Hellbent
Chapter 12
Maxximum Capacity
The next day, Blake, Ashley, and Maxx entered the ‘Hardware Warehouse’ together.
Maxx: “Why are we back HERE again?! This place SUCKS!”
He whined.
Blake: “Because SOME fucking idiot flushed food down the toilet!”
He glared at Maxx. Ashley frowned and looked away from Maxx.
Ashley: “Yeah and Blake wants to see Andreas!”
He teased nudging him. Blake froze and reddened when he said that out loud.
Blake: “Oh… right, he works in the garden section.”
He interjected awkwardly. Ashley turned in the direction of the garden section and smirked.
Ashley: “I think we need more cactuses.”
He winked, heading towards the garden section. Blake blushed.
Blake: “Wait! Ashley!”
He hissed.
Maxx: “Pfft, Andreas? Dats a man’s name!”
He scoffed and laughed.
Blake: “What an astute observation.”
He deadpanned and went after Ashley.
~
Ashley skipped into the garden part of the store, it resembled a giant greenhouse conservatory. There were arched windows with plants hanging off them and the sun’s rays beaming through the windows. There were rows of plants sectioned under different species ranging from herbs, flowers, succulents, and various pots and bags of mulch. Ashley beamed when he spotted a man with a raven braid pruning the rose bushes and greeted him with a wave.
Ashley: “Buongiorno, Andreas!”
He beamed. Andreas turned around, surprised to see him.
Andreas: “Oh, hello, Ashley. How can I help you?”
He greeted him with a smile.
Ashley: “So, you like roses, huh?”
He stroked his chin with a smirk.
Andreas: “Yes. Why do you ask?”
He nodded. Blake came rushing in after Ashley.
Blake: “Ashley!”
He paused when he saw Andreas with him.
Andreas: “What seems to be the trouble, Blake?”
He asked, noting his body language and expression.
Ashley: “Oh! Blake wanted to come see you!”
He beamed. Blake froze and reddened, staring daggers at Ashley.
Andreas: “Oh, really, now?”
He turned to Blake and smiled. Blake went as stiff as a board.
Blake: “Yes… we need new cactuses.”
He cleared his throat. Ashley tilted his head owlishly at Blake. Andreas quirked an eyebrow.
Andreas: “Sure… Right this way.”
He pursed his lips and led them to the cactuses and succulents section. There were various species bundled together in an assortment of different shapes and sizes.
Andreas: “What were you looking for? We have Trichocereus, Echinocereus, epiphyllum.”
Blake’s eyebrows rose surprisingly at his knowledge.
Ashley: “Ya know, Blake knows his cactuses, too! Trick of serious is his favorite!”
He winked at Blake.
Blake: “Trichocereus, Ashley.”
He corrected him. Andreas laughed and quirked an eyebrow.
Andreas: “Well, I don’t know why you need my help on this when you already know what you’re looking for.”
He challenged.
Andreas: “So, why did you really come here?”
He pressed him. Blake froze and sighed.
Suddenly, they heard over the intercom: “OWWWW! Ladies, ladies, ladies! Maxxy Malone of SEX BEEST is in da buildin’!”
They all gaped up at the intercom.
Blake: “THAT FUCKING CLOWN!”
Blake saw red and marched over in the direction of the staff room. Ashley followed after him.
~
Maxx: “Cum get yo autographs ‘n suck my—”
Blake grabbed Maxx by the scruff of his collar.
Blake: “...WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!”
He hissed at Maxx, yanking him away from the intercom.
Maxx: “OWWWH! Hands off da merchandise! I was just doin’ some rockstar PR, gosh!”
He pouted. Ashley gasped and cupped his cheeks.
Ashley: “OH! Good thinking, dude! Maybe someone might know where your bandmates are!”
He beamed, grabbing the microphone.
Ashley: “Hello everyone! Has anyone seen some missing rockstars?! My friend Maxxy lost his bandmates!”
He poured his heart and soul into his announcement. Blake and Maxx both gaped at him. The manager came rushing up to them.
Manager: “HEY! YOU! STOP RIGHT THERE!”
He bellowed. Ashley’s heart sank and Blake’s adrenaline spiked.
Blake: “SHIT! We gotta go!”
He gasped, grabbing Ashley’s arm and running to the door with him.
Maxx: “HEY! Wait for Maxxy!”
He whined, running after them. They rushed over to the car, taking off and peeling off out of there.
~
Blake panted, red as a tomato and Ashley flopped in his seat, panting and catching his breath. Maxx slid around in the back, wheezing for air.
Blake: “That was fucking HUMILIATING!”
He rasped, gripping the steering wheel.
Blake: “I can’t take my eyes off you for ONE fucking second!”
He huffed and shook his head.
Maxx: “Yeah, A-Rad, gosh!”
He pouted. Ashley recoiled and gaped at Maxx.
Ashley: “Me?!”
Blake: “No, YOU! You fucking clown!”
He spat and glared at Maxx in the rearview mirror.
Maxx: “What did I do?!”
He pouted. Blake gaped at him.
Blake: “Are you fucking serious?!”
He laughed bitterly.
Blake: “Clearly your parents NEVER disciplined you and let you do whatever the fuck you want! You were raised with a silver spoon up your ass and never struggled for anything in your life!”
He huffed.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! My parents abandoned me ‘n kicked me out onto DA STREETS!”
He fired back. Ashley knit his eyebrows.
Blake: “Gee, I wonder why!”
He said sardonically, rolling his eyes.
Blake: “When you pay this debt back to us, we will be kicking you out on DA STREETS, too!”
He huffed. Ashley looked away and pondered, thinking of their encounter with Nuklear Intoxikation yesterday and their mention of Maxx being in their debt. What did they mean by that? What has that got to do with Maxx’s portrait? He pondered.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! A-Rad wouldn’t let that happen! Right, A-Rad?!”
He whined, nudging him, snapping him out of his daze.
Ashley: “...Donut worry, dude, we’ll find your bandmates!”
He smiled tightly at him, assuring him. Maxx grinned smugly. Blake frowned.
Ashley: “You can live with them when we find them!”
He chirped. Maxx gaped at him. Blake smirked.
Blake: “Right. Good thing they’re real or you’ll be out on the street again.”
He deadpanned. Maxx pouted and huffed.
~
The next day, Blake waited around for Ashley and Maxx as they hung ‘Missing’ posters around town. It was a picture of Maxx’s glamour shot photo that read “Missing Sex BeesT” and “Call Maxxy if you have any leads… or want a good time if you’re a hot lady babe.”
Blake: “...THAT’S your missing poster?! How are people supposed to find your band members if it’s a photo of YOU?!”
He gaped at Maxx as if he had three heads.
Maxx: “Cos! They can come to me if they find any info, gosh!”
He pouted.
Blake: “How can they when they don’t know what these people even look like?! That’s the whole point of a missing poster!”
He huffed and rolled his eyes. Ashley knit his eyebrows.
Ashley: “Don’t you have any photos of them, Maxx?”
He asked gently.
Maxx: “...No, I was kicked out 'n stranded in the bush with nothin’!”
He sighed sadly. Ashley looked at Maxx sympathetically and Blake narrowed his eyes at Maxx, skeptically.
Blake: “How inconvenient…”
He huffed and pulled Maxx aside.
Blake: “And how convenient that your bandmates are suddenly ‘missing’ when Ashley is about to kick you out.”
He challenged.
Maxx: “How’s that convenient?!”
Blake laughed and shook his head.
Blake: “You may have Ashley fooled, but you don’t have me fooled.”
He shook his head at him.
Blake: “But you’re the biggest fool. Nothing about you adds up and you’re full of shit. I'm willing to bet Sex Beest isn’t real and these bandmates don’t exist! One of these days, we will find out who the real Maxxy Malone is, and the truth will come out. It always does.”
He hissed at him.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! This IS da REAL Maxxy Malone! Sex Beest is REAL! We’re da real deal!”
He countered. Blake scoffed.
Blake: “I would hope so. Because you won’t have a place to stay when we kick you out and I’m going to come down on you for making Ashley relive his trauma. As it stands right now, I don’t trust you and I don’t like you.”
He said firmly, cracking his knuckles.
Maxx: “Nah-ah! Me n’ A-rad are gonna find Sex Beest one day n’ you’ll be sorry!”
He fired back.
Blake: “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
~
Later, Ashley was baking peanut cookies and humming to himself. Maxx sauntered into the room.
Ashley: “Hey dude! I’m running a market stall this Sunday to help raise awareness for your missing bandmates!”
He beamed.
Maxx: “Eww, peanut cookies SUCK, A-Rad! I HATE them! Put dem in da bin!”
He shuddered and groused at them. Ashley frowned and sighed.
Ashley: “There's no need to be rude…”
He said in a low voice, forcing a smile and clenching his grip on the spoon. He then thought of their encounter with Nuklear Intoxikation.
Ashley: “So, uh do you think Nuklear would have any leads about Sex Beest?”
He asked, scratching his head.
Maxx: “Why would those assholes have any idea?”
He huffed.
Ashley: “I dunno… you lived with them and I thought maybe they met them? Or they’d know someone who’d know something in the music scene?”
He scratched his head.
Maxx: “Pfft, hell no! Don’t be stupid, A-Rad!”
He scoffed. Ashley sighed and finally the question in his lips slipped out.
Ashley: “Why do they say you owe them over that portrait? …What is it that I don’t understand? Did you flush something down their toilet too?”
His tone hardened with concern and curiosity. Maxx gaped and scoffed at him.
Maxx: “Geez, A-Rad, you’re so desperate to fuck Makayla, you’d believe her over your own best buddy?! Bros before hoes! She's not gonna fuck you. I told you already! They're jealous bullies!”
Ashley recoiled, looking shocked and hurt.
Ashley: “Look, I know you’re upset about your bandmates, but, there's no need to take out your negative energy on me… I'm only trying to help you.”
He cried, embracing himself.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! I'm PISSED at YOU, A-Rad! You made a fool outta me! You keep sayin’ you're trying to “help” me but you just wanna make me look like an idiot and make yourself look good!”
He shrieked. Ashley recoiled and gaped at him.
Ashley: “...What?!? When did I make a fool out of you, dude?! What are you talking about?”
He cried.
Maxx: “YOU made me work at VOYAGE BURGER like a loser, A-Rad!”
He screeched, stamping his feet. Ashley gaped at him.
Ashley: “...What?”
He blinked mutely, too stunned to speak.
Ashley: “But Voyage Burger is awesome and you get to work with yummy food all day?! There's nothing loser-y about it?”
His head spun with confusion.
Maxx: “Then YOU work there, A-Rad! I'm a ROCKSTAR, not a peasant! I'm above this!”
He pouted. Ashley gaped at him and felt his emotions brewing.
Ashley: “Well, I didn't flood the house and If I work there, who will cook and clean up after your mess?!”
He blurted as his emotions were overflowing and spilling out of a cup. He cupped his mouth when he realized what he just said out loud. Maxx glared at him and huffed.
Maxx: “You're da biggest fool, A-Rad. Nothing about you adds up ‘n you're full of shit! You act like a nice guy but you're not! One of these days, we will find out who da real A-Rad Salami is, and da truth will come out. It always does.”
He waved his finger at him and rose. Ashley recoiled at the harshness of his words.
Ashley: “I-I'm not pretending anything and my name is Ashley Sabatini!”
He cried.
Maxx: “Nah-ah! Dats not your real name!”
He pouted and marched out of the room. Ashley paused when he thought of his real name–Branch. How would he know that? He wondered and went to clutch on his crystal necklace, but his heart sank when he realized he was no longer wearing it anymore.
~
Later that evening, Blake walked in on Ashley frantically turning over everything in the house, creating a huge mess of cushions, chairs, and magazines scattered everywhere.
Blake: “What are you doing, Ashley?! What’s going on?!”
He said firmly. Ashley turned to Blake with tears in his eyes.
Ashley: “I-I’m so sorry, Blake!”
He cried and fell to his knees.
Blake: “...Sorry for what? What did that clown do now?”
He pressed him and rubbed his temples.
Ashley: “Mum’s necklace is GONE! I’m so sorry! I wore it to the carnival! But I could have sworn I had it when we came home!”
He sobbed as he recalled fiddling with it while he was relaying his trip to Blake. Blake froze.
Ashley: “I’ve looked EVERYWHERE for it, but I can’t find it!”
He sobbed when he saw Blake’s expression.
Ashley: “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault…”
He embraced himself.
Blake: “It’s NOT your fault, Ashley…”
He said firmly, placing his hand on his shoulder. He drew a long breath.
Blake: “We need to talk.”
Ashley sighed.
Ashley: “Look, if it's about Maxx–”
Suddenly, Maxx burst into the room.
Maxx: “What about Maxxy?!”
He grinned at him.
Maxx: “What are you crying about now, A-Rad?!”
He scoffed and rolled his eyes at him. Blake glared at Maxx.
Blake: “You fucking asshole!”
Ashley looked up at Blake, taking note of his reaction towards him, and looked at Maxx.
Ashley: “Mum’s necklace is GONE because of YOU!”
He sobbed. Blake and Maxx both gaped at him.
Maxx: “Wha?! I didn’t take your stupid chick necklace, A-Rad!”
He fired back at him and pouted.
Ashley: “Right, maybe you flushed it down the toilet with the meal I cooked for you.”
He huffed bitterly with hurt in his tone.
Maxx: “I didn’t do NOTHIN’ to your necklace! Why are you blaming me for?! What about him?! Maybe it was HIM?!”
He pouted, pointing at Blake. Blake and Ashley gaped at him.
Ashley: “H-how dare you?! Blake would NEVER do something like that to me! But you?! YOU flushed my food down the toilet and DESTROYED OUR HOUSE! It was the only thing I had left of her and now it’s GONE because of YOU!”
He cried as the dam broke everywhere. Blake gaped at him as he had never seen this side of him before. He went to interject when Ashley cut him off.
Ashley: “Get out of our house and get out of our lives!”
He bellowed between clenched teeth and trembled, overflowing with raw emotion spilling out of him. Maxx drew back, stunned beyond disbelief. Blake gaped at him and smiled widely when he finally heard him say the words he always wanted to hear.
Maxx: “You’re a heartless jerk, A-Rad!”
He huffed and stormed off. Ashley drew a long, exhausted breath and fell to the couch, sobbing.
Ashley: “Oh god, what did I do?!”
He cried.
Blake: “You did the right thing, Ashley.”
He assured him.
Ashley: “Did I?!”
He sobbed.
Blake: “He’s the heartless jerk! He destroyed our home and lost something valuable to you.”
He assured him. Ashley sighed and pursed his lips.
Ashley: “I hope he finds his bandmates… I don’t want him to end up on the street because of me…”
He cried.
Blake: “Fuck him! He’ll be fine. It's not your fault and it's not your problem.”
He assured him. Ashley sighed and pursed his lips.
Ashley: “...I guess the bake sale is off now, want some cookies?”
He nodded and rose from his seat, heading for the kitchen.
Blake: “Sure.”
~
Ashley sauntered into the kitchen and froze at the sight of Maxx choking and twitching on the floor. His eyes, lips, and face were puffy and swollen.
Ashley: "OH MY GOD! MAXX! W-what happened?!"
He screamed, kneeling to him and tending to him as he gasped for air. Blake frantically burst into the kitchen.
Blake: “Ashley! Are you ok-”
His worry and dread washed away from him when he saw Maxx in peril.
Blake: "...He's faking it."
He grumbled.
Ashley: "No way! He's turning purple! I’m calling an ambulance, Blake!"
He cried with urgency.
Blake: "NO! That would cost a fortune! Grab the car keys and I'll carry him to the car! Let's go!"
He said quickly, hoisting Maxx over his shoulder. Ashley hastily grabbed the car keys off the hook and ran out to the car.
~
Ashley and Blake sat in the hospital waiting room. Ashley buried his face into his hands, overwhelmed with emotions.
Ashley: "...Oh my god… my peanut cookies! I'm a monster!"
He sobbed into his hands.
Blake: "It's not your fault, Ashley. He should have told you about his allergies and he shouldn’t have eaten something with nuts in it.”
He said firmly but gently patting Ashley’s shoulder reassuringly.
A doctor emerged from Maxx’s hospital room, holding a clipboard, gesturing for them to come in.
Doctor: "So it seems your friend, Maxwell Malone, had an allergic reaction to nuts—"
Maxx: “IT’S MAXXY Malone, Dr. Asshole! Don't you know who I am?!”
He rasped.
Blake: “He just saved your life, Jester fuck.”
The doctor rolled his eyes at Maxx, ignoring him.
Doctor: “Anyway, if you wish to have him remain in your home, it must be peanut-free.”
Blake: “Let’s fill the whole house with peanuts.”
He said dryly. Ashley knit his eyebrows.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! Screw you Mr. Doom n’ Gloom!”
Ashley: “He’s just kidding, dude!”
He flailed his hands around as if he was warding off a fly. Blake arched an eyebrow.
Blake: “I was?”
Maxx: “This is all YOUR fault, A-rad! I could’ve died over your lame-ass baking! Can you imagine da headlines?! Legendary rockstar Maxxy Malone of Sex Beest dies from a CAT COOKIE! A fucking cookie?!”
He turned his fury to Ashley and snapped. Blake glared hatefully at Maxx and slapped him across the head.
Maxx: “OWWWH!”
Suddenly, a woman’s shriek cut in.
Woman: “HANDS OFF MY PRECIOUS MAXWELL, YOU THUG!”
There stood a slim woman in her fifties who looked like she came straight from the cup races. Her hair was styled in a honey blonde bob hairstyle and she wore a bright red blazer and skirt with a wide-brimmed hat.
Woman: “MY BABY! WHAT DID THEY DO TO YOU?!”
She caterwauled, rushing over to Maxx, showering him with red lipstick marks all over his orange cheeks.
Maxx: “OWWWH! NOOO! MUMMY-KINS! STOOOOP!”
Ashley was taken aback by her sudden intrusion and loud screeching akin to Maxx's. His heart sank with guilt.
The door opened again, more gently this time as a lanky older gentleman entered. He was dressed in black pants and a light-blue dress shirt with square-shaped glasses. Two large security guards accompanied him and loomed beside him.
Man: “How are you holding up, Maxwell Jr?"
He enquired, tending to Maxx.
Maxx: "It's MAXXY, daddy-kins, gosh!"
He pouted and protested. The man sighed and turned his attention to Ashley and Blake. Blake gaped at them, stunned when he saw the most powerful man of their country answer to Maxx.
Man: "Good evening. I am George Malone, Maxwell Jr’s father.”
Ashley's eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Ashley: “Hello! I’m Ashley Sabatini!”
He greeted him with a smile and wave. Blake gaped at George. So, it's true. Maxx's father really is the Prime Minister.
Blake: “Hello, I'm Blake Sabatini.”
He shook his hand and his head swarmed with so many questions.
Susan finally turned to Ashley and Blake, when it dawned on her that Maxx wasn’t the only person in the room.
Susan: “And I am Susan Malone, Maxwell’s fabulous mother! Maxwell gets his looks and attitude from me, as you can see!”
She said loftily, declaring it as a badge of honor.
Ashley: "Uhh, yeah, I can see that…"
He scratched his head, laughing awkwardly and shifting his eyes. Susan scrutinized Ashley and turned to Maxx.
Susan: “Oh my, your girlfriend needs to lay off the cake, Maxwell!”
George cleared his throat awkwardly and Blake gaped at her saying it out loud within earshot of everyone. Ashley's heart sank to his feet.
Maxx: “Girlfriend?! NAH-AH!”
He screeched and fumed.
Ashley: “Oh, no, no! Maxx isn't my boyfriend!’
He waved his hands as if he were turning down a dish served with cat poop in it.
Susan: “Oh, good.”
She smiled sweetly. She then turned back to Maxx.
Susan: “She wishes she was, but you’re too good for her, Maxwell.”
Ashley gaped at her rude comments. Does she think I can’t hear her? He wondered.
Ashley: “...Uhh, I don’t want to date him and I’m not a girl.”
He awkwardly scratched his head. Susan gaped at him. Maxx grinned and laughed.
Maxx: “BAHAHAHAHA!, she thinks you're a chick, A-RAD! HE’S a fat man, mommy!”
He burst out laughing. Ashley frowned and looked away. Susan gaped at him.
Susan: “Oh, dear.”
She twisted her mouth at Ashley. Blake folded his arms across his chest and rolled his eyes.
Blake: “The rotten apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I see.”
He locked his glare onto her.
Susan: “How dare you speak to me that way! You’re very rude!”
He harrumphed.
Blake: “Speak for yourself, lady.”
George placed his hand on her shoulder.
George: “Please, Susan. Emotions are running high right now, so let’s calm down.”
He assured her.
George: “What happened here?”
He pressed them all for answers.
Susan paced around the room, looking at Blake and Ashley.
Susan: “Which one of you did this to my precious Maxwell?!”
She gestured to Maxx in his hospital bed. Ashley closed his eyes over and sighed.
Ashley: “It’s my fault… I baked the peanut cookies…”
He bowed his head and embraced himself. Susan glared at him with hatred.
Blake: “It’s NOT your fault! You didn’t know because he never told you!”
He assured him, glaring at Maxx.
Maxx: “I TOLD YOU I HATED PEANUT COOKIES, A-RAD!”
He shrieked. Ashley’s heart sank when he recalled that conversation.
Ashley: “...I-I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that’s what you meant! I thought you were just being snappy because you were angry with me…”
He stumbled.
Maxx: “Pfft, not everything’s about you, A-Rad!”
He scoffed.
Blake: “Then why did you eat them, genius?”
He challenged. He knew the answer but he wanted to call it out.
Maxx: “Cos I thought A-Rad had a heart… I thought he’d do da right thing and put them in da bin like I told him to! I thought he baked new ones! I thought I was safe and thought I could trust him…”
He cried. Susan tended to her son, cooing at him. Blake gaped at him and Ashley trembled with guilt.
Susan: “YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL MY BABY! I WILL SUE YOU AND MAKE SURE YOU’RE LOCKED UP FOR LIFE IN PRISON!”
She wailed, pointing and crying at Ashley as if she were scolding a cat at a table. Maxx clung beside her, pursing his lips. Ashley sunk in his seat and felt as though his soul escaped from his body.
Ashley: “W-what?! I wasn't trying to kill him?!”
He cried and pleaded.
Blake: “ARE YOU FUCKING, SERIOUS, LADY?!”
He roared at her and stood in front of Ashley, glaring at her.
Blake: “YOUR LITTLE SHIT ATE THOSE COOKIES TO SPITE HIM FOR KICKING HIS CLOWN ASS OUT!”
He rasped at her. Susan glared at them both.
Susan: “YOU KICKED OUT MY BABY?! YOU’RE SO CRUEL! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?!”
She screeched at Ashley. Ashley recoiled as her words slashed at him like knives. Blake: “HE DAMAGED OUR HOME!”
He snapped.
Susan: “HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE MY MAXWELL AND BLAME HIM FOR YOUR CRUELITY!”
She hissed at them both. George looked over at Susan.
George: “Susan… please, let’s calm down and discuss this.”
He said, trying to calm her.
Ashley: “Please! I’ll do anything!”
He sobbed and pleaded on his knees. Maxx turned to Ashley.
Maxx: “Anything, ey?”
He stroked his chin.
Maxx turned to his mother.
Maxx: “Nah-ah, Mommy-kins! Don’t do dat! A-Rad isn’t a murderer, he’s just dumb! He’s got Acoustictism ‘n doesn’t know better! He’ll do anything to make this right, right, A-Rad?”
He pleaded with her and smirked at Ashley. They all turned to Maxx with stunned faces, albeit for different reasons.
Ashley: “Please! I’m so sorry! I’ll do anything!”
He sobbed and pleaded to him, which made him grin widely.
Maxx: “Drop da charges Mommy! Maxxy will give you another chance, A-Rad!”
He grinned at him. Ashley sighed with relief.
Ashley: “Thank you!”
He hugged him. Susan gaped at her son. Blake glared at Maxx and Susan with pure hatred and disgust. Ashley was screwed either way and he felt powerless to do anything.
Susan: “Alright, Maxwell, but he better do anything it takes to make you happy! Otherwise, he will be dealing with my lawyers and locked away in prison! You’re lucky you have a forgiving and kind friend like my sweet Maxwell! You don’t deserve his mercy!”
She huffed and shook her head at Ashley. Ashley felt like the floor beneath his feet was swept away from him and he was falling into a dark pit.
~
Later that night, when Maxx was discharged from the hospital, paparazzi swarmed around them all, snapping photos of them. George picked up the pace of his walking, ignoring them all and got into the limosuine. Susan smiled and waved at the cameras, stroking her hair. Blake was taken aback and obscured his face with his arm. Ashley buried his face into his hands, overwhelmed by all the commotion and flashing lights. Maxx grinned and struck a pose for the cameras.
Maxx: “OWWH, Maxxy Malone of Sex Beest is in da house!”
He hollered on his way to the limousine, basking in all the attention. A young reporter came up to them.
Reporter: “Maxwell Jr! What happened?”
Ashley and Blake froze and turned to Maxx.
Maxx: “Its MAXXY! I just got into a motorcycle accident! I was doin’ a flip ‘n I fell over. Oops!”
He waved his hand dismissively, trying to look cool. Ashley gaped at him when he lied about what happened.
Ashley: “No, he didn’t… it’s my fault, I–”
He sighed. Blake grabbed Ashley, covering his mouth.
Blake: “Let the clown lie.”
He whispered to him and ushered him away from the cameras and into their car. Maxx left with his parents in the limousine.
~
Later, they all arrived back at the Sabatini home.
Susan: “Oh my! What a pigsty!”
She gasped and turned her nose up at the cushions, magazines, and items flung about the place and the smell of mold from the water damage.
Maxx: “Yes, SOMEBODY made a BIG mess!”
He pointed at Ashley. Ashley hung his head in shame.
Ashley: “I was looking for my mum’s necklace…”
He said softly, embracing himself. Blake glared at Maxx.
Blake: “Because YOU flushed his food down the toilet and caused all the water damage!”
He said sternly.
Ashley: “And now Mum’s necklace is gone…”
He teared up, glancing up at her photo on the wall. George pursed his lips.
Susan: “Maxwell would never do such a thing!”
Blake gaped at her.
Blake: “Well, he did!”
He growled at her and Maxx, folding his arms across his chest. George drew a breath.
George: “How much were the damages?”
He asked.
Blake: “Five thousand dollars.”
He hissed between clenched teeth, glaring at Maxx. Ashley’s cheeks rolled with tears. George silently nodded and pulled out his wallet, handing them seven thousand dollars in cash. Everyone in the room gaped at him.
George: “I apologize for this. This won’t bring back your heirloom, but this will cover monetary costs for the damages.”
He stated. Ashley’s eyebrows rose and he wiped his tears.
Ashley: “T-Thank you, that’s so kind of you!”
He cried.
Ashley: “B-But this isn’t your fault and this doesn’t feel right…”
Oh, so Daddy cleans up his messes? I can see why he’s a little shit, Blake thought.
Susan: “Because it ISN’T right! IT’S WRONG!”
She screeched, snatching the money back. She then turned to her husband.
Susan: “What are you doing, George?! These… beatniks just tried to KILL OUR SON! That money belongs to HIM!”
She shrieked, handing Maxx the cash. Maxx grinned widely and licked his lips. Blake and Ashley gaped at them.
Susan: “Even if our Maxwell caused these damages as you claim, they’re moot now with that ten-thousand dollar hospital bill you owe him.”
She harrumphed. Blake glared at her and Ashley’s heart sank.
Susan: “And if you don’t pay it, I will be pressing those charges.”
Ashley swallowed hard.
Susan: “Regardless, Maxwell did the right thing, your baking nearly KILLED my son! Had he not disposed of your meal, he may have died!”
She huffed and glared at Ashley. Blake gaped at her. Ashley bowed his head.
George: “Susan…”
Ashley cut in crying.
Ashley: “...I’m sorry… I’ll NEVER cook or bake anything ever AGAIN!”
He sobbed into his hands. Blake felt sick to his stomach. Maxx grinned widely.
Blake: “No, Ash! Don’t let this stop you!”
He assured him.
Susan: “Don’t enable him! He should be banned from the kitchen and kept far away from food! He doesn't need it. It will do him good, too!”
She turned her nose up at his chubby physique. Blake glared at her.
Blake: “Yes, he’s fat and not dead from eating his ‘deadly’ food. Great logic.”
He deadpanned bitterly and folded his arms across his chest.
Maxx: “Don’t worry, A-Rad! I’ll put you on my rebel rocker diet and find you a better passion!”
He assured him with a grin. Ashley was too numb to react and went into freeze mode. He resembled a hollow doll. It was as if his emotions completely shut off.
Susan: “Oh, Maxwell, you’re an inspiration to us all!”
Blake gaped at them. That wasn’t my point, but whatever, he thought.
Blake: “Right, because a diet of over-processed frozen crap is better than fresh food. And what passion do you have, exactly?”
He said sharply.
Maxx: “I’m a ROCKSTAR, DUH!”
He pouted, gesturing to himself.
Blake swung his gaze over to his parents.
Blake: “Right, your totally real band with ‘missing bandmates’.”
He rolled his eyes.
Blake: “Have you ever SEEN the other members of Sex Beest?”
He asked his parents. Maxx gaped at him.
Susan: “Of course, we have! What kind of stupid question is that?”
She huffed.
George: “What do you mean they’re missing?”
He pressed.
Maxx: “I don’t know where they are ‘n haven’t heard from them in weeks!”
He cried.
George: “Jaxon, Danny, and Dicky are missing?!”
Ashley’s eyes widened, remembering those names. Blake gaped at them.
Ashley: “Yeah… I’ve been trying to help Maxx find them.”
He said in a small, defeated voice.
Susan: “Well, you’re not trying hard enough! Try harder!”
She scoffed.
Susan: “Oh, the Tachibanas must be devastated for Jaxon! I go to his mother’s dress store! She makes the most beautiful gowns!”
Blake quirked an eyebrow at her.
Blake: “You wouldn’t happen to have a photo of them together?”
He pressed them, wanting to see hard evidence and proof these people were real.
Ashley: “Yeah, we need them for the missing posters!”
He stated. Maxx shifted his eyes.
Susan: “Of course, we do! I’m a proud mother!”
She harrumphed, pulling out her wallet from her purse, which contained a long string of Polaroid photos of Maxx in them. Maxx waved his arms around.
Maxx: “NOOO, MOMMY-KINS!”
There were photos of Maxx at different ages, depicting his descent into the Maxx we know today. There was a photo of him as a toddler crying over the hundreds of presents surrounding him. Another was a photo of him as a teenager with his natural pale skin tone and natural dirty blonde hair matching Susan’s. He was dressed in a polo shirt with brown slacks with a buzzcut hairstyle pouting at a horse. The next photo was more recent as Maxx looked the same as he did now in his outrageous clothes, matted mess of hair, and overdone spray tan. He was posing with a pouty face with a Japanese man with teased black hair and blonde streaks with guitars in their hands. There was another photo of them with two other men with their instruments. One of them had vibrant teased red hair and was dressed in leopard print and the other was a short man with teased blond hair.
Blake’s jaw hung wide open.
Blake: “Well… I’ll be damned.”
Ashley examined the men in the photo.
Ashley: “Oh wow… they look like a tribe of Maxxys!”
He gasped. He then noted Maxx’s tense expression.
Ashley: “Don’t worry, dude, we’ll find them.”
He assured him.
Maxx: “HA! I TOLD YOU SEX BEEST IS DA REAL DEAL, DOOM ‘N GLOOM!”
He blew him a raspberry. Blake gaped at him disbelievingly.
They were then startled by a fluttering of wings as Signora Pollo entered the room. Susan shrieked.
Susan: “ARGH! WHAT IS THAT THING?!”
She screamed.
Ashley: “Oh, that’s Signora Pollo, my chicken.”
He smiled a bit, picking her up in his arms.
Susan: “NO! I won’t have my son live in this filthy squalor! You’re coming back home with us, Maxwell!”
She huffed, grabbing Maxx’s arm. George gaped at her. Blake and Ashley both looked relieved and sided with Susan on something for once.
Maxx: “NAH-AH!”
He whined and stamped his feet.
George: “Susan, he’s a grown man. You can’t tell him what to do.”
He stated.
Blake: “I beg to differ. He can’t survive without his maids and butlers. He needs them.”
He shoved Maxx at them.
George: “He needs independence in the world.”
He gently pushed Maxx back at Ashley and Blake.
Maxx: “NOOOOOOOO! I don’t wanna go back to Swanton!”
He shrieked with fear in his tone. Blake quirked an eyebrow.
Ashley: “...Why are you scared of going back?”
He asked.
Maxx: “My crazy fan is there!”
He wailed. They had never seen anything evoke this kind of fear in Maxx.
Ashley: “Oh? I thought you liked your fans?”
He scratched his head. Blake couldn’t deny his curiosity about who it was that Maxx wanted to avoid back in his hometown.
Maxx: “I don’t wanna go back to that boring place! I wanna stay here with Jacky-babe!”
He pouted. He then looked over at Ashley.
Maxx: “And, I wanna stay here with my best buddy, A-Rad!”
He grinned, putting his arm around Ashley. Ashley swallowed hard.
Ashley: “Uhh, don’t you want to be with your parents? You’re so lucky you still have them…”
He sighed and looked over at them standing next to his parent’s portrait on the wall.
Maxx: “Nah-ah, A-Rad, I want to be here with you! You said you’d do anything to make me happy!”
He grinned at him. Ashley froze. Blake narrowed his eyes into slits. Susan gaped at him.
Susan: “B-But he will kill you with his horrible cooking!”
She wailed.
Blake: “...I wish he would.”
He muttered under his breath.
Maxx: “Don’t worry, mommy, A-Rad said he won’t ever cook or bake again! Right, A-Rad?”
He held his hand up and smiled at Ashley.
Ashley: “...R-Right.”
He bowed his head.
Susan: “Alright, Maxwell… you call us again when you need us.”
She sighed. Blake quirked an eyebrow. Ah, just as I suspected. He cried to mommy and daddy and hid behind mommy’s skirt.
Blake wondered if he did the right thing allowing Ashley to keep Maxx at their home. He wanted him to learn a life lesson from this experience, but he couldn’t foresee just how capable Maxx was at being rotten. He underestimated him and that was their undoing. Blake blamed himself and felt responsible for how it snowballed into this bizarre hostage situation.
~
After George and Susan left, Ashley went to Maxx’s room. Maxx was laying on his mattress bed, drinking from his goon sack of wine.
Ashley: “Why did you lie to the reporters, Maxx?”
He asked.
Maxx: “Cos I was saving your fat ass, A-Rad!”
He declared. Ashley gaped surprisingly at him.
Maxx: “Don’t worry, I won’t tell da world about da REAL A-Rad Salami. You can keep your good boy image!”
He grinned. Ashley swallowed hard, thinking of how Makayla would hate him and never want to speak to him again if she knew he was capable of murder.
Ashley: “What is it that you want from me?”
He pressed him.
Maxx: “Just be my best buddy and make me happy, A-Rad!”
He smirked. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Ashley: “...R-Really? That’s all? I can do that.”
He smiled.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Comments