BORN AGAIN. [CALL YOUR SHOT]

SO, UNTIL THOSE RIVERS RUN OUT.

THEY ARE STORMY, WHEREVER YOU ARE.

I'LL BE THERE, WE CARRY ON.

BORN AGAIN.

---

It's mere days before Call Your Shot, something that has weighed heavily upon Savannah since the tournament had been announced. One thing she had not been able to grasp properly in her career was championships. Sure, she had a few under her belt. But, not to the point that it truly counted. Not where it mattered. One of those belts had been held for merely seventeen days, a reign long enough to get used to the feeling. But, snatched away just as soon as it had truly sunk in. She had always been so close, yet so far away from her goals.

Though, it wasn't always about gold when it came to the usually bubbly woman. She was in this because she loved it, not because she sought gold. Though, to be so empty-handed for so long weighed heavily upon her. Some people constantly asked her, how did she do it? How did she continue to go on as if the many setbacks and pitfalls hadn't bothered her? It wasn't easy to pretend as if the pitfalls and setbacks hadn't bothered her.

She wanted to be one of the very best, wanted to go out there every single time and put on a showstopping performance that the fans would come back to see time and time again. But, that meant that she also had to continue to push herself. As she sat in the in-home gym that had been converted in the basement, her workout had been interrupted as one earbud had been removed. Sweat dripped from her forehead as she used a small towel to wipe it away before it could burn and drip into her eyes.

A shadow loomed in the doorway before blonde locks popped their head into the room. There stood Savannah's fiance, Kelly Taylor. A man who had shown her that love was not always easy, but was something worth fighting for. A man who had been so patient with her in spite of all of her flaws. A man who had welcomed her into his life so easily. To say they had been infatuated with one another from seemingly the first week was something not so easily put into words. "Figured you were down here still. Haven't seen you all day. You doing alright?" He stands in the doorway, arms crossed loosely over his chest as he leans against the frame.

Silence fills the air as Savannah pauses her music, just so she can take a few sips from her water bottle. It's nearly empty, but she can fill it from the water jug a few feet away. She stands, walking over to refill her jug when Kelly finally walks over to her. His hands gently cup her cheeks and he forces her to focus on his face. "Hey, you know you can talk to me, right?" There's a worried expression on his face as he stands face to face with her. He understands when she doesn't want to speak, never tries to force it. But, right now? There was seemingly a lot going on for her.

"I'm okay, I think. I'm fine." She shrugs, glancing away from Kelly as she swallows down ice cold water. The chill helps with how hot she feels, but it's a welcome contrast. "Just thinking a lot. About life, about my career. About the setbacks and pitfalls. You know how it is." She waves a hand dismissively, moving to sit on the weight bench. Kelly follows her, hovers above her as she begins to lift the weights that are on the bench. He keeps a steady eye, just simply spotting her so she doesn't overexert herself again. "I just want this to count, you know? I mean, I want everything to count. I want to make sure I make an impact. I want to go all the way this time." She lifts the bar, picking it up slowly but surely as she focuses on her breathing.

To say that he understood was the understatement of the year. They had both had their fair share of struggles in the past few months alone. But, together? They could take on the world and overcome any struggles they may have faced. "I know, things have been pretty rough lately. But, you still manage to persevere through it all. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for, Savannah." He carefully holds his hands out, making sure to keep her steady as she breathes through each rep. "I know you're worried about fading into the background again, but I know that you can do whatever you set your mind to." He gently places fingertips upon the bar as she sets it back into place. Letting her know that he more than understands the emotions swirling within her very core.

Savannah finishes up her sets, placing the bar back into place with Kelly's help. She's quiet for a few moments as she slowly sits up to straddle the bench. She wipes sweat droplets from her face as she takes a moment to catch her breath. "I know, I know. I just get so into my head sometimes. I think we're always our own worst critics, which can be a truly frustrating thing." She shakes her head, downing a sizable amount of water before she hops up to her feet. "But, there's enough self pitying going on in this room. I need to eat and shower and get myself out of this stupid mood." She tosses the towel onto her shoulder, shaking her head as she stands on tiptoes to steal a kiss. "Come on, lover boy. Let's get a move on."

With those final words, Kelly shakes his head and follows behind her. The pair falling into gentle conversation as Savannah laughs about something that Kelly had said.

---

"Well, well, look who decided to show her face again." Savannah wears a bright smile as the view comes into sight. The blurry image clearing up as she slides back a bit to be centered with the phone camera. "I just have to say, I'm extremely excited for this opportunity. There are some talented folks in this tournament, but I intend to make it to the final round at least. Anyway, enough about that. I guess I should really be focused on my opponent, eh?" She gives a little grin, wiggling around a bit as she glances at the camera.

"You know, I don't really know much about my opponent. I know he's one tough motherfucker and that he's just as invested into the business as I am. But, that doesn't mean he'll so easily get past me in this competition. Because in this world, it's a dog eat dog place and only the strong can survive and if you know me? Then, you know exactly the kind of bullshit I go through and come out of still fucking standing."

“When I say I want to be one of the very best around, I mean every single letter of the words. I want to leave an impact, I want to leave behind something that everyone looks back on and is impressed with. I, admittedly, have been slacking a lot lately.” She pauses, a soft frown crossing her features. “But, you can bet that I will make sure I give one hundred and twenty percent into this match. I will give everything to ensure I come out victorious and on the slim chance I don’t?”

She exhales softly, shaking her head before a smile appears again. “Sorry, sorry. I’m getting ahead of myself again, aren’t I?” She lets out a soft laugh, something lilting and gentle as she sighs softly. “I guess my excitement is palpable, isn’t it? I mean, come on. There’s so much opportunity if I can win this whole thing, you know?”

There’s a pause, silence filling the air as Savannah looks away for a moment. An unreadable expression crosses her face and when she looks back again, her eyes are clouded. “And that’s exactly why I have to beat you, Erik. That is exactly why I intend on making sure you tap out in the center of that ring and know that you will not be making it to the next point of this whole thing. It’s nothing personal, really. But, you must understand that a woman with nothing left to lose is a purely scary thing. A woman with nothing left to do and so much power in the palm of her hand?” Savannah’s lips curl into something akin to a wicked smirk. “Well, let’s just say that I’m going to do whatever it takes to ensure you’re not the one victorious at the end of all of this.”

She shakes her head, face returning back to normal as she closes her eyes momentarily. She takes a moment to reel herself back in, exhaling audibly. “Sorry about that, I can get a bit carried away sometimes. But, it really is just as I’ve said. It’s nothing personal, so I hope you won’t be too bummed out when I’ve got your limbs contorted in such a way that you’ve no other choice than to beg and plead to make sure you walk away with them still intact.” A sickeningly sweet smile pulls at her lips, one that puts dimples into her cheeks as she sits up straight. It’s as if she’s herself, but not entirely herself all at the same time.

“I want this to be a fun time for the both of us and I intend it to be. But, I also want you to know that I am not above doing whatever it takes within reason. I want to make sure you get the point when you’re in that ring with me. I want to make sure you understand that I am just as much of a threat to you as anyone else is. For once, you’re not underestimating me like everyone else does. So, I’ll try my best to go easy on you. But, I can’t promise I won’t still give it my best shot.”

She claps her hands together firmly, rubbing them together before she lets out a satisfied little sigh. “That’s what I like about you! You understand that we are alike in some ways. But, you also understand that I’m not to be taken lightly either where others have failed to come to grips with that. I want you to give me everything you’ve got and not think twice about holding back on me. I thrive on chaos and you? I know you won’t dare to not make sure you leave your mark as well.” She takes a moment to compose herself, pulls herself together with soft and gentle breaths. “Now, I think that covers all of my bases. Wouldn’t you agree? So, we’ll leave this at wishing you the best of luck. Because I can surely guarantee that you will absolutely be needing it.”

With those final words, Savannah leans forward to snatch the phone into her grasp before the screen fades to black. Signalling the end of the video feed.