7/17/2023 0 Comments Chapter FourteenFriday June 30, 2017 “So what the hell took you so long to get here?” Sierra grumbled before taking a nice long sip of her cold beer. She’d been sitting at Rhyme and Reason for about three hours waiting for David to show up. She’d been bored out of her mind with only Chastity and a guy named Luna to entertain her. Both Armstrong and Mack were missing, and the few customers in the place were boring as all hell.
David slid into his seat, looking particularly guilty. “You’re really not gonna like the answer.” He glanced around the bar, confused. “Where’s the big guy?” “Fuck if I know.” She slammed down her mug and stared at him. “What’s the answer?” “So, uh…” David rubbed the back of his head. “Val’s coming here to celebrate, and he wanted me to make sure you were drunk enough you’d be in a good mood.” He looked at her pointedly. “You and I both know that won’t happen. So I dragged my feet getting here. I convinced them to go home and change first, at least.” An unwelcome rush of emotions hit her without warning. She was panicked, angry, and mildly embarrassed. The bar was her safe place, and now her brothers would be invading it. “Son of a bitch,” she growled, burying her face in her hands. “I’m sorry, I really tried to convince them to go to a different bar,” David said. “But Val said, and I quote, ‘If I can’t celebrate a victory by getting drunk with my favorite sister and then badly singing Justin Timberlake songs, what’s the point?’” “So he’s going to lecture me about not drinking, and then he’s going to do exactly that?” She was tempted to get up and leave. But if she did that, what would she do? Go home and be haunted by the demons of her past? “He said you’d say that. He figured as long as there are responsible people looking out for him, there’s no need for him to be such a bitch about it. Again, his words.” “I’ll say,” she snorted before sighing and lowering her hands from her face. “I don’t fucking want him here, damnit.” This was her place. There were probably at least fifty other bars in the city. Why couldn’t Val have chosen one of them? “I can’t make any promises, but I can try and get them out of here early. Worse comes to worse, I can have my buddy stop my heart again. Nothing like faking cardiac arrest to clear out a bar, right?” “You don’t need to do that,” Sierra sighed. “Well, I guess I can sit with you and drink so we can feel like shit together instead of alone.” “Yeah, okay,” she mumbled under her breath. Of all nights to get drunk, this was it. It’s been awhile since I last had blood. Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight. “So, uh… Who’s this guy?” David said, gesturing to Luna, who had been quietly drying newly cleaned glasses from behind the bar, probably doing his best to not look like he was eavesdropping. “Enrico Luna. Armstrong wanted me to watch the bar for a bit while he discussed something important with Mack,” Luna explained. “Hopefully I’m doing well. It has been a long while since I’ve served drinks.” Sierra shrugged. It was hard to mess up pouring a glass full of beer. “I wonder what they’re talking about,” David mused. “Maybe the big guy is convincing Mack to sing every night.” “And that takes three hours to go over?” she snorted, pushing her class towards Luna. “Need a refill.” Luna refilled her mug. “It is odd he’s been gone so long. But I think a break from work would do him good.” She grunted in response, not in the mood to get into an argument. It was weird not to have Armstrong to talk to. What the hell was so important that he basically abandoned her? The door of the bar swung open, and her youngest brother’s voice rang out across the room: “Hellooooooo karaoke bar!” “Got a silver stake?” Sierra mumbled, feeling the same sense of anxiety she’d had when she’d first returned to her grandparents’ home. Val slid into the seat next to her and leaned onto the bar. “Well, fancy meeting you here! How drunk did David get you?” “Go away,” she growled. “I am not drinking with you.” “Why not?” he pouted. “Because I want to be alone.” A mix of emotions crossed her brother’s face, and for a moment she was certain he’d protest, but instead he took a deep breath and said, “Alright. Ok. I’ll just go and sit with Jay and my friends. I’ll try and keep it down.” Without another word he slid off the stool and headed off to the table where Jason and the others were sitting. Sierra was surprised. Quietly, mostly to herself, she commented, “I can’t believe that worked.” “I can,” Luna replied gently. “Sternly and firmly indicating your desires to your sibling works if you have the conviction in your voice.” “Yeah, I guess.” A small part of her felt like a rotten sister, but if Val had stuck around, she would have been moodier. “It’s how I kept my twin brother in line growing up back in Sicily,” Luna sighed wistfully. “It’s evident you love your brother as much as I love mine, so don’t worry. He’ll be alright.” As slyly as she could, Sierra turned her head to look at her brother and his “gang” several feet behind her. Val was slumped down into a chair next to Jason, who was getting awfully cozy with the preppy blue-haired girl. David’s friend, Rika, was excitedly waving to some scrawny, dorky-looking guy who’d just walked in and reluctantly joined them at the table. There were one or two others with them, but she couldn’t get a good glimpse from where she was. “Aren’t they just the cutest band of misfits you’ve ever seen?” David snorted. “No,” she blatantly told him. “That’s fair,” he snorted again. “Still… I may not be as on board with the whole costumed vigilante thing as they are, but it is nice being around people again. I’ve missed it, I think.” “Can’t relate,” she replied dryly. It wasn’t exactly true, though. Having Armstrong and Mack in her life made her feel less alone. It was nice, especially knowing both of them had her back regardless of her grumpy attitude. And it’s been nice having my brother back. “I’m not gonna pry, but I’m guessing your home life was way less pleasant than mine.” “Yeah.” She took a gulp of her beer before simply explaining, “Dad liked to drink, and drinking made him angry. You do the math.” David went silent for a moment. “Shit. I’m sorry. I wish we could’ve traded parents for a night, then.” He took a long sip of his beer. “My family died in a fire.” “Damn.” She shook her head sympathetically. She couldn’t even imagine losing her brothers like that. “Sorry.” He stared out over the bar at Val and Jason, a wistful smile on his face. “You’re lucky they’re still here. I’d give anything to see my big sister, Christie, again. And to not have a panic attack every time the heat goes over seventy degrees.” “I guess we’re both haunted by our pasts,” she said quietly, staring into her glass mug. “Yeah,” David sighed. The door by the karaoke machine that led up to Armstrong’s apartment swung open, and Mack limped through it with a massive grin despite looking completely exhausted. They took the stool beside Sierra and slumped onto the bar, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Hope you two didn’t miss me too much.” “Where the fuck have you been?” she snapped. “I’ve been with Armstrong,” they chuckled, twirling a strand of their hair between their fingers. “Did you know he has a tattoo on his back?” She stared at them deadpan. “How the hell would I have known that?” “Guess you wouldn’t. You’d need to see him shirtless, after all.” “Aw, fuck me,” David hissed under his breath. “What?” she pressed. She was pretty sure she was missing something. “Why the hell is he showing up shirtless now?” She hit her fist on the bar top. “That’s it, no more goddamn breaks for him. He’s losing his damn mind.” “I’m thinking we lost our bet already.” “You did,” Mack snickered. She stared at them in confusion. “What bet?” “Oh, I think he said it was something about me not being able to make a move. Well, I did. And then I made several other moves for several hours, if you catch my drift.” Sierra blinked slowly. Was that where the two had been this whole time? Having sex upstairs while she was sitting downstairs feeling like she’d been abandoned? “Un-fucking-believable,” she muttered, feeling the full wrath of her anger beginning to stir. “I know, right? Didn’t think I could ever pull this off. I’m a bit cross he made a bet about it, though.” She stood up, blind with intense fury, glaring at Mack who looked surprised by how quickly she turned on them. “You seriously left me here because you were fucking?” she snapped. The entire bar seemed to go silent at this. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the bar on her. Mack looked like they had just been slapped across the face. “I… beg your pardon?” they managed to say after shaking off their stunned silence. “You heard me,” she replied lowly, conscious enough of the fact that everyone was watching. “I’ve been sitting here waiting for the two of you for hours to finish whatever damn conversation you were having.” Mack’s look of shock slowly transformed into a look of pure, icy anger as they processed this. “You just embarrassed me in front of the whole bar—my workplace, mind you—because I didn’t sacrifice my happiness to come down and wait on you?” “Why the hell couldn’t you have waited until later?” she hissed. “We do this every single day: You, Armstrong, and me.” This was all she had going for her. Mack knew that. Armstrong knew that. Was she nothing but an afterthought to them? “Are we supposed to never have a break and just have our lives revolve around you?” Mack hissed. “And frankly, it seems my time was better spent with him because I’m not sure I want to spend my time with someone who loudly yells at me about my sex life in public.” “Sierra,” David finally chimed in quietly, “come on, don’t fight over this.” A small part of herself knew he was right, but she ignored him. “You practically did that yourself walking in here like that,” she snorted, gesturing to Mack. “Maybe I’m a dumbass for not picking up on it, but I’m pretty sure everyone else did.” “You truly are unbelievable. Utterly. You had to spend one night without me, and that gives you the right to treat me like this? God forbid you talk with poor David there or to anyone else! Do you even understand how long I’ve waited for this? Over a hundred years I’ve dreamt of the man I saw in that bar back in Silberstadt noticing me! Are you really that selfish that you can’t be happy that my dream came true?” “I’m not the selfish one here,” she growled, staring into her empty glass. She wasn’t in the mood for a refill. “I suppose asking you for a bit of self-reflection would be a bit much,” Mack snapped. “Whatever. Drown your sorrows in another beer, then, you miserable woman! Maybe I’m not the only one around here who needed to get fucked!” Before she could even respond, Mack stormed out of the bar, slamming the door shut behind them. “Fuck this,” she spat. “I don’t need this bullshit.” She hastily pulled out two twenty dollar bills and slammed them on the bar top. Then without another word, she followed Mack’s path out the door. At this point, she’d rather grab a six pack of beer and drink at home while the television droned in the background. Right before she actually reached the exit, she glanced at her brothers and their group. The blue-haired bimbo was laying her head on Jason’s shoulder, irritating Sierra all over again. Regardless of how she felt about her sibling, she couldn’t believe he was choosing someone so beneath him. “Get a room,” she shouted at them. “I heard there are plenty upstairs.” “Oh hell no,” Jason snapped as the girl shrunk back into herself, “you’re not talking to us like that. Just cuz you can drink like Dad doesn’t mean you have to act like him.” Her head jerked back as the unlikely comparison hit her right where it hurt the most. “What the fuck did you just say to me?” “You fucking heard me,” he said. “It’s one thing to make snippy comments like that to me, but you just, what, slut-shamed your friend in front of the whole bar? The hell is wrong with you, sis?” “Me?” She scoffed. “What the hell is wrong with you? Don’t you have any damn standards for yourself?” “You’re not gonna stand here and lecture me about standards after that shit. Maybe I doubted it before, but I think it really was for the best V—“ Rika suddenly jumped up out of her seat and clamped her hand over Jason’s mouth. “Jay, you need to stop. Now.” “Sierra,” David said quietly, appearing beside her, “let’s just go, alright? You can drink all the beer at my apartment if you want, let’s just… get out.” “Fine,” she snapped. “It’s pretty obvious I’m not wanted here anymore anyway.” She threw open the front door and stormed outside. Her small little world was imploding from the inside, and she felt the lowest she’d ever been since she was a kid. Her hands balled into tight fists as she stomped down the sidewalk, going nowhere in particular. David followed silently behind her, so silently she’d almost forgotten he was there until he said, “Hey… So where are we going?” “I don’t fucking know,” she growled. “I have beer at my place,” he offered. “Like I said, you’re welcome to it.” “Aren’t you just going to leave me, too?” He shrugged. “Why would I?” “How the hell should I know?” “You seem to have some sort of idea if you’re asking.” Sierra finally stopped walking and threw her hands in the air in defeat. “I have no fucking clue why everyone in my life is turning on me!” “Uh… what do you mean?” She stared at him in disbelief. “Did you not see any of that back there?” “I did indeed see that.” “Then you know exactly what I’m talking about.” She crossed her arms over her chest. David stared at her. “You, uh. Haven’t… ‘drank’ in a while, have you?“ Sierra shifted her stance awkwardly. “It’s been a few days…” “I can tell. You have to be at least a little buzzed to think what happened back there was you being victimized.” With a snort, she commented, “Great, so you’re going to join in now.” He shook his head. “Nah. It’s not gonna go anywhere, arguing with you. But I think you need to get some of that red stuff in you before the night’s over.” “Not happening. Mack’s my source.” “I’m always on tap,” he shrugged. “Did it for Rika, I can do it for you. I’m not using all this blood anyway.” She wrinkled her nose. “Fuck no. I’ll be fine.” She had no desire to continue the conversation, so she started walking again. However, this time she slowed her pace just enough to let David take the lead. She hadn’t been to his apartment before, and she had no idea where he lived. Surprisingly, he didn’t live all that far away; she was pretty sure they’d only walked two blocks max by the time they got to his apartment complex. Three flights of stairs later and they were at his door. “If you’re hungry, for food I mean, I’ve got lots of frozen vegetables and microwave pizzas,” he said as he stuck his key in the lock. Swinging the door open, Sierra saw his apartment wasn’t all too different from her own other than being a little neater. “Come on in,” he said, gesturing for her to go ahead. She walked in quietly, familiar already with the layout. This city really is dirt cheap, huh? She opted to sink into a plush couch that was much nicer than the preowned one in her own living room. “Fuck,” she whispered as she leaned forward, resting her arms on her thighs. David placed a beer on the coffee table in front of her. “Here. Oh, and if you need a blanket or something, let me know. I keep it pretty cold in here.” “I’m fine,” she snapped. The full weight of the night was starting to sink down on her shoulders. How had everything gone so wrong? He shrugged. “Alright.” He sat down on the floor next to the couch and popped open his own can. They sat quietly for a few minutes drinking their beer while Sierra processed what exactly had happened. The argument with Mack, the way Jason had snapped at her… “Why does everything in my goddamn life go wrong?” “Is that rhetorical or do you want an actual answer?” “It’s not going to change anything either way,” she sighed. “You’re right.” “I get it,” she continued, setting her can down on the coffee table. Whether she liked it or not, it was time to talk. “I look like a bitch. But those two? Mack and Armstrong?” She shrugged. “They’re all I’ve got. My mom’s dead. My dad’s dead. And until a few days ago, my brothers were out of my life.” David nodded. “So, I’m wondering one thing here.” She exhaled. “What?” “If those two are all you got, why aren’t you doing everything to keep them in your life?” “Because they just left me!” she exclaimed, feeling fully frustrated. “They know I’ve got nothing. They know that bar’s my real home. And they just fucking left me.” “You know them better than I do. Is that really something they’d do on purpose?” Sierra folded her arms over her chest. “Mack’s the one who made a move probably knowing it was close to opening time.” “Something tells me they had other things on their mind besides the time.” “But that’s kind of the problem,” she pointed out. “They ignored the time.” She sighed and shook her head. “Never mind. You don’t understand.” No one understood. No one really listened to her, not even the one time she was opening up just a little bit and actually wanted to be heard. “No I don’t, but I’m trying to. It’s like you said, I don’t really know you. We’ve barely hung out a week. I get that the bar is your one safe place left and your parents are gone and you’ve been away from your brothers. But that’s it. So, come on, help me out here cuz I don’t want you to feel like no one gives a shit.” Sierra exhaled again. “I have almost nobody in my life. If it wasn’t for finding the bar in the first place, I’d have nothing but me and my shitty apartment. So it became a ritual. I’d go in every night and stay until closing. That’s how I got to know Armstrong and eventually Mack. They were the only people in my life, and they became what kept me going.” Her throat was painfully tight. “Not the beer, not the chicken… Them and the bar.” “You ever tell them that?” She blinked at David, feeling baffled by the question. “Uh, no?” “Then maybe they just don’t realize how important they are to you.” “I’m there every damn night. Are you really gonna tell me they’re that dense?” “Didn’t Armstrong not know Mack was blatantly flirting with him for forty years? Like I know he said he knew…” Sierra leaned back into the couch. “Look, this kind of stuff… I don’t like talking about feelings and shit. Okay?“ “Most people don’t.” She shrugged. “Guess I gotta find something new to do at night now.” “You’re really not gonna go back, huh?” She barked out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Hell no. You think Mack’s not going to go tell Armstrong? Two against one, you do the math.” “Well, you’re always welcome here. God knows I could use company now that Rika’s moved out.” She felt hesitant. “I don’t want to be an inconvenience or anything.” “Why the hell would you be? You’re the most interesting person I’ve met in this city since Rika. The only way you could possibly be an inconvenience is if you break my AC.” “Not in the middle of summer,” she snorted. “Well then there won’t be a problem. Mi casa es su casa.” She still didn’t feel entirely comfortable with this idea, but she nodded. “Okay, sure. I’ll just… come here every night and stay until nearly sunrise.” She watched his face curiously. Surely he didn’t mean for her to stay for hours every day? To her surprise, he once more simply shrugged. “Alright.” He was really okay with that? Was he really that desperate for companionship? He’s not the only one, her inner voice chastised her. With a sigh, she joked, “Guess you’re my new bar.” “Can’t promise the beer will be as good here, but you’re welcome to it,” he laughed. “Maybe I’ll break out the real good stuff.” She offered him a small smirk. “It’s beer. It all tastes the same.” “True enough,” he snorted. “But yeah, get comfy. We can do whatever all night while we drink. I’ve got nowhere to be tomorrow.” “Neither do I.” She grinned and picked up her can, clinking it against his. “Cheers.” His place wasn’t as cozy as the bar, but she wasn’t alone and that’s what really mattered. ****** Whatever joy Jason had felt after the group’s successful mission had entirely evaporated after Sierra’s explosion and subsequent exit. He was still shaking with anger. What the fuck is wrong with you, sis? She was going too far and turning into their dad at this rate, something Jason could not let slide. How had she morphed so much from the sister he’d once known? He thought bitterly back to their childhood. Being only a few years apart, they’d been thick as thieves. They had been each other’s best friends, which was why he could still remember her favorite color, her favorite food, what kind of cake she loved to eat on her birthday, and what she’d always asked Santa for Christmas every year without fail as a kid. So why did Sierra seem to detest his very existence? What had changed? Could it be how their dad died? No, that doesn’t make sense. Sierra knew as well as he did how brutal their dad had been. When the event that changed all of their lives happened, she hadn’t seemed to blame him. If anything, she’d seemed almost numb and in a state of shock, especially when the Rhine City Police Department had asked her to be Val’s guardian on account of her being the only living adult family member left aside from Jason. She’d agreed, saving their brother from being placed in the foster care system and had taken care of him during the year Jason had served behind bars. It was entirely a miracle, really, that he hadn’t been given a longer amount of time. Officially, self-defense was the judgment, but the jury seemed to have it out for him. In all honesty, Sierra was the key to his lighter sentence. Before the trial began, Sierra had been evaluated by a psychologist to determine how deep their father’s abuse had gone. Whereas Jason had been able to show his physical scars as proof, Sierra had needed a professional to determine her mental state. Sierra hadn’t been crazy about someone “poking around in places they didn’t belong.” She’d agreed, however, and it was a diagnosis of psychological trauma and post traumatic stress disorder in addition to her personal testimony of the nightmare she’d lived through that had likely turned the skeptical jury to Jason’s favor. He remembered being silently horrified as he listened to his sister on the stand relive the memories. He could recall their father screaming at her almost daily, and her fear of sleeping alone. There were so many nights during Sierra’s high school years that she’d slept in Jason’s bed while he’d slept on the floor. How they’d ever graduated with passing grades, he didn’t know as neither one of them slept well during her night terrors. To hear from his sister’s perspective opened his eyes to how badly she’d suffered. It was one thing to be hit repeatedly; it was another to be told you’re a worthless slut like your mother in addition to the beatings. Maybe that was why she’d sent Val to live with Jason when he’d been released from prison. Their brother had secretly wondered for so many years why their sister didn’t want him. How could Jason possibly explain to a kid what his eldest sister was going through when he barely understood it himself? Remembering all of this made Jason realize that his sister’s mental state had clearly deteriorated in the six years they’d been apart. Maybe she’d decided it was easier to hate him for what he’d done. But that didn’t make how she was treating him, or Anna for that matter, acceptable. He couldn’t change her, and Sierra clearly didn’t want the help. It was better to spend his energy on other things, like his group’s well-being. Pushing his sister from his mind, he knew he had to cheer everyone up after the verbal assault they’d experienced. His eyes scanned the bar, landing on a karaoke machine sitting abandoned on a small makeshift stage. “Fuck it,” he said, pushing up out of his seat, “I’m gonna go sing.” This seemed to get Anna’s attention and bring her out of her funk since her lips spread into a small grin. “Finally. I’ve been waiting for this all night.” “No shit?” Val asked, perking up a bit. “Yep. And if you spoil the surprise, I’m gonna kick your ass,” Jason teased. There was only one song he was confident enough he could sing well, and it could be enough to perk Anna up like it was doing for his brother. Val excitedly whipped out his phone. “Your face is gonna be priceless, Anna!” “Yeah, boss!” Lilith cheered. “Get up there and show off those pipes of yours!” Swallowing back his anxiety at being the center of attention on stage for the first time in years, he headed up to the machine. To save this lousy bar trip, he could only perform the song he’d been singing in the shower for years, one of the single horniest songs in existence: “Pony” by Ginuwine. He took the microphone in his hand, made the selection, and listened as the classic Timbaland-produced beat came on. Without hesitation, he launched into the song. He glanced at the table his friends were sitting at and saw a huge smile on Anna’s face. As he’d predicted, he’d cheered her right up. Val, too, was in much higher spirits, excitedly recording Anna’s reaction with his phone. The others seemed suitably entertained, so he considered this mission a success. He returned to the table when the song was over, accompanied by Lilith’s enthusiastic applause. “Alright, think I embarrassed myself enough for the night,” he laughed as he sat back down. “Dude, shut the fuck up, you were great,” Lilith exclaimed. “That was exactly what we needed,” Anna agreed, her cheeks rosy. “Be a pretty shit leader if I didn’t try and raise my team’s spirits.” “Well someone else needs to go up there and sing!” Val said. “I’m singing last! Aiden, do you wanna sing? Your boy’s a singer, right? Dedicate a song to him or something; we can send him the video!” Poor Aiden turned bright red and shook his head. “Uh, I’ll pass.” Val sighed. “Okay, Lilith, what about you?” “Sorry, dude. I only sing with my sister.” “Ugh,” his brother groaned, “Rika, girl, come on, you told me you can sing!” Rika glanced over at Vinny’s camera guy. “You mind if I take a break from Vampire 101 to humor him?” “I guess." The guy looked exhausted and overwhelmed as he picked up his drink and took several long gulps. “Fine, Val, I’ll sing something. But you’re gonna hate it.” Rika ran up to the stage before Val could get a word in edgewise. “Oh my god, why Cats?” Val groaned as “Memories” began playing from the speakers. “A pretty voice like that and she uses it to sing Andrew goddamn Lloyd Webber! She could’ve at least done something from Starlight Express!” “She’s really good, though,” Anna noted, tucking her hair behind her left ear. “She said she took singing lessons as a kid, and her older brother took dance lessons,” Val noted. “They were gonna be a team!” “What happened?” she asked gently. Val shrugged. “I guess he just lost it one day, cuz he got thugs to beat her and kick her out of the house. She was just seventeen, too.” “What makes a sibling turn on you like that?” Jason mumbled. “What makes them do such a drastic 180 on their feelings? I don’t get it…” “Maybe you should ask your sister,” Anna grumbled. “Yeah, that ain’t happening any time soon, Popsicle,” he sighed. “Neither is her leaving us alone, I guess.” He watched as the good mood he’d managed to help put her in dissipated completely. “I’ll deal with her,” Val sighed. “Alright? I’m not letting her do this shit.” “I want to believe you,” Anna said slowly, “but Jason’s already tried, and it didn’t work. I’m just… so tired of it. I didn’t do anything to her, you know?” “She’s got issues, and she just doesn’t handle them well,” Val said. “Ah! Rika’s done! My turn!” Val rushed up on stage right as Rika was returning to sit next to the camera guy. “So, uh, what’d you think, Easy?” The man shrugged. “Didn’t really peg you for a musical kind of person.” “I told you how much I love Cats the other day! Come on!” He blinked at her, appearing almost bored. “I didn’t think you liked it enough to sing in front of a bunch of people.” “You can’t just like a musical like that, you’ve gotta live it! I even wanted to be a cat when I was a little kid.” The man snorted. “Yeah. Okay, Kitty Cat.” Jason shook his head in amusement and glanced up at the stage, where Val was staring at the song selection. “Wonder what’s taking him so long…” “Probably looking for the perfect song,” Anna answered. “I figured he’d just pick Backstreet Boys like he usually does when he gets a chance to sing.” She teasingly rolled her eyes. “Please. This is Val we’re talking about. He’s got to find the one song he can show off to. He might be up there for ages.” “Well, gives us time to talk then. Everyone else is wrapped up in their own little convos, so why not, you know, talk about us? Cuz I’d say our first date went pretty well.” “If you don’t count the beginning, sure,” she said skeptically. “What? You didn’t like beating up Oakley?” he laughed. “His shins say otherwise, I think.” “No, that was fun,” she agreed. “I meant the beginning of the second half.” She gave him a knowing grimace. He sighed. “Look. I’m not gonna put up with that, okay? She starts shit, I’m shutting her down. And she’s got no room to lecture me when she’s turning into Dad.” “But she keeps doing it,” Anna quietly argued back. “And I want to believe it’s going to stop, but I’m kind of losing hope.” “Val’s gonna handle it. I know he’s been trying to build up to it, but after this, he might do it sooner than later.” Anna frowned. “How exactly?” “He’s gonna tell her the truth.” “The truth? About what?” “About why he stayed away all these years.” Anna looked surprised. “I thought it was your sister that stayed away.” “She ended up staying away, but not for lack of trying. Val didn’t want to talk to her for a long, long time.” He was choosing his words very carefully here; he trusted Anna, but it wasn’t his place to spill his brother’s secrets. Anna nodded slowly before asking, “I’m still confused. How exactly is this going to get her off your back?” “My guess is she thinks I corrupted him into doing this vigilante shit. She doesn’t seem to comprehend that this was his idea. I’m not much of a fighter. I’m an actor. The only reason I can throw a punch is because not knowing how wasn’t an option, it’s not something I like doing.” She looked surprised by this confession. “Really? I had no idea…” “Val likes people to think he’s the goofy, gay airhead who does cartwheels and is just the most harmless dweeb imaginable,” Jason laughed. “But it’s only partly true. My brother’s cunning as Hell. Plus, he has the money and the connections to pull this off. Who do you think helped Lilith get in with Vinny? Who do you think got these outfits made for us? Me on the other hand? I’m a pretty open book in comparison.” “What a twist,” Anna smirked. “And here I thought it was you running the show the whole time.” “Like I said, I’m good at acting,” he winked. “I’m supposed to look like I’m in control…” He glanced up at the stage, where it looked like his brother had finally picked out a song. “And I’m supposed to keep attention away from my brother.” “You do an amazing job of it,” she insisted. “And you’re a great brother.” “Thanks, Popsicle,” he smiled. Val had finally started up a song and to his surprise, it was “Careless Whisper” by George Michael. Anna leaned close to Jason and whispered, “Think he’s secretly serenading someone?” “Nah. Val said he’s saving himself for a cowboy, and I don’t see anyone in a ten gallon hat unless the guy behind the bar is putting one on when I’m not looking.” “A cowboy, huh?” She giggled quietly. “Interesting taste.” “He watched Brokeback Mountain one too many times after we moved into the house on Loomer Street.” This made Anna laugh again. “Where’s he going to meet a cowboy in Rhine of all places? Is there even a farm nearby?” He gave a nonchalant shrug. “Crazier things have happened in this city.” “You’re not wrong,” Anna agreed. They sat together in a comfortable silence, watching Val give the karaoke performance of a lifetime. It had been a long while since Jason had heard this song as Val’s tastes sometimes seemed to change on a whim. When he sang the chorus for the second time, the first two lines stuck out to him more than ever. “I'm never gonna dance again. Guilty feet have got no rhythm.” Jason realized Val was definitely saying something with this song. When Val finished up and returned to the table to cheers and applause from the gang, Jason gave him a big grin. “Hey, you’ve been practicing! You’re almost as good as I was when I was ten!” Val rolled his eyes playfully. “Oh, shut up, Jay.” With a laugh, he glanced over to Anna. “Val, you mind if Anna and I step outside for a minute?” His brother waved his hand. “Go on, go make out with your girlfriend. I’ll try not to drink much more.” Jason gestured to the door. “You down for it, Popsicle? Uh, to talk. We don’t have to make out if you don’t want to.” “Sure,” she agreed. They stood up and walked outside, ignoring the teasing jeers of their friends. The summer heat lightly sizzled on their skin once they were free of the air conditioning. “Girlfriend, huh?” Anna smirked. “That’s what we agreed, right?” he said. “Though, honestly, I think I should’ve just let us be a thing without a condition. I guess I’m just still worried, y’know?” “About what?” “My last relationship didn’t end too well, so I guess that’s the biggest hurdle to overcome. I just don’t want to fuck anything up.” “Yeah, I get that.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I haven’t exactly been in a normal relationship before, so this is kind of new for me. I guess I have concerns, too.” “Wanna talk about them?” “I probably should,” she admitted quietly, wincing slightly. “I feel guilty even thinking this way.” “What way?” Her eyes shifted to the ground below. “Like I deserve better.” This was probably the last thing he wanted to hear, but he swallowed his hurt for the moment and asked, “What do you mean?” Anna sighed softly. “I was talking to my coworkers about your sister because, well, I’m frustrated. And they said if your family doesn’t like me, then you’re not worth it.” She lifted her eyes and hesitated before adding, “They said there are plenty of guys out there, and I can find one who comes without the family drama.” He didn’t really have an argument there; her coworkers were right, after all. Val liking her wasn’t really enough to make up for his sister’s vitriol. “That’s… Yeah, that’s fair…” “But…” She sighed again. “I really, really like you.” “And I really like you too, Anna,” Jason replied. “But it doesn’t change that you do deserve someone whose sister doesn’t take every opportunity to demean you in front of your friends.” “Yeah,” she whispered. “I just… don’t know what to do. I don’t want to keep being her target, you know? But I don’t want to lose what might be a good thing, either.” “Is there anything I can do to make this work?” With a snort, Anna joked, “Put duct tape over her mouth?” “She tempts me more every time she opens it,” he snorted. Anna tried to fight back a smile. “Unfortunately,” he continued, “that might cause more problems.” He sighed, wishing more than ever he could have the sister from his childhood back, the one who would stand up for him and support him, instead of the miserable alcoholic she’d turned into. If only there was a way we wouldn’t have to see her.. And just like that, an idea struck him. “What if I told you there was a place we could go until Val dealt with this? A place where you wouldn’t have to deal with Sierra?” Understandably, Anna looked skeptical. “Where’s that?” “Lilith’s place. She has a spare room she’d be happy to loan out to you, and she has a damn nice couch I could crash on.” Her eyes widened with surprise. “Really? And she’d be okay with that?” “Shit, she’d probably encourage it. I’m sure she’d be down to get us away from Sierra for a bit.” “Are you going to, like, stay there with me?” she asked, hurriedly adding, “On the couch, I mean.” “I mean, yeah. I don’t really wanna see Sierra right now,” he replied. “Uh, you can have the guest bedroom, you know. I’m not whisking you away to make you sleep on the couch.” Anna opened her mouth to reply, but paused. The gears in her head were definitely turning, and he had a pretty good idea what she was thinking about. After a quick moment, she declared, “I hate all this talking shit people do. Be straight with me, okay? Are we a thing or not?” “I mean, I want to be. I thought we agreed we would be, you know, back when I was cleaning that bathroom and Val was trying to get me to dress up like a maid…” “Yeah, I want to be. And now we’ve had our first date, so…” The corner of her lips twitched upwards. “Can we say we’re official now?” “I think so,” he smiled back, relief washing over him. “Good,” she grinned. “Because I’m going to be straight with you, now. I’m not exactly going to say no if you want to, like, share a bed with me.” “Uh, well, I—“ he stammered, trying to figure out what to say. What a curveball, damn. “I mean, if you want, yeah, sure. I just didn’t want to be so forward.” Anna looked a little embarrassed as she hurriedly explained, “I don’t mean doing anything, just… You know, cuddling.” “No, no, I didn’t think—I meant if I suggested something it would sound like I wanted to! I wasn’t implying you were thinking… Shit, but it sounds like I’m implying you’d think that—Y-You know what, cuddling is fine!” You’re so smooth, Jason. Good job, dumbass. With a giggle, she said, “We really have no idea what we’re doing, do we?” “I guess not,” he laughed nervously. “We’ll figure it out. Together.” He grinned, finally easing up a little bit after this rollercoaster of a conversation. “Yeah, we will. We got this.” Anna moved closer to him, comfortably wrapping her arms around him. “I hope you know I’ve been waiting for this literally since I met you.” “I hope I end up being worth the wait,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her in turn. With a playful grin, she answered, “I’m about to find out.” And with that, she lifted herself onto her tiptoes and kissed him. All at once, the problems of the night seemed far off and unimportant. All that mattered now was the girl in his arms who he wasted no time in kissing back. Things were stressful, sure, but he wasn’t about to let his problems rule his life. Right now, he needed to make sure he didn’t screw things up with his dream girl. ****** Brightside Diner was one of the last places in Rhine City Jemima wanted to be, yet here she was. It certainly wasn’t her choice. On the contrary, David Wake had picked the location. They were meeting for lunch, which was quite a busy time in the diner. Her waitress, a girl named Rita, had promptly brought her a pot of coffee but had disappeared as she and the rest of the staff were rushing about to serve the teeming mob of hungry patrons. The lunch rush could be attributed to the early closing of the diner; Brightside always shut down early every June 30th. Part of the reason was a memorial to the diner’s original owner, Balthazar Bright. The other was due to the numerous superstitions about the date that existed in the city. She hadn’t really ever paid those stories too much mind before but after learning the truth about the Countess, she couldn’t help but wonder if the tales could be genuine. If vampires and magic were real, it wasn’t too much of a stretch to think a curse on the city could be as well. She stared pensively into her coffee. She was at the very table she’d once frequented nearly twenty years ago where she’d first met Minerva Bright as a teenager. She’d supported Minerva through the murder of her father and disappearance of her mother, using all the resources at her disposal. She’d taken the young woman under her wing and before she’d met Macavity, Minerva had been very much the loyal companion and friend that he was. But it had all fallen apart thanks to the Amano business. I’m starting to wish I hadn’t given Macavity the day off, she mused sadly. At least if he was here, she wouldn’t have to feel so alone with her thoughts. She supposed she could have asked the Countess along but with Macavity gone for the day, she was the only person Jemima trusted to ensure Ryo’s safety. “Well, look who it is,” came Wake’s gruff, salty voice from behind her. A moment later, he’d slipped into the booth seat across from her and placed his hands on the table, sizing her up with an unimpressed look in his eyes. As much as his scrutiny annoyed her, she noted how impressively he’d aged since last she saw him. He looked about the same as he had nearly two decades prior, the stern, bearded sea captain appearance practically unchanged in all that time. Please tell me he’s not a vampire as well, she groaned internally before pushing the thought away. Just because he looked younger than he was did not necessarily make him one. After all, sea salt did remarkable things for one’s skin apparently (or so said the articles she’d read). “You know, I’d almost hoped picking to meet here would make you change your mind.” “I am a woman of my word,” she simply answered. “Unfortunately,” he grumbled. He glanced down at the menu, then turned back to her with a pointed look. “Don’t bother with the breakfast menu. It’s shit these days without a Bright cooking it.” “What a shame,” she sarcastically commented. “It is a shame,” he growled. “They were the only people in this city worth a damn. Now—“ “Hello!” Rita exclaimed cheerfully. “Are you two ready to order? Mr. Wake, I’m guessing you’re going to have—“ “Fish and chips, yes,” he waved dismissively. Jemima’s eyes shifted from Wake to their waitress, then back at the man. I suppose he’s a creature of habit, she noted, remembering how the sea captain often dined at Brightside’s so many years ago. She quickly glanced at her menu. Her meal of choice hadn’t been at the top of her mind, so she picked something out at random. “I believe I will have a chicken Caesar salad, hold the croutons.” “Sure thing! We’ll have that out for you two in a jiffy!” With a bright smile, the waitress whirled around and headed off to the counter. “As I was saying,” Wake continued, “why don’t you tell me exactly why we’re speaking? I’m a busy man. Been fishing a lot of mutilated mercs out of my harbor recently. It’s been rather taxing.” “I can imagine,” she nodded, feeling mildly sympathetic. “I’ll cut to the chase then.” Folding her hands nearly together on the table, she asked, “Where’s Minerva?” Wake leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. “Not sure if you remember, but your men came by ten years ago to ask me that. And my answer is the same as then: None of your fucking business.” He paused, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Though I wonder why you’d question me about this again after all these years.” The corners of her mouth tipped into a tight smile. “Because a source tells me you know exactly where she is.” She was bluffing, of course, but he didn’t need to know that. “You can either do this the easy way and tell me what you know, or we can do this the hard way and I make your life very difficult.” Wake laughed heartily. “Make my life difficult? I’ve seen more difficulty than you with your silver spoon wedged permanently in your mouth could ever hope to understand. Tell you what, though. Let me know what this so-called source of yours looks like, and I’ll be sure to stamp his body when I pull him out of the sea and send him right to your mansion.” Jemima rolled her eyes. “Must you be so vile?” Though she supposed it came with the job. They didn’t call it swearing like a sailor for nothing. “You’ve made your choice, then.” “I suppose I have.” At that moment, Rita returned with their food, cheerfully placing their meals on the table before running off to the next set of customers. Wake grabbed one of the thick-cut fries off his plate and bit into it. Internally, Jemima breathed a sigh of relief as she noted his lack of fangs. But it didn’t solve her problem. She was stuck without a solution. Frustrated, she picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of grilled chicken and a leaf of lettuce beneath it. Once again, Wake was refusing to give up information she knew he had. He could be the key to finally getting rid of Minerva Bright, but he was so set on being a hero. A hero… Perhaps she needed a different approach. After all, her scouring the city for one woman likely appeared nefarious when she simply wanted to relocate Minerva. Breaking the silence that had fallen between them, Jemima proposed an idea. “What if I promised you Miss Bright would stay safe?” “And I’m just supposed to believe you’d do that?” he snorted. “You’re cruel enough to try and make her beat up a child, but you’ll definitely let her waltz out of this mess safe and sound, eh? How she still sees any good in you, I can’t even fathom.” “I have no interest in harming her, Mr. Wake,” she responded with mild annoyance. “So then what exactly are you proposing, Jemima? Because I know you’re not just going to let her go for free.” “It’s a compromise of sorts,” she explained. “Miss Bright leaves the city, and I ensure she is protected on the way to her new home.” “She deserves to be in this city more than you do. Why don’t you leave?” “You and I both know why.” She stared at him while she took a bite of her salad. It wasn’t the best she had ever eaten, but it was palatable. “Tell you what,” Wake said, chomping down on another fry, “how about you pack it up and move to New Innsmouth? My brother is mayor, and I can tell him to ensure you have a very warm welcome.” The tone of his voice implied that said welcome would be anything but warm. “No, thank you,” she politely snapped after she swallowed her bit of salad. “Well it seems we’re at an impasse here, Jemima. I want Minerva back where she belongs, and you want her gone. And she steadfastly refuses to do this my way. I’m not sure what your source expected to accomplish here, but I’d fire them if I were you.” “I didn’t hire him,” she corrected. “On the contrary, a Mr. Indrid Cold simply passed along a tip.” She hadn’t been sure if name-dropping the man was a good idea, but the way Wake visibly responded told her this was the right move. He’d frozen with a fry halfway to his mouth, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and fear. “Indrid Cold?” he asked, the harsh arrogance completely drained from his voice. “That miserable—What exactly does that thing want?” Jemima opted to smirk and continue to eat her salad. Finally, she had gained the upper hand once more. “Oh enough with the smugness, woman. Just tell me what that worm wants.” “I haven’t the faintest idea,” she admitted. From his irritation, she gathered the two were acquainted. “Clearly you do, or you wouldn’t be here. He doesn’t send out his dogs for no reason.” “On the contrary, I’ve simply been informed you know the whereabouts of Miss Bright.” “And why, exactly, did he tell you that? Why is he even speaking to you, of all people? Did he recruit you? I know rich people enjoy joining cults but even with my low opinion of you, this seemed beneath you.” Jemima flinched, feeling completely offended. “I beg your pardon? I am not affiliated with any such thing.” She angrily stabbed another chunk of lettuce. “If you must know, it appears he was associated with the deceased mother of a dear friend.” “And who might this friend be?” She stared at Wake with narrowed eyes. “He is not associated with Mr. Cold, if that’s what you are implying.” “Fine. Just tell me what it wants and get this over with.” With a heavy sigh, she said, “How should I know? He simply passed on a message to me and left the premises.” “Ah, lovely. The Darkest Dawn and vagueness, hand in hand as always. But what exactly can I do if I don’t know its business?” “His business with the Amano family is none of your concern.” Jemima didn’t like the idea of exposing Ryo, but perhaps he could stay innocent enough if she vaguely alluded to the family as a whole. “The Amanos?” Wake asked incredulously. “As in your little chum Ryo? He’s not involved with them, is he?” “It’s a family matter,” she shrugged nonchalantly. “Certainly not my business to say.” “Well clearly it wants me to help in this matter. So tell me what it wants with the Amanos so I can get this over with.” Could the man not take a hint? Was he this out-of-touch with social norms? I’ve played nice long enough now, she decided. With a snort, she responded, “If you must know, then call Mr. Amano yourself. I, for one, will not betray the trust of a dear friend.” “What’s his number?” Jemima reluctantly pulled a pen out of her purse and wrote down Ryo’s phone number on an unused napkin. She’d memorized it over a year ago just in case of an emergency situation. This wasn’t particularly an emergency, but it did call for such knowledge. Wake quickly snatched it up, pulling out his phone and dialing. Ryo answered rather quickly by the looks of it as Wake began to speak. “Ryo Amano? This is David Wake. I—Yes, she’s across from me. Yes, that’s how I—Yes, I—“ He slammed his fist on the table, causing some nearby patrons to jump. “Shut your damn trap, you miserable whelp,” he hissed. “I need you to tell me, exactly, with no bullshit, what your business with Indrid Cold is.” There was a long pause where Wake said nothing, his expression utterly unreadable. After about five minutes, he slowly placed his phone on the table and rubbed his temples. “I… have a solution to his problem. I know for a fact where his sister is going to be tonight.” This caught Jemima’s attention. “Oh?” she asked calmly before taking another bite of her salad. “Yes,” he grumbled, “but you’re going to promise me something before I tell you.” She chewed slowly, intentionally making him wait simply because she could. When she finally answered, she said, “That entirely depends on what you’re promising.” “The exact time and place where you can find Rika Amano tonight,” Wake replied, irritation in his voice. “And all I want is for you to stop your pursuit of Minerva once you get her and allow her to return to Brightside’s in peace.” She wanted to immediately say the deal was off. How absurd of a request! To have wasted her resources for the past ten years? To let the woman walk free knowing all she knew? It was too dangerous! But then she realized his wording. I do love a good loophole, she laughed to herself. She would stop her pursuit, but there was nothing stopping, say, Macavity from continuing. Mustering an expression of great irritation, she growled, “Fine. So long as your information is good.” He stared at her carefully for a moment, then flipped over the napkin with Ryo’s number on it. He quickly scribbled something on it and passed it over. She peered at it and read his hastily written message. “Tonight after closing. She’s meeting with Minerva’s crew here.” Minerva’s crew? So she did have people working for her. How interesting. She mentally saved this bit of information for later and nodded, carefully folding the napkin and placing it in her purse, which rested on the booth beside her. “I do appreciate your cooperation in this matter, Mr. Wake,” she said with a sly smile. “Appreciate it while you can because your friend is a dead man no matter what he does. He gets his sister tonight, I don’t think anything will stop Minerva from taking you down. And if he doesn’t… He might be getting a visit from someone far worse than that grinning freak Cold.” “I appreciate the warning,” she said with warmth even though she was certain he was overreacting. “If you appreciated that, you’ll appreciate this one even more.” He leaned across the table, his voice lowering, as he said, “If anything at all happens to Minerva… If you go back on your word… I promise you one thing: They will never find what’s left of you.” “Please, Mr. Wake,” she scoffed. “I am a woman of my word.” Holding her hand to her chest, she vowed, “I will cease my pursuit of Minerva Bright.” “For your own sake, you’d better,” Wake replied as he stood up and withdrew his wallet, tossing a few bills down onto the table. “This ought to cover my bill and the tip. No need for you to be generous.” “How kind,” she sarcastically remarked. He certainly thought highly of himself. He snorted, an amused grin spreading across his face. “Watching you play with forces far beyond your comprehension… Whatever happens to you from here, I consider it karmic justice.” Jemima stared at him blankly. “Are you done, now?” “I suppose I am. Now don’t bother me again and make sure you keep your word or no amount of begging from Minerva will stop me.” With that, Wake turned and walked out of the restaurant, leaving her alone at the table. She continued to eat her salad for a few minutes, mulling over the information Wake had given her. She wasn’t entirely certain what Ryo would choose to do when it came to his sister, but the least she could do was give him the option. She set her fork down and pulled out her phone. She did feel bad about bothering Macavity during his time off, but this was a delicate matter. As always, he answered almost immediately. “Hey boss. How’d your meeting with that salty old bastard go?” “Quite well,” she smiled to herself. “I’ll keep this brief. We have a meeting this evening. Mr. Amano is not to know of it.” “Probably for the best. Need me to get anything prepared when I get home from the spa?” “Prepare the team to secure a package.” “This a heavy package? Gonna need some strong guys for the pickup?” “It may be wise, yes,” she confirmed. “Need me to go and supervise the pickup? I know it’s my day off and all, but I’d hate if your package got damaged.” “I would be honored if you would be my driver. You will, of course, be compensated appropriately for your time.” Which, in Jemima’s language, meant double pay. “How can I say no to that?” he chuckled, “You can’t,” she said matter-of-factly. “I’ll text you time and place later today.” ****** The atmosphere of the mansion was putting Gabby and her friends on edge due to the prospect of Jack showing up. While Jojo was certainly putting on a brave face, Gabby could tell he was absolutely terrified just by how restless and jumpy he was. Flynn, on the other hand, was far more convincing; she couldn’t detect a single hint of fear from him. Since Flynn and Vincent had taken to training in the backyard together during the day, preparing for the worst case scenario, Gabby had decided to stay by Jojo’s side as much as she could. He seemed to relax ever so slightly around her which was enough to convince her to remain his temporary bodyguard. For most of their waking hours, they lounged on the couch in the living room watching television. The shows her boyfriend picked to put on seemed to serve as a distraction from the evil that could appear at any moment. He doesn’t seem like himself at all, she noted to herself, briefly ignoring a courtroom drama to peer at Jojo. His mouth was set in a hard line as he kept his eyes locked on the tv screen. Despite her reassurance that he was safe and no one would let Jack lay a finger on him, he didn’t seem convinced in the slightest. She could hardly blame him given the trauma he’d experienced. Maybe we should go get ice cream or something. Get out of the house for a little bit. After all, if Jack was set to arrive at the mansion, he probably wouldn’t be searching restaurants for them. Before she could open her mouth to suggest her idea, someone shouted and entered the living room, making the two of them jump and yelp in fear. Gabby’s head snapped toward the doorway to see her grandmother looking triumphant. “Gabby!” she exclaimed cheerfully. “I have some excellent news! Do you have a moment?” Gabby glanced at her boyfriend. “I’ll be right back, okay?” He gave her a tired smile. “Ja, alright. I’ll be here.” She felt a tad guilty for leaving him during such a stressful time, but she knew her grandma wouldn’t keep her long. Eagerly hopping off of the couch, she followed her grandma into the kitchen. “I promise I won’t keep you long,” her grandma explained, echoing her own thoughts. “You need to stay with Jojo, at least until he and Flynn leave to lay low. But I not only have potentially good news, I have a special task for you!” “What is it?” she asked, feeling perplexed. “Well, firstly, the good news is your mother convinced Rhiannon to contact her father, which… went shockingly well! And he’s sending for someone I know will be a great help!” Any help in their situation was welcome help. She nodded to show she understood before curiously inquiring, “What’s the task?” “I would like you, Gabby, to ensure the safety of a few newcomers to the coven while they turn. In fact, I was talking with your mother, and… Well, I think once things settle down, you could have your very own coven!” Her eyes widened with shock. “Me? My… own?” It was a huge responsibility, one she wasn’t sure she was ready for. Her grandmother beamed at her. “I can sense the apprehension, but don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be immediate. Your mother, Amon, and myself will have to teach you the ropes, but I think you have the heart needed to be a strong, compassionate leader. Then we can get Mabel, Juno, the Cullen twins… Perhaps get Blanche away from her mother… And there we go, the start of your own coven! I imagine you’ll want to turn Flynn as well, so I can teach you how to do that… or give you an apple.” “You really think I can do it?” she whispered. Her head was swimming. “I believe you can do anything. Over your time in this coven, you’ve given your mother untold joy, you’ve helped Nestor and Mabel become far more sociable, you comforted the Cullens in their time of need, you’ve given Jojo hope and freedom… Most of all, you have helped me realize I had become truly monstrous and clouded by anger. I want to be better for your sake.” Her grandmother took Gabby’s face in her hands, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head. “You are my shining star, Gabriella Cross. I may no longer have a heart, but I still feel love for you all the same.” Gabby was so happy and warm, she felt like she might burst. She didn’t know what to say, so she simply replied, “I love you, Grandma, and I hope I can make you proud.” “You already have, dear. Now come, come! Let me introduce you to the three new additions to this household!” Her grandmother excitedly led her towards the foyer where three unfamiliar people were gathered. Gabby was surprised to see an older man among them. His thin, gray hair made him look like he could be her grandfather. He had visible wrinkles on his face and an aged, friendly smile. The other two, standing to his left, were younger women who appeared to be in their twenties. One was a black woman with short dark brown hair, her arms decorated with a few tattoos. She looked shy, which made Gabby feel for her. The other woman was short with curly blonde hair that was tied back into a ponytail. Her hands were folded neatly before her, and she had an air of calmness about her. “My new friends! I’d like you all to finally meet my granddaughter, Gabby,” her grandmother happily exclaimed. “Hi,” Gabby said, offering them a smile. “These three are Robert Carroll, Jasmine Gibbons, and Felicity Clark,” her grandmother explained, “but don’t let me speak for you, why don’t you tell Gabby a bit about yourselves?” Jasmine and Felicity exchanged awkward glances, but were saved by Robert’s chuckling. “Well, hey, I guess I’ll go first. Nice to meet ya, Miss Gabby. I’m Robert, I got me a hot dog stand in the park. You should come on by sometime, I’ll make ya a mean dog!” “Oh, uh, sure,” Gabby laughed softly. “I’d like that.” Next to him, Jasmine cleared her throat. “Hey, I’m Jasmine. I don’t know if you’re into, like, gamers or anything, but I’m a streamer. Or, well, I was.” She shrugged nervously. “I’m kind of on a break right now.” Gabby and the other two glanced at the last new member expectantly. “Oh, I guess I’m the only one left.” She waved her hand. “I’m Felicity, I work at a coffee shop and… Well, that’s it.” “I wish you could have met Chastity, but she’s nowhere to be found,” her grandmother sighed. “Still, I could never be disappointed with these three joining us. I think they’ll make fine additions to this coven! And my sweet Gabby here will be ensuring your safety while you turn, though of course she’ll have some help. We are all about supporting each other here!” Gabby nodded in agreement. “I’m here to help you with whatever you need.” “Well, hey, that’s kind of you,” Robert smiled brightly. “How long does it take?” Felicity asked hesitantly. “My envenomed apples don’t usually take more than a single night. It’s just very intense, so I’m told. But I assure you that you will be safe here; I trust each of the vampires in this house completely.” With a nod, Felicity explained, “I’ll have to call out of work sick, is all.” “That would be wise,” her grandma agreed. “I doubt you’d make coffee well while trying to figure out your own strength.” “But you’ll be the best barista in the city soon!” Gabby laughed. “I’d say she already is! Although I have little experience with baristas… I’ve spent the past century or so in the body of a giant snake, which did not give me many chances to go to coffee shops.” Felicity smiled and offered, “Well, I can teach you everything I’ve learned. It’s not much, but at least you can learn the basics.” “I might have to take you up on that,” her grandma winked before turning back to Gabby. “Now dear, why don’t you go spend some time with your boyfriend?” “Okay!” Eager to return to Jojo’s side, Gabby waved goodbye to the new members and skipped back to the living room. She found Jojo just where she’d left him on the couch and plopped down next to him again. “I’m back!” “Thank God,” Jojo sighed, “Rhapsody came in and turned on that mind-numbing hand show.” “It’s their yearly viewer mail special, and I want to see if Amon’s letter made it in,” Rhapsody replied from where she’d collapsed into the armchair. “The actors said it might not, but they’d email me the filmed reading if that happened.” “I wonder what he wrote in his letter,” Gabby thought aloud. Surely Amon wasn’t a fan of the show, too? “Hell if I know. All he told me is it had to do with Rex.” “I’m sure he’d love that,” Jojo said, rolling his eyes. “I wonder if this is an early birthday present or something.” “When’s his birthday?” Gabby asked with interest, already plotting out possible gift ideas. After how much he’d done to help Jojo, how could she not get him something? “February 11. So this would be very, very early,” Jojo laughed. “Maybe it’s late? I swear he got him something this year, though…” “Maybe Amon didn’t know when it would be on tv,” Gabby suggested. “I don’t know if he actually even watches it,” Rhapsody yawned. “He probably just heard me talk about my work on it at some point and just wanted to do something nice for Rex, seeing as he’s been his buddy so long and stuck by him even after that big shitshow with Dracula.” With a giggle, Gabby said, “I didn’t think Amon watched this.” “It does seem a bit lowbrow for him, ja?” Jojo chuckled. “If you get him high enough, he’ll laugh at anything,” Rhapsody snorted. “He may seem cool, uptight, and above it all, but Amon’s a huge dork. That's why I love the guy.” Gabby frowned. Getting him high was the last thing she was planning on doing. Jojo, on the other hand, seemed incredibly amused by this revelation. “Ok, you have to show me this sometime. I want to see Amon laughing at this!” He gestured to the TV, where Blue the fairy cat was being buried under an avalanche of letters. “Ow, my scapula! Meow meow meow!” It probably would have been funny if Gabby wasn’t so bothered by the thought of both Amon and Jojo using drugs. “Do you both do that?” she murmured quietly, hoping Rhapsody didn’t hear. “I mean, we don’t do anything as hard as Rhapsody,” Jojo whispered back sheepishly. “But it’s still illegal,” she pointed out. “Not here in Massachusetts,” Rhapsody chimed in. “Weed was legalized last year, and that’s all those two get up to so they’re good. Shouldn’t be illegal anywhere anyway, it’s no worse than alcohol.” Gabby huffed, but she didn’t say anything else. She couldn’t really argue it further, even if she wasn’t happy about it. “Aw, you’re watching this without me? I love the viewer mail specials,” came Flynn’s voice. He soon wandered into view, shirtless and sweating with a towel wrapped around his shoulders. “Haven’t missed much,” Rhapsody replied. “Did you take a shower?” Gabby asked, quickly averting her eyes and trying to stay focused on the silly kids’ show. “Nah, I was out in the yard sparring with Vincent. He’s apparently been getting good sleep and was in the mood to hone his skills. Got a bit hot, so I took my shirt off.” He moved further into the room, sitting down on the couch next to Gabby. Glancing at Rhapsody, he asked, “So did they read any letters yet?” “Not yet, they’re doing a bunch of skits first,” Rhapsody explained. “You know, dropping the coconuts, burying Blue in the mail, they dropped a giant bean on Ydnah… I think a few of these are recycled from the special in ‘88.” Surprised, Gabby asked, “This show has been on that long?” “Since ‘84, actually,” Rhapsody said. “Same actors the whole time. Handy, Ydnah, and Blue’s voices have never once changed. It’s kinda weird, isn’t it?” “That’s impressive,” she murmured. How anyone could stand the show being on air for over thirty years, she had no idea. But she had to give credit where it was due. “I’ve been watching it since I was six,” Flynn nodded, “my mom introduced it to me. Dad, he… he was always real weird about it. But my dad’s an asshole, so no surprises there.” “I wish I didn’t know about it,” Jojo sighed. Gabby giggled and nodded in agreement. “Aww, come on, don’t be a hater, man,” Rhapsody said. “It’s just goofy nonsense to entertain kids and people on illicit substances. Like me.” “Then why does Rex like it so much?” she asked. “Because he’s an idiot,” Jojo and Rhapsody said in unison. “And what about me? Am I an idiot?” Flynn teased. “No, you grew up with it. You’re cute,” Jojo laughed before freezing when it seemed to dawn on him what he said. He thinks Flynn is cute? Should she be jealous? The room fell quiet as they watched the rest of the nonsense unfolding onscreen: wacky antics punctuating some genuinely sweet and heartfelt letters. At the end of the special, it was obvious that whatever Amon had sent in hadn’t been read. Rhapsody let out a sigh and said, “Guess I’ll be refreshing my email all night. See ya later.” She pulled herself out of the armchair and shuffled out of the room, leaving Gabby alone with the boys. Another episode started playing right after the credits, but Gabby tuned it out. “I wonder why his letter didn’t make it,” she murmured. “Time constraints, maybe?” Jojo shrugged. Flynn was quiet for a moment. “I think… maybe there’s something about this show.” Gabby turned her head to the left to peer inquisitively at her friend. “What do you mean?” He shook his head. “I never really thought about it before, but it is really weird how this show has been going since the 80’s with no changes to the cast… It’s pretty bizarre. They sound exactly the same now as they did when I was a kid. You think maybe they’re vampires?” She burst out laughing. “No way.” “Flynn, I get where you’re coming from, but vampires tend to keep a low profile, or at least lower than a long-running children’s media franchise,” Jojo laughed in turn. “Oh come on, is this really more ridiculous than what Tony Sugar does?” “People think of him like he’s Ronald McDonald or Colonel Sanders; he’s a mascot,” Jojo countered. “Vampires don’t become actors. There’s too much scrutiny there.” “It’s sad,” Gabby sighed. She loved movies so much that she’d love to be in one. But it just wasn’t possible. “I hadn’t even considered that,” Flynn lamented. “I guess it would be too easy if vampires were behind everything, huh?” “Maybe someday we won’t have to hide anymore.” “It would be nice, ja?” “Aye…” Flynn murmured. “Er, anyway, I’m gonna go throw some clothes on. About time to get ready to leave, I think.” Before either of them could reply, Flynn stood up and left the room. “Oh, right,” Gabby sighed. “You have to leave soon, huh?” She’d forgotten all about the plan. “Ja…” Jojo muttered. “I don’t want to see Moore, I don’t want to see whoever Jack’s scrounged up to help him, and I especially don’t want to see Jack himself.” “I know. I just wish we didn’t have to be apart.” “It won’t be so long! Between your mother, your grandmother, Rex, and Rhiannon, this should be resolved in no time!” “I hope so,” she sighed. Remembering what her grandma had told her, she smiled gently. “But I have good news.” “Oh?” he said, tilting his head. “What’s that, liebling?” She could barely contain her growing excitement as she announced, “Grandma said she’s going to help me make my own coven after all of this is over.” “Really?” Jojo exclaimed. “That… That’s amazing! Do you know who you might want in it?” He gave her a playful, teasing look. “Am I invited in?” “You’re the first one I’m inviting,” she promised. “Good!” he chirped, leaning in to kiss her head. “So who am I sharing this coven with? Your friend Nestor is a shoo in I’m guessing.” “If he wants to,” she confirmed. “I want to invite Gemini, Mabel, and Juno, too.” “All good choices! Anyone else?” She thought for a moment. “I’m not sure.” Everyone else in the coven seemed pretty loyal to her grandma, and she didn’t want to “steal” people. “I bet Rex will join you, especially if I’m along. Maybe his sister will too, once they reunite!” Surprised, Gabby asked, “You think so?” “I know so. And when we find Sera… Well, she’s usually a lone wolf, but I think you might just be able to convince her!” She smiled again. “I would love it if she joined us, too.” “Hey,” Flynn said, returning to the room wearing a black and green checkered shirt, “looks like we’re getting a ride to the restaurant. Rex said we need an escort because Jack’s got some help lurking; about aside from Moore.” “Fuck’s sake,” Jojo huffed, “he really thinks he can intimidate us, ja? Well he’s in for a surprise because being an angel again has greatly improved Eve’s attitudes.” Gabby’s mood soured, and she let out a sigh. “I wish I could go with you.” “It’s better you don’t,” Jojo said sadly. “I don’t want you getting hurt if, God forbid, he finds me.” “He won’t find you,” Gabby promised. “Grandma won’t let him. And I won’t let him.” Jack wasn’t going to hurt Jojo ever again, and she was intent on making sure he didn’t even try. “I bet you could take him out easy,” Flynn smirked. “I’ve seen pictures of him; man’s a scrawny little bitch.” “Don’t you dare for a second underestimate him, Flynn,” Jojo snapped, “because if you do, he could… He might…” “He won’t do anything,” Gabby stressed. “I find that hard to believe. I know him, Gabby. He’ll try something. I just don’t know what or ifI’ll be able to avoid it…” Gabby took Jojo’s hands in hers and gently squeezed them. “I know you’re scared, but I promise he won’t do anything. Grandma and Mom and Amon are here to help.” “We all are,” Flynn promised, “so let’s get you out of here and to somewhere where he won’t think to look for you, ok?” Gabby hugged Jojo tightly, trying hard not to cry. She knew it would only be for a few days, but she already ached inside. “Stay safe,” she whispered. He promised he would, and they shared a soft kiss, one she could tell he didn’t want to break from. ****** “Are you fucking kidding me?” Minerva had already been feeling the stress of the day upon her with Wake having been called for a meeting by Jemima. She knew the woman was going to find them eventually, but not this quickly. What she had no way of knowing prior to his leaving the Inn was that Wake would try to sell Rika out. Upon returning, he had tried to avoid Minerva, but she’d been persistent and pulled him into her room to demand a recap of the encounter. Unsurprisingly, he’d caved fairly quickly. With a guilty frown and shame in his eyes, he’d revealed what he’d done. “Minerva—“ “No, no, you listen to me, you miserable old fish!” she snapped. “You really think I would want to trade Rika for my safety? After everything I’ve been through, you thought I’d want this?” “This is the only way, Minerva. Jemima’s in bed with the Darkest Dawn.” “It’s not the only way; it’s the easy way,” she shot back. “This is exactly why I didn’t come to you these past ten years, you know. Because the easy way out is all you ever suggest! Always murder, betrayal, violence, violence, and more violence!” “The world is a violent place, something you should know damn well by now,” Wake snarled. “And because it’s that way, I have to do all I can to protect you. I promised Rosa—“ “My mother,” Minerva interrupted, “would be so ashamed of you right now.” Wake froze, looking like he’d been slapped. All the anger seemed to drain out of him, and he closed his eyes and hung his head. Minerva almost felt like she’d gone too far, but if that was what it took to get him to shut up and listen, so be it. “Everything good in here?” Debra interjected from the doorway. Minerva had been so enraged, she hadn’t heard her approach. “Does it sound like it’s good?” Minerva sighed, feeling a little embarrassed she didn’t know how loud she was being. Of all the traits to inherit from her father, her inability to control her volume at times was the one she liked the least. Debra shrugged. “That’s why I’m here, really.” She glanced at Wake before adding, “Do you need help, or…?” “Yes. Come in and shut the door. This old fish has something to explain to you.” Her friend glanced at Wake again suspiciously. “Okay…” She gently closed the door and shuffled inside a few inches. Crossing her arms over her chest, she waited expectantly. “Well?” Minerva demanded. “Tell her what you told me.” “I told Jemima about the meeting tonight in return for Minerva’s safety,” he grumbled. Debra sighed and shook her head. “That’s going to complicate everything.” Minerva shook her head. “No, it’s not. Because you—“ She whirled back towards Wake, jabbing a finger into his chest. “—are going to go and make absolutely sure Debra gets out.” “Do I—“ “Yes, you have to! Take your own path and survey the restaurant. If things get out of hand, do what you have to do. But I swear on my father’s grave, if you kill anyone…” “I am capable of being non-lethal,” Wake muttered. “I’ll be fine,” Debra yawned. “Jemima Mathers doesn’t scare me.” “She doesn’t scare any of us, but if Wake wants to be back in my good graces, he’s going to do this. Unbelievable. You’ve been alive how long and you’re pulling this childish shit?” “152 years.” “Say what now?” Debra said, her eyes wider than Minerva had ever seen them before in the ten years she’d known the woman. Both Minerva and Wake looked at each other awkwardly, realizing what they’d just let slip in their argument. Then they both turned towards Debra. “Well…” Minerva began, unsure if she wanted to explain this. “If we ignore it, maybe she’ll forget like humans usually do,” Wake muttered. With a snort, her friend scoffed, “Not likely. I’m a fucking detective, in case you’ve forgotten.” “I did,” Wake replied dryly. “Look,” Minerva said. “Debra… I’ve been meaning to let you in on this since we got here. There’s a lot I’ve never explained about me, my family… this crusty old fish here. And it’s extremely hard to wrap your mind around. I just… I don’t know if you want to go into the meeting with all this on your mind.” Her friend shrugged. “Might as well get it over with.” Minerva clapped her hands together nervously. “Mr. Wake is over 150 years old. He’s also not human, and his name isn’t David Wake.” Debra stared at her blankly, waiting for her to continue. “I… Jesus, I don’t even know how to make this comprehensible.” “I could always peel off this damn disguise,” Wake snorted. Without missing a beat, Debra dared, “Do it.” Minerva stared intently at Debra, waiting to see her reaction, trying as hard as she could not to glance sideways and see Wake remove his disguise. It didn’t matter how many times she’d witnessed it over the years, it was always extremely unsettling to see a man peel his skin off, even if it wasn’t really his skin. She heard the wet, rubbery sounds followed by a squishy flop as the disguise he wore in his day to day life dropped to the floor. “Has this gotten it over with?” she heard him say beside her. It had been a long time since she’d seen in him in all his amphibious glory, his mottled blue-green skin, large shiny eyes, and webbed claws just as she remembered them from years ago. He really hadn’t aged a day in all this time. Minerva watched her friend take in Wake’s real appearance with an expressionless face. Her eyes had resumed their usual tired droopiness, and she looked unimpressed. “What are you, exactly?” Debra questioned. “There are many names for my kind.” “The short answer is that they’re what we know as mermaids,” Minerva said, smirking in amusement at the annoyed glint in Wake’s fishy eyes. “As you can see, they’re quite a bit different than the legends.” “You don’t say,” Debra laughed. “He’s missing a shell bra and a glamorous tail.” “You humans are so funny,” he grumbled sarcastically, though there was the slightest hint of amusement in his voice. “At least you’re taking this well.” “He didn’t think you’d be able to handle this when I first got back in touch with him,” she explained. “He has a very low opinion of most humans. He thought you’d run out screaming if you knew the truth.” Debra snorted. “What do I look like, a faint-hearted housewife from the forties?” “You don’t want me to answer that,” Wake grumbled. “Now, I suppose a reintroduction is in order. I am Triton, Deep Lord of the North Atlantic. Feel free to bow any time, human.” “Oh, stop. You don’t even like being royalty,” Minerva sighed. “I see why you go by something as lame as ‘David Wake.’” Debra turned to Minerva and suspiciously asked, “How many other non-humans do you have in this group?” “Just Cora,” Minerva said. “She’s a siren, a sort of fairy.” “Why am I not surprised,” she muttered, shaking her head in amusement. “That kid, Allen, is a vampire,” Wake stated bluntly. “And he’s in a doomsday cult.” Minerva whirled towards him and angrily snapped, “Oh, enough! You’re too paranoid about that cult. That’s why we’re in this mess!” “Vampires, too? Man, I need some coffee.” “Almost everything you can imagine is real in some fashion,” Wake said. “Let’s make two pots. I think I’m going to need it in order to not rip Jemima’s goons in half tonight.” “Sure.” Minerva gestured towards his disguise on the floor. “You going to get redressed first?” “Probably should. Give a fish some privacy, I’ll meet you two down there.” She gave him a polite nod and with Debra close behind, the two left the old fish in her room. “So,” Minerva began as they headed towards the kitchen, “I know it’s tempting, but don’t tell the girls yet. I want this to be their reward for helping with Rika.” “They’re going to love this,” Debra chuckled. “Might want to get earplugs for all the damn squealing.” “If Jemima didn’t already have an idea where we were, they’d clue her in real quick,” she chuckled. “But,” she added, her voice turning serious, “there’s more to it for Rita. I think something supernatural is behind what happened to her mother… and mine.” “Why do you say that?” “Have you ever heard the story of Rupert Rhine, Debra?” Her friend rolled her eyes. “I work with Rita.” “Good! You do pay attention to her! Now that you know this, perhaps you’ll believe that the curse on June 30th is all too real.” “Do you want me to?” “Yes,” she sighed, “I would.” Debra considered this for a moment before saying, “I’ve always said I believed that you believe.” Minerva felt relief wash over, and before she could stop herself she pulled Debra into a hug. “You have no idea how much it means to me that you’re taking this so well,” she said, her eyes welling up a bit. “I’ve wanted to tell you for years, but I thought you’d think I’d finally cracked.” “Nah, I knew you cracked when you said you liked me,” Debra joked. “Damn weirdo.” “You are such an ass,” Minerva teased back. It truly was a relief to finally get this all out in the open, and Debra taking it in stride made it doubly so. It gave her hope that once Rika was saved and the issue with Jemima was resolved, they might finally solve the greatest mystery of Rhine City together. ****** Sitting in the backseat of Rex’s fire truck red jeep, Jojo stared quietly out the window watching the sights of the city pass him by. He and Flynn were on the way to Brightside’s to wait out Eve’s confrontation with Jack. He had been trying so hard to put on a brave face for everyone but he knew that if Jack wanted to crush his spirit, he would. He thought back to the early days with the man. His sister had been so excited to introduce him to Jack, and he still could see her pleased grin. He’d been struck by how beautiful the man was as soon as he’d first laid eyes on him. His soft caramel brown hair, sparkling blue eyes, and gorgeous smile had drawn him right in. As much as he now loathed the man with every fiber of his being, he couldn’t deny Jack had the face of an angel. At any rate, he had been pretty enough to distract Jojo from his absolutely atrocious attempts at German. Jojo recalled his first few nights with him and the forceful passion Jack had displayed in the bedroom. He certainly hadn’t expected Jack to take initiative quite like he had but at the same time, he hadn’t minded. He’d liked letting someone else have control; it’s what he’d thought he’d needed. In hindsight, he could pick out several moments that should have raised red flags: Jack’s roughness, his overly forceful kisses, the way he’d bite down too hard... Queer people were not quite as accepted back in the early 20th century, so he had reasonably assumed Jack was merely repressed and needed to get some action. But then came the night that a panicked Sera had told him he’d needed to get away from Jack, that he was dangerous and volatile. He remembered the unease, the feeling that he'd long ignored rising to the surface. She’d told him she’d been warned by a coven who’d been tracking Jack and that they would be happy to help him get away from the man. They’d left that night to join up with them, but Jack found them anyway. He didn’t take the rejection well. After stabbing Sera and tossing her into a river, he’d ambushed Jojo with the collar and had whisked him away to be brutalized for months on end. He’d been treated like a dog, subject to every one of Jack’s twisted, maddening perversions. If Rex hadn’t broken in and saved him when he did, he might have gone completely mad. There was truly no earthly way he could have foreseen what a monster Jack Fairchild was to be from their early relationship and yet, he still could not help but berate himself for not predicting what seemed like such a plain truth now. He could see Rex’s eyes flit worriedly to him in the rearview, which brought him back to the present. “Fuck, man. I promise I’m not gonna let that little cunt get to you, okay?” He nodded silently in response. He couldn’t exactly hold Rex to his word because Jack was as unpredictable as he was evil, but he at least appreciated the sentiment. Rex had always done his best to keep him safe from Jack, even when it meant being unable to see his sister. The man had given up so much on his behalf, it made Jojo’s heart ache. When Rex pulled into the parking lot, they were surprised to see it was pretty packed. Although they’d been warned the restaurant would be closing early, they hadn’t predicted such an insane rush. Thankfully, Rex had called ahead to reserve a table for them, just in case. “Well… This is where we part ways for now, boys,” Rex sighed. “Red, you better fucking take good care of Jojo, okay? Like, I’m not doubting you can, but… Fuck, just be safe, alright? That fucker shows up, don’t be a hero and run. And if one of those shitheads he hired shows up… Fuck them up.” “Don’t worry, Rex,” Flynn nodded, “I’ve got this. I swear on my life I’m not going to let anything happen to him.” Jojo felt himself blush. God, I can’t deal with this right now on top of everything else, he thought, trying his best to shove these feelings away. He was starting to realize what that fleeting crystal-clear thought he’d had towards the end of the spell was the other day, but with everything going on he’d done his best to ignore it. Now was certainly not the time to address this. As he and Flynn got out of the door, Rex rolled his window down and said, “Look, I know this is… It fucking sucks, I get it. But it has to go right. Eve’s back to normal, we have Rhiannon and me on this… It’s gonna be fine.” He could sense Rex was saying this almost as much for himself. Putting on a brave smile for both their sakes, he replied, “Ja. I trust you, Rex. It’ll be fine.” With a wave goodbye, Rex sped off, and he and Flynn headed into Brightside’s. Even having never been there before, Jojo felt a warm sense of familiarity. It resembled a lot of the diners he had visited back in the 50’s and 60’s when he’d been on road trips with Rex and Dallas. He could even spot a jukebox far across the restaurant, slightly obscured by a group of teenagers who were flipping through the songs and laughing to themselves. “Hello,” greeted a waitress as they stepped up towards the front, “we’re a little busy right now, so there may be a wait.” “We actually called ahead, there should be a table reserved for Johan Faust.” “That’s me,” Jojo waved sheepishly. “Oh!” the girl exclaimed. “That’s right! Right this way, then!” She led them over to a nice booth with a window that was fairly close to the jukebox and only had one booth right next to it, which was occupied by an average looking man and a person bundled in a hoodie and comically large sunglasses. She handed them a pair of menus as they sat down. “I’m Iris, I’m going to be serving you. It may be a bit before I can get in your order. I can get you some drinks in the meantime, though!” “I’ll have a coffee,” Flynn yawned. “Er, please. Sorry.” “I’ll have root beer,” Jojo added. Iris gave them a friendly smile, turned on her heel, and went off to fetch their drinks. Jojo almost immediately turned his attention to the menu, scanning it over. Almost everything sounded mouth-wateringly delicious, but a diner like Brightside’s could only be judged by the quality of their burgers. “Hey,” Flynn began, a hint of nervousness in his voice, “you don’t have to answer if it’s… you know, too much right now, but I was wondering: Who exactly are the Killer Elite? I kept hearing that thrown about, but who are they exactly?” Jojo snorted. “That’s what he calls his coven. Really, they’re just a collection of creeps a friend of his sends his way.” “Jack has friends?” “Just one. Everyone else barely tolerates him at best, but he talks about this guy as if they’re close. I hope I never meet him; I shudder to think the kind of person who’d willingly befriend Jack… Can we talk about something else? I don’t really want to think about this.” “Right, right, I’m sorry!” “It’s fine, I just… How about we talk about something more pleasant, ja?” “Yeah,” Flynn nodded. “How about you tell me about some of the vampires you actually like in the coven? I didn’t meet many, sadly.” “Well, besides the ones back at the house,” he began, “I’m rather fond of Dallas. Walter is a very nice man, Kristoph is very nice—“ “Even though he dresses like he’s in the Gestspo?” “I’m sure he was just infiltrating some Nazi group again and couldn’t find time to change before he showed up,” Jojo shrugged. “He has a history of getting stuck in awkward situations like that. Anyway, who else… Tony Sugar obviously, everyone likes him… And the Deering twins. I met them right after they turned, and they’re awfully secretive, but I think it’s sweet how devoted they are to keeping each other safe. They have such a strong sibling bond…” Jojo trailed off, wistfully remembering how close he and Sera had been, but Flynn soon cut through his thoughts. “Have you met many vampires outside the coven you like?” “A few here and there,” he nodded, “There’s a vampire mercenary I met named Weston who is a pleasant fellow, for one. But I especially like Rex’s sister, Rosemary. I wish I could have spent more time with her, but I suppose I’ll get my chance soon enough.” Iris returned with their drinks and was thankfully able to take their order down as well. It seemed both Jojo and Flynn had come to the same conclusion on what to order: the signature Brightburger, an impressive-looking sandwich made to be a combination of burger and taco. He certainly couldn’t speak for Flynn’s decision, but he had felt particularly moved by the description of the burger as being something the founder had made out of love for his wife and her culture. Iris took down their orders and walked off. For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence. Then Flynn cleared his throat. “Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you. You know Rex pretty well, right?” Jojo’s eye twitched involuntarily. “I am quite intimately familiar with him, ja.” Flynn’s face turned red. “Right, so, um… Have you ever got the sense like he’s… holding something back? Like, when you were with him, did it ever feel like he was trying not to bring more than lust to the table even though it’s obvious he wants more?” “Ja. Between what happened with Mina and what happened to his lovers, Roland and Marishka, I think he’s trying his hardest to overlook happiness right in front of him so he doesn’t get hurt again.” “Who were Roland and Marishka?” “They were a pair he was involved with at Dracula’s school. When Jack attacked, they held him off so Rose could escape… I only know about them because his daughter’s middle name is Marishka, and he told me why he named her that.” “Ah, he’s into polyamory, aye? A real Dracula and his brides and grooms?” “You could put it like that I suppose,” Jojo snorted as he took a sip of his root beer. “So I guess that means I need to bring in another guy or gal to really make him happy, huh?” He nearly choked on his drink, which caused Flynn to flinch in surprise. “I, uh, I’m sorry,” he coughed. “You sounded so serious, I thought—“ “I am serious.” Flynn must’ve noticed his jaw dropping because he laughed and said, “Come on, Jojo. You should know Rex is worth anything. Dunno where I’d ever find another guy or a gal to do this, but I think it would work with the right person.” Before Jojo could respond to this revelation, an unfamiliar voice from behind him said. “Did you say Jojo?” He whipped his head around in alarm and saw the stranger they’d passed by on their way to the table peering over the booth at him from behind her massive shades. “Oh yeah… Easy, this is him, right?” A grouchy, bored voice replied, “Yeah, I think so.” “And who exactly are you?” Flynn said. “I’m, uh… No one special. The guy with me, he’s Easy.” “Easy?” Flynn snorted. “Is that really your name?” “Yes.” His tone made it clear the question irritated him. “Do you have siblings named Medium and Hard, too?” Flynn continued teasingly. “Flynn, please!” Jojo snapped, before offering the stranger an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry to you and Easy. We’re a bit on edge.” “Does it have anything to do with the guy outside?” “Guy outside?” he panicked. He immediately glanced out the window, scanning the parking lot, but didn’t see anyone suspicious. “What’d this guy look like?” Flynn asked. “He was big, bald, bearded, and burly,” the odd woman nodded. Genuine fear coursed through Jojo. If Moore was outside the diner somewhere asking people if they’d seen him, it was only a matter of time before a well-meaning diner patron ratted him out and put everyone in jeopardy. It also meant leaving the diner was going to be a nightmare. “We’re so fucked, Flynn,” he whimpered. “Hey, hey, let’s calm down,” the woman said. “How bad is this guy out there?” “He’s the worst,” Flynn replied, “just a genuinely repulsive person.” “I kinda got that vibe, honestly…” She paused and seemed to mull something over before offering, “Hey, if you guys want… I have to stay here after closing for a meeting. If I say you’re with me, they’ll probably let you stay here. Then we can leave together. I doubt this guy wants to mess with a whole group of people.” “What?” Jojo gasped. “You’d do that for us?” “Yeah! Helping the people of Rhine City is what I do! And, uh, also…” She leaned a bit closer and looked back and forth. “I overheard you guys talking, and I think we have a lot in common.” She cautiously opened her mouth wider, revealing a telling pair of fangs. “Ah!” Jojo exclaimed softly. “You’re like me.” He paused, then added, “Well… Would you like to join us, then? There’s room at the table for two more, ja?” The stranger disappeared over the table, and a moment later she and her companion stood by their table with their drinks in hand. Both Flynn and Jojo moved over to allow them room, and the girl opted to sit next to Flynn while the guy perched on the very end of the seat with Jojo. Looking more comfortable than she had a moment earlier, the girl said, “I guess I can tell you, my name is Rika. And, uh, sorry for eavesdropping and all that.” “You didn’t exactly try to talk quietly about it or anything,” Easy mumbled under his breath. “Well, unless you already know the truth, you’d have just ignored it or assumed we were crazy.” “I’m guessing your boyfriend is new to this or he doesn’t know how those not in the know tend to filter these things out,” Flynn added dryly. “I didn’t even know that,” Rika admitted, “but yeah, he’s new to this. He only found out after I got up after having a hole blown in me.” Looking more annoyed than ever, Easy argued, “Not everyone is oblivious. Some of us pay attention pretty closely.” “Oh, alright!” Flynn smirked. “Then tell me Easy, which of the customers here is the succubus? Think you can point her out?” For a split second, his eyes widened, but they returned back to a bored glare almost immediately. “Hmm,” he grunted, turning in his seat to scan the interior of the restaurant behind him. For a long awkward moment, Jojo watched as the man silently observed the diners carefully. Eventually, he faced forward again and shrugged. “Could be anyone. I’d have to sit and watch for a while, but I could probably figure it out.” “Take all the time you need, we’ll be here a while! If you figure it out, I’ll pay for whatever you’re buying.” The man snorted. “Yeah, okay.” “I’m a man of my word.” “Ha! Easy’s got this in the bag, buddy!” Rika exclaimed. “I should’ve ordered something more expensive!” “Flynn, how do you know who in here is a succubus?” Jojo hadn’t spent much time around Nightwalkers despite his long life; he’d met a few here and there, but the ones he’d met hadn’t struck him as having extremely obvious tells when disguised and out among humans. “I’ve trained my entire life to be able to combat these sorts of beings. It’s pretty obvious if you know what to look for.” “Gabby really lucked out, getting you as a bodyguard. Don’t tell Hannah how good you are, though. I think she’d be crushed.” “Why do you think I don’t talk about it? I’d rather folk think I’m just some sheltered chump who’s too weak and awkward to be a threat. Makes it easier to catch them by surprise.” “You sneaky boy, you,” Jojo teased. Iris returned with their food, though she paused with a startled look on her face when she saw Rika and Easy were now at their table. “Um, what’s going on here?” “Hey,” Rika whispered conspiratorially to the waitress, “these two guys… There’s some weirdos stalking them. Would it be okay if they stuck with me after closing? I don’t want them getting jumped.” “Oh!” Iris exclaimed. “Um, I don’t think that’ll be an issue, honestly! Do you know them, or—” “Not personally, but they’re part of a group I’m in, and I have to look out for my own.” “I completely get it,” Iris nodded hurriedly. “Alright, I’ll let my friends know! And you two, you can just stay there in your seat as long as you need, okay?” “Okay,” Jojo sighed. As Iris walked off, a sense of relief washed over him for the first time all day. He picked up the decadent sandwich before him and took a big bite. He was astounded to find the taco theme worked exceptionally well. The beef was expertly seasoned, and the guacamole certainly being freshly made. Flynn, likewise, took a large bite, his eyes widening. “This is a tasty burger!” he said in a rather odd tone. Jojo raised an eyebrow at the peculiar enunciation. “Why do you say it like that?” “Have you ever seen Pulp Fiction? Samuel L. Jackson says it like that near the start.” “Ah, ok… No, I’m not much a fan of Tarantino.” “Don’t like his style?” “Not really. I was never too big on exploitation movies in the 70’s. I did like that cowboy one, Django, but other than that…” He shrugged. “I’m not a fan of how weird he is about feet, either. It brings to mind someone I’d rather not be thinking about.” “Oh,” Flynn muttered, glancing down at his burger. “You know, I always assumed that was a joke. But he actually likes feet?” “Ja, and he’s not exactly secretive about it either. I think he knows it makes people uncomfortable so he brings it up a fair bit.” “What an absolute freak.” Rika tilted her head curiously and said, “Who’s this insane foot freak guy you’re talking about? Is that the man we ran into out there?” Jojo shook his head. “No, but they’re working together… Do you know of Jack Fairchild? The Ripper of Whitechapel?” “Jack the Ripper is a vampire?” she hissed quietly. “And he’s after you? Jeez, I’m even more glad I’m keeping you two in here. I remember accidentally stumbling on the photo of his victim when I was a kid. It made me puke. I’m not letting that happen to anyone.” “You’re being too loud,” Easy grumbled. “I’m not,” Rika shot back in irritation. “Again, buddy, no one gives a shit. Unless Jojo or your girlfriend gets up and bites someone’s neck, no one will pay us much mind.” Easy stared at Flynn blankly. “She’s not my girlfriend.” Flynn paused, staring back at him, before giving a slight nod. “I suppose I should’ve known better, aye?” “And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Rika snapped. “Flynn, must you instigate a fight with the people helping us?” Jojo sighed. “I was just agreeing with Easy,” Flynn grumbled. “Mein gott, are you twelve, schatzi? This is so unbecoming.” He turned to Easy with a guilty smile. “I’m really sorry, Easy. I promise he’s not always like this. He’s usually a sweetheart.” “Sure.” The man twisted in his seat to resume looking around the restaurant again, likely trying to find the succubus. “I’d say Easy’s not always like this,” Rika said, “but he has been the whole time I’ve known him. It’s part of his charm, I’d say.” “He’s quite a character, for certain.” “I can hear you,” he grumbled. “I mean that as a compliment!” Jojo insisted sheepishly. He grunted again. Rika let out a sigh, then turned to Flynn. “Can you give him a hint, maybe?” “Hell no! He can figure it out himself or not at all, since he’s apparently so good at this.” “I don’t need a hint.” He turned back around, slouching in his seat looking utterly bored. “If I had to really guess, I’d say it’s that one blonde with her back to us. Something about her energy seems…” He paused for a minute, searching for the right words, but ultimately shrugged and concluded with, “Yeah.” Rika turned to scan the restaurant. “Huh, that girl? I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before…” “You’re… You’re fucking kidding me, right?” Flynn said, his mouth dropped open in shock before turning into a grin. “Aye, guess I’m having some humble pie with my dinner, because you’re one off. It’s that tall girl with the rosy pink hair eating with her! But the fact you noticed there’s something off about her…” Surprisingly, Easy didn’t seem all that disappointed about getting it wrong. On the contrary, he was frowning to himself, muttering something about whether or not the blonde knew her friend was a succubus. “So, how could you tell, Flynn?” Rika asked. “What gave it away?” “It’s how she sits. Succubi have wings, and they still sit in regards to that even when they’re magically hidden. She’s leaning forward a bit with her back off the chair, that’s the big tip off.” “I’d no idea,” Jojo admitted. “Guess this is a learning experience for all of us, ja?” From there the conversation turned more normal and pleasant, though Easy was still rather quiet and moody and had become distracted by something on his phone. Jojo felt fortunate he’d bumped into Rika as he was more relaxed than he had been all day. I’ll be ok, he thought. He won’t find me. He won’t. ****** Just kill me now, Akina thought miserably as she drove across the city to Liquid Heaven with her unrequited crush sitting in the front seat of her car. As she had predicted, twenty-four hours was not enough time to pull herself together. She still felt an achy numbness in her chest and an overall feeling of worthlessness. Debra, at least, was silent the whole ride. She was slumped in her seat staring out the window. Had she dreaded the ride together as much as Akina had? When they pulled up to the coffee shop, Debra barely waited for her to finish parallel parking before nearly jumping out of the car and grumbling, “Thanks.” Akina watched her rush inside before sighing in frustrated relief. The sooner this whole thing was over with, the better. Maybe I should just be done with everything after this. She could probably find a decent job that paid minimum wage. Sure, it would be a pay cut compared to what Minerva was giving her, but at least it wouldn’t be under the table. And best of all, she wouldn’t completely dread going to work every day. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Rue flung open one of the back doors. She’d been so lost in her own thoughts and misery that she hadn’t noticed them approaching her car. “I’m gonna kick Felicity’s ass next time I see her. This shift was brutal without her. Plus I had no one to talk to,” Rue groaned as she sank into the seat and nearly slammed the door in frustration. “I was there,” Allen smirked, neatly sitting in the passenger side’s back seat. “You were a customer, I can’t just be chatting with you all day. Besides, what would we even talk about? Just gossip about Iris for six hours?” “Yeah.” “Hey,” Akina sighed, starting the car. “Where’s Debra?” “She had to use the crabby old lady’s room.” Rue shrugged. An awkward silence settled in the car while they waited for he woman. Without Rita around, Akina didn’t feel confident enough to talk to either Rue or Allen on her own. When Debra plopped into the front seat a few minutes later, she sighed heavily. “Right. Let’s get this over with.” Brightside’s wasn’t too far away from Liquid Heaven, but the drive was still as excruciatingly awkward as before. Akina almost breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled into the diner’s parking lot. “So the plan is for me and My Chemical Romance over here go in the front and then you two slip in the back, right?” Rue asked. “I still can’t believe this is happening.” “Do you need me to go in?” Akina mumbled. “I can just stay in the car…” “Um, yeah?” Rue replied incredulously. “Rita wants you there, Iris wants you there, and even I want you there. This is like your real initiation into our friend group, investigating a big mystery of the city with us.” “She’s coming with,” Debra promised. “Head on in.” Rue shot Akina finger guns, then slid out of the car. “Come on, Weird Al! Don’t keep your girlfriend waiting!” “Yeah…” Allen muttered absentmindedly. Akina glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror and noticed he seemed distracted. He was staring out his window across the parking lot. She peered past Debra and tried to find the source of his interest, but there was nothing to be seen other than the three dozen parked cars. “You good?” she asked, her eyes landing on his reflection once more. “Akina…” Allen began, “I need you to listen carefully. When you get out back, go inside, and if you see anyone you don’t recognize, don’t speak to them. Do you understand?” “Ooh boy, you’re spooking me, Al,” Rue shivered. Completely dumbfounded, she stumbled over her words. “Uh… Yeah… I’ll… I’ll do that.” “Would you two idiots get inside?” Debra snapped. “We’re wasting time.” Allen shot her a cold look. “Of course, ma’am.” “Yeah, uh, sure,” Rue mumbled before running to the door with Allen walking calmly behind her. “Go to the back,” Debra ordered. Akina silently cruised around the building, finding an empty spot in the rear lot. Before she could unbuckle her seatbelt, Debra spoke up again. “Before we go in there, I want to make one thing very clear to you. This isn’t about you, Akina. However you’re feeling right now, get over it. This whole mission is bigger than you, so put your big girl pants on, go in there, and help Minerva. Do you understand?” “Yes,” she mumbled, her mood plummeting even further. “Good, then get over yourself because the world doesn’t fucking revolve around you.” Debra flung open the car door and slid out. “And if this goes badly, I’ll let Minerva know whose fault it is.” She slammed the door shut. Ignoring the sharp pain Debra’s words left behind, Akina slowly climbed out of her car. She sullenly followed the woman, waiting at the back door for Rita to collect them. This wasn’t about her as Debra had made quite clear. So suck it up and get over it, Akina. They waited for a minute or two before the door slowly opened. Rita poked her head out, her eyes darting back and forth across the lot behind them. “There’s no one else out there with you, right?” she muttered nervously. “No weird guys and gals?” “Parking lot looks clear,” Debra confirmed. “Cars appeared empty. Didn’t see anyone suspicious when we pulled in.” Akina hadn’t even realized Debra was keeping an eye out. Minerva had called everyone earlier that day to briefly explain Jemima Mathers had been tipped off about the meeting, but Akina had assumed Cora and her “birds” would have their backs. “Ok, good… There was a really weird pair of guys hanging out back here earlier. I was getting a bit anxious especially when I had to take the trash out… Oh, and you didn’t spot a pretty boy wearing heels out there, did you?” Debra snorted. “Almost wish I had. He sounds fucking ridiculous.” Rita opened the door wider. “Alright, good. Rika has a couple friends with her, and Heel Boy is stalking them apparently. Come on in.” Akina followed Debra inside trying to look as nonchalant as possible. They just needed to get in, talk to Rika, and get out. Then she was done, and she could avoid Debra for a while. Rita led them through the kitchen to the front, looking out over the nearly empty restaurant. Aside from the minimal kitchen staff still cleaning in the back, the only people left were Iris, who was standing by a booth seating four unfamiliar people (probably the customers Rita had mentioned) and Rue and Allen, who were sitting at an adjacent table staring at the front door. “Where do you want me?” Debra asked, sounding more bored than anything else. “Away from a window, just in case,” Rita said. She gestured to the table where Rue and Allen were. “Come on, Akina. Rita, get us a side of fries, will you?” With a jerk of her head, Debra led Akina to the table and took the empty chair across from Allen, leaning against the wall. “Just sit and relax. No reason to get yourself all worked up.” Akina plopped into the booth. ‘Yeah,” she sighed. “I’m just the driver, anyway.” “Every member of an organization matters, no matter how small they think they are,” Allen muttered. “Quit your pity party,” Debra scolded. “None of this would even be happening if not for you, so take some damn pride in yourself for once.” “Geez, lady,” Rue sighed, “did someone shit in your coffee pot this morning? I get you’re not the happiest camper, but why are you being so miserable? You’re about to help out Minerva in the biggest way possible. Relax.” “Tell that to her,” she snorted, cocking her head in Akina’s direction. “She’s moody because she got turned down. Happens to everyone. It's not the end of the world.” Says you, Akina thought miserably. “Why on Earth would anyone turn her down? Are they crazy?” Rita asked, as she returned with a steaming hot plate of fries. “Anyone would be lucky to date her.” “Rita, you are so damn thirsty,” Rue snorted. Debra picked up a fry and blew on it for a solid minute before answering, “And yet she’s completely oblivious.” “I… should get up. Keep an eye on the door,” Allen said. “Rika keeps shooting me dirty looks anyway. It’s best I make myself scarce.” Grateful for the distraction, Akina asked curiously, “She’s here?” “Yeah, you can’t really miss her either. She’s the girl over there with fire truck red hair wearing a jean vest,” Rue said. “I’ll go with Weird Al, make sure he doesn’t lick the windows or whatever freaky shit he’s planning on doing.” Both Akina and Debra turned their heads in unison to their neighboring table to see the four people sitting there staring at them with a mixture of baffled and entertained expressions. Feeling stupid for not having realized they were being watched during their whole conversation, Akina shyly smiled. “Hey,” Rika waved back. “Debra and Akina are ready whenever you are!” Rita chirped as Allen and Rue vacated their seats. She turned excitedly to Akina and whispered, “This is amazing, isn’t it? We’re finally gonna get some answers!” “You do the talking,” she said quietly. Rita was more personable than she was, and it was her big moment, anyway. “Sounds like a plan!” The girl was so excited, it was contagious. Akina felt her mouth twist into a small smile in support. Maybe being here was the last place she wanted to be, but at least she’d witness her friends accomplishing the seemingly impossible. I guess that makes this whole thing worth it in the end. “Quite a colorful cast of characters gathered here,” Rika said as she moved to sit at their table. “Maybe a bit too colorful in some places.” She shot a dirty look across the restaurant at Allen before turning back to them and smiling. “Sorry, Miss Amano. We know there’s some shaky history between you two, but Iris was pretty insistent he’d help keep us safe,” Rita said, bowing her head apologetically. “And considering what day it is—“ “I get it. Probably for the best he’s here considering what’s going on in the city…” Rika tilted her head curiously. “Anyway… Who are you people, really?” “I’m Rita Rigby, one of the hosts of the Tales from Rhine City podcast! You’ve met my cohost Iris, and my other cohost Rue… and then here we have Minerva Bright’s two staunchest allies, Akina and Debra!” Debra grunted beside Akina and grabbed a french fry from the plate in the middle of the table. “Alright, cool… So, Debra,” Rika began, “what does Miss Bright want with me?” To make things right,” she cryptically answered, popping another fry into her mouth. “What exactly does that mean? What’s she making right?” “That’s a conversation you and Minerva need to have.” “Ok, then why isn’t she here?” With a smirk, Debra simply stated, “For the same reason you are: Jemima Mathers.” “What does Mathers have to do with anything?” “Like I said,” the woman continued, “that’s something you need to talk to Minerva about. It’s not my place to go spilling the beans.” “You’ve gotta spill something, though,” Rika said, irritation creeping into her voice. “None of this is making sense to me right now! Why is some restaurant owner who disappeared off the face of the Earth so interested in me? I’m… I’m nobody. My own family didn’t want me after my dad vanished. I was homeless for years, I nearly died my first winter back in Rhine, and I spent a long while after that sleeping on my best friend’s couch. Why am I so special to Miss Bright?” Debra stared at her for a long moment, her face emotionless. Heavy tension fell over the table, and Akina waited with bated breath for an answer. Why isn’t she saying anything? Finally, one of the men at the booth snapped in a very grumpy tone, “Tell her something now, or we’re leaving.” Rika shot him a grateful smile before turning back to Debra. “Well?” The woman exhaled a sigh and cracked. “Jemima’s the reason why you were homeless.” “What?” Rika exclaimed, jumping up from her seat in shock and making everyone flinch at the sudden movement. The lights of the diner flickered ominously—almost as if on cue at what was clearly a bombshell of a reveal to the woman. “But… She’s the heroine of Rhine City. Why would she do that?” “Depends on who you ask,” Debra shrugged. “I say it’s because she’s no heroine, but Minerva seems to think she’s just making bad choices. Like the one she made with you.” “Minerva can explain everything, Rika,” Rita chimed in. “It’d probably be better hearing about what happened from her than Debra, right? But she can’t come out here because Jemima would run her out of town. I know this is all so crazy and intense, but please, you can trust us, okay? We want to give you these answers.” Rika uneasily turned towards the table of boys. “What do you think, Easy?” The same man who had demanded answers just a minute earlier was staring boredly at Debra. “Call her.” “Yeah!” Rika said, turning back to them with a smirk and her arms folded confidently across her chest. “Call Minerva right now and let me hear it right from the horse’s mouth what Jemima has to do with this.” With a shrug, Debra shifted in her seat and pulled out her phone. She tapped on the screen a few times, then handed it to Rika. “Here.” The lights flickered once more as Rika took the phone and sat back down. “What’s with these lights?” Iris asked nervously from where she stood behind Akina. “There hasn’t been any problems with them lately, so why now?” “Debra?” came Minerva’s voice from the phone’s speaker. “Is everything ok over there?” “Hey, uh… This isn’t Debra. This is Rika Amano. I know you want me to wait and you’re doing all this for safety, but I need to get some clear answers before I trust you people.” There was a long pause. “That’s understandable,” Minerva finally replied. “What do you want to know?” “What exactly does Jemima Mathers have to do with what happened to me?” There was another pause. “She loaned your brother mercenaries to assault you and run you out of town. I was supposed to be the one to beat you, but I refused.” Rika dropped the phone on the table in shock. “Wh-What? My brother was the—“ At that moment, the lights completely went out, the diner becoming shrouded in darkness save for a few dim rays from the setting sun that managed to get through the window’s closed blinds. “Darn it!” Iris huffed. “What is going on? There’s not even a storm!” “Well, isn’t this fitting?” Debra scoffed. All at once the lights came back on, and everyone seemed to sigh in relief. Rika shakily picked up the phone, saying, “Sorry, Minerva, I drop—“ She stopped suddenly as the sound of quarters clinking into the slot of the jukebox behind them distracted her. Everyone slowly turned their gaze towards the machine with a mixture of emotions. Standing there was a person wearing a black coat and black platform heels. “Was he stuck in the bathroom this whole time?” Rita whispered to Akina. “Excuse me!” Iris called out. “I’m afraid we’re closed right now! Do you need help getting out? I’m sorry if we locked you in!” The person held up a finger. “Just a second,” he said in a charming, friendly British accent. “I’m looking for a—Aha! There it is!” Debra barely choked back a snort. “Who the fuck is this?” “No,” one of the men at the adjacent table whimpered, “No, no, no, how… How did he find me?” “You know, I’ve lived a very long time,” the man began, “and in all that time I don’t think there has ever been a band that has spoken to me quite as much as ABBA. Their music is just so joyous, uplifting, danceable… And yet, at the same time some of their songs carry a subtle air of fear. ‘I’m a Marionette’ and ‘Tiger’ are two excellent examples of the underlying darkness in their work. Really, they’re just a perfect band. Not once have I heard of an artist who can equal them. “At the end of 1980, they dropped one of their finest records yet--Super Trouper. The title track! ‘Winner Takes it All!’ ‘Our Last Summer!’ There’s just not a single track on there that shows any cracks in their production. But there’s one song on that album that is simply head and shoulders above all the others.” He pressed a button and a song began to play from the jukebox. “The album’s final single, released in July of ‘81… ‘Lay All Your Love On Me.’ A flawless song, sort of a disco hymn about a desperate desire to be loved, completely and fully. Who here hasn’t felt that, right? I must say, it speaks to me especially strongly right now, because I know someone wasting his emotions and sharing his devotion… ” The man whirled around, revealing that under his coat he was wearing a tacky red and white floral Hawaiian shirt. It was almost gaudy enough to distract from his wide, charming smile that made no attempt to hide a glistening pair of very sharp teeth. “Hello there, Jojo. Did you really think you could hide from me?” ******
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorsMichael & Tierney Ford Archives
July 2023
|