*Michael's POV*

I can't stop staring at that monitor.  The scene's
over, the first match of the night is underway, and I
should be waiting to interview Kurt Angle...but I just
can't stop staring at that monitor.  Remembering what
I just witnessed...

I knew when Austin called him into the ring that
nothing good was going to come of it...but nothing
could have prepared me for what happened.  I cringed
at the way he was treating Raven and Morrus...I
expected it to be worse for him.  Still, I never could
have known the way things would happen.  When he
started talking to him, I winced at the words.  The
more he talked, however, the more I began to just get
angry.  How could he be talking to him like that?  How
could he be just standing there taking that?

Then I saw Austin taking his belt off.  My whole body
tensed up...this couldn't happen.  I just kept
whispering so quietly I could hardly hear
myself..."no...no...no...not this..."  I watched,
shaking but unable to turn away.  Austin kept talking,
but the words meant nothing to me.  All I could see
was that belt in his hand...all I could think was
"no".  Physical pain was  something that Pete dealt
with, he got pissed off, but he dealt fairly well.
Humiliation was something entirely different.  And he
had already been humiliated enough by Austin's talking
to him as though he was a small child.  This was on
another level.  If anyone ever doubted that Austin had
lost all his decency, this was more than enough proof.
Suddenly, I heard the belt making contact on Pete's
shoulder.  My anger was still strong, but I couldn't
stop the tears from beginning to fall from my eyes.
As Austin continued to verbally and physically assault
Pete, the tears continued.  I felt them running down
my face, but made no move to wipe them away.  All I
could do was stare at the monitor.  Finally, I saw
something I had been waiting for.  Pete defended
himself, he stood up against Austin.  He grabbed
Austin's wrist before the belt hit him again.

They stood there like that for a moment, then Austin
struck.  He hit him, the force of the blow causing him
to fall to the mat.  I barely heard Austin's order
before I saw so many of them attacking him...  As I
watched him lying there being beaten senseless by
them...I wasn't even thinking enough to know who the
ones who were assaulting him were.  All I could do was
stare at the monitor as the first shuddering sob
wracked through my body, the tears continued running
down my face, as I watched them destroying him.

Suddenly, I was violently snapped back into attention
as I saw them holding him down, Austin approaching
with that damned belt in his hand.  Once again the
persistent "no...no...no..." was all I could manage.
I watched in horror as the belt fell and struck him
the first time, then continued over and over and
over...the sobs that had momentarily subsided
returned, fresh tears formed and slipped down my face.
This had to be totally humiliating, embarassing, and
a million other things for Pete...  When it finally
ended and all that was left was Pete lying in the
ring, I continued to stare at the monitor as a million
thoughts ran through my head.  Where would he go after
this?  I was fairly certain that he'd stay away from
me...probably get as far away from anyone as he could.
I wanted to be there for him, but at the same
time...what could I do?  Where would he stay that
night?  I guessed he woudn't be going to the room we
were sharing...he'd probably be embarrassed to see me
after what had happened.  But where, if not with me?

I'm still staring at that monitor.  In actually paying
attention to what was going on in the ring, I realize
that I have no more time.  So I walk to a bathroom and
wipe the tears from my eyes and my face, try to make
it look like I haven't just been crying.  Then I go to
do my interview.  I can't do anything else...I don't
even know where he is.

THE END!