I have a 12 month old who tested at 5.3 for lead at her 9 month visit. Just had 12 month labs done - waiting for lead results to see if it came down at all but a lot of irregularity on her CBC. Can lead exposure affect a CBC? I know that it can cause low iron, which she does have, but a bunch of her values are off and I’ve been heavily googling to try and see if lead exposure can impact other values in the CBC but haven’t been able to find anything beyond the RBC. Basophils and lymphocytes high, neutrophils low, “plat morph- few giants”, “smudge cells - present”, variant lymph - moderate, MCH RBC low (25.4 - again, I know that can be associated with the lead exposure).
I can’t get in touch with the doc until tomorrow and am not looking for medical advice... But if anyone can shed light on it/how lead exposure can impact a CBC beyond the red blood count I’d greatly appreciate it!

Killer Grips: Anne Maria, Jasmine, Justin, Millie, Topher
Screaming Gaffers: Chase, MK, Ripper
Episode 14: One Million Bucks, B.C.
"Last time on Total Drama Action! Tensions between Ripper and MK were still high while Izzy and Chase managed to bond. Much to the surprise of the teams, Ripper and Jasmine were captured and stashed into safes."
"After wasting a lot of time, the Gaffers asked their captive tough guy for help. Meanwhile, the Grips lucked out when they decided to have Jasmine escape through the air vents."
“Bulletproof girl Anne Maria got the surprise of her life when she was faced with none other than... Topher, who, thanks to yours truly, is back in the running. The Gaffers lost, and thanks to some confusing votes, Izzy took the lame-o-sine again.”
The recap footage ended, and portraits of the remaining contestants were shown on the screen – Anne Maria, Justin, Millie, and Topher on the top; Chase, MK, Ripper, and Jasmine on the bottom. "With only eight contestants left," Chris said before popping up in the foreground, "maybe one of them will stand a chance, on another awe-inspiring episode," the backdrop faded and the camera cut to the host in front of the cast trailer, "of Total! Drama! Action!"
(Theme Song)
A small flock of seagulls flew across the morning sun as the episode started, and the camera panned down to the cast trailers. It zoomed in on the guys' residence as Ripper exclaimed "I can’t believe that Izzy would vote for me." The shot cut inside to show Ripper complaining as Topher combed his hair, Justin sprayed himself with hairspray in front of the mirror, and Chase sat on his bunk. "If she liked me, why would she not vote for MK?! It makes no sense!"
“I know we saw what we saw, but I don’t think that Izzy voted for you because she hated you,” Chase told him. “If she did, she would’ve let you know point blank.”
"Coming from the guy who voted for her," Ripper snorted and turned around. "You’re lucky that I’m going through a struggle, or I would direct all of my anger towards you."
"I’d deserve it, but I didn’t want to vote Izzy out at all," Chase said. "The voting devices probably had a glitch in them and we got unlucky!"
"Now this is interesting," Topher said with a smirk. "A voting that went wrong and got out the person that you didn’t want to leave."
"Stay out of it, blonde boy," Ripper snarled. "You weren’t even in the game for the first half of the season."
“And so? I just like to be entertained,” Topher rolled his eyes and turned to Justin. “How can you spend so much time on your coif?”
“My agent Jesús says it's my best feature,” Justin said while spraying his hair still. “Along with my neck, nose, chin, cheekbones, earlobes, eyebrows…”
“Know who's got stunning hair? Anne Maria,” Topher pointed out in admiration. “Her pouf is one of a kind.”
“Or maybe it's my eyes,” Justin spoke to himself while ignoring the dirty blond.
“Her hair is great, but nothing can top my couf,” Topher continued. “I’ve never told Anne Maria that though.”
Confessional: Topher
"I didn’t just come back for Anne Maria if that’s what you guys are thinking," Topher told the viewers. "I was kicked off first last season, and I don’t want to be known for just that. I want to wow everybody here with my charisma, charms, and good looks, and winning or making the final two like Eva and Geoff could help me get my own show."
Confessional Ends
The scene moved over to the girls' trailer as Jasmine put her trademark hat on in the mirror, then smiled at her own reflection. “Looking good as always.” She then turned to Millie, who was cheerily writing on her notebook. “What’s gotten you so chipper?”
"I am almost done with writing my book," Millie answered. "With our two-time winning streak, it’s given me less time to worry about the elimination and more time to add the finishing touches to my future publishing book."
“I can’t wait to read it when it gets published,” Jasmine said with a smile. “I can tell it’s gonna be a big hit.”
“I got my writing skills from my grandfather,” Millie confessed. “I owe everything to him for inspiring me.”
Their conversation came to a pause when Anne Maria barged through the trailer door in her towel. "Make way for the most smoking hot thing since smoky ribs and wings back at my place," she bragged as she walked across the room to the sink and vanity mirror on the other side.
The viewpoint shifted over her shoulder as she began to admire herself in the mirror. She briefly bent over to take a pair of identical blouses out of a drawer, and as she held them up against each other, Jasmine appeared through the mirror with an amused smirk on her face.
"I know you care a lot about your own appearance, but this is feeling different," Jasmine noted.
"My guy came back to the game," Anne Maria answered. "I don’t see anything wrong with getting dressed up for him and not looking all sloppy like some people here."
"I am not the most attractive woman in the world, but I’m also not an eyesore!" Jasmine exclaimed. She then noticed MK shifting around under her blanket, and went over to check out her discovery.
“MK, it’s time to wake up,” the Australian girl said before pulling the blanket off, revealing a fully-clothed MK with her hand inside her right pocket of her jacket.
“Hey, what was that for?!” MK demanded after turning around to sit on her bunk bed.
“I thought you were still sleeping,” Jasmine said. “Why are you already dressed up?”
"None of your business," MK scoffed as she got off her bed. "And don’t you usually sleep in your tree?"
“I came inside to fix my hat,” Jasmine answered, her eyes growing suspicious.
“Well don’t sneak up on me like that,” MK said and walked out of the trailer, Jasmine continuing to stare suspiciously at her.
The scene switched to the guys’ trailer once again. "So in case you were wondering," Topher told his roommates, "I didn’t throw a tantrum just to be here. That’s so elementary school."
"Like I care about how you got here," Ripper cut off his roommate. "You’re just another wimp I can take down."
"We’ll just have to see about that," Topher said confidently. “It’s clear who’s the better looking player here.”
"If you’re talking about me, then thank you for your compliment," Justin added.
"Um, I was talking about-" Topher attempted to say but got cut off by a loud and deep sound that shook the trailer.
"What the gnar was that?!" Chase exclaimed.
The scene flashed over to a laughing Chris, dressed in a leopard-print full-body loincloth and holding the mouthpiece of a massive curved horn that appeared to be made of shell or bone. He caressed the horn at the end of his laugh, and sighed happily.
The footage skipped ahead as the castmates assembled, lining up according to gender – Millie, Anne Maria, MK, Jasmine, Topher, Chase, Justin, and Ripper.
“What are you wearin’?" Anne Maria asked in disgust.
“I can't believe he's wearing a loincloth," Millie said with disbelief.
"Like it?" Chris asked.
Chase snorted. "It looks ridiculous, dude."
"If you think that's ridiculous," Chris said with an indignant frown, "then wait 'til you hear today's challenges!"
“Hold on!” MK interrupted. “The Grips have five members while we have three. It's obvious that they're going to curb stomp us in the next challenge!”
“Yeah, no fair!” Ripper protested as well.
“I was just getting to that, Gaffers,” Chris said abruptly. “Since the teams are feeling a bit lopsided in the Grips’ favor, I'll be conducting a team swap in this episode. One of the Grips will have to switch over to the Gaffers.”
This made the Grips gasp. “Are you serious right now?” Jasmine stammered.
“I'm not playing around,” Chris confirmed. “I'm giving you guys thirty seconds to decide who's leaving or I'm picking one of you at random. So who's it gonna be?”
“Okay, team. Huddle up!” Jasmine ordered, and her teammates did as she said and formed a circle.
“I don't feel like swapping to the Gaffers,” Topher said. “I should be excluded from this since I just got here.”
“And there's no way I'm getting separated from Topher here,” Anne Maria enforced.
“None of you will have to worry about that at all since I'll be the one who's switching,” Jasmine opened.
“But why?!” Millie asked in disappointment. “You're practically our team leader.”
“I want to keep an eye on the Gaffers and make sure that they're not up to any foul play,” Jasmine answered. “I know this'll be hard, but I'm positive you all can handle yourselves without me.”
“We're running out of time, so you can be the one to swap teams,” Topher said.
“We can still talk to each other when there isn't a challenge,” Millie added. “It's not like we're gonna be enemies.”
“Thanks for understanding,” Jasmine smiled and they broke the circle.
“And who is going to leave the Killer Grips for good and be a permanent member of the Screaming Gaffers?” Chris asked with an intrigued smile.
“I hope it's Millie,” Chase whispered to MK and Ripper. “It'll be so cool to be teammates with her again.”
“I take the liberty of doing so!” Jasmine raised her hand. “I've already discussed it with my team, and they're just as on board.”
“This is kinda awkward. I was gonna pick you had you guys not come to a decision, but it is what it is,” Chris said. “Gaffers, Jasmine is now on your team until you decide to vote her off or whatever.”
“It's not Millie, but I'll take what I can get with a girl who's at least six foot and above,” Chase smiled.
Confessional: Ripper
“This team is definitely going to win now that Jasmine is with us,” Ripper said in the make-up trailer. “She's basically a giant that can clobber anyone, and amazon girls like her are my type,” he smiled before smacking himself. “No, Ripper. You don't care about Izzy anymore!”
Confessional: MK
“Of all the Grip players, Jasmine being on our team is an upgrade,” MK bragged. “Her old team is nowhere near as powerful and physically adept as she is, and if Jasmine was able to help them win, imagine how she can assist us?”
Confessional: Jasmine
“Just because I want to keep things fair, doesn't mean that I want to take control of my new teammates,” Jasmine confessed next. “Chase is nice enough as it is. It's Ripper and MK that are hard to trust.”
Confessionals End
"I'm lovin' this show of hostility enough as it is," Chris said with a pleased smile, "but I think today's challenges will help bring out your more...," he thought for a brief second before smirking, "primal instincts. Today's genre," he announced, "the Period Movie!"
"Amazing," Anne Maria gushed. "I love period movies! Those oldern people know how to work petticoats and dresses!"
"I am not gonna wear a dress, Chris," MK told the host indignantly.
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Topher said. "We're clearly gonna be doing a caveman cavewoman movie."
"Exactamundo, Topher!," Chris said as a few primitive-sounding drumbeats and grunts played in the background. "Don't know why the rest of you didn't guess that, considering my loincloth," he added in an annoyed tone.
"Paleo-what now?" Ripper asked in confusion.
"It's the Stone Age," Jasmine corrected. “We're going to be cave girls and cave boys.”
"No talking!" Chris told them sharply. "Cave people grunt and look confused, which means for once, you're all perfectly cast!"
"Some of us more than others," MK snickered under her breath with a look at Ripper.
“Watch out!” Ripper warned her.
"Okay," Chris continued, "cave people in prehistoric flicks do two things: make fire, and use tools made of bones. Technically," he added, "you should also know how to bring down a mammoth with a stick, but since we didn't have enough room in the budget, no mammoth, no challenge."
He walked over to a clothing rack bearing several loincloths of various sizes and colors, where Chef, who was in his own loincloth, was standing. "Here are your costumes," the host told the castmates. "Get into character, people!"
"You have got to be joking," Millie hoped.
"I never joke," Chris told her, quickly losing his serious tone to a bout of laughter. "Actually I do, but never about something this funny."
"Don't worry. You'll be the hottest cave girl here!" Chase told his girlfriend.
"I don't want to wear animal skins, but your compliment is already lifting my spirits up," Millie smiled back and pecked his cheek with a kiss.
Confessional: Topher
“A prehistoric challenge will be a great way to show off my body,” Topher gloated arrogantly. “That's why I'll be picking a fur speedo. Who wouldn't want to see my six-pack?”
Confessional Ends
The scene flashed over to an obvious prehistoric-inspired set consisting of multiple strange-looking trees set up against a backdrop of rock spires. The camera zoomed in on a central hillock, then cut to a close-up of Chris as he walked through the area. "Hello, cast," he greeted with a grin. "Nice to see you all decked out for the competition!"
The castmates were shown lined up in a row according to their teams and wearing the loincloths that had been provided: Justin and Topher in furry speedos that showed off their muscular chests; Chase, Millie, MK, and Ripper in full-body loincloths similar to the ones worn by Chris and Chef; and Anne Maria and Jasmine in what amounted to furry bikinis.
"And might I say," the host told them all, "you all look pre-hysterical!"
"I really look good in leopard skin," Jasmine marveled as she looked down at her outfit.
"Agh!" Topher winced, rubbing his backside where something small and white seemed to be sticking out. "Did you remember to have these declawed?"
The footage cut to Chris in his control tent. "Please note," he calmly told the camera, "no animals were harmed in the making of this television program. Okay," he scowled and looked off-camera, "we good?"
The scene was now back at the challenge. "Let me get that for you!" Anne Maria volunteered, quickly picking at the troublesome piece. “All better?”
“I am now,” Topher shot a suave smile at his girlfriend.
"Chef!" Chris exclaimed dramatically. "The tools for the first stone age challenge, please!"
"Here's your rocks," Chef obliged, joylessly handing out a single rock to each castmate from the pile he was carrying. MK accepted hers with a blank face and immediately started to look closely at it, and Ripper did the same but with more enthusiasm. Chase was last to be shown, and immediately raised an eyebrow at the stone in his hand.
"Rocks?" the daredevil repeated in disbelief. "I think we should tone down the 'Stone Age' thing a little."
“Says you,” Ripper said in a miffed voice. “Rocks are good for a lot of things. Breaking windows, giving them as presents to your annoying cousins, making art on them…the possibilities are endless! And I know because I did all of them!”
“A rock being friends with other rocks? What a surprising discovery,” MK snarked.
As a reward for her smart mouth, MK had a rock dropped on her foot courtesy of Ripper, and she held her foot in pain as she squealed.
"I told you to watch out," Ripper told the pained girl smugly. "Friends always come through!"
(Commercial Break)
A long-distance shot of the film lot was shown as the episode resumed, before cutting back to Chris as he explained the first challenge. "First team to collect the hidden firewood," he told them, "and use the flint-stones to make fire, earns something to help 'em with the second challenge! Ready?" he furrowed his brow deviously as the camera zoomed in for a close-up. "Aaand, action!"
The Grips looked startled for a moment, but quickly scattered.
The scene skipped ahead, showing Jasmine looking at a bush and picking up a stack of wood from behind it while Ripper ran past. MK walked into the foreground, looking around inquisitively, but before she could take another step, she was grabbed by Chef Hatchet.
"Hey, let me go!" she demanded as Chef dragged her over to him. "My modesty needs to be protected!"
"Hand it over," Chef told her sternly, indifferent to her protests.
MK's eyes briefly went wide. "Hand over what?"
"You know what I'm talking about," Chef grumbled. "The camera guy caught you smuggling something in!"
MK pursed her lips, but looked slightly relieved. "It was just a screwdriver," she told her captor, taking the tool out and handing it over.
Just then, Ripper ran by screaming. "Somebody help! I don't want to be that thing's lunch!" The camera cut to him as he ran out from behind a particularly large tree carrying a load of firewood and getting chased by one of the large, predatory Woolly Beavers similar to the ones that had inhabited Boney Island the previous season. As he kept running and screaming, Chris walked over to Chef and MK, laughing happily.
"Looks like Ripper found the wooden beaver dam from the set of 'Rodents, Who Kill!" Chris told the camera.
Ripper and the beaver ran past behind them, prompting Chef to chuckle and add "And 'Rodents Who Kill: Part Two'!"
"Does anybody have a mammoth-sized rib?!" Ripper screamed as he ran past in front of the three, dropping a piece of wood as he was chased by two beavers.
"Um," MK said blankly as she watched her teammate run around. "Are those beavers real, or animatronic?" She looked over at the host who seemed to be thinking it over, then looked away. "Forget I asked," she said dryly.
Confessional: Ripper
Ripper gave his confessional covered with scratches and scrapes, hair messed up and bandages being wrapped around his forehead and right arm by someone mostly off-screen.
"I can't stand MK and she hates me," he told the camera. "That's how it's always been and is always gonna be," he said before thinking. "But I have been taught to always keep my enemies closer, so it's important that me and MK are on the same team, even if we're mortal rivals."
Confessional Ends
"Don't just stand there," Ripper shouted at MK, who was now watching alone. "Give me a hand!"
MK rolled her eyes, then picked up the piece of wood Ripper had dropped earlier. She threw it at the lead beaver, landing it in its mouth and causing it to skid to a sudden and startled halt. The second beaver, however, did not stop as well, and soon collided with its companion. As the two rodents began to snarl and squabble with each other, a relieved Ripper rejoined her teammate.
"About that!" he admonished the sarcastic woman. "Couldn't you have done that before?"
"I could have," MK said simply, grabbing the wood out of Ripper's arms and walking off. "Now go find more wood," she commanded, leaving Ripper to scowl in annoyance.
A growling alerted the bully to that the killer beavers had ceased fighting, and Ripper began to run and scream away from them again.
The camera cut to the Grips gathered around a fire pit.
"So does banging rocks together actually make fire?" Justin asked as he tested it out with two of the stones his team had been given while Anne Maria arranged the firewood that had been brought. "I always thought that was something just for the movies."
“We just need the right amount of power in the strikes and a fire will come,” Topher explained.
"Let me do it," Millie said as she grabbed the stones. "I was a girl scout in elementary school."
Confessional: Millie
"I was a girl scout," Millie told the camera, "but one of the more skilled girls, Riley Ingrid, wouldn't stop teasing me for my lack of social skills and it got to a point where I quit just so I wouldn't get my self-esteem damaged." The author gave off a sigh. “I wonder how far I could've gotten.”
Confessional Ends
“Don't worry, team,” Millie told them. “I'll have this done faster than a chipmunk nibbling a nut.”
"I can see why people invented lighters," Anne Maria said as she watched her banged the rocks together.
The camera moved over to Jasmine and Chase watching the Grips. "So how has it been over on the Grips?" Chase asked his teammate. "Has Millie talked about me?"
“One, Millie still cares about you, and two, we shouldn't be focusing on that right now,” Jasmine said sternly.
“Sorry. I was just asking,” Chase said.
Confessional: Jasmine
"This is going to sound pretty petty coming from me, but Chase and Millie dating is kind of reminding me of Brick," Jasmine admitted. "I'm still trying to push him out after the cheating he did, and Millie hasn't talked about Chase the whole time he was gone. I'm hoping that Chase will be as challenge focused as Millie."
Confessional: Topher
"Anne Maria is rocking that fur bikini as much as I'm glowing in my fur speedo," Topher confessed. "If we were actually in prehistoric times, we'd be the perfect couple!"
Confessionals End
"Things are finally heating up!" Chris announced happily before the focus moved back to the Grips.
"You can do it!" Anne Maria cheered as Millie struck her rocks together fiercely, producing a few tiny sparks. The camera panned over to the Gaffers, showing that Ripper and MK had rejoined their comrades while Ripper struck his rocks.
"I love it when sparks fly!" Chris told the camera.
The focus alternated between Millie and Ripper as they banged their stones and glared at each other, the music growing tenser and the close-ups getting closer with each pass. The two were eventually shown in a split-screen together, and as they each prepared another strike, the sound of a fire being lit startled them both.
Ripper's half of the screen slid away and the camera pulled back, revealing a roaring fire by the Grips.
"You did it!" Topher cheered.
"Great work, Millie!" Anne Maria added happily.
"I thought for sure you'd be the first to burst into flames, Richard!" Chris snarked. "Grips win the first challenge!"
"You gave me fake flints!" Ripper protested. "Nobody could start a fire with these stupid props!"
Chase grabbed the rocks, then struck them together one last time, which finally lit the firewood. "Looks like I got lucky," he said smugly.
Ripper growled in frustration.
The film lot was shown from a distance again as the same loud and deep horn blared. The shot cut to Chris standing with the massive instrument, grinning proudly. "Yup!" he told the camera. "Still lovin' this crazy thing!"
A flash took the scene to the contestants lined up with their back to a bubbling tar pit. "Time for our second caveman movie challenge!" the host announced as he walked into view. "But first, Chef will pass out your rewards from this morning. Chef?" he called out. "Weapons, please!"
The camera cut to Chef as he pulled a brown sheet off what turned out to be a pile of bones, all either femurs or humeri.
"Hold up," Chase said, mildly disturbed. "You're saying that our reward is bones?"
"Hey, for cave people, bones were cutting-edge technology," Chris told him as Chef handed out a tiny arm bone to each of the Screaming Gaffers, and larger leg bones to the Killer Grips.
"I hate to interrupt the most important man of the show," Ripper spoke up insincerely, "but how come they get the big bones, and we get these tiny things?"
"Because they won the first challenge?" Chris replied with disbelief. "I thought that was pretty obvious."
"Well, it's obvious that I should get a big bone," Ripper stammered in embarrassment. "I've seen bigger bones in chicken wings than what I'm holding."
"Just deal with it," Topher said. “It's not our fault that we did better.” A tiny bone hit him in the nose, causing him to moan.
Chris cleared his throat, hands on his hips and visibly annoyed. "The props department for caveman movies are bare-bones," he informed them, holding up a small arm bone. "Which means these are all actors have to fight their on-screen enemies with."
"Enemies?" Millie asked in alarm. "What enemies are we talking about?"
"Each other of course!" Chris announced excitedly. "Grip Tribe versus Gaffer Tribe!"
"That's my kinda challenge," Anne Maria said with a confident smirk as she hefted the giant femur she'd been given.
“No doubt about it," Topher told her. "I've seen you go up against an alligator before."
"Lovin' the enthusiasm, guys," Chris told them, "only you'll be fighting over there!" He pointed to the bubbling tar pit behind them, and the camera panned over to a pair of rough stone pillars standing in the middle of the tar pit.
"Each player that knocks his or her opponent off the column into that fake bubbling tar pit," he explained as the camera cut to a close-up of the pit, "scores a point for their team." The shot cut back to the grinning host as he dramatically proclaimed, "To the tar pits!"
Millie and Chase were the first pair up, the girl on the left and the boy on the right.
"I'd go easy on you normally," Chase told his girlfriend, "but me and my team need to win a challenge."
“No hard feelings,” Millie shook it off. “You guys are overdue.”
"When do we start anyway?" Chase called down to the host.
"Oh don't worry," Chris answered with a dark smile, "you'll know!" He laughed a few times, then took a deep breath and blew hard into his massive curved horn.
The booming noise startled the two contestants, causing each to nearly lose their balance. It was Chase who recovered first, however, leaning forward and accidentally throwing his small bone at Millie. Already unsteady, that was all it took for her to fall backwards off the column and plunge screaming into the tar below.
"Aww, gross!" she groaned when she resurfaced covered in fake tar.
“My bad, Millie!” A quick-pan back up to Chase showed him looking down apologetically, and a cut showed the other Gaffers celebrating.
"That's one point for the Gaffers!" Chris said from off-screen, and the shot cut to Millie as she pulled herself out of the pit.
"Thanks for helping me," Millie told her teammates. “Sorry for losing that round.”
"It's just the first one," Anne Maria said back. "We'll definitely bounce back."
"Next up," Chris said as he walked over to the team, "Justin and Ripper!"
"Booyah!" Ripper cheered, pumping his fist. "It's my time to shine!"
His revery was broken by a sudden and terrifying roar from above, the shot cutting to above the columns as a few prehistoric geese similar to the ones that had lived on Boney Island flew into view.
"Uh-oh," Chris said. "Looks like Millie's blood-curdling screams have attracted a swarm of prehistoric pterodactyls! This," he said as the camera switched back to his close-up, "should make things interesting!"
"Cool special effects, man. High five," Justin said, looking up in amazement and holding his hand out for Chris.
"Oh," Chris said while quickly backing away from the model, "totally special effects."
The monstrous geese were still circling when the footage flashed ahead, panning slightly to the left to show Ripper staring the camera down. "You're out of your league, eye candy," he said, "even if your bone is bigger!"
Justin cringed in terror as the geese around them roared, but gripped his bone tightly with both hands and focused on his opponent. "Bring it!" he told his competition.
As though on cue, one of the geese rammed Ripper in the back, causing him to fall towards Justin. The burly teen tried to hang on by grabbing his foe by the loincloth while the goose flew off, but he dragged both of them off the pillar, unintentionally stripping Justin of his loincloth in the process.
Confessional: Justin
"I'm gonna win the million," Justin told the confessional camera, utterly coated with tar, "but that shot of me standing atop the stone column is worth even more. It's gonna be an iconic image for the series.” The handsome boy took a moment to admire himself. “Hey, my skin does look even better with the tar."
Confessional Ends
The two boys were shown splashing into the tar and quickly surfacing, most of the other contestants looking disappointed by the result.
"Uhh, whose is this?" Ripper asked, holding up some tar-covered wad and looking at it in confusion.
Justin looked down at his body, then looked over at his foe with widened eyes. He quickly snatched the wad away from Ripper and sunk under the pit in order to put it back on. After doing so, he resurfaced and climbed out of the pit.
"And with that tie," Chris said, ducking into the shot with a grin on his face, "the score is still 1-0 to the Gaffers. Next up, Topher and Jasmine!"
Topher was hunched over on the top of his column, twirling his large thigh bone and smirking confidently. "I know I got you as my opponent, but I have the power of a huge bone on my side while you have a small bone," he told the Aussie standing opposite him.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, mate," Jasmine replied with an equally confident smile. "You have no idea what I'm capable of!"
The horn was sounded, signaling the start of the fight. Topher immediately took a swipe at Jasmine, but the tall girl ducked and used her weapon to deflect the blow over her head. Before Topher could make another move, a grunting noise got the attention of both competitors.
A pair of woolly beavers had arrived at the edge of the tar pit. The shot cut back to the duelists, both shooting curious looks down at the rodents.
"Eh, no worries," Topher said after a second. "They're not even real!" The fanboy took another swipe at Jasmine, who just barely leaned out of the way in time. Jasmine made no attempt to counter, and simply looked from her opponent to the lurking beavers.
Confessional: Jasmine
"I'm positive that the beavers were real," Jasmine told the confessional camera. "And even if they were animatronic, they're just there to interfere with the challenge."
Confessional Ends
“Would you do me a favor and stand still?" Topher griped as he missed another swing at his opponent, who still kept looking between the fanboy and the beavers.
"Topher!" Anne Maria called out. "Watch out! Those beavers are comin’ your way!"
"What?" Topher replied with considerable disbelief, finally looking down again as the two beavers jumped into the tar and began to swim across towards the columns. "I have to make this quick then," he commented before quickly blocking a thrust from Jasmine.
"Don't let some overgrown rats ruin this for us, Jasmine!" MK hollered before the camera cut back to the beavers. One began to climb the column on the left – the one assigned to the Grips – while the other took a large bite out of it.
"Whoa. Who knew prehistoric beavers could eat plaster?" Jasmine commented idly as Topher's column began to sway and the dirty blond struggled to keep his balance. "Not that I'm complaining about the assistance," she added with a smirk before thrusting her bone in her hands towards her opponent.
"I was about to say the same thing!" Topher said with a smile as he deliberately let his column sway away from Jasmine's weapon so that it missed him, then used his bone to swat Jasmine off her pillar and she screamed until she fell into the tar with a splash.
The climbing beaver reached the top of Topher's column moments later, and its weight sent the whole thing toppling. Tossing away his bone, he quickly jumped onto the vacant pillar, clinging to it and to safety. The other column fell, and both beavers dived into the tar moments after.
Confessional: Topher
“Beavers, you are now my favorite animals,” Topher told the camera. “Just don't tell my cat, Topher Jr., about this. He gets crazy jealous easily.”
Confessional Ends
Chris laughed. "That was awesome! Would've preferred to see some beaver carnage, but you can't have everything. Anyways, that leaves the teams tied at one-all and us with a match between Anne Maria and MK! On the same column! You just can't write this stuff!"
The camera pulled back to show the two girls standing on either side of the host. Anne Maria smirked and said "Why bother havin’ the final round? We all know who's gonna win."
“I'll show you why wits are better than strength!” MK shot back as cockily.
The scene flashed to a close-up of the lone remaining column, the camera panning up to show the two girls crammed together on the top. Anne Maria was holding her bone behind her back, and she appeared much more stable than MK. The smaller girl was already wobbling now and again, but her smaller bone was raised and ready to strike.
"I hope you're ready for a tar bath, techno girl," Anne Maria taunted.
"Not gonna happen," MK replied with a light laugh.
The horn sounded, and MK took a first strike that was not only easily dodged, but nearly caused her to lose what little footing she had. "Whoa-oa-oah!" she screamed, flailing her arms around and eventually regaining her balance – but in the process accidentally knocking her bone against Anne Maria's. The weapon was jarred from the techno's hand and plunged to the tar below.
"Uh oh!" MK cried when one of the prehistoric beavers rose up from the tar with a lump on its head.
Confessional: MK
"Fantastic!" MK griped in the make-up trailer. "The one time I don't intentionally try to tick off anybody, and a beaver is about to kill me because my bone hit its head."
Confessional Ends
With a bellowing roar that nearly shook both girls off the column, the beaver reared back and took a massive bite out of the plaster pillar. The camera quick-panned back to the top as it started to shake and fall, and MK stumbled off it with a squealing scream.
The shot cut back to ground level as the beaver dived down again and the pillar fell, MK splashing into the tar.
Chris laughed, and the footage paused. "I gotta check that out again," he said, and the footage rewound to just before MK fell. It replayed in slow-motion, and the host paused and zoomed in on MK's horrified expression as she fell. "Hahahaha! That was great!"
"Well," the host said as the footage resumed normally and MK crawled her way out of the tar pit in the background, "I'd say the Gaffers had a better chance at the one million B.C.! B.C.," he repeated, "before carnivores! As for the Grips, they win today's reward!" The camera panned over to show Chef Hatchet driving up in a golf cart with a truly gargantuan side of ribs strapped to the roof. "A mammoth-size prehistoric barbecue!"
The cart drove past Topher, Millie, and Justin, the latter two still covered in tar, and came to a stop right next to the tar pit as the winning team cheered. "Ehh, it's a living," Chef told the camera nonchalantly.
"Don't worry," Chris added. "The Grips may have won today's reward, but," he took a large egg out from behind his back, "we're not gonna let the Gaffers go hungry."
He tossed the egg to a tar-covered Jasmine, who looked at it keenly. "A giant egg? I've seen a lot of them back home."
"Should be enough for four," Chris told the losing team. "You'd better get to work on your fire, though!" The camera cut over to the Gaffers' fire pit from earlier that day, which was still pitifully unlit. The host added "Maybe the Grips will throw you a bone when they're done?"
"Ha ha ha. Barbecue time," Justin said excitedly as he and his teammates approached the cart.
Chef got out of his seat, but in doing so caused the cart to begin rolling towards the tar pit. The Grips were shown gasping in shock, and the camera focused in on the cart as it rapidly approached the tar pit, began to tilt, and finally stopped. The shot pulled back to show Anne Maria holding on to the front of the cart, Topher holding her around the waist, Millie holding onto his waist, and Justin at the end holding onto Millie's arm.
"Pull everyone!" Anne Maria commanded. "I'm not letting our rib get tarred because of some two-bit chef who parks worse than my elementary school bus driver!"
As the four began to pull, the camera panned over to Chef, who rolled his eyes and walked away with a grumble.
"Dang," Chris said, walking over with an impish smile on his face. "And here I was hoping to see the four of you use those bones to hunt like real cave people!"
"Shut up, McLean!" Anne Maria yelled at him as the Grips managed to drag the cart back onto level ground.
The camera panned over to the Gaffers, Jasmine still holding the giant egg in her hands and Chase the only one not covered in tar.
"Bet you're not happy about leaving that team," MK told Jasmine.
"I really missed out on a delicious meal," Jasmine lamented.
"On the bright side," Chase added proudly, "I didn't get tarred today."
"Good for you," Jasmine said uninterestingly. "I'll get started on that egg."
She was about to move when a terrifying cry rang through the air.
"Uhh, Jasmine?" Chris cautiously told the Australian girl. "I think the pterodactyl wants its egg back." The monster goose was shown hovering in the sky above, and it quickly dive-bombed the contestants below.
Jasmine screamed and her teammates scattered, and the goose was soon on top of her, buffeting her with its wings.
"Get off, you goose!" the Aussie shouted and was now fighting back. "I am not your appetizer!"
The shot cut back to Chris and Chef, who were cringing at the fight happening just off-screen. They looked at each other, and shrugged helplessly. "Ehh, they'll be fine," the host said right before another goose-cry was heard. "Probably. And hey, at least we'll be eating nice tonight!" Chef nodded happily.
They looked over at the Grips, who were now digging in to their reward dinner. “Glad I'm not a Gaffer,” Topher chuckled and pulled a large rib off the rack.
Chef and Chris walked off. They passed the Gaffers as they went, Jasmine pinning the goose to the ground while Chase and MK watched in excitement and Ripper, now grinning, finally lit the team's fire.
Confessional: Topher
Topher took a bite out of a rib he was holding. "Gotta give props to Chef for actually managing to cook something as tasty as this," he said while leaning back in the confessional chair. "I wish I did get knocked into that tar pit. Justin told me that it's great for the skin!"
Confessional: Ripper
"I hate prehistoric birds now," Ripper told the make-up trailer camera with a glare. "They're the reason why I'm not feasting on ribs. I wish that cart fell into the tar pit if I wasn't gonna get my share!"
Confessional: Chris
Chris was picking his teeth with one hand and holding a coconut drink in the other. "I know everyone was hoping for the Gaffers to win this challenge," he said, "which is good, because it proves that the underdogs can win." He paused to take a sip from the straw in his coconut. "Sadly, it just wasn't in their favor, even with Jasmine on their team." He shrugged, then picked his teeth again.
"See you next time, kiddies!" he told the camera. "Same Chris time," he tossed his toothpick away, "same Chris channel!" He tossed the coconut away next, and a tinkling crash from off-camera soon indicated it had broken something. "Uhh, wasn't me!" Chris called nervously before dashing off in the opposite direction.
Confessionals End
(Roll the Credits)
(Bonus Clip)
“Excluding us losing the challenge and me getting attacked by a bird, which I managed to overpower, my first day on the Screaming Gaffers wasn't bad at all,” Jasmine confessed to the audience. “And nobody on my team even made an attempt to cheat. Not even MK or Ripper. I do wish for us to win the next challenge. With me being the newbie, I could be the next target for voting!”
Eva - 15th
Geoff - 15th
Izzy - RETURNED
Trent - 13th
Sky - 12th
Brick - 11th
Scott - 10th
Izzy - 9th
Killer Grips: Anne Maria, Justin, Millie, Topher
Screaming Gaffers: Chase, Jasmine, MK, Ripper

Ok, so I said I would return with the rest of Nathan's story and here I am. My higher-ups already know of my misdeeds when I uploaded part 1 so I don't think I'll be around much longer. Anyway, I spoke to Nathan some more and he was fully willing to finish his story. After hearing it myself and transcribing it, I fully understand why he's in a tube and why I'm monitoring him. After you read this, you will understand why as well. Let's get into it!
Barely standing and gasping for air, Nathan takes a moment to stop running and realizes he has no idea where he is going. He begins looking around to see if there’s anywhere to hide or even, hopefully, find food or at least water. After a moment, he finally spots a few buildings in the nearby distance.
With high hopes, Nathan sprints past the remaining trees ahead and makes it to the buildings. Only one specific building catches his eye. A large sign that reads GROCERY stares at Nathan from the top of the building. Without hesitation, he rushes inside and much to his amazement, there are aisles!
Nathan quickly but quietly scans each aisle. Sadly, he sees nothing. Not until he sees a small pile of snacks lying next to a fallen end cap at the end of an aisle. Excitement dances through Nathan’s body as he runs to the food and begins eating it like a wild animal. He devours every ounce of food he finds until he suddenly hears an unnerving sound.
Listening closely as possible, Nathan hears the sound of cracking bones and ripping flesh. Afraid, yet curious, he looks around the corner of the aisle and spots the legs of a woman lying in her own blood and entrails. Upon further inspection, Nathan sees what he believes to be the creature he and Charlie had seen before. It’s a large thin four-legged animal that most likely was a wolf at one point but is now just a beast. It’s feasting on the entrails of the woman’s corpse and refusing to take its taste buds away from its food. That is until it hears Nathan, who accidentally steps on a bag of chips. It swiftly averts its attention to Nathan and the sight of its face is terrifying. Its face is half torn and its eyes show exactly how bloodthirsty it is. With blood and entrails dangling from its teeth, the beast fully turns its body to Nathan and lets out a deep and disturbing growl.
Believing this to be his final moments alive, Nathan backs up and stumbles into the wall with his eyes closed and fists clenched. He is ready for the reaper to take his soul. The beast closes in on him and readies itself to charge its prey but is suddenly distracted by the voice of unwanted company. “Heel, you stupid mutt!” It’s once again Subject Zero, who is this time covered in large amounts of blood. The beast diverts its attention to Subject Zero and prepares for a fight.
Unsure as to why Subject Zero didn’t just let the beast kill him, Nathan, stands and stares in terrified confusion. As Nathan watches, Subject Zero is attacked by the beast after a failed attempt at taming it. Directly after its attack, the beast is grabbed and bashed against a wall then thrown to the floor. The animal, no longer looking like a beast compared to Subject Zero, stands again and viciously sinks its teeth into Subject Zero’s arm but its life is soon ended. With a large and swift pull on the animal’s rear legs with its teeth still bore into Subject Zero’s arm, its body rips apart and its entrails fall out onto the floor. “I knew you were a waste,” Subject Zero says with disappointment in his voice.
Nathan quickly snaps back to reality and runs out the nearby emergency exit. No longer caring about hunger or thirst, he just keeps running and doesn’t stop even when he stumbles from exhaustion. Inevitably, any hope he once had, is lost when in the not so far distance he hears, “Just because the mutt didn’t kill you, that doesn’t mean that I won’t!”
Still running further into the woods, Nathan begins to stumble. He finally stops and falls to his knees as he begins to believe he is going to die here. He falls onto his back and lies in the grass around him while releasing a long but relaxing sigh. Nathan can feel the cold hard ground beneath him as he looks up to the sky.
Filled with raging guilt and regrets, Nathan stares up to the sky in silence. It gets so silent, he can hear everything around him. He hears the wind sing through the leaves of trees. He can even hear water flowing nearby. Water! Unsure of where, he looks up quickly and listens. Finally, he spots a creek nearby and climbs to his hands and knees.
Unable to fully stand, Nathan crawls his way to the creek ignoring all of his surroundings. He reaches the creek and practically bathes himself in the near freezing water in an attempt to feel refreshed. Afterwards, he begins to guzzle the water in handfuls.
After many handfuls of water, Nathan notices something odd. The water tastes metallic as if you were sucking on an old copper penny or silver spoon. Upon this realization, he also notices the color of the water seems off. Unsure of why, he looks around only to find something far more disturbing than he imagined. An amalgamation of mutilated corpses sit nearby rotting on the rocks of the creek shore.
Realizing he had just drank water contaminated with rotting corpses of innocent people, Nathan starts getting a sick feeling in his stomach and attempts to look away but can’t get his eyes off the sight. Finally breaking, he begins gagging vigorously. He loses control and starts puking uncontrollably before ultimately collapsing from pain and disgust.
Nathan finally gets up after lying on the ground for a moment. Hoping to find at least some form of shelter, he manages to get himself up to his aching feet and stumbles his way down the creek. Eventually, he reaches the end of the creek where a large pipe is sticking out from the ground at an angle. The pipe, being large enough to fit a man, seems like a perfect place to shelter in. Before fully deciding to sleep there, Nathan looks inside hoping that it may lead to an exit from the dome but is quickly disappointed when he sees only dirt and mud. Nathan no longer cares and decides to climb into the pipe. He manages to make it an adequate resting area. Soon after, he is unable to keep his eyes open and finally falls asleep.
“Nathan, wake up. You’re going on live television.” A very familiar voice whispers to Nathan. He opens his eyes expecting to see different surroundings, but instead, he sees Charlie sitting next to him in an unfamiliar building. Obviously confused, Nathan hesitates to even move but decides to go with it. He’s led out to a room with a male interviewer, revealing that he is on a live television interview.
The interviewer looks to the camera and says, “Welcome to TalkTime, I’m your host, Tim Wiesly, and today, we have Nathan White. Just in case you don’t know, Nathan is a brilliant reporter and reports anything in the most brilliant ways. One specific story he covered about his near-death experience is what we would like to talk about today. So, Nathan, could you tell the viewers more about your experience?”
Nathan hesitates at first but oddly starts believing that he made it out of the hell he was in and just dissociated. He starts telling the interviewer everything that happened to him.
“Well, Tim, for starters, my colleague and I had found evidence that Envirodome was a test facility. Little did we know, one test they ran there was still in the facility after decades. We then found all the missing people over the years but they were unfortunate and passed away at the hands of the facilities test subject. I eventually lost my colleague and had a run in with a rabid animal as well but I got away and managed to find a place to sleep. After that, I climbed out and decided to… to…”
Nathan stops in his tracks as he realizes he can’t remember what happened after the tunnel.
“Wait. Wait, this can’t be real. I vividly remember Charlie going insane. And all those other people started losing their minds and they all started killing each other. I remember all that, yet I can’t remember a damn thing after falling asleep in that tunnel! What the fuck is going on?”
Charlie comes running out and attempts to calm Nathan but fails as Nathan screams back.
“You’re dead! You’re fucking dead! I know you are! You aren’t real. None of you, none of this! None of it is real!”
Soon after realizing everything is fake, all of Nathan’s surroundings start changing. Everything around him becomes morbidly dark and people become mutated corpses, all of which walk over to him. They all start screaming at Nathan, resulting in him breaking and he loses his mind to the brink of insanity. Out of the dark shadows, Subject Zero walks into the area as if he were a dark god who created him and was ready to destroy him. Suddenly, everyone surrounding Nathan abruptly stops screaming and looks at him. Then they all in perfect sync say, “You’re losing control, Nathan.”
Nathan angrily stands tall and yells, “Leave me alone!” After this fierce scream with his eyes shut, Nathan suddenly hears nothing but the sound of running water. He opens his eyes only to find he was still in the town under the dome. Only, now, it is somehow nighttime. Suddenly, he’s startled by the sound of splashing water. Nathan quietly looks up from the inside of the tunnel he’s lying in. In a decent distance away, Nathan sees two mannequins throwing multiple bodies into the already corpse-filled creek. Although, one body stands out amongst the rest. Charlie's. His body is mangled and mutilated. Nathan feels sick and guilty as he stares at his dead friend.
Soon, Subject Zero’s voice is heard, resulting in Nathan realizing he needs to sneak out of the area. He quickly climbs out of the tunnel and looks around. He decides his best option is to go in one direction until he hopefully reaches an edge of the dome. He believes it may help him reach the overseer’s office where the self-destruct button is.
With his new plan, Nathan quietly sneaks away until he accidentally rams into the edge of the dome. He becomes angry at first for being dumb enough to run into it, but eventually realizes he could be on his way to salvation.
Nathan, still tired, stumbles around the edge of the dome and looks strange considering the walls are simulated to look like more land. Even though Nathan can barely handle all the stress, he still forces himself to keep moving with high hopes to avenge his deceased friend. He keeps going until he stumbles over a small brush pile. He falls onto his face and notices blood pouring from his nose.
Assuming his nose has broken from the fall, Nathan quickly checks it but oddly there is no pain and the bleeding has already stopped. He’s confused but doesn’t care as he’s determined to escape. He gets up and eventually reaches an odd looking spot of the dome wall. With a closer look, he realizes it’s a door. Full of hope, Nathan quickly opens it and discovers a staircase leading to the overseer’s office.
Nathan runs up without hesitation. He reaches the top of the stairs and makes it to the controls. Being dark, Nathan feels around for a light switch but as he thinks it, the lights come on. Now with light, he sees papers lying everywhere, all with information of the dome. Apparently, the government had the technology to make all this without ever letting the public know. It was built with a self-destruct button as safety measures if anything within the dome went horribly wrong. Although Nathan thought it would be an explosion as most self-destruct buttons cause, the dome was made to disassemble itself as it counted down, allowing the slight possibility of reaching the only entrance and exit doors of the facility.
Nathan realizes he may actually have a chance to escape this hell and avenge his friend. After a small pause, he gets back to searching for the self-destruct button. He stumbles across a glass casing labeled ‘FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY’. Nathan opens the casing and prepares to press the button but is quickly distracted as a voice breaks the silence.
“This place hasn’t been real after all these damned years?” Subject Zero reacts angrily as he slowly walks toward Nathan. “I knew this place seemed a bit small, but now that I know I can get out of here, I’ll bring my tests to the whole damn world!”
“Why would you even want that?! Every single test you have done with that fucking serum has been a failure!”
“No… No, I’ve perfected my serum.”
“What the FUCK do you mean?”
Without a single other word, Subject Zero rushes toward Nathan. Nathan quickly reacts and raises his arms in defense. Suddenly, Subject Zero flies backwards as if he was shoved with incredible force. They both now know Nathan was the cause.
“That. That is what I mean.” Subject Zero says with a grin on his face.
“No, no, what the fuck. How?!”
“You really think I didn’t take the opportunity to inject a new version of the serum into you.”
“But- but there wasn’t an injection hole. Everyone else had one.”
“That’s the great thing about it. I perfected it so much that your healing is far greater than even mine AND you didn’t lose your mind like I did. That’s all I ever wanted…”
“Screw you…” Nathan clenches his fist and swings a punch at Subject Zero. Realizing things move just from his thought now, Nathan opens his hand and telekinetically throws things at Subject Zero. The two begin to have an all-out super powered brawl as Subject Zero explains to Nathan that the serum is why every pain he’s felt while in the dome went away nearly immediately. The telekinesis just happened to come into play later on. Then suddenly, Nathan is slammed through and out the overseer’s office windows. Subject Zero jumps down onto him.
Nathan gets weaker with each hit he takes but still fights on. Before he gets up, he notices that where the broken window is, the walls show their true colors of concrete gray and glass. Aside from the window, Nathan notices the door to the office is still wide open. He quickly gives Subject Zero a powerful kick to his abdomen and jumps up to run.
Nathan runs quickly up the stairs and to the self-destruct button after leaving his enemy on the ground outside. As he reaches the button, Nathan looks out the broken window at Subject Zero and prepares to press the button.
Nathan slams his hand onto the button as Subject Zero yells out in hatred. Nathan, expecting something to happen, waits. Subject Zero laughs hysterically but then suddenly is cut off by a loud voice projecting across the whole dome. “COMMENCING SELF-DESTRUCTION SEQUENCE.”
Nathan notices Subject Zero is distracted and uses this as his chance to escape. 10, 9, 8…… The countdown begins and the sun begins to rise as Nathan runs out of the office and past the unaware Subject Zero. 7, 6, 5…… The countdown continues and the facility begins to collapse as Nathan passes through the woods where he drank from the creek and soon passes the concrete room where the other people were held captive. 4, 3, 2…… The countdown gets closer to an end as the dome collapses quicker and Nathan rushes past the old house he was stuck in before. Soon enough, he gets onto the road that led him and Charlie to the town inside the dome and gets even closer to the door but suddenly Subject Zero is following behind. This time, he’s so angry and determined, Subject Zero uses his telekinetic powers to control the mangled corpses that he’s kept. He’s headed for either the door or Nathan, but Nathan doesn’t care.
1…… The countdown comes to an end and the entire dome collapses above. Subject Zero, far behind with his army of corpses, stops and accepts what is coming but Nathan keeps running in hopes to escape before the weight of a million tons comes crashing down onto him. Soon enough, the dome becomes nothing but rubble.
The entire area where the dome once stood, is now a ginormous pile of rubble and all that stands are a few trees and small bits of buildings. Nothing could have lived from inside. Unless you were close to the doors.
Nathan, barely standing or even really alive, stumbles around the rubble. With his new powers, he uses his telekinesis to move a large piece of steel revealing a small group of men nearby. Within this group are a couple of men who are clearly scientists of some sort but the others are clearly military. Nathan runs to them with hopes of help but suddenly…
“Stop right there!” One of the men yells out angrily but with a quiver in his voice. “Put your heads above your head and don’t speak!”
“Wait! I just need help!”
“I said put your hands above your head!”
Nathan is confused so he looks around in the hopes that maybe Subject Zero is who he spotted. Sadly, the guns are all being aimed straight for him.
This is the end of Nathan’s story. But it isn’t the end of mine. After hearing Nathan's story, I have an understanding of why he’s in the tube here. I can firmly admit that I’m terrified. I had no idea this is why I was sent here. I was led to believe he was just a possible danger and I needed to monitor him and continue brain scans. Little did I know, this is why.
I know it seems a bit strange and even unbelievable but I have no real reason to not believe a man trapped inside a tube. But now that he has spoken to me, he’s asked me to help him. However, I have no idea how. Aside from letting him out, there’s nothing else I can do. The higher-ups here are strict and have specifically told anyone working here not to listen to Nathan. On top of that, they're already suspicious of me. I suppose, getting his story out is one way to help him but he also wants out of here.
I don’t know what to do, but I do understand I’ve already gone too far by even listening to him. Hell, he may even be as dangerous now as Subject Zero from the story he told me. If he is, I could release a madman into the world. If he isn't, I'm letting an innocent man suffer alone in a science facility. Screw it. I’ve come to terms with what must happen. I’ll release him the moment I can, if I even can. Once this story is shown to the public, I may end up terminated. Not from my job, but from my life. If this happens then I’m sorry to Nathan. If Nathan turns out to be a danger as well, then I’m sorry to all of you. For now and possibly forever, goodbye.
PART 1:
https://www.reddit.com/nosleep/comments/1d7hsgf/im_a_scientist_and_a_man_in_a_tube_is_telling_me/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Throwaway account for privacy.
I surgery scheduled later this week and one of my attending positions requested I get a blood volume test of the specialists that I see requested A Blood Volume Analysis. I went to the hospital, got it done. It took about 45 minutes. Normally, the test results will show up in an app later that day. Instead, I got a call from the office one of the specialists from one off my physician care team (the one who requested the BV, asking if I could be available the next morning for a remote video consultation and I said sure, didn’t think much of it. I just figured it had something to do with the upcoming, surgery.
When I spoke to him in the morning, they posted my test results in the app. without getting into the exact numbers, my results me that my Without getting into the exact numbers, my Red Blood Cell count was in the “Extremes Excess” range.. He said that he did not want to clear me for surgery without some follow-up tests. I deferred to his expertise, so I asked them what usually causes that, and he named a few things. Simple stuff really. Dehydration, iron, rich, diet, lifestyle habits but, given my test results to date, and the amount of the RBC variance, he wants to make sure it’s not renal bone marrow, or some type of blood cancer. Honestly , at that point, I was kind of zoned out.
I clarified that it he had said cancer and asked him what the chances would be. He said there’s no sense speculating, that’s why he sending me to an Oncology and Hematology specialist for further testing. I know this is Reddit, and there are a lot of melodramatic attention-seekers here, but I have had serious medical issues and this is the first time ever. have. I’m kind of at a loss. I haven’t told anyone in my family yet. I don’t it’s fair to worry them when I don’t know for sure and there’s nothing they can do anyway. I’m going to get the blood work done on Friday, and I know I’m just gonna fixate on it until then.
The ironic thing is that, like I said, I have existing serious medical issues that are life-threatening, but that’s been the case for a few years and I don’t think about it that much. I came to terms with that and accept it. For some reason, this is hitting different. I’m not looking for medical advice or reassurance, so please forgive me in advance for my lack of interaction. I don’t plan on revisiting this post until I know something. I just literally had to get it off my chest, so I can focus on pretending like there’s nothing weighing on me.

sorry if some of this is tmi.
so, like the title says, anyone one else experienced aching/burning pain and/or discomfort in/around both kidneys despite only having stones in 1? for me, it’s my left one. 3 stones, largest 3mm. found them during a ct scan for gi issues 3 months ago. lately, i’ve felt the discomfort most right when i’m about to pee. after i pee the aching/discomfort goes away. sometimes i can still feel it even if i don’t have to pee, but usually it’s still present right before, so that’s confusing to me.
referred to a urologist who i saw for the 1st time may 21st after i went to my doc multiple times for discomfort around my kidneys. my primary care doc did a 24 urine test, came back ok. 3 urine samples to test for uti, all came back negative. 3 different blood tests to find infection, all came back negative.
the urologist showed me my ct scan, and said that they didn’t look like they were coming out anytime soon. i also mentioned that i’d had an ultrasound in mid-late april where the stones were also still seen in my left kidney. so they’re not on the move. when i told her why i’d been sent to her, and about my back pain, she didn’t seem too concerned about my kidneys and set me up for a cystscopy, since my symptoms sounded more bladder related according to her, & stone removal where i’d have a stent placed.
idk if this’s relevant but here are other symptoms i’ve been experiencing, they all seem to have been added on since the start of all this 3 months ago:

• found elevated levels of protein in urine -aching/burning pain on my back around the areas where my kidneys are.
• bouts of peeing frequently
• orange urine sometimes -sometimes my urine smells, weird. don even know how exactly to describe it sorry
• visible bright red blood in urine sometimes -excessive amounts of clear discharge after i urinate. i noticed at last a couple of times that some of it appears white at times but still also clear. -diagnosed w/ bacterial vaginosis in late April, but was treated. got more antibiotics after talking to my doc about this symptom again. -have had to push a bit for small amounts of pee to come out. -wiped a bit of bright red blood after urinating, sometimes this happens when i’ve had to push s bit of more pee out
• sometimes feeling like i haven’t fully emptied my bladder despite having just urinated
• getting up in the morning bc i have the urge to pee -happened once so far, pee’d one morning, but felt like i still had to pee, but couldn’t, then finally could an hour later -wiped bright pink discharge once, then wiped a bit of bright red blood 2 days afterward -recently, bladder pain, i think, or at least pain in my bladder area, almost cramp like. felt it spasm a bit once i think too. -weak urine stream

so again, anyone else have this happen? if so, did anyone find out why? did it go away after stone removal or persist? if anyone has any answers or can relate, comment pls.

My 9 year old Husky Pit mix was seen by both Urgent Care and the Emergency Vet in Early May for labored breathing. She had been starting to snore more and show signs of working harder to breathe at night (much like apnea), but then it became very difficult for her to breathe and rest/find comfort at any point. It was more like belly breathing then snoring or the apnea before so I went to urgent care on 5/06 (the details of the report are included below).
They found pleural effusion and infiltrates in her lungs they said that it could be pneumonia or cancer. We did bloodwork and it did not show any of the classic markers for either that the vet would have expected to see. The only thing that was elevated was lipase, but they’d been giving her treats to make friends with her so he said he wasn’t concerned.
We opted to treat for pneumonia and hope that it would get better. They gave her a shot of a steroid. We went home with steroids and antibiotics. She did not improve over the next couple of days and I became more concerned about her condition so I called the emergency vet (urgent care vet is only open part of the week), they told me to bring her in for evaluation. They took her straight back because of how light pink her gums were snd she wasn’t getting good oxygen. They repeated labs and X-rays.
They had multiple vets look at everything and concluded it was most likely pneumonia. They did find a very small mass on her spleen, but they weren’t concerned about it, same with the mass in her groin. They said recommended stopping the steroids as it can suppress immune system and they added a second antibiotic.
Within the first 24hrs she started to improve dramatically and slowly has gotten better. They advised me to keep her separate from my other dog. I was concerned about where or how she would have gotten pneumonia since she’s not anywhere outside of our home/yard. They said she could have aspirated on food so we switched her to a slow feeder bowl as well.
She’s finished her meds. She had been doing well her energy was back. The accidents stopped. However, in the last couple of days I’ve noticed the snoring picking up again, she’s had some accidents and she’s just been very lazy and not really active. Is it possible that the infection wasn’t cleared?? Or is possible that it never was really an infection?
Do I go back to urgent care, the ER, or try to get in with a vet? Our regular vet schedules WEEKS out so I’d have to likely find someone new for just a normal practice. I’m not sure the best way to proceed, but I don’t want her to suffer and I don’t have the resources to go to multiple places.
Reason for visit: increased respiratory rate- started in the last 24 hours where its been more constant. O feels like she is snoring more in the last few weeks. Has a lump in the groin that O feels like is getting bigger. When she is in a relaxed state or sleeping she is belly breathing per O. Per O - belly seems distended and feels different. Breathing is harder when laying lateral. better when she is sternal.
Length of symptoms: more noticable in the last 24 hours.
First time or recurring: first time.
C/S/V/D: did V+ food yesterday, but was able to hold down food today.
Pet's diet: Purina dog chow.
Any table scraps, treats or human food being given: no
Any changes in diet recently: no
Appetite: ate this morning.
Thirst: normal
Any recent boarding or contact with other animals: housemates at home
Activity: may be a little less playful.
Up to date on vaccines: yes
Any other medications or supplements: none
Any previous major medical history/current medical issues?: none
Weight (lb): 76.00 Temp(°F): 101.5 Heart Rate: 110 Respiratory Rate: 90 CRT: 1-2sec MM: Pink Attitude: BAR Pulse Quality: Normal Respiratory Effort: Laboured Breathing Notes: panting Problem List: Paradoxial breathing pattern Pulmonary infiltrates Pleural effusion
Diagnostics Considered: Radiographs, AFAST/TFAST, Chem17, CBC, Lytes
Assessment: DDX: hemorrhage, neoplasia, chylothorax. Cannot confirm primary pulmonary neoplasia on radiographs though this cannot be ruled out. Master Problems 05-06-2024: Pulmonary Interstitial Infiltrate 05-06-2024: Pleural Effusion
Mild Plans DexamethasoneSP 0.1mg/kg IM Prednisone 20mg tablets Amoxi/clav 1000mg tablets
We discussed concerns for infiltrative pulmonary disease and cannot rule out neoplastic processes. Labs rule out hypoproteinemia that could result in hydrothorax, and white blood cells did not show any significant abnormalities. We will begin a broad spectrum treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics. The effusion present did not appear to be a large enough volume to the the root cause of the signs noted. As we discussed, effusion could worsen which would result in necessitation of a thoracocentesis (drainage). It is important to monitor for continued trouble breathing, blue gums/tongue, collapse, lethargy, vomiting, or any other abnormal signs. If any of the above are noted we recommend that Daisy Mae receive immediate veterinary attention.
Physical Exam General Appearance: Bright, alert and responsive Hydration: Hydration appears normal Eyes: Corneas clear, pupils normal size, symmetrical, sclera white, no ocular discharge Ears: No exudate observed, no redness present Oral Cavity: Teeth are free from excessive tartar, no gingivitis present Nasal Cavity: No obvious abnormalities observed Cardiovascular: Regular rhythm; no murmur detected Respiratory: Abnormal: Increased BV sounds, intermittent paradoxical breathing pattern Abdomen: Abnormal: soft on palpation Rectal: Did not perform rectal exam Musculoskeletal: Normal ambulation Integument: multiple firm, freely movable, subcutaneous masses Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes are all normal in size Urogenital: External genitalia appears normal; bladder palpates normally Neurologic: No apparent abnormalities Assessments Problem List: Paradoxial breathing pattern Pulmonary infiltrates Pleural effusion
Additional Patient Information for Daisy Mae
Master Problems: Pleural Effusion, Pulmonary Interstitial Infiltrate
Presenting Problems: Breathing Difficulty
https://www.idexximagebank.com/resultsView?imageAssetId=1.2.826.0.1.3680043.2.950.423635.20240506155535.gkik53cs11wg4i5zimdmap4ms.1

Hello im 19 male 180cm and 77kg so im not overweight or anything like that i have been going to the gym for 3 ish years now but i was around 52kg when i started so i bulked up a sizeable amount but my bodyfat is around %14 ish right now. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week eat healthily (mostly oatmeal, white rice, brown rice, chicken, fish,red meat, greens, pasta, beans so high carb high protein low fat diet) I dont drink alcohol, i don't smoke, i do eat sugary processed foods but very rarely because im trying to lean bulk, i dont take any supplements except creatine a while back and i stopped taking it due to this complication. My diet hasn't changed for the past year but i started getting symptoms of diabetes like 8 ish months back and they keep getting worse. The symptoms i started getting are:
-drinking excessive amounts of water (like 6-8 liters a day regardless of physical activity)(have been taking notes on how much i have been drinking for the past month and the average is 6.5 ish liters a day)
-yellow sometimes brown urine when i wake up and it smells something weird i could say it smelled sweet at first but it started smelling very pungent and i don't really know what to compare it to.
-i wake up just to drink water at night
-i started having red spots,acne,pimples,dark spots on my skin
-very dry eyes its like my body doesn't produce tears anymore i have to use eye drops ALL the time
-got eye floaters and many of them in a very small timeframe and the keep getting worse
-got cold urticaria which basically is hives on your skin if you stay in a cold place and started getting heat rashes never had any of these my entire life they came out of no where
-i cant gain any weight like at all im constantly at 77 for the past year whatever i do i just cant gain weight (i still eat clean but when i count my calories im still supposed to be at a surplus)
these are the things i noticed also i have these "episodes" in which i am so thirsty i can drink 2 liters of water in a matter of minutes, my eyes become much more dryer and become red, after this happens i pee a low amount even though the high amount of water i just drank and my pee is yellow with the weird smell i wrote,
this "episode" is inconsistent some days i don't have it or sometimes its right after i eat or sometimes when i get really hungry. I couldn't really find a connection between anything.
all these severe symptoms and i have been going to the doctors for a couple of months now and i gave 4 blood and urine samples already but all of them came clean like minor stuff whichare being deficientin B12 vitamin D and one time i had high blood proteins which my doctor said it most likely is a small illness i had at the time but none of them found anything wrong with my kidneys, liver according to the blood work i have done.
I really dont know what to do now i might save up some money and get my body fully scanned for everything but what if that turns out negative too?? What could be the culprit of this?? i am really paranoid and it is affecting my mental health severely. Thank you for reading through my broken english (not my main language)

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Chapter 170 – Sometimes odd paths converge
“I have to respect her audacity at this point,” Admiral Krieger commented after the High-Matriarch's speech had come to an end. Leaning up a little bit on the elbow of her healthy arm, she had listened to the entire thing. Now, she glanced up at James, who still stood next to her bed. His mechanical arm was crossed in front of his chest while the other's elbow was leaned onto it as the hand belonging to the organic arm thoughtfully glided over his mouth and chin. The Admiral frowned. “You don't believe a word of that is true, do you?”
James' eyes moved a bit as she had seemingly pulled him out of some deep thoughts. He then released a low, groaning exhale and let his hand fall down to his side as he shook his head.
“Do you want me to be literal?” he asked her, hinting towards some of the things that had been part of the zodiatos' speech which had simply been facts they were all aware of.
Still, despite the brief moment of smartassery, the comment itself made it obvious that James was entirely aware that those were not what his mother was referring to. Therefore, she didn't bother dignifying it with a reply as she simply waited for him to drop it and actually engage in the conversation instead of trying to deflect.
It took him a moment before he sighed and shook his head one more time.
“I don't know,” he finally replied, and his voice sounded just as unsure as the sentence suggested. “Don't get me wrong, I'm not buying her change of heart. Her reaching out and wishing to be more open to the world is a ploy to earn herself favor, that much is for sure. But...attacking a coreworld? We know she doesn't consider herself above violent terror attacks, but...this goes against everything she wants. And she's not even trying to pin it on anyone this time. This doesn't put deathworlders into a bad light in any way...in fact it makes it clear coreworlders are just as susceptible to violent radicalization as any other people – which heavily supports our stance. Sure, she gets some browny-points for playing nice after, but can that really be worth it? And she is so enamored with coreworlds, it's just...even if she is trying to spin it to her advantage, I think she may actually be sorry for what happened to the coluyvoree at the very least. But I'm really not sure. Certainly wouldn't vouch for her any time soon. She might just be a whole lot crazier than even I anticipated...and that's coming from the guy whose arm she had cut off.”
His lips then shifted a bit as his arm went back up to his chin, stroking over it gently with his thumb and index finger as his expression darkened a bit.
“Either way, as long as we can't prove one thing or the other, it might be a bad idea to try and call her out on it,” he then added. “The zodiatos are already taking full responsibility for the attack. Trying to make sure she is personally blamed for it without any necessary evidence would likely be seen as petty – especially since large parts of the galaxy are still not convinced that the we actually weren't behind the attacks that we deny being associated with. Much as I hate to say it, it might be in our best interest to play ball this time. Though I will leave it up to the folks back home if we are going to accept any reparations or not. Personally, I wouldn't want to give off the impression that our forgiveness can be bought, but on the other hand denying an at least outwardly honest attempt at reconciliation outright is also not a great look. I think my personal grudges are a bit too clear for me to make any of the lasting decisions on this one.”
Admiral Krieger blinked once as she looked up at her son, and she couldn't suppress a smile from creeping across her lips.
“Well, look at you,” she whispered in a warm tone and then shifted her gaze slightly to look over at the small nightstand. Speaking up a bit louder, she requested, “James, would you be a dear and get me something out of the nightstand, please? Celestin usually leaves it in the second drawer for me whenever I end up here.”
James seemed a bit surprised, most likely both by the sudden request and the tone in which it was made.
“Sure,” he said and turned to reach for the drawer. Reaching inside, he pulled out an blue, opaque folder with a dark pattern that spread across it almost like veins. The item was clearly well-loved and had therefore seen better days. The surface was rough and the edges and corners frayed from regular use. The back keeping the folder together had gotten very thin over time, and in some places it had even broken open, so that it was only held together by a few thin strips of material and a thick layer of scotch tape at this point. As he held the item, James stared at it for a moment. His face made it clear that he wasn't sure what exactly his mother wanted with something like this, however there was also a hint of uncertain recognition in his eyes, even if he didn't seem able to quite place where it came from.
After a moment of quietly pondering, he handed the item over.
“There you go, Ma'am,” he said as she took it out of his hand.
“Thank you, treasure,” the Admiral replied, already feeling the usual warm, nostalgic feeling come over her even as she just looked at the familiar folder.
Still sitting next to her on the side of her bed, Nia scooted a bit closer as she curiously leaned in to also inspect the item.
“What is it?” she then asked after a few moments of not being able to figure it out for herself.
Meanwhile, the Admiral was already carefully opening the folder, very cautious to not do any more damage to the precious item as she handled it, even in her weakened state. Her fingers gently glided along the frayed edge as she turned the covering page to open it, a familiar tingling feeling filling her as she revealed what was underneath.
“Just some memories,” she replied to Nia's question, turning the folder slightly towards Nia so that she could more easily look inside along with her. The first page underneath the cover showed a slightly crude but well-proportioned drawing of the silhouette of a human body – though some areas broke out of the 'silhouette-look' to instead offer a highly detailed – even if still quite crudely drawn – insight into the body of the depicted person. The heart, lungs, liver, intestines and kidneys all had a detailed depiction, as well as the femur in one leg as a representation of all bones, the bicep as a representation of muscles, and a patch of skin on the neck. Each of the more detailed depictions also had long arrows pointing towards them, on the other end of which a description was scribbled onto the side of the page.
“Artificially enhanced bone structure – density. Possible integration of metals.
Larger heart volume. Also, blood more easily enriched with oxygen. Aquatic animals? Addition of hemocyanin?
Production of cellulase, chitinase, etc. for more easily varied diet.
Adaptable skin pigmentation. Chameleon? Octopus? Bioluminescence?
Addition of fatigue resistant white musculature. Addition? Replacement? Ratio?”
Those were just some of the descriptions added to the many features shown on the silhouette.
In the corner of her vision, the Admiral could see how Nia's eyes wandered over the page. Given her own background in biology, her expression turned thoughtful at the ideas 'proposed' by the drawings the longer she inspected it.
Meanwhile, James also had leaned over from where he was standing a bit to look at the contents of the folder, and immediately his eyebrows rose a bit as that vague feeling of recognition he seemed to be feeling earlier apparently finally found its point of reference.
In a smooth and gentle gesture, the Admiral turned to the next page. This one contained many small, scribbled, and sometimes from a lacking skill in artistry barely recognizable pictures of different animals, all of which again had a brief explanation written next to them, as well as a very helpful title that helped more easily identify what each drawing was meant to depict.
“Sea cucumber: Regenerative ability. Naked mole-rat: Near anaerobic metabolism. Tardigrade/Pompeii worm: heat resistance. Brown bear: Atrophy blockers. Lobster: Hemocyanin, Telomerase. Octopus: Adaptive pigmentation. Shark: Electrodetection. Lateral line organ (both adapted). Viper: Heat pits.
Possibilities: Spider: Silk? Glowworm: Bioluminescence? Bombardier beetle: exothermic weapon? Gecko: Electrostatic object attraction? Electric eel: Electric weapon?”
“Wait, that's...” James mumbled as he took a step closer and looked down at the page containing his very own penmanship. Or, well, at least that of a very motivated and enthusiastic younger version of himself.
“You made it for me all the way back for my promotion to Commander,” the Admiral confirmed for him with a sincere warmth in her voice that she couldn't deny whenever she looked at the crudely but ever so honestly made gift she had once received from him. “It was supposed to 'help me with my work' and 'give me the strongest guys',” she reminisced with a chuckle filling her words as she gently turned the page again.
This time, the next page showed the drawing of a face in a very typical 'from a how to draw manga' sort of art style. Various features had once again been added to it in greater detail with short explanations. Some of them just showed where and how some of the animalistic features mentioned on the previous page, such as heat-pits or a lateral line organ, would be integrated exactly. The eyes also had an arrow, though the augmentations proposed for them didn't have a direct source in the animal kingdom and were more of a general 'enhancing' sort of nature.
Lastly, both the ears and the nose had vaguely mechanical apparati implanted into them that seemed to represent more of an idea than an actual concept.
“Hard to naturally enhance without large cosmetic changes. Sensitive nerve-connected sensors better solution,” was the explanation attached to those.
The Admiral lifted her hand to carefully slide the tips of her fingers over the drawing as she admired it. To this very day, she remembered the day a tiny James had excitedly sat on her lap and intricately explained every detail about the depictions and explanations and all his thoughts of how to make and integrate them, until they had reached this very part.
“I don't know much about how to do all the mechanical stuff for these,” he had admitted, his tiny voice still burned into her mind as it turned ever so bashful at his confession while he looked down at his own drawing with a tiny frown. “But I'm sure we can make it work. We just need someone who's really good with robotics and all that stuff.”
The smile on the Admiral's lips widened a bit more as she pulled her hand away from the drawing again, afraid it would eventually start to smudge if she touched it too often.
“You always had such big ideas,” she murmured just loud enough to be heard by her children.
“Yeah, big ideas is right,” Nia said with mild amusement as she leaned a bit closer to try and properly decipher the sometimes not-all-too-well-written words on the page. It was obvious that she had some choice words about some of those 'ideas' on her mind as she read over them.
James crossed his arms and looked away for a moment, his lips shifting into a slight frown that was so very like the one he wore back then.
“Give me a break. I was like...what? Ten maybe?” he mumbled in his defense while his mechanical fingers began to drum on his organic bicep.
Nia giggled gleefully at her brother's embarrassment while the Admiral simply kept smiling.
Suddenly, someone cleared their throat, pulling everyone's attention over to the two women who had drifted very awkwardly into the background of the conversation as the quite intimate moment had gone on. Much to her embarrassment, Admiral Krieger had to admit that she had actually momentarily forgotten about their presence in the room, and it seemed like James and Nia weren't fairing much better.
With her ear gently twitching, tail swaying, and a slight, embarrassed redness on her face, Shida briefly endured all the eyes that were pulled onto her from her deliberate sign of life before she slowly approached the Admiral, closely followed by Tuya.
“So...what exactly is that...Ma'am?” the feline then carefully asked in a tone that suggested she wasn't quite sure if she was even allowed to ask that question here, obviously still feeling very much out of place. Perhaps even more so than before after briefly being forgotten.
The Admiral felt honestly bad about that. She hadn't meant to exclude those two from this moment. By no means, in fact. She had simply gotten caught up in it.
Smiling at the two women invitingly, she gave them a reassuring nod to try and take the fear of not belonging from them just a bit, before she began to explain.
“Many years ago after I was promoted to Commander, James came to me with his folder as a gift and a...proposition,” she explained, her earlier grin coming back to her as she remembered his tiny, determined face. “I guess you could call it his idea of a 'super-soldier' in a way. All kinds of abilities of other animals that could – very theoretically – be transferred onto humans to make them 'fitter', as he put it. And for everything he didn't find a good genetic solution for, he added some 'possible' mechanical enhancements as flair.” she snickered briefly and made a slightly flourishing gesture with the hand of her healthy arm to support her sentence. “His suggestion was to take this to my superiors, who would obviously love it, immediately make these sort of soldiers and naturally promote me again.” She exhaled a bit wistfully and her gaze fell back down onto the page. “I think he saw how proud I was of my promotion and this was his way of trying to help me get even more.”
Shida and Tuya glanced at each other for a moment, their expressions hard to read. Tuya then joined up with Nia to get a closer look at what was actually on the page, while Shida moved closer to James and gave him a nudge with her elbow.
“Genetically modified super-soldiers, huh?” she said with a gently teasing tone, before replacing her nudging gesture with an affectionate placement of her head onto his shoulder. “Guess you were always a bit of a freak.”
Despite his still slightly bashful expression, a smirk sneaked onto James lips as he quite visibly and immediately enjoyed his girlfriend's contact.
“Well, I was a kid with my head full of a lot of theoretical and very little practical knowledge. And even less ethics,” he explained, shrugging with his not currently occupied shoulder. Though then his expression turned...well, it wasn't exactly 'accusing', but there were certainly hints of that as his face turned a little more serious again while he looked back at his mother. “What exactly are you getting at with pulling that old thing out?”
The Admiral exhaled slowly.
She could imagine quite well what he meant by that. What he may be imagining her intentions to be. However...
“I just like looking at it whenever I'm not feeling well,” she explained in complete honesty, and just couldn't help gliding her fingers over the page one more time, even though she knew it would eventually damage it if she didn't control herself. “Even I'm not immune to near-death experiences. I'm in pain. And I recently had most of my leg removed. In moments like these, I just like to cheer myself up with some memories.”
In the corner of her vision, she could see Shida shift a bit to look up at James' face while her own was on his shoulder. The look on her face was slightly worried, almost as if she had a bad feeling about what James would have to say to the Admiral's explanation.
Though James barely reacted to it at all. He didn't have to. He knew fully well that his mother knew fully well what he was thinking. Times like those she reminisced about were long over, and she was ultimately the reason for it.
And in truth, she didn't regret the path she had chosen, both for herself and for James. Even these many years later, she felt like she had back then: That it was the right one to take.
However, just because she didn't regret it didn't mean that she couldn't rue the consequences it had brought along with it.
The price she paid for her own decision, to be sure. But, even if it may make her a hypocrite in some people's eyes...nobody truly liked paying prices, no matter of fair or unfair they may be.
“I am very proud of you, James,” she said as a moment of her own vulnerability got to her. Usually she was alone whenever she looked at this folder, so she didn't anticipate just how much having her children around as she did would change things. “And not just for the things I influenced.” She briefly shifted her gaze and looked at Nia, who was still sitting next to her. “Don't get me wrong. I don't think you necessarily want or need to hear this, but...the proudest day of my life was when you came to me with Nia's hand in yours. I remember it like it was yesterday how you came to me, holding it tightly as she was crying bitter tears, and you said: 'I am not letting her go'.”
Inadvertently, the Admiral felt herself well up a bit as the memory replayed before her inner eye. The absolute despair and hopelessness on Nia's face. The burning, unwavering determination on that of James as he stared up into his mother's eyes so steadfast that she truly felt like she could sooner divert a river from its course with her bare hands than change his conviction. The day that Nia had stopped being her son's sister and had truly become her daughter. Not able to leave it at just the thought, she lifted her injured arm, all pain be damned, and put it around Nia as she pulled her daughter closer.
Maybe it was the vulnerability sourced from her memories. Or maybe it was the fact that they had both come incredibly close to death in the very recent path which reminded her of how many things had gone unsaid for a long time between them since they both felt like nothing needed to be said through what they thought was a mutual understanding between them.
But maybe, even if they were known...some things beared repeating.
“It's no secret that we don't really see eye to eye. I have my reasons for my actions, you have very valid reasons to still despise me for them. I don't expect we will ever go back to how things were back when you were still too young to do so,” she explained and lifted the folder up a bit as an indication of the long gone times that would never come back. As people, even though mother and son, they were simply not compatible in that way. “But Fynn raised you well, just like I knew he would because he raised me well, too.” As her thoughts carried on, she felt her hands clench a bit, and she very quickly dropped the folder onto her lap to not accidentally damage it while her hands instead grabbed onto each other, squeezing firmly while a new wave of very different emotion overcame her. “And, although I despise with every fiber of my being every single moment that I know you are going through the torture of having to face these...disgusting people...,” she carried on, her voice very briefly turning into a growl while her gaze became knifes before she managed to pull it back a bit because she didn't want the rest of her sentence to sound like it was said begrudgingly as she continued, “And even though you and I will likely never walk side-by-side again due to our difference...There is no one, and I mean no one, who I would rather walk behind in this current situation. Not because you're my son. Not because you're some Councilman. But because I watched how you, from a very young age, would've rather beared any wrath or consequences brought against you for it than ever turn away from what you felt was truly right. I don't know if many think the same way. In fact, it is likely that most people won't. But frankly, I don't give a damn.”
Breaking briefly from her rambling, she made eye contact with James again to fully see his reaction to her words. He seemed taken aback. Understandably so. This was incredibly different from their usual interactions, even the more peaceful ones. And it was clear that he both didn't know how honest she was being and how much it would matter to him even if she was. However, despite that, there was no sign of him outright dismissing her thoughts as he quietly listened to everything she had to say.
“I don't deny that I put stones in your path. Like I said, I have my reasons for my actions, and you have yours for being against them,” she finalized her 'speech' while their gazes held each other intensely. “But in that same vein, I also have my reasons when I guarantee you that, when it comes to this whole thing, that is over now. Once and for all. I don't promise you to magically change all my ways. You're more than smart enough to know that I neither will nor want to do that. I will still remind you of your limits. I will still tell you head on when you are being brash and stupid. But in this fight, I will walk with you – walk behind you, because I, personally, truly think that anyone else might get it wrong.”
James exhaled slowly as they still held each other's gaze. A good part of him seemed truly flabbergasted and unsure of what to say or how to react. He also didn't seem to know if he wanted to be proud, hesitant, appreciative...or angry.
In the end, his hand moved up to his face, his palm brushing over his forehead while his fingers combed some hair out of the way.
“I feel like I've been 'getting it wrong' a whole lot too often for anyone to be saying such things...” he mumbled as he was the first to break eye contact, looking at his palm instead. Shida pressed up a bit tighter to him at those words, and Nia also looked over to him with a worried expression.
The Admiral however simply released a bit of a scoff through her teeth at his misplaced bashfulness.
“I have lambasted you for your mistakes more than enough for you to know that I am very aware of them,” she 'reminded' him in a now much sterner tone, removing her arm from around Nia's shoulders to place both her hands firmly on her lap while she sat up – which briefly caused Nia to vainly attempt to stop her from doing so out of worry. “And with some of your old ones, they were more than worth lambasting. Your cockiness and need to apply can also still use some serious work. However, given these recent events, I would be willing to bet that you count many of them among the times you 'got it wrong' as well. Don't you?”
She looked at him directly, making sure to not leave a single doubt that she expected him to answer her honestly.
James in turn hesitated for a long moment, before he sighed. Briefly, his eyes shot down to Shida's face, a barely concealed pain and fear behind them as they quivered slightly and quickly pulled away again.
“It's quite obvious, isn't it,” he mumbled, and his tone made it clear that he wasn't referring to him blaming himself being obvious, but instead the blame obviously lying on him.
Admiral Krieger gave Nia a reassuring motion as she allowed her daughter to gently aid her in fully lying down again. She removed her gaze from James for a moment to take a bit of pressure off him as she looked straight up.
“James, do you remember the order you got during the conference of primates? The one decided on by a majority vote in the Council of Governance?” she asked without looking over at him.
Once again, James hesitated for a moment. She wasn't sure if he didn't want to answer immediately or if he actually needed a moment to recall.
“Break everything wide open and keep no more secrets,” he finally said, his voice alone leaving his emotional state unreadable. “Also 'take your good arm and throw shit at the fan'.”
The Admiral nodded into her pillow.
“And do you remember the stipulation that was attached to that order?” she asked him further in a neutral tone that was meant to not influence him whatsoever.
This time, James' pause didn't last quite as long before he responded. His voice had shifted the slightest bit to the positive as he said,
“...We'll deal with the consequences.”
Again, the Admiral nodded.
“When it was decided to reveal our allegiance with a Realized to the world, nobody expected it to go smoothly,” she then said in a serious tone. “Avezillion breaking into systems to save your life; fighting off people coming after you by any means necessary; even shooting entire terrorist fleets out of the damn sky; it's all dealing with the consequences.”
She rolled her head over a bit so she could look at him again, her eyes immediately finding his as he was staring at her.
“I'll be the first to tell you when you fuck up,” she said in a stern tone that was simultaneously meant to be reassuring. “There's no need to try and do it yourself. So I better not catch you beating yourself up once I'm allowed out of here again, or you'll be running laps till you drop.”
Everyone's eyes turned from her onto James as the entire room awaited his reaction.
James remained stone faced for a long couple of moments as he seemed to process her words fully. Then, his chest twitched a bit as he released a mix of a single laugh and a sigh, his face twisting into reluctant yet resigned amusement.
“I can't believe I'm not hating you right now,” he finally replied under his breath.
And that was more than enough for Sophia.
–
With one of his claws rhythmically tapping on the surface, Reprig stared down onto the screen of his assistant. The High-Matriarch's speech had once again been broadcast all over the station through the various extendable screens that seemed to be built into all kinds of surfaces in this absolutely technologically riddled place.
There was an urge within him to make contact, to get further clarifications, answers, anything. How real was what the High-Matriarch had just said? How real wasn't it? And how much of it was? He had absolutely no idea how to feel about her words right now. They were so contrary to so many things he knew her beliefs to be, and simultaneously they rang true in so many other regards.
There was no way she would have attacked the coluyvoree...there couldn't have been. That part had to be true. And what she reported of the actions of the humans sounded like it would be senseless to lie about, so that part also had to be true.
But if those were, then how much else would be?
He truly wanted to make contact right now. However...
While his claw still tapped, his gaze briefly shifted over to the human sitting at the table with them. It was a slightly up there in age male with dark yet graying hair and tanned skin. As his covering, he had chosen what Reprig could by now identify as one of the deathworld's dark, formal suits, and on his head was a flat hat that covered part of his face.
The man hadn't bothered introducing himself when he sat down with them. Reprig doubted that fact would change any time soon. But although his eyes were covered by the rim of his large head from Reprig's perspective, the sipusserleng knew instinctively that they were still focused right on him. He could feel the gaze. It was intense. And it wouldn't miss any slip-ups.
So...this was Reason. Or, well, a small part of it.
As long as they would sit here together like this, he would have to let things slide so that no further suspicion could arise. He also doubted that it would be a good idea to excuse himself in order to make a phone call or send some messages. And so he simply remained alone with his worries and thoughts as he sat there and tapped his claw.
On his other side, the younger one of the rafulite's children sat. Houmwa was her name. By all means a rather innocent seeming girl. It was unlikely she actually had anything to do at all with this entire situation. She was probably just pulled into it by her mother and now followed whatever the elder lead her to.
Reprig grimaced briefly as he momentarily caught himself thinking like Alexander. All that talk about paths and leaders and dangers along the way must've dug into his brain somehow.
He directed his gaze away from the young woman again and instead turned it ahead.
The abomination was using some sort of human device to transform their earlier sketch into a more realized model of a possible contraption of-
Reprig caught himself shuddering at the thought of ramming anything into the stump of his leg to try and use it as a substitute.
Then, as if they had heard his thoughts, the cyborg suddenly spoke up, their words clearly directed at him even as their eyes remained on the screen in front of them.
“Tell me, how exactly would you expect a possible prosthesis to be attached to your leg?” they asked out of the blue, leaving Reprig stumped for a moment.
He felt his fur stand up along his arms as he briefly tried to force himself to think about it, but before he could get too into it, he sighed. Briefly, he glanced over at the man from Reason, wondering if it was a good idea to even say anything in front of him.
However, that was just foolish thinking in the end. He was hardly about to reveal anything that the humans didn't already know here.
“You aren't really still expecting me to actually go along with the whole...replacement idea, are you?” the sipusserleng therefore wondered aloud as he looked back at the abomination's black body. He knew he had brought the topic up as a way to engage with them, but there was no way they had taken it seriously for even a moment, right? They knew him, and they knew there was no way he would let a thing like that anywhere near his body. Surely they did.
The cyborg briefly stopped their work to look over at him, their emotionless metal mask of a face blankly staring back at him.
“I don't expect anything of you,” they replied with that unnatural voice that used to give him shivers just listening to it, even if that reaction had subsided by now the more time he spent around them. “However, you asked me about it. And apart from cleaning up my legal defense, there is very little in terms of enriching work that I am currently able and allowed to do on this station due to my situation. Therefore, I will seriously work on this, even if just as a distraction.”
Reprig paused for a couple of moments, keeping his gaze on those red eyes before he shifted a bit.
“I mean, you would implant it, wouldn't you?” he finally said. He wasn't going to get anywhere with the eyes of that Reason guy on him. He might as well humor this conversation for a bit. It would probably be uncomfortable, but it would certainly pass the time and keep him from getting too deep in his own head.
To his surprise, the cyborg shook their body a bit.
“I very highly doubt that would be to your liking,” they replied surprisingly earnest and briefly glanced at their screen again before looking back at him. “I am aware of your dislike of modifications to your own body, therefore any permanent attachment could not possibly be in your best interest,” they explained further and briefly glanced at the crutch he had to use to get around. “However, it is also clear that not any kind of walking-aid is out of the question. Therefore, I am trying to understand where exactly to draw the line and what compromises you may be comfortable with.”
With one of their large legs, the cyborg then turned the device they were working on around to present the model they designed to him.
“People in the past used prostheses that basically just had a bed for the remaining parts of the limb that simply strapped to it. The prosthesis itself was then used through a mixture of and adapted gait as well as clever placement of joints that would mimic natural movements without the need of actual nerve connections,” they explained and pointed towards a sort of cup at the top of the leg-model, the whole of which was sort of shaped like a downwards pointing sickle in a way. “Or, in even earlier times, they just used a stiff piece of material to support them while walking. Sort of like a crutch but simply fastened to your leg instead of carried under your arm.”
Reprig stared at the screen briefly as he at the very least thought about the words, if only to distract himself. It wasn't like those explanations changed anything.
“Simply strap it to your leg?” he wondered aloud in a bored manner for a moment as he looked at the cup that would in such a case be holding his leg-stump.
“You would regularly have to take it off, and precautions will have to be taken against chafing and other wear-stresses,” the cyborg explained further. “It comes with many hurdles and is by no means a full replacement for your natural leg, however it would greatly aid in your mobility while also freeing up your arm from being involved in your movement.”
Reprig looked at the screen for a moment longer while he still tried to suppress his urge to try and get answer right that minute. And somehow, those words of the cyborg stuck in his mind, echoing back at him from its recesses.
“Not a replacement.”

Up to maybe a week ago, for several months, I was having an issue with pee drops coming out of my body after peeing, no matter if I shaked my privates or let it drip. Now their seems to be mostly an issue with sticky drops discharging after peeing. I am not entirely sure if it is yellow or clear, but it looks like number one. However is it definitely sticky and has a slight smell to it. The most I seen come out was during the previous night, Tuesday 6/4/24. This time it actually looked a little white and maybe smelled like semen. I would say each time I discharge it thankfully does not burn. I got my blood work done and if it means anything, their is a trace of protein in my pee. My white blood cell count is also a little high, and so is my cholesterol. In addtion to all this, I am low on Vitamin D. I am not sure if any of these things show I have some infection. Just want to know what is going on and what I should do. I do have 2 telehealth doctor appointments coming up, one on Wednesday 6/5/24, and another one on Friday 6/14/24. I am a 25M.

Aside from Ivermectin this has been one of the bigger needle movers in keeping symptoms at bay but it's expensive and I take a ton of other things that add up. From my understanding the liposomal delivery helps pass the blood-brain barrier which is why it's superior to other products. Any help would be appreciated.
from: https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/biocidin-antimicrobial-biofilm-breaker
According to unpublished laboratory experiments, Biocidin may

• decrease and eliminate biofilms for Lyme, yeast, and a variety of other bacteria;
• inhibit or kill all forms of Lyme including spirochete, cysts, and Lyme found in biofilms;
• decrease drug resistance in Lyme by blocking efflux pumps that remove antibiotics from germs;
• inhibit yeast;
• decrease intestinal symptoms in (SIBO); and
• may also support treatment of intestinal parasites.

Biocidin’s ingredients include a proprietary herbal blend of: Bilberry fruit extract, Grape seed extract, Shiitake mushroom extract, Goldenseal root, Noni fruit extract, Garlic bulb, White Willow bark, Milk Thistle seed, Raspberry fruit, Echinacea Purpurea plant extract, Echinacea Angustifolia root, Black Walnut hull, Black Walnut Walnut leaf, Lavender oil, Oregano oil, Galbanum oil, Tea Tree oil, Fumitory aerial parts extract, Gentian Lutea root.

How Biocidin for Chronic Lyme Disease Treatment Works*

Biocidin’s ingredients work together in a synergistic way to create the most benefit. The following are the proposed ways Biocidin works:

• May Assist the Immune System. Based on research, shiitake and echinacea may boost the immune system. For instance, shiitake mushrooms in Biocidin improves the function of cells that fight infections as it boosts Th1 immunity.
• Limits Quorum Sensing. Through quorum sensing, germs communicate to become stronger and to form biofilms. Also, the biofilms they form then become stronger. Garlic, oregano, and goldenseal found in Biocidin may limit quorum sensing.
• Stops Biofilms Sticking to Surfaces. Raspberry, thyme, lavender, oregano, and tea tree oils found in Biocidin can limit biofilm adherence or sticking to surfaces.
• Blocks Efflux Pumps. Black walnut, garlic, goldenseal, and raspberry found in Biocidin may limit germ antibiotic resistance. They can help block efflux pumps that remove herbal and prescription antibiotics from cells.
• Limits Germ Swarming Motility. Bilberry and grape seed extract may decrease swarming where some bacteria grow tails to swim and rapidly spread.
• Stops Germ Growth (Bacteriostatic Herbs). Echinacea, goldenseal, gentian, and shiitake mushrooms found in Biocidin may limit the ability of Lyme to grow.
• Kills Germs Directly (Bactericidal Herbs). Biocidin contains volatile oils like lavender, oregano, and tea tree that research shows are naturally antimicrobial. Bilberry, black walnut, garlic, gentian, grape seed, olive leaf, and shiitake mushrooms are also bactericidal.

Part One Here!
Part Two Here!
Part Three Here!
Part Four Here!
Part Five Here!
Part Six Here!
Part Seven Here!
Part Eight Here!
Part Nine Here!
Part Ten Here!
Part Eleven Here!
Part Twelve Here!
Part Thirteen Here!
Part Fourteen Here!
Part Fifteen Here!
We pick up coming out of Payback 2015, where John Cena won the United States Title by threatening to commit a war crime. Don’t worry, he’s still a babyface, it was against Rusev so it doesn’t count. Anyways, now with gold on his shoulder once more, Cena’s an eleven-time champion in WWE, and he wants to make this reign one to remember by giving back to the company that gave him so much.
Road to Elimination Chamber 2015
Cena opens the Raw after Payback adorned in Americana, title belt in hand. He says that he’s humbled to be holding a belt that represents the virtues he’s sought to uphold for so long, and he’s ready to defend it against all comers, week after week. His first opponent is Kofi Kingston of the New Day, who he defeats in a fast-paced, gripping bout.
John Cena def. Kofi Kingston (11:20) to retain the United States Title
The next, it’s Xavier Woods, who gets the champ on the ropes but eventually falls short, despite wearing his old USA Consequences Creed gear.
John Cena def. Xavier Woods (7:45) to retain the United States Title
Then, it’s Big E, who, despite being able to overpower Cena, still comes up with nothing after an Attitude Adjustment.
John Cena def. Big E (13:06) to retain the United States Title
For his fourth defense, Cena comes out ready to rumble, and he’s stunned when he hears the music of the NXT Champion, Kevin Owens. Owens comes out, holding his own championship, and says that he doesn’t want to face Cena tonight - he wants to do it at Elimination Chamber. Cena says he’s happy to put his gold up, even if it’ll mean making NXT look bad, to which Owens scoffs and BLASTS CENA WITH THE NXT TITLE, FOLLOWED BY A POP-UP POWERBOMB! He plants his foot on the US Title, saying that his means more anyway, so he doesn’t need the US Title up for grabs. He’ll see Cena at the Chamber.
Elimination Chamber 2015
Non-Title Match: John Cena vs. Kevin Owens
It’s a hectic bout from the start, Owens using every trick in the book to get ahead against Cena without flagrantly fouling him, eager to not get disqualified. John looks like he doesn’t have much of a response for what Kevin is dishing out, the NXT Champion’s combination of size and speed leaving Cena surprised. He is still a thirteen year veteran and a nine time WWE World Champion, though, so after a while, he turns the tides, laying into Owens with the Five Moves of Doom and AN EMPHATIC ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-OWENS KICKS OUT! Cena’s stunned by that, but he grits his teeth and keeps going, calling for another, only for Owens to drop down and nail a superkick, followed by a CORNER CANNONBALL, AND NOW A BULLFROG SPLASH! ONE! TWO! TH-CENA GETS THE SHOULDER UP! Owens’ onslaught is leaving Cena worse for wear, and soon enough, he calls for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, CENA REVERSING BY BUILDING SPEED TO TURN OWENS INSIDE OUT WITH A LARIAT! He props Kevin up on the top turnbuckle, calling for an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment, but OWENS COUNTERS WITH A CORKSCREW SUPERPLEX, AND NOW A POP-UP POWERBOMB! ONE! TWO! THREE! KEVIN OWENS JUST BEAT UNITED STATES CHAMPION JOHN CENA CLEAN AS A WHISTLE IN HIS MAIN ROSTER DEBUT!
Kevin Owens def. John Cena (19:56)
Owens holds the NXT Title aloft, laughing as he leans over and pantomimes the “You Can’t See Me” taunt over Cena’s lifeless body before the feed fades out to prepare for the next bout.
Road to Money in the Bank 2015
Refusing to take such disrespect (and such a humiliating defeat) lying down, John Cena is eager for a rematch against the NXT Champion. He calls Owens out on Raw, but gets no response, reluctantly saying he’ll wait before issuing another open challenge for the US Title. It’s answered by Zack Ryder, and, even after nailing a Borski Boo, he can’t keep Cena down, the United States Champ rebounding to defeat the Internet Champion.
John Cena def. Zack Ryder (9:50) to retain the United States Title
The next week, it’s Bo Dallas, who Bo-lieves as hard as he can and then taps out to an STF. Womp womp.
John Cena def. Bo Dallas (6:18) to retain the United States Title
The next week sees the US Open Challenge main event the show, and, in a huge bout to close out Raw, Neville answers the open challenge, very nearly beating Cena on several occasions before KEVIN OWENS ATTACKS THE MAN THAT GRAVITY FORGOT, FORCING A DISQUALIFICATION!
Neville def. John Cena (14:56) by disqualification, meaning John Cena retains the United States Title
He lays into Neville and Cena, nailing a Pop-Up Powerbomb on the US Champ. The next week, Cena says he wants Owens at Money in the Bank, but Owens’ fee has gone up - he says he’s already beaten Cena, and has no reason to face him again. He’s a Prizefighter, after all. Cena again offers up the US Title, and this time, Owens agrees.
Money in the Bank 2015
United States Title: John Cena (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Much like the first bout, Owens is able to throw a lot at Cena that the United States Champ can’t quite figure out, but Cena’s had more time to get to know the Prizefighter by this point. He targets Owens’ leg, figuring he won’t be able to generate any power or take flight without it, and it pays dividends early, Owens nearly forced to tap to the STF before just managing to grab the ropes. He turns the tides on Cena by pushing the champ off the top rope to counter a diving leg drop, sending John crashing to the floor before clambering up himself for a SENTON OFF THE TOP, ALL THE WAY TO RINGSIDE! He picks Cena up off the ground, roaring as he calls for a POWERBOMB ONTO THE APRON, BUT CENA WITH A BACK BODY DROP TO REVERSE IT! He sends Owens back in, but KO lands a superkick as John steps through the ropes, whipping him from coast to coast for a POP-UP POWERBOMB, BUT CENA REBOUNDS OFF THE ROPES WITH A SPRINGBOARD STUNNER INSTEAD OF TURNING AROUND! OWENS IS OUT OF IT… ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THREE!
John Cena def. Kevin Owens (19:15) to retain the United States Title
Road to Battleground 2015
Coming out of Money in the Bank, reinvigorated after avenging his loss, Cena is on the hunt for more big matches to have in his US Open Challenge. At Beast in the East, Cena defeats Chris Jericho to retain the gold at Ryogoku, Y2J’s return match drawing a blank.
John Cena def. Chris Jericho (17:24) to retain the United States Title
The Champ says he wants to see the open challenge continuing into Battleground, with Cena asking for the best that WWE has to offer as challengers before he gets there. The next week on Raw, we’re in Montreal, where Sami Zayn comes up to face off against the Cenation leader and doesn’t do his entrance thing, thereby not blowing out his shoulder. However, even at 100%, he can’t quite keep up, meaning that an increasingly battered Cena gets one step closer to carrying the gold into Battleground.
John Cena def. Sami Zayn (21:41) to retain the United States Title
Following that, the US Open Challenge is answered by Curtis Axel, who pulls out all the stops in tribute to his father as Cena drags him to a good match - and a good Curtis Axel match means Curtis Axel losing, which he does.
John Cena def. Curtis Axel (8:37) to retain the United States Title
Ready for his eleventh broadcasted defense of the gold, making it his most successful title run to date in WWE, Cena declares he’s got one more in him before Battleground, so anyone who thinks they can stop this train is more than welcome to try. Out comes Stardust. They can’t all be winners. However, Cena’s surprised by the amount of grit Stardust shows, the challenger even hitting a Queen’s Crossbow for a nearfall before Cena rebounds with an Attitude Adjustment for the win.
John Cena def. Stardust (12:12) to retain the United States Title
Without a formally announced challenger for Battleground, and with the go-home show having passed, Cena announces he’ll be having another open on the PPV.
Battleground 2015
With a locker room full of rivals, Cena seems pretty excited as he declares the US Open Challenge starts now. We cut to the back, and after months of Cena dispelling his challengers, basically everyone without a spot on the Battleground card is throwing hands for the chance to contend for the gold. Eventually, someone from Los Matadores is sent flying from off-camera into the sea of humanity, knocking down half the field as his assailant marches past, directing the sound team to hit his music - and that music is Cesaro’s, the Swiss Cyborg finally facing off with John Cena once more! Now officially a babyface since his feud with Brock Lesnar, Cesaro’s moved up the card, making this bout with the face of WWE not only an exciting encounter, but a match that really elevates the US Title itself.
United States Title: John Cena (c) vs. Cesaro
Two powerhouses are teeing off on one another in the name of America, and I think that’s pretty beautiful. However, it’s apparent that Cesaro’s grown exponentially since he last fought the Cenation leader, because his speed has increased to the point of posing a real threat for the champion. He overwhelms Cena with a barrage of offense, muscling him around the ring before hitting a big boot over the top rope, followed by a CORKSCREW PLANCHA TO THE FLOOR! Cena gets to his feet on instinct… AN UPPERCUT SENDS HIM FLYING INTO THE TIMEKEEPER’S AREA! Cesaro sends him back into the ring, uppercutting him into the ropes for a SWISS-1-9, AND NOW A DIVING DOUBLE STOMP, FOLLOWED BY A SLIDING BASEMENT UPPERCUT! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Cena gets the shoulder up, but Cesaro leans over him and DEADLIFTS HIM FROM THE CANVAS ALL THE WAY INTO AN OVERHEAD GORILLA PRESS FOR A EUROPEAN UPPERCUT! ONE! TWO! THR-ANOTHER NEARFALL!
Cesaro is on a hell of a roll, and the crowd is getting behind him in a big way as he calls for the Neutralizer, but Cena begins his rally, backing Cesaro into the corner and laying into the body with shoulder checks and punches, desperate to take out Cesaro’s core. Finally satisfied, he eases into his attack pattern, nailing his shoulder blocks and a Five Knuckle Shuffle before calling for an Attitude Adjustment, but Cesaro picks a leg before getting up and BRINGS CENA TO THE CANVAS FOR A CESARO SWING! HE’S SPINNING CENA AROUND WITH EASE! Finally, once the crowd hits twenty, Cesaro releases the champ and sends him soaring across the squared circle, dragging himself up in the corner before EATING AN UPPERCUT BY THE SWISS CYBORG! Cesaro again calls for a Neutralizer, but now CENA POPS HIM UP FOR A DESPERATE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! CESARO KICKS OUT! CESARO HASN’T ACCUMULATED ENOUGH DAMAGE FOR CENA’S FINISHER TO PUT HIM DOWN! Cena pounds the canvas, unsure of what it’ll take, and ROLLS THROUGH TO DELIVER ANOTHER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BUT CESARO LANDS ON HIS FEET! WHAT AN ATHLETE! He turns around… UPPERCUT TO CENA, BUT CENA’S NOT TOPPLING OVER! He winds up for another, but now CENA WITH A HUGE HAYMAKER! THEY’RE TRADING PUNCHES, GOING BLOW FOR BLOW, KNOWING ONE BIG MOVE WILL BE ENOUGH, AND NOW CESARO LANDS ANOTHER UPPERCUT TO GET CENA TO A KNEE! He runs the ropes, building up as much speed as possible for a killing blow, and CENA DECAPITATES HIM WITH A LARIAT, TURNING THE CHALLENGER INSIDE OUT! WHAT AN IMPACT! ONE! TWO! THREE!
John Cena def. Cesaro (20:01) to retain the United States Title
Despite having had his lights turned out by the hellacious lariat, Cesaro’s the first one to start stirring, Cena shaking his hand and raising his arm as a show of respect to the Swiss Cyborg. The United States Open Challenge lives to see another day.
Road to SummerSlam 2015
We pick up on Raw, where Cena once again issues a challenge, this time answered by Tyson Kidd. Kidd gets some solid offense in, reminding the crowd of just how great he is before being put down with an Attitude Adjustment, notching Cena a thirteenth successful defense of the red, white, blue and gold.
John Cena def. Tyson Kidd (10:56) to retain the United States Title
However, the next week, we see an interview with Kevin Owens, where he’s officially announced to be moving up to the main roster. He says that now that he’s here, his goal is simple - to finish the job against the Cenation leader, and take the United States Title off his hands. Later that night, after picking up another win in the United States Open Challenge in a blockbuster WrestleMania main event rematch against King Barrett, Cena is confronted by Owens directly.
John Cena def. King Barrett (13:01) to retain the United States Title
They have a heated exchange, Owens saying that he knows being 1-1 against someone like him will eat Cena up at night, because that’s how his son would feel, and he’s a huge fan of John’s. However, Owens says that what his son really needs isn’t an idol like John Cena, but a better paycheck for his father, which is something the US Title will provide. After all, Cena’s stubborn upholding of his values and refusal to turn to the dark side is endearing to children, but to men like Kevin Owens, it’s disgusting. Hell, even the fans in the arenas have gone from wild fervor in support of Hustle, Loyalty and Respect to… cheering for guys like Dean Ambrose instead of him. It’s not highlighting his strength and will to face the odds, it’s highlighting his weakness and unwillingness to rise to the occasion whatever the cost. The only times he’s played a bit dirty, gotten a bit desperate, he’s seen his biggest successes. Pointing the cannon at Rusev to win the United States Title, immediately eliminating his opponents to win the Royal Rumble without worrying about honour or whatever, it’s net him good, and when he doesn’t wrestle like that, he’s FAILING the kids. He’s FAILING the next generation. He’s teaching them that elbow grease is enough, but it’s not. He’s lost nine titles in WWE thinking it was, and Owens will make sure it’s a tenth in order to save the children of America, and to save his son.
However, the next week throws a wrench in the works, as Cesaro and Kevin Owens have a match that gets thrown out after they can’t stop brawling with one another. Owens is already set to face off with Cena at SummerSlam, but now Cesaro wants another piece of him. KO brushes Cesaro off, saying he’s a Prizefighter, so Cesaro’s titleless ass can go pound sand. Frustrated, the Swiss Cyborg has an idea, and goes to meet with the Champ himself. He tells Cena that he needs another shot at Owens, and he feels badly doing it, but he wants to ask John a favour - add him to the SummerSlam match so he can get his hands on the Prizefighter. Cena knows putting his title on the line against an extra man is a bad idea, but, eager to prove Kevin Owens wrong and show that hard work can make an obstacle possible to clear, he agrees to make it a triple threat.
The next episode of Smackdown sees Cesaro and John Cena face off with the team of Kevin Owens and King Barrett, with Cesaro pinning Barrett off of a Neutralizer to pick up the win for him and Cena. Owens attacks Cesaro, Cena charging in to save the day, staving off Owens until Cesaro grabs a microphone, winding up to uppercut Cena as he turns around - but stopping just short of his chin, reminding Cena that while he wants to take out Owens, he also wants the United States Title, so it’ll be every man for himself at SummerSlam. Cena nods, and now GETS CESARO UP FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, ONLY FOR OWENS TO SNEAK UP BEHIND AND BASH CENA WITH THE CHAMPIONSHIP! The Prizefighter stands tall with the gold, even going so far as to run away with the title in tow, saying that the US Open Challenge has ended for good.
SummerSlam 2015
United States Title: John Cena (c) vs. Cesaro vs. Kevin Owens
Owens is out first, title in hand, and he has the confidence of a man who’s already won the gold as the match kicks off. Just kidding, he immediately rolls out of the ring. Luckily, Cesaro’s in hot pursuit, Cena cornering the Prizefighter for Cesaro to uppercut him over the announce desk. Back in the ring, Cena and Cesaro go one on one for a few minutes, Cesaro delivering a series of gutwrench suplexes before nailing a Very European Uppercut, but Owens breaks up the pin and Cena into the ropes for a POP-UP POWERBOMB, BUT CENA REVERSES INTO A HURRICANRANA THAT SENDS OWENS INTO THE ROPES… SWISS-1-9! Cena chuckles at the extended Mysterio tribute before heading up to the top for a LEG DROP TO THE BACK OF OWENS’ HEAD, BUT CESARO FLOORS CENA WITH AN UPPERCUT! HE GETS HIM UP… NEUTRALIZER! ONE! TWO! THRE-OWENS SAVES IT! KO throws Cesaro out of the ring, kicking Cena under the ropes before clambering up top, surveying his prey before flying through the air with a SENTON BOMB TO THE FLOOR, TAKING OUT BOTH OF HIS OPPONENTS! He rolls Cena back into the ring, whipping him into the ropes for a POP-UP POWERBOMB, BUT CENA GOES FOR THE SPRINGBOARD STUNNER, ONLY FOR OWENS TO CATCH HIM FOR A GERMAN SUPLEX, COUNTERING THE MOVE HE KNEW WAS COMING! OWENS’ QUICK WITS KEEP HIM ALIVE!
He sends John into the corner, rushing at him for a cannonball, but GETS TAKEN OUT BY CESARO WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Cesaro nails corner uppercuts on both men, the Uppercut Express building steam into a FLYING SHOULDER BLOCK BY CENA! Owens gets taken down as well, leading to Cena PICKING BOTH MEN UP FOR A DOUBLE SIDE SLAM! He measures his men… DOUBLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Owens is up first, and Cena scoops him up for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-CESARO JUST MANAGES TO BREAK IT UP! Cena looks at Cesaro incredulously, and starts throwing hands with him as the Swiss Cyborg rises to his feet. Cesaro lands a strong uppercut and calls for the Cesaro Swing, but OWENS NAILS A SUPERKICK, FOLLOWED BY A POP-UP POWERBOMB ON CESARO! ONE! TWO! THRE-CENA DRAGS OWENS OFF TO DELIVER A GERMAN SUPLEX THAT SENDS KO OUT OF THE RING, AND NOW ROLLS OVER CESARO FOR ANOTHER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! He’s exhausted, but he manages to drape an arm over… ONE! TWO! THR-OWENS YANKS THE REFEREE OUT OF THE RING, AND NOW LANDS A BULLFROG SPLASH TO BOTH MEN! HE SENDS JOHN TUMBLING TO THE FLOOR, COVERING CESARO! ONE! TWO! THREE! OWENS STEALS THE UNITED STATES TITLE FROM JOHN CENA!
Kevin Owens def. John Cena and Cesaro (17:45) to win the United States Title
For the fifth year in a row, John Cena has walked into SummerSlam with a title, and for the fifth year in a row, he now has to leave without one, his head hung low as Owens celebrates in the ring behind him.
Road to Hell in a Cell 2015
Cena is completely despondent without the United States Title, and he takes the time that he’s filming his new TV show to cut a series of promos on social media, detailing his feelings as he watches Owens on TV week after week, parading the gold around and saying he’s 2-1 against John Cena, “completely clean.” John says he’s been screwed in triple threat matches before, he’s eaten losses before, but he’ll prove to Owens eventually that it truly does just take unimaginable grit to rectify this sort of situation.
Following Night of Champions, Cena makes his return, and does so impactfully by confronting the Prizefighter directly. He says that he’s been thinking about what Owens said about his son and the children that look up to Cena, and Owens says he doesn’t care, walking up the ramp. Cena shouts after him, saying that Owens may think he’s teaching his son how to win by doing whatever it takes, but right now, he’s just teaching him to be a damn coward. Owens turns around, and WE’VE GOT A BRAWL ON OUR HANDS! They try to kill each other, security having to run down to split them up as Cena continues to spout his morals, and Owens screams that he’ll do whatever it takes to prove that Cena simply can’t keep up with him, that he’ll fail the little Cenation, that he’ll lose the support of the fans and have nothing because he’s a stupid, stubborn bastard. It’s announced that in a few weeks, they’ll meet in a Hell in a Cell match over the United States Title, where if Cena loses, he can’t challenge for the title again for as long as Owens holds it.
Hell in a Cell 2015
Hell in a Cell Match for the United States Title: John Cena vs. Kevin Owens (c)
Kevin Owens may be up overall, but this is the singles rubber match, and the sadistic structure is perfect for the manner of mayhem that ensues in this match, with both men digging their heels in for their ideals and the victory. Cena toughs it out as best he can, showing that after two months off, there’s still no ring rust, but Owens’ confidence has only grown in his two months as champion. It’s a vicious scrap around ringside within the cell’s confines, Owens introducing as many weapons as he can, but soon enough, Cena simply lifts him up and DRIVES HIM STRAIGHT THROUGH THE CELL WALL, AS HE DID WITH JOE A YEAR AND A HALF PRIOR! Kevin tries to flee, clambering up the cell wall, but Cena scales it alongside him, both men trading blows until CENA MAKES A HUGE SACRIFICE, WRENCHING OWENS OFF WITH A BULLDOG THAT SENDS BOTH MEN CRASHING THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE DESKS! Cena seems to have gotten the better of the exchange, managing to drag Owens back to the ring before going for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-OWENS SOMEHOW ROLLS A SHOULDER AN INCH OFF THE CANVAS! Cena sets up a table, propping Owens on the top rope for an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment, but OWENS WITH A CORKSCREW SUPERPLEX THROUGH THE TABLE! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! POP-UP POWERBOMB! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOOOO! HOW IS CENA STILL IN IT? Owens seems to be on the verge of tears as Cena’s sheer determination carries him to his feet, but Kevin makes one more judgement call and HOOFS CENA BELOW THE BELT! Cena crumples, and Owens whips him into the ropes for ANOTHER POP-UP POWERBOMB! ONE! TWO! THREE! KEVIN OWENS SURVIVES JOHN CENA ONCE AGAIN, DEFINITIVELY TAKING HOME THE FEUD AND THE UNITED STATES TITLE WITH A FLAGRANT LOW BLOW!
Kevin Owens def. John Cena (24:40) to retain the United States Title
Road to Survivor Series 2015
Despite the brutality of the match he just went through, John Cena turns up to work when he’s needed, which he definitely is as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship is vacated, and put up for grabs in a sixteen-man tournament. Two rounds are scheduled for TV, with the semis and finals at Survivor Series, giving Cena very little turnaround to get into the right headspace for it - but Big Match John is ready for a tenth WWE World Title. The bracket looks like this, with the first round winners bolded:
John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler
Sheamus vs. Big E
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto
Kevin Owens vs. Dean Ambrose
Ryback vs. King Barrett
Cesaro vs. Big Show
Tyler Breeze vs. Neville
WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament Opening Round: John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler
Cena’s got a tough road to the gold no matter how you slice it, but he first faces off with an old enemy turned close ally in the form of Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler scraps as best he can in pursuit of his first ever WWE Championship, and even gets the crowd on his side, but Cena’s a force to be reckoned with, delivering an emphatic Attitude Adjustment for three.
John Cena def. Dolph Ziggler (15:10) to advance to the Quarter Finals
WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarter Final: John Cena vs. Sheamus
These two have had their fair share of scraps, but Sheamus is a new man as Mr. Money in the Bank, especially with the newly formed League of Nations behind him. However, Cena is able to stave them off for just long enough to cause a miscommunication within the new faction, taking advantage of their lack of chemistry to take out Sheamus’ managers before delivering a HUGE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THREE! CENA’S GOING TO SURVIVOR SERIES!
John Cena def. Sheamus (12:03) to advance to the Semi Finals
Later in the night, Roman Reigns defeats Alberto Del Rio, with the show going off the air as Cena stares down the Big Dog. Survivor Series just got a big marquee match - the first ever singles encounter between the Face of WWE, and his clear-cut future replacement.
Survivor Series 2015
WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi Final: John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
It’s a first-time-ever singles encounter between the Cenation Leader and the head of the Roman Empire, and it’s kicking off Survivor Series in style. There's been no love lost between these two ever since the Royal Rumble, and as the match gets underway, it’s a very partisan crowd in support of Cena. John uses his experience to get the upper hand over his younger foe, and he isn’t afraid to mock Roman a bit to get in his head as the match goes on, letting his taunts linger an extra few seconds and delivering each move with a little more oomph. Finally, once he gets going on the five moves of doom, Roman turns the tides by catching a shoulder tackle with a SUPERMAN PUNCH! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Reigns takes control of the bout from here, wearing Cena down and using his power as much as he can, nailing a vicious SITOUT RAZOR’S EDGE FOR TWO! Cena makes his way to the ropes, but Roman’s on a roll now, delivering a DRIVE BY! He slides back in, calling for a Superman Punch, but CENA COUNTERS INTO AN STF! ROMAN’S IN TROUBLE, SCRATCHING AND CLAWING HIS WAY TOWARDS THE ROPES WITH ALL HIS MIGHT, BUT CENA DRAGS HIM BACK TO THE CENTRE OF THE RING, ONLY FOR ROMAN TO KICK HIM AWAY! Cena dives back towards him to try and keep the pressure on, but Reigns evades, bouncing off the ropes for a SPEAR, BUT EATING A SNEAKER TO THE FACE! Cena hoists him up for a side slam, and follows it with a Five Knuckle Shuffle before delivering an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-ROMAN KICKS OUT!
Even if Reigns can make it out of this match, he’s still got a final to worry about, and Cena’s conscious of not taking too much damage himself. He takes his time, recovering as Roman struggles to get to his feet, shaking the cobwebs out after the Superman Punch and extended sequence from the Big Dog. He calls for a second Attitude Adjustment, but Reigns naturally slides off the shoulders, running the ropes to attempt a SPEAR, BUT CENA ROLLS RIGHT OUT OF THE RING! The crowd chuckles as a bewildered Roman shouts at John to be a man, Cena continuing to try and get in the Big Dog’s head as he starts talking to a fan in the front row, but ROMAN FOLLOWS HIM OUT WITH A PLANCHA OVER THE TOP ROPE! He sends Cena back in, the nine time WWE World Champion not even knowing what hit him as Reigns heads to the corner, letting loose an “OOOOAHH” before CHARGING IN FOR A SPEAR, ONLY TO GET LIFTED ONTO CENA’S SHOULDERS FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT… BUT REIGNS DROPS DOWN, DELIVERING A SUPERMAN PUNCH! CENA’S ROCKED, AND ROMAN NAILS HIM WITH ANOTHER TO KNOCK HIM INTO THE ROPES! REIGNS RUNS THE ROPES, BUILDING UP STEAM… SPEAR! ONE! TWO! THREE! ROMAN REIGNS KNOCKS OFF THE FACE OF THE WWE, AND CENA’S SENT HOME EARLY, NOT EVEN GETTING A CHANCE TO CONTEND FOR HIS TENTH WWE WORLD TITLE!
Roman Reigns def. John Cena (16:58) to advance to the Finals
In the main event, Roman Reigns manages to defeat Dean Ambrose to win his first WWE World Heavyweight Title, just about ekeing out a win over the Lunatic Fringe. Ambrose seems heartbroken, but he still congratulates his brother before heading to the back, only for SHEAMUS TO DELIVER A BROGUE KICK TO THE NEW CHAMPION ONCE HE’S ALL ALONE! The Celtic Warrior has his Money in the Bank briefcase in hand, and he’s all too happy to hand it in to the ref, when JOHN CENA TAKES HIM OUT WITH A LARIAT! Sheamus is stunned, and now CENA FOLLOWS IT UP WITH AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! He grabs a microphone, saying he won’t let this run end like that after Roman won two matches in one night and worked so hard to climb the ladder, and the League of Nations help Sheamus up on the floor as Cena raises the new WWE titleholder’s hand, Roman Reigns guaranteed to at least last a day as champ.
Road to TLC 2015
In case you guys hadn’t guessed, Sheamus is not a fan of John Cena’s at this point. Ordering the League of Nations to attack the Cenation leader, Cena’s aid comes in the form of the Big Dog, returning the favour for Cena. There’s a tag match made for the main event, pitting Sheamus and Barrett against Reigns and Cena, and Cena manages to pin Sheamus once again, before saying that he’s two up and deserves a crack at the Money in the Bank contract. All of a sudden, Roman’s face changes - he knew Cena wanted the belt, but John with briefcase in hand is a new sort of threat. However, Sheamus looks around at the League, and always raring for a fight, agrees to defend it against Cena… as long as it’s a TLC match, meaning his boys will get to run roughshod. Last time Cena tried to fight the numbers off in a TLC match, he lost, but he grits his teeth, promising he’ll get it done this time.
TLC 2015
Ladder Match for the Money in the Bank Contract: John Cena vs. Sheamus (MITB)
While Cena may have had an ally in the form of Roman Reigns before, he sure doesn’t now, because the last thing Roman wants is the Money in the Bank contract in capable hands. The League of Nations interfere so flagrantly that this match damn near becomes a comedy, but Cena does all he can to even the odds, handcuffing members of the League to different parts of ringside to isolate them before turning his attentions back to Sheamus. Sheamus clobbers Cena within an inch of his life, hitting an eye-watering THIRTY Beats of the Bodhran, but Cena fights back with an Attitude Adjustment through a ringside ladder bridge before clambering up and SECURING THE BRIEFCASE! JOHN CENA IS MR. MONEY IN THE BANK!
John Cena def. Sheamus (17:02) to win the Money in the Bank Contract
In the main event, Roman Reigns retains the WWE World Heavyweight Title, but he’s confronted by a figure nobody ever wants to see - Vince McMahon. Mr. McMahon says that Roman’s pithy catchphrase of “one versus all” is just screaming for him to prove himself properly. The Royal Rumble is coming up, and if Reigns wants to cement himself as WWE World Heavyweight Champion, he’ll have to face off with ALL of the WWE’s best. He declares that at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns will have to defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against twen-WAIT A SECOND! HERE COMES CENA! MR. MONEY IN THE BANK IS HERE! He runs down to the ring, sliding under the bottom rope and breezing straight past Mr. McMahon, calling for a microphone. Knowing McMahon is about to stack the odds against Reigns for no reason, he says that Roman won’t be defending the title against 29 other men - he’ll be defending it against ONE. He’s pre-announcing his cash-in, and at the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena.

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Part Eleven Here!
We pick up in the new year of 2013, with John Cena making one more challenge to CM Punk’s throne at the Royal Rumble. After having spent 2012 failing to make headway against the Best in the World, this is his chance to finally overcome perhaps his greatest rival - as long as nothing else gets in the way this time. Cena talks about Punk’s history, even alluding to the history he had with Samoa Joe in TNA as a comparison - every step of the way, Punk has given him trouble and had his number, and this is Cena’s last chance to not only win a fifth World Title in WWE, but to make up for every failure and prove that nobody can ever keep him down for good.
Royal Rumble 2013
WWE Title; If Cena Doesn’t Win, He Can’t Challenge Punk Again: John Cena vs. CM Punk (c)
It’s Day 434 of CM Punk’s legendary WWE Championship reign, and since WrestleMania XXVIII, he’s held the gold as a tyrant. Much like at Night of Champions, Cena digs deep into the bag of tricks early, pulling out a lariat which very nearly earns three in the early going before tapping into his excursion in NOAH, pulling out a Tiger Suplex for a nearfall. Punk turns the tides with a well-timed thumb to the eye, following it with a high knee and bulldog combo that sends Cena reeling to the apron… BEFORE PUNK SLINGSHOTS OVER THE TOP ROPE FOR A DDT ONTO THE APRON, BOTH MEN CRASHING TO THE FLOOR! Punk hurls Cena into the steps, kicking his head into the steel before attempting a GO TO SLEEP IN THE RING, BUT CENA CATCHES THE KNEE TO REVERSE IT INTO AN STF! HE’S GOT IT IN DEEP, THE SAME MOVE THAT WON HIM THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FROM CHRIS JERICHO, THE SAME MOVE THAT WOULD’VE BEATEN PUNK AT WRESTLEMANIA… BUT PUNK MAKES IT TO THE ROPES, ONLY FOR CENA TO DRAG HIM BACK, BUT THE CHAMP LANDS AN UPKICK TO THE EYE! Cena stumbles backwards, and Punk uncorks an IMMENSE SHINING WIZARD! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO! He picks Cena up, taunting the challenger as he goes for a GO TO SLEEP, BUT CENA OFF THE SHOULDERS, NAILING A HURRICANRANA! PUNK DOESN’T KNOW WHERE HE IS, STUNNED, AND HE FALLS INTO AN ATITTUDE ADJUSTMENT! CENA ROLLS THROUGH, NAILING ANOTHER BEFORE HOOKING BOTH LEGS… ONE! TWO! THREE! JOHN CENA’S THE WWE CHAMPION ONCE MORE, HAVING VANQUISHED THE DEMON THAT’S HAUNTED HIS WWE TENURE!
John Cena def. CM Punk (30:37) to win the WWE Title
However, the night isn’t over for Cena, who posts up backstage to watch the Royal Rumble match taking place in the main event. Asked who he could see winning, he discusses Ryback, Daniel Bryan, Sheamus, last year’s runner-up in Randy Orton, the man who cashed in on him in Dolph Ziggler, or even a member of the Shield. After all, the field is something else this year, but he’s ready for anyone… or so he thinks, because he can’t anticipate Entrant Number 30 - Samoa Joe. Cena’s been champion for about an hour, having beaten the guy who had his number in WWE, and now he’s faced with the man who had his number in TNA. Commentary puts Joe over as having wins over the current champ, and, after a dominant performance, Samoa Joe makes history by winning the Royal Rumble in his debut, last eliminating Ryback with a Coquina Clutch hung over the ropes.
Road to Elimination Chamber 2013
Now holding the WWE Title for a fourth time, Cena’s certainly feeling the target on his back. He’s concerned about Samoa Joe at WrestleMania, and he’s virtually certain Joe will choose to face him, but first he has to get through the Elimination Chamber, where it’s announced he’ll defend the gold. CM Punk naturally gets a spot as well, and having beaten Cena in last year’s Chamber, he’s confident. The lineup fills out over the next few weeks, with Ryback, Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan and Sheamus qualifying for the match, making for a difficult walk down memory lane for Cena against some of his most daunting opponents of his WWE tenure.
Elimination Chamber 2013
Before the main event, Samoa Joe has his first singles bout in WWE, picking up a big win over Randy Orton to strike some fear into Cena’s heart.
Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Ryback vs. Sheamus
Without Laurinaitis to intervene, Cena doesn’t start off the Chamber this year, instead beginning in a pod and watching CM Punk and Daniel Bryan go at it. Bryan gets some big spots in to showcase his growth and babyface transformation, but Punk has the upper hand as Jericho enters at Number 3, turning it into a frantic, fast-paced affair as everyone tries to keep themselves from taking any major damage, while also looking to notch early eliminations. Cena’s in at Number 4, and the champ goes on a tear, making a beeline for Punk before managing to put away Chris Jericho with an Attitude Adjustment. Number 5 is Sheamus, and he and Cena get into a big, beefy slugfest out on the steel grating while Bryan and Punk go for technical eliminations in the ring. Soon enough, Ryback is in at Number 6, leveling the competition with a series of Meat Hook Clotheslines before going for a Shell Shocked on Sheamus, only for Sheamus to slide off and nail a BROGUE KICK, RYBACK KNOCKED INTO A SMALL PACKAGE BY PUNK! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Sheamus is comparatively freshest, and takes control with sheer power, muscling the competition around and delivering a White Noise off the middle rope to Cena for a nearfall, the champ staying alive and rolling to the outside. Punk tries to avoid confrontation, but when push comes to shove, he nails a head kick on Sheamus, leaving him prone for a MISSILE DROPKICK FROM BRYAN, FOLLOWED BY A GO TO SLEEP! ONE! TWO! THREE! Punk goes straight for Bryan with a Shining Wizard, but Daniel ducks and starts throwing roundhouses to the body, Cena entering the ring and getting clobbered as well as the crowd gets louder and louder, “YES” chants echoing as Daniel Bryan somehow keeps CM Punk and John Cena at bay by himself, capping it with two head kicks. He goes for the Yes Lock on Punk, but Punk manages to crawl under the ropes to avoid being able to submit, ONLY FOR BRYAN TO TRY AND LOCK IT IN THROUGH THE CHAIN LINK, BUT PUNK SMASHES HIS HEAD INTO THE CHAINS! He throws Bryan back into the ring, Cena popping him up into an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BUT BRYAN LANDS ON HIS FEET! HEAD KICK TO CENA, BUT PUNK FROM BEHIND WITH A KNEE! GO TO SLEEP! ONE! TWO! THREE! IT’S JUST PUNK AND CENA NOW!
The excitement is palpable as Cena and Punk struggle to their feet, Cena the fresher of the two, but still having had his bell rung by Bryan a moment ago. Punk quickly goes for a rollup, but Cena reverses, going for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BUT PUNK OFF HIS BACK AND OVER THE ROPES TO THE OUTSIDE! Cena follows him out, Punk trying to close himself in a pod, Cena trying to muscle it open when WAIT A SECOND! SAMOA JOE! HE GOT IN WHILE BRYAN WAS EXITING, AND HE’S GOT JOHN CENA IN THE COQUINA CLUTCH! Cena has no answer for the submission, having been totally preoccupied by Punk, and he quickly fades before Joe drops him to the steel, Punk slipping out of the pod and rolling him into the ring while nervously looking up at Joe… ONE! TWO! THR-JOE BREAKS IT UP, AND NOW DELIVERS A MUSCLE BUSTER TO PUNK! WHAT THE HELL? HE DRAPES AN UNCONSCIOUS CENA OVER PUNK’S BODY… ONE! TWO! THREE! JOHN CENA RETAINS, BUT HE’S NOT EVEN AWAKE TO KNOW HE’S WON AFTER SAMOA JOE LAYS WASTE TO BOTH HIM AND PUNK!
John Cena def. Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Ryback and Sheamus (32:03) to retain the WWE Title
Leaning over the champ, Joe’s got a simple message - he chooses John Cena at WrestleMania.
Road to WrestleMania 29
Naturally, Cena’s disappointed in not winning clean, something CM Punk immediately exploits on Raw, saying that if Cena’s a real fighting champion, he’ll put the belt on the line against him again. After all, John’s history against Samoa Joe is a lot like Punk’s - Punk can’t beat Joe either, so he’ll be giving the WWE Universe the gift of watching The Best in the World finally beat the Samoan Submission Machine by giving Punk a title match. Cena says that if Punk wants a title match… he’s got one, and if he wants his WrestleMania main event, he’s got it, in the form of a triple threat match. Out comes Samoa Joe, saying that he had no trouble laying out both guys at the Chamber, and he’ll have no problem doing so again in New Jersey. The buildup to this one is simple - these three loathe each other, and are all maestros on the microphone, making for some incredible promo battles ahead of their actual match. Cena discusses how much of an insurmountable obstacle Joe’s been for him, but he’s made a career of doing the impossible, and at WrestleMania 29 he intends to walk out STILL the WWE Champion, by never giving up and never giving in against the two toughest foes of his entire career.
WrestleMania 29
WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe
The 80,676 in attendance at MetLife Stadium are hyped as all hell for a triple threat clash of titans, with over a decade of history tying them all together. The match starts out with a quick homage to Joe’s famous three way dance with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, all three jockeying for control before Joe takes the lead, using his size and power to guide the contest. He delivers a thunderous Uranage to Punk, Cena saving the match before going for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BUT JOE SLIPS OFF INTO A COQUINA CLUTCH, FORCING JOHN TO DIVE OUT OF THE RING TO THE FLOOR FOR A CHAOTIC BREAK! It turns into a huge brawl at ringside, Joe piecing Cena up against the barricade before Cena turns the tides with a huge lariat, bouncing Joe’s head off the ring post and delivering an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT THROUGH THE ENGLISH ANNOUNCE DESK! He scoops Joe up and lays him out on the Spanish announce desk, pointing to CM Punk, who reluctantly clambers to the top rope… AND DELIVERS AN ELBOW DROP THROUGH SAMOA JOE! Cena picks Punk up and sends him back into the ring, considering going for the cover but instead letting him get up before they engage in a masterful sequence of reversals in what’s essentially a rematch of last year’s WrestleMania. Eventually, Punk gets Cena up for the GTS, but Cena catches the knee to go for the STF, Punk countering with an enziguri before going for a PILEDRIVER, ONLY FOR CENA TO REVERSE IT WITH AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ONE! TWO! THRE-JOE BREAKS IT UP! HE’S INHUMAN! HE HOISTS CENA UP… MUSCLE BUSTER! ONE! TWO! THREE! SAMOA JOE JUST PINNED JOHN CENA TO WIN THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP IN HIS FIRST WRESTLEMANIA MATCH!
Samoa Joe def. John Cena and CM Punk (25:48) to win the WWE Title
Road to Extreme Rules 2013
Raw kicks off with the Samoan Submission Machine celebrating his huge win, successfully felling two career rivals to win the grandest prize in the sport on the biggest stage imaginable. However, his celebration is quickly cut off by Cena, and while John acknowledges his defeat and says he respects Joe as champion, it doesn’t take long until a particularly vicious Joe barb sparks things off, and a huge brawl breaks out between the two. Cena says he wants his rematch for the WWE Title, and Joe says he’ll leave Cena laying on the mat, looking up at the lights like he was in New Jersey, while Joe stands tall, still the champion. John tells him to put his money where his mouth is, saying that they might as well go big - a Last Man Standing match, befitting the feud’s spectacle. Joe accepts, and over the next few weeks, he chokes his opponents out and continues to win by a referee’s down count, none of his foes able to get up before ten.
Extreme Rules 2013
Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Title: John Cena vs. Samoa Joe (c)
It’s Cena’s first Last Man Standing bout in WWE, but he walks into this one balancing his fear of falling short once more with his confidence that he can figure something out that he wouldn’t be able to in a normal match. However, he’s determined to beat Joe outright and cleanly, something Joe makes very difficult in the opening stages by delivering a SUICIDE DIVE, FOLLOWED BY A URANAGE ACROSS THE BARRIER AND A POWERBOMB THROUGH THE ANNOUNCE TABLE, BUT CENA’S UP AT EIGHT! Joe keeps the pressure on, spilling the fight into the crowd, where Cena starts rallying back with the fans by his side. He lands a flurry of punches in the stairwell, but JOE LANDS A HUGE BOOT TO SEND CENA DOWN THE STAIRS! Joe lines himself up at the top of the stairwell, READY TO LEAP, but he thinks better of it, running down the stairs instead and STRAIGHT INTO AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT ON THE CONCRETE! Joe is dazed as the ref starts counting, Cena setting up a few tables as he struggles to get to his feet at eight, and knocks Joe onto them before CLIMBING UP THE STAIRS AND LEAPING DOWN WITH A LEGDROP THROUGH THE TABLES! THE REF IS AT SEVEN AS CENA GETS UP… EIGHT… NINE… JOE GETS TO HIS FEET! WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE?
Cena picks Joe up, dragging him through the crowd towards the stage area, but Joe reaches out and grabs a chair from a fan before SMASHING CENA IN THE SPINE WITH IT! John is sent reeling as Joe goes back on the attack, delivering a gnarly senton and GOING FOR A MUSCLE BUSTER ON THE CONCRETE, BUT CENA DROPS DOWN TO GO FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, ONLY FOR JOE TO SLIP BEHIND AND LOCK IN THE COQUINA CLUTCH ON THE STAGE! He keeps it in for a long time, finally releasing the hold and shouting down to ringside to have his title brought over. At six, the gold arrives in his hand, and he lifts it high, standing behind Cena’s limp body as the ref counts… SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE… CENA GETS UP! Cena collapses again, but Joe’s merciless, SLAMMING HIM DOWN WITH AN URANAGE ONTO THE STEEL GRATING ON THE STAGE! He drags Cena over to the edge of the stage, and now tries for a DANGLING COQUINA CLUTCH, BUT CENA WITH AN ELBOW TO THE BODY! He sprawls out towards the LED screen, heading towards the backstage area as Joe makes his pursuit, CHARGING AT CENA WITH A TACKLE THROUGH THE LED SCREEN, A HUGE SEA OF SPARKS AND PYRO ERUPTIONS COMPLETELY OBSCURING BOTH MEN FROM VIEW! The replay shows Joe charging, and, in slow mo, shows Cena simply collapsing from exhaustion before impact, sending Joe through the screen alone as the referee counts both men out… SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN… BUT CENA ROLLED OFF THE STAGE BEFORE COLLAPSING AGAIN, TECHNICALLY REACHING HIS FEET! LUCK FINALLY WENT CENA’S WAY AFTER AN INSANE CAR CRASH OF A MATCH!
John Cena def. Samoa Joe (27:14) to win the WWE Title
Following the bout, a furious Samoa Joe struggles to his feet to hear the announcement that an unmoving Cena was victorious, sending him into a rage that ends with a MUSCLE BUSTER ON THE STAGE! Joe marches away, leaving Cena looking up at the lights for far more than ten seconds as he’s loaded onto a stretcher, the WWE Title draped over his body.
Road to Payback 2013
Having been brutalized by Samoa Joe, John Cena misses the next few weeks of TV - as does Joe, who’s suspended for his actions. However, he vows to be in Chicago to defend his championship, and, on Raw, Randy Orton wins a battle royal to contend for the gold, making for a first time ever singles encounter to headline Payback.
Payback 2013
WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton
It’s Cena’s first match since Extreme Rules, and Randy Orton is perfectly happy to take advantage of the weakened, slightly rusty champion. Cena’s power is a lot to overcome, but Orton turns the tides in his favour with a draping DDT off the barricade, looking to follow it up with an RKO in the ring but being sent into the ropes and caught with a flying shoulder block. John starts rallying, delivering a second and going for a third before ORTON NAILS A SCOOP SLAM! He calls for the RKO again, Cena catching him and delivering an emphatic German Suplex, followed by a HUGE LARIAT THAT TURNS ORTON INSIDE OUT! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Cena calls for the Attitude Adjustment, Orton scrambling towards the ropes, but Cena pulls him away for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, COUNTERED IN MID-AIR INTO AN RKO! BOTH MEN’S FINISHERS CONNECT, CENA LANDING ATOP ORTON… ONE! TWO! THREE! CENA RETAINS BY A HAIR!
John Cena def. Randy Orton (20:02) to retain the WWE Title
Road to Money in the Bank 2013
While it might not have been an easy win, or a distant one, Cena’s just happy to get back on the scoreboard properly, and he’s in his element over the next few weeks as he checks out various members of the roster, scoping their abilities. Daniel Bryan picks up a big win over Randy Orton in a street fight, the crowd rallying behind him, but he’s confirmed for the Money in the Bank ladder match, as is Orton himself, and a returning Samoa Joe. However, Cena doesn’t need to wait long to find a challenger, helping to commemorate a long career for Mark Henry before the salmon suit clad giant delivers a World’s Strongest Slam, declaring that he’s got a lot left in the tank, and wants Cena at Money in the Bank. Still beat up from his match with Samoa Joe and the cumulative injuries of his six World Title reigns in WWE over the past two and a half years, Cena accepts, but he’s weary of how much damage the World’s Strongest Slam managed to do.
Money in the Bank 2013
WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. Mark Henry
This one is a real uphill battle for the champion, who fights with all his might against Henry’s insurmountable power and size. The challenger manhandles Cena, hurling him around the ring and even delivering a World’s Strongest Slam for a nearfall, but John manages to hang on, reversing a second World’s Strongest Slam into an INSIDE CRADLE! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! CENA TRIED TO GET CRAFTY THERE, BUT HE NEEDS TO GO THROUGH HENRY! HE DELIVERS A HUGE LARIAT, HENRY BARELY BUDGING! HE KICKS OUT THE KNEE AND DELIVERS A DDT, CLIMBING UP TO THE TOP ROPE FOR A CROSSBODY, BUT HENRY CATCHES HIM… WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM AVOIDED, CENA FLOATING OVER! HENRY PIVOTS… CENA’S GOT HIM UP! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT TO MARK HENRY! ONE! TWO! THREE! A SUPERHUMAN PERFORMANCE FROM BIG MATCH JOHN!
John Cena def. Mark Henry (14:26) to retain the WWE Title
In the main event, Randy Orton wins the Money in the Bank briefcase by dumping Daniel Bryan, all after Paul Heyman turned on CM Punk, and Samoa Joe got put through a ladder with a Five Star Frog Splash by Rob Van Dam.
Road to SummerSlam 2013
Cena comes out of the Money in the Bank pay per view with a lot of great options for challengers at SummerSlam, and he’s told that he’s got his pick of the roster for the main event, as long as Triple H is the guest referee to ensure that management has some swing. He considers CM Punk, and then ponders Samoa Joe, and is about to pick him to conclude the feud before “YES!” chants break out, leading him to pick Daniel Bryan. Bryan appreciates the opportunity, but says that Cena used to be a real wrestler, only to now accept the role of the face of the company and have everything piled on all at once after becoming a parody of the sport. He used to scratch and claw, but now he’s the Franchise, the Champ, the six-time WWE World Champion, and he’s gotten complacent. He forgets what it’s like to not be in the main event. He treats being away from the gold for a few months as an all-time low, not realizing how easy he has it. He got to shoot off from the Nexus and become a World Champion, while Daniel Bryan joined the Nexus and got fired. He’s been seen as a lesser performer his whole run, so Daniel Bryan wants one thing out of Cena at SummerSlam - to bring the years of experience he’s got to the fight. The same Cena who fought in Japan, who worked his way up in the indies, who’s peaked everywhere he’s gone, because THAT’S the John Cena he wants to beat for the WWE Championship.
SummerSlam 2013
WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
Once again, we’re confronted by an instance of reality being pretty much perfect, because this match was peak wrestling. Cena and Bryan lay into each other after a technical opening exchange, John throwing his big bombs to try and shut the fan favourite down, but Bryan’s tenacity matching Cena’s own. Cena floors Bryan with a lariat, but he kicks out. He locks in the STF, but Bryan escapes and begins a surgical assault on Cena’s left arm, which is already bandaged up. Finally, Cena manages to scoop Bryan up for an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, BUT BRYAN REVERSES INTO A POISON RANA BEFORE CINCHING IN THE YES LOCK! HE’S RIPPING CENA’S ARM APART, BUT CENA SOMEHOW GETS TO THE ROPES, ONLY FOR BRYAN TO KICK HIM SQUARE IN THE TEMPLE! Bryan sends John into the corner to go for his dropkick, but Cena responds with a HELLACIOUS CLOTHESLINE, FOLLOWED BY A TIGER SUPLEX THAT WOULD MAKE MISAWA BLUSH - BUT BRYAN’S BACK UP, SLAPPING CENA IN THE FACE! THEY’RE TRADING SLAPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING, AND BRYAN’S NOT BACKING DOWN AS HE LAYS INTO THE CHAMPION, FINALLY BRINGING HIM TO HIS KNEES! He grabs Cena’s wrists, kicking him under the jaw before laying in a flurry of stomps to the head, the crowd fervently chanting “YES” with each blow. Finally, he relents, heading to the corner and rallying the chant behind him before CHARGING WITH A KNEE TO THE FACE! ONE! TWO! THREE! DANIEL BRYAN HAS BEATEN JOHN CENA, AND THE GOAT HAS REACHED THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!
Daniel Bryan def. John Cena (26:55)
Following the match, Bryan celebrates with confetti raining down, only for Randy Orton to hit the scene. Orton stares Bryan down, but Cena steps between them, saying he can’t stand by and let a battered Bryan be taken advantage of. Behind him, Bryan is about to push past, when TRIPLE H DELIVERS A PEDIGREE TO THE NEW CHAMPION! Hearing the noise, Cena pivots, turning his back on the Viper, who NAILS AN RKO, FOLLOWED BY A PUNT TO CENA! He covers Bryan, Triple H insisting the bell be rung before quickly counting three. The Authority has been born.
Road to Hell in a Cell 2013
John Cena’s elbow was a damn mess after his tricep tear, and he ended up missing both Night of Champions and Battleground. However, this gets accounted not to a tricep tear, but Orton’s Punt, giving it that extra bit of juice to make attempts at landing it on Bryan all the more daunting. After a few months of Bryan and Orton duking it out over the WWE Title, Cena’s name is finally brought up… by Alberto Del Rio, who talks about his World Title reign being more dominant than anything Cena had accomplished in WWE. He’s all talk, assuming that Cena’s gone for months to come, but he looks petrified when John Cena answers his call, laying down the gauntlet for a return match at Hell in a Cell with the championship on the line.
Hell in a Cell 2013
World Heavyweight Title: John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio (c)
John Cena’s insane streak against sex pests continues, steamrolling straight through Del Rio with the Five Moves of Doom. However, he has to put up with Del Rio’s work on his arm, as well as his head, with Cena having been concussed by the Punt. With that, Del Rio attacks the head the same way he did with Dolph Ziggler at Payback, but Cena braves the punishment, finally delivering an emphatic Attitude Adjustment for three and earning a seventh World Championship under the WWE banner.
John Cena def. Alberto Del Rio (17:45) to win the World Heavyweight Title
Road to Survivor Series 2013
Now holding the World Heavyweight Title, John Cena turns his attention back to Randy Orton, who now holds the WWE Title again after defeating Daniel Bryan at Hell in a Cell with the assistance of Shawn Michaels. With the Authority having strengthened their grip over the company in his absence, Triple H says in a promo that he wants the World Heavyweight Title in their grasp too, leading to John Cena coming up with a bright idea - him vs. Orton for both championships in the main event of Survivor Series, with the winner becoming the WWE World Heavyweight Champion… and meaning that if he wins, he’ll have won sixteen career World Championships. Orton agrees to the bout, and promptly directs Kane and The Shield to attack Cena, holding him steady for a PUNT, BUT BRYAN MAKES THE SAVE! The next week on Raw, Bryan and Cena team up against Orton and Kane, notching a win, and then, in the go-home show, fall short alongside Cody Rhodes and Goldust against Orton and the Shield in a blockbuster eight man tag, leaving the Authority standing tall ahead of Survivor Series.
Survivor Series 2013
WWE World Heavyweight Title: John Cena (c, WHC) vs. Randy Orton (c, WWE)
Despite the gravity of the situation, with one man walking out the unified champion and undisputed top dog in the company, this one is mostly personal, and as such is an outright brawl, with no feeling-out stage to speak of. The formula is simple - Cena tries to beat a lesson into Randy Orton, and the Viper strives to land his guaranteed kill shot. Cena gets control early, overwhelming Orton with his surprising amount of vigor, but Orton turns the tides with a SUPERPLEX! He goes after the head with a Garvin Stomp, lining up for THE PUNT, BUT CENA GETS UP JUST IN TIME TO NAIL AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, INTERCEPTING THE WWE CHAMPION! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOO! Cena nails a few shoulder blocks and goes for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Orton kicks him in the crown of the head, following it up with a spectacular dropkick and a draping DDT. He calls for the RKO, Cena catching him and going for a German Suplex, but Orton lands a back elbow, charging INTO ANOTHER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, ONLY TO WRITHE FREE AND KICK THE REFEREE! LOW BLOW TO CENA! RKO! He calls for backup with the referee down, and HERE COMES THE SHIELD! They hoist Cena up for a Triple Powerbomb, but WAIT A SECOND! IT’S DANIEL BRYAN AND CM PUNK, RUSHING DOWN TO EVEN THE ODDS! In the confusion, Orton goes for the PUNT, BUT CENA CATCHES THE LEG, REVERSING INTO AN STF! HE’S GOT HIM TRAPPED AS THE REFEREE COMES TO… ORTON TAPS! JOHN CENA IS THE KING OF WWE, THE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION, AND HE HAS BECOME SO BY WINNING A SIXTEENTH CAREER WORLD TITLE!
John Cena def. Randy Orton (23:48) to win the WWE World Heavyweight Title
Road to TLC 2013
While John Cena may be in a festive mood as a now eight-time World Champion in WWE, and as a double title holder, the Authority isn’t, with Triple H releasing the Hounds on the new champ. However, with Bryan and Punk by his side, he’s able to fend them off, with Triple H making it official that he’ll defend the belt against Randy Orton at TLC in the titular stipulation. However, to stack the deck further, he says there will be a battle royal to determine a third competitor in the bout, and he says that The Shield and Kane will all be in it. In the battle royal, The Authority runs rampant, ready to stack the deck in Orton’s favour, but Daniel Bryan comes from below to win the whole thing, stamping his ticket to another date with both Orton and Cena. The next week, Punk, Bryan and Cena unite as an all-star squad against the Shield, but unfortunately come up short against the Hounds of Justice, who promise to still make their presence known at TLC.
TLC 2013
TLC Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Title: John Cena (c) vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton
Having seen technical clinics, dramatic epics and heated brawls take place between these three, this time, it’s a car crash. The Shield get involved early, and so does CM Punk, making for a real scene with all the weapons that are immediately introduced. Everyone goes through tables, everyone gets hit with chairs, everyone looks to climb the ladder, but there’s always someone in the way. Finally, CM Punk is taken out by a triple powerbomb through the announce table, and the Shield are taken out by Cena and Bryan, who bury them under an avalanche of tables, ladders and chairs, only for THE DAMN WYATT FAMILY TO TAKE OUT DANIEL BRYAN! THIS IS BEDLAM! Cena and Orton end up in the ring, duking it out over the gold atop a precarious ladder, and CENA GOES FOR AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT OFF THE TOP THROUGH A STACK OF TABLES, ONLY FOR ORTON TO PULL THE GOLD DOWN WITH HIM! THE VIPER STEALS THE VICTORY, WRENCHING THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AWAY FROM JOHN CENA!
Randy Orton def. John Cena and Daniel Bryan (22:59) to win the WWE World Heavyweight Title

Just did 2 muscles in one eye (I do not know measurements or dipoter skews). 56-Male, problem appeared 7 years as near total darkness in one eye in low light x 2 days which subsided, followed by intermittent exotropism(sp?) in left eye gradually 3 years which stabilized for the last last 4 years (possible eye stroke during internal carotid artery occlusion - at 100% occluded now).
Surgery was dissolving, non-adjustable sutures (the surgeon doesn't use adjustable sutures because she, "Places them right the first time" ;-). I can open that left eye almost fully after 4 hours. Have a slight double vision and still close that eye just out of habit (such as when typing this).
The sutures seem to get into a position that digs into the eyelids on left and bottom sides of eye that is really hard to shake off for about 20-60 seconds at a a time and causes moderate pain, But once I get them into a better position it doesn't bother me for 10-40 minutes at a time. Hoping the antibiotic "lube" they gave me will help that next time it happens and when I'm due for re-lube.
Was given 2 .5mg injections of Dilaudid and 2 oral 5mg's of Oxycodone 20 min apart post-op before leaving (I'm not small). I have an 8-count of 5/500 Hydrocodone waiting for me at at the pharmacy should I need them. I have a huge headache right now - Pain is at a #4. My blood oxygen was reading kinda low because of the IV dilaudid made me "too lazy" to breathe, so had to stick around for an extra 20-25 minutes before leaving.
The eye does not seem to be wandering when not concentrating right now, and only slight double vision with eye almost fully open. I'm feelign confident the brain can compensate for this in a few weeks.
Does anyone have other experiences on what happened with you in similar situation pre or post op? I almost feel too optimistic (I'm not usually an optimist, but I did just have "OPTIC surgery, so ;-).
I have not looked in the mirror yet (no patches). Its my solid theory to never look at any surgical site for 24-72 hours. The mind's prognosis heals faster this way :-)

AN: shjt up fistz ok! PS I wnot update ubtil u give me goood revows!
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The next day I woke up in my four-post bed. I put on a black sleveless tunic that was all ripped around the end and a matching circlet with red blood drops and skulls all over it and high heeled boots that were black. I put on two pairs of skull earrings, and two daggers in my ears. I blood spray-painted my face with elven blood.
In the Elfsong, I ate some Count Strahdberry cereal with blood instead of milk, and a glass of gnome blood. Suddenly someone bumped into me. All the blood spilled over my rare cloth.
“Bastard!” I shouted angrily. I regretted saying it when I looked up cause I was looking into the pale white face of a gothic boy with spiky white hair with red streaks in it. He was wearing so much eyeliner that I was going down his face and he was wearing black lipstick. He didn’t have a shirt anymore and now he was wearing red contact lenses just like Enver’s and there was no scar on his back anymore. He had a perfectly high cheekbones. He had a sexy English accent. He looked exactly like Neil Newbon. He was so sexy that my body went all hot when I saw him kind of like getting wet only I’m a male dragonborn so I didn’t get wet you sicko.
“I’m so sorry.” he said in a shy voice.
“That’s all right. What’s your name?” I questioned.
“My name’s Astarion Ancunin, although most people call me Vampire these days.” he grumbled.
“Why?” I exclaimed.
“Because I love the taste of human blood.” he giggled.
“Well, I am a Bhaalspawn.” I confessed.
“Really?” he whimpered.
“Yeah.” I roared.
We sat down to talk for a while. Then Enver came up behind me and told me he had a surprise for me so I went away with him.

((This takes place in the aftermath of the Capture the Flag post, several months ago.)) ((You can find the first entry of Part 6 here!))
Seth’s intrigued gaze swapped between the surreal scene that had formed around him. From the nervous parchment-clutching rabbit in the tabard, to the terrifying bipedal canine warrior, to the mossy reptile that slumbered between them and the fancy boy perched atop it, and finally to the menacing magical menagerie. Bunnies, kittens, and beagles; Basset hounds, badgers and moles; if he squinted hard enough, Seth could have sworn that he saw a ferret caked in makeup gossiping with the dress-wearing gerbils, meeting his eyes every so often and giggling before hiding her face behind a paper fan in her shiny white paws. The crowd kept their voices low, attention drawn to the tiny monarch playing with his tarot deck and adjusting the oversized crown of liquid metal.
With every pair of eyes of the bestial gentry upon his kneeling and shackled form, the attention of the masses leaden with eager anticipation of punishment, and the freezing glare of the young prince, Seth knew that he would have to choose his next words carefully - and elected not to.
“Heya, Jacob!” Seth raised his hands, manacled at the wrists, and gave the familiar camper a goofy wiggly wave. The crowd gasped. Jacob’s idle hands stopped playing with the cards and quickly shrunk back to be held against his chest. His intense, inquisitive stare crumbled into a brief look of fear, and suddenly he turned his head away, becoming very interested in the braided vines of his dragon-throne.
The armored husky was the first to recover from the ripple of shock that Seth had sent out through the court. She marched down the marble steps, claymore practically dragging alongside her, until she stopped in front of him, raised a heavy black boot over his head, and stomped down on the manacles binding Seth’s wrists. Forcing him into a deep bow, a low growl escaped her throat.
“Silence, cur!” She barked. The whispers in the crowd had stopped now, hushed into silence by her outburst. Even the rabbit standing next to Jacob had quietly yelped into her closed fist, before quickly glancing around to make sure no one had seen her. Seth was given an intimate view of the ground as he listened to the husky’s command. “Hold your tongue. Only those who have been addressed by His Royal Majesty the Prince may speak in His divine presence. Especially so the poisonous words of a filthy thief and tramp, traitor and beggar, despoiler of His very name.”
The dog raised her foot and turned her gaze from Seth to the crowd. This gave the son of Hermes a brief reprieve to examine Jacob again, who now looked as though he wished he could sink into the moss on his dragon’s back and disappear. Had saying hello really flustered the prince that badly? From what Seth knew of Jacob - the real one, not the new and not-so-improved nightmare one - he had a nervous streak a mile wide, but he had courage where it counted, at least according to Meriwether. Following that line of reasoning, he began deciphering what else this version of the son of Hecate might share with the original, and what might be different. Magical aptitude: check. Animal friends: check. Fondness for magical playing cards: check. Easily exploitable weaknesses: maybe?? Heck, the bloke was tiny enough that a sufficiently powerful kick would probably send him flying. He was startled from his thoughts as the husky elaborated, who faced the gentry but glared at him out of the corner of her stern eyes. “It is only through His Majesty’s mercy that you retain the privilege of living. A privilege, I stress, that is easily revoked.”
She glanced back at the Prince, who had retreated into the comfort of his cards once more by summoning them out of wisps of energy circling his palms. For a split second Seth thought he saw her expression soften and brows furrow into something resembling concern, or perhaps sadness, before being replaced by steely resolve. “The Reading of the Sentence may now proceed,” she said, though with less ferocity than she had moments prior, before leveling her sword with the ground and assuming the same attentive stance as before.
At this point, the rabbit was shaking like a very well-dressed leaf in the vaguely vernal wind. She gingerly unfolded the parchment clutched in her paws, cleared her throat, and recited the words on the weathered document for all to hear: “Ahem. All be still and silent for the Reading of the Sentence!! The Accused is faced with the following crimes against the Kingdom: Conspiracy to pilfer the Prince’s prized Mana. Conspiracy to undermine or overthrow Her Most Arcane Majesty Christina and the Glorious Alabaster Line. Heresy against Her Most Arcane Majesty Christina and the Glorious Alabaster Line. Plotting to plunge the world into eternal darkness, madness and Chaos, which is against the interests of the Crown and country, and therefore considered conspiracy to undermine or overthrow Her Most Arcane Majesty Christina and the Glorious Alabaster Line. Dabbling in forbidden magicks. Evasion or underpayment of due taxes. Petty larceny. Resisting arrest. Attempting to escape due trial. On all charges has the Prince deemed the Accused guilty."
Shocker. So that’s what monarchies think a due trial looks like? He was ninety percent sure that he hasn’t done most of the illegal things! But fine, the dream needs to set the scene before the allegorical manifestation of his fellow demigod can dispense with the formalities and open up an arcane can of buttwhooping on Seth’s fragile behind. That was the general format of these encounters that he had observed so far, at least. He refrained from quipping back with something snarky in the middle of this obviously unfair trial. A comment along the lines of this being a “kangaroo court” probably would not go over well, on the slim but very real chance that there were actual kangaroos present in this court. Best not to take chances…
“Your Prodigal Majesty, the Prince, shall henceforth mete the appropriate punishment. May He have mercy on your tarnished soul,” recited the rabbit, “For your crimes are numerous, and their severity steep. Your Majesty?” She turned expectantly to Prince Jacob, who had returned to playing with his magic cards to keep himself calm. When that failed to cue him in, the hound knight cleared her throat gently, raising an armored paw to her snout while her glove gripped the claymore just a little tighter. “Prince Jacob,” she reminded the young royal. The son of Hecate started in his seat and took a terrified open-mouthed glance out at the swarm of animals waiting to hear his divine judgment. His jaw snapped shut with the swiftness of a bear trap. “Nnnh,” came his squeak of embarrassment. “Fffffuh…”
Seth hid a grin as Jacob’s notorious shyness got the better of him when faced with the insurmountable task of public speaking. For once, the Son of Hermes had a plan keeping him one step ahead of the nightmare. A key to his manacles, unseen by all, was clasped tightly in his right hand. For the badger warden hadn’t been too careful when setting him down in front of the grassy throne. Forget yoinking powers; sometimes a little classic thievery provided an elegant solution to his problems. The supernatural dream logic that granted him enhanced abilities whenever facing these nightmares. Just as Jacob struggled to dole out the sentence for these fakey fake crimes, Seth would spring into action and the fight would commence.
“F-for your c-crimes against… um… crimes against my mom… I hhhhuh. Hereby sent-t-.... Sentence you…” Jacob mumbled into his cards, pulling his legs up onto the throne to wrap one arm around them like a ball of condensed half-blood while Seth snuck the key into a better position. Both the attention of the rabbit and husky were trained on their taciturn master, giving him ample time to physically and mentally prepare. Anticipation coiled in his muscles, burning like gasoline. The key slipped into the locking mechanism. Gently, ever so gently, he began to twist. “Sentence you t-... you to..”
“To… To pet one hundred fuzzy animals in mmm… my c-court!” He declared triumphantly, flooding with relief when he realized he had reached the end of that arduous statement. All of the tension spilled from Seth’s body and he nearly dropped the key in surprise. Apparently he was the only one shocked by such an outcome; the gentry roared with approval, tossing hats, scarves and other garments into the air. One kangaroo (oh, hey, see? Good call, Seth) burst into joyful sobs and retrieved a kerchief to dab at her mascara, as though this was the best news she had heard in her entire life. The rabbit attendant clapped her hands in jubilation, and even the husky nodded gravely, as though Seth’s fate had just been sealed. The grassy dragon serving as Jacbo’s throne twitched its ears at the cacophony, before loosing a humid breath and lowering its neck back down for a snooze.
Seth had to fight himself not to double over laughing. Here he was expecting a sinister Hecate-themed showdown, but the only thing he would be fighting today was his urge to pet every animal in sight? “Wait,” he chuckled, sitting up from his kneeling position as an orderly line, policed by the armored husky, began to form to his side. In the front was the badger from before, paws shaking with excitement. “Wait, that’s it? You’re not seriously about to make me-”

THIRTY-FOUR ADORABLE ANIMALS LATER

“Okay, who’s next?!” Seth called, after giving the cuddly anteater an affectionate pat on the back and sending him on his way. His eyes gleamed playfully at the fuzzy otter wearing a monocle next in line, who slinked on over when the power thief beckoned him over. “Afternoon. How may I help you today? Head scritches and a tummy rub? Your wish is my command!”
Under the watchful eye of His Glorious Majesty Jacob of the Royal Zoo or something like that, Seth was indeed sentenced to a grueling petting of one hundred friendly animals. Oh, the horror. The cruel and unusual nature of this punishment could only be endured by someone with godlike fortitude. Indomitable force of will. The strength to carry on after administering dozens of belly rubs and words of affirmation. The universal yearning that all human beings have to pet a bunch of exotic animals that in any other setting you are really not supposed to pet. Good qualities like that. Of course, he was still a prisoner - the guard had refused to remove the manacle from his wrists. Though Seth had expertly tucked the key away in case this abhorrent torture became too much to bear, or something.
The otter rolled onto its back as Seth tickled and brushed its fur. “Who’s a cuddly, friendly guy? You are. You are.” His train of thought was interrupted by the otter’s portly laugh. “Ohoho!” it chuckled, raising a tiny limb to readjust the monocle on its face. “Indeed I am, good sir, indeed I am a cuddly, friendly guy, just as you described!”
Seth forced a smile while his insides shriveled in discomfort. He waved as the otter picked itself back up, patted itself off, and whistled a merry tune while strutting away. Okay, the fact that the animals he was petting were fully sapient was maaaybe starting to creep him out, just a little. Alas. Such was the price to pay for a life on the wrong side of the law. A shadow descended over him. He turned his gaze upwards to see the armored knight glaring down upon him.
Seth glanced around. Had he done something wrong? “Did I… do something wrong?” he echoed the sentiment in his brain.
“Silence!” commanded the bipedal. Siberian husky, although a crack in her facade told him that circumstances were definitely awry. Her piercing blue eyes conveyed the roiling anger from before, but her tail was wagging uncontrollably behind her. “You are not to speak while you. Erm. That is to say, I.. listen carefully, cur! I order you to..”
Seth finished her sentence for her. “Let me guess. You order me to pet you.”
“No. Yes. No! I mean.” Growling in discomfort, she got down on one knee, her armor noisily clanking with the untrained movement. “Two strokes on the top of the head, several pats, followed by a soft scratching behind the ears, -first the left, then the right- and then a gentle, chaste kiss on the forehead. In that order.” Seth raised his hands, poised to strike. “Will that be all?” The husky turned her head. “For now.”
The gentry looked on in envy as the feared Head of the Royal Guard of the Alabaster Line, decorated Knight Orion, daughter of the fierce warrior from whom she received her name, received copious headpats and scratches, all while maintaining her same stoic expression. Although, to Seth’s amusement, occasionally she couldn’t help herself from additional instructions. “Too soft. Not soft enough. Lower. Now to the left. No, my left. No, my other left. Yes. Adequate. Yes. Now please administer the Mantra of Virtue.”
“I’m sorry, the what?” While the orders came in, Seth leaned to one side and noticed a new attendant speaking to Jacob while the rabbit fiddled with her cufflinks. His eyes narrowed at the mysterious stranger, who was the only other human he had seen besides Jacob and himself. They sported no animal features that he could see, and was currently hunched over, whispering something inaudible into the young mage’s ear. They wore a jester’s garb of purple and green from head to toe, though the torso was styled much more akin to a tuxedo. The telltale pointy hat was devoid of bells, and no jester Seth had ever heard of would wear boots, much less ones with spikes. Though what really drew his attention was the mask. They concealed their face with a mask similar to Mara Lyone’s nightmare that he faced so long ago: the ever-gleeful porcelain smile of Comedy, through which a sinister purple mist poured from the eyes and mouth. A mist that, to his alarm, was snaking through the air and drifting directly into Jacob’s ear. The mage’s hands clenched and unclenched under the trance.
“The Mantra of Virtue, you fool! Don’t make me say it out loud!” No one, not Orion, the rabbit, or any of the gathered animals, had noticed the new arrival. Seth had to return his attention to the dog before she got too angry, although she seemed more sheepish now than anything. “You know… Tell me I’m a very good dog!”
“I’ve changed mmh. My mind,” Jacob announced, cutting the awkward conversation short. The jester clasped their gloved hands together and began to sink. A jagged pink crack in reality opened up on the marble floor, swallowing them whole. Then the lights disappeared, leaving no trace that anyone had been there. Jacob slid off of his throne, waving his hands to dismiss the line of animals awaiting their turn. The knight rose to her feet, turning to address her Prince and shaking off the inglorious posture she had assumed a minute before. “What, ah, troubles you, My Lord? Is the Sentence not proceeding how you envisioned it?”
“I have a, a, a,.... A new sentence.” The little Prince’s irises had become tinged by a swirling purple, and wisps of a similar colored smoke trickled from the edge of his lips and nostrils. The clouds overhead began to darken, and a chill wind blew through the assembled animals. Seth gingerly tapped at the key hidden in his sleeve, making sure it was still there. Carefully he brought it to the manacle’s lock.
The rabbit attendant began to back away as all of the shadows in the vicinity seemed to grow and intensify, pulling in the surrounding natural light. Leaves scattered across the garden court, and Jacob’s tarot cards were carried by the vortex. Orion’s eyes widened both in realization, and trepidation. She hesitated briefly, but rose her claymore in a fighting stance, seemingly ready to defend against her renegade ruler. “My Lord..? My Lord! Prince Jacob! Come to your senses! I beseech you, tell me what ails you?”
Jacob flicked his wrist. An unseen force knocked Orion to the side with ease, much to the horrified gasps of the crowd. Animals of all sorts began to turn tail and flee from the scene, only to be stopped in their tracks. Large thorny hedges erupted from the soil, pushing apart the stones of the path leading to the palace and boxing the gentry in. They pushed through the leaves in desperation, leaving their garments behind and retreating into shadows as the floral labyrinth surrounded the palace, its leafy walls sprouting higher and higher.
“Changed my mmmh. My mind. New sentence. Seth. Seth’s nnnh. New sentence is… d-d-... death.” Seth sprung to his feet and cast off the manacle, ready to fight. Jacob’s eyes rolled back into his head. The tiny demigod crumpled into an unconscious heap. His crown tumbled off of his head and rattled to a stop.
Seth lowered his fists and cocked a brow. “Oh.”
Out from the shadow of Jacob’s form, an indistinct murky shape bled onto the palace steps.The stormclouds began striking the distant countryside with silver lightning as the shape began to bubble like acid. The scent of countless cadavers wafted from the blob. Suddenly an appendage burst out of the living shadow’s oily membrane, a wicked forelimb that only vaguely resembled a claw. It slammed into the ground, cracking it with the force of the blow, just as a second forelimb was birthed from the miasma and grasping for a hold. Instinctually backing away from the macabre metamorphosis, Seth found that his rapier and buckler had mysteriously appeared in his hands as if responding to their master’s silent pleas for assistance, and held them aloft.
Fur sloughed off of the shadow’s sinewy body in sullied white patches. Shadowy gunk was caught in its yellowed nails the size of textbooks. A massive rabbit’s skull writhed free of the prison, with two twisted and malformed antlers exploding from the top. The fangs of such a beast grew to exaggerated proportions, nearly puncturing its own jawbone as it gnashed them together. The monster lacked a lower body, its torso instead tapering into a coil of smoke as it floated into the air. Behind its empty sockets, a single rotting apple gave off a dull golden glow, roving back and forth and extending its light in a sickly cone of vision.
“Oh,” Seth chirped. This was one bunny he was not particularly enthused about petting. “Okay.”
“Death,” repeated the towering jackalope, its throat vibrating with the rumble of two voices; Jacob’s, and a raspy, nasty gurgle that overlaid it. Symbols and runes lit up along its matted bones. As the hedge maze parted behind Seth, encouraging the beast’s prey to begin running, Jacob’s Shadow tilted its head back and screeched into the sky, clenching its claws together and drawing blue fluid from its exposed veins.
”Death!” Pounding both fists into the ground, it lowered its head and surged forward with impossible speed.

Part 1 - Seth Westley, the Nobody

• Davenport Devil Chapter 1 - Brandon Davenport, Hephaestus - 7 Offerings to Phlegethon
• Maestra Chapter 2 - Mara Lyones, Athena - 1 Concert disrupted
• Ragnarok Chapter 3 - Helena Masters, Boreas - 64 Winters endured
• Pop Quiz Chapter 4 - Andre Delgado, Alastor - 6 Family bonds unchained
• Melting Pot Chapter 5 - Lucien Michaeux, Circe - 1 Father realized (END OF PART 1)

Part 2 - The Dark Jester's Corruption

• Prince's Court - Chapter 6 - Jacob Alabaster, Hecate - A maze yet conquered
• Sandman - Chapter 7 - ??? - An outlaw yet apprehended
• Undying - Chapter 8 - ??? - A beach yet escaped
• Tower of Midas - Chapter 9 - ??? - An oath yet sworn
• sLaughter - Chapter 10 - ??? A corruption yet cleansed (END OF PART 2)

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/frontotemporal-disorders/what-are-frontotemporal-disorders-causes-symptoms-and-treatment
"Brian's story"

• Brian, an attorney, began having trouble organizing his cases. In time, his law firm assigned him to do paperwork only. Brian’s wife thought he was depressed because his father had died two years earlier. Brian, 56, was treated for depression, but his symptoms got worse. He became more disorganized and began making sexual comments to his wife’s female friends. Even more unsettling, he neither understood nor cared that his behavior disturbed his family and friends. As time went on, Brian had trouble paying bills and was less affectionate toward his wife and young son. Three years after Brian’s symptoms began, his counselor recommended a neurological evaluation. Brian was diagnosed with behavioral variant FTD — the most common form of FTD.

Frontotemporal disorders (FTD), sometimes called frontotemporal dementia, are the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Many possible symptoms can result, including unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work, or difficulty with walking. FTD is rare and tends to occur at a younger age than other forms of dementia. Roughly 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old.
FTD is progressive, meaning symptoms get worse over time. In the early stages, people may have just one symptom. As the disease progresses, other symptoms appear as more parts of the brain are affected. It is difficult to predict how long someone with FTD will live. Some people live more than 10 years after diagnosis, while others live less than two years after they are diagnosed.
There is currently no cure for FTD, and no treatments slow or stop the progression of the disease, but there are ways to help manage the symptoms.

What do the terms mean?

One of the challenges shared by people living with these disorders, families, clinicians, and researchers is what terminology to use. Here, we have used the term frontotemporal disorders to characterize this group of diseases and the abbreviation FTD, which is commonly used to refer to them. Other terms used include frontotemporal lobar degeneration and frontotemporal dementia, but it's important to note that with some frontotemporal disorders, the primary symptoms are problems with speech or movement, rather than dementia symptoms. Physicians and psychologists diagnose the different forms of FTD based on a person’s symptoms as well as the results of brain scans and genetic tests.

What are the types and symptoms of FTD?

In the early stages, it can be hard to know which type of FTD a person has because symptoms and the order in which they appear can vary from one person to another. Also, the same symptoms can appear across different disorders and vary from one stage of the disease to the next as different parts of the brain are affected.
Symptoms of FTD are often misunderstood. Family members and friends may think that a person is misbehaving, leading to anger and conflict. It is important to understand that people with these disorders cannot control their behaviors and other symptoms and lack any awareness of their illness.
There are three types of frontotemporal disorders (FTD): behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and movement disorders.

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia

The most common FTD, bvFTD, involves changes in personality, behavior, and judgment. People with this disorder may have problems with cognition, but their memory may stay relatively intact. Symptoms can include:

• Problems planning and sequencing (thinking through which steps come first, second, and so on)
• Difficulty prioritizing tasks or activities
• Repeating the same activity or saying the same word over and over
• Acting impulsively or saying or doing inappropriate things without considering how others perceive the behavior
• Becoming disinterested in family or activities they used to care about

Over time, language and/or movement problems may occur, and the person living with bvFTD will need more care and supervision.

Primary progressive aphasia

PPA involves changes in the ability to communicate — to use language to speak, read, write, and understand what others are saying. This includes difficulty using or understanding words (aphasia) and difficulty speaking properly (e.g., slurred speech). People with PPA may have one or both of these symptoms. They may become mute or unable to speak.
Many people with PPA develop symptoms of dementia. Problems with memory, reasoning, and judgment are not apparent at first but can develop over time. In addition, some people with PPA may experience significant behavioral changes, similar to those seen in bvFTD, as the disease progresses.
There are three types of PPA, categorized by the kind of language problems that appear first.

• Semantic PPA: A person slowly loses the ability to understand single words and sometimes to recognize the faces of familiar people and common objects.
• Agrammatic PPA: A person has more and more trouble speaking and may omit words that link nouns and verbs (such as to, from, the). Eventually, the person may no longer be able to speak at all. The person may eventually develop movement symptoms similar to those seen in corticobasal syndrome.
• Logopenic PPA: A person has trouble finding the right words during a conversation but can understand words and sentences. The person does not have problems with grammar.

Researchers do not fully understand the biological basis of the different types of PPA. But they hope one day to link specific language problems with the changes in the brain that cause them.

Movement disorders

Two rare neurological movement disorders associated with FTD, corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy, occur when the parts of the brain that control movement are affected. The disorders may affect thinking and language abilities, too.

• Corticobasal syndrome can be caused by corticobasal degeneration — a gradual atrophy (shrinkage) and loss of nerve cells in specific parts of the brain. This degeneration causes progressive loss of the ability to control movement, typically beginning around age 60. The most prominent symptom may be apraxia, the inability to use the hands or arms to perform a movement despite normal strength, such as difficulty closing buttons or operating small appliances. Other symptoms can include muscle rigidity and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms may appear first on one side of the body, but eventually both sides are affected. Occasionally, a person with corticobasal syndrome first has language problems or trouble orienting objects in space and later develops movement symptoms. Not everyone who has corticobasal syndrome has problems with memory, cognition, language, or behavior.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy causes problems with balance and walking. People with the disorder typically move slowly, experience unexplained falls, lose facial expression, and have body stiffness, especially in the neck and upper body — symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease. A hallmark sign of this disorder is trouble with eye movements, particularly looking down. These symptoms may give the face a fixed stare. Problems with behavior, memory, problem solving, and judgment can also develop.

Other movement-related types of FTD include frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism and frontotemporal dementia with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS).

• Frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism can be an inherited disease caused by a genetic tau genetic variant. Symptoms include movement problems similar to those of Parkinson’s disease, such as slowed movement, stiffness, and balance problems, and changes in behavior or language.
• FTD-ALS, also called FTD with motor neuron disease, is a combination of bvFTD and ALS, the latter commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In addition to the behavioral and/or language changes seen in bvFTD, people with FTD-ALS experience the progressive muscle weakness seen in ALS, fine jerks, and wiggling in muscles. Symptoms of either disease may appear first, with other symptoms developing over time. Changes in certain genes have been found in some people with FTD-ALS, though most cases are not hereditary.

What causes FTD?

Scientists are beginning to understand the biological and genetic basis for the changes observed in brain cells that lead to FTD.
Scientists describe FTD using the patterns of change in the brain seen in an autopsy after death. These changes include loss of neurons and abnormal amounts, or forms of proteins called tau and TDP-43. These proteins occur naturally in the body and help cells function properly. When the proteins don’t work properly, for reasons not yet fully understood, neurons in specific brain regions are damaged.
In most cases, the cause of a FTD is unknown. Individuals with a family history of FTD are more likely to develop such a disorder. About 10 to 30% of bvFTD is due to specific genetic causes.
FTD that runs in a family is often related to variants (permanent changes) in certain genes. Genes are basic units of heredity that tell cells how to make the proteins the body needs to function. Even small changes in a gene may produce an abnormal protein, which can lead to changes in the brain and, eventually, disease.
Scientists have discovered several different genes that, when mutated, can lead to FTD:

• Tau gene (also called the MAPT gene) — A change in this gene causes abnormalities in a protein called tau, which then forms tangles inside neurons and ultimately leads to the destruction of brain cells. Inheriting a variant in this gene means a person will almost surely develop a frontotemporal disorder, usually bvFTD, but the exact age of onset and symptoms cannot be predicted.
• GRN gene — A change in this gene can lead to lower production of the protein progranulin, which in turn causes another protein, TDP-43, to go awry in brain cells. Many frontotemporal disorders can result, though bvFTD is the most common. The GRN gene can cause different symptoms in different family members and cause the disease to begin at different ages.
• C9ORF72 gene — An unusual change in this gene appears to be the most common genetic abnormality in familial frontotemporal disorders and familial ALS. This variant can cause a frontotemporal disorder, ALS, or both conditions.

In recent years researchers have discovered several other genetic changes in genes that lead to rare familial types of frontotemporal disorders. These other variants account for less than 5% of all cases of FTD.
Families affected by inherited and familial forms of FTD can help scientists advance research by participating in clinical studies and trials. For more information, talk with a health care professional or visit the Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder.

How is FTD diagnosed?

FTD can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. For example, bvFTD is sometimes misdiagnosed as a mood disorder, such as depression. To make matters more confusing, a person can have both FTD and another type of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. Also, because these disorders are rare, physicians may be unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms.
To help diagnose frontotemporal dementia, a doctor may:

• Perform an exam and ask about symptoms
• Look at personal and family medical history
• Use laboratory tests to help rule out other conditions
• Order genetic testing
• Conduct tests to assess memory, thinking, language skills, and physical functioning
• Order imaging of the brain

A psychiatric evaluation can help determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to the condition. Only genetic tests in familial cases or a brain autopsy after a person dies can confirm a diagnosis of FTD.
Researchers are studying ways to diagnose FTD earlier and more accurately and to distinguish them from other types of dementia. One area of research involves biomarkers, such as proteins or other substances in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid which can be used to measure disease progression or the effects of treatment. Researchers are also exploring ways to improve brain imaging and neuropsychological testing.

Treatment and management of FTD

So far, there is no cure for FTD and no way to slow down or prevent these diseases. However, there are ways to manage symptoms. A team of specialists — doctors, nurses, and speech, physical, and occupational therapists — familiar with these disorders can help guide treatment

Managing behavior changes in FTD

Behavior changes associated with bvFTD can upset and frustrate family members and other caregivers. Understanding changes in personality and behavior and knowing how to respond can reduce frustration and help provide the best care for a person with FTD.
Managing behavioral symptoms can involve several approaches. Here are some strategies to consider:

• Try to accept rather than challenge someone with behavioral symptoms. Arguing or reasoning will not help, because they cannot control their behaviors or see that they are unusual or upsetting to others. Instead, be as sensitive as possible and understand that it’s the illness “talking.”
• Take a “timeout” when frustrated — take deep breaths, count to 10, or leave the room for a few minutes.
• To deal with apathy, limit choices and offer specific choices. Open-ended questions, such as “What do you want to do today?” are more difficult to answer than specific ones, such as “Do you want to go to the park or for a walk?”.
• Maintain a regular schedule, reduce distractions, and modify the environment to reduce confusion and improve the person’s sleep.
• If compulsive eating is an issue, consider supervising eating, limiting food choices, locking cabinets and the refrigerator, and distracting the person with other activities.

To ensure the safety of a person and his or her family, caregivers may have to take on new responsibilities or arrange care that was not needed before.
Medications are available to treat certain behavioral symptoms. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat social disinhibition and impulsive behavior. People with aggression or delusions sometimes take low doses of antipsychotic medications. If a particular medication is not working, a doctor may try another. Always consult a doctor before changing, adding, or stopping a drug or supplement.

Treating language problems in FTD

Treatment of PPA has two goals — maintaining language skills and using new tools and other ways to communicate. Treatment tailored to a person’s specific language problem and stage of PPA generally works best. Since language ability declines over time, different strategies may be needed as the illness progresses. The following strategies may help:
Use a communication notebook (an album of photos labeled with names of people and objects), gestures, and drawings to communicate without talking.
Store lists of words or phrases in a computer or phone to point to.
Speak slowly and clearly, use simple sentences, wait for responses, and ask for clarification if needed.
Work with a speech-language pathologist familiar with PPA to determine the best tools and strategies to use. Note that many speech-language pathologists are trained to treat aphasia caused by stroke, which requires different strategies from those used with PPA.
"Mary Ann's story"

• Mary Ann, a television news anchor for 20 years, began having trouble reading the nightly news. At first, her doctor thought she had a vision problem, but tests showed that her eyesight was normal. Although normally creative and energetic, Mary Ann, 52, had trouble finishing assignments and voicing her ideas at staff meetings. In time, she was let go from her job. Mary Ann applied for Social Security disability benefits, which required a medical exam. Her symptoms puzzled several doctors until a neurologist diagnosed logopenic PPA. A speech therapist taught Mary Ann to use a personal digital assistant to express words and phrases. For emergencies, Mary Ann carries a card in her wallet that explains her condition.Mary Ann's story

Managing movement problems in FTD

Medications and physical and occupational therapy may provide modest relief for the movement symptoms of FTD. A doctor who specializes in these disorders can guide treatment.
For people with corticobasal syndrome, Parkinson’s disease medicines may offer some temporary improvement. Physical and occupational therapy may help the person move more easily. Speech therapy can help them manage language symptoms.
For people with progressive supranuclear palsy, sometimes Parkinson’s disease drugs provide temporary relief for slowness, stiffness, and balance problems. Exercises can keep the joints limber, and weighted walking aids — such as a walker with sandbags over the lower front rung — can help maintain balance. Speech, vision, and swallowing difficulties usually do not respond to any drug treatment. Antidepressants have shown modest success. For people with abnormal eye movements, bifocals or special glasses called prisms are sometimes prescribed.
People with FTD-ALS typically decline quickly over two to three years. During this time, physical therapy can help treat muscle symptoms, and a walker or wheelchair may be useful. Speech therapy may help a person speak more clearly at first. Later on, other ways of communicating, such as a speech synthesizer, can be used. The ALS symptoms of the disorder ultimately make it impossible to stand, walk, eat, and breathe on one’s own.
Physicians, nurses, social workers, and physical, occupational, and speech therapists who are familiar with these conditions can ensure that people with movement disorders get appropriate medical treatment and that their caregivers can help them live as well as possible.

The future of FTD treatment

Researchers are continuing to explore the biological changes in the body, including genetic variants and proteins, that lead to FTD and identify and test possible new drugs and other treatments. They are also developing better ways to track disease progression, so that treatments, when they become available, can be directed to the right people. Clinical trials and studies are underway to advance these efforts. People with FTD and healthy people may be able to participate. To find out more, talk to your health care provider or visit the Alzheimers.gov Clinical Trials Finder.

Want to apologize in advance for the novel but I hope it may help others, also helps to pass the time for me since I’m back at my second home for the next 3+ days 🤦🏻‍♂️😩🤬
TLDR: Historically had an iron stomach suffered thru 6+months of sporadic flair ups I shrugged it off unaware I could have DV and after about a month of severe flair ups I went to the ER 5/12/24. Ct scan showed diverticulitis micro perforation and 3.7 cm abscess on sigmoid colon. Had the abscess drained, it was a rather painful procedure, in the hospital for 3 days once discharged began to get better. Back eating solids before and after discharge which were well tolerated for the most part. Drain was taken out 5/24 continued to improve afterwards but that weekend I started getting similar symptoms I had originally that brought me to ER so I went to the hospital around 3pm for a check up and bloodwork had to ask for another Ct scan to confirm. I was feeling pretty good at this point and tempted to schedule for another time. They weren’t able to accommodate me at the first hospital so I was sent to another hospital to get Ct scan 30min away. Got results around 8:30pm and immediately admitted to ER was told another abscess had formed close to were the first abscess was that needed drainage but I had to be sent back to the first hospital to do the procedure. Back on IV antibiotics, ambulance ride back to first hospital at 1:00am haven’t been able to get any sleep with all the vital checks and blood draws. 6:30am 6/4 just got news that the abscess is in a very difficult to reach area may be blocked by my intestines and may not be able to be drained abdominally but can possibly go thru the glute. The other more permanent option would be to remove my entire colon and a bag for approx 3months.
Waiting to speak with the surgeon and specialist as the attending can only answer some questions but ultimately defers to surgeon/specialist
Had my kidney taken out back in 2010 which was a cake walk compared to this ordeal
The long story: So the past 36 years of my life I had an iron stomach no issues eating just about anything No gluten intolerance, food allergies, or any other food issues at worst maybe I’d get some gas/bloating after say a burger & fries or pizza or binge eating snacks/ sweets but nothing some kombucha couldn’t take care of. I didn’t have a bad diet I eat pretty clean for nearly two decades: no soda, no fast food organic non gmo try to avoid lousy processed foods and seed oils. Admittedly I have never been a huge fan of veggies but would get a few servings in for dinner. My exercise levels are mild mostly walking an gardening.
About a year ago I would get these bad cramps around my bowel movements. Thought it was just something I ate or a stomach bug didn’t pay much attention to it because it didn’t last very long and would alleviate after a bowel movement. A bit prior to this time I was suffering from a bad case of hemorrhoids which was my main focus at the time. Didn’t have constipation but sometimes had to strain rather hard to get the last bits out once in awhile also when home I had a bad habit of sittin on the toilet too long scrolling on the internet. Got to the point where I was bleeding after each BM. Was a slow process of healing but got better as I learned more about the affliction.
I added more fiber to my diet and some psyllium husk at night before bed which really helped the BM come right out with next to no straining. Epsom salt bath, getting more sleep, changing jobs to a less stressful one and a product called H-Hemorrhoid oil also helped tremendously. I still have hemorrhoids but thankfully they aren’t too much of a bother lately knock on wood.
Anyways back to these random cramps I would get. They would sporadically come and go where the painful cramping would happen for two/ three days max and it would be a quick acute cramping pain usually when I would drink coffee which virtually always stimulates a bowel movement for me. This lasted about 6+ months on and off before the cramping and then bloating became more chronic and severe so I would take a little Tylenol and Advil which kept the cramping at bay for awhile. Did this for another two months or so before it started to become very severe where I couldn’t leave the bed I was keeled over in pain for hours before it subsided to a tolerable level.
At this point I scheduled an appointment with a Gastroenterologist but couldn’t get an appointment for nearly two months. A few days later and I am still having bouts of crippling pain. I had no idea of diverticulitis as a potential cause as I could historically eaten just about anything and be ok. Looking back I should have switched to a liquid diet but continued to eat my normal diet if and when I had an appetite.
Finally it got so severe I tapped out and to be honest I probably would have not gone to the Er if not for my wife holding my feet to the fire even though it felt like an alien was hatching out my stomach. I fucking hate the hospital, I hate the smell, I hate the incompetence built into the system, the compartmentalization, I could keep going and I don’t mean to throw the baby out with the bath water so to speak as there are a lot of great people all across the professions that staff the hospitals who genuinely care and want to help but our healthcare system is so broken on so many levels. Pardon my ramble🤦🏻‍♂️
So I waved the white flag and headed to the ER was admitted 5/12/24 they did some blood work, blood cultures, urine analysis fecal sample, vitals and a CT scan with oral contrast.
Had high white blood count and the CT scan showed signs of diverticulitis microperferation that highly likely caused a 3.7mm abscess on my sigmoid colon. Immediately put on fluids and IV antibiotics. My head was spinning as this totally wasn’t on my radar but the procedure seemed minimally invasive so I didn’t think much of it. Was told I would be in the hospital for a minimum of three days. Wasn’t allowed to eat or drink until the day after the abscess was drained.
Ended up needing another CT scan the following morning this time with IV contrast to confirm the size and location and to confirm my appendix wasn’t also inflamed/ infected. After the results came back I was told appendix was unaffected so I was slated in the afternoon to have the drain procedure guided by CT scan which was on5/13/24. They gave me fentanyl for the procedure and local anesthesia so I graciously didn’t feel much just some pressure. It was very quick seemed like maybe all of 15-20min and I was conscious the entire time.
Shortly after I got back to my room the fentanyl must have worn off and I was writhing in agony until they gave me some morphine. Drain bag was in and I was in a lot of pain and mental anguish. Was given morphine every few hours which kept the pain at bay and helped me get some sleep. The first day I didn’t move much got up and waked around a couple times during the day and was still in significant pain but not quite as bad. Still couldn’t eat or drink
Second day was better; pain not as severe, started me on clear liquid but I only had the broth. Made it a point to get up and walk around more and probably walked for cumulatively over an hour in total. At this point they cut me off the morphine and gave me a small dose of Percocet and Tylenol. Literally going mental trying to wrap my head around everything. Managed to get some decent naps in between vital checks.
Third day I was feeling much better and was given the green light to eat bland low fiber solids again which was well tolerated. The doctors said if I can tolerate having two meals of solid food and have a BM that I could go home so needless to say I was motivated to eat so I could get home and actually rest and heal. It was amazing to taste food again as I had not eaten for many days at that point I simply had no appetite and my mind was now afraid of food. Even hospital food tasted exquisite. Non the less, I had solids for breakfast and lunch and even had a solid BM! I was ecstatic I was cleared to go home, a day before my birthday! There happened to be a passing shower that came through which gave way to a remarkable rainbow in view of my room’s window. I was immediately overwhelmed with tears of joy thinking I made it through the storm.
I got better little by little each day I was out of the hospital just taking 500mg Tylenol and 100mg Aspirin 2-3xday for the pain. Also was taking oral antibiotics(metronidazole, cefpodoxamine and doxycycline( I got bit by a tick a week before this all went down which is why I was on doxycycline) During this time I was instructed to eat a low fiber solid diet, avoid fatty meats no seeds, no uncooked veggies only certain fruit which I adhered to. I did get a little adventurous and ate some things I prob shouldn’t have but other than some minor cramping I was feeling way better, I was so happy to be eating again🥲
Did the whole drain bag maintenance the whole time, the bag became a light/moderate source of pain at times since you have to navigate life while having a tube inserted into the remnants of an abscess in your stomach; I’d describe it feels more like nerve pain that would shoot from the colon where the abscess was down to the tip of my penis. Come to find out through researching here there is a nerve that is wrapped around the colon that extends to the genitals likely responsible for this lovely feeling. Needless to say I was very eager to get the drain catheter taken out.
I was eating pizza again with no issues and having regular bowel movements. I was even able to tolerate iced coffee! I felt so relieved so 8 days later it was time for my drain study. By this time the fluid became clearer and lessened in volume. I believe they used Flouremetry imaging to guide the surgeon on the removal of the catheter. So he gets the image of where the drain was placed and says to himself “looks like there’s a small fistula underneath the drain.” The doctor proceeds to ask me if I want to take the catheter out which perplexed me a bit and I ask him about the fistula and he says, We’ll it’s very small and it doesn’t looks like it going anywhere. “Ok well if you think it’s ok I’d like to take it out.” “Well,” he says, “if you were my younger brothefamily member I’d say to take it out.” “Thank you for thinking of me in this in that light, really appreciate it, let’s do it!” I replied.
Procedure was quick and virtually painless. I felt very relieved like a weight had been lifted off me but knowing what I know about anal fistulas left me with a bit of a pit in my stomach knowing there was a fistula festering in a vulnerable area but I was happy to be free of the catheter and drain bag.
I am still off work at this point so I am gradually getting back into the routine. I have two young boys 2&5 who are really good but it was a challenge to care for them. I have to give a huge amount of credit and respect to my wife for going above and beyond stepping up to not only take care of the kids but for me as well on top of having to work full time❤️
I believe a day after the catheter was removed I finished up with the oral antibiotics. It felt so good to have them out of my system. I am observing the low fiber diet at this point and not eating any of the restricted foods except I would have a coconut smoothie from Trader Joe’s. I found it to be incredibly soothing however coconut is on the restricted list, also I could tolerate peeled apples which is also a no-no so it’s a minefield navigating what your body can tolerate.
So I go back to work and everything is on a positive trend. Still taking Tylenol (500mg) with a small dose of Ibuprofen (100mg) 3x/day and towards the end of the week I had begun to taper down and only have 2 doses of each per day as I was feeling much better and I had been taking it for nearly a month at this point. Also started taking time released oil of oregano a day before I came off the antibiotics and continued to take it.
On Thursday I began to have some slight cramping and bloating similar to my initial symptoms but chalked it up to eating too large of volume. On Friday I was still feeling a bit off and only ate a Banana for lunch. Shortly after I left work I was feeling lethargic. By Saturday the cramping/bloating intensified and I was out of commission, my symptoms began to come back although not as severe. I was back and forth between lying in bed and taking Epsom salt baths which helped tremendously. Also made it a point to go outside get some sun and walk around. I am very worried at this point and decided to call the hospital and we arrange for me to come in on Monday to get vitals, check up and blood work. BMs slowed down and all I could I poop out was a puss like substances(thick, beige, slight yellow) which didn’t have a foul odor. Felt a lot better after clearing that out and the trapped gas around it.
Sunday comes and I and I am feeling a lot better, I resume light walking and continue with broth and some juice. Relax for most of the day.
Monday comes (6/3/4)luckily I have this day off from work so I can mow the lawn and get to the Dr appointment. I feel nearly back to where I was prior to this flare up. Dr appointment comes I get blood work first then off to see the doctor. She asks some questions and I give her the rundown of everything that has happened. Then she does a visual check of my stomachs then tactile test pressing on my stomach. Very tendepainful when she presses in the area where the abscess was drained. Says she is concerned about the tenderness but everything else looks good but will need another Ct scan to confirm. I say let’s do it. Well of course no one again thought I would need to do the one test that can confirm what’s going on. I ask to do it today since I have the day off, so she says I will have to call the hospital and see if they can fit me in. Turns out they can’t (shocker) but can do it at the other affiliated hospital in the next town over 30 min away. So reluctantly I agree just want to get it over with.
Drive there get seen by nurse, gives me the contrast water, wait over an hour my wife flags downs nurse and shortly after I get called for the scan. Tells me they are also doing a IV contrast as well. Scan was quick then I wait for the results. Less than an hour later the nurse says the radiologist wants to admit you to the ER and I am completely stunned. I ask why and tells me they didn’t tell her.
Admitted to the ER on 6/3 @ 8:00pm I am told that I have another new abscess in close proximity to the initial abscess and it’s nearly double the size as the first on(1st one3.7cm, 2nd 7.3cm)I am immediately put on IV antibiotics(Metronidazole&Cipro)
However the hospital I was sent to don’t have the doctors that can perform this procedure so back to the first hospital I go. A bumpy ambulance ride and I was back where I started around 1:00 am. Luckily a bed is waiting for me was hoping to get sleep in between vital checks but every time I would be about to fall asleep I would hear a knock on my door😵‍💫
Spoke with the residences who told me that due to the location of the abscess they may not be able to drain it abdominally. Can either go through my glute to drain it or just remove colon completely and wear a bag for ~3months and reverse once healed. Said former abscess looks completely healed
Waiting to hear from specialist and colorectal surgeon on how to proceed. Apparently everyone is returning back from a gastro convention 🙄
I’m ready to get this lousy colon outta me but I’m scared of the recovery/having a bag.
The one question I have is how the hell does this slip under the radar? This new abscess in nearly close the old one shouldn’t a diverticula have been seen on previous Ct scans?
Can abscesses really grow that fast when I have been taking antibiotics for a large portion of the time, not to mention the first one took nearly a year to reach half of the size w/no antibiotics or dietary intervention?
Not adding up to me, could use insight from others who have gone through this before. Again sorry for the long read and thank you everyone who made it to the end.

I woke up in bed with all of my clothes on. It was almost noon. A pounding headache in my 18-year-old skull. The year was 2005, and I was horrifyingly hungover.
I was in my own bed. I was alone. Both good. I couldn’t remember anything from the night before shortly after the drinks started flowing. Not good.
My cell phone kept ringing, that steady vibration. I didn’t know where it was. It could wait. Our lives didn’t revolve around our phones 20 years ago. Christ, that was 20 years ago now?
My best friend, Lucy, was asleep on the couch out in the living, surrounded by empty bottles and cans. The house was a disaster. I only had one question for her…WHAT HAPPENED?
“I have no idea. I got just as drunk as you,” Lucy shot back at me. “I broke my phone at some point. I know that.”
Speaking of phones. Mine wouldn’t stop ringing. One call would follow the next. What the fuck? I let it go. I figured it was some mess I had to clean up and I wasn’t ready to face the day yet. I did check my calls though and I had dozens of missed calls from the same number. Either a spam call or some psycho dude I met the night before I was gonna want to ghost.
Brrrr…brrrr…brrr…my phone started to ring yet again.
“LEAVE ME ALONE!” I rejected the call and threw my phone down.
“Your phone won’t stop ringing either?” Lucy asked.
She showed me her phone. Yes, the screen was cracked, but it still seemed to work and she showed it was actively getting a call as well.
“I can’t even answer it if I wanted to,” Lucy said before she announced she was heading to the cell phone store to get it fixed and left.
Brr…
AHHH! I raged so hard I accidentally threw up.
Brrr…brrr….brrr…the call kept coming in though.
Maybe it was that my body had just ejected everything in my gut, but I suddenly got cold when I saw the call come through this time. That same fucking number. My intuition told me to not answer it. I did see I had called it the night before. Still didn’t mean I was going to answer it.
It was time to just Google the number. This seems crazy to write now, but Googling something wasn’t as much of a no brainer back then as it is now.
I got a hit. One of those revenge porn type college site forums where people posted pictures of people and talked shit. There was something about the number on the page for my college.
The title of the post was rather discomforting: DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER! DO NOT ANSWER IF IT CALLS YOU!
The rest of the post went on to explain (the poster didn’t know how) but the phone number was cursed. If you called it, it would call you back until you answered, and you died if you answered it.
How? Why? Who? Huh? There were no more answers. Just a warning.
Did I believe it? Enough to where I had a horrible realization. I had to find Lucy and stop her in case she was going to answer a call from that number.
She had just come back from the cell phone store with a fixed screen and disappeared into her room to sleep off the hangover.
Brrr…brrr..brrr…
I could hear a phone ringing when I got back into the house. Lucy’s room. It was coming from Lucy’s room! I burst through Lucy’s bedroom door.
“DON’T ANSWER IT!”
I couldn’t see Lucy. Just her trashed bedroom. I screamed out to her, interrupted by the sound of…
Brrr…brrr….
I followed the sound of the phone. Oh no, she was in her bathroom. The phone buzzing was interrupted by the sound of a toilet flushing.
“DON’T ANSWER!” I screamed again and the bathroom door started to open.
Too late. I saw Lucy hit accept just as the door opened in my crazy face.
“Dillon?” she answered with a groggy voice.
The two of us locked eyes. She looked at me like I was insane. For a brief moment in time I thought it was all going to be okay.
Then the screaming sound came out of Lucy’s phone, right next to her ear. Impossibly high, screeching, piercing, I thought my ears were going to explode.
Then Lucy’s ear exploded. Blood erupted from her ear which was closest to the phone. She dropped the phone and I saw it hit the ground and burst into flames. She screamed out in the most horrible pain I’ve ever heard and dropped to the ground, gripping her skull.
I moved to help her. The phone flamed up and burned at me. I had to watch as she retreated further into blinding pain and her other ear exploded with blood. Then her mouth. Then nose. Then eyes, and pretty soon my best friend was reduced to a blood washed dead body at my feet.
I had nothing to go off of other than that cryptic warning on the internet and the phone calls. I figured Lucy and I had to have called that number the night before when we were in a black out and she just unfortunately answered when it called back after her phone was fixed.
The cops wrote it off as a brain aneurysm. I told them to look into the phone number from my phone. They were just confused and eventually said they would in a tone that couldn’t have been any more dismissive.
I did have one clue. There was a random Kansas City Royals baseball hat in our living room which made no sense. We lived thousands of miles away from KC and I’d never seen anyone we knew wear one. Had someone came over that night we blacked out?
Lucy’s boyfriend, Andrew, had just broken up with her. I was suspicious. He might wear a random baseball hat. He might have wanted to mess with us, angry Lucy had broken up with him.
He was little help. I know he thought Lucy had broken up with him because of me so I was the last person he wanted to talk to. Plus, he was a rich kid and I’m sure his parents’ attorney told him to not engage with me.
I let it go. Even if I figured anything out, it wasn’t going to bring Lucy back. I changed my number. I got a new phone. I moved on.
It didn’t seem like it worked. I didn’t bleed out from my head, but my life fell apart slowly, piece by piece.
I got the flu and I swear I couldn’t shake it for months. I failed out of college. My mom got diagnosed with cancer and it annihilated my mental health. I moved back to her house to help her and hit the reset button on my life.
Christmas time couldn’t have felt more hollow. I had to go to the mall to do Christmas shopping (Yes, 2005 was such a different time) and avoid the eye contact of my old classmates who were home from the colleges they were still enrolled in.
I was in a Hot Topic (2005) when the clouds parted which led me to the path of sitting here healthy and well writing this out for you. I overheard a conversation between the employees behind the register. They were talking about a phone number which killed people.
Alec had kind eyes. Sure, they were hidden behind a coat of white make-up, a piercing between them in the bridge of his nose, and greasy swooped bangs, but those blue eyes seemed to immediately put me at ease when I asked him if he could help.
He agreed to talk with me during his next smoke break. Not surprisingly I had actually taken up the sport and we froze next to a dumpster as he explained to me everything he knew.
“It’s not just one number, it can change. Supposedly there was a kid around here who was a fucking psycho, wanted to be a school shooter, but instead wanted to fuck up and kill people in ‘more interesting ways’ or some shit. He had an aunt, super into witchcraft, like lived in a coven in the middle of nowhere and he worked with her to craft a curse to ‘get back at all the bullies,’ but then he just started taking any kid who he remotely didn’t like and would sneak their phones, call the number, and got the curse to spread like wildfire. It’s full on in other states now. Spreads a lot on college campuses. Apparently a lot of revenge to havethere,” Alec started in on me.
“How do you know all this?” I asked in my best tone to make it seem like I didn’t doubt him.
Alec pushed some of his dyed black, shoulder length hair to the side and revealed nothing but scared skin where his left ear should have been.
“How?”
“Luck. I don’t know. I think I hung up quickly enough, maybe?”
Alec covered his ear back up.
“Why did you and your friend call it?” Alec asked.
“I didn’t. I think someone else took our phones when we were blackout drunk.”
“You never answered it though?” He asked.
“No.”
“I’ve heard that if you call it, but don’t answer when it calls back. It still wastes you away, slowly, over time. Until you die, want to kill yourself, OD, just end it all. Why do you think so many kids are messed up around here?”
“So I’m going to die? Slowly? There’s no way I can reverse it?” I asked.
“I’ve only heard of two ways. You can either pass it on to someone else, or you can find the person who gave it to you and reverse it on them. Do you know who gave it to you?”
I couldn’t get the picture of Andrew’s smug face out of my head. I knew he’d be home for the holidays from college and I bum rushed him at one of those first years of college we’re all back for Christmas parties.
Andrew was wasted and guilty. He talked to me. He missed Lucy. Shut up! I needed information I could do something with or I could go home and drink by myself instead of with people I didn't even really like in high school.
“I was jealous, yeah, but I would never hurt Lucy. She was seeing someone else right after we broke up. Maybe before. She probably didn’t tell you, but your story makes sense. She would get herself and the other person super blackout drunk when she had something she was nervous to share. That’s probably what she did that night. Then maybe she invited him over,” Andrew finally gave me some gold.
He took a really long swig of beer. He was doing his own version of Lucy’s song and dance of blacking out when he wanted to share something difficult.
“You should check her Facebook profile. That’s always where she was talking to guys when she got sketchy. It was a lot easier to hide than a call.”
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought about what Andrew suggested. This was 2005 and people’s Facebooks would just sit there like zombies after they died. I knew Lucy’s email. I knew the password she probably used. I was in her inbox within 30 seconds of getting back home from the party.
There was a message from an account which didn’t have a photo - DILLON LANNING - University of Oregon. It looked like the profile had been deleted but the skeleton of the account and the messages remained.
Going through the conversation between Lucy and Dillon he saw her profile on Facebook randomly and reached out (ew). Lucy was definitely starting to date him or hook up or whatever, but he went to school a good distance away so it was weird, and it started while she was still dating Andrew, so she was being secretive about it, even with me. He was going to be in town the weekend it all happened visiting friends and she was going to introduce him to me after we got really drunk.
That night had started to come back to me in little shreds the way blackout drinking nights have done to me over the years. I thought I could picture some generic, fratty white guy in our kitchen that night. He looked a lot like Andrew. Lucy liked them extra basic as hell.
Facebook was in its infancy at the time so finding people who were actively in college at the time was easy. I found Dillon’s real or new account rather quickly. There he was. University of Oregon. Hometown: Kansas City. Sigma Chi fraternity. His profile picture a photo of him smiling in a Kansas City Royals hat. Oh, and he was in a relationship with a girl. Real stand up guy.
Now is where I had to play the role of the ethicist. Was I 110% sure Dillon was the one messed with Lucy’s phone and/or my phone that night and called that number? Was he simply trying to get rid of the curse and pass it off on us?
He had to have been the one. No one else could have. Alec had said he heard a lot of times people would go dump it off at other colleges if they got it there's, and how trustworthy was a frat guy, especially in 2005?
It was enough for me.
Nice to meet you, Dillon.

I went to Oregon the first weekend after winter break. I scouted out Dillon’s frat. There was a party that Saturday. Perfect. A decent looking coed myself, I slipped in and blended in all by myself rather easily.
I disguised myself though so Dillon wouldn’t recognize me. Wig. Heavy makeup. Glasses. Not too difficult.
The party was loud, boozy, and wild. I caught him on the dance floor as he was dancing around with his buddies. I slipped my hand into his pocket and found his cell phone.
I retreated to the bathroom. I flew through his contacts until I found his girlfriend’s name in there. I changed her number to THE CURSED NUMBER. Then I called it.
I went back into the fray of the party and slipped the phone back into Dillon’s pocket. He didn’t even appear to notice the entire thing - too busy whooping it up with his bros and doing coke. Oh my god, I hadn’t even planned that, but it would be the perfect excuse for why his head exploded internally that night.
My next move was tricky. I wanted to watch it all unfold. I befriended the best-looking girl I could find. I asked her if she could help a sister out. Could she lure Dillon into one of the bedrooms and then leave him hanging?
Sure thing. She hated that frat anyways. Lots of rape allegations. She was actually there just to keep an eye on her friends. Dillon was light work to her. She had him in that bedroom within a couple minutes of me getting in there and hiding in the closet.
She faked like she was going to make out with him, then said she was gonna go get her friend to join them. Well played, girl!
Brrr…brrr…brrr…a phone vibrating became obvious once things calmed down in the room.
I watched Dillon check his phone. His posture reflected that my plan worked, he saw the cursed number calling, but disguised as his girlfriend and he had a little panic.
Do it. Do it. Do it. DO IT!!!!
He accepted the call. He picked up the phone and put it to his ear.
“Hey babe.”
Ewwwwwww!
The blank second that existed there is burned in my head as if it lasted eons. Then it happened…
The blood spurted out of his ear and onto the phone.
“Babe?” He pathetically said one last time before his other ear spurted out a thick plume of blood all over the room.
It was time for me to get out of that closet if I wanted to ice the cake I had just perfectly baked. I pushed the doors open as Dillon stumbled around the room.
He stopped when he saw me step out of the closet. I could see his eyes for just a brief second before he fell straight backward. I felt like there was recognition. It was enough for me.
I walked out of the room. I grabbed a beer on my way out of the party. I cracked it open as soon as I stepped outside, thirsty.
I stopped and poured some out for Lucy on the sidewalk.
It was the last drink either of us ever had.