Levi's house was a cozy unit, nestled amongst a whole block of others.
Parking the car underneath the building in a specifically numbered section, we climbed the stairs up to the first floor where he led us to his front door that had been painted red.
There was no view here except for the building that curved around to the other side. A small railing kept anyone from falling over, made of twisted iron that had gone green with age.
It was just the same levels and the same red doors along the small walkway. The only other thing to see here was a sliver of sky to the right when you leant out to try and spy it amongst the other buildings making up the cityscape.
He was close to Paragon, but at what cost? This was depressing.
"Don't forget to take your shoes off when you get inside" Levi reminded me as he opened the door and waited for us to gather inside so he could close it again "just put them on the rack.
A small bamboo shoe rack laid on the tiled area around the door, pressed against the wall. There was only one other set here; a pair of brown boots.
Luke was already packing his away as I slipped mine off to stack them in. Levi grinned at the thongs, leading again.
"We're home, Mum!" he called cheerfully.
"My Baby!" a woman's voice cooed further inwards "come, come! I'm still cooking the meat."
Walking down the hall, Levi turned to enter an archway to the right. Following, we were immediately inside the living room.
A large table sat in the middle where six chairs were placed. The chair at the head to the left was specially designed into an odd shape. It had the back support at the front, and curved around beneath the seat in a 'C' shape. The whole thing looked plush and soft under the pink velvet material.
The other five seats were normal wooden ones. Tucked beneath the table, I saw that each one had a colourful cushion planted on them.
Across from the table, my eye was drawn to the next open room.
Lined with curtains on either side, this small room held a nest made of coiled cloth. Three large eggs laid within, all warmed by a large lamp curved from the floor over them.
The eggs had paper notes tucked into the cloth. There were wet patches on top around what looked like sprinkled herbs. Each one was tied with a red cloth band around the middle that had an elaborate flowering knot at the front.
Why were they decorated like that?
Turning my head to the left, I saw Levi rush over to squeeze through a gap to the kitchen to hug and kiss his mother who bent down to accept the love with a warm smile.
"Hello again, Luke" she greeted the kid who also gave her a warm hug and mumbled response.
"Mum, this is Tawn" Levi stretched an arm out to introduce me.
I approached the kitchen bench running behind the table, smiling.
A tall Naga stood there, gleaming under the kitchen lights. She had the same light greyish-brown colouring on her scales as Levi that darkened at the top of her hairless head.
Her dark brown eyes almost looked black, but were filled with kindness and glimmering love when she beamed at her child.
Her tail was curled around to fill the kitchen. Across her hips, she has on a belt of metal leaves that chimed with her movements. I saw a tie around her neck, revealing an elaborate necklace across her front when she turned around.
She had no human features, apart from her body-shape and scaled face. Not even breasts that a female human would have hidden behind clothing to remain modest.
"Nice to meet you,Tawn" Levi's mother grinned, extending her hand.
"Nice to meet you too, Miss" I took it to squeeze it, bowing my head to her.
She saw the gesture and giggled, taking her hand back.
"A wild one I see" she turned back to the pan with a smirk.
She knew the gesture then. Was she once wild too?"
"Not for a long time now, Miss" I mumbled back in embarrassment.
"Oh, no need for all that" she waved a hand that found Levi's head to rub it affectionately, moving to pinch Luke's cheek to make him smile "call me Silveera."
Silveera? That didn't sound like a Heshian name. Maybe some other dialect?
"I'm Tsawilaun."
"You are?" Luke frowned back.
"Since when?" Levi breathed, dumbfounded.
"Since his whole life, most likely" his mother chuckled down at them "we all have two names. Our birth name and our given names. Yours doesn't sound Heshian, Tsawilaun."
I shook my head, giggling at both boys still staring at me in confusion.
"It's Awiltwa" I explained now, growing embarrassed by the focus still on me by the others "my ancestors came from overseas years ago and adopted the Heshian dialect, but still gave us Awiltwae names."
"You think you know a guy..." Luke shook his head, smirking at me.
I chuckled back, shrugging.
Silveera nodded, still smiling.
"We did the same for our family. Ours were born here, but I was raised with English and Sivessa; a dead language now. Since Levi's father speaks Heshier, we are trying to incorporate it into his life, alongside the English."
"I think it'll go well with a bit of practice" I grinned to him, seeing him grumble back "my new mate has been teaching him a little. Both of them, actually."
His mother was fully invested in me. She turned completely to face me now.
Now that she could see my lifted face, I saw her eyes soften when they noticed the marks that had been patched with makeup and where I had my cheek targeted by Bruce's fist in my getaway.
Was it starting to swell? It didn't feel any different yet.
Silveera forced herself to smile, trying not to worry me further.
"It's wonderful to see you have someone else like you to rely on" she carried the conversation "does she also speak your language?"
"She's Collosial" Luke replied for me "they just sit up in the roof, hissing Heshier at each other."
Silveera giggled, seeing Luke's frustration and meeting it with a soft hand running across his head.
"She's got a bird girlfriend" Levi whispered loudly to his mother.
"Ah, so you are the spare" she chuckled and returned to the food to flip it "how unfortunate."
"I don't mind" I leant on the bench now to watch her add in herbs to the mixture "it's better than what I had before."
It was easy to talk to this woman about everything. It didn't hurt so much when I didn't have to go into details about the many years I had lost to Elgress.
Luke and Levi exchanged glances with me. Seeing Silveera notice this, she peered at me and frowned a little.
"Human?"
I just nodded, grimacing.
"I understand" she dipped her head in return "it's a marvel how they survive with no scales to warm those soft bodies of theirs."
Luke and Levi laughed. I smirked, holding back.
"Humans like to change things they don't understand" Silveera's voice grew soft before she chuckled "why, without humans, we wouldn't have two names to remember! My little Levi" she kissed the top of his head "my strong Luke" she also planted a kiss on his head to make him groan in embarrassment.
I looked to Levi and grinned, resting my head in my hand now.
"So, are you going to cough up your name too?" I swirled a finger at him "you learned mine..."
"Just now!" he protested "I've been calling you Tawn all this time!"
"And I've been calling you Levi" I replied, chuckling.
He folded his arms, pouting at me.
Did he really feel that betrayed by learning my real name? Or was he just putting on a show because Luke was here and his mother was watching?
She had said so herself that we all had two names. He knew this, but never asked me for my other all this time.
"It's Sa Aisha" Silveera answered for him, gushing.
Small Survivor.
"My mother called her babies Aisha too" I spoke now, bubbling at the memory "if the temperatures weren't right and many didn't hatch, she'd say that they were her Aisha clutch. She had a few of them."
Sometimes, only one or two out of fifteen hatched. In rainy seasons, it was just too cold to try and brood a family.
Did Silveera have the same the problem here? Snakes usually had quite large families. It was very strange to only see one child and a nest of three others incubating.
She had the lamp to regulate heat. The room was small and controlled. The eggs were sitting upright and not able to roll. Everything was meticulously crafted for the best chances. She had even turned to superstitions and tales, by the looks of the herbs and paper.
She still looked fertile too. Her scales indicated good health and an optimal age. Perhaps it was the father who couldn't properly contribute to the process?
It wasn't my place to ask. I shouldn't have mentioned my mother's success when she was struggling so painfully.
"Levi is my Sa Aisha" Silveera smiled sadly, peering over at where the other eggs were nestled briefly "and Luke is my other baby."
She brightened up when she pulled both boys into a hug. They accepted it, making sure Silveera felt their arms wrapped tightly around her.
"Now, why don't you two get the table set?" she lifted up and ushered them out of the kitchen "I've got to see to your friend here."
"Me?" I blurted.
She nodded, pouring the cooked meat into a large bowl while Luke and Levi fetched cutlery and smaller bowls for the table.
"You are injured. You need someone to look at you."
I brushed it aside, scoffing.
"I'm fine."
"You aren't" her eyes hardened at me, softening again when my face went blank at the sudden shift in mood "let me clean you up at least, so it doesn't get infected."
Peering at the others who came to collect the bowl of meat from the bench beside me, they shrugged. They weren't going to dispute anything the head of the house decided.
I wasn't going to either.
"Follow me" she started to slide from the kitchen and back out into the hall.
I trudged past Luke and Levi, glancing back at their smirks before I entered the hall.
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I watched Silveera open the door at the end of the hall to reveal a small bathroom. She made her way in, making sure her tail was still sticking out in the hall so I could sit on the bathtub wedged against the wall opposite the sink.
"How long has it been like that?" she asked while pulling open the mirror above the sink and taking a brown bottle to shake it.
I glanced down in shame, peering up at her soft eyes staring at me.
"A little."
"You shouldn't have to go through something like this" her voice lowered, her hands lifting down a bag of cotton balls "I'm going to take the makeup off, ok?"
I nodded, watching her move around to the side of the sink to return with a cloth she promptly saturated in the sink, wringing it.
I thought the shower had washed it all away. I had been too busy killing rats and getting ready for a trip with the boys to focus on scrubbing my concealed wounds.
I still hadn't found good hunting grounds for Silera. The trip out to that col-de-sac proved nothing thrived out that far. They were waiting for me and I had failed them.
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The wet cloth was freezing on my already cold scales. Daubing up at my forehead, I saw how it smudged with black stains.
I had been too dazed and traumatized to even know what they were doing to me in the dresser before I was made to go out for the show that left me blinded. The mess Silveera smeared from me looked too thick to be makeup. It was suspiciously like shoe-polish, but I would have smelled that, wouldn't I?
Maybe it was marker?
"Thank you for keeping my boys safe" Silveera began, wetting the cloth again to return to my forehead "Levi told me that you and another performer stayed the night you were all targeted. I was sick with worry about them when they told me."
"Nothing was going to get to them" I reassured her, leaning back a little when my head started to seer with burning pain "they had a great time at mine with our improvised heater."
"The bird" Silveera smiled, giggling when she cleaned the cloth again "it'd be nice to have friends like that."
He wasn't a friend, but I wasn't going to burst Silveera's optimism so quickly. I just smiled and agreed, hissing at the returning pain.
"I'm sorry" she daubed "it's a deep one up here."
"It's ok" I grimaced through it, not knowing if it was water or blood running down the side of my face now.
Bruce made sure I couldn't fight him off when he....
Don't think about that. Talk about something. Anything.
I swallowed, praying I wouldn't taste the foul familiarity I was avoiding.
"You never told me Luke's name" I started with a forced smile.
"Oh" she giggled, shaking her head over another wash of the cloth that was now running pink "Luke is particular about his names. He doesn't like his birth name. He thinks it makes him sound too much like a snake."
I scoffed, letting out a little laugh.
"He is, isn't he?"
I didn't have another Elgress on my hands, did I? I was sure he certain he bore all the markings of a Copperhead.
"He is" Silveera confirmed, daubing again and lowering her voice "but Laelasuqa isn't a name he wants to be called."
"Lay....?" I breathed out "lay-lah-soo-kah? It's got more parts than mine."
She nodded, rinsing.
"Half Heshier, half Lai. Please just call him Luke. It makes him very happy."
I wasn't looking at losing his trust after everything he had helped me through. Luke may have put up a hardened front, but deep down he sounded as troubled as the rest of us.
I wouldn't betray him like that.
"Luke it is."
Silveera's smile returned. She moved to my cheek now.
"I'm glad they have a friend like you to count on. It seems like you put yourself in danger so they can be spared."
"Oh, no" I smiled at her misunderstanding "I would in a heartbeat; don't get me wrong, but this is from something else entirely."
I was thinking about it again. The way he had me kneeling on the floor and bent over the table...
I flinched when the cloth ran over my cheek again.
"I'd be more than happy to house you tonight if you decide to stay."
Smiling politely, I tried not to grimace as the scales on my cheek were shifted under the water sliding beneath them.
"Thank you, but I have to return tonight to make sure everything is fine with my mates before I go home."
Silveera paused, moving to somewhere near my eye to rub there.
"To the wild?"
I made a noise to let her know I was answering her.
She kept working on my face, making me wince.
"I'd like to stay until Meat Night is over" I offered "then I'll let you get on with your lives."
Silveera paused for a moment, looking into my eyes.
"You are more than welcome to come back anytime. I'll look out for you, just like you looked out for my boys."
I felt my chest swell and a grin lift on my pressed face.
"Thank you."
She stopped to drop the cloth in the sink and grab my face in her soft hands. Caressing it gently, her eyes fixed on me again.
"You look wonderful" she beamed.
Grinning back, I felt myself softening in her grasp. It was like I was with my own mother who was adamant on making sure I was alright. She was so gentle when everything had been so horrible.
I felt my lip quiver. I forced a smile to hide it.
"Thank you."
"My boy" she soothed, running a hand over my head like she did with Luke and Levi "it's ok."
I nodded, breathing in to make sure I wasn't going to cry.
She was a stranger. She may be mothering me, but she wasn't my Mama.
"This next part is going to sting a little" she grimaced a little when she grabbed the brown bottle and tipped a a blot onto a cotton ball to press to my forehead.
It smelled like pure bleach had just been poured over me. Stinging my nostrils and burning my breath, i felt it swirl in my throat and lick my tongue.
My eyes bubbled the same way they had when I had been blinded. I still had all my senses but felt just as helpless now as I did then.
Fire tore through the open wound. It festered, ripping up my scales there to boil them. The ointment spread, seeping into any open flesh it could find to drill underneath and tear it inside out.
I groaned loudly, wrapping my nails around the tub to keep myself stable.
I didn't care who heard me now. The wildfire was boiling my cold blood and sizzling a hole into my skull.
"I need water" I begged.
Anything to wash away the agony!
"It'll only be for a little" she insisted.
Squirming, I cried out when the ointment was pressed into my cheek, spilling over with my sob that tumbled out.
"Please!"
She pressed, leeching the horror into every open wound.
My tears mixed with the burning pain. I gasped, groaning again. Silveera ran along my forehead to make sure she hadn't missed a spot.
I wished she had. My whole face was buzzing as if wasps were swarming under my scales, trying to dig their way out.
"Mum, is everything alright?" Levi called.
Turning, I saw both he and Luke were leaning out into the hallway in worry. Both of them stared at us, looking hopelessly for answers to the noises.
They were scared.
Gritting my teeth, I hissed through the fire dancing on my skull. I couldn't concern them further by wailing and making noise.
"Tawn is ok" she replied, retreating with the cotton swab and bottle "he just needs rest."
"I'm fine" I grunted back.
"You need rest" she hardened at me, almost snapping "your forehead is badly bruised, your cheek is torn under the scales, and you've got marks all over the rest of your face. If you didn't have such dark scales, you'd see clearly how badly you are hurt. You are going to take the pull-out behind the nest so I can look after you."
"Will he be ok?" Luke's voice wavoured.
Silveera sighed down at me, nodding to him.
"If you were going to allow me, I'd keep you here until you heal, but..." Silveera held up a hand when she saw I was starting to protest that idea "I know you already have a plan and I can't stop you from that. I just want you to be careful out there. You can't take another beating like that as you are."
"I'm....ok" I grunted as I got to my feet now, feeling blood dribbling over my eye and down my cheek "I am."
She washed out the cloth and handed it to me to hold on the wound.
"Bed" she ordered, pointing "now."
I smirked, laughing at her stern demeanour towering over me.
"Yes, Mum" I joked.
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Shuffling out of the bathroom with the cloth slapped on my head, I trudged back towards the boys.
"You look like shit" Luke commented, being elbowed by Levi.
"What? He does."
"Thank you" I smirked when I passed them and weaved around the table to wait for Silveera to take the lead.
"Does this mean you'll miss Meat Night?" Levi whimpered.
"Darling, he needs rest. He's not well."
I gestured to his mother and shrugged.
"Can't fight the boss. I'll join you after she lets me leave."
"Which will be when he stops bleeding" his mother warned the others, making them groan.
"That could be forever!" Levi gestured to me.
I watched Silveera peel back the sheets of a long bed planted on the floor behind the nest. It was so long, it could have easily been the length of an extravagant couch.
Maybe to hold all of her body? A normal bed wouldn't do now that I saw how she had to curl herself into each room.
What did a bed like this cost? Even a mattress on the floor?
"Lay down" she pointed.
I glanced down to the soft pillows gathered at the top. All of them had light covers in shades of pink, yellow, and green.
"But I'll bleed all ov..."
"They can be washed. You are a stubborn one, Mr Tawn."
"The absolute worst" Luke agreed "you should see him at work."
I scoffed as I laid down, seeing him grin back cheekily.
"I'm not bad" I huffed.
"You get into all sorts of fights with the boss" he pointed out.
I sighed back, knowing he was just picking at me now.
"He deserves those. You know that."
"AND you leave sheddings in the sink" Levi added cheekily "like, a LOT."
He'd seen that? When did he leave the bed? Was I that out of it that I didn't hear him walking around my own room?
"Yeeeaaah" Luke chimed in.
"Like a certain somebody does in the shower?" his mother turned to them, snorting "you boys are all the same, leaving things lying around."
Luke laughed at Levi. I joined in.
It was as if I was being bullied by two younger brothers right now. Sibling rivalry at its finest.
I hadn't felt this in years. The banter between them and Silveera as she ordered them to finish their food made me smile again.
"You just want to get out of it all" Luke leant over to scowl at me.
I smirked, sighing.
"You caught me. I absolutely did all this so I wouldn't have to sit with you at the table. Woe is me."
He giggled at my thick sarcasm. Levi still looked deeply concerned.
"You will join us when he comes home, won't you?"
"Your father is not as terrible as you think" Silveera spoke from the kitchen as she ran water into the pot to scrub it "he works hard to provide us with food and loves us all very much. He's just trying to help you for when you go out into the world. Learning a new language would be beneficial for you."
"He could learn some English too" Levi muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" his mother's voice lifted.
She heard him too. She just wanted him to own up to his bitterness.
"Nothing" he picked at the meat in front of him, sighing and facing her "it's true though...."
"And as it may be, it is the tongue your father was born with" Silveera scrubbed "it's a common one amongst snakes. He's trying to help you succeed where he couldn't, as am I."
Levi looked to me for confirmation.
"It's true" I agreed "I learned my English from my parents before I left home so I'd be able to understand humans in the city. It's the same here with you learning to understand other snakes. I think you'd get it in no time. Even I'm still learning words in Heshier."
He pouted at my betrayal to not side with him, eating the food bitterly.
"It's beneficial" his mother concluded "now stop picking so I can finish washing up."
"It sss sss sucks" Levi retorted sarcastically, making Luke snort.
I saw his mother try not to give him the satisfaction of making her laugh. She hid her smile by keeping her back to them while wiping the pan dry.
They both finally started to eat, now that they knew time was running out. With a phone out between them, they watched videos and laughed at social media posts.
I sank into the pillow and just watched around the eggs. It was all so comfortable here. I hadn't laid on anything this soft before. Even my old bed back at Paragon couldn't get this padded under all my blankets.
My smile slipped. I was starting to fall asleep...
I couldn't! I had to get through tonight so I could curl up with Silera and Balae, if they wanted me after I had let them down.
I could feel the cold scales against mine now as I was wrapped within them, warmed by the roof and lights. The smooth shells of my babies were sheltered under my head and arms that spread over them. The twanging of the guitar softly played below us. Everything was calm.
Oh, that would be nice....
My eyes slipped closed again. I jolted awake, blinking through it.
I had to.....
Maybe I could sleep just for a little bit? I couldn't be going back when I was dead on my feet.
I could fight it all I wanted, but sleep was dragging me under now that I didn't have to fight against Bruce, shove myself into a cage, or deal with Elgress' situation.
There was nothing to do. It was so comfortable here.
Yawning, my eyes fell shut again. Trying to pull them open again, I couldn't. My strength had been burned right out of me in the bathroom.
It wasn't so bad now. The wet cloth seeped the cold from my scales on the bottom and the residual heat from the lamp on top. It was warm.
Just a little bit....
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"Hey, Tawn."
Light hands nudged my shoulder. My heavy eyes refused to cooperate, demanding I return to my comfortable nothingness.
"Mmm?"
"Dad wants to meet you before you go."
Peering and blinking, I struggled to adjust my eyes to the light flooding in.
"I'll drive you, but I can't hang around. If you want to come back, you'll have to ring me so I can get you out of there."
I nodded, finding my blurred sight focusing on the crouching figure of Levi.
"I wouldn't...." I yawned and forced my hands beneath me so I could push myself up, dropping the cloth onto the pillow "...expect you to stay for me."
"Yeah, well, I'd rather sit outside Paragon than be here, honestly" he whispered.
I snorted, smiling up at him when I sat against the wall.
"You good?"
"I need a bed like this" I patted my hands on the thick blanket deflating under my touch. Grabbing the cloth, I saw my blood smeared across the nice pillows still crushed in place.
Levi giggled, extending an arm so he could help me to my feet.
"Just... be polite" Levi warned me as I stared out to the table the others were gathered "and don't speak unless you are spoken to."
Was he that old-fashioned? I looked down at Levi who just shrugged and took the cloth so he could lead the way.
"Father" he stepped aside once we were around the eggs "this is Tsawilaun."
I saw Silveera translate in hushed tones. The smile on the snakes face appeared now that he knew what was being said.
I noticed his scales were larger than Silveera and Levi's. They were a darker brown on the top, the gaps dyed deep black. His underbelly was yellowish with tan spots. Up his throat, the scales darkened to a deep brown colour until they reached his head where they bronzed to resemble Silveera and Levi's.
"Come! Come!" he gestured for me to sit opposite him in Heshier "it's good to meet you!"
I smiled, taking the seat that Levi pulled out for me, meekly sinking into the one to my left.
The table has been cleared of the cooked meat. Now, a spread of paper and plastic held the cut portions of raw meat piled in the area between everyone.
I noticed the father taste the air when I pulled myself in.
Did he not trust me? Was he looking for ill-intent towards his family?
"It's good to meet you too, Sir" I bowed.
"Ah, a wild one" he grinned "Our Sa Aisha told us you were from out there!"
Levi lifted his head at the mention of his name but didn't speak.
"I am" I smiled politely "Levi has been picking up a keen interest in Heshier at work too."
His father scoffed, reaching for some meat to eat.
"Is that so?"
I nodded, remaining positive.
"The boy doesn't understand a lick unless it's his name being called for dinner."
I saw his father's dark eyes fall on Levi who kept his head low and dropped his gaze after briefly making contact.
"I thought he'd pick up some from this one" he tilted his head to Luke beside him, shaking it "but, it turns out he doesn't speak it either! The way they raise boys these days...."
I just gave another smile, peering across at Luke who was remaining quiet as well.
"Have some meat" the father gestured to the spread "my son doesn't have the guts to enjoy what I work hard to get at the Meat Hessa. A waste of good money trying to get him used to what he should be eating."
I frowned, making sure I heard that right. Hessa? What was that?
"Thank you, Sir, but I've already eaten" I declined.
"Oh?" he smirked to me "it's not cooked steaks and vegetables like these two? Human food?"
I heard the disgust in his voice. He wrinkled his nose at me.
"Usually rats" I replied "I tried giant toads down the road recently. That was.... interesting."
The father began to laugh, picking more meat to eat as he did.
"Live?" he asked.
"Yes."
He laughed again, slamming a fist down on the table and shaking a finger at Levi.
"You should take a Asae out of his Ssie, boy!" he frowned at him, smiling at me "at least someone here has the guts for Hieasis food!"
Take something out of something? And what kind of food was it? It wasn't good or delicious. I knew those words to describe kills.
I was losing him quickly. I had to wrap this up while I still understood him enough to make conversation and keep his favour.
I couldn't speak unless he spoke to me. That was going to limit things.
"Tsawilaun" the father started again "you've made live kills and survived in the wild. Do you have a Hae?"
Hae?
"Darling" Silveera muttered "that's a little personal."
"I'm sorry" I smiled back, frowning between them "what is 'Hae?'"
"I thought you knew Heshier?" the father narrowed his eyes at me, tasting again.
"I do, Sir" I insisted "but only words we used out in the wild with each other. Other ones are still kind of new to me."
He didn't look convinced. Keeping his eye on me as he turned his head, he looked to his wife to translate to English.
"'Hae' is 'mate'" she spoke.
Levi glanced to me, confused. I saw Luke do the same.
It caught me a little off guard. Why did he want to know that?
I wasn't telling him one was a bird and the other was Collosial. He was probably probing to see if I was remaining within the same species and subclass.
He saw my hesitation. His eyes narrowed again.
"What Shssai is she?"
Looking to Silveera blankly, she gave a weak smile at my reliance.
"Species" she filled in the gap for me.
"Oh, a Blue Belly" I replied.
"Not whatever you are?" he eyed me, guessing "Red Belly Black?"
"Black Spitting" I gave a little nod "Cobra."
"Shame" he tutted "but, I guess you wouldn't find many of your kind out here. At least you found a female."
His eyes tracked to his son again. They lingered a lot longer than last time.
"Nothing worse than a Ae snake who can't continue a Hessiasea."
"Darling!" Silveera breathed to him, stunned.
"I'm sorry" I smiled, trying to remain polite "what kind of snake can't continue?"
"Male and male" his eyes met mine to stare at me now "no family comes from them. Did you understand that?"
Oh.
I nodded, glancing to the boys now.
"You've been with them at that work" he flicked a finger at me "tell me, is my son Ae?"
"Gay" Silveera whispered.
Levi's eyes widened and his face drained. Luke refused to lift his head from staring at the table.
He hadn't told his father about his crush on Vinnie or his kiss with Luke. He didn't know the extent of it all.
"Levi only has eyes on his work" I replied simply "I haven't seen anything that would be that."
Luke worked with him until now. Technically, I wasn't lying.
Levi closed his eyes at the mention of his name. It didn't look like he was breathing anymore.
His father noticed. His tongue flickered. He was skeptical now.
I couldn't just sit here and let him target Levi and Luke so blatantly. I understood now by what he had meant when he said he was 'old school'.
"I should be going to my mate" I rose from my seat, breaking the speaking rule but extending my hand towards the man "thank you for having me."
The returning hand wasn't welcoming. The handshake was just one quick tilt, hesitant and suspicious.
"Take some meat" Levi's father gestured to it again "for your family. Mine won't appreciate it."
I couldn't refuse him again. Smiling politely, I agreed.
"Thank you, Sir."
Silveera promptly rose to fetch something for the offering. Quickly returning to place a takeaway container in front of her husband, she dipped her head to whisper to Luke so he could rise from his seat.
I saw her move to Levi and dip her head beside his to whisper. He glanced to me before rising, still keeping his eyes locked on the table.
His father filled the takeaway container to hold out for me. I took it with both hands, bowing again.
Balae would at least have something on her stomach, since she hadn't been able to hunt. Silera couldn't be satisfied by such a small amount. Hopefully the multitude of toads and their eggs kept her sated for a while.
I could soften the blow of asking them to leave their nest for me by having some sort of gift for them. They couldn't just live in Paragon forever. I had seen how good they could have it out in the wild too.
"Let's go" I turned to Levi, slipping into English.
He nodded, quickly leaving the room with Luke.
"Please don't strain yourself" Silveera gave me a hug and gently touched my forehead "take care."
"You too" I smiled back at her, glancing to her husband who I saw was coiled under the table; a proud Naga just like her.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNFhWEAy2h
"I've got your back" I spoke up when we piled into the car again, me in the front now "your dad is onto you."
"He's been for a while" Levi grumbled around the wheel as he reversed us out and roughly shoved the gear stick back "he just won't quit it with 'continuing the bloodline' and 'being a proper man'. He's going to keep taking shots in until I snap back. He picks on me just because I have stupid legs."
Pulling the car along the buildings, he tipped us onto the road and away from the lights of his unit. Luke held onto the guitar still nestled in the back to make sure it wasn't damaged.
"I'm here for you" Luke vowed "besides, I don't think your legs are stupid."
"Same" I added "you can get further when you don't look like a noodle."
I saw his smile behind glistening eyes.
"Thanks guys."
"Give him some time to cool down before you break the news about quitting your job" Luke suggested, strumming on the strings curiously "even longer before you tell him you actually like guys."
"Yeah" he muttered, grimacing at the road "maybe when I'm moving out?"
"Oh, perfect time!" Luke giggled back.
Levi glanced at him, grinning.
At least he still didn't have his heart set on Vinnie. But Luke wasn't his choice either.
Was he ever going to tell him? Or was that buried now that he decided to stay away from Vinnie?
They both didn't work at Paragon anymore. The chances of seeing Vinnie outside that place were very minimal.
That reassured me. At least he wouldn't be chasing after someone so manipulative and thoughtless.
"How about we go out for dinner after I get out?" I suggested now, seeing their faces light up "I'll shout."
"I'm starving!" Luke agreed heartily.
"I really could eat" Levi smiled to me "thanks, Tawn."
"Oh! So how did it go?" Luke leant forwards now, straining his belt "when you told his dad you ate live animals?"
I snorted, sighing.
"Basically creamed himself, like you guys said" I laughed, seeing them giggling "he was throwing the meat at me every chance he got, even after he..."
I paused, not wanting to continue and upset Levi further.
"After he asked if I was gay?" he determined.
"Yeah."
"It's alright. If he paid attention to his own son, he wouldn't have to ask you."
He was still sour about the whole thing, and rightfully so. I just kept my hands around the container of raw meat that his eyes flicked down to.
"Are you... actually going to eat that?"
"It's for Balae" I forced a smile.
He nodded, letting out a breath.
Was he worried that the meat was some sort of sign of favouritism from his father towards me? One he desperately wanted by trying to learn his language and upholding his ridiculous rules at home?
I'd offer it to him, but knowing that he wouldn't eat it when I had Balae to care for, would be a valuable meal sacrificed just to make him feel better.
I couldn't do that, even for a dear friend.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrHWm15mUH
With Paragon packed with cars from workers, Levi had to park up the road, along the side.
The sign was lit and gates were open. I saw customers were trying to get in early and being turned away. The scowls spoke volumes when they stormed off, some screaming back at the staff who lingered at the gates.
"How am I supposed to get in?" I muttered.
I couldn't climb the sides like Silera could, and I certainly didn't have wings like Balae. Even entering the gates, I'd be targeted by Bruce's cameras.
The picnic table was still around the side. Even climbing onto that wouldn't give me enough room to reach the sloping roof where the loose wall was.
There had to be another way.....
Around the back docks where the deliveries usually came? Maybe search the side of the building for an emergency exit door I may have somehow missed?
Bruce would be aware. He'd have all entries and exits closely monitored.
I couldn't just walk in there, could I?
And risk never coming out? I did have that loose wall halfway up to the nest to rely on, and the hole Silera had mentioned over on Ezra's side.
Would the others try to stop me?
Pulling out my phone, I turned to my contacts for help.
Did I even have Balae's number?
Luke, Levi, Nisha, Vinnie.
I didn't have my own mate, but I still had him in here.
I had been too busy wiping Elgress from my life to even think about Vinnie.
Promptly deleting his number, I was left with the three.
I didn't even have Avery. I didn't even know if he had a phone. I had never seen him playing on one; only his handler.
I couldn't even ring Loreen. She'd be inside, waiting for me, and I hadn't bothered with her number to save me now.
Fuck!
"I need Balae's number" I turned to the others "or something that can help me. I have you two and the monkey."
"That's all?" Levi breathed as he got out his.
Luke did the same, scrolling.
"I don't have her either" he frowned "sorry."
Levi glanced over, shaking his head.
"I do have Simi" Luke unbuckled himself so he could squeeze between us, holding his phone out to point at the familiar gecko symbol "the one who plays Nisha's shadow. She pops down here and there when she's not up in the roof, looking after her baby."
"The little white one?" Levi smiled "cute kid. You should see it Tawn, it's like a cotton-ball."
Nisha's shadow was played by a woman? I assumed that because he was a man that a man would have also taken the job.
And living in the roof? The only space that wasn't occupied was the one opposite Ezra. I hadn't seen anyone hanging out in the corner closest to Silera and Balae.
Luke handed over his phone and I pressed the number, putting it on speaker.
It whirred. It wasn't long until I heard the phone being shuffled and a cheerful voice pipe up.
"Hey, Little Brown!" it chimed.
"Hey, Gecko" Luke grinned back, shrugging at me when I smirked at him "are you up in your usual spot?"
There was more rustling. The woman cooed down the phone.
"You know it."
"She's in the roof" Luke whispered to me excitedly.
Thank fuck for that.
"Ask her if she can climb over to Balae" I rattled.
"Hang on..." the woman grinned "is that Tawn I just heard? You guys are all together? I heard you got fired earlier, Little Brown. Yes you did, yes you did!"
Baby-talk to her kid. It babbled back, laughing.
"Long story" Luke smiled, holding laughter "are you able to head to the other side and give the phone to Balae? We need to figure out a way inside without having Tawn spotted."
"Ah" she snickered "a break-in. Never thought I'd hear the day. I can help with that. Let me just rustle up Ez so he doesn't try to kill me. We wouldn't want that, would we, Baba?"
Luke chuckled, agreeing.
The phone rustled again. I smirked to Luke.
"She always like this?"
"She's quite fun" he shrugged "she lets us play with Juju sometimes."
Juju must have been the baby's name. It was kind of cute actually.
"Ezra!" I heard her voice muffle through the phone "baby. Here "
It was in Heshier. Very basic, but still impressive.
So, she has been learning from him? She was far too casual for them to be strangers.
"You can't just throw your damn child down to me whenever you feel like it!" I heard him snap back as she laughed, the rustling now blowing through the speaker.
It came in waves. I could hear her breathing over the clanging of metal that skin slapped.
With a breathy chuckle down the phone, she was back.
"You still there?"
"Yeah, we are."
"I'm dropping the phone down now" she muttered to us "Balae! It's for you! I want it back!"
I heard Balae snapping up at Simi. Her little gattles were almost like low growls somewhere off in the distance.
Wind howled down the phone before something hit it. I heard more rustles before it all went quiet.
"Hello?" Balae answered.
My heart skipped a beat and I pumped my fist in celebration of how successful it has all been.
"Balae, it's Tawn!" I breathed excitedly.
"What the hell?!" she gasped, shuffling "where the hell are you? Are you ok? What happened down there? I thought you were hunting, and the next thing I know, Bruce is decking into you!"
"It's all good" I chuckled back "listen. I need to get back to you both, but there's people everywhere out here. Do you know a way in that isn't too high or guarded?"
Balae hummed in thought.
"Have you tried your little nesting area out the back?" she offered.
The cave. I had dug into the roof to make it more spacious for Elgress. In doing that, I had also weakened the area between it and the ground outside so that the flowers could soak up the moisture from the rain and grow.
"Can you meet me there?" I breathed now "through the cleaners room and in the cupboard. Dig up where the roof is tallest and I'll come find your hand."
Balae grumbled.
"I've got to stay on the eggs. It's getting rowdy in here with everyone trying to figure out what to do. I don't want to leave them while people are walking around. It's making me nervous."
That was fair enough. We couldn't risk someone getting a little too curious about what was in the roof.
"Try Simi" Luke nodded.
"You trust her?" I frowned back.
He nodded. Levi did too, smiling.
How on earth was I going to explain the reason for having a cave of flowers dug through the wall in theat room? She'd see the ditch in the ground and know something was up.
Still, I didn't have a choice. If Luke and Levi vouched for her, then I had to trust her too.
"Tell the monkey" I instructed Balae "she can do it."
"Alright...."
Her hesitation was clear, but I heard her repeating what she had just been told. Her voice grew softer as Simi moved closer so she didn't have to yell up at her.
"Be careful" Balae fretted "something is going on. Try to avoid the stage area, that's where everyone is standing around."
Ok, so I couldn't walk over and take the usual ladder. I had to get creative with reaching them.
"Give me your number. We can talk to each other through my phone."
Balae paused. I heard a little scoff.
"You don't have my number?"
Luke and Levi giggled. I sighed, smiling through my annoyance.
"No..."
"Slacker" she teased "and here I thought you actually loved us..."
"Oh, shut it" I laughed back "just give me the number."
I heard her snort and start to recite it. I eagerly copied it into my own phone, labelling Balae with a heart icon beside her name.
"Don't be too long" she warned me again, promptly disappearing as the phone was shuffled back to the original owner.
"You know where to go?" I asked Simi when I heard her return.
"I think so" she frowned.
That didn't sound certain. It was making me worried that i'd be caught lingering around the back of Paragon waiting for her to figure it out.
"I'm going to copy your number from Luke and ring you off my phone" I decided.
"I'll grab Juju and head over" she confirmed, bidding her goodbyes and promptly hanging up.
There was a plan now. I had a way in. I'd have to figure out the rest when I got to it.
Copying Simi's number, I added in the gecko for her too so I would remember the strange contact in my phone.
"I'm going to head in" I told the boys as I unbuckled and made sure the lid on the meat was tightly pressed "I'll let you know when I'm up in the roof again."
"We can help you..." Levi started.
I knew there was nothing either of them could do. They had quit. They wouldn't be welcomed back inside. If Bruce found them.....
I felt myself tense at the thought of what he might do if he got his hands on either of them.
"Just take a drive" I smiled back to them "go home if you want to. I could be a while."
"But you will be back tonight?" Luke asked "you aren't going to leave without saying goodbye?"
Both of them peered at me sadly. I smiled at their concern, leaning across to pop my pinky out.
"Promise" I chuckled.
Levi eyed it, laughing. He wrapped his around mine enthusiastically, even giving it a little shake.
Luke smirked, binding my promise through the silly gesture.
"Now, go" I pulled away and got out of the car, shooing them "I've got important business to do."
"I expect there to be food tonight!" Luke pointed at me.
Snorting that the takeaway was his priority, I nodded.
I couldn't stay to watch them leave. I had to get down the walkway and slide off into the alleyway Silera had barrelled down earlier. That would be the best path to try and follow the back fence on my hunt for broken ground.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRanKoujKR
Using the advantage of the night and my dark scales, I was able to sneak around the side between the trickles of disappointment people leaving.
Following the fenceline with my hand, I moved alongside it until it was carved through with a road and gate.
The back docks.
There was earth around here. I just had to find where the hole would have been dug.
Pulling out my phone to call the number, Simi was on the other end immediately.
"About time" she huffed.
I scanned the area, trying to find a heat signature that didn't belong to the city or the baked earth.
"Where are you?"
She grunted, moaning.
"Almost there....."
There was a huff and squeak, laughter following.
"Ok, I did it! Can you see my hand?"
Scanning again, I squinted at the same blanket of orange.
Then, I saw it. Little fingers wiggling just above it all.
I gasped, grinning as I hurried towards them.
"I see you!"
"Thank God" Simi smiled back, ending the call.
Pocketing my phone and packing the meat down, I stood over the fingers, dropping down to start scraping away the ground around the hand.
I saw a smiling face peeking up at me when it retracted. The grey skin of the rounded monkey face was framed with long, black hair.
I grinned at it, gasping with happiness.
"Am I glad to see you!"
She laughed, helping me widen the hole.
"It's some place you have here" she commented with a quick look around as her hands carved through the blue flowers "really pretty."
"Yeah, well..." I shrugged, pushing an arm through so I could scrape at the inside, my face almost kissing the dirt "it's just wasted now."
"I'd like to use it" Simi voiced quietly.
I paused, lifting my arm out to see her worried face return.
Elgress wasn't going to need it anymore. Ezra would take care of her and find her a suitable nesting spot. She could use the empty room I had been eyeing a while ago just below Silera's portion of the roof.
"If you can keep people out of it, it's yours to do whatever you want with."
"Really?" she breathed.
I nodded, seeing her spirits soar. She worked harder, ripping chunks out of the dirt that fell into her and into the cave.
I handed her down the tub of meat so I could size up the hole.
"Stand back" I warned her.
Scurrying out of sight, I kicked around the entrance to cave it in and widen it.
Checking the surroundings and nearby gates, I hadn't been spotted yet. Still, I couldn't relax. Not until I was safely up with Silera and Balae.
Sticking my leg through, I scraped around my body frantically. Wriggling and pushing as Simi clawed from underneath, I could feel the dirt tumbling away so I could wedge in my other.
Now I really was a sitting duck out here.
I started to shove myself against the ground forcefully. The dirt dusted my hands and peeled off the loose scales of my palms. Punching the edges, my body began to slip.
Panic threw my heart upwards. Before I could try to latch onto anything, the roof of the cave gave out to send me crumpling into the flowery ground.
Simi stood beside me, looking up at the night sky glittering back, then down to me groaning.
Was this how Avery felt when he fell from the ribbons? Like his whole side had just been crushed under the weight of itself? Like my whole arm was now crumpled like the dirt pile that did nothing to soften the blow?
Fuck me.
Simi bent over to wrap her arms around mine and try and heave me upright. Her soft black fabric overalls were smothered in the dirt that continued to sprinkle down through the new skylight. Looking up at her, I saw the long hair around her face had white fur peeking through the darkness now that filth had smudged it away.
So, she was concealed with makeup too. To hide white fur and make her look more like the part she was supposed to play?
Her hands had protected the pure white head turning from under her overalls. Against her small light green shirt, I saw two black eyes blink back at me from a dark grey face.
Smiling down at it as I got to my feet, I offered the little hand a finger that it grabbed.
It was so soft. My heart melted when my thumb ran over the top of the thick skin there. It tried it's hardest to keep a tight grip on me.
One day, I'd be doing the same to my own children. It was hard to imagine anything ever being this small and helpless.
"It's adorable" I smiled to Simi who cradled the bump on her chest.
"She's Juju" she beamed back, picking her baby's fingers from mine so they could cling back to her "my world."
I understood the feeling perfectly. My world was currently waiting for me. I was so close, yet so very far away.
I needed to reach them. To smother Silera and dote on Balae. I desperately wanted to see my babies now that this one was surging forth feelings of possessive protectiveness.
"Please help me reach them" I breathed.
Her dark eyes hardened and she nodded once. Handing me the meat and dusting off her clothing, she led the way back through the tunnel; her long white tail the only other colour in the darkness.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorsLBB3Gm1
Simi exited the room first, noting people still moving around near the stage, as Balae had witnessed.
With my room the closer refuge, I ducked down to move behind her as she darted for it, letting me in.
Now that I was here, I could collect my things. Leaving Simi by the door I locked behind us, I placed the meat on my bed and marched for my cupboard where I kept my box of money.
Had my clothes always been this bare? There were gaps that I swear had been filled before.
Peering down, I frowned at the emptiness where my shoes were usually stored.
"This is quite a room" Simi spoke with awe in her voice.
I saw her looking at my bed, running a hand over the sheet to feel how soft it was.
Where was my blanket? Did I leave it on the floor?
Ignoring the clothing and reaching up to tug down the box, I instantly noticed something was wrong.
It felt empty. It had been shifted out of place from under everything else.
Flickering my tongue, I could taste a different scent in the air. It was old, but instantly recognisable.
Checking the box, my suspicions were confirmed. Throwing it down, I stormed out to follow the scent to the bathroom.
The cupboard doors were open beneath the sink. All of my soaps and washes were cleaned out. Even the one bottle of shower cleaner I had was stolen.
Glaring at my sink, the shedded skins had been scraped out. The bin beside me didn't have them thrown on the torn rat box. I checked the drain to see if they might have slipped down it.
Why would she have stolen my skin too?
Why would she have robbed me?!
That bitch! And to think I helped her when she was going to do this to me!
Anger boiled up and rumbled along my throat. It flared through me as I went to check my shower, to find it empty as well. The glass was still streaked with water from where it had been used.
She had even stolen my old soap.
What else? She stooped so low; why not take everything?
Marching back to my cupboard, I raked through my clothes.
Shirts were indeed missing. Shorts had been taken. Anything loose-fitting was gone. She hadn't touched my underwear.
Where was my blanket?
"Is everything ok?" Simi frowned when I stormed to the other side of the bed to check the floor.
Nothing. She had taken it too.
"That bitch!" I snarled, slamming a fist onto my bedside table.
It was empty. She had even decided to take my prescribed eye cream and painkillers the doctor had left.
What the fuck would she have to do with eye cream? She wasn't even fucking blinded!
And the painkillers? After I specifically warned her not to take any?!
Hissing again, I ripped open the drawer.
My phone charger was gone. She didn't even have the same type....
Coins were scraped out. I didn't have anything else in there she could have taken.
Eying the dresser, I pulled open the top drawer.
Longs, gone.
Yanking open the second, I felt my anger return.
Socks, gone.
The third was empty too.
All of my bedding had been in there. My pillowcases, towels, spare sheets, and another folded blanket.
Why take unnecessary things? Why strip my room bare?
Tasting her scent on my dresser, I turned back to my bed where Simi sat on the edge of.
Was that....?
Flickering again, I scowled down at the place at the head of the bed where another scent had laid. It smothered the only pillow left there.
Vinnie.
He had propped himself up here to watch as Elgress robbed me. He had made himself at home in my room.
"What is it?" Simi glanced to the area I snarled at.
"They've stolen everything" I hissed to the bed I scowled over "they've ruined it all...."
They were everywhere. I could taste them as they barged through to rip open everything and scrape every belonging out.
They were on my bed. On my dresser. In my closet and bathroom.
My fucking bed.... The one place I felt safest, ruined.
I needed to find that mother fucker!
Lifting my head, I searched the back dock.
"What are you doing?" I hear the unsure smile on Simi's voice.
"Hunting that bastard down" I spoke as I searched the rooms nearby.
Avery's was speckled with warmth. Nisha's was the same. The dressers had a few people pacing within, but Vinnie was not one to be lingering where he shouldn't be.
I turned, passing the burning mass at the stage and dressers to run along the stairs towards the bar.
Only one person sat there dejectedly. Vinnie was far too proud to be acting that way.
Lifting, I saw a figure hovering. There was no doubt it was Bruce in his office, standing beside a glowing box that he ripped copious hot sheets from.
Huffing at it, I returned to the wall of fire.
He'd be in there somewhere. He'd be with her.
"We should go" Simi lifted herself up so she could gently touch my arm and pull my focus back to her by handing me the meat "you wanted to get in without people seeing you. Going after someone is very much the opposite of that."
Turning back to the warping wall with a hiss, she redirected me again.
"Tawn, I can't risk that" she whispered with a hand over the bump of her baby's body "either I can help you up there, or you can go alone."
Softening down at the little thing, I sighed. Looking to Simi, I felt my hood retreat with my fury.
I needed her help. For now, Vinnie would have to wait.
"Ring your friend and organize a way up" Simi pointed to my pocket "we still need to get down the hall."
Right. The most crowded area laid just beyond it. I couldn't do this alone.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j8P72zYAy
After being reprimanded by Balae yet again for not ringing her sooner, she offered up a solution to our problem.
By offering up Ezra as a distraction, he could clear people away from the ladder or communal dresser where I knew another staircase to the upper floor laid.
Not many people had seen him leave the roof. Being suddenly faced with a towering Naga would make any normal person understandably nervous.
And if that didn't work, Silera herself offered to be the next choice to move the more stubborn people, if it came to that.
Glancing up, I saw Balae leaving the warmth of the roof to cross over. On the other side, Ezra uncoiled as she approached him. Nearby, Claire worked, leaving the alcove to approach both of them.
She had a plan. We just had to wait for her to put it into motion so we knew which direction to take.
I moved to the door with Simi, unlocking it and watching the roof.
She turned her head, looking at the corner I was focused on.
"What are you seeing?" she whispered.
"A way out" I smiled.
Balae leapt out onto the metal rails crossing the roof. Moving along them, she cleared enough space to fall down towards the wall of fire.
Ezra moved towards Nisha's ladder so he could wrap his body around the pole supporting that portion of the walkway and begin piling himself over the railing to twist down it.
Claire darted for the ladder to begin frantically climbing down it.
I heard gasps when Ezra began to twist towards the fire moving away from him. I saw Balae's figure picking it's way towards them from somewhere in the dining area. Claire rushed the last few rungs so she could sprint through Nisha's area for the next ladder.
"Go."
I unlocked the door and let Simi lead.
Ezra's eyes met mine from the other side of the hall. He moved forth as he descended to keep everyone back.
It wasn't going to do anything about the others up in the stretch that ran through the dining areas. People gathered there in the lower section and in the VIP's.
Balae clacked as she greeted the other birds, shaking her head and jolting more people from the loud noise.
Almost everyone was gathered around the stage and surrounding areas. Others lined the back on the table, some sitting on my box as well.
Others were in the shared dressers, standing and talking. More used the seats to engage in conversation. I don't think anyone was actually getting ready for the show.
Rumours had spread, even without Nisha here. It seemed most of them were anticipating no show tonight, but still lingered in case that changed.
Claire glanced to me when she jumped off the end of the ladder. She cheered up as she marched forth after Ezra to introduce him to the others who backed away.
Some still remained, peering straight down at Simi who meekly waved back while I ducked stupidly behind her.
"This isn't going to work" she muttered, grinning.
"It'll be fine" I whispered, crouched down completely.
Ezra used his long body to try and stagger the stragglers. Slapping their legs with his tail, he feigned ignorance when they marched over to him to express their anger.
"Ok, go" Simi pushed ahead when the way was clear.
I checked on Bruce to see him walking for his door. Burning brightly from the warmth of the papers, the man took the stairs with confidence.
He paused at the person at the bar, ordering them away. I watched the person gather their things so they could trudge up to the others who gathered around them.
"EVERYONE!" Bruce shouted as he climbed the stairs after them "I WANT YOU ALL IN THE SEATS DOWN HERE!"
He clapped his hands to make everyone begin moving back towards the area we had just cleared them from.
I darted forth to rip open Nisha's door and hide behind it.
Simi stood there, confused on what to do when others gestured for her to follow them.
I ushered for her to go. She frowned, rushing to join the ones who were waiting for her.
"COME ON NOW, WE DON'T HAVE ALL NIGHT!" Bruce boomed down a microphone now, echoing through the walls "EVERYONE NEEDS TO COME DOWN HERE. I WANT ALL THE COSTUMERS, SECURITY, DANCERS, BAR TENDERS, TECH, AND LIGHTS DOWN HERE! EVERYONE! IF YOU AREN'T DOWN HERE, YOU CAN PACK YOUR SHIT AND LEAVE!"
"Sir, should we get the people from outside?" I heard someone ask nearby.
"EVERYONE" he boomed back, laughing cruelly.
I watched the single flame scamper down the stairs and pause before bobbing along towards the speckles further off.
The dressers were cleared out. The ones back stage climbed down into the ocean of orange. I had a clear path for that now.
I couldn't climb the ladder with everyone now in clear sight of it. I was already going to gain the attention of everyone who had a line of sight down this hall when I left the room.
Ezra moved to block the hall at the wall. Pushing out of the door, I kept low as I darted for the back of his body risen upwards.
"Come on, idiot!" Bruce snapped his fingers to Ezra, pointing "you, sit. Down, good."
He laughed at undermining him. Turning back to the crowd gathering, he was distracted by Balae picking her way to the edge of the stage to find somewhere to drop down.
"Dresser" I whispered to Ezra.
Moving towards it, I used him as a shield. Reaching the curtains, I sprinted for the empty dresser room just as Bruce caught Ezra going the wrong way.
"This way!" he snapped, shoving his side and pointing "there!"
Claire stepped in to guide Ezra down to the others that pushed themselves into their chairs. He took the alcove Luke and Levi usually resided so he was out of the way of the others.
I had a clear path now.
Running through the middle of the room for the staircase opposite, the dark mirrors and small benches rolled last me on either side.
Ok. It was all going good. Just a little further....
Reaching the top, I was met with another hall that spread to the right and left.
Seeing doors marked as toilets, I decided to take the left.
It continued down until it hit a corner. Following it around, I passed another toilet before passing the door belonging to the costume department that glowed from the heat of the machines inside.
I saw a crack in the wall ahead. Darting for it and planting my hands near it, I pushed it aside to be met with the chandelier.
What the fuck?
Had I done a loop? Missed a turn?
The ladder was right around the corner. It also left me exposed to everyone who was settled in and still filling the seats.
The alcove here had a covered corner right next to the lower ladder. Rushing for it and pressing to the cold wood, the rest of the area between me and that ladder was completely open.
Should I just run for it and hope no-one reacted when they saw me? Bruce was right down there. I couldn't be caught by him.
My heart pounded as I stared at my escape. My mouth dried and clenched when I swallowed down my fear.
I could also take it slow. Movement would draw attention. I had the advantage of darkness on my side.
I couldn't risk anything going wrong. The tub of meat would fall out of my pockets at that angle up the ladder. Wedging it into my jaw, I instantly started to drool over the side I carried.
Slowly leaving my cover, I tiptoed back towards the wall that ran to the ladder. Running my side along it, I carefully crept forth.
I could see eyes facing Bruce. Others read over the papers being passed along the tables under his order.
Ok. This was going good....
"Now...." Bruce began, freezing me when my hand wrapped around the upper rung "....make sure everyone has one of those sheets. You'll need them for tonight."
Thank fuck he hadn't seen me. I heaved myself up, pausing again when I was pressed to the cold metal.
"Sir" I heard Balae start, voice thick with confusion "what exactly is it?"
I moved, taking another rung, and another.
I paused.
"Every single one of the partners to the Stars is listed there" Bruce chortled "it's a list of their home addresses."
I forced myself to move again, taking another two.
"Isn't this, like, illegal?" a sharp female called out.
"This is doxxing" another added.
"It's only illegal if it's malicious" Bruce stated "and what I'm doing isn't that. I just want Avery, Nisha, and Tawn back here so we can continue with the show. I'm sure all of you think the same."
Murmers rose. I moved again.
One. two. Three. Four.
"So, it's true?" a male called out "they actually left?"
One....
Bruce made a strained noise down he mic. He chuckled, trying to move past it.
Two. Three....
"They will most likely be hiding with their partners. They are all on your sheets."
"Yeah, that's bullshit" I heard Elgress speak up now defensively "I don't want people coming to my house! Why am I on the fucking hit-list?"
Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Ni....
"You can't just order people to barge into other people's homes" Vinnie added.
What a fucking double-standard. I felt my jaw clench and crush into the tub when I moved again, pausing at the sound of the plastic crunching.
"This has got to be illegal!" another complained.
There was chatter. I used it as cover to ascend further, taking five more.
I was almost at the top. It was just out of arms reach.
"If anyone can tell me where any one of them is right now, I will give them five hundred dollars."
The chatter hushed. I peered over to see eyes locked directly onto me from the top row.
The birds. They lined the entire front row of the VIP's, alongside dancers and others I hadn't seen before.
I shook my head at them.
Please, don't rat me out.
I moved. There were four rungs left but I couldn't push my chances. Any one of them could open their mouth and it would all be over.
"Six hundred" Bruce pressed "for a location for any of the stars."
Fuck, that was a lot of money. For most of these people, that would have been close to half a weeks wages instantly granted. For me, i wouldn't see that sort of money for almost a fortnight.
"Six hundred" he growled "none of you have seen them? No-one at all?"
"Maybe there's a reason why they left" Balae spoke up with a hard edge on her voice as one bird began to open their mouth "and why no-one has seen them."
The other closed their mouth, averting their eyes from me.
"Either way, you all have the addresses. For each star bought back to me, I will give that person five thousand dollars."
Murmers started again. They grew and buzzed with concern and excitement. I pushed forth to shove open the hatch and crawl up onto the wooden floor.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87GpyAwUCi
I was finally in the roof. I could see Silera lift her head in the corner opposite me as I took the meat out of my mouth. I just had to make it to her now.
I certainly had a few people take notice of me. Steering away from the edge, I rushed along the alcove and up the side of the storage room to get to where Ezra usually slept.
There was only one walkway between me and my love.
Once I stepped out onto it, I would be in eyesight of Bruce if he looked up. There was nowhere to hide behind the thin railings.
Silera saw my hesitation. Slowly uncoiling herself, she started to move towards me, abandoning the nest.
The movement did catch Bruces attention. Seeing that she wasn't down with the others, he paused through his speech, starting up again with an irritated sigh.
"It's five thousand for the first person, not each person who comes with them" he grumbled.
Silera reared before me, bending her head to me. I rushed forth to crush mine to hers, grateful tears running down my cheeks.
"I missed you" I whispered, nuzzling her.
"And I missed you" she smiled, lifting to see my glistening eyes "come see them."
Silera glanced back to the nest. I beamed and crouched beside her to have cover the entire way back over.
Wrapping herself back around the nest, I smiled at my babies she nurtured so perfectly.
"If you can get all of them back by yourself, I'd be happy to give you fifteen thousand dollars" Bruce scoffed to another question.
People had seen me enter the roof. Once Bruce released them, they'd be storming up here to drag me back down for that money.
"You need to come with me" I placed the meat down so I could beg Silera now "I want you to come home to the fields; Balae too. We can have our own grounds out there and have as many children as we want. I'd be more than happy to have a large family with you both."
"I have a nest to raise here" Silera spoke softly, looking to the tops of the shells now exposed since Balae was still below us "I can't abandon so many viable eggs."
"We can make more" I pleaded "out where it's safe. You'll have food and warmth. You wouldn't have to worry about getting them to safety or people swarming your area."
Like Vinnie had done to mine. As bitter as it made me, he would get away with it. I had to priorities this, before snatching hands tried to drag me away.
"You could stay and...."
"I can't" I whined "if I don't go now, I'll never be able to see my family again. You are my family too. Please, Silera, come with me."
She shook her head, lifting it from me.
"I'm sorry, My Love."
Sobbing, I turned to the nest.
"At least let me take one" I breathed.
I saw her tighten around them. Placing a hand on her body, I whimpered.
"The one that you would kill anyway when it hatched. The smallest, even. If you can tell if it has legs, I'll take the defective one. Please. I can't lose this entire family too."
"I'll raise them well" Silera nudged my head "and when they are ready to go, they will thrive."
"Just one" I sniffled, planting my hands on either side of her face "i'll raise it in the wild ways. No human will touch it as long as I'm alive. Wouldn't you like to know that at least one of our babies is guaranteed to make it out there instead of just hoping?"
Silera glanced to them, flickering her tongue.
Was she actually considering it?
"Just one" I pleaded her.
She began to loosen her grip around them. Uncoiling herself, her head gently dipped and prodded at the eggs she tasted the air around.
Pausing at one, she moved past it, only to return.
"This one" she decided "it's small; weak."
I'd take anything. Watching her wedge her fangs around it, she pried it from the others to nudge it into my outstretched hands.
It certainly was smaller than the others, but not by much. I could only just get my arms around this one.
It was warm against my cold body. Staining it with my tears, I sobbed gratefully up at her.
"This is the greatest gift you could have given me. Thank you so much."
"Only for you" she smiled back as she moved the others closer together.
I only turned from the sight when the sound of Balae thumping onto the wood behind startled me. Grinning to us, she shook her head and crooned, clacking softly.
Our heads pressed together. She smiled down at the egg I held close.
"I bought you food" I turned to the tub beside Silera "it's not much."
"Anything is better than nothing" she chuckled, passing me the paper she held "you're a good mate, but you are a terrible hunter."
Reading over it, I saw Luke, Levi, Elgress, and Loreen's addresses had been added beneath my name.
I wouldn't be able to return to Levi's tonight. I'd have to rough it out in his car or somewhere else if his house was going to be targeted by employees eager for their hefty prize.
I couldn't stay here either. As much as I wanted to be here for them both and my family, I couldn't risk it after being so close to reunion myself.
With Balae up here and people starting to pour out of the seats, my time was up. Ezra was twisting himself back up to his side of the roof.
"I'm sorry" I grimaced to her "I've got to go."
She sighed, nodding. She must have known from the egg I was holding that my presence wouldn't be permanent.
"I wish we had more time..."
"If you want to leave, you'll need to do it now" she just breathed, moving around to hug me "look after it."
She dipped her head to the egg. I did the same, smiling and nodding.
"I expect phone calls" she warned me, laughing.
I laughed too, quickly agreeing through my tears.
Moving over to hug Silera farewell and press my face to hers for the last time, Balae joined me at the ladder she jumped down.
Peeling up the concealed hole in the wall, she wedged herself through it. I passed through the egg, hearing her patter off the roof to move it to the ground safely.
Glancing back at Silera again, I pushed through the hole so I could pull out my phone and ring Levi.
9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bz4HhPAj9
Whatever the night threw at me, I was going to fight with everything I had, now that I had something else to protect.
Moving to the edge of the roof and heaving myself over the edge, my feet found the top of the poster case. Balae helped buffer the drop with her frantically beating wings around the warm arms holding me.
As soon as I was firmly on the ground, I rushed over to snatch up the egg left nearby on the hot concrete, pressing my head to the warm shell.
Nothing was going to tear me away from my baby, now that I was a father of one.
Hugging Balae for the last time, I rushed out the front gates and onto the dark road leading away from Paragon.
I had been robbed of everything except for the chance at a family. Nothing was going to rip me from that again, as long as I lived.
We'd get through it all together.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
