Somebody's Watching Me

[Chloe]

*At one point, Colby Lopez, more commonly known as Seth Rollins to wrestling fans, thought that magazine photo shoots was a huge step when joining a nationally televised federation. The bigger and far more expensive production was an entirely new world to him. And so was media attention. Unfortunately, the reason for the attention was a pretty grim one when it revolved around a lone gunman murdering several people. Like many superstars on the roster, presumebably, had suddenly been asked tons of questions by the media. He had stuck to himself and hadn't really talked to anybody about what went down. He was new and didn't know a ton of people. It made it difficult to focus on his match on live pay per view, the biggest one thus at this level, but that's exactly what he tried to do. He sat in his locker room in a steel chair while going through his gym bag. He had new gear designed from the pay per view. An image of a man blowing his head off with a gun, the blood streaming into butterflies. An image he had wore on t-shirts in indies plenty of times. Horrible timing because those were never going to make air. He was going to have to wear some old hand me downs on such short notice. Tons of thoughts went through his head. Spots for the match with Zack and Trent. What was the crowd going to be like? Were they going to as quiet as church mice in lieu of the tragedy?*

CM Punk: Hey. Got a dollar?

*The newcomer snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing a familiar voice. When he was breaking into the business, he sought to train at the ROH academy. Which at that time was being run by mega star CM Punk himself. Punk was impressed by the then teenagers ability and was ready to schedule him for classes. Unfortunately, the kid had no money. Still he found another way into ROH but at that point but Punk was long gone at that point. At one point they both had somewhat similiar looks and both ended up being champion by the end of their ruin*

Seth Rollins: Ah, man, I don't have any money.

*This had become a reoccuring joke between the two the few times they had run into each other since that time. Punk, who had poked his head into the room, met with Rollins who stood to shake his head. Punk, being World Champion and all, was extremely busy so this was the first time they had been able to catch up.*

CM Punk: Pay per view debut. You nervous?

Seth Rollins: A little. Not about the match, though. Zack and Trent are both amazing so I'm hoping the people will be into it. Dean and I've got a weird charisma together so that works. But..uh..

CM Punk: Yeah. I know. Getting a lot of attention lately?

Seth Rollins: I'm not going to complain. It's gotta be way worse for you.

CM Punk: I know it's difficult to keep your head straight but the show goes on. Those people want and need something to be entertained by. That's what we're here to do. Go out and give them a show.

*The younger wrestler nodded. It wasn't difficult to get your head in the game when you were being told to by CM Punk. Someone who had been around the world and was currently on top of a huge federation. Punk was never one to show if he was shaken or not. But the fact that was taking the locker room leader position was very telling. Especially since it was something he had never sought out before But it was guidance that up and comers like Seth Rollins needed and were looking for*

CM Punk: You, Dean, Trent and Zack are the future. You four are going to take my spot before I get too old and hang it up. Do you know if you're winning the titles yet?

Seth Rollins: Dude, I have no idea. What about you?

CM Punk: They STILL don't tell me shit!

*They had to laugh a little to cut through the tension*

Seth Rollins: I'm just happy to be working with those three. There's no way the match could be bad.

CM Punk: I've liked Dean since the first time I saw him. And Trent and Zack are really stepping up. I've got faith in you. You can hang with them. Go out there and tear it apart. Just go out and wrestle. Do what you do best. That's what every last one of us have to do.

Seth Rollins: Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Helped a lot.

CM Punk: Yeah, yeah, yeah. If anybody asked, I screamed at you a whole lot and beat your head against a locker to motivate you.

Seth Rollins: And then set me on fire. Story's straight.

*The two bid each farewell in a brief exchange. Seth was completely invigorated at this point. He figured things were going to be chaotic for the foreseeable future. Luckily, wrestling had always been a very effective escape from the real world.

***

*A Halloween themed party in the streets of Seattle. Decorations were everywhere with bats, jack 'o lanterns, cobwebs and other various decorations. It didn't hurt that the music playing overhead was of the screamed vocals and heavy guitar variety. The wrestler wore a black t-shirt with a Batman logo on the center while strolling along with a pretty, crimson haired young woman with a few blond streaks as well. Allison Wonderland. Rollins' former ROH valet and girlfriend. They were only friends at this point but had remained close to one another. She was dressed like she usually was in the ring, a sinister Alice in Wonderland. She punched Rolliins lightly in the chest in excitement while citizens in creepy costumes traveled past them. Ghosts, goblins, demons and everything in between*

Allison Wonderland: Pay per view debut, man! Aren't you stoked?! You've got these titles, Seth! It's all you, buddy!

*Seth's expression was somewhat grim even with a excitable young woman pumping him up*

Seth Rollins: A lot of outside factors might ruin this.

Allison Wonderland: Like what? Zack and Trent? They're good but you're better!

Seth Rollins: I'm not doubting myself or my abilities. I'm doubting my partner.

*The retired valet's face said it all. I sort of "just stepped in something gross" kind of facial.*

Allison: Oh yeah. What is WRONG with that guy?

Seth Rollins: You got all night?

"SAVE YOUR SOULS! SAVE YOUR SOULS! OR I'LL SAVE THEM FOR YOU!"

*A great deal of attention was focused upon a man in a bizarre costume. He was dressed like a priest with some kind of black, leather bondage mask concealing his face. His frame was gangly. The words sounded familiar enough. Seth snatched the man by the chest of his outfit and shoved him against a wall. The mask was roughly pulled off to reveal..some random frat boy. He was released and he sped off into the distance*

Allison: Seth?! Are alright?

Seth Rollins: I just..

*He dropped the mask to the ground while LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" had begun to play over the speakers.*

Seth Rollins: ..really hate that song.

*Allison looked on somewhat worriedly while Seth ran two hands through his hair*

Allison: Don't let him get inside of your head, alright?

Seth Rollins: He's not in my head.

Allison: You're ready to swing on anyone who even remotely sounds like Ambrose..

*Before the conversation could continue, Seth spotted another odd sight from the corner of his eye. This time there was no way it could be mistaken for Dean Ambrose. Because it was The Coach. Dressed like a vampire. He had a microphone in his hand and looked fairly sheepish.*

Allison: What..?

Seth Rollins: Yeah. They stalk us. You haven't been out of wrestling that long, you should be used to it.

The Coach: I-I'm not stalking you. I'm here for the party. But, we all keep our microphone's around..you know..just in case.

Seth Rollins: It's cool. I've got a lot I need to say.

Allison: I'll be over here. Talk about kicking ass.

*The Age Of The Fall alumni gave a slight wave and trailed off, leaving the wrestler and announcer to discuss the task at hand.*

The Coach: Well, Seth, at Fanniversary, you have your chance to capture gold after only being in this promotion a few short time. Along with Dean Ambrose, you face the team of Zack Ryder and Trent Barreta. These two men have held the Tag Team Titles for some time. What do you feel your chances are?

Seth Rollins: My chances, Coach? I'd say my chances are pretty good. Take last week for instance. Those two shouted to the heavens about how they were going to win our six man tag due to how well they worked as a team. Hate to say it, but I didn't really see a whole lot of team work between them. I think their are some definite issues going on between Team Broski or whatever they call themselves. But I'm not a psychiatrist and I guess you can't really call myself and Ambrose "tag team specialists."

The Coach: So you're saying there's some building tension between Zack and Trent?

Seth Rollins: That's exactly what I'm saying. So I guess we've got a battle between two dysfunctional units tonight. But it's exactly as I said last night. Ambrose and I have two very different motives but we feel very strongly about what we're fighting for. I'm not really sure what Zack and Trent are fighting for. More youtube views and more DLC points?

*An almost cocky look appeared upon Rollin's face before it was replaced by a more stern expression.*

Seth Rollins: It's time for their reign to come to an end. I respect both of them as athletes but respect goes right out the window when titles are on the line. Look at who I've pinned since arriving. Ted DiBiase. Current PTG Champion. Zack Ryder. Current Breakout Champion. Curt Hawkins. Former Breakout Champion. And I know I can pin Trent Barreta. Simple as that. My time is now.

The Coach: You may be new to our audience but some portion of our fans know that you've been a champion in other promotions.

Seth Rollins: In ROH I was a World Champion. I can handle the burden and I don't crack under pressure. Anyone who doubts me? Any critics? Just crows on the power line. And it seems that our audience aren't the only one's who might be unfamiliar with me. I don't think Trent Barreta knows me very well. He's lumped me in with the company I keep. He said I was fueled by hatred and that couldn't be further from the truth. I don't need to rip up comic books or kidnap his family members to get into his head. In fact, I'm not trying to get into his head at all. I'm not going to hurl childish insults at him or his partner. Beating him in the ring, proving that I'm a superior wrestler, that's the only thing that fuels me. And I don't intend on leaving that arena without gold around my waist.

"You talk as if you're going to win this match by yourself.."

*From an alley came a figure in a full body skeleton costume, covered completely from head to two. He tilted his head sideways and tilted his head before moving his way forward. He moved in the same sort of unstable way as Dean Ambrose. This was all the proof he needed. Seth snatched him by the neck and began to throttle him against the nearest wall. That was when the real Dean Ambrose leaned over his shoulder from behind.*

Dean Ambrose: You need me.

*Seth was a little alarmed as he let the costumed man drop and slump to the ground. He turned towards his tag partner and cocked back a fist, ready to let it fly*

Dean Ambrose: Go ahead. Hit me. See far you get in that match Sunday night. See if Zack and Trent don't pick you apart.

*Rollins hesitated but kept his fist tightly clenched*

Dean Ambrose: We're not really so different. This whole honor thing you've got..it's ridiculous. You're wild and you want to lash out at everything around you. Neither one of us can reach our goals alone. We need each other. You. Need. M--

*Ambrose found himself the recipient of the same treatment the man in the bag of bones costumed received earlier.*

Dean Ambrose: Go for it! Prove everyone right! Everyone who says that Seth Rollins was just a big fish in a small pond on the indies! And that you can't make it in the big leagues! You're no Punk! You're Daniel Bryan!

*The grip didn't loosen but he did stop throttling his antagonized him. Rollins was seething, breathing through gritted teeth.*

Dean Ambrose: Or you can work with me and we can win. And you prove them all wrong. Do you honestly think Zack Ryder or Trent Barreta would hesitate for ONE SECOND to take you out? They would do it with a smile. Ryder's a moron but Barreta's like some angry teenager with a hair trigger. They would wipe you out and not blink. We have to take them out first before they get the chance to do it to us. We're fighting..the same..battle..

*Rollins had finally released Ambrose from his death grip and he coughed lightly while rubbing his throat. He pointed a finger directly in the same of the Cincinnati native.*

Seth Rollins: Do your part. I'll do mine. Don't overstep your boundaries. Stay away from me.

*No further words were exchanged as Dean just grinned to himself. Seth stepped backwards before turning away completely. Allison rushed over to him, probably peppering him with questions, while giving a few cautious glances back at Ambrose.*