Dragging myself to my room, I swung open the door and shut out the world.
What a bloody night.
Rubbing my tender ribs, I grimaced my way to the bathroom where I snapped on the light and started to roll down my unitard.
The chains were already unhooked off me and safely in my dressing room. I'd have to do the same for this costume when I found something else to slip into.
Instantly, purple and yellow peeked from under my ribcage. Along the bottom ribs were speckled with bruising from where Tawn had tried to suffocate me.
It ran all the way around. There was a mark along my throat but nowhere as obvious as the bruises.
Touching them tenderly, my ribs flared and stung back. I felt the drilling right down into my ribs, hissing at the stabbing.
God damn it.
Flicking off the light, I shuffled for my cupboard to pull out some boxers. Slipping on the silly fabric, I carefully folded up my costume, sucking in breath when I had to bend to scoop it up again.
The performance had gone well after Tawn made himself scarce.
Lumi sang beautifully and we glowed together under the lights. Elgress, after returning to the dresser and refusing to look at me through makeup, did her part too.
We did everything as it should, yet I felt like the eyes turned towards me were accusing me.
I think it was just the stress of the fight and having to perform straight after with a new routine and set layout since Avery was absent.
It didn't go unnoticed. People wanted their drinks with him refunded. Bruce snapped over how much money he lost, even pounding on Avery's door in frustration before storming off to his office.
After drinking through thirteen peach teas and waters Vinnie substituted for me, I got to make my way back here and finally slip out of sight of glares and mumbles.
I wasn't as popular as Avery or Tawn, and for once, I was glad.
I got to unwind here while Tawn had to slam back drink after drink while laughing with his adoring fans.
Then, after hours of strain, we were alone.
Everyone else went home. I heard the doors snap shut and the halls finally empty. It was just me, Tawn, and absent Avery.
I was too nervous to sleep. With Tawn hissing that he was going to strangle me in my sleep, I was too rattled that he was waiting for me to climb up into my hammock so he could slip in and do just that.
He could see me through the walls. What was to say he wasn't watching me right now?
Looking to the cupboard wall where his room would be, I stood hopelessly in the middle of my room.
No-one was here but Bruce. It was just us three. I could try and set the record straight while no-one else was here to stop us.
I didn't want to die tonight. I had to make sure Tawn knew that.
Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I picked up my costume and hugged it close as I pushed out of my room to creep over to my dresser.
Flicking on the light and quickly laying the costume down on the bench next to the partition, I raced back for the light to snap it off.
Standing in the darkness, I stared at Tawn's glinting star.
I should have bought a peace offering. I didn't have food he would like, and I wasn't about to go scrounging around the empty bar for alcohol that would be obviously missing tomorrow morning.
But... there was another thing.
Checking the door again, I followed my way down the hall to the end where the cleaning supplies room was.
Pressing on the light switch and promptly closing the door behind me, I glanced back to make sure I wasn't being followed when I opened up the cupboard and peeled off the fake backing.
Seeing the blue glow, I hesitated.
I was the only one here. It was going to be ok.
The light from the room was comforting to see washing over the dirt. Peering in, I could feel the coldness of the cavern I knew waited at the end.
Crawling in, the light was smothered. With the glowing flowers speckling the area ahead, I wasn't afraid.
I kept crawling until I felt the dirt leave my shoulders and stretch into the walls of the cavern.
Standing up and gasping out at my knitted ribs, I took a moment to really appreciate the beauty of this place.
With no light, it really was like being in a galaxy.
I plucked some of the flowers off the walls. Moving along them, I gathered them together in a simple little bouquet.
It was a silly peace treaty, but it was all I could think of. Plus, if I could draw Tawn's attention to the flowers, maybe I could get him to see reason behind my word about Elgress being a snake.
I swear I had seen it right. Her skin has peeled into scales, hadn't it? Or was it really body glitter and a case of dermatitis that I had just made everyone really aware of?
No wonder she had been crying. She must have been so ashamed of everyone trying to see where I had ripped at her skin.
But, she was the one who left me here with my cock out. She was the one who rubbed up on me, trying to have sex with me before she choked me out.
It was all like Tawn. The way she wrapped around me felt just like the way he did today.
If she wasn't a snake, why did she act just like one? Was it simply because she had performed and picked up habits from him after so long in his act?
It was all too confusing. I was just grateful that nobody had discovered me in that shameful state just slumped where I was standing now.
But, maybe this would make it better? I'd clear the air between me and Tawn, and everything would be a lot less hazardous for me.
Squeezing the fistful of flowers close, I crawled back down the tunnel on my way to having a better night.
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Standing outside Tawn's door again, I knocked sharply.
The noise echoed and made my chest tighten at he possibility of Bruce might have heard it.
Listening and hearing nothing, I knocked again for a little longer.
There was a groan and movement. I heard sheets rustling and bare feet slapping away from the door.
He was asleep? I should have left and gone back to mine now that I knew he wasn't stalking me.
Still, seeing a little light illuminate under the door, I waited and knocked again.
I had to do this now when we were alone.
"I'm coming!" his voice snapped sleepily when it approached, unlocking the door.
Opening it, I put on a smile as Tawn scowled down at me.
"What?" he grunted with a sneer. His fingers were wrapped around a rat.
"I want to make sure you didn't kill me tonight" I held up the fist of flowers towards him "it's all I could find to make things better."
His sleepy eyes blinked back then narrowed directly at me.
"Where'd you find those?"
"In the cave behind the cupboard."
"Get the fuck inside."
Oh, I wasn't expecting that to happen. I looked back towards my room nervously and tried to move for it before I felt Tawn's hand wrap around my shoulder and shove me past him.
He slammed his door and locked it. Realizing I was trapped, I remained right where I was.
"Sit your arse down" he grunted and crunched on something that squelched. Turning, I saw the rat tail be sucked up between his lips that dribbled blood.
Feeling my throat tighten at the sight, he licked his lips and shoved me roughly towards the messed bed.
I shuffled for it and balanced on the very edge I tried not to sit too comfortably on. Tawn, however, didn't care and walked past me to go for his bathroom that still had the light on.
I heard the squeal of rats emit from behind the partially closed door before the snapping noise happened again. This one was accompanied by a hissing from Tawn as he sucked his fingers clean.
"Talk" his voice demanded "I don't have all night."
Oh, right. Where did I start? The fact he hadn't attacked me again probably meant I was on a subject that wasn't so touchy for him.
Just avoid mentioning Elgress and you'll be fine, Nisha.
Placing the flowers down, I picked at my fingers.
"When I was taken, I ended up in that place" I squeezed my eyes shut to prepare for Tawn's onslaught, but received none.
He watched from the bathroom, promptly killing another rat while maintaining eye contact.
"And?"
"Well, I was left there by..." I decided not to finish the sentence as his eyes narrowed "...the way I was made me think... the things I did. Things are too similar."
I tensed up as he approached, pointing another rat at me.
"Like what?"
I didn't want to say now that he was right there. I just shrugged and lowered my head.
"If you don't want the bruises to go up to your neck, start talking."
"Looks" I blurted out, cringing when he raised his hand, only to snap his teeth through the screaming rat "when she gets angry she looks just like you do."
He looked proud of the fact. There was a smirk that played on his mouth as he ate.
"Everyone looks at you like that" he scoffed.
"The way she choked me was exactly the same as you did" I spoke up now, finding courage "it's not normal."
His hood flexed outwards and I backed up a little, seeing loose scales smeared on the bed.
"Her skin came off just like this!" I held one up at him "I know what I saw!"
Snapping now, Tawn lunged. I squeezed my eyes shut and tucked my head to protect my neck as I kept my arm outstretched.
"She shimmers in the light" I whimpered "I know it's not body spray. Please, just listen to me! She uses the same laundry detergent!"
I heard a snort as I caught him off-guard.
Slowly opening my eyes, I saw him backing off. He had been ready to strike me again, this time with his fangs.
"It's for sensitive skin. Not many people use it."
"So, she uses the same brand?" he brushed me aside "doesn't make her anything like you say."
"She cried today" I added, searching "not just a little bit, but full-blown panic crying; like she was scared of something."
Tawn huffed, still not accepting it.
"She's way too flexible" I pressed "I've seen her up there tonight. She moves like you do."
"Being flexible doesn't prove shit" he bit back.
"When I went to get you on the night I heard about the rats, she kept trying to stop me."
"She's doing her job?" Tawn pointed out, laying the sarcasm on thick.
"You attack me any time I say she's a snake" I backed up and stood on the bed to hold a hand out at him "either I'm right, or I'm wrong. We have to stick together. I'm not trying to make it hard."
"You're not?" he scoffed and rolled his eyes "by telling everyone what she isn't?"
"By telling everyone what she is!" I moaned back "they'll see what I do and love her even more! Why hide it? You'll have her back with you like you did before. It's no lie you act different with her."
"She's not a snake" he snapped to me.
"Tawn" I sighed back "I know what I saw."
He still glared, hissing. We stood there, me up on the bed while he peered up from beside it.
I approached the end of the bed and stepped down so I was beside him.
"Tawn" I almost whispered when we faced each other "how come you are so scared?"
"I'm not" he snapped.
I stepped forward and he shuffled back.
"Is it because she gets to leave and you don't?"
"No" he growled.
Another step forward. Another backwards.
"Are you afraid she won't come back?"
Tawn held his ground and stormed over to close the distance, looming over me while baring his glistening fangs.
"You don't get to talk about her like you know her!" he snarled, forcing intimidation with the scaled eyes in his open hood.
Looking up at it, I saw Elgress. The way she had stood over me and snapped out each word today in the dressers was uncanny. Her glistening eyes were identical, threatening to spill over.
"I see it."
Sliding my arms around Tawn, I tucked my head against his cold middle to hug him. He stood there, dumbfounded as I did.
"I'm sorry" I muttered up to him "I shouldn't have said anything."
In my way of trying to help, I think I only made things worse. Obviously this was something they wanted to hide, not embrace.
But why? She was even more beautiful now that I knew she was one of us. She could lift the show to new heights with a debut as her natural self. Bruce would treat her like a star.
Tawn's arms slowly wrapped around me, causing me to flinch. Anticipating another strangulation, I was only met with open hands holding me close.
"I miss her" his voice strained.
Elgress? How could he miss someone who was still here?
He stayed there for a moment, just holding me. It wasn't a friendly hug and it wasn't something malicious. I guess it was something in between?
I was just....there.
"I need sleep" he mumbled and broke from me "I've got Old Duck Blinds sloshing up my gut for days."
"You finally had a drink with Loreen?" I smiled up at him, surprised.
He grumbled an agreement, shuffling back to his bed to flop down and throw the cover over himself to be buried.
A hand poked out the side to point at the door.
So that's the real reason why he hadn't stalked me. I just got incredibly lucky.
"Out" he flicked his finger.
"So.... am I good now?" I worried.
The finger demanded my exit, making me snort at it.
I guess that was a yes.
Closing the door behind me, I smiled back to my own room and crawled up into hammock that swung from the shift in weight.
Staring up at the roof, I grinned at just how well that had gone.
It was kind of admirable the way Tawn defended Elgress' name so fiercely. He definitely was captivated by her.
So, she was a snake. Who would have known? I'd have to apologize to her and make sure to squash the rumour about it before it got out of control. Maybe I'd make the apology public so more people could spread the fact quicker.
I knew the truth, but I'd hide it for them. Obviously, it wasn't up to me if people knew. Plus, I didn't want to be on the receiving end of another of Tawn's attacks.
Dragging my blanket over myself, I grunted and chuckled at the pain that shot through my ribs.
Everything was going to be ok now.
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Banging on my door startled me awake the next morning.
Rolling over, I ignored it, groaning when I saw my phone was still on the bedside table over by the door.
What even was the time?
"It's early!" I snapped out, facing the wall.
"Too early for a broken jaw? Open the fucking door."
Fuck. It was Tawn.
I couldn't ignore it. If I didn't answer, he'd barge his way inside and make himself known. My little pocket of safety would no longer be mine.
I had to respect him not taking advantage of my unlocked door.
"I'm coming in!"
"Hang on!" I cried out, rolling off the side and dropping down to the floor "I'm almost there!"
Snatching up my phone and checking the time, I moaned at the single digits blaring back at me.
"It's six in the morning" I complained when I opened the door just a crack to see Tawn standing there.
Avery was by his side, looking elsewhere.
Why was he here?
He looked like he had been ripped out of bed as well.
What was he wearing? Grey shorts with bleach stains? His shirt had holes around the necklace and a tear at the shirt sleeve.
Suddenly my satin boxers felt like luxury seeing how poorly he dressed.
And he was the more popular one too.
"In" Tawn shoved Avery inside, pushing me back so he could turn and lock the door.
"He got out" Tawn pointed to Avery scanning my room in interest "I knew he wasn't in his room. There was no heat."
"I didn't know you'd be looking through my walls" he grumbled back, eyes drawn to the dark bruising wrapping my body.
I saw him grimaced at me. I avoided his sympathy out of shame of being put on display.
"Yeah well, it's easy to spot who isn't where they should be" Tawn retorted, instantly looking to me.
I averted my eyes; a motion that Avery noticed.
"Why do you two need to be here this early?" I rubbed my sore eyes struggling to adjust.
"Ask him" Avery jerked his head to Tawn "I was sleeping."
"Yeah, fuck off with that" Tawn let out a little laugh "i know full well you weren't in that bed last night."
Avery huffed, refusing to be goaded into a fight with the snake.
"We've got to stick together, us stars" Tawn looked at both me and Avery "things are getting a bit sticky. We have to know we can trust each other."
"With the way you beat up Nisha?" Avery threw a hand out towards my body "a bit rich, Tawn."
I had to agree. Where was this coming from?
"You're going to have to choose a replacement soon, right?" he addressed Avery "what's to say Bruce won't cut their wings too? Blame it on you?"
Avery shuffled uncomfortably. He knew the day was coming.
"When he makes you chose a new star, you'll be just another face in the crowd" Tawn pressed "we all will. What's to say he won't replace me next? Toss out Nisha?"
I rolled my eyes, laughing.
"No-one else can do what I do."
"And we thought the same with Avery, but here we are. There's a bunch more birds out there that can do the exact same thing in three months."
"Do you think....?" Avery began to speak, shutting his mouth hesitantly "....he'll make a contract with them too?"
"He can always turn a dresser into another room" Tawn shrugged "there's nothing stopping him from making another when they'll be forced to perform as well. We know he's hungry for money."
I groaned. Another desperate soul trying to escape. They'd be running up the halls, trying to get back to the life they were torn from. We'd have to deal with keeping them complacent.
Us three were already there. There was no use having us all suffer for the actions of one idiot.
But, Avery had escaped overnight.
"Does Bruce know what you did?" I frowned to him.
Avery shook his head, hugging himself.
"He tore up Adrian's arms" Tawn stated "he's going to figure out something happened sooner or later when he sees the guy in long sleeves or patched up with bandages."
Tore up his arms?! Those two were inseparable! I thought Avery would never have hurt him?
This was news. Was he losing his sanity in here, lashing out?
Fuck me. Things were getting out of control.
"We've got to stick together" Tawn repeated seriously "shit is only going to get worse from here on."
"What will we do then?" I worried now.
"First thing, you've got to make the others forget about Elgress. Make sure she isn't a target for Bruce. I don't care what rumour you need to start to do it, as long as it doesn't involve us, ok?"
He was so serious about this. There was no flashy hissing or spat threats. He was really laying it out and making sure we agreed.
I nodded. I could do that.
"You need to stop sneaking out, or do it so no-one sees you" Tawn glared at Avery "hang out with your handler when Bruce is busy with your replacement. You'll have all the time in the world to pick bits off him then. Make sure Bruce is fully focused on the new star first."
Avery grew serious, nodding too.
"What will you do?"
"I'll keep heat off Nisha" Tawn gestured to me "there's word going around you may have taken advantage of Elgress. I'll keep that from getting out. Just make sure you make it known that you two are like this" he twisted his fingers together "she is your new partner, make sure she stays that way."
Don't fuck it up for her and get her demoted to the bar again. Tawn wanted her close in case shit did hit the roof. I could read between the lines.
And taking advantage of her? They did realize she was the one who choked me almost to death, right?
Who would say something like that?
"Do you really think it's going to be that bad?" Avery smiled through the scowl "surely it's not that bad..."
"The moment Bruce finds out you've walked off the grounds, he'll make sure you can't walk again, let me tell you that. You signed the paper; we all did. He doesn't joke around when he knows people are too scared to say anything."
He was too fierce about this. Bruce was holding something over him. He had to be.
It would make sense. Why not threaten the venomous man-snake with something precious to keep him in line?
Was it Elgress? That would explain the fierce protectiveness over her.
As long as Tawn stayed in line, Elgress could keep her job and walk out here every night?
That did make a lot of sense. Bruce didn't know she was a snake. Imagine the pressure Bruce could squeeze around Tawn if he did find out.
As great as she was to have around, I wasn't having her as the new star. Two snakes would be absolute hell, especially one who shared a chandelier in the darkness with me.
So many ways to die....
Shit. I had to stop that rumour, even if it was true. I had to clear my own name by the sound of things too.77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUqu6cW7un
Fuck this.
"We keep our mouths shut about each other" he looked to us "got it?"
"I'm fine with that" Avery mumbled, glancing to me.
Tawn glared, waiting for me to answer.
"What?" I choked out with a laugh of disbelief at their quiet accusations "I'll be quiet! It's the dancers who spread the gossip, not me!"
"Sure" Tawn smirked and rolled his eyes.
"So, is that it?" Avery still looked confused "we just continue on like normal?"
"Well, I'm guessing Bruce will want to roast me about...." Tawn circled his finger in the air towards my bruising "there's no way he didn't hear about it over the comms or see it on his screens. I'm going to go there and cop it on the chin."
I grimaced, releasing he must have watched me struggle and decided to do nothing.
If he entered the room, Tawn would have been off me instantly.
Yet, Bruce didn't think I was that valuable.
"I should start speaking to the girls" I jerked a thumb "who should I throw under the bus?"
We all stood in silence as we thought.
"Levi needs to be taken down a few notches" Tawn replied "he's the guitarist."
The snake one? The guy just did his part and dipped. Sometimes, I heard him just plucking at the strings with some tuneless melody.
He seemed nice to me. Never spoke out of turn and was polite.
Didn't he share a booth with Luke?
"He got caught kissing Luke" I decided "secret gay love is pretty juicy, they'll spread that quickly."
"Sounds good" Tawn agreed with a grin "speak to Vinnie. He'll have no problems with telling anyone who wants to listen. Then, make sure it doesn't come back on you. Levi is nice enough to not do anything, but you need to watch yourself. Luke is the one who is more likely to try and hunt down who is spreading shit about him."
I was playing with fire here. I agreed.
"Also, Adrian will want to get some cotton earbuds and antiseptic for those holes in his arm. It'll hurt like a bitch but it'll make sure they don't get infected."
Avery dropped his head in shame.
How bad did he tear the guy up?
Wait. Did they....?
I grinned at Avery, seeing him in the arms of Adrian.
It wasn't an unrealistic vision. It was kind of cute, really.
They certainly had the dynamic of a couple going already. Would Avery be the to....?
"Nisha" Tawn snapped.
I shook myself from the thought, bringing myself back to reality standing before me.
"The early risers will be turning up soon to practice and meet up. I suggest you start your little gossip spreading when most of them do around ten. Before that, I'll go clear your name so they will actually listen, and talk to Bruce around then. Avery, you'll get Adrian ready to sing. The moment I go to Bruce, shit will hit the fan. He'll shake things up again, so be ready for that. There probably won't be any sneaking out tonight."
We already knew the trade he went on yesterday with switching people's positions. Hearing that I was injured would have him manic in trying to keep the show together.
Avery grumbled but said nothing else. He looked so dejected at being reeled in so soon after tasting freedom.
"Get ready at ten" Tawn gestured to us both as he went over to unlock the door again "room looks boring, Nisha. You need more plastic trees and shit in here"
"Thanks for meeting in it?" I frowned back, seeing Tawn smirk on his way out.
Avery hesitated and looked like he was going to say something to me before meekly shuffling out.
"Ten o'clock" Tawn pointed to my phone "set an alarm."
With that, he closed the door to leave me groaning at the inconvenience.
Snatching up my phone, I jabbed through my messages and spam, finding Lumi.
Might as well get started on the gossip.
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Hanging in the hammock, I had fallen asleep again while messaging.
My phone screamed from the floor, trilling and warbling out the generic tone that let me know my time was up.
At least I managed to get some more sleep in before I had to get to work.
I could hear the muffled chatter of others walking past my door. There was hushed giggles and not-so-quiet conversation.
Scents of cooked bacon and smothered eggs wafted through my room from the takeaway being carried around. There was the punch of coffee there too, accentuated by sweet vanilla or soft caramel.
Maybe I could get Lumi to bring me in something too? The shared fridges out on the loading dock were looking very bare. I wasn't looking forward to a tomato sauce sandwich or a stomach full of milk again.
Dropping down, I grabbed my phone to eagerly send off my request in the promise of money when she arrived.
Sliding out the drawer to the bedside table, I still had a few notes and coins thrown inside from last weeks meager pay. It was more than enough to cover a breakfast burger and hot drink on the side.
Salivating at the thought of a hot meal, I scrolled through my phone on the way to the cupboard, glued to it when I pulled down a simple shirt and a pair of leggings.
Lumi was writing back already.
She always had my back. I bubbled at how lucky I was to have her on my side.
I don't think I want to.
What?
She didn't think she wanted to...what? Get me food? Talk to me?
Why?
Heading to the bathroom, I dumped my clothes beside the sink, frowning over the dots as she typed.
I heard you assaulted Elgress.
Groaning, I flopped onto the toilet so I could focus on typing back.
I didn't. Someone is lying about that. You know me. I wouldn't do that.
The dots again. My stomach clenched when I watched her take her time typing.
Tawn said you did it. He told me behind the stage yesterday. Did you try to have sex with her?
More dots. I could feel myself strangling my phone already at being tricked by the snake.
Clear my name. Yeah, right. He's the one who tainted it in the first place, fucking arsehole.
And he was the one trying to get us all on the same side.
"Fuck!" I growled out.
No, I didn't have sex with her. We just...
What did we do? I couldn't talk about the cupboard either. And I had to debunk the rumour she was a snake too.
"Fuck" I hissed again.
...talked. I thought she was a snake and told her to see if it was true. Turns out i fucked up. She's got dermatitis and I sounded like such an arsehole.
That's it, Nisha. Dig that pit. Fill it in with her more twisted truths.
It was hard to keep up. If Tawn had just kept his stupid mouth shut, I'd be enjoying a hot meal right now.
You did. Everyone thinks she's a snake.
Do you?
More dots. I peeled my eyes away to start the shower and get it to temperature.
She doesn't look like Tawn.
Thank fuck for that. I breathed out a sigh, thankful there wasn't any more obvious similarities between the two.
He's got a thing for her though.
Well, yeah. They used to be like us for a long time. He almost killed me for saying she was like him.
Avoid the word 'snake'. The less it was tied to Elgress' name, the easier it would be to squash the rumour.
Have you said sorry to her yet? I heard she was crying about it all. It was bad.
Another groan.
Not yet. She's not here. I wanted to talk to you about that.
It needed to be public. I couldn't go gifting her flowers from her hidey hole. It had to be more than a simple apology.
Can you pick up some dermatitis cream on your way here? I feel like an arsehole for calling her that. I want to give her something special.
And you think that'll be what she wants?
It'd get rid of the snake rumours. It'd play into the human appearance she was trying to keep up. As insensitive as it was, it had to be the cream and not something normal like flowers or a bottle of cheap alcohol.
I grimaced, seeing how bad it would look already by gifting her this.
Please?
I added in the little smiling monkey face for good measure.
Lumi always got a good laugh out of that.
It's your funeral
I agreed and heaved out a sigh.
The dots danced again, pulling me from climbing into the shower.
What did you want for breaky?
Grinning, I quickly jabbed in my request and left my phone beside my clothes as I dipped under the hot water, feeling my spirits soar again at the little red heart that popped up under it.
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"You are going to get in such shit for giving a girl this."
I took the plastic chemist bag from Lumi who met me at the front door, peeking inside at the clinical tub.
"I tried to save your arse with chocolates" she handed over a little box that glinted gold. I saw the top had been scratched at to remove the clearance sticker that would have been slapped across it.
"Do you think it's that bad?"
Lumi gave me a look that told me everything.
"Think of this. You call a girl a snake because she looks a bit scaly around her wrists and then you give her cream for the thing you had everyone talking about. It looks bad."
I grimaced, knowing full well Elgress would not take this well.
Still, I couldn't back down. It had to happen.
"Have something to eat before she slaps the shit out of you?"
Lumi held up the speckled paper bag bulging from the food she held. Instead of hot drinks, she had two small bottles of water.
I could smell the grease on the meat and the copious amounts of sauce drowned between each layer. There were onions in there too, undercooked and still potent. The chips were the same, but assaulted with so much chicken salt that the potatoes must have been borderline bitter.
It smelled absolutely heavenly.
Nodding enthusiastically, I held the door open for Lumi to take the lead.
It was a shame she didn't glow in this darkness. Only under uv light did her natural beauty shine through. Still, guided by phone light, I saw the glow across her face smiling back at me.
"What?"
She snorted, shaking her head.
"You say sorry in the weirdest ways."
Grinning back, I shrugged.
"I'm a sucker for pain."
"Oh, really?" she scoffed "says the guy who complained when a little safety pin got stuck in his costume."
"Yeah, and it really hurt" I defended myself, chuckling.
She pushed open the door, shaking her head again.
The clinking of glasses and squeak of cloth running along the smooth surface caught my attention.
Looking over, Vinnie was eyeing us and the brown bag Lumi cradled now.
He was always here before the others with a smile and ready to talk.
Troubles at home maybe? Or he had nothing else better to do than come in early to prep for tonight?
"You bitch" he moaned to Lumi, pointing to the bag "coming in here with that."
"Want some?" she offered politely.
"Uh, yes" he scoffed and held out a hand for the little box of chips she handed over.
"Oh my God" he gasped "Fasties?"
"You know it" Lumi grinned.
I watched him eat the chips, groaning and rolling his eyes; making a real show of it.
"And what's in that bag?" he pointed to mine.
"Oh" I looked down at it "an apology for Elgress."
This caught his attention. He leant on the bar, motioning with a chip for me to continue.
"I kind of fucked up and called her a snake without knowing it was just dermatitis" I cringed as I heard how bad it sounded out loud "so I asked Lumi to get cream and chocolates."
I showed them to Vinnie who instantly raised an eyebrow at them.
"Oh, Honey" he tutted "you insult a woman and then rub it in further?"
"I thought it was a good gift" I mumbled at yet another skeptical reaction.
"I said the same thing" Lumi added with agreement to Vinnie.
"You call her a snake and then give her something that screams 'cover up your scaly skin'? Honey...."
"She'll like it" I put the gifts back into the bag Vinnie now eyed.
"Are you giving it to her like that?"
"Yes?"
"Honey!" he cried out, shaming me further "God damn, I don't have a proper one, but take this."
He flipped out a branded wine bottle bag for me.
"Give me that shit."
Snatching up the chemist one, he quickly dumped the gifts into the bottle one and pushed it towards me, tutting.
"Men" he scoffed "always thinking they can just give a girl a nasty chemist bag and call it wrapping."
Lumi snorted, hiding behind her hand when I glared at her.
"I'll take the chips as payment for the sage advice" he slid the box towards himself "you're lucky you have a woman with her head screwed on, Nish. She'll need the chocolates after seeing what you got her."
"Fuck off" I grumbled now at yet another attack and snatched up the bag "you'll see! She'll like it!"
"Make sure you give it to her somewhere I can hear" Vinnie snickered, waving us off when Lumi pressed a hand to my back to move me along.
She giggled as she steered me to the ladder.
"You know, it's not that funny."
"He's right you know" she snorted and handed over the waters for me to wedge in the back of my tights so I could climb up.
Reaching the top, I laid down and held a hand down for the food Lumi gripped between her teeth as she climbed up after me.
Holding on with one hand, she passed the bag up with the other. I slid it on the floor behind me with the drinks, seeing Tawn powering down the halls from his room.
Was he going to speak to Bruce now?
Lumi watched him pass, huffing when he did and looking up at me sternly.
"Do you want me to beat him around the earholes?"
"Earholes?" I snorted now, smiling.
"Well..." she continued to climb "...he doesn't have actual ears, does he?"
Shaking my head at her, I helped her up so we could sit around the food and drinks I dragged over.
"Things are good between us."
"Overnight?" she looked at me in disbelief "I really don't believe that."
"Really" I dragged over the breakfast burger Lumi laid out for me so she could flatten the bag and spread our only box of chips on it to share between us.
The amount was pitiful. Still, if it kept Vinnie and his mouth happy, I could sacrifice a few chips.
"He told me you had sex with Elgress" she unwrapped her burger and scrunched up her nose at the two tomato slices she promptly slid out to stick on the bag "I wouldn't be cool with that."
"Yeah, well, he's as ignorant as he is arrogant" I shrugged back "she wanted drinks after her first time up here, so I followed her. He saw me and assumed I was going off to do that. I don't even know how he got to that, but here we are."
"Arsehole" Lumi muffled through her food.
I agreed, taking a bite.
"See, I thought something was up" she waved a hand "you wouldn't sleep with her, let alone abuse her. That's pretty serious allegations, Nisha."
"We've cleared it up" I pushed it aside "this morning. He said he was wrong and that he'd make sure people knew it."
Lumi turned now to look over the back of the stage.
"So, where is he going then?"
"Vinnie is 'people'" I just said, making Lumi understand.
"Do you think he'll say sorry too?" she smirked at me "give you a bag full of bananas?"
"Fuck off" I laughed at her, picking up a tomato slice to throw at her.
She squealed, laughing when it hit her arm as she shielded her face. The sauce smeared across it left mess across her skin she swiped a finger across and sucked on.
"You're a bitch" I laughed at her.
"And you aren't?" she scoffed back in exaggerated disbelief "you're just sad you've got nowhere to hang your bananas."
She made monkey noises, squealing out laughter again when I got to my feet and picked up the dirty tomato slice.
It had hair and dirt stuck to it from landing on the floor. There were little crumbs of grit in there too.
"Come here!"
"Eww, no!"
She used the paper bag as a barrier between us. When I rushed to one side, she darted to the other, crying out when I flapped the dirt slice at her.
What was I doing? I could just step over it.
"No!" Lumi shrieked as she realized her little patch of safety was gone "eww! Don't!"
She ran for the ladder. I watched her climb down it, leaning against the wall to watch her.
She left her whole head and back exposed. I laughed at her oversight.
"Lumiiii" I sang out.
She looked up, her face dropping when I held the tomato out over her.
She scowled now, pouting.
"Don't you dare..."
"Or what?" I grinned, wagging it.
She began to speak, to try and negotiate some sort of deal, but I interrupted her.
"I don't think I can understand you" I spoke over her, watching her continue her frantic climb down "oh! It's slipping!"
Making monkey noises, I really played it up, laughing through them as the tomato slipped through my nails and went sailing down.
The splat on top of Lumi's head was so satisfying. Bursting out, I roared in laughter at her. She whined, not wanting to touch it but also not wanting to keep it smeared in her nice hair.
"You're dead!" she shook her head at me, trying not to laugh when she stabbed a finger up at me "dead meat!"
I heard giggles and looked over to see Levi had seen the whole thing. He was sitting on the edge of his little area, guitar across his lap as he took interest in us instead.
Peeling off the tomato, Lumi searched desperately for a bin nearby.
She rushed off towards the bar. Levi and I watched her leave, laughing at her holding it out like it was going to strike her at any second.
"She's going to murder you" Levi snorted to me "she'll..."
He mimed stabbing me with curves wrists to indicate her spurs. I scoffed at it.
"If she can catch me" I replied.
He shrugged, leaning back to strum on his guitar to the tune of the first act.
Still, I didn't want Lumi to get me back. I could reach places she couldn't.
Wrapping up my burger and scraping the chips into the bag I puffed out, I carried my loot over to the chandelier to start hauling it out.
It barely missed Lumi's burger. It got the two water bottles that rolled along the ground. Elgress' present also tipped over with a solid thunk.
Still, I was quick to hoist myself to the safety of the air.
I saw Lumi returning and immediately see that the chandelier was out. Looking up, she started shouting, but I just sat down to continue eating.
Levi found the whole thing amusing. He plucked his strings, giggling at her playful savagery.
"You might want to wash your hair out!" I jeered down to her, giggling.
"Oh, I'll be using all your expensive body washes and soaps!" she declared, to the amused smiles and laughter of others passing by "I know you're hiding them in there somewhere!"
"Go ahead!" I shrugged back, enjoying another bite of my food "but don't forget your things before you do!"
Pointing to her food still on the floor, she huffed and began her climb again.
"Women" Levi smiled at me, shaking his head with a smile.
"Hey!" Lumi pointed at him as she leant out on the ladder "I'll come over there and 'woman' you if you keep talking shit!"
"And I'll just bare my fangs and you'll be running home" he quipped back.
Lumi bristled up, narrowing her glare at him.
"What did you say, Snakeskin Purse?"
"Nothing" he played innocent "Glow-in-the-dark pu..."
I called out to stop him, but didn't need to.
The sound of glass shattering turned our heads instantly to the noise somewhere within the walls behind the stage.
There was scraping and banging of furniture, as well as heater argument muffled by the building itself.
I heard a door slam and saw everyone who was moving suddenly freeze to try and decipher what had happened. Whispers started fluttering.
"GET THE FUCK BACK HERE!"
That was Bruce. His voice was unmistakable.
Some closest to the entrance leading down to his office darted out of the way. I saw them power walking away from the seething fury screaming through the silence.
"GO FUCK YOURSELF!"
Tawn. He sounded choked, but not badly enough to be on the verge of tears.
Was it really that bad?
Cringing up in the chandelier, I watched as he made his appearance.
He kept his glare focused ahead while storming through the dining area on a beeline for the door which would bring him safely over here. There was blood dribbling from above his browline which he cupped to try and catch.
"DON'T YOU...!" Bruce started to scream again, only stopping to shove people out of the way and plant himself on the strip "DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME!"
Everyone was watching from wherever they were. The two of them had an audience as people stopped what they were doing to witness the argument.
Tawn stopped at the other side of the strip. He turned, puffing up to show off the markings hidden within his hood. His tongue flickered out, probably to taste Bruce's shaking fury.
Bruce had his hands balled into sweaty fists. Facing against a much taller, much more aggressive man-snake, his edge was obviously simmered.
Below, I saw Levi place down his guitar to try and get a better look. He crawled to the end of his little ledge, transfixed on them both.
Would be jump in to defend Tawn? Were the snakes bound like that? Or was it just amusement to see if Bruce would eat shit?
"I'm not walking now, am I?" Tawn snapped to Bruce.
Every word cut through the air. I heard the hissing of his breath behind each one.
Seeing movement, I spotted Avery rushing down the halls towards the side of the back stage where he could see. Adrian was by his side, whispering to a dancer to question what was going on.
"You get back here!" Bruce stabbed a finger to the ground, growling when Tawn didn't obey "I OWN YOU! GET OVER HERE!"
Spit flew through the air, but Tawn remained composed and pulled himself up to hold his head high.
"No."
The defiance excited the watching eyes. I heard whispers jumbling together at the act.
A star. Breaking his binds, despite having nowhere else to go.
I was in awe. I think my heart even stopped beating for a moment there.
"W-What?!"
"No" Tawn repeated firmly "you cunt."
Whispers turned to hushed chatter. There were suppressed giggles chortling through them all.
I heard Vinnie gasp. He stood from behind his bar and at the doorway, hand to his mouth. The rest of the staff and anyone who had been turning up were crowded around him, including Elgress and Luke.
Levi let out a sharp laugh, covering his mouth when he realized how loud it was.
Bruce snarled at him. He shrunk down but didn't move.
The attention was back on Tawn in an instant.
"YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I'LL..."
"You'll what?" Tawn challenged as he moved towards Bruce now "you'll throw another glass at me? Tear more parts off me? Tell me how good I have it here as some, obedient, fucking, pet who you TRICKED?"
He rose into a scream, jabbing a claw into his own chest while still slowly stalking towards Bruce who was far too enraged and prideful to back down now that he knew everyone was watching.
"YOU TRICKED ME!"
Bruce smirked, staying silent. Tawn was closing the space between them and I could see him becoming nervous under his tough exterior.
Tawn would kill him if he wasn't stopped. He didn't stop with me until I was crushed into something compliant. He wouldn't stop with Bruce until he choked out in last breath.
Who would keep us alive then? Feed us enough funds to support ourselves?
No job out there would take people like us whose only experience was doing fancy tricks. We'd be forced out to the grimy streets of the city with nothing to shelter us. We didn't have homes we could go to. This was the closest thing we had to those warm memories of the past.
Someone had to stop him.
I could feel my heart hammering when I saw him closing the gap and nobody daring to speak up.
Taking a deep breath, I squeezed my eyes shut at the fear and pain stinging through me.
"TAWN!"
Opening them, I saw his head turned to me. In fact, everyone's was. Even little lights of eyes I didn't know were there glistened back from the darkness of the roof and shadows past them both.
They looked just like the night sky. If only they were that distant and wonderous.
My chest squeezed at the attention. The bruises burned and jabbed at my side I held to try and quieten in.
"We have nowhere else to go" I whimpered.
It was so quiet he heard every word. Even I heard how desperate I sounded when it echoed around me.
He knew this. He'd have to. There was a reason why he hadn't coiled himself around Bruce or smashed his head across the cleaned tables staggered above and below them.
He knew. But, he wanted Bruce to feel his pain so desperately.
I saw it in his face. There was nothing he could do from here but back down shamefully in front of everyone.
His fellow stars. His old partner. The snakes he shared a stage with. The hidden hybrids too scared to do what he did. His own boss....
Tawn closed the distance between them and pulled Bruce towards him by the collar of his shirt. Whispering into his ear, I saw his expression change instantly. Tawn made sure Bruce heard every word, peeling back to even glare into his eyes.
Tawn patted his shoulder before promptly turning to walk back to the door like he initially intended.
Now I was interested in what he said. Leaning in like I would suddenly know, I waited for Tawn to appear closer to the back stage.
He was swarmed by curious people wanting to know the same thing. Others worried over the blood still dribbling from his face while some just wanted to be near the one who stood up to Bruce so bravely.
He wanted none of it though. He was just trying to get to his room.
"Tawn!" Levi called out when he inched past his ledge "hey, what you did was pretty cool."
Levi looked embarrassed to be talking to him with such an audience. The way Levi burned, he really admired Tawn.
Hissing and snapping at him, Levi grinned. Tawn laughed and actually shook his head.
"It's not pronounced that way, but I get it. Thanks."
Levi still appreciated the praise, watching Tawn leave.
I did the same, glancing to the ladder to find Lumi instead up the top. She watched Tawn move past as I did, following him with our eyes while he politely tried to break from the herd.
Now that Vinnie was out of the way, Elgress and Luke could squeeze through to split up to their own targets.
I motioned for Lumi to move so I could reel closer and gather the food to make the jump back over to land. Pressing together at the ladder, we both watched Tawn finally get to his door and quickly disappear inside.
"Wow" I breathed.
"Yeah."
"Do you think Bruce will have another go at him?" I glanced down to Lumi squeezed in around me.
"Oh, for sure. Levi too for laughing."
I looked to the snake explaining his events to his friend. They sat engrossed together now.
Time to start spreading that rumour then.
"I would be more afraid of Luke" I threw out there "he's the one who likes Levi."
"What?!"
Wriggling free, Lumi glanced at them and leaned in close to me, waiting for the goss.
"He got caught kissing him" I whispered "in their little room. One of the girls walked in, and bam; kissing."
Flicking a subtle finger to the area, Lumi withheld her squeal.
"That is so damn adorable!" she gushed.
"Right?" I added, grinning at how easy she took the bait.
"Do you think Avery and Adrian are the same?" she muttered with a sly smile "they're quite close too."
Steer clear of them. Take the attention away. You don't want shit to link back to them and their escapade.
"I don't think so" I shook my head "Avery is more of a solo act to me. He's got his eyes elsewhere."
"You think so?" Lumi deflated at the denial "they would make such a cute couple. But... maybe he likes one of the other birds around here? That would make sense."
"Lumi" I sighed to her "let's keep it to what we know. Levi and Luke. Let Avery fall in place when he figures it out."
Lumi grinned to the snakes, clasping her hands together.
"Oh, they are so adorable!"
"But I didn't tell you this" I warned her now "I heard it from the girls."
She nodded, bubbling at the sight of them talking so heartily.
She had a soft spot for romance. That was something new I learned about her.
"Why don't you go clean up in my room?" I offered her "maybe find out some more details on our snake boys? I'm curious too."
Lean into her fascination. Nudge her to talk about our newly planted rumour. Feed her bubbling imagination.
"Yeah, sure" she agreed and promptly bundled up her food and the waters to make her way back down to the ground.
Snatching up Elgress' gift, I scanned the area for her but came up with nothing.
I knew she had been heading towards Tawn's but hadn't entered.
Where else would she go? To the dressers? To the bar?
Maybe... back there?
It was in the same way. And she would still be stinging from the pain of my accusation. She said she went there to be alone. Tawn confirmed it was a sort of forbidden safe space for her.
I wanted it to be public so it could clear up the whole snake thing. Still, I wasn't looking forward to her reaction.
Maybe I'd wait it out?
I didn't have to wait long. Bruce, stinging from humiliation, made himself known by stomping his way out onto the end of the stage so he could be seen. He had a fresh glass in one hand he took a swig from.
Levi suddenly stopped talking and pushed towards the door of the alcove. Luke stood too, watching Bruce grin at the kid peering around him.
It wouldn't help beat the rumour. The almost protective stance only added fuel to the flames. It was perfect.
"Toss me a mic, boy" Bruce pointed.
Grabbing Levi's guitar, Luke opened the door to let his friend slide in first with it. Disappearing only for a moment, he returned alone to jump towards the curtains and fight through them to appear back stage. Hurrying along, he held out the mic when he slowed to a walk towards the man waiting.
Snatching it up, Bruce snapped it on and blew into the top. The sound of sawing sandpaper screeched overhead, making groans cry out.
"Be gentle!" I heard a voice complain in the darkness somewhere towards the upper right.
Luke used the time to hurry off back stage where he remained with the other dancers watching on.
"Avery" Bruce spoke now, looking around "my little star. Where are you?"
Why was he targeting him? Did he know he couldn't touch Tawn so he was going after the next best?
Did that mean I was next?
Bruce took a drink, making sure to breathe out his satisfaction into the mic, echoing it and rattling through my bones.
There were no complaints this time. Doing so would only make things worse.
The audience was back. This time, they watched in fear of what would happen next. Bruce was alone on the stage, still turning.
"Averyyyy" Bruce sang out now "I know you are around here. Come to the stage. I need you."
He wasn't slurring his words to be hammered. He was playing with him, knowing no-one would be brave enough to step up.
Still, where was he? Why wasn't Avery coming?
Another act of defiance?
I saw dancers turning and muttering. There, amongst them all, was Avery. He stood there, just hidden behind the curtain where he had his arm cradling his casted one. His face frowned in fear at the man. Adrian was beside him, muttering something to him to make him nod.
And, up the end of the hall at the cleaning room door, was Elgress. She was creeping her way down to get a closer look at what was going on. Her eyes locked briefly with mine as I remained in my nook, leaning against the frame at the ladder.
"AVERYYYY!" Bruce bellowed now "GET DOWN HE..."
The roaring voice shook right through me. It felt like it was in my blood and rattling around my bones. I couldn't breathe through the sheer anger snatching my breath away. Magnified and closer to the roof where the sound systems were threaded, I just watched, frozen.
"I'm here!" he called out as he pulled from the others trying to get him to remain in place "sorry."
"Avery" Bruce grinned coldly, instantly acting sweet "come here. I need you to do something important."
I saw his head turn to grimaced back at the others. It even darted up to me before locking back on Bruce.
His feet shuffled forwards. It was clear he didn't want to move towards him. They even buckled a little when he cowered down the stage.
"Avery, I'm not going to hurt you" Bruce grinned and took another sip he expressed alongside an audible swallow "come on, don't be shy."
Avery reached the end of the stage and looked up at Bruce. Turning to the others, he kept his mouth clamped out of fear.
Bruce pulled him to his side and wrapped an arm around his shoulder to squeeze tight, rubbing it.
"You're going to call all of your little bird friends right across that pretty straight area there, see?" Bruce pointed with his glass to the area he had just been humiliated at, dumbing it down to try and embarrass Avery "and if I don't see twelve pretty birdies up there, I'm going to get really, really mad, ok?"
He patted his shoulder then roughly handed him the mic that squealed at the sudden movement.
Avery just stood there, looking to Bruce for any other order.
He wasn't refusing, he was just scared.
But Bruce was already seeing this as another of his stars defying him. He snatched onto the back of Avery's neck to dig his nails in and make him cry out. The sound was magnified for all to hear as Avery struggled to keep a hold of the mic dangling down by his side.
"Hey!" Adrian snapped now "you can't do that!"
"If you want to keep your job, I suggest you shut up right now" Bruce pointed at Adrian being held back by the dancers.
Reluctantly, he remained put as Avery whimpered.
"Let me up, please" he begged "it hurts."
The position was putting pressure on his broken arm. Without the sling, it was being forced somewhere around his stomach and crotch to be crushed.
Bruce released him and Avery raised the mic to his lips, glancing to his boss.
I could hear his shaking breath when he bit through it and clutched the mic tightly.
"Please" his voice trembled through me "don't make him mad. Come down and line up. Please."
Bruce snatched the mic from Avery and stepped forth.
"I'd better see you all here!" he called "chickens, turkeys, budgies; even fucking pigeons for all I care! As long as there is twelve of you, I couldn't give a flying fuck. Chop chop!"
Snorting at his own joke, he snapped off the mic and clapped Avery on the shoulder as he hung his head.
There was silence. It was just the two of them on stage, surrounded by the disapproval of the rest of the team.
It looked like none of them were going to show until I heard the rustling of feathers from out at the roof.
Falling down towards the ground, it didn't sweep out it's wings until it was closer to the strip.
With a single flap, it slowed up enough to stretch out it's four-toed bird foot and land. Three pushed out at the front while one kept it's balance at the back in typical bird stance. Unlike a bird, it's legs were thick like a humans.
The thing that stood there had to be at least seven foot tall, maybe pushing a bit more.
It's colour reminded me of rocks. It was grey but had some unusual bluish sheen to it as well. The wings had a lighter silver shade, ending in a graduated darkness towards the tips.
There was a little comical tuff of feathers on the back of its head, but the thing that I couldn't take my eyes off was the beak.
It dominated most of it. It looked like an old wooden clog and curved like one too. Black spots were smeared up the middle of the massive bill towards the haunting yellow eyes set at the front in a permanent scowl.
Scratching its belly with its human arms stretching down under the wings it tucked in, the three fingers raked a path through the under-fluff to scatter some on the floor.
The presence of the bird terrified Bruce. Avery gazed up in awe at it opening its beak to clack it loudly.
It was just like machine-gun fire. If I wasn't seeing it come from the bird-thing, I would have thought someone was shooting at us from outside.
For the first time in years, the birds were making themselves known.
Now all Avery had to do was make sure they survived at the end of the night.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
