A Journey Through The Dark

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I'm calling that bullshit. Sure, there are some people who tried to fight the good fight and found themselves on the wrong side of the line. But the majority of people who took the path to hell ended up going there through a series of their own choices, and those decisions are rarely made with "good intentions".

There's always a moment. An instant where you could zig one way or zag the other... or maybe do nothing at all. But it's your choice that decides which way you're going, no one else's. You are the individual that will have to live with the consequences of your actions. The question is, will you wallow in regret... or thrive in the darkness?

*We are back, months ago, in the building owned by Andrew Logan's uncle, a criminal by the name of Arthur Logan. The building is set up as a 'legitimate' business for Uncle Arthur, one that he can point to when the heat is on from the police. The heat is most definitely on, but it's a different sort of heat entirely, as the building is engulfed in flames. Andrew Logan, trapped inside, has recovered after an attack only to find himself seemingly with nowhere to go. Nowhere to escape.*

*Logan turns and runs back the way he had previously been, going deeper into the inferno. He has a plan, though, as long as he can survive long enough to implement it. Soon, we see Logan back in his Uncle Arthur's office, just stopping long enough to grab the hard drive from the computer in order to save some evidence for his own investigation. Logan then turns to a series of file cabinets in the back, ramming them out of the way to reveal a hidden doorway, put in place for an easy escape from the law in case it's needed. Andrew slams the door open, wasting little time as he heads to the ladder hidden behind it for the quick escape.*

*This is all footage we've seen before, right near the end of Andrew Logan's recent run in the XWF. But this time, we see some new footage, as the camera view is now from a security camera inside the office. We see Andrew departing, not looking back, something he may regret for the rest of his life. Laying on the floor, where he should have been visible to Andrew had he just looked to the left, is Arthur Logan. Somehow, Andrew didn't notice him laying there when he escaped. Maybe he can blame the smoke, the lack of light, or just plain adrenaline for keeping him from seeing his uncle on the ground. Maybe, subconsciously, it was something else. On the camera, we see Arthur stir slightly, as if trying to find a way to get up, before the roof begins to fall down, surrounding him in flaming debris. The picture cuts out.*

How things would have changed with simply a glance over one shoulder, a quick peek before departing the room. But that was a choice, one that wasn't known in the moment, but a choice nonetheless. One that started the journey to where we are today. One missed opportunity to do what's right. One decision that can haunt someone forever.

*The next shot we see is at the funeral for Arthur Logan. It appears to be a dark, dreary day, which usually seems to be the case for events like this. We see different family members, friends, and members of the criminal underground standing around the plot as the closed casket is slowly lowered into the ground. There wasn't much to find once the fire had been put out, as the building mostly burned down to the foundation. The casket most likely only contains ashes from the scene, if that. Standing at the center of the group, looking down at the grave site, his face completely emotionless. Whatever he's feeling, he's hiding it from the world.*

*We next cut to Andrew Logan standing inside his home, staring at the mirror attached to the closet doorway. He studies himself for a few moments, as if trying to see deeper into the soul of the man who's staring back. Apparently, he doesn't like what he sees.*

*Logan lashes out, smashing part of the mirror with a right hand. That's not enough, as he swings again and again, sending glass flying in every direction. Some stays embedded in his fist, with blood leaking out around the edges to fall to the carpet below. Finally, Logan stops, breathing heavily as he seems to lose strength, dropping to his knees. Somehow, a piece of mirror on the lower half is still attached to the door, even though it's showing cracks throughout. Logan stares at himself once more, seeing the division in his reflection, and almost taking comfort in it as he slumps backwards, dropping to his back.*

Of course, one choice is not the end of the story. You may have stepped right when you should have jumped left, but unless we're talking about a freight train bearing down on you, it doesn't mean the journey is over. There will be more choices, at least if you're willing to consider them. After all, one of the choices would be to end your life, something that everyone has to consider after that life-changing development takes place.

But if you choose to live with what you've done, what comes next? Finding a way to correct things? That's clearly impossible. Finding a way to live with what you've done? It's never easy, but it can be achieved. It just may take another decision, one that some out there might not agree with. But then, they aren't in the same position, are they? They've never lived through the loss that could have been prevented, the grief, the guilt... the dark.

*Some time has passed, as we now see Andrew Logan sitting in his kitchen, a place that has held many of Logan's nightmares over the past few years. Now, though, it's just a place to sit. His hands have been bandaged up, either by himself or by someone who came to visit. More likely the latter; Logan doesn't look like he has been taking much care of himself judging from the unshaved face and unruly hair. He has his cell phone placed in front of him, noting with little interest that there are multiple messages waiting for him. It's unknown how long they've been on there, waiting for him. After a moment's thought, he reaches forward, pressing the play button for the first message.*

*Logan reaches out, pressing the delete button. The voicemail disappears from the phone's screen. Logan checks the next message.*

*This message is quickly deleted as well. Logan barely seems to show any interest in the wrestling calls at this point. He goes to the third and final message.*

*The voice mail ends. Logan's hand hovers over the delete button, a strange look in his eyes as he considers what he just heard. The finger dips down, about to hit the button, when it stops and slowly drifts to the side, to play the message again instead. Logan sits there, listening once more, as the camera slowly zooms out before cutting out.*

"The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions."

That's what they say. But I know the truth. I've begun paving my own road, using whatever is in my way to construct it. I have found my new path, and now I am following it of my own volition, under my own free will. I now journey as a Horseman of the Left Hand. I now lead in Baphomet's stead in the XWF, and I will make sure that everyone learns the truth about the world and how dark and beautiful it can be. My road to hell will be glorious, for everyone who joins us will prosper, and everyone who denies us will be destroyed.