I remember it clear as day. It may be 3 years ago, but it seems like just yesterday. The cold blood rushes from my veins reminding me of the feeling I got ending Heather’s life. It was a crack, and then her body fell motionless. I thought at first she was knocked unconscious, but there was much more that met the eye… a whole lot more, in fact. All for the same title I must face Blue Thunder for on Survival. That belt has a history of blood shed and treachery… I know better than anyone. Although the thought of fighting for that exact title holds me back, the thought of my success in tournaments pushes me towards the prize. Of course, the Last Man Standing competition had my name all over it. I was, in fact, the only Last Man Standing champion… that’s until that childish persona; Ryan Maxem brushed his way to the finals in the third edition… which I was not around for. Otherwise, I’d still be the ONLY Last Man Standing Champion.

I am getting off topic, however. The subject at hand is the International Championship tournament… first Blue Thunder. Then onto Kevin Conner. Not one, but two matches I must win in one night to regain the championship. It isn’t my prerogative or priority to gain any HWA gold this time… but my friends, my goal is NOT losing. Blood stains the metal symbol on the International Title… is it really worth the trip down memory lane?

I woke up in a cold sweat. Panting and stressed from my nightmares that have haunted me nearly every night since the incident. It has been 3 years and still no salvation… Praying for forgiveness hardly keeps my soul at ease, and repenting will not take away the memories of innocence I robbed right from God’s hands. I’m selfish… I look to my right noticing my digital alarm clock reads 5 AM. It wasn’t quite time to get out of bed, but with the nightmare, I needed to get fresh air… hopefully clear my mind so I can obtain some sleep. To the bathroom I went… my intentions were to wash my face; it felt as if I had been running from a haze of dust, I felt dirty. My intentions were over-ruled by what I saw in the mirror. I locked eyes with a cynical, evil, monster-like figure that people called Danny Starr. Ashamed of what I saw… I tried to look away, but couldn’t. I was lost in the eyes of Satan himself… and it made me sick. I quickly looked away… and felt a shiver go up my spine like a child turning his back to his mother knowing he will be punished for it. I finally was able to turn the spicket and collect enough water to wash my face. I dried off the wet with a towel from the nearby rack and placed it back in place. It was then I heard a knock at the door. I was startled at first, but I was more so confused about who on earth would be knocking at my door this early in the morning. Whoever it is is lucky that I was already awake… The knocking was constant, beating every few seconds as if keeping on beat with a never ending tune. I finally made it to the door, unlocked it, and opened it to see a familiar face. I didn’t know whether to be surprised… or annoyed already. I found myself wondering… not why this person was knocking on the door at 5 in the morning… but, why is this man here to begin with? I shook my head instead of welcoming him into my home… there was no point in doing so… he was just going to walk in with his muddy sneakers anyway. Sneakers, along with a dollar store suit he most likely stole anyway. Wondering why Mark Crow is walking in my house on the new rugs leaving his prints of dirt on the brand new wood floors.

Danny: …

Yeah, I know I’m supposed to say something… but when my mouth opens, I feel nothing but air… for once in my life, I have no idea what to say.

Mark Crow: Danny boy! Good to see you!

Danny:

Still confused as a polar bear in the Middle East, I stood with my mouth open; speechless.

Mark Crow: Oh, I bet you’re wondering’ why I’m at your house, right??

Danny:….

This time I give him a little nod.

Mark Crow: Well, the damnedest thing, Danny boy. I made it big!

Big. Larger than life in his 20 dollar outfit. Now I’m curious and manage to get the words out finally.

Danny Starr: Wha….

Or not.

Mark Crow: Yes! I was hired by the HWA to do surprised interviews to catch people when they least expect and have no time to think about what we ask! It was MY Idea…

Danny Starr: Well you’re idea’s purpose is quite successful isn’t it? However, Mark, I’m not sure what you expect me to hold back in any candid interview you conduct.

Mark Crow: Which brings me to my FIRST question?

Danny Starr: It’s 5 in the morning, Mark.

Mark Crow: Good point… Second question…

Danny Starr: Ugh… don’t you have drugs to sell or something?

Mark Crow: Uhm, yeah… but chill, I got some questions!

I noticed Mark pull out a muddy note book and a broken pencil with just a dull tip of led. He brings his nose to the page and begins to scrutinize the questions, I assume.

Mark Crow: How does it feel making such a sexual return to the extravagant ring?

Danny Starr: …

Mark Crow: Any time now…

Danny Starr: I’m guessing you wrote these questions yourself?

Mark Crow: With no help!

Danny Starr: I’m guessing you are trying to ask how I feel about my return. In return to your well thought out question, I am quite intrigued this time around. I know I’ve had a history of stirring everyone up, but this time I no longer feel the urge for such power. This time, I feel like I have more to prove…

Mark Crow: And this affects you how?

Danny Starr: What?

Mark Crow: Okay, uhm… Have you any problems with the people in the backstage part of the arena stadium ever since coming back?

Danny Starr: I heard something about Ryan Maxem… other than that, all I’ve heard are the weary comments from Kevin Conner and others who doubt my new ways… but I mean, this time it’s not really about titles or anything. I have more to prove, and what I have to prove is that people can change… and the past is in the past. The Danny you all seem to hate and throw fists up at is in that past… he’s history… along with all of his actions and mistakes.

Mark Crow: Interesting comments. What are your comments about Blue’s Clues merging with RockaFella Records?

Danny: I think it’s a great opportunity for both Jay-Z and Blue… and I’m really looking forward to hearing Blue’s street-life lyrics over a Kanye West beat. Should be interesting…

Mark Crow: Yes. Now, about HWA… Do you think Boo Hunger and The Cellular Warrior Kevin Connelly have a chance to beat you for the International title?

Danny Starr: I’m going to be honest.. You are the absolute worst interviewer HWA has ever hired. Second, It’s not really about a chance for Blue Thunder and Kevin Conner, it’s more of an opportunity for them and me. I heard Mental Mark has no spirit for the game anymore, that’s why I do not mention him in this toss-up. The way I see it: To me, it’s not really about the International Championship. It’s more or less an opportunity for Blue Thunder, a fantastic athlete to possibly surpass a legend in the HWA. Now once again, we are talking opportunity here. Therefore, his victory is strictly up to him… as a professional, it is my duty to avoid his attempt becoming successful. Has nothing to do with chance…

As far as Kevin Conner… He is an outstanding Celtic Warrior, the best! I give him my complete respect; after all… he has been around almost as long as I have. When you work with someone long enough you learn to put things behind you and look at more important things. What happened to Erin is an unfortunate thing… and I do not agree with these actions. However, it is not my business… I’m trying to stay out of other peoples quarrels.

Mark Crow: Do you like giraffes?

Danny Starr: They’re okay. Next question…

Mark Crow: Do you think I have a chance at becoming a UFC announcer?

Danny Starr: Are we just about done here?

Mark begins ranting loudly imitating a UFC telecaster and accidentally flings his notebook into midair. I happen to catch it before it hit’s the ground and glance to see he has written none of my answers down.

Danny Starr: So Mark, where are the camera’s at?

Mark looks around nervously…

Mark Crow: Uhhh…

Danny Starr: Okay, Mark… enough is enough… why are you at my house at 5 in the morning pretending to work for HWA?

Mark Crow: But I do work for HWA…

Danny Starr: No, Mark… You don’t. Now why are you here?

Mark Crow: Because… Uhhh… YOU’VE BEEN PUNKED!

Danny Starr: …

Mark Crow: Okay, Danny… Look, I saw ya on TV… I need a place to stay, I’ll work around the house again, I swear!

Danny Starr: So let me get this straight… you knock on my door at 5 o’ clock in the morning… get me out of bed… pretend to interview me about current events… make me look like a damned fool…and think I’m going to let you stay here as long as you work for me??

Mark Crow: Okay… Maybe it seems a little outrageous…

Danny Starr: Fine… clean up this mess you left… mow the grass… and get me some coffee…

Mark Crow: YES SIR!

Mark rushes to clean up the mess on the floor…

Danny Starr: Damnit Mark, I said get me some coffee!!!!

Mark Crow: YES SIR!

Mark gets up off the ground and runs towards the kitchen to get me a coffee when suddenly he stops dead in his tracks.

Mark Crow: Don’t you mean cut the grass?

Danny Starr: WHAT?!

Mark Crow: You can’t MOW the grass… you can MOW the lawn, and CUT the grass, but you can’t mow the grass.

Danny Starr: Okay… well go into the cabinet… grab the scissors and trim the yard… you insignificant fool… off you go!

Mark rushes to the kitchen to find a pair of sitters while I can’t help but chuckle at his stupidity.

When I came back… I came back a new man… I came back with a new way of thinking… no longer having thoughts of evil… and torment to others. I came back with a mind state that makes my old-self look like Lucifer. Of course it’s like sending a convicted rapist back on the streets in the sense of HWA knowing how I, Danny Starr, was in the past. And the times I have claimed I changed… and used it to an advantage to turn their heads long enough to plot another turn of the tables… but the clock’s winding down now… and its only a matter of time until they realize I’m not who they think. I’m not the sa me Danny I once was… I swear I have changed… I am living proof… that a man can change.
Survival will be another night… another opportunity for me to convince everyone the hate is out of my system… I’m not interested in belts… or power… I am not intrigued by either of those things. What does intrigue me is the chance of becoming respected as a good person… not just respected as a wrestler.