal trauma, 2 broken ribs, and not to mention the neck and throat injuries he sustained from the hanging itself. Even if he were to wake up, there would be no guarantee that he wouldn’t be here for the rest of his life. (The Doctor suddenly gains a cold edge to his voice) The people who did this to him wanted to make sure of that.
The Nurse also had become a little upset at the mention of those responsible.
Nurse: I still don’t understand it. How can another human being do something like this to someone else? And more importantly, how is it that they haven’t been arrested for attempted murder? (She’s starts getting more upset as she goes on) They virtually confessed to it, they were present when he was found, and didn’t they nearly kill someone else a few minutes later? So why are they allowed to walk free and get away with this?
The Doctor frowned
Doctor: I have no idea. But the scariest part of this entire ordeal is that the people responsible feel no remorse for what they’ve done. One of them even gave the reason as being that he had the choice of doing this (He looks at Cory) to this young man. It was so mind numbing that someone could just so causally speak about taking nearly taking someone else’s life like that. It’s just heartless and (He pauses, searching for the right word to use) evil.
Both stand in silence for a few moments, looking at Cory Allen’s lifeless body, before leaving the room to finish looking over the rest of the patients on the floor. As she was leaving, The Nurse turned off the lights, leaving only a lamp light on. For a few minutes, the room was silent, with only the beeping form the machines hooked up to Cory being heard. Then, suddenly, something slid out from underneath the bed, and slowly stood up, leering at Cory. It was Syn, face paint and all, standing right next to Cory’s bed with a sick smile on his face.
Syn: That Doctor doesn’t seem to like me very much. I injure a few people, and all of a sudden I’m a heartless monster. (Syn chuckles darkly) I’m not heartless; I just like to play with people until they break. Is that so wrong?
Syn then picks up one of the guest chairs and goes over to the door. He jams the chair underneath the door handle, making sure no one can get in and disturb his little “Chat” with Cory. He stalks over to another chair and pulls it up close to Cory’s bed before sitting down, the smile never leaving his face as he looks over his handiwork.
Syn: Ah, Cory, it’s good to, uh, see you again. I have to say, you look a lot better than the last time that you and I talked. But, uh, then again, I guess that isn’t saying much since you were hanging from that hook like a side of beef now, does it?
Cory, of course, doesn’t answer, so Syn decides to continue to speak
Syn: Yeah, but you know that that wasn’t personal. That was just me doing the same thing you had done when you decided to stand by Ryan; That was me making the conscious decision to do this (Syn pats one of the machines Cory is hooked up to) to you in order to get to Ryan. Everything else that has happened so far is just an added bonus. (Syn giggles insanely for a moment) But why sit here and dwell on the past? No no, I’m here to talk about the future, more specifically the future of your good good friend, Ryan Robinson, as he loves to call himself, as well the future of my former ally, Ryan Welfare. (Syn paused, then giggled madly) I guess this is the tale of two Ryan’s, isn’t it?
Syn doesn’t get a response in return as he leans forward slightly as he continues
Syn: Because you see, Ryan, or Reaper as he calls himself, thinks that he has gotten my number. He thinks that since he has finally won one little battle, that the war between us will be his. (Syn shakes his head in amusement) But we know better, don’t we Cory. Because one little victory means nothing when I still hold the psychological advantage in this little game. What’s that? (Syn leans closer to Cory and cups his ear, as if listening to him speak) What do I mean by “psychological advantage?” Well, let’s compare Ryan’s victory over me in his little basement, to the many victories I have over him: I’ve dug up his past, I’ve pointed out that he indirectly caused the death of his beloved girlfriend, dug up said girlfriend and got a very pleasant kiss out of it, I, well, I hung you. Again, that wasn’t personal and I hope you understand that. (Syn pats Cory on the shoulder) Hmm, now where was I? Oh yes, I did in mere seconds what he couldn’t do in weeks and ended the career of The Renegade, defeated him in a match of his choosing, however controversial it may be, and in the same night that he had beaten me within an inch of my life, I became the first ever WKF World Heavyweight Champion. (Syn gives off a dark smirk) Whatever victories he can sniff out at this point is meaningless, because I will always have all of that, and more, over him.
Syn again cups his ear as if Cory Allen was speaking to him
Syn: Hmm? Oh no, there is MUCH more that I know about our dear Reaper. You see, over the time that Reaper and I have, for lack of a better word, known one another, I have learn many secrets about him. Secrets that he had thought were long gone and buried. I could bring all of it out into the open, but that would be so (Syn pauses, then sighed, frowning) boring. I like a challenge, and right now, and he provides that. (Syn smirks) So I’ll let Ryan enjoy his little victory. I’ll let him savory its sweet sweet taste for a moment, because sooner than later it will be ripped from him. Just like all hope that anyone has that he will ever be able to take the world title from me.
Syn laughed a bit, then looked over his shoulder at the door to make sure that no one was trying to get in. He shrugged, and then turned his attention back to Cory.
Syn: But enough about him. Let’s turn the spotlight on someone else you and I know very well, shall we? Let’s talk a bit about Ryan Welfare.
Syn re adjusts himself in his seat, and smiles darkly as he leans back and contemplates
Syn: Ah, yes. Ryan Welfare: The temp of TNT. It’s such a shame that he didn’t see it coming, even WITH those voices talking to him. I will give him credit, because like I said: If there was anyone in this company other than Kai that I would have as an ally, it would have been him. After all, he is a bit dangerous, as you and I know. (Syn’s smile turns evil) But “A bit” doesn’t cut it in Top Notch Talent. I mean, the only noteworthy act he did while in TNT was helping me dispose of you and Renegade, and even THEN I was doing most of the work. (Syn sighs in satisfaction, then ruffles Cory’s hair) It was a little fun for me, and none for you I suppose. Which is why he got the short end of the shaft and we found a perfect fit in my dear brother, Kai. We tried to make the parting as easy as possible on welfare, but he chose to put up a fight. (Syn clicks his teeth with his tongue) Sooooooo we decided to show him the door the hard way. And now, just three weeks later, we face off as opponents, but things are different: Ryan now has no one he can turn to because of his past involvement with TNT, while I am now the most dangerous competitor on the entire roster. (Syn leans very close to Cory’s face, an evil look on his face) And if Welfare knows anything about me, he knows that I won’t stop until he is in the very same state that you are in.
Syn leans back and smirks, pulling something out of his pocket. It was his paint rag.
Syn: You know what Cory; you’re a very good listener. Not much in the way of conversation, but you were kind enough to forgive me and lend an ear. So, I think I’ll leave you with a little (Syn gave an evil grin) gift, in return.
Syn began laughing as he painted something on Cory Allen’s face. A few moments later, Syn had quietly snuck out of the room, leaving his mark on Allen: A bright red Glasgow Smile on his face, and the words “HA! HA! HA!” above his bed