Glaring across the food court, I cradled my phone in one hand.
It had to be him.
I could only catch a glimpse of his hair, but that was Adrian. He wouldn't just be sitting here and chatting and holding hands with just anyone.
It had to be Avery.
We had been blowing up his phone on the hunt for him after he ran off. Circling the centre and continuing in the path we thought he had gone, we had lost him again until we decided to get food and tackle the task again later.
Then, I spotted them across the way.
Barley blocked most of the view. Leaning around him, I was sure my suspicious were true.
I sat back down and turned to my phone.
Where are you?
Leaning across again, I waited for the hand to retract.
It did.
Glancing down at my own, I saw that my message had been read.
"Will you relax?" Lumi grabbed the back of my pants to try and pull me back down "you are getting all sorts of attention."
So were they.
People peered and gathered around the booth when they noticed Adrian. Hesitant and unsure, like us, the masses hadn't fully realised who was hidden away inside.
"It has to be them."
"It could be anyone" Lumi sighed, tugging me down "just sit before you have the whole food court over here."
Barley leant across to block most of the way again. With all of us squashed along one side of a table against a leafy barrier, we were trying not to gain the same sort of attention they were.
I turned to my phone again.
Avery had messaged.
I'm fine. Don't look for me.
Barley and Lumi's chimed and lit up too. Seems he just copy and pasted the response to us all.
Scowling in the direction, I huffed.
"It has to be him."
"And he obviously wants to be left alone" Lumi sighed back "we got him out of there and here. He's with Adrian now. He's safe. Why are you so worried?"
I scoffed, turning away.
"I'm not worried about him! I'm just annoyed he could run off like that and let us waste our time looking for him when he's been here with him!"
Worried about him! What a stupid thing to say. As if I would ever be concerned about that stupid bird.
He was ruining the good day we were supposed to be having. That's what I was worried about, not him.
"You were quite mean to him on the escalators" Lumi directed her cold stare to her brother.
"Me?" Barley gasped out, suddenly offended at being put on the spot; looking for a way out "hey, I wasn't the only one picking on the kid! You guys were too!"
"You were the one being an absolute arse about his relationship with Adrian!" Lumi snapped back, flaring up at him "he's sensitive about that. They aren't even together yet. No-one even knows that he likes his work partner."
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, getting Lumi's glare now.
Was it really not that obvious to the others? It was so painfully obvious from above when I saw them together day in and day out.
People thought they were just good friends?
Barely grumbled, mumbling under his breath.
"Yeah, well, how was I meant to know he was going to cry and run off?" he muttered.
I dipped my head to my phone again.
"What are you doing?" Lumi's voice held a sharp edge to it.
"Leaving him alone" I replied as I typed.
I know you are over at the....
"If he were Tawn, you wouldn't be harassing him this much."
...food court. Before you get too much attention...
I looked up.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm saying..." she picked at her drink that had been left untouched until now "...that if he were Tawn, you wouldn't go near him."
"The snake guy?" Barley's head tilted down to me now "he do something to you?"
He was suddenly so serious. He looked to his sister who played innocent.
"It's nothing" I played it off "it was a misunderstanding back at work between us. It's been sorted."
"We can 're-sort' it, if you want?" Barley pressed one fist into his other large hand.
I snorted at the absurdity of it. Hunting him down just to beat him up over something that was already done and dusted? That really was holding a grudge and taking things too far.
"It's been sorted" I smiled and pushed his fist down to the table "honestly."
I showed Lumi my phone and unfinished text.
"I'm just giving them a heads up. I'm not starting anything. Cross my heart."
She looked somewhat convinced at the quick flash but not entirely. Sipping her drink, she did let the issue slide so she could pick on Barley for even suggesting he was going to fight a snake.
I'd leave out the side doors. You can get to the car park out there.
Finally. The message was finished. It only took forever.
Sending it, I placed my phone down.
Only a few seconds later, it lit up.
Are you watching me?
We are nearby, I just typed as I picked at my own food.
Thankfully, it was still warm.
Over by the yellow chip sign?
Turning my head up at it, I confirmed the location, as if I wasn't the one who hadn't chosen it in the first place. Leaning over again, I saw Avery was glaring at me from across the way, phone in hand. Adrian gave a short wave. I returned it meekly.
"Great. Now they hate us" Lumi muttered.
Barley gestured for them to come join us. Adrian looked to Avery and they refused.
I could see why. Leaving their little closed nook would leave them exposed to the rest of the court and definitely expose them to anyone who hadn't noticed they were already there.
I pointed to my phone, typing.
You guys are the more popular ones. If I were you, I'd leave before it gets too busy. Looks like you've already got a few fans.
Avery actually had a little laugh at this. He was typing back as he slid out of view again.
"What's he saying?" Lumi leant across, trying to see.
"Nothing yet" I lowered my screen so it could be more visible.
The bubble appeared, making me chuckle.
"'Didn't you always like it better, being in the shadows?'" I quoted, shaking my head, before another popped up "and I'm sorry for running off on you guys. I was too embarrassed."
Lumi glared to Barley who cringed down a little under her venomous look.
"But we are going to be together. It's exciting" I smiled to them all, turning the screen to show them the cute dancing person he sent across.
Lumi let out a little squeal, making Barley jump.
The table lurched. Our food slid across a few centimetres. Barley lunged for Lumi's drink that toppled.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" he snapped as he steadied the drink, reaching up to plant a firm hand over her mouth "warn me next time before you start screaming like you are hurt, ok?"
"Oh, come on" she rolled her eyes at him as she pulled down his hand "it's cute! They are finally a thing!"
I chuckled at her excitement, laughing at how happy she was for them both.
I think you guys heard Lumi's scream from over there, I typed to them, if not, she's pretty happy for you guys.
"You need to get your head out of those weird picture books" Barley shook his head as he slumped back down with an exhale.
"What? Are you scared of two guys kissing?" Lumi grinned, teasing him into defending that he was not homophobic towards real boys or those on paper.
And what about you?
Gripping my phone and leaning back, my smile slipped a little.
What did I feel? Happy for them both? A little annoyed it had taken them so long to actually get to this point?
They did have a good dynamic too. They were practically best friends. I had seen the way they had interacted at work. There was no bitterness between them.
Was I really scrutinizing Avery's new boyfriend, like I had any right to judge?
Boyfriend. He was more than just a work partner who was there to slap some gold on him and give some nice vocals.
It's about time.
Scrolling through the icons, I found a funny one of someone throwing confetti. I sent that across so my tone didn't sound sour.
Placing my phone down, I was met with both Barley and Lumi staring at me.
I thought they were still arguing over their stupid feud?
"What?"
"In all the time we've been together, you've never been on your phone so much" Lumi flicked her finger towards me, turning to Barley now "usually it's just us. He's never this rude."
"Rude? I'm replying to them!" I gasped back "besides, my phone is usually in my room. Now I'm out here, people actually want to talk to me."
"Shocker" Barley let out a laugh and shoved me.
Pocketing my phone, I showed them that they had my attention now.
"Happy?"
"Sorry?" Lumi picked up hers, pretending to text "I'm busy."
"You idiot" I snorted and swiped at it before she leant away, giggling.
With the mood lightened between us, I saw Barley return to his food.
"We might want to move along soon" he tilted his head to the food court "they've noticed your famous friends."
With our food and drinks clutched close, we watched as Adrian and Avery's booth was swarmed. With someone recognizing them and calling to their friends, the noise caught attention of others who quickly pushed in for a look at the two who had tried to hide away.
There was no doubt they couldn't be close with this many people watching them now. They'd have to save that for later.
"Once they go, they'll come for you guys" Barley muttered nervously "should we go too?"
And miss out on all this shopping because of a few people? I was desperate for a new wardrobe and to see much more of the glamour laid out around me.
But, we did need to play it safe. We didn't want to be crushed like they were because we decided to dawdle around and not escape when we should have.
"Pack up" I started to gather our things together into the plastic bag given to us "we'll make our escape when they do."
"If they can" Lumi worried.
"I'll call them" I pushed the bag to Barley to tie off and cradle under an arm.
It didn't take long for Avery to answer. With a grunt and nervous laugh he politely asked someone to back up before answering me.
"We are going to leave, if you want a way out?" I leant across to see the crowd becoming more demanding for their piece of the duo.
"Please" he breathed "they're all climbing in here and trying to get videos and photos."
I heard begging for a photo. There was pushing. Avery cried out in pain.
It spiked something inside my gut to hear him like that. Actual strangers hurting him while we were just over here. So close...
"No thank you" Avery's voice whimpered "please don't."
"Hey!" Adrian snapped in the background of buzzing voices "stop pulling on him! He's got a broken arm!"
"Get here soon, please? It's ve...." Avery pleaded, just before the phone cut out.
"We've got to move" I decided.
The crowd was getting far too aggressive for them. No matter what happened earlier, we had to stick together and help both of them out.
We could handle a crowd. We survived Paragon. Nothing could be worse than that.
"Barley, can you lead the way?" I peered up at him as he let us out of the booth "you can clear a path while we get in there and grab the guys."
"I can do that" he grinned, almost dangerously.
"Without casualties" I patted his back "we aren't fighting them."
He looked defeated, huffing and still trudging forth as he palmed the food off to his sister.
"You think they'll be ok?" she worried beside me.
"It'll just be like the office" I reassured her with a smile "in and out. We'll be fine. Barley will take the front and I'll duck around. You can take the side. I'll grab Avery and you can get Adrian."
"Sounds good to me" Barley agreed.
Lumi nodded.
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Marching behind him, Barley straightened as he took point and drew closer.
"Clear a path!" he boomed out "security! Make way!"
His imposing size did have some people scrambling to get out from under him. Those who didn't were roughly barged aside as he made a path through the crowd towards the booth.
I couldn't believe his trick was actually working. Sure, he was very imposing, and no-one could get near someone as tall as him with a structure, or tail, as wide as his, but it was insane how easily he cut through them all.
With people moved out of the way, they realized the two extra celebrities amongst them. Divided, the crowd split to try and trap us as well.
"Make way!" Barley boomed "you are all disturbing these businesses and putting these people at harm! Clear out!"
I ducked under his arm and rushed forth while he had those around him confused on what to do.
Shoving against the sides of those refusing to move, I kept squeezing forth against the wall of flesh.
It beat and pushed against me. Shoving in some parts didn't budge it. I had to keep testing where it was weakest so I could inch forth towards the lights above this darkness.
Reaching through the arms, I pulled myself up to the booth by Avery. Able to breathe, I took in a few grateful breaths and turned back to see Barley still clearing a path for us.
The real security was on their way. I could hear the squealing of their radios down the hall further down.
Still, it would be a little before they got here. We wanted to be gone before Barley got caught impersonating a security officer.
Avery blinked back at me. Adrian looked over from across the table in astonishment.
I grinned to them both, shrugging.
"I did say I'd be here."
Pulling me into an one-armed hug, Avery was quick to express his thanks. As soon as he was pressed against me, he was retracting again.
"Move it!" I heard Barley snap to someone nearby, slamming his arms down on the table to create a buffer around us "you guys ready?"
Avery looked to Adrian.
"You've got to look after his arm" he said "it's been hurting him."
"They've been pushing against it" Avery whispered to me.
Barley motioned towards himself. Confused, Avery only stared back.
"I'll carry you" Barley explained "no-one will get your arm up here."
"It's a good idea" Adrian agreed with a nod "we'll be right behind you."
Right on cue, Lumi squeezed into view under Barley's left arm. Holding onto the bag of food, she peered at everyone.
"Are we going?" she gasped out as she was almost crushed again.
Barley hissed through a breath, turning on the crowd clambering around behind him.
"They're stepping on my tail!" he snapped to us "let's go!"
I crawled onto the table so Avery could move past me and over to the massive arms of Barley. He was lifted up onto his shoulders, instantly pushed back through the crowd that seemed to surge with him to try and yank him back down.
Some remained, but majority followed Avery ravenously. They leapt for his backpack and even tried to haul him down by his pants.
He held on for dear life. Barley snarled to those daring enough to approach his back to try ripping Avery down.
"Well, at least we know where the love is" Lumi rubbed her ribs.
We couldn't rest though. Security had entered the food court and were quickly powering over towards us to divert the edges of the mass.
"Follow Barley!" I called, jumping off to do just that.
Lumi saw what had changed my tone and darted after me, not waiting for Adrian who was right behind her.
I snatched onto Lumi's hand to avoid being torn from her. She did the same with Adrian.
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Forming a human chain, we sprinted after Barley who had now broken into a sprint for the doors ahead.
I could see the fountains outside. Across the way would be the elevator where we could make our escape to the carpark. Or we could brave the stairs nestled beside them.
Surely, people wouldn't try to flood the lift with us?
The chain wasn't working. I could feel Adrian being pulled at in the back, leading to me being staggered. Heaving ahead, Adrian held on desperately as security swarmed to try and calm the frenzy.
Lumi's nails dug into my hand painfully. Desperate not to be separated from me, she kept close and tried not to create too much of a gap between us.
Barley was waiting by the doors for us. Swarmed and clearly uncomfortable, he kept Avery up on his shoulders and at a safe distance from the reaching hands. It could do nothing for the endless phones trained on him though.
"Hurry it up!" he urged when we hit the mass and shoved against them for the freedom just out of reach "keep going!"
"We're trying!" I snapped back to him, gripping onto Lumi for dear life as she squealed out.
Security were right on us. Forcing people to disperse, they moved through the crowds to pin two beside Barley. Over at Adrian, another one was moving others along and away from the doors.
"Look, we just want to get out of here" Barley held his hands up as he spoke to the guard slathered in black body armour and flashy badges. There was an obvious body camera snuggled to the front of each vest "the cars are that way."
He pointed, almost knocking the head of a fan who had to duck out of the way.
"It's quite a commotion you've caused" the one on the left huffed.
She looked like a normal human. Hair tied into a low brown bun, she was smaller than her male colleague on the other side, but still just as fierce.
"These are those Paragon guys" the right one grinned "thought you guys never left that place? Great show."
He praised Barley like he had some part in the show. He said nothing, drinking in the attention like a fool.
"Can you help us out?" I turned my head up to the other human guard shielding my right, now that a path had been made.
"We're going to try and get you out of here" she replied sternly, moving along the others wanting to remain behind "quite the fanbase, huh?"
"Because of this one" Barley jolted Avery a little to have the attention on him, making him instantly blush.
"I don't know" another lizard, a rusted brown and grey Frilled Neck, from the middle of the crowd turned its head towards us "the woman has some pipes on her. My kid is obsessed. Shows me all the videos and songs."
Lumi dipped her head as she blushed. Her eyes darted to me and I saw her little grin.
She really was cute when she was embarrassed.
"We're just going to get them on their way so we can restore order to the food court and centre" the one beside me barked to the others as the walkie on her hip rattled with voices that she grabbed "yeah, it's Marsha. We've got the Paragon guys by the fountains, at the court. Got...." she swept the area "five of them here. Two vip, two seconds, one extra. Five of us are here already."
"Ouch" Barley muttered.
"We just need to get to the elevator" Adrian spoke up and shuffled over to my side with his guard "my car is parked nearby."
"Ours is on the other side" I remembered with a pit in my stomach at the thought of having to face the crowd again "in the pink level. G5."
The woman frowned. Obviously she had the same idea going through her mind. Guarding us through the carpark wasn't going to be a viable option. They had other jobs other than babysitting us. But leaving us alone was going to cause an accident if people were stupid enough to be distracted while driving around below us.
"I'll take you guys around" Adrian piped up "i can put you and Lumi in the back. It's.... not a big car."
Right. In other words, he couldn't fit in Barley.
"I'll walk back around" Barley chuckled "besides, the people won't care about me. They only want the stars."
"We can take him back through the centre" the ones planted beside him spoke up, peering up at Avery still planted on his shoulders "he's got to come down."
Barley obliged. Making sure Avery was secured, he knelt down, then dropped to his hands and knees so he could carefully slide off the side of his shoulders and to the ground once more.
With most of the area cleared, Avery could stand without being crushed. But now that he was back within reach, the people being held at bay cried out for his attention.
"We're going to escort you to the elevators" the lizard backed up so he was between us all "gather together."
Barley glanced to us all, unsure of what to do.
"I'll lead" he said "they seem a bit hesitant to come near me. After that, we can head back. Seems a waste to leave with three of us."
"Are you the security back there?" one questioned.
I saw Barley's eyes turn to us. With a hesitant noise and a tilt of his head, he expressed his uncertainty.
"I'm NOT not security" he answered.
"Wow" Lumi tutted to her brother.
The lizard let out a laugh and shook his head.
"He's just big" he told the others "a civi."
"Ah" the woman nodded, smirking to Barley "you don't work at Paragon, do you?"
"I could" he mumbled, dropping his head as he shuffled to the front of us.
"Make a good guard" the lizard took my right.
"You're only saying that so you've got cold blood on the team" the low-bun retorted as they took the left of Lumi who was beside me.
The stern woman kept guard at the doors. The male that had been beside Barley joined her. The one that had quietly been shadowing Adrian moved to the front with Barley.
"Put the vip in the middle" the quiet one ordered when he saw Avery and Adrian were at the back.
I was promptly pulled from Lumi's side and pressed beside Avery who was shuffled ahead. Turning, Adrian and Lumi were now bringing up the rear together.
"Looks good" the lizard noted, grabbing his walkie to inform the others of their plan.
"Do you think this is how it would be like back at Paragon?" Avery asked me "if we ever had people get up onto the stage or rush the halls?"
"We've never had that problem..." I brushed his question off.
We started to move. The doors opened to waft cool breeze scented with the aroma of fresh bread, sweet jams, and thick syrups being pumped into drinks roasting nearby.
"But if it did..." Avery pressed "why save us first?"
What an odd question to be asking.
Moving side by side, I became aware of the people peeking up at our arrival into the bright sunlight.
"Keep going" the one beside Avery spoke "don't slow down."
Avery looked to me, expecting me to answer him.
"We're important" I brushed him off again with a chuckle "obviously. There is no show without the Stars."
He frowned. I hadn't given him the answer he wanted.
"But aren't they important too?" he glanced behind us briefly "without Adrian and Lumi, there also can't be a show."
"Well, there can..." I started "they'll just find new people to sing. Plenty of people can. Not many can do what we do."
"Does that make them lesser then?" Avery's cold eyes trained on me "because what they have is something that isn't seen as special?"
Blinking back in disbelief at him, I focused on Barley's tensed back ahead of me. Still moving forth, I saw the lizard take the brunt of a group rushing over to try and get our attention. They kept beside us, grunting and keeping hold of the fans reaching to try and snatch at us.
The one beside Avery moved to guard him. We were forced to keep moving, pulling away from Lumi and Adrian who peered back helplessly.
"I don't think we should be prioritized" Avery frowned, glancing again at his partner before the crowds blocked out his face "it's wrong. They are important to us, so why are we the only ones being saved?"
Why? Because we were important.
But, they were too. We could be replaced as well. Why were we always being held in such a high regard compared to our partners who also carried such an important role?
Weren't they supposed to be part of the show too? A part of us?
"We've got to stick together" Avery urged "all of us."
"We've got to go back for the others!" I insisted now.
"They'll catch up!" the lizard huffed "just get to the lift!"
"I'm not leaving Adrian!" Avery scowled, stopping dead.
We couldn't move without him. I stopped too, going back to his side.
"How are we supposed to do this?" I muttered to him as we faced the surging crowds still pushing phones in our faces and scratching at our clothes "they're rabid."
"They just want us, right?" he turned to me, searching now before training on something ahead "can we move to that table over there?"
"You want to sit at a time like this?!" the man from ahead choked out.
"I want to get up on it. I think I can stop them."
Avery had that determined look in his eye. He had some sort of plan formed that required him to get some sort of leverage so he could be seen.
"To the table!" I turned around, grabbing into Avery's hand so we could move within our barrier towards the front as our group kept getting further from the others.
"I hope you know what you are doing" I muttered to him.
"Honestly, same" he shrugged and giggled a little "they'll listen to us. They have their phones and we can use them to our advantage."
What was that sneaky bird implying?
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Barley and the guard peeled to either side of the seat to the table Avery hoisted himself onto. With people parked on the other side, they looked up in awe at the celebrity that had chosen to stand above them.
"I'm really sorry to be so close to your food" he ducked down to address them "is it possible you could move it so we could have some room please?"
Gathering up the wrappers and drinks, the food was dragged back to the edge of the table. Avery had cleared a space for me to stand up beside him.
The guards moved to stand around the table. Barley covered where the people were sitting, leaving me no option but to get up with him.
"Are you sure?" I worried from the seat "they don't want me. I'm just the last one."
The last act. The bottom of the posters. The one people wanted to drink with least. Nobody wanted to see me when Avery was here.
"You're still important to me" Avery reached down to tug on my shirt "and I want you up here too. You helped me escape. Without any of you, I'd still be stuck there."
Guilt bubbled up uncomfortably. It hadn't been my first choice to take Avery with us. I had been all for leaving him behind just to save my own skin.
Lumi was right. I had been an arsehole towards Avery for no reason.
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Avery moved towards the edge of the table. I saw the others give some space to Adrian and Lumi who were able to shuffle towards us slightly. People gathered, desperate to climb up and be beside us. Phones covered faces turned up at us.
It was just like being back at Paragon. There was no difference to putting on an act out here than there was in there.
"Everyone!" Avery called to the buzzing and calling "EVERYONE! I WANT YOUR ATTENTION!"
"What the hell are you doing?" I whispered to him, nervous about how frantic everyone was below us.
If only I was able to be high above them all again; safe in the chandelier.
"I'm helping us" Avery muttered back "what better place than here?"
Here? A crowded court of people swarming around a fountain; just short of actually swimming through it to get a glimpse of us?
"Please, don't hurt the security" Avery urged the people below "and please let Adrian and Lumi through. We have all been through a lot today."
Was he going to use his influence to spill everything about Paragon? Was that wise without hard evidence currently with him? Or would these people just take it for face value because Avery was so adored?
Did he even care what would happen?
He gestured for everyone to quieten down. He called for it too, making sure all attention was on him so the others could have more room to keep moving forth.
"There will be no more Paragon" he announced, gesturing again at the moans and cries of outrage "at least, I hope so. For years, we have been there, forced to perform for Bruce and your entertainment."
Muttering started. The people were turning now it was implied they were a part of it.
"I'm not blaming you" Avery reassured "none of you had no idea. For a while, it was fun. To do what I loved and to see people so amazed and inspired by our acts truly made me happy. Other than a great show and chances to meet lots of you through drinks, how were you meant to know what Bruce was doing?"
Silence had fallen mostly over the crowd. With phones trained, they listened to Avery. Either they sympathized or just wanted some good footage for internet bragging points later. For that, they were unionized in staying silent so they could hear his speech.
"My wings were real" Avery spoke up, determined not to let his emotions push through "to stop me leaving, Bruce had it organized so that they would be cut from me. A few of you may remember when we had to come on stage and say that it was part of the costume."
He turned to the crowd. There were actually some nods and mutters. I was surprised that anyone would remember that. I thought it had been buried or lost with time.
"Tawn had his fangs ripped out" Avery continued "and Nisha..."
"No!" I grabbed his arm and bought my covered mouth to his lowered head "this happened before Bruce, remember? Milk Biscuits?"
He blinked, stunned. Had he honestly forgotten about my life I spilled to him? Or was he wanting to use my unrelated mutilation to pin something more against our boss?
"Really?"
I nodded, searching for something he could use.
"I fell from the chandelier. Bruce fired Lumi for it."
"Tell them" Avery swept his arm to the crowd.
Me? Now? Have all of them focused on me when they were so close?
"Nisha sees everything" Avery presented me to everyone like a damn prophet, stepping back "he's got something to say too."
Fuck. Why me? Why put me on the spot like this?
"Bruce was an arsehole" I started, chuckling nervously to the unamused faces "he cares about profit and nothing else. Avery usually performs with chains. The night he fell, Bruce switched it for ribbons because it looked better. He took the harness away that would have caught him and prevented it all. If any of you recorded it, you'd see it was doomed from the start."
Muttering rose again. I had to keep talking so that they didn't shout out objections or questions. Keep them quiet.
Looking over, Lumi and Adrian were pressed in the crowd just under us. They watched with the rest of them in silence.
I had already failed her once. I wasn't going to stay quiet about how she had been treated again.
"I also fell from the chandelier" I continued "practicing for a show. It reminded me of when I was darted as a baby. I was trafficked and smuggled over to a wealthy family where I had my ears and tail cut off to suit what they wanted. I, uh...." I hesitated, seeing Barley had now turned to watch me as well sympathetically "I didn't have the best start. I was dumped on the side of the road, thrown in a zoo, used to guard drugs, and lived as a stray until I found Paragon. I thought it was meant to be a great place. I couldn't leave. None of the stars could. We were forced to live there, down the halls. They have rooms there for us, next to the dressers. Since I didn't have anything to cut off me, Bruce couldn't do the same to me that he did to Avery and Tawn."
All eyes were on me. It felt like all the air had been snatched away. Everyone was focused solely on what I had to say. They were actually listening.
"If he couldn't hurt you physically, he did it in other ways" I drew myself up and found my voice, raising it just a touch higher "he fired Lumi because she came to help me when he was shoving me around after I fell. He screamed at Alowyn because he saved me."
I saw Lumi beaming up at me. I smiled down to her, determined on making sure she wasn't just pushed aside again.
"Bruce changed Alowyn's name to Onyx because it wasn't marketable enough. He drew up contracts for all of us. If we were to ever leave and go home to live as we were before Paragon, he would have the freedom to have us killed."
Murmuring turned to buzzing again. There were cries for proof and scoffs of how legitimate these claims were.
"It sounds absurd, but we have proof!" Avery stepped forth now "we saw the contracts with our own eyes! We photographed them and kept the evidence, which we will turn over! He wanted to cut off Alowyn's wings too so he could never return to his family either! He has a younger brother and sister who depend on him to survive. If he can't make it home, they will die."
The crowd was getting out of control again at the news. They all wanted answers at once. Demanding; pushing to be the first to crack the case.
"We escaped there because we had no other option!" I stepped in now while Avery called for calm "we want to go home, but we can't while Bruce controls us! It's not fair to us, to those who still work there, and the ones who have already been exploited by him. I would like to think there wouldn't be a show without us, but he'll find a way to make it happen. More hybrids will be trapped in those rooms behind the stage. More families won't see their children again. We need to stop Bruce, even if we are not there anymore."
"We'll expose him" Avery spoke up "we have proof. We've seen him viciously beating Tawn as he tried to escape. We know who has footage of him doing it. We will be doing all we can to get him thrown out of Paragon before we leave. He can't get away with everything he has done."
That was right. The snakes were with Tawn to help him escape. They had recorded the whole thing from the best, and closest, angle.
Were they going to stage their own revenge against him with the footage?
"So, please let us go so we can do this and go home" Avery pleaded now "I really miss my family and I'm sure the others do too. It's been too long."
"Thank you for listening to us" I smiled to everyone "and I'm sorry if anyone has purchased tickets for tonight. Please get them refunded. We won't be there."
Avery grinned, laughing with me.
"We won't!" he snorted "never thought I'd get to say that."
"Feels good" I breathed to him as he stepped down onto the seat beside Barley who parted for him.
I dropped down to Adrian and Lumi, feeling her squeeze my hand.
"You did great" she leant close to me as we moved with the guards towards the others at a more reasonable pace "and look; even Barley had something to say."
It was surprising to see someone so tall hunched over to speak to another much smaller person. The way he spoke and averted his eyes told me he must have been apologizing for earlier while he had the chance.
"You didn't have to mention my thing" Lumi mumbled, still holding my hand.
"He fired you for no reason" I nudged her gently "people should know. I'm just sorry I couldn't be there for you when he did."
Her face softened and she let out a little sigh around her smile.
"Oh, Nish. We got to have a pretty awesome last show together, didn't we?" she grinned, bumping me "everyone was gold and I successfully smuggled you out of there. I would say that would be you being there for me. I had a great night, even if my brother did steal you away."
I cringed under her chuckle, knowing how today was meant to be repayment for blowing her off then. Everything was meant to go a hell of a lot smoother than this.
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We were rounding in on Barley and Avery. The poor guy was still looking so guilty as he spoke to the chuckling bird.
"On the way back, we should stop for shakes" I leant in close so Lumi could hear me.
Her head turned, her interest peaked.
"Oh, yeah? What kind?"
"Well, I think you'll really like this new one" I smiled back, playing ignorant "it's chocolate strawberry and I think it has these biscuits inside shaped like little ducks."
Lumi's face started to glow and she turned away to hide her little giggle at my lame attempt to flirt.
She was flushed and giddy. Her hand twisted in mine at the suggestion.
"I'd like that a lot."
"Would it be racist if we got sour worms on them too?" I laid it on thick, bumping her.
She let out a laugh and bumped me back, holding up her fingers to squeeze them close together.
"Just a smidge" she snorted.
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Laughing with her, we were met with Barley's confused stare. Avery turned, squeezing into our protective group again gratefully.
He wedged back to slide up beside Adrian, beaming at him.
We were reunited again. Everyone important was here.
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Together, we moved onwards. The crowd still flower around us but didn't surge like before. After our speech, they let us push through them freely towards our exit while they snapped their photos and got their videos.
Nothing else mattered. Lumi was here and we were going to finally have a great day together as something more than just work friends.
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