[Prologue]

The memories will always be with me, no matter how I tried to burn them away.  Personally, I think that was the problem the whole time.  For over a decade I have tried to fight them, rather than use the and even embrace them.  For the longest time I thought the fight made me strong, but giving in; surrendering has taken me so much further, but I am still learning.  I am still accepting.  So I cut the ties that bound my soul.  I surrendered myself unto the void left by those years.

"You will be thankful if you survive"

Those words, they bounce from one end of my mind to the next, but now I realize it is because they are not to be forgotten, but lived by and even honored.  Perhaps I owe my brother a fruit basket, for it was him who started it all.  Seth, you angry older brother of mine, I know it was you that put me on that tanker expecting me never to make it as far as I have.  My death is the sweet relief you have been awaiting all of your life, is it not?

I'm not the good guy, but now I am the guy who knows a thing or two about fighting and especially taking a beating.  The lessons of my past will help my upcoming match I suppose, which is to be contested under 'shoot fight rules'; whatever those are.  Can such a thing exist, because to me a true fight has no rules, but alas that is what the Google-God is for and I am sure my lovely will love the task of researching such a thing.

Everything that happens has a reason and leads us to where we are meant to be.  Now is the time for me to share what I have learned and to help others grow to be better than they ever thought possible.  I certainly could never have imagined growing into the man I am today and I am not a selfish man.  I am a man who appreciates the finer things.  I am the kind of man who just loves to share his knowledge.

I do enjoy batting around my prey before leaving it to hang anew.  Besides, what could go wrong?  There will always be someone else to clean up the mess, no matter how long it takes; the truly fun part.  On with the day and time to have a little bit of fun.

Trust Me.

[October 9, 2019]

Climbing into the driver's seat of a new, entirely black, cargo van; Sean Fuller drops a duffle bag between the front two seats and looks to his right where there is a camera with a live-feed with a smile on his face.

"Everyone knows I am championship material and it is high-time that I started putting up and proving why that is."

Sean leans back in his seat and starts up the van, pulling out onto the road with one-hand on the wheel and the other on the arm-rest.

"I bet you think you're pretty special, right?"

He says, looking into the live-feed camera.  Sean turns his attention back to the road, letting out a long sigh.

"Well, allow me to pop that little bubble and send you hurdling down to a spiky and bloody truth... you're not special."

Sean looks to the camera, shaking his head.  Sean looks turns his attention back to the road.

"You're the impact champion, good for you.  You won an elimination match where I was eliminated second.  Do you want a parade?  Maybe a party every week?"

Sean turns his head to the camera.

"No, you are not worth the effort."

He turns his attention back to the road.

"I will tell you what you DO deserve though and that is for someone to show up in a week and put a bullet between your eyes and take your precious little Impact Championship and make it into something you never could.  Capiche?"

Sean pulls into a parking lot and climbs out of his black cargo van and up to the window.

"Welcome to Fanci Freez, may I take your order?"

Sean rubs his chin, pretending to think as he stares at the menu.

"Tell you what, kid, why don't you fill up a couple sacks with double bacon cheeseburgers."

"Yes, si... hey you're Sean Fuller!"

"Yeah, that would be me.  Championship material and never living up to his true potential.  What's it to you?"

"You're great!  I started watching CWF when I heard you were there."

"That's nice, you buy my merch then?"

"If I don't my parents do!  You're just so ruthless and unforgiving, Mister Fuller.  I have no doubt that you are going to walkout of Evolution the new Impact Champion."

Sean scoffs.

"Yeah, that would be the plan and I really hope Johnny puts up a fight.  It's always better when they struggle and squirm."

"You're going to mess him up good!"

"Anyway, thanks kid, but I'm going to pop a squat at one of these tables behind me and wait on my food.  I have some messages to respond to."

"Yeah, you're awesome!  I bet your phone blows up with all kinds of offers!"

No longer listening, Sean forks over his debit card and once it's charged he slides it back into his wallet and slides that back into his side pants pocket.  Sean walks over to a picnic table and sits right on top, placing his feet on the bench part and his elbows on his knees; waiting for his order to come up.

Fifteen Minutes Later...

Sean collects his burgers and returns to his vehicle. and sets the bags of burgers between the seats.  Sean buckles up and pulls back onto the road.

"Sorry about that, where was I?  Oh, that's right, I left everyone to stare at an empty seat."

Sean laughs.

"In all seriousness, let it be known officially that I am taking this match and even the champion Johnny Graves very seriously.  Johnny isn't going to make this is an easy one.  After all, he was the one who picked up the three-count, right?"

Sean digs into one of the bags and pulls out a double bacon cheeseburger with his right-hand.

"Let me get this straight though, the Impact Championship is defended in whatever match the champion picks sometime after winning it, correct?"

Sean takes a bite of his first burger.

"It doesn't matter what stipulation you chose.  I think it was something like 'shoot fight rules' and I am sure that is because you think you stand the best possible chance to retain the belt over anyone, right?"

Sean looks over at the camera and raises his eyebrows up.

"It doesn't matter, because I am going to make you squeal and that little title is going to find a new home around 'my' waist at the sixty-eighth Evolution."

Sean turns his attention back to the road and pulls into the lot of a strip mall and drives around behind the stores.  He finishes his double bacon cheeseburger and grabs the duffle bag from between the seats before climbing out of the van.  Sean walks around and pulls the camera out and sets up the camera so it's aimed in front of the van (which has the brights on).

"Pretty sure you have bitten off more than you can swallow this time around though because when it comes to shooting, there is nobody better."

Sean unzips the duffle bag and pulls out a colt single action army revolver and stares at it for a moment and then over at the camera.

"I have to give you credit though, Johnny.  Nobody usually signs up to get shot by me, so you at least have that going for you, but if this is how you really want to play things then I will bring my bag of guns and have a little-"

A white Mercedes pulls up next to Sean and out steps his wife Celeste.

"Sean, what are you thinking?"

Sean holds up the gun in his hand and raises his eyebrows as he stares back at his wife.

"I think I am telling Johnny he is brave, but pretty stupid for wanting me to shoot him at Evolution."

Celeste closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

"I knew you sounded a little too eager when I told you about the match."

Opening her eyes, Celeste walks over and runs her left-hand down the left-side of Sean's face.  She takes the gun AND the duffle bag away from him.

"A 'shoot fight' does not involve any shooting of firearms, sweetie."

Sean lets out a sigh.

"Aw... that's a bummer... can I shoot him after?"

"No, but you did get something right.  Johnny picked this stipulation because he feels it gives him an edge."

"So, if I don't get to shoot him, what?"

"Think mixed martial arts."

"See, now you're really making me want to shoot him."

Celeste lets out a sigh.

"Whatever, all of these kids wanting to jump on the MMA bandwagon, thinking it makes them so cool and whatever, but the truth is-"

Sean pauses, holding up the index finger on his left hand at Celeste while smiling.  Sean shifts around to aim himself at the camera and points towards it with that same index finger.

"If you want to do MMA, boy, then be ready to hear the snap of your bones and the tearing of your muscles.  I like weapons, sure, but I have needed them against anyone.  You kick me and I'll catch it and drive an elbow into your thigh so hard that you will regret it, but go ahead and sit back like you already have this match won.  Go ahead and get the champagne ready to go.  Maybe you can use the cold bottle to ice your bruises and your scrapes after I am through with you.

Pausing for a moment, Sean starts to laugh and then rubs his chin.

"I might not be able to shoot you, but who says that was ever really the plan to begin with, Mister Graves?"

He pauses and looks into the camera raising his eyebrows.

"This is going to be the start of something though and the end of something else and don't worry you will find out, boy.  All in due time, Trust Me."

Sean turns his back to the camera and is joined by his wife.  He slides his arm around his waife and climbs inside of her Mercedes, but quickly leaps out and retrieves his bacon cheeseburgers from the van.  A few workmen show up as Sean and Celeste get ready to leave and pack up everything.

[October 18, 2019]
{Night Time}

With the high-beams of a Mercedes shining down at him, Sean Fuller is six-feet below with a shovel in hand and dressed in a pair of tan workman's pants and a white tank top.   He drops to his knees and pulls his back against one of the dirt walls.

"I told you there would be something to come out of all of this, Mister Graves, and on the eve of our encounter I finally get to let you in on the little secret.  If there's one thing I don't do, it's lie.  I speak my truth and my truth is-"

He laughs softly.

"I'm not a good person."

He shrugs.

"There I said it and it could not have been more simple.  I bet you have been wondering something though, Mister Graves.  When I defeat you, how will I defend that championship?  Perhaps I honor you, as the current champion or mock you; it's one or the other, but that's not important.  Maybe I want to take that title and defend it your way, but do it better than you.  Perhaps I want you to sit in the locker room and see the Impact Championship actually being successfully defended the way you thought you would defend it, but-"

Sean shakes his head.

"I am not going to defend MY Impact Championship in 'shoot fight rules' matches.  Where is the fun in that, first of all?

Bending his legs at the knee, Sean rests an arm over on of them, taking a moment to just sit there and not say anything.

"Steel cages are kind of cool, especially when escape is not an option.  Just imagine being locked inside with someone and there is nowhere for them to run?  The steel cage match is played out, dried up for all the money it used to carry.  Plus, I have been in cages, fighting for my life.  So, in the interest in saving time, my point is, why remain walking along the plateau?"

Sean questions, tilting his head to one-side.

"My favorite is we just dig a pit a week before all of my title defenses then I climb down and brawl with whoever is dumb enough to actually join me in the pit.  I really liked that idea and it kind of fits me sitting in a whole, but we are not quite there, but look at me getting ahead of myself.  I have not even won the title and left Mister Graves a heap of wht he used to be."

Sean laughs then lets out a sigh before pulling himself back to his feet and drapes the shovel over his shoulder.

"How I will defend the title is how I plan to defeat you, Mister Graves.  I plan to bury you and everything you thought you did well inside of the squared circle.  You are the messagnger to a long list of future opponents and yes I hope this lights a fire and makes you fight aeven harder than you ever thought possible, but it is inevitable.  What I am going to do to you, how you are going to feel, and what's left to struggle through week after week."

Sean drives the shovel into the dirt beneath his feet and keeps his left hand on the handle.

"I don't think you understand what I am capable of, but you will.  Everyone will see what I am capable of because they all do.  I'm going to make wish I just put a bullet between your eyes and put you out of your memory beceause when I stop and think about it, what is the worst torture imaginable?"

Smilng, Sean lifts his shoulders and tilts his head off to one-side.

"I'm going to bury you inside of your own mind.  The tears, cuts, and the blood pouring out of you... will be nothing compared the mental state I plan to leve you in.  You will feel dead inside and I will not care.  I have been there though, there were a lot of days I was just barely going through the motions and forcing myself to smile just to shut someone up.  The truth does not set you free, Mister Graves.  The truth will be your prison and your undoing.  You think you are ready to take me on at my best, boy?"

Letting out a sigh, Sean turns his back on the broadcast and pulls himself out of the grave and sits dangling his feet over the side, soon joined by his wife Celeste, who comes with the bacon of bacon cheeseburgers.

"On the quest for clarity, penance... people are going to suffer.  Blood is going to be spilled, but there is a reason.  Mister Graves, who are you really?"

Sean grabs a burger from the bag and takes a bite after pulling back the wrapping.

"Oh, the things you are going to learn about yourself.  There is always more to learn and I am good at finding those new debths.  Don't worry, boy.  I know you are not going to go down easy.  I am ready to shed my blood and wipe the sweat away from my brow, because that is just the nature of the beast.  There are probably going to be times everyone wonders which of us is going to give first.  The only thing I want to take away from you is your will to be who you are at this very moment.  The only desire that I have is to take your Iimpact Championship and bury the memory of Johnny Graves and give life to a new world."

Sean takes another bite of his burger, in unison with Celeste's latest bite.  They look over at one another and share a smile.

"It won't be so bad, Mister Graves.  You will actually come to sit in moldy chairs, drinking your whiskey and wonder how you could have lived any other way or that you even deserved to in the first place."

Sean takes another bite of his burger.

"He will become a better person in the end."

"I do not care about that, Celeste.  Whether he comes out of this stronger and better than ever, I just want to see him suffer.  I want to see everyone I ever come across burn knowing there is nothing that can be done to stop it."

"So your stipulation will be buried alive matches then?"

Sean shakes his head.

"There will be burials, but that will just be what you do to win.  I want each  opponent to find me at the end because that is what I have always been about.  I offered my hand at first, offering to lead them-"

"Down The Alley."

She smiles at Sean, then pokes her tongue out at him.

"Now I realize they have to make that journey on their own.  I will be there waiting to usher them into their new world and free them of everything they knew."

"Sounds like a heavy burden."

"What they have, what Mister Graves has, is suffering.  I will laugh in the end because it is nothing compared to the suffering I have experienced.  Mister Graves, will be the first, but not the last."

"So what is the stipulation you have decided on?"

"We dig a hole a hole neither of us can just climb out of and we fight until one of us climbs out and buries the other, but since I know a clever name will probably be desired for marketing reasons just call it the Pit of Despair, who knows, maybe there will even be a coffin in there to nail shut around an opponent or even chain."

"Well in order to win the title you will have to beat Johnny Graves under shoot fight rules., don't forget."

Sean smirks.

"Fighting is what I do, no matter what rules you put on it.  That is the life I was forced into over a decade ago.  That is the life that lead me to you and the wondrous life that professional wrestling is. because it does not matter how much or how hard he trains because I will prevail and he will suffer."

"Just no killing."

"Oh no... that's too easy and most importantly... too good for any of my opponents."

Sean climbs up to his feet and helps Celeste to her feet as well.  They climb inside her Mercdes and workman once again show up to clean the scene as the couple drives away.

[In bed, but not asleep...for long.]

Curled up in a ball is a person with cuts, bruses, and dried blood covering his flesh.   No light entering or exiting this room of dirt walla and floor.  The person springs up as the sound growl of metal being lifted touches his ears.  This man looks like a younger Sean Fuller, who races to the middle of the room and stares up at a bucket being lowered.  Sean reaches out his hands, the bucket being held just out of his reach.  He tries to push up to his feet and collapses to the  dirt and sobs.  In the background, snickers and laughters.  Sean clenches his fist and pushes up to his feet and leaps for the bucket, but it is pulled just out of his grasp.  He falls to his knees and punches the dirt as he pushes his shaved head against the dirt.  Sean crawls over to the corner of this dirt pit and the bucket is dropped to the floor and unhooked.

Whoosh!

Sean sits up quickly in his bed and takes a look around.  Celeste mumbles something incoherently, Sean  running his hand over her side.  Sean lies back down, pulling the covers over himself and places an arm around Celeste.

"Everything okay?"

She says, still mostly asleep.

"Yes, just a reminder."

He kisses the back of her head and rolls to his back, resting a hand to his chest and placing the other behind his head.

[Epilogue]

The memories are there and he knows they always will be.  What has the past molded that seems to now be releasing itself and taking over Sean Fuller?  He talks of embracing these thoughts, these memories, but what does that mean?  Wanting to bury opponents and set them on the path of eternal misery (suffering)?

This could all just be a deranged form of self-inflicted therapy for Sean Fuller; trying to cope with a messy and uneasy past.  Is all of this truly because he had to spend some dine in a room with dirt walls and a dirt floor; taunted by those who bring the water?  There has to be more to the story.

Of course there is more to the story, there has to be, but does it include Johnny Graves and the Impact Championship?  Maybe the losses have knocked something loose or opened a door inside Sean's mind.  With every passing week he just seems to be becoming more and more unhinged---unglued---from reality.

Celeste Fuller is right there by his side as well, refusing to give up on him and supporting him in any and every way possible.  Then again, perhaps she is just as unhinged as him, what does anyone really know about either one of them other than they are husband and wife?

Oh... Sean did randomly name his match after something from the Princess Bride, so what to make of that?  So many questions, but not enough answers..

Will there be a grave waiting for Graves?

Sean says that is too good for any of his opponents... so let us all just watch and see; hope things do not go too far.  Hopefully Sean does not bend Graves slowly until he inevitably breaks into billions of pieces.

Hopefully Sean Fuller does not walkout of Evolution as the new Impact Champion, able to run through opponents as he plans to run through Graves.

He is the cheeseburger eating, pit brawling... Sean Fuller.

Trust That... I guess?

~Fin.