Hellbent
Chapter 9
Show Up
Ashley and Maxx ventured through the hall of mirrors. They were illuminated by blue and pink neon lights and mandala patterns bouncing off each mirror around them. The floors pulsated and twisted with spiral fractal patterns around their feet. Ashley carefully made his way through as if he were treading water. Maxx stopped to glance at his reflection, making pouty faces in each mirror they passed.
Maxx: “I’m boooooored, A-Rad! Your hippie-dippie mumbo jumbo drugs aren’t working!”
He pouted as the room spun around them.
Ashley: “...Really? Are you sure about that, dude?”
He scratched his head, glancing at their pulsating reflections in the mirrors. Maxx glared at the mirror.
Maxx: “Owwwh! HEY! You stole my look, asshole!”
He barked like a dog barking at its reflection in the mirror.
Ashley: “Uhh, that IS you, dude.”
He assured him, putting his hand on his shoulder and poking at the mirror. Maxx’s demeanor shifted and a wide grin spread across his lips.
Maxx: “Owwwh! Dayum, I look sexay!”
He struck poses in the mirror.
Ashley: “...Are you sure the mystical spirit water isn’t working?”
He chuckled, scratching his head. Maxx scoffed and pouted. He flicked his gaze to another mirror, making him appear wider and smaller.
Maxx: “Look, A-Rad! I’m you!”
Ashley forced a laugh. He then shifted his gaze to a mirror with a clown costume painted over it. When Ashley stepped into the frame and position, it looked like he was dressed as a clown.
Ashley: “Haha, look, Maxxy, I’m you!”
He teased back. Maxx’s face twisted into a deep scowl.
Maxx: “Nah-ah, A-rad! I’m NOT a clown! Don’t be a dick!”
He snapped. Ashley recoiled.
Ashley: “...S-Sorry, dude, you were making fun of me… and I thought we were doing buddy banter.”
He countered meekly.
Maxx: “Whatever, A-Rad, this place is lame, let’s go home!”
He pouted, kicking his heel. Ashley knit his eyebrows.
Ashley: “Ohh, but I wanna go on some rides!”
He pleaded. Ashley’s attention shifted in the direction of Hawkwind's ‘Silver Machine’ playing over the speakers. He beamed when he saw the ‘Space Rock Gravitron 3000’ ride.
Ashley: “Let’s go on a space ride!"
Maxx: "Nah, A-rad, dat ride is lame!"
He shuddered and went pale. Ashley sniffed the air and caught a familiar sweet scent of lavender perfume.
Several hands appeared through mirror reflections, grabbing Ashley’s sides and tickling his tummy. Ashley jolted and squealed when he felt the long nails tickling his bare flesh.
Ashley: “ARGH! HAHAHAH AHAHAH AHAHAHAH HAAHAHAH!”
He melted to the ground and gazed up to see seven Makaylas standing over him and around him in a circle. Ashley’s eyes lit up when he saw her.
Makayla: “Wanna go for a ride, Ashley?”
She smiled down at Ashley. The Makayla that appeared in the middle, reached out to his hand, helping him to his feet.
Ashley: “...M-Makayla? YES!”
He swallowed hard and nodded eagerly.
Makayla: “Let’s go!”
She beamed, taking his hand and leading him out of the hall of mirrors towards the spaceship ride outside. Ashley’s heart hammered in his chest as he felt her hand connected to his and the colors and patterns danced and spiraled around them. He beamed at their reflections in the mirror together as they made their way out and back into the light again.
Maxx: “W-what?! HEY! What about ME?!”
He snapped and stomped his feet, chasing after them.
~
Makayla led Ashley onto the ‘Space Rock Gravitron 3000’ ride, cutting the queue.
Ashley: “Uhh, I don’t think we’re supposed to do that!”
Makayla chuckled.
Makayla: “You’re so cute and innocent.”
She teased and pulled him into the spaceship with her. Ashley and Makayla leaned up against the wall beside each other, panting and chuckling with pulsating adrenaline rushing through them. Ashley clutched his stomach as he felt the butterflies swarming around inside him. Makayla glanced over at him.
Makayla: “Are you ok?”
She asked gingerly, squeezing his hand.
Ashley: “O-oh yeah, just a little nervous…”
He stammered and chuckled. Suddenly, the machinery rustled and high-pitched wailing could be heard. When Ashley turned toward the wailing, he realized the sound was coming from Maxx, tumbling towards them.
Makayla: “...I can see why.”
She frowned at Maxx.
Maxx: “Make room for Maxxy, A-Rad!”
He huffed, trying to wedge himself between Ashley and Makayla. Ashley frowned and Makayla shot angry daggers at Maxx with her eyes. Suddenly the ride jolted and thrusted into a spinning motion.
Maxx: “OWWWWHH! OHHH NOAAWWW!”
He wailed, as he went flying across the ride, slamming into Bobby. His angry barking was inaudible with the music and machinery drowning it out.
Ashley and Makayla were oblivious to the commotion in the background, caught up in their daze. They chuckled and smiled together as they spun around the room. Bright colors and warm vibrations danced around them. Ashley took a deep breath and built up the courage to look over to Makayla beside him, catching her glance and nervously looking away from her again as his cheeks turned a deep shade of crimson. Suddenly, the ride began to slow down, coming to a halt.
Makayla: “Ohh, it’s over already?”
She sighed with disappointment as they exited the ride.
Ashley: “Well, it was nice while it lasted…”
He beamed. Makayla smiled back at him.
Ashley: “There’s always other rides to enjoy!”
He blurted and cupped his mouth, blushing. Makayla smiled at him.
Makayla: “...You want to go on more rides with me?!”
She teased and smiled.
Ashley: “...Y-yes.”
He fiddled with his hair.
Makayla: “Really?! Hell yeah, let’s do it! Ya know… no one else would go on rides with me today! Well, not that they care about what I wanna do anyway… it’s always about what Craig wants… and Veronika… Oh, no, I’m sorry I'm ranting!”
She cupped her mouth.
Ashley: “Oh, no, no, it’s cool! …I totally feel how you feel...”
He assured her, placing his hand on his heart, feeling her vibrations. Makayla smiled at him and leaned in closer to him.
A loud screech pierced through them like a knife as Maxx marched up to them with flames of verdant fire bursting out of him.
Maxx: “A-RAD!”
He screeched. Ashley turned to Maxx.
Ashley: “...Oh, hey, dude! Uhh, are you alright? You seem a little… on fire?”
He waved his hand, fanning the paisley flames around Maxx with his hand. Makayla laughed at Ashley’s strange remark and played along with him, fanning her hands with him.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! I’m not on fire, A-Rad!”
Makayla and Ashley burst out laughing. Emerald smoke billowed out of Maxx as he saw Makayla marvel up at Ashley as if he were a beautiful rose, but she frowned down at him as if he were a pile of rotting compost.
Maxx: “Screw you, double-chin fatty!”
Maxx snapped and towered over Ashley, distorting into an Adonis figure, while Ashley’s double chin and belly grew distorted and frog-like.
Makayla gaped at Maxx and went to open her mouth when a large hand grabbed her by the shoulder. She turned around and looked up to see Craig towering over her.
Craig: "I’ve been lookin’ all over for you, Makayla! You had me worried sick! You gave us the slip at the bar to hang around with that clown and that four-chin teller?! What the hell?!”
He glared at Maxx and Ashley.
Ashley: “...Uhh, a fortune teller? Oh wow!”
He scratched his head and smiled.
Maxx: "NAH-AH! I'm not a clown!"
He whined as his appearance distorted back to normal and Ashley resembled a fortune teller with his purple clothing and crystal teardrop necklace around his neck.
Makayla: “I wasn’t hanging around with that clown. I was hanging around with Ashley, but Booze-o the clown followed us.”
She countered, glaring at Maxx. Ashley chuckled at her quip.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! Stop laughing at me, I’m NOT a clown!”
Makayla scrutinised Craig who was standing alone.
Makayla: “Looks like Veronika gave you the slip... or you gave her the slip to find a certain someone who doesn’t want to see you anymore.”
She stated. Craig pouted and folded his arms across his chest.
Craig: “...Whatever. We gotta find her. She has my car keys!”
He pouted. Makayla furrowed her eyebrows.
Makayla: “...What?! Why did you give her your keys, Craig?! My guitar is in your car!”
She groaned.
Craig: “I was drinkin’ so she took ‘em off me, alright! She was bein’ a good girlfriend, lookin’ after me!”
Makayla rubbed her temples with frustration, doubting that statement.
Makayla: “Seriously, Craig… I’m sorry, Ashley, I have to go!”
She flashed a smile to Ashley and left with Craig, disappearing into the crowd.
Craig: “I told you to stay away from him!”
He scolded Makayla as they left. Ashley overheard him and sighed thinking of Blake telling him to stay away from her, too.
Ashley: “Why do they want to keep us apart?”
Ashley spun on his heel to turn back to Maxx, but he was nowhere in sight.
Ashley: “...Maxx?!”
He gasped, scanning the carnival grounds for Maxx’s bright neon clothing, but dashes of neon were scattered everywhere from the carnival rides to the cluster of clowns standing around the Ferris wheel.
Maxx: “HEY! What’s the big idea?!”
Ashley froze when he heard Maxx’s voice coming from the direction of the clowns and he saw Maxx’s face amongst them.
Red clown: “There you are! You’re late for the show, moron!”
The clown with the red bowl cut grumbled.
Maxx: “Pfft, what show?! Sex Beest don’t play no carnivals!”
He huffed.
Orange clown: “HA! HA! Very funny, stop CLOWNING around! HA HA HA!”
The clown dressed in orange sunflowers laughed.
Ashley: “Hahaha, ‘clowning around?!’ Oh man, so good. Hahaha!”
He giggled.
Maxx: “Pfft, that wasn’t even funny, A-Rad! Gosh!”
The clowns picked up Maxx, hoisting him above their heads.
Maxx: “HEY! HEY! Hands off da merchandise!”
A tall, muscular clown dressed in green led the group through the crowd.
Green Clown: “Watch out! Hot stuff comin’ through! Weeowwwh! Weeowwwh!”
He wailed at people like an ambulance, as they rushed through the crowd with Maxx. People laughed and cheered.
Maxx: “ARGH! NOOOAWW! A-Raaaad help meeeee!”
Ashley: “It’s okay, dude! Nothing bad’s gonna happen! Stay paw-sitive!!”
He assured him, running after them to the tent. The clowns dropped Maxx to the ground and formed a conga line behind him, shoving him into the door.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! NO! NO!”
The green clown turned to Ashley and shot water from his green carnation at his face. Ashley recoiled and giggled.
Green clown: “NOPE! Only clowns are allowed back here, mate! You gotta go THAT-A-WAY!”
He said, gesturing to a sign that read “That-a-way” pointing to another entrance.
Ashley: “Huh? B-But Maxx isn’t a clown? …isn’t he?”
Ashley pondered and scratched his head. The clown laughed in his face and blew him a raspberry, locking the door behind him.
~
Ashley wandered into the other entrance of the tent and saw a large crowd of people sitting around a stage. The lights went out and “Entry of the Gladiators” played over the speakers.
Announcer: “Laaadiies and gentlemeeen! Step right up, come one, come all for the greatest CLOWN ACT in town!”
A spotlight beamed down onto the center of the stage and Maxx was shoved into the spotlight by the other clowns.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! I’M NOT A CLOWN!”
He huffed and pouted, stamping his foot. The crowd burst out laughing and applauding.
Ashley: “...O-oh my god. They totally think he’s part of the act!”
Ashley cupped his mouth, choking on his laughter.
Green Clown: “Come on, ‘Pink Booze-o’ sing your song for us!”
Maxx: “Wh-Wha? Booze-o? Nah-ah! I’m a ROCKSTAR, NOT A CLOWN!”
Suddenly a shrill voice called out from the side of the stage, piercing through the laughing crowd.
Pink Clown: “HEY! What’s the big idea? Get outta here you IMPOSTER!”
Maxx turned to see an angry clown marching towards him. He was dressed in neon pink and had orange-tan skin and blonde hair. The other clowns on the stage gaped and froze, looking at him and looking at Maxx. The crowd roared with laughter thinking it was all part of the act. Ashley’s jaw hit the floor.
Ashley: “Oh my stars! He totally looks like Maxx!”
Blue Clown: “W-we’re sorry pink booze-o, we thought he was you!”
The pink clown gaped at his clown co-stars and at Maxx.
Maxx: “WHAT?! I look NOTHING like that guy! I TOLD you I wasn’t a clown, gosh! Don’t you know a rockstar when you see one?! Stupid dumb asshole clowns!”
Red Clown: “Could’ve fooled me.”
The blue clown began to cry and the crowd booed at Maxx. Ashley was taken aback by Maxx’s outburst
Ashley: “...Huh? Does he really not see it, or is he just like… clowning around?”
He muttered to himself with a chuckle. Suddenly he froze, cupping his mouth.
Ashley: “...Did I just say that… or just think it?”
A grumpy clown dressed in black marched over to Maxx.
Dark Clown: “Get outta here! You’ve ruined everything!”
He huffed, dragging Maxx off the stage. The other clowns exchanged awkward glances and chuckles amongst each other. The crowd laughed and applauded.
Maxx: “Owh! Hey, get OFF me!”
Ashley sat there stunned, as crowds of people laughed around him.
Ashley: “...Woah.”
He rose from his seat and rushed outside the tent to go find Maxx.
~
Ashley scrambled out of the tent, hastily looking around for Maxx. He was taken aback by the night sky that suddenly appeared.
Ashley: “Maxx?! Oh dear, how long were we in there for?!”
He hastily looked around for him. Suddenly, he heard the obnoxious sound of groan tubes as the moon appeared over the horizon with Maxx’s grinning face on it. He sat perched over the lake between the silhouette of Voyage Burger and the silhouette of Hellbent nightclub.
Ashley: “Maxx?! Oh, there you are! Come on, dude, let’s go home!”
He smiled at the moon.
Maxx: “Nah-ah! I’m da moon, A-rad!”
He pouted.
Ashley: “Come down from there! I can’t take you back home if you’re the moon, you won’t fit in my house, haha!”
He laughed. He was then taken into the Voyage Burger commercial with the moon-face Viking singing “Voyage Burger tonight” replaced with the Maxx-faced moon singing “Maxxy tonight”
Ashley: “Oh wow, I’ve never heard you sing before! You sing exactly how I imagined you to sing!”
He beamed, clapping his hands at his performance. Maxx’s face in the moon grinned at him.
Lord Kradula watched him talking to the moon in the distance and shook his head.
Lord Kradula: “Pfft, normies. What a weirdo.”
He swished his cape and walked away.
The carnival music distorted around Ashley akin to the Shephard tone, and the various rides twisted and melted like a Dali painting. Ashley groaned and covered his face with his hands, making a beeline towards the thick trees down the bottom of the hill to escape the sensory overload.
Ashley scurried through the woods as the carnival music grew fainter. The gentle flowing of water filled the air and he planted himself down by the edge of the lake, panting and catching his breath. The tree branches swayed in the breeze as if they were breathing in synchronicity with him. He gazed at the moon’s reflection on the water’s surface in a peaceful trance. And suddenly, everything fell silent and… oddly familiar.
Ashley: “...H-how did I get back here again? …Am I home?”
He gasped inquisitively, observing his surroundings. It resembled the river’s edge in the Sun Shire commune, surrounded by towering pine trees and the glowing lights of the commune grounds dancing along the hill. The glowing lights of the carnival formed into twirling fire dancers. Ashley inhaled deeply and exhaled, taking him back into a childhood reverie.
Ashley rose to his feet and ventured through the woods, looking around for his parents.
Ashley: “Mum? Dad? Where are you?”
He anxiously scanned the trees spinning around him. He saw a beaming light through the darkness and ran towards it.
A woman's voice resembling his mother's cut through the distorted carnival music and darkness, calling his name, gently.
Ashley: "...Mum?"
The voice called his name again and shifted to Makayla's voice when he saw her standing over him. The colors brightened around them and his feelings of dread evaporated into thin air.
Ashley: "...Makayla?"
He beamed and heaved a relieved sigh, feeling grounded.
Makayla: "Ashley? What are you doing here?"
She asked gently.
Ashley: "...I don't know… I thought I was… somewhere else?"
He pondered, glancing back in the direction of where he came from, noting the sign that read ‘Heathervale Lake Park.’
Makayla: "...Are you ok, Ashley?”
They were then startled by loud honking noises, followed by Craig’s booming voice.
Craig: “OI! Kayla! We’re goin’ home, now!”
He hollered at her from his Jeep. Makayla heaved a sigh and held her hand up, keeping her eyes on Ashley.
Makayla: “Ok, give me a minute, Craig.”
She sighed.
Craig: “NOW, Makayla.”
He commanded, glaring at Ashley. Ashley’s heart sank as he felt the angry flames oozing from Craig towards him. He resembled a cage lion in that car, roaring furiously as if he were trapped inside it.
Ashley: “I-i’m fine, Makayla… you should go…”
He forced a smile. Makayla sighed and nodded.
Makayla: “Alright, take care, Ashley.”
She leaned in and hugged him. Ashley froze up and hugged her back, feeling warmth and butterflies swirling around them. They pulled away from the hug and Makayla left with Craig.
The butterflies flew in the direction of a large tent and evaporated into thin air. Ashley glanced over at the tent, tempting him to enter. It was as though it was calling him over. He sauntered inside and was greeted by the glow of black candles and Frankincense incense. A man dressed in black peeled away from the black curtains manifesting into Andreas.
Andreas: “May I help you?”
Ashley gasped, startled by his sudden appearance.
Ashley: “...OH! Sorry, I didn’t see you there! You blended in with everything, haha!”
They chuckled nervously. Andreas locked his gaze on him, scrutinizing him.
Andreas: “You seem troubled…”
Ashley froze and his eyes widened at him.
Ashley: “O-oh… how did you know?”
He stammered.
Andreas: “I'm a psychic.
He said matter-of-factly.
Andreas: “And you're crying.”
He added. Ashley caught his reflection in the mirror and saw the tears down his cheeks.
Ashley: “Oh… my! I’m sorry!”
He wiped his tears.
Andreas: “Why are you sorry for crying?”
He pressed him with curiosity.
Ashley: “‘Cause I don’t wanna cry! I don’t wanna be sad! I wanna be happy! I don’t wanna put my bad vibes on you! I’m sorry!”
He sighed. Andreas held his hand up.
Andreas: “Crying is a necessary purge and release, not unlike going to the bathroom. Without suffering, there is no joy.”
He stated.
Ashley: “...I don’t want to suffer.”
They trembled with fear.
Andreas: “You shouldn’t fear your emotions and life’s challenges. Challenges are growth opportunities which enrich your life and lead to happiness.”
He shuffled his tarot cards and laid them out on the table in front of Ashley.
Andreas flipped over the first card which depicted a moon between two towers over water.
Andreas: “It seems you’ve been in the dark…”
Ashley nodded.
Ashley: “Yeah… it’s dark out there and I thought I saw something that wasn’t there, haha…”
They chuckled and scratched their head, thinking of Maxx’s face in the moon.
Andreas: “The moon is about illusions, emotion, and reflections… you’re lacking clarity on something and not understanding the world around you. To understand others better, we need to understand ourselves better. Perhaps your misunderstanding of the world and its illusions is a reflection of your misunderstanding and illusions about yourself. Your traumas and aspects of yourself you deem undesirable or uncomfortable that you try to hide from yourself and the world?”
He cross-examined. Ashley swallowed hard and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Ashley: “W-What do you mean by that? Uhh, what traumas?”
He asked meekly, embracing himself.
Andreas: “That’s exactly my point. You strike me as someone who buries their emotions because you’ve been taught to repress them. Just because you sweep the mess under the rug, doesn’t mean it’s not still there. If you want to be free of it, you need to pull out that rug, dive deeper into the water here, and work through all this stuff you sweep into the shadows. Not everything is what it seems on the surface here. You need to trust your intuition more and confront your shadow.”
He stated, pointing at the water illustration on ‘The Moon’ card.
Ashley nodded, glancing down at his shadow on the wall embracing him.
Andreas pulled out the next card which depicted a tower being struck by lightning. The same card he read to Craig weeks before.
Andreas: “Ah, we have the tower over the Moon... I see the tower as a pattern or structure in your life that you've been stuck in… It seems you’ve been stuck in this tower for all your life and here comes this lightning bolt and it blows the whole thing up.”
He gestured. Ashley swallowed hard and drew back.
Ashley: “Oh no!”
They cupped their cheeks.
Andreas: “A structure built on a weak foundation will collapse. Destruction leads to a clean slate allowing for new and stronger growth to take place.”
He explained. Ashley smiled a bit, feeling hopeful.
He turned over the next card, revealing a jester standing on the edge of a cliff. The Fool.
Andreas: “It looks like this will break you out of that tower.”
He said holding up ‘The Fool’
Ashley: “Oh… that guy looks like my friend…”
He laughed a bit.
Andreas: “It could represent him… or it could represent you. Like I said, not everything is as it appears on the surface.”
He shrugged.
Andreas: “The Fool represents someone embarking on a new journey into the unknown. You need to let go of past fears and illusions holding you back and embrace the new path and change ahead of you.”
He stated. Ashley glanced at their reflection in the mirror.
Andreas: “There’s an opportunity for a fresh start as you break out of old structures and beliefs that aren’t serving you anymore.”
He nodded. Andreas flicked his gaze to Ashley.
Andreas: “You have this air of innocence and naivety. I saw it at Craig’s party. You need to have more faith in yourself and take risks so you can learn and grow. You need to do your shadow work. You can’t only focus on light.”
He concluded.
Ashley: “...Oh wow!”
He stared at him wide-eyed and stunned beyond words. His mind swarmed with so many thoughts.
Andreas: “I hope this is helpful to you.”
He nodded and smiled.
Ashley: “Oh yes, it is! You're so wise! Thank you SO much!”
Ashley beamed and rose to his feet.
Ashley’s attention darted over to the death metal records in his stall.
Ashley: “OH, is that Possessed Pestilence?”
He pointed at the vinyl record with blood stains album art on it.
Andreas: “You’re a death metal fan?”
He gave him an incredulous look, taken by surprise. He didn’t strike him as the death metal fan.
Ashley: “Oh, no, my brother loves that stuff, but he hates that mean metal radio show!”
He explained, waving his hands.
Andreas: “Really now?”
He remarked and locked his gaze on Ashley, observing his olive tan complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair.
Andreas: “Is your brother Blake by any chance?”
He asked. Ashley gasped with amazement
Ashley: “YES! WOW! How did you know that?! You’re an amazing psychic!”
He gasped with widened eyes. Andreas smiled and chuckled.
Andreas: “It’s nothing to do with being psychic, but being observant. He came in earlier and I see the resemblance with your features.”
He smiled.
Andreas: “Also, you both have those matching tattoos on your hands...”
Ashley glanced down at the Sunshire tattoo on his hand.
Ashley: “OH! That’s our Sunshire tattoo!”
He beamed proudly.
Andreas: “What is that?”
He enquired.
Ashley: “Oh, it’s our family! We grew up in a commune in Koala State!”
Andreas looked pensive.
Andreas: “I see.”
He bobbed his head, taking mental notes. Now it makes sense, he thought.
Ashley: “Can I buy that record for him?”
He asked, picking it up. Andreas eagerly nodded.
Andreas: “Sure, I'll sell it to you for ten.”
He nodded.
Ashley: “Thank you!”
He beamed, pulling out his paisley wallet and handing him the money for it.
Ashley: “Oh, and how much for the tarot reading?”
He asked. Andreas waved his hand.
Andreas: “I don't charge for readings you didn't ask for. I gave you that reading because you needed it.”
He explained.
Ashley: “Oh wow, that's so kind of you! Thank you! Ya know, It's funny, Craig called me a fortune teller earlier today, and then I ended up here with you reading my fortune! It's like the universe wanted me to come here to put me on the right path!”
He beamed. Andreas frowned when he mentioned Craig.
Andreas: “I don't think he meant ‘fortune teller’...”
He groaned and shook his head. Ashley gasped, startled by the chiming of the grandfather clock.
Ashley: “Oh yeah! Time is a thing that exists! It must be really late now!”
He gasped.
Ashley: “I should go find Blake and Maxx! It was nice meeting you… again!”
He nodded to him and hastily scrambled out of the tent with the vinyl record. Andreas nodded back at him.
~
Ashley burst out of Andreas’ tent feeling lighter. There was silence and no one in sight, making the path clearer for him.
Ashley: “Okay, gotta find Blake and Maxx…”
He inhaled deeply and exhaled as he scanned around the carnival for them.
Voice: “Blake, huh?”
A voice replied, lurking in the shadows amongst the hydrangeas behind Andreas’ tent. Ashley paused to gape at the Hydrangeas.
Ashley: “...Woah! I didn’t know hydrangeas could talk! Yes! He’s my brother! Have you seen him?”
He replied back.
Voice: “What are you? Stupid or somethin’?”
A figure emerged from the bushes with a ponytail and cackled at him.
Ashley: “No… I just never knew that…”
He bowed his head. Veronika emerged from the shadows into the light.
Ashley: “OH! Wait, it’s you! Uhh, what are you doing in the bushes behind Andreas’ tent?”
He laughed and scratched his head.
Veronika: “Never you mind. So, Blake is your brother, huh?”
A wry smirk crept across her lips as she stroked her chin.
Ashley: “Yes!”
He nodded in confirmation.
Veronika: “Get me a date with him.”
She commanded. Ashley was taken aback.
Ashley: “Uhh, aren’t you dating Craig?”
He scratched his head. Veronika huffed.
Veronika: “So? Craig can pine after Andreas, but I can’t pine for Blake?!”
She scoffed.
Ashley: “Uhh… isn’t Andreas done with Craig?”
Veronika: “Yeah, well, Craig isn’t done with him!”
She huffed bitterly.
Ashley: “I’m sorry… why don’t you break up with him?”
He asked. Veronika scoffed and laughed.
Veronika: “It’s not that simple.”
Ashley: “Why? Because of the band?”
Veronika’s eyebrows rose.
Veronika: “Maybe you aren’t so stupid, after all.”
She smirked.
Veronika: “Get me a date with your brother, or I’ll make your life hell, fat boy.”
She waved her finger in his face. Ashley drew back and swallowed hard.
Ashley: “W-what if Blake doesn’t wanna date you?”
Veronika’s mouth twisted into a frown.
Veronika: “How dare you! Do you know who I am and how many men would kill to date me?! No one wants to date a fat sooky boy like you!”
She snapped at him. Ashley winced and bowed his head.
Veronika: “Do what I say or there will be hell to pay.”
She warned him and stormed off. Ashley gaped at her as she walked away.
Ashley: “Uhh, I don’t think that’s how dating is supposed to work?”
He scratched his head.
Suddenly, he felt a hand grab his shirt and he was face-to-face with a spiky orange and yellow figure yelling in his face.
“A-RAAAAAD!”
The shrill voice rasped like a needle popping a balloon. The colors around him spiraled into murky, dirty colors resembling a sewer.
Ashley: “ARGH! Who are you? What do you want?!”
He cried.
Maxx: “DUH! IT’S MAXXY MALONE OF SEX BEEST, GOSH!”
He shouted and stomped his murky green boot on the ground, causing his form to shape into Maxx. Ashley gasped.
Ashley: "MAXX?! There you are!"
He exclaimed with relief.
Maxx: "HOW COULD YOU DITCH ME, A-RAD?!"
He screamed and shook Ashley’s shoulders.
Ashley: "I-I'm so sorry, dude, I was trying to help you, but then I got lost!"
He stammered and sobbed.
Maxx: "Ohhh, you're gonna pay for that A-rad! You owe me big time!"
He pouted, throwing his arms up in random directions.
Suddenly, a chiming sound came over the speakers, alerting their attention.
Announcement: “Attention please, there is a missing boy, Ashley Sabatini. Please report to the front gate office. Your father is looking for you.”
Ashley cupped his mouth and gasped.
Ashley: “...Dad?!”
He gasped and ran through the carnival grounds towards the gate. He had never run so fast in his life.
Maxx: “HEY! Wait up, A-Rad!”
He huffed and puffed, struggling to keep up with him, despite being half his size.
~
Ashley rushed into the office at the front gate, panting and catching his breath. Maxx followed after him and collapsed to the floor.
Ashley: “DAD?!”
He cried, looking around for him, but he was greeted by Blake tapping his foot with folded arms across his chest.
Blake: “WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?! Don’t you EVER wander off like that again!”
He berated him.
Ashley: “...Blake?! You’re not dad?!”
He cried. The supervisors gave them weird looks.
Blake: “No, these idiots thought I was a parent looking for my child!”
He drew a breath and rolled his eyes.
Ashley: “Oh no, I’m not a child and Blake’s not my father! He’s my brother!”
He corrected them.
Supervisor: “Could’ve fooled us.”
He quipped and they laughed.
Blake: “Just wait until we get home!”
He growled, ushering Ashley out.
Maxx: “YEAH! You’re gonna get it when we get home, A-Rad!”
He waved his finger at him.
~
Later that night, Ashley cowered up on the couch between Maxx and Blake, standing over him, berating him.
Blake: “What has gotten into you today? I take my eye off you for one minute and then you disappear for FOUR HOURS!”
He began. Ashley huddled himself.
Maxx: “YEAH! You DITCHED me for Mckayla and abandoned me with STUPID CLOWNS! Bros before hoes!”
He added. Ashley’s shifted in his seat. Blake gaped at Maxx.
Blake: “...WHAT?! You ran off with HER?!”
His voice rose and Ashley trembled like a leaf.
Blake: “Of course, that’s why you did this. She’s a bad influence and she will drag you down with her! Again! You defy me!”
He clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Ashley: “That’s not true! I’m not a child, Blake! We just went on a ride together! I was trying to look for Maxx and then I got lost in the woods and then I hung out with your friend!”
He cried.
Blake: “Friend?”
He arched an eyebrow. Maxx scoffed.
Maxx: “Pfft, Doom ‘n Gloom doesn’t have any friends, A-Rad!”
He laughed and pouted.
Ashley: “Yes he does! Andreas! I got this for you from him so you don't have to listen to that mean radio show anymore!”
He smiled and presented him with a paper bag containing the vinyl record. Blake was taken by surprise as he pulled out the Possessed Pestilence record. Maxx pouted.
Maxx: “HEY! How come he gets a gift and I don’t?! Where’s Maxxy’s gift?!”
He whined. Blake rolled his eyes at Maxx.
Ashley: “Sorry, dude…”
He bowed his head.
Maxx: “You OWE me, A-Rad!”
He pouted. Ashley sighed.
Blake: “Oh wow. Thank you, Ashley. This is nice and I appreciate the thought, but I don't have a record player.”
He smiled.
Ashley: “Oh… well, Andreas has a record player! Maybe you can listen to it with him?”
He smiled. Ashley snapped his fingers.
Ashley: “OH! I also ran into Veronika there, too. She reeeeaaallly wants to date you, haha. ”
He added, scratching his head. Blake frowned and held his hand up.
Blake: “We will have nothing to do with these people, Ashley!”
He said firmly. Ashley frowned.
Ashley: “I know Veronika and Craig are mean, but Makayla and Andreas are really cool and not like them! I reckon you and Andreas would get along really well! You’re both wise and both like the same music and all that dark stuff! Andreas was nice to me and read my tarot and gave me some good advice!”
He pleaded with him. Blake’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Blake: “Really now? What did he say to you?”
He pressed him.
Ashley: “Well, he said I’m a fool and that I must suffer!”
He smiled. Maxx burst out laughing. Blake frowned.
Blake: “What?!”
Ashley waved his hands around.
Ashley: “No, no, in a good way! He said suffering is a part of life and leads us to growth and joy!”
Blake stroked his chin, looking pensive.
Blake: “Interesting… that is the opposite of Sunshire’s teachings.”
Ashley paused and cupped his mouth.
Ashley: “Oh no…”
He cried.
Ashley: “I had this weird experience tonight, I went to the lake, and it felt like I was back home again…”
He sighed, clutching his necklace close to him. Blake quirked an eyebrow at him, noting his erratic behavior. He then froze when he saw the shiny vial necklace around his neck.
Blake: “...I see now.”
He rose to his feet and approached Ashley, pulling him into a hug. Ashley was pleasantly surprised and beamed as he hugged him back.
Blake: “Well… you should be more careful.”
Blake said as he discreetly unclipped the vial necklace from Ashley’s neck, taking it off him. He then pulled away from the hug.
Ashley: “Aww, thanks, Blake, I needed that!”
Ashley beamed. Blake smiled and nodded back at him.
Blake: “You’re welcome, Ashley.”
He tucked the necklace into his pocket, out of sight.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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