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Vulnerability
Topic Started: Jun 3 2017, 09:24 PM (149 Views)
Lyza Reyes

Am I present? Kinda. When you see your boyfriend go through something as heavy as losing a brother, it’s difficult to respond. The first things to come out of people’s mouths when learning of a tragedy is to offer condolences, thoughts and prayers. The sentiments were kind, however, actually being there is another thing.

I had to think like a “g” for a moment. I didn’t want to keep the waterworks going, because our loved ones don’t want to see that when they’re trying to “crossover.” Now don’t get me wrong, a thorough lengthy cry is necessary, because it gets you into the recovery process sooner. Different hearts, though. I respected Brandon’s feelings in the process in not saying how he should grieve and all that. Everyday’s been a slight improvement from the one before, though. He along with Felicidad didn’t cancel any work-related commitments, because they knew Jayden wouldn’t want it that way.

I feel that there’s a balance you need to find in times like these. I believed in a period of mourning, but also try to celebrate life itself.

This was a reminder to spend as much time with loved ones as often as possible. Don’t hold grudges over things that can be remedied. If you have an opportunity to say “I love you,” say it, because you don’t know if it’ll be the last time.


______________________


It was an unusually cool afternoon in New York, however, that didn’t keep Lyza Reyes from mowing the lawn on her mother’s suburban property. Mrs. Reyes and her 4 year old granddaughter were getting mani-pedis, leaving the Defiance roster member to hang out at her second childhood home.

She needed to be away for a little bit, keeping busy as she attempted to process what she learned regarding the complicated relationship Brandon had with Asher’s mother, Zagan. She wasn’t just the cool baby mamma that got along with BB, and that was that - nope.

Some pseudo-polyamory shiz or something,” Lyza thought to herself while putting the mower back in the tool shed. Pushing heavy machinery topped with the loud sounds temporarily drowned out any thoughts that could have her watering the lawn with her own tears. She walks along the freshly cut lawn, feeling a sense of accomplishment as she makes herself comfortable on a pink and green handwoven hammock from her father’s native land of Costa Rica.

As a “reward,” she takes out a plastic ziploc bag containing indica infused gummy worms of various colors. The quirky Tica eats the second half of an edible she took a bite out of nearly two hours ago. She was anticipating the high that was about to take place once metabolized in her digestive system.

Ultra.

With her body sunken into the hammock, she rocks herself gently back and forth several times, until the northeast winds took over. She lets out a giggle, feeling as though she were cradled in midair. This was her moment to temporarily disconnect, and recharge before entering reality again.

What was reality? Traveling to Mexico and the UK for work-related events, along with fighting to keep her relationship together. Despite the gut-wrenching things Brandon said, she still believed that there was genuine love and feelings. “Once the storm passes, the skies will clear,” that’s something she considered in times like these.

...It just wasn’t as simple as displayed in tumblr fan-fics or in a young adult novel.

She inhaled and exhaled deeply, with her hands rested on her midsection. The whistling sound of the wind was amplified as she entered a state of relaxation. She closes her eyes, shivering somewhat from the cool breeze. As she rubs her hands across her arms and chest, she feels pressure on her throat. Immediately opening her eyes, Lyza is met with a tall man in his late thirties dressed in a navy suit. He raises her up to a seated position with one hand around her throat. Instead of fighting off what appears to be an uninvited “guest,” Lyza keeps her composure, until she can speak up.

Too far, Declan. These appearances will never be welcomed,” she says, looking around the property for signs of a witnessing neighbor or maybe her mother. It was just the two of them as far as she could tell.

It has been nearly two years since our last encounter. I’d imagine by now, you have given much thought to completing the final stages of your treatment.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m not your little lab rat. Whatever was done in the past, it wasn’t even under my consent,” she says, staring off into space to collect some thoughts. “I was still in the womb, take that into account.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to prosper in your endeavors. To my understanding, there is nothing in the open market that could enhance your in-ring performance all while traveling from one continent to another with ‘jet lag,’” he says, condescendingly.

Ain’t nothing a little caffeine and essential oils won’t fix,” she retorts.

Despite her attempt at staying nonchalant, these visits were never pleasant for Lyza. When her mother, Olivia was rushed to the hospital in the winter of 1990, the young mother-to-be was uncertain of the condition of the developing human inside her.

On that fateful day, she met a doctor that offered a new treatment that could repair any of the damage the fetus may have suffered from during the physical attack from her inebriated father. Out of desperation, and faith in modern medicine, Olivia accepted the treatment, which didn’t seem to have any side effects as Lyza arrived into the world around the estimated due date without any developmental disorders.

Lyza went on to have a normal childhood like anyone else growing up in the 90’s and 2000’s. The visits from Declan and his associates started around her adolescent years, where she learned about her accident in the womb. She was offered another set of treatments, which she declined back then out of fear of any side effects. Also, seeing movies like Spider Man 3, had her thinking she was about to get injected with symbiote blood or have some kind of alien experiments completed.

There were certain characteristics and quirks Lyza possessed as a result from the first and only treatment she received. Declan explained that the treatment enabled her to use her brain at a higher capacity than the average human being. In Lyza fashion, she dismissed it. Ultimately, though, these visits led her to stray from big pharma, and instead read up on natural medicine and holistic living. Going “green” was her treatment of choice.

You will need more than that to have a successful title defense, along with moving on to the next round at the World Cup tournament,” he says, remaining persistent.

She looked as though she was ready to “clap back” with something witty or sarcastic, and instead slumps back into the hammock. As high as the stakes were for “Control,” she wanted to outdo her last in-ring performance as letting others down hurt her more than when she fell short in singles bouts. Inferno and Zack deserved a third teammate at their absolute best, especially when the Tag Team Championships were on the line against her foes, The Pretty Committee. Then throw in a complete stranger in Sefa Alo, and this is like cramming to learn over a thousand vocabulary words the night before the SAT exams.

And then what?” she inquires. “Would it be over?

Declan doesn’t answer right away. He reaches his hand into the interior pocket of his blazer, taking out a syringe Lyza has seen on more than occasion. She remains still, focusing on the bubbles of the yellow serum substance swimming inside the tube. In the past, she’s fought back, often showing physical restraint and escaping from Declan and his associates.

Simply the beginning,” he says, using his free hand to raise the sleeve of her Tesla v.s. Edison t-shirt. He presses on her arm firmly to look for a vein. Lyza has the tips of her feet planted on the ground to keep from rocking back and forth. What’s the worst that could happen? If there really were a hybrid species or mutants, they were masters of hiding in plain sight.

Her vulnerability was evident at this point, making it the perfect opportunity for Declan to administer the syringe. She goes back to staring off in the distance, spacing out from the man in the navy suit. Her expression resembles that of a child seated in front a boxy television set from the late 70’s with The Jetsons being displayed in analog.

Do you like this color?” says a voice, sounding nothing like Declan’s.

Lyza shakes her head, rubbing her eyes to see five little fingers rested on her knee cap. She playfully gasps in response to her niece’s nails painted in turquoise polish.

"That’s sooo pretty!” Lyza says, picking up Kayla and having her sit beside her on the hammock. Olivia is seen entering the backyard with a small shopping bag in her hand. She shuts the white fence behind her before reuniting with her daughter and granddaughter. The look on her face is that of suspicion. She examines Lyza, especially her eyes.

Sabes que a mi no me gusta que uses esa...mier,” she catches herself for Kayla’s sake, substituting the swearing with: “miel!” Olivia says this in a whispery shout, as her granddaughter is seemingly distracted by the phone she managed to fish out of Lyza’s pant pocket.

Ya, mami. No pasa nada,” Lyza says, reassuring her about her current state. She extends her hand toward her mother’s in curiosity of the color she chose for her manicure; she went with merlot red. “I’ve missed you and Kayla...even that dork Kalvin. Where is he?

He’s doing a lot of errands with your cuñada. Will you be staying for dinner?

Mm, yeah. I can do that,” Lyza says, smiling as she sees Kayla playing an Aria Banks YouTube clip found in her history.

Que conste, que…” Olivia says, in that “you better” kind of tone.

Lyza chuckles, carefully removing herself from the hammock with Kayla in her arms. Olivia leads the way, with Lyza not far back. As she walks towards the backdoor, she glances over at her arm, not seeing signs of the needle ever touching her skin.

But did it really?
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