Post by Lynch on Oct 24, 2015 2:45:18 GMT -6
Silence. A welcomed absence of sound to those who spend their nights haunted by their demons. It becomes troublesome to sleep at that point. A blessing and a curse. The silence offers that haven from the demons, but it also allows a person to be alone with their thoughts. Some may say a man’s free will is more dangerous than a puppet master and his strings. Some need that guidance in their lives. That silence creates a puppet master.
In the darkness, you find yourself sitting in that silence. Unsure of where you are, but there’s a familiar energy in the air. It’s a thick air that starts to slowly choke you. In the time, you start to pace yourself and control your breathing, but it doesn’t matter. On the verge of a panic attack, a light is turned on.
The room slowly fills with a faint light. It’s hard to tell where you’re at, but as you take notice of your surroundings, it becomes painfully clear. The quality of the air has returned to standard form and you find your breathing back to normal, but now you’re starting to choke on your tears. A glance around the room confirms your fear.
White mannequins sit beside you and around the entire room. They’re all missing their arms and heads; not a single one is a pure shade of white. Damaged. Every single one. Determined to spend the rest of their lives rotting away and you might be the next to join them. Alongside of you, they sit in what appears to be wooden pews.
Looking ahead, a podium is placed in the center of the room. The dim lights don’t offer much assistance as a shadowy figure moves in the distance. While the being remains in darkness, you know exactly who it is. The place may have changed a bit, but the situation hasn’t. The figure slowly emerges from the darkness with a smile. His face is obscured by the mask that has haunted your dreams for years now.
Standing tall at the podium, he looks directly toward you and locks eyes for only a moment, but it feels like an eternity. It’s a look to let you know that you’re trapped here. While you are not physically bound, you find it impossible to move a muscle. As much as you want to look away, you can’t. He’s drawn your attention and you can’t break free. Michael Lynch has returned.
“Hello, children. We’ve got a new resting place. It’s been a very long time, I’m very aware, but doesn’t it just feel so...fantastic being back together again? They thought they could take us away from each other. The fools! People make the mistake of thinking that once they strike me down...I’ll never stand back up. When the reality is...I can’t be knocked down! My disappearance was only momentary. I had my reasons, but know that during that time I wasn’t slacking like these other heathens. I was trying to find new ways to better myself and in the process, finding ways to help better you, my children.”
“A promised land. A new land. I’ve scoured the country looking for a place to call my home. A place where I can rest my head and go to sleep. For so long, the demons have kept me awake each and every night. I long for slumber, but I know that isn’t a realistic goal. At least, that was the case. Now? I’ve got a new place for my flock to follow. A man of my stature takes his time to find a proper place to settle. And to be honest, I never thought I’d reach this point again. As far as I knew, my life was over. There was no more Michael Lynch. But I found my salvation during those dark times, children. I knew I had a mission. The mask I wear is a constant reminder of that mission. For a moment...they got to me. However, deep down, I think I knew this day was going to come. They were going to challenge my strength, my will, my determination, and I withstood them all! My mission in Galveston never came to a proper conclusion, but that’s fine...we’ve got to look toward the future.”
Lynch addresses the audience with such passion in his eyes. For a brief moment, a glimpse of pain could be seen, but was quickly suppressed with his enthusiasm.
“For the simple truth is that my mission has only just begun. At the moment, I am weaker than I’ve ever been, but that’s perfect. I prey on those who prey on the weak. The ignorance some of these men and women proudly wear is astonishing. They have forgotten who I am. They have forgotten just what I’ve accomplished in a very short time. Let them call me weak, let them call me washed up, but one thing they’ll never call me, children...is defeated. Everyday is a new battle and I have yet to find a challenge that I’ve backed away from.”
He seems so proud of himself with his smile seemingly starting to grow past the boundaries of his mask. The thought that anyone would believe his word twists your stomach into vicious knots.
“That attitude will bring you back up the mountain we once stood on! So let them try and spread their false lies to your precious ears. Know that they can’t corrupt the innocence that I’ve provided you. My children, my sweet children...listen to the words I preach. For they are the truth that the world doesn’t want you to hear. They bind and gag you from the honest truth! I...I am the man who has come to save you. I am the man who is here to release you from those boundaries society has forcibly placed on you. I shall break those shackles and you will be as free as me!”
Pausing for effect, Michael’s smile fades away and is replaced with a stern look into the nothingness of the room. He looks straight ahead as if he’s managed to hypnotize himself with his own words.
“Let the world shout their lies at you, but filter out the true message. The word of the Messiah. My word has made us the people we are today. The beings we once were no longer matters. We may be weak, but we’re better than we’ve ever been. My time away made you stronger. You had to learn to fend for yourself, but now we’re back together. There is still a lot for you to learn from me, children, but you’ll get there. Now that we’ve got a proper home again. It’s almost fitting that I’ve come here. To a setting that calls itself...Exodus. It’s almost perfect given my recent situation. We were banished from one location and now we are here. Let me say again, it was a long journey, but here we are, children. We’re home.”
Eventually, the eerie smile creeps back along onto Michael’s face at the mention of a new “home”.
“Unfortunately, in our short time back, we’ve already got an intruder to our home. Let it be known for all those who dare to contest me that I built my church upon the fallen bodies of my opponents. I do not care who you are or what you have to say to me for it is all empty, meaningless words. Do you truly believe that you have anything of substance to say to me?! I am the man you should listen to! I am the man who can free you and I am the man who will tear you down! I may be a bit rusty, but I’m not fearful. I welcome the intruder because he may realize that I am simply more than an opponent. I am an opportunity.”
Standing with his chest out and looking as proud of himself as ever, Lynch took longer than usual for his arrogance to flash. The devious, egotistical smirk that any man would want to slap off his face has started to show
“Cassius Reed, will you take that opportunity? That opportunity to be saved from the cruel, unforgiving grasp this world has on you?! Or are you simply a coward? Though, I don’t think I need to hear the words leave your mouth to know your answer. It’s actually rather simple. You’re a coward. Let me ask you a better question. What’s it like to be a walking stereotype? A disgrace? It’s pathetic to witness this. You have the chance to change yourself and to better yourself, but what do you do? You fall right into the flaws that this world designed. You’ve decided to stay ignorant. If I was a different man, I would say that I didn’t blame you.”
Michael nods in agreement with himself; a very familiar sight.
“Yes, Cassius, I get that you’re a man with a chip on your shoulder. Hell, even your battle to get to here is a stereotype, isn’t it? Life gave you many challenges and you rose above them. I’d almost respect you for that. Almost. But I’ve seen it before. You fight these challenges and then you let your ego control you. Arrogance and ignorance are a deadly duo to dance with, Cassius. But you’ve got a championship. No matter what I say or what I do...all that matters to you is that championship around your waist. Do you think anyone takes you seriously, Cassius?”
An almost mocking fit of laughter is let out by Lynch and only Lynch. He stands in silence with his arrogant grin plastered across his face
“A champion is a man who should be respected by people, but I know better. I know that even with a championship and various other accomplishments...people will still doubt you. That’s just human nature. But you...Cassius, you take that doubt to new heights. Not only are you a walking stereotype, not only are you arrogant and ignorant, but perhaps more importantly...you sold out. Though I’m mistaken for saying all this. Perhaps I am the ignorant one! For I’m talking about you and I’m almost taking this issue seriously, but all I have to do is realize one thing. You’re a joke.”
Again, a smaller, but still mocking laugh comes out of Michael Lynch.
“That’s why I will beat you. Perhaps I might even humble you, but I doubt it. In fact, I doubt that you’ll even realize that I’m giving you a chance of a lifetime. I am giving you the chance to step away from this match. Save yourself. I do not care how you continue to carry yourself, but know that when you step between the ropes...everything changes. I treat my opponents the same regardless of what I’ve said about them. You can mock a person as much as you want, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens in that ring. I do not discriminate when it comes to accomplishing my mission.”
The cold glare that you’ve grown too familiar with is suddenly locked onto you after Lynch’s last statement. It’s difficult to feel any other emotion, but fear. He doesn’t say a word for what feels like ages. Without breaking his eye contact, he continues on
“The world made a very poor decision. They decided to forget Michael Lynch. Children, I am not a man of pride, but I must admit...that’s a very foolish decision. My name shall be known and my name will be remembered in the realms of history. Long after our lives here on Earth are over...our name and our mission shall be remembered. We shall not be derailed again. We are here to spread our message and Cassius Reed is the chosen one this week.”
He looks straight on with his sermon coming to a close. Any traces of arrogance have disappeared, but Lynch’s voice is filled with his own pride and ego. You’ve heard this spiel many times before
“I wish you nothing, but luck in our match, Reed. Anything can happen and it’s a dangerous game to get ahead of myself. That being said, I think I’ve earned that right. Exodus may not know who Michael Lynch is just yet, but you will soon enough, Cassius. You get that very distinctive honor. Add that accomplishment to your resume and feel free to brag about it. I’ll show the world just how pathetic of a champion you are and in return, they’ll remember who Michael Lynch is. The Messiah is back, children! He’s heard your cries, he feels your fear, but let it be known that he is giving you strength. Our return to greatness starts soon...for the Messiah has spoken!”
His voice booms throughout the room and echoes in your ears. However, the echo doesn’t soften or dampen, but only grows louder and louder. Your thoughts can’t be heard; only the buzzing and distortion of Michael Lynch’s words. Louder and louder with each passing second.
Until there is nothing left. Awake. Freedom. Your eyes shoot open and you gasp for air. The nightmare has finished, but the effects still linger. Beads of sweat cover your forehead. The monster has returned. He’s determined to end it all this time. You do not stand a chance alone.