Be Brave

Taking Hold of the Flame 2025

{{ Thursday, January 23
Gretna, LA }}

Two nights after the New Orleans are experienced record-breaking snow fall, the very last thing on Amy Chastaine’s mind is how long the white powder-turned-ice will be on the streets. No, tonight at nearly ten PM, sitting on a hard chair in a nondescript room with her head in her hands, all Amy can think is about is…. “how the fuck did I get here?” That was a dumb question, though. Amy knows exactly how she got to the place she’s currently sitting.

In the backseat of a police car.

The door clinks and Amy looks up at the sound, then exhales with relief.
“Ed. Finally.” Ed Morris, Amy’s long-time lawyer she keeps on retainer, has arrived. Amy stands up, as the guard lets Ed in to speak with her. Any other person on the street would have been brought to the general holding area, where the freshly arrested await processing. Amy though isn’t just anyone, and she was taken to what’s usually an interrogation room. Amy stands as Ed walks in, and the guard leaves, closing the door behind him.
“Amy….” Ed shakes his head.
“Where’s Wyatt? Loki?”
“Out there. They would only let one of us back here, we assumed you’d want that to be me.”
“Of course. How’s Loki? He was upset earlier.”
“I heard all about it. He seems mostly okay, now that the cat is fine.”
“Oh good, they took her home.” They’d better have, after all of this.
Ed nods, then gestures at the small table in the room. “Let’s sit. Loki told me what he saw. Now I want to hear this from you.”
Amy sighs. She knows, just knows that Ed is going to scold her six ways to Sunday over this. Taking a seat, she takes a calming breath, trying to decide where to start.
“Okay. Loki was at his girlfriend’s house, and her mom couldn’t get their car out of the driveway to take him back home. It was fine earlier today, but after the sun went down the snow turned into ice and… well, anyway. I went to pick him up. On the way home-”
Ed holds his hand up to interrupt. “Let me stop you right here for a moment. You and I have known each other a long time. What, ten, fifteen years now? And I’d swear under oath that not once have you ever lied to me.”
“Of course not.” She’d lied to her husband, her family, her friends and coworkers… but it was unfathomable to think about lying to an attorney.
“Okay. So when I ask you this question, I’m trusting that you’ll not start now, and I’ll back you up, no matter what the answer is.”
Amy already knows the question. “Ed, I…”
“Let me say it, for legal reasons.” Amy nods. “Were you drinking tonight?”
“No.” Amy is surprised at how calm her tone sounds. Ed nods.
“Okay. Good. Great. Thank you. That being the case, why the hell did you refuse the Breathalyzer? Don’t you know that’s considered an admission of guilt?”
“No, I learned that tonight. I thought it just meant they took you here for a blood test.”
Ed shakes his head in disbelief. “All these years you’ve been on and off with this problem and you never knew this?”
“Why would I know that, Ed? I’ve never had a DWI before!”
“Miraculously, it seems.” Amy glares. “Okay, sorry. It’s just that your refusal is going to make my job a little bit harder here. So please tell me what you were thinking.”
“I promise it’ll make sense. As I was saying, I picked Loki up and we were on the way home…”

{{ Earlier }}

Amy turns her Jeep off one of the main boulevards and onto to a residential street. Not hers, but one that’s a shortcut through neighborhoods to avoid most of the traffic. Not that there’s much traffic tonight – most people in this area have never seen snow before, or at least not this much of it. It doesn’t phase Amy much; she’s travelled all over the world and even lived outside of New York City when she first got into wrestling. That said… this shortcut is habit. Down this street though, more piles of snow-turned-ice can be seen on the sides of the street and in yards than on the main road.
“It looks so weird, with almost no one out at this time. It’s only eight.”
“It does. But I’m not surprised. A lot of places are still closed.”
“I’m glad McDonald’s was open though. Thanks for stopping.” Loki sucks down the last of his soda, creating that straw-gurgle sound you just heard as you read this.
“You drank that whole soda already?”
Loki shrugs. “I was thirsty.” The teenager had turned seventeen a few days ago, and Amy was constantly surprised by how much the boy could put away and how fast. She shakes her head at him, grinning.

Just then, a small blur catches her eye, dashing across the street. At the same time Loki yells.
“MOM STOP!”
Amy floors the brakes, causing the tail end of her Jeep to slide a little on the road; there must have been a small ice patch. She pulls over and parks.
“What was that?” Amy looks across Loki out the passenger window.
“I think it was a cat….. oh look! It is!” Loki points to a smudge of color peeking out from behind a pile of snow. Eyes blink and flash in the glow of the streetlight.
“I see it. Do you think-”
“I’m gonna see if she’s okay.”
Before Amy can say anything, Loki opens the door and hops out. Amy watches with interest as her son does his best to coax the tiny piece of fluff out from behind the snow pile. He’s squatting, with his hand reached out. Amy grins as the cat – a kitten really – cautiously steps forward, then rubs its nose on Loki’s fingers. She hears him talking calmly, as the kitten steps closer. Loki slowly and gently reaches out and grabs it, then picks it up. Amy expected the poor thing to fight and claw to get away, but instead it just snuggles into the crook of Loki’s arm. Amy smiles bigger. Her son, the cat-whisperer. He seems to have forgotten where he is, just talking to and petting the kitten. Just as she’s about to call out to him to get back in the Jeep… red and blue lights flash from behind. Loki notices and gets up. He gets back into the Jeep just as the police unit parks behind Amy.
“What is a cop doing with his lights on behind us?”
“Probably saw me swerve and is just making sure we’re okay. There’s been a lot of accidents with people not used to this weather.”
Loki nods, and pets the kitten as it curls up in his lap. Amy can now see that its black and white, ‘tuxedo’ style. Amy then eyes the police car in her rearview mirror, waiting to see what the cop will do.
“Poor baby is freezing, Mom. We should take her home.”
“Obviously. How do you know it’s a girl?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

In the mirror, Amy sees the police car door open. She puts her window down in preparation to speak to him. The cop walks up, and puts away his flashlight. It’s not necessary under the streetlight.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
“Evening, officer.”
“I’m Officer Campo with Gretna PD. Got any idea why I pulled up behind you?”
Amy glances at Loki then back at the cop. “I assume because you saw me skid on the ice then pull over. We’re fine. I just saw this cat zoom across the road and…” Amy’s words trail off as the officer chuckles. What?
“That’s what you’re going with? You saw a cat?”
Amy leans back and points to the kitten in Loki’s lap. “Yes. That’s it. I hit the brakes to avoid her and my son got out and picked her up.”
“That’s not what I saw…. Ms. Chastaine.”
Realization hits Amy’s stomach like a punch. This cop saw a car swerve and stop. He ran the plate before getting out…. And now thinks he’s on to something.
“She’s telling the truth! Look!” Loki points at the cat in his lap. Campo leans over and glares at him across Amy.
“I’m not speaking to you, son. Keep quiet.”
“What exactly do you think you saw… Officer Campo?” Out of the corner of her eye, Amy notices Loki fiddling with something. She assumes he’s repositioning the kitten to be more comfortable and thinks nothing else of it.
“What I saw….. was a vehicle wildly swerve in the road, where no ice exists, and said vehicle is being driven by, well…. You. A known alcoholic.”
“That sounds like a lot of conjecture to me. Sir.”
Campo smirks. “No, that swerve was what we in the field call ‘probable cause.’ License and registration please.”
Amy sighs hard. She knows exactly what’s going on here. This particular police department is usually upstanding and “doesn’t play” as the kids say, but Gretna is a small incorporated city across the river from New Orleans, and has a small-town vibe that Amy normally finds quaint. Except when things like this come up. Small town cop trying to suck up to the sheriff with a ‘big bust’ to make a name for himself. Well, not on her name. She hands over the requested documents and watches as he inspects them, then puts them inside his little clipboard.
“Step out of the vehicle.”
“May I ask for what reason?”
“Field sobriety test.”
Amy looks out of the window and down at the ground. There are clear lines of snow in the street, made from passing cars. “Are you kidding? Look at that, no one could walk a straight line over that.”
Campo shrugs. “Fine. Then we’ll just have you blow for me.”
Amy glares. In any other situation this would be an obvious inappropriate statement. But she knows he means a Brethalyzer and the sentence is apropos in context. Yet..
“I will not.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve told you what happened, the proof is curled up in my son’s lap, and…” Amy gestures to the car’s console. “There are clearly no open containers here. You have no basis for that.”
“I see a go-cup.”
“From McDonald’s! It’s Coke. Or… was, until my son drank all of it. Here.” Amy grabs it and hands it over. “Smell it.”
Campo pushes her hand away. “That won’t be necessary. I saw erratic driving and that’s probable cause enough.” Amy sighs again in frustration. “I’m gonna ask you one more time, step out of the vehicle for the breath test.”
“Absolutely not.” Amy doesn’t know too much about DWI laws, but she’s certain, from hearing women talk at the shelter, that a cop cannot coerce you into blowing into the machine. If you refuse, they’ll either write you a ticket, not let you drive home, or take you to the station for a blood test. At least that’s what she’s heard. Given that this guy was clearly exaggerating things to get her name on his record, she assumes he’ll take option three.
“So to be clear, you are refusing a Brethalyzer test?”
“Yes, I am.”
“In that case, I’m gonna have to ask you to come to the station with me.” The smirk on his face gets smarmier, if that was possible.
“Fine. I’ll follow you.”
Campo laughs. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m bringing you in for DWI, you think you’re gonna be allowed to drive to the police station? Get out of the car.”
The tone change, along with the fact that she hadn’t been given her license back yet, gives Amy the sudden realization that she was about to be arrested. In front of her son. Campo steps back and starts to call on his radio, but Amy opens the door.
“Okay, okay. I’m getting out.” He puts the radio back on his belt and steps back as Amy steps out. He has his hand on his cuffs at his side. “Does this really need to happen in front of my son?”
“Well, you could just blow.” Another nasty smirk. Amy notices Loki leaning over a little, trying to hear.
“Why? So you can fiddle with the test results? I know exactly what you’re trying to do here, and there is no way I’m giving you anything to tamper with.”
“Do you understand what you’re doing, Ms. Chastaine? Refusing that test is an admission of guilt, as the law goes. So either you submit to the test… or you’re under arrest. You lose, either way.”
“Let me talk to my son for a moment. Or is that too much to ask?”
“Make it quick.”
Amy turns and leans into the window. “Loki…”
“I know. I was listening. Are you gonna be okay?”
“Call Dad. Tell him to call Mr. Ed, and come to the Gretna PD.”
“Okay. But… what about me? And her?” Loki glances down at the kitten, now asleep and unaware of the chaos.
“Do you think you can drive my car home?” Loki has a license, but he’s never driven in snow.
“I can try. If you think I can.”
“I think so. Just go slow.” Loki nods. “Okay. Call Dad. But wait til after we leave.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks. This is gonna be okay.”
“I know. I heard everything.” Loki glances down at the kitten again. Amy isn't sure why, it hasn't moved.

“Let’s go! That’s enough chit chat.”
Amy turns to the officer. “Fine. Just be aware that you’re making me leave my teenage son alone to take my car home.”
Campo looks inside the window. “You got a license, son?”
“Yes sir.”
“I’m gonna take your word on that. Be safe.”
Amy scoffs. He won’t take either of their word that she’s stone sober, but believes Loki has a license just because he said so. Turning back to Amy, Officer Campo produces his handcuffs. Amy glares at them.
“Really?”
“Gotta go by the book. What with you being you and all.”
“Fine.” Amy holds hands out, wrists up. Campo shakes his head, then twirls his finger in the air.
“Nah. Turn around. Like I said… By. The. Book.”
Knowing she has no choice and no leverage in the matter, Amy does her best to swallow her anger and pride as she turns. She flinches at the click.

{{ Gretna PD }}

“Well, that explains the cat Wyatt and Loki were talking about.”
“That cat is proof I’m not lying.” It’s also what caused all of this in the first place, but Amy wasn’t going to blame anything on an innocent kitten who was just cold and scared.
“I don’t think you’re lying, Amy.”
“I didn’t mean to you. To them.”
“Right. Of course. Sorry, it’s late and I’m thrown for a loop here. This really isn’t my area of law expertise.”
“Miraculously, it seems.”
Ed chuckles. “Fair play.”
“So what happens now?”
“Well, normally you’d sit here til morning when the night arrests are booked in. But, I don’t think you’ll have to wait that long.”
“Oh, they’re going to process me faster for being me?” Amy rolls her eyes.

The door opens, and the guard steps in. “Ms. Chastaine? You’re free to go.”
Amy stands, but doesn’t move. “I… what? How?”
“Your friend Mr. Morris here has some friends.” The guard leaves, leaving the door open. Amy turns to Ed, with an accusatory look. He shrugs.
“I made a call or three on the way here. Come on. I’ll explain when we’re not here.”

Amy follows Ed out, down the hallway, and to the front of the station. Amy sees Wyatt standing at the door, with his back to the hallway she’s coming out from. Loki is sitting in a chair against the wall. He sees her first, and jumps up.
“Mom!”
Wyatt spins around, and Amy gives them both a weak smile. As soon as Amy is past the doorway into the visitor’s area, Loki runs up and hugs her. He’s as tall as she is now, and Amy doesn’t think she’ll ever get used to that.
“I told you it would be okay.”
“I know. But… Dad was worried and Mr. Ed wasn’t sure what he could do, and…”
“And let’s give her some room to breathe, okay?” Wyatt has his hand on Loki’s shoulder, gently pulling him back. Loki steps back, only for Wyatt to take his place in hugging Amy.
“Sneaky.”
“It was my turn.” He grins at her, then looks at her with concern. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just tired. And angry. And confused….” Amy sees Ed give her a look. “But I’m not worried about that right now. Let’s just go home.”
“Home it is.”

{{ The Next Day }}

Ed Morris arrives at Amy’s, files in hand and prepared to explain everything he handled for her last night. Seated at the dining room table, Amy, Wyatt, and Loki listen to Ed’s words.
“I called in a few favors and got everything suppressed as much as I could. Amy does have the DWI charge, but I was able to get the police department to remove the arrest record from their books. This will keep it out of the media for as long as possible.”
Ed slides the paperwork over to Amy. She reads over it, then looks up.
“What do you mean, as long as possible?”
“Well…. If you’re convicted when you go to court, that will be public record. It’ll suspend your license and give you a fine.”
“But I wasn’t drinking. Don’t they have to prove it?”
Ed shrugs. “You refused the test.”
“To make them have to blood test me! The cop was all but framing me, Ed.”
“It’s true. I heard him.” Loki says quietly, but defiant.
“What did he say?”
“Something like… either you blow and I get the result I want, or you go to jail, you lose either way. I don’t remember the exact words. Do you, Loki?”
“Not exactly. But that’s pretty much it. It was almost admitting he could fake the test result.”
Ed gives Loki a look over the rims of his glasses. “You realize that you may have to speak to this in court?”
Loki nods.
“Would that even help, though?” Amy sounds exasperated. “I mean, he’s seventeen and my kid, wouldn’t they just try to discredit him because any kid would lie for their mom?”
“That’s a possibility. But at this point it’s all we have to defend you. Pending that blood test, of course.”
“When it comes back clear, they’’ just say the alcohol had already metabolized away by the time they drew blood. I heard that several times back in jail.”
Amy glances at Wyatt. He rarely speaks about that unprompted.
“Is that even possible?” Wyatt shrugs.
Loki then leans on the table, his phone in one hand. “I have a question.” The adults all look at him. “What if, hypothetically, there was video?”
Ed raises an eyebrow. “How hypothetically are you speaking?”
“Like… would the person who recorded it get in trouble?”
“Absolutely not. A lot of police officers are mandated to wear body cams to record their stops themselves. Gretna PD are supposed to have them, but they don’t have enough to go around for all the officers. There is no law preventing anyone from recording police. In fact, these days I’d say it’s encouraged.”
Loki hesitates a moment, then nods to himself. “Okay. Then here.” He taps his phone screen on and hands it to Ed.
“Wait… you recorded everything?!” Amy is stunned… until she remembers how Loki kept glancing down at the kitten his lap.
“Yeah. I had it up against my leg on the seat. I was trying to, you know…” He glances down as an example. “Tell you.”
“I thought you were looking at the cat.”
Loki just shakes his head. Ed hasn’t pressed play yet, but on the screen is the beginning of the video, showing Amy’s shoulder and the cop in her window.
“Why didn’t you mention this last night?” Wyatt asks.
“I didn’t know if I would be in trouble or not. But thinking about it… if it helps Mom not have to go to court or get any charge or let the public know or any of that…. even if I did it would be worth it.”
“Loki….” Amy eyes him with compassion. The teenager was willing to face whatever consequences to help her. Amy used to fear that Loki would grow up to be more like his biological father, Dustin Diablo, a violent and almost psychopathic man. But this shows to her that she and Wyatt must have done something right raising him to counter any of that.
“Alright, well, let’s just watch this.”

Ed presses play, and they all listen to the recording. It finally ends right after Amy told Loki to call his Dad. Ed hands Loki his phone back.
“I’d say this could take care of everything, and possibly cost Officer Campo his badge. Can you send me this video?”
“Yes sir. To your phone, or….?”
“No. Here.” Ed pulls out a business card from his briefcase. “Send it to that email.”
Loki nods, and starts fiddling with his phone.
“So, what do we do with that? Take it to the judge now, or…?”
“I’ll file a motion to present evidence. They’ll probably move the court date. As of now it’s set for eleven March.”
“March?!” Wyatt is stunned.
“That’s a long time.”
“That’s actually expedited, one of the strings I pulled. The blood test they did won’t come back for a week or two, anyway. Jane Doe off the street would be waiting til July. But… I may be able to get it moved up or even dismissed with that video.” Ed turns to Loki. “Son, you’re a genius for thinking to turn that on. What made you think to do that?”
Loki shrugs. “I don’t know. I watch a lot of true crime, I guess.”
“Well, your quick thinking saved your mom’s ass.”
Loki smiles, more at the cussing than the compliment. Ed speaking that way to him seems like a sign that the adults think of him as an adult now, too. Or at least close enough.
“I’m glad it helps.”
“I just have one more question for you.”
“Sir?”
“When do I get to meet the kitten that started all of this?”
“Oh!” Loki holds a finger up, indicating to wait one minute. He goes across the hall to Amy’s closed office door, and goes inside. A few seconds later, he comes back carrying the black and white ball of fluff. Now that the kitten is dry, the fur is very floofy.
“Here you go.” Loki sets the kitten on the table. “I told you she was a girl, Mom. I want to call her Flurry. Since she’s too small to be Snow Ball or Snowflake.”
Amy laughs. “What about when she grows up?”
“Oh well.” Loki shrugs.
“Flurry she is.”
Ed holds his hand out, one finger pointed towards Flurry. She steps forward timidly, glancing at Loki, then back at Ed. Then she leans forward and sniffs his finger. A second later, she rubs her face on it.
“She likes you!”
Ed grins as he scratches the kitten’s neck with one finger.
“Leave it to this family to take in a cat because she got me arrested.”
“It’s certainly a good story for an interview. In a year or so.” Amy shoots Wyatt a daggered stare. “Okay… or maybe never.”
“I’m thinking never.”

With this hanging in the air, Amy decides to put on hold any plans she had of returning to the ring. She couldn’t risk the incident coming out somehow and messing everything for her. No… she’d just have to wait.

June 1

Long time no see, isn’t it Dear Readers?

I must apologize for the long wait to see me get back into the ring. I planned to much sooner, you see. But some personal issues came up that needed to be handled, someone trying to use my past against me for personal gain. I’m happy to say they did not succeed and everything is settled now. I had planned to make some sort of official announcement that I was returning, all nagging injuries are healed, and I’m ready and able to fight another day. Or year.

But, then Breakdown happened. I was minding my own business, at Simon’s side supporting him in facing up to his shit stain of a brother Ryan…. When for what seems like no reason at all, none other than James Evans and his cronies ran up behind me and took me out.

First of all, I’m really getting tired of being thrown through equipment cases. Those things hurt.

But more importantly… it seems like James has a bad memory, or maybe Xander dropped him on his head too many times, but he really should know better than to pick a fight with me.

Listen, I know it wasn’t really “no reason.” Simon did make a claim for the World Championship; therefore James took that as a personal insult. But I didn’t say it. Yes, the last time you saw me fight in an SCW ring, I was facing Josh Hudson for that Championship, and I failed. Maybe James somehow got it into his twisted brain that I would be gunning for it as soon as I came back. And given the fact I am entering the Flame, he might make a good case.

But I’m not jumping into this at the last minute for the Championship. I’m doing it to earn a shot at James.

I didn’t land on my head hard enough to not know that it wasn’t James who threw me off the stage. But I know how Fall of Man works. James controls everything. Those men were told to take me out, nothing is done without James’ approval. He focused on Simon because of the challenge, and left everyone else to handle me.

Thing is, they only think they handled me.

Maybe James needs a reminder of what happened the last time he targeted me and attacked me from behind. I know it was nine years ago but I remember very clearly the sound his hand made on the canvas when I made him tap out. All he had to do was mind his own business and keep his attention on Fall of Man and Xander Valentine… you know, the man actually challenging him next. There was no reason to inject himself into a very personal situation between myself and Simon with his brother. But now he’s got my attention.

I’ve entered the Flame many times before, and never come close to winning it. I’ve tried, I’ve claimed so many times that it was finally my time to check off winning this thing on my record. Maybe all these years I’ve had it wrong. Maybe I’ve always had the wrong motivation. It’s not about doing something one has never done. It’s not about getting a shot at the World Championship. Well, for some people it might be. But for me… it’s personal.

Every member of Fall of Man will be in that ring and there’s a good chance I’ll get my chance to pay them back for what they did to me at Breakdown. And I really hope Ryan Lyman doesn’t think I forgot about him, but I’ll get back to that in a minute.

James, and everyone else, needs to understand something. I don’t take kindly to having my personal issues imposed upon. James found this out the hard way nine years ago, and if against all odds I win the Flame and James walks out of the Thunderdome with the Championship…. Well, that’s just a bonus on top of getting the chance to remind him what happens when I get targeted.

I’ve never been in a Thunderdome, but I’ve been in something similar in VWA, and I know how dangerous it is, and how easily things can go sideways for everyone locked inside. I know how it’s every fighter for themselves, the depths one has to go to in order to survive, and that it truly is anyone’s match to win. All of this is to say that I know there is a chance – a good chance – that James will not be exiting the dome as champion.

Let me make this clear. That will not stop me. So I’m hoping that James doesn’t get some crazy idea of giving up just so he won’t have to face me on the slim chance that I win the Flame. Regardless what happens later tonight…. I’m coming for him anyway. The only difference will be the terms of the match. Best case scenario, both James and I win, and we main event Rise to Greatness. I’ve never been in that spot in this company, and it would be an honor to get to do it once, before its time to hang up these boots for good.

Worst case? We both lose and I petition CHBK to let me face him anyway. Any show, any time, any spot on the card.

What if I win and James loses? Or James wins and I lose?

Doesn’t matter.

I’m coming for him.

---

Ryan Lyman. I said I’d get back to him. We never got to finish our conversation at Breakdown, so believe me when I say I will find a way to finish it one way or another. This side quest with James Evans does not let him off the hook! Far from it. He is King Turd on the top of my Shit List, after everything that man has done to ruin my life both personally and professionally. Pretending to be someone else, snaking his way into my life and all of the bullshit that came after, right up until last week and setting me up to be attacked by James and Fall of Man… I’ve had enough of the very sight of him! Please believe me when I say that I will not stop until I kick his ass knowing who I’m fighting this time, and put him out of this company for good!

I know he’ll be in the Flame. Maybe I’ll be able to give him just a taste of what I have planned for him, before I throw him out and end any plans he has of ever fighting for the World Championship, because it will be over my dead body that I’ll allow the most despicable person I’ve ever met - and that’s saying a lot, trust me - to get anywhere near the World Championship of this company.

So many people enter this thing claiming anything they do to anyone in the ring is just standing on business, nothing is personal, they’re just doing what they need to do. For me… everything is personal. And that makes me far more dangerous.

~ Be Brave,
Amy Chastaine