Hellbent
Chapter 8
Show Down
Jaclyn was in her bedroom sewing and organizing clothing items across her bed, when suddenly, she was startled by a loud bang at her window.
Maxx: “JAAAACKKYYYY-BAAAAAAAABE!”
Jaclyn jumped with fright and turned to see Maxx pressing his face up against her window, getting tan stains on it.
Jaclyn: “UGH! What do you want, Maxwell?!”
She queried sharply, marching up to the window and sliding it open to greet him.
Maxx: “I gotta talk to you, Jacky-babe!”
He said urgently as he thrust himself through the window and plonked on the floor with a loud thud.
Jaclyn: “HEY! Use the DOOR, moron!”
Her voice rose to a shriek. Maxx climbed to his feet.
Maxx: “There’s no time for that, baby! It’s an emergency!”
Jaclyn: “The door would have been quicker, but whatever. What’s this emergency, Maxwell?!”
She huffed, humoring him curiously.
Maxx: “I NEED some hot sexy action, baby!”
He exclaimed with urgency, thinking bitterly of Yvette and Makayla with Ashley at Voyage Burger yesterday. Jaclyn gaped at him and frowned.
Jaclyn: “That’s NOT an emergency, you moron!”
She shrieked at him. Maxx pouted and plonked himself down onto her bed, sitting on her dress.
Jaclyn: “HEY! GET OFF THERE!”
She shrieked, waving at him like a fly.
Maxx: “Pfft, what’s with all da old lady clothes, baby? You got your grandma here or somethin’?”
He scoffed and laughed at the gaudy vintage dresses. There was a neon red dress with a Queen Anne neckline, the bodice was adorned with diamonds, and the skirt part was adorned with feathers that draped to the floor.
Jaclyn: “WHAT?! OLD LADIES?! THIS IS WHAT CLASSY LADIES WEAR, YOU FOOL!”
She snapped at him and then drew a breath.
Jaclyn: “This is fashion perfection, Maxwell! Hand-crafted by yours truly and modeled by yours truly!”
She gestured to herself smugly. Maxx blinked mutely.
Maxx: “...Why don’t you make sexy clothes, baby?!”
He scoffed and grinned dumbly. Jaclyn glared at him.
Jaclyn: “Because I am not a floozy! Look, I am a very busy woman, Maxwell! I need to find a photographer for the Solaris show tomorrow! Now, GET OUT!”
She huffed and pointed at the window. Maxx grinned widely.
Maxx: “OH! Maxxy can take ya sexy photos, baby!”
Jaclyn: “Hmph, I need a professional photographer.”
She huffed and folded her arms across her chest.
Maxx: “I AM a professional photographer!”
He pouted. Jaclyn gaped at him disbelievingly.
Jaclyn: “...You?! YOU’RE a photographer?!”
Maxx “Dats right, baby!”
He grinned. Jaclyn’s frown shifted into a smile.
~
Ashley was making pancakes as Blake was reading the newspaper at the kitchen table. Ashley’s eyes brightened when he saw the advertisement for the ‘Solaris Park Show’ in the newspaper.
Ashley: “OOH! The Solaris Park Show?! Can we PLEASE go?!”
Blake frowned.
Blake: “No.”
He said flatly. Ashley frowned.
Suddenly, Maxx barged in.
Maxx: “A-RAD! You gotta help me, buddy! It’s a life or death situation!”
He gasped, shaking Ashley’s shoulders.
Ashley: “ARGH?! What's wrong, dude?”
He gasped and knit his eyebrows, looking concerned. Blake looked unimpressed.
Maxx: “I NEED A CAMERA! I know you got one cos you take all those pics of your cats!”
Blake gaped at him. Ashley tilted his head and looked confused.
Ashley: “Uhh, how's that life or death?"
He scratched his head.
Maxx: “'Cause Jacky-babe needs a photographer for da stupid show, gosh!!”
Blake rolled his eyes.
Ashley: "...Uhh, Are you a photographer?!"
He pressed him.
Maxx: “Pfft, it’s just pushing a button, A-rad! Anyone can do it!”
He scoffed, waving his hand dismissively.
Ashley: “Uhh, I dunno about that…”
He frowned at him.
Ashley: “...So, what’s this show?”
He tilted his head with curiosity and intrigue.
Maxx: “Pfft, it’s just this lame thing at Solaris Park every year. I just need your camera, A-Rad, you can stay home. It's best you ain’t there.”
He scoffed. Ashley gasped.
Ashley: “Do you mean THIS show?!”
He beamed, picking up Blake’s newspaper to show him the ‘Solaris Park show fair’ advertisement.
Maxx: “Ughh, yeah, dats da one.”
He scoffed dismissively at the clowns, amusement rides, and farm animals depicted on the poster. His bright neon pink and orange clothing matched the colors on the poster.
Ashley: “Oh my stars! I REALLY wanna go! Can we PLEASE go?!”
He pleaded.
Blake and Maxx: “NO!”
They both countered in unison. Blake gaped at Maxx. Why the hell is he against Ashley being there? He pondered to himself.
Ashley: “...It’s not fair… you guys never let me do what I want to do!”
He cried. Blake recoiled when Ashley lumped him in with Maxx. Blake drew a long breath and rubbed his temples.
Blake: “I can assure you that our reasons are very different.”
He scrutinised Maxx wondering if the reason he didn’t want Ashley there was because he was ashamed of him or because he was up to no good.
Blake: “Actually, you know what? I’ve changed my mind. Let’s all go together.”
He smirked at Maxx. Ashley’s eyes lit up with a wide smile.
Ashley: “R-Really?! YOU’RE COMING, TOO, BLAKE?!”
He beamed, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Maxx gaped at Blake.
Maxx: “Ohhhh, nah-ah! You’re gonna cramp our style, Doom ‘n gloom!”
He pouted.
~
The next day, Ashley was in his room, excitedly getting ready for the Solaris Park show fair. He was dressed in jean shorts and a purple plaid shirt with anklets and sandals on his feet. Maxx sauntered into the room, dressed in a clashing ensemble of green and pink leopard print.
Maxx: “Alright, A-Rad if Doom ‘n gloom is gonna come, we NEED to get wasted! Let’s do some lines!”
He pouted, doing a finger-bang at him. Ashley beamed with excitement.
Ashley: “YAY! Let’s line up for the fun rides!”
Maxx cackled, slapping his knees.
Maxx: “No, buddy, I’m talkin’ ‘bout rock n’ roll shit, cocaine, and ketamine! Hint, hint!”
He winked at him.
Ashley: “OH! Uhh, well, I’ve never done drugs before, dude, and dunno where to get that stuff.”
He scratched his head.
Maxx: “PFFT, bullshit, you big fat stoner!”
He cackled and lightly nudged him.
Ashley: “Dude, weed isn’t a drug, it’s just catnip for humans!”
He chuckled.
Maxx: “Whatever, A-Rad! Whatever! If ya wanna go to da lame carnival, let’s smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em!”
Ashley nodded and turned to his wardrobe.
Ashley stood up on his tip-toes to reach the top shelf of his wardrobe, pulling out a wooden box with a star symbol drawn on it, matching the one on his thumb. He carried it over to his bed and shuffled through the contents of the box, pulling out a glass jar labeled “Meowijuana” with a tiny illustration of a cat on it, resembling Keke.
Ashley: “Aha! Here it is!”
Maxx took a peek inside the wooden box and pulled out a crystal teardrop vial necklace with translucent liquid inside of it.
Maxx: “Pfft, what’s with the chick necklace, A-rad?!”
He laughed.
Ashley: “Oh, it’s my mum’s mystical spirit water! It allows you to dive deep into your mind and see stuff you’re normally not able to see! It’s really fun!”
Maxx: “...So, drugs? Jackpot, A-Rad! Gimmie!”
He exclaimed, wiggling his fingers with glee.
Ashley: “Dude, it’s not drugs, it’s a spiritual tool! …Are you sure you wanna do this?”
He said firmly, but gently.
Maxx: “Pfft, A-Rad! I’m a rockstar, I’ve done every drug under da sun n’ way more than you!”
He scoffed and laughed. Ashley sighed and nodded.
Ashley: “I guess so… alright, let’s do it! It’ll be fun!”
He smiled, cupping the necklace in his hand and taking a deep breath.
Ashley unscrewed the tiny crystal lid of the teardrop vial from his necklace.
Ashley: “Ok, so, you can put a drop of it anywhere on your body, that feels right to you! Like this!”
He said gently and dropped a tiny dash of the liquid onto his tongue.
Maxx: “...Anywhere, ey?!”
He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows when Ashley handed him the teardrop vial.
Maxx: “How ‘bout my Sex Beest?!”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
Ashley: “...Uhh, your band?”
Maxx: “Ohhh, A-rad, where do you think the name came from?! MY SEX BEEST!”
He grinned, gesturing to his crotch. Ashley laughed awkwardly.
Ashley: “OH! Haha, I guess you could do it there if you wanted to?”
Maxx: “Rock on, buddy!”
He exclaimed, pulling his pants down and dropping a few drops onto his crotch.
Ashley: “Woah, careful, dude, don’t drop too much!”
He gasped, snatching the teardrop vial back from him and re-attaching it to his necklace.
Maxx: “Pfft, I live on da edge, A-rad!”
He said loftily.
Ashley: “I know, dude… you’re so carefree and cool…”
He sighed.
Maxx: “I know! Maybe one day you can be as awesome as me! Now, let’s go party!”
He exclaimed. Ashley tied the necklace around his neck, keeping it close to him.
~
Blake, Ashley, and Maxx arrived at the Solaris Park Show Fair. Ashley beamed with excitement to see the amusement park with its towering mushroom Ferris wheel and enormous gateway in the shape of a sun. ‘Solaris Park’ flashed in big neon lights at the entrance.
They got out of the car and entered the park as the roller coaster zoomed past them. The wave of joyful screams was contagious as Ashley’s heart fluttered with excitement. Upbeat music filled the air, coming from the live band playing on the stage. The stage was in the shape of a dome and resembled a large shell.
Ashley beamed at the rides and pondered which he would ride first. The spook house? No way, too scary, he shivered at the thought. Ooh, maybe the funhouse? He beamed, gazing up at the large multi-colored structure with its mirror maze, tunnels, and slides. They wandered through the carnival grounds as loud carnival music and bright colors danced around them. The cheers and laughter of people zooming past them on the roller coaster echoed and faded away.
Ashley inhaled deeply with a smile on his face when he smelt the deep fryers of the food vendors. The gyros vendor operated by a handsome Greek man with long blue-black hair whet his appetite and before he knew it, the cravings in his mind fell right out of his mouth.
Ashley: “H-hey, can I get… a hot dog… no, wait, a hamburger… wait, BOTH, haha!”
He chuckled. The vendor smiled at him, endearingly. Suddenly, Ashley felt a bony arm around him and felt like he was being dragged away from the vendor and it was growing smaller in his view and gasp.
Maxx: “Nah-ah, A-Rad! Don’t be a fatty! We gotta find Jacky-babe!”
He scolded him.
Ashley: “...Ohh, but I’m hungry and I don’t wanna see Jacky-babe!”
He whined, clutching his stomach and looking at the vendor with a forlorn expression.
Maxx: “Pfft, you’re just jealous cos I got a hot lady babe ‘n you don’t!”
He pouted.
Ashley: “Nuh-uh… she gives me bad vibes! Her attitude STINKS! Like her feet!”
He laughed and shook his head. Blake quirked an eyebrow at Ashley’s odd behavior and laughed.
Blake: “Come on, Ashley, let’s ditch the dumbass and go see the markets–”
He turned on his heel and pulled him away.
Maxx: “N-NO! DON’T LEAVE ME!”
He pleaded desperately, grabbing Ashley’s arm and trying to pull him in the opposite direction. Ashley paused and knit his eyebrows.
Maxx: “Please, A-Rad… I need this… I need Jacky-babe… I need your camera!”
He begged. Ashley bowed his head and went to pull it out of his bag when Blake shoved his hand back down.
Blake: “No. Ashley has done enough for you and isn’t going to help you anymore.”
He said firmly, pulling Ashley away from him again. Ashley frowned.
Ashley: “Huh? I didn’t say that, Blake. What about if he buys me lunch?!”
He suggested, nodding to the food vendors. Maxx and Blake both gaped at him.
Maxx: “FINE!”
He pouted, throwing his arms up and marching over to the vendor.
Maxx: “Gimmie da smallest hot dog you got!”
He ordered. Blake scoffed and laughed.
Blake: “What? Like yours? No. Get him everything on the menu..”
He glared spitefully at Maxx. Ashley awkwardly slunk between them.
Ashley: “Uhh… all I wanted was a hot dog and a burger, guys…”
He said in a small voice. The Vendor shot him a sympathetic look and served up what Ashley wanted.
Ashley: “T-Thank you!”
He smiled. Blake nudged Maxx.
Blake: “Go on, pay for it.”
Maxx pouted and begrudgingly fished around in his pants for wadded-up bank notes. The vendor pulled a disgusted face and glared at Maxx. Ashley took a big bite into his hot dog and beamed with delight.
Ashley: “Oh WOW, this is amazing! Maybe I should run my own food vendor, too, someday!”
He beamed. The vendor beamed at him.
Vendor: “Maybe you should.”
He winked and smiled at Ashley. Ashley beamed widely. Maxx furrowed his eyebrows and yanked Ashley away.
Maxx: “Come on, A-Rad! Stop talkin’ to strangers! Let’s go to Jacky-babe!”
Blake rolled his eyes at Maxx.
~
Maxx dragged Ashley over to a large runway exhibit and Blake followed. There was a seating area with a few people gathered around a runway with judges on the side. A slender woman with voluminous blonde hair strolled down the runway, showing off her tasteful handmade gowns. Maxx salivated at the sight of her.
Maxx: “Owwwwh! Baby!”
He drooled.
Blake: “I thought we were here for Jacky-babe.”
He said flatly. Suddenly, Jaclyn’s shrieking cut through them like a lead balloon.
Jaclyn: “MAXWELL!”
She snapped, marching up to him. Ashley froze at the sight of her. She resembled a ball of fire with her fuming red face matching her red hair and ruffled gown with feather boas around her.
Ashley: “Woah… she’s so… red!”
His voice trailed off. Blake arched an eyebrow at Ashley, noticing something off about him today.
Maxx: “Owww, hey baby, Maxxy's here!”
He grinned at her with a ‘finger-bang’
Jaclyn: “You’re LATE, Maxwell!”
She shrieked at him, grabbing his arm.
Maxx: “Sorry, baby, It ain’t my fault! A-Rad made me get him food!”
He pouted, pointing at Ashley, eating a hot dog and a hamburger in each hand.
Ashley: “Buon pomeriggio!”
He awkwardly waved at her, munching on his food. Jaclyn sneered at Ashley.
Jaclyn: “What is that fat pig doing here?”
She hissed at Ashley with disgust, scrutinizing him as he munched on his food. Ashley recoiled at her sharp words and tone. Blake stepped in front of Ashley and glared at her.
Blake: “Come on, Ashley, let’s leave the clowns to their little circus act and enjoy the carnival.”
He said to him, grabbing his arm, glaring at Maxx and Jaclyn.
Maxx: “What did I do?!”
He pouted.
Blake: “It’s what you didn’t do just now.”
He glared at him. Jaclyn flared red with furious anger.
Jaclyn: “Excuse me?! How dare you speak to me that way! Who do you think you are?!”
She scrutinized him in his leather jacket, tattoos, piercings, and undercut hairstyle.
Jaclyn: “You junkie felon!”
She huffed. Blake blinked mutely at her.
Ashley: “Uhh, Blake’s never been to prison and he doesn’t do drugs.”
He countered, scratching his head. Jaclyn rolled her eyes at him.
The announcer came over the speakers, cutting through their tension like a knife. Ashley was taken aback by the mysterious voice hovering around them. Blake gave him a look.
Announcer: “Up next is Jaclyn Kovalenko presenting her retro time capsule!”
Jaclyn smirked at them all.
Jaclyn: “Get the camera ready, Maxwell! You’re about to capture greatness forever and these peasants are about to bear witness to it.”
She waved her hand and marched out onto the stage.
Ashley: “...Why did she just call us medieval farmers, Blake?”
He scratched his head.
Blake: “She was trying to insult us because she thinks she’s above us.”
He rolled his eyes at her on the stage, striking a pose.
Ashley: “Oh, well, she may be taller than me, but you’re way taller than her!”
He laughed. Blake laughed a bit.
Maxx: “NAH-AH! Jacky-babe is above MAXXY! She’s MY lady babe!”
He thrust his pelvis, grinning at her above on the stage. Blake rolled his eyes.
Blake: “Whatever you say, Bozo. Shouldn’t you be taking photos?”
Maxx: “Oh yeah… gimmie dat camera, A-Rad!”
He snapped his fingers. The sound of his fingers snapping echoed around him.
Ashley: “Oh yeah!”
Ashley nodded and fished around in his bag and pulled out a pink plastic camera shaped like a cutesy cartoon cat. Jaclyn turned in their direction and her jaw dropped.
Jaclyn: “...What the hell is THAT?!”
She hissed at them and glared at them. People turned their heads in their direction. Ashley could feel their glances and hear their whispers echoing around him. He could hear them murmuring questions between each other. “What’s going on?” and “Is this a joke?”
Ashley: “Oh, it’s my ‘Princess Kitty’ camera!”
He beamed. Laughter trickled through the crowd as more people gathered around. Maxx tugged at Ashley’s arm, shoving the camera in his face.
Maxx: “How do I work da camera, A-rad?”
He pressed him. The laughter grew louder.
Ashley: “Oh, you hit the paw button, dude.”
He smiled, gesturing to a tiny purple paw button on the top. The audience broke into laughter. Jaclyn’s ire soared.
Jaclyn: “SERIOUSLY?! YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO WORK A CAMERA AND YOU USE A CAMERA FOR CHILDREN?!”
She shrieked, flaring red with anger. The laughter died on everyone’s lips and they all went silent, fixing their gaze onto Jaclyn.
Ashley: “Oh! It’s not just for children! It’s for cats too!”
He beamed, pulling out his wallet and showing the Polaroid photos of Keke. The crowd around Jaclyn’s screaming alerted the attention of Craig, Makayla and Veronika.
Craig: “Well, well, what do we have here?”
He smirked, watching the chaos unfold. Makayla fixed her gaze onto Ashley.
Jaclyn glared at Maxx and Ashley.
Jaclyn: “UGH! YOU RUINED MY BIG MOMENT! You LIED to me, Maxwell! You made a FOOL out of me!!”
She huffed, shoving Maxx down to the ground. The crowd laughed and grew larger with “OOOOH!”.
Maxx: “OWWH!”
She then fixed her glare to Ashley.
Jaclyn: “And YOU! You FAT PIG! You will regret crossing me and ruining my show!”
She snapped and shoved Ashley down to the ground. The crowd laughed and went “OOOOH!” Blake went to step in, but to his shock, Jaclyn was slammed to the ground by a purple blur.
Ashley: “...M-Makayla?!”
He gasped when he glanced up to see her standing over Jaclyn. Her hair was blowing in the wind and she resembled a warrior princess.
Jaclyn: “YOU fat tramp! Look what you did to my beautiful dress!”
She shrieked at the tear in her dress. Craig’s laughter and applause cut in as he approached the scene.
Craig: “Fuck yeah! Nice one, sis! That’s for ruining our party!”
He cackled at Jaclyn. Veronika pouted.
Suddenly, Ashley was bombarded with Maxx screaming in his face and he could no longer hear their conversation.
Maxx: “Thanks a lot, A-rad! Now Jacky-babe is mad at me and it’s all YOUR FAULT!”
He huffed and stamped his feet. Ashley recoiled and drew back.
Ashley: “...I-I’m sorry! Isn’t she always mad at you, dude? …I mean, it kinda seems like she doesn’t like you… at all…”
He stammered and fiddled with his hair.
Maxx: “Pfft, dats cos she’s mad when you’re around, A-Rad! She doesn’t like you!”
He huffed. Ashley frowned and bowed his head. Blake came over to them.
Blake: “Are you alright, Ashley?”
He asked, helping him up. Ashley’s head spun and he felt uneasy.
Ashley: “...I’m fine!”
He forced a smile and staggered to his feet.
Blake: “Let’s get out of here.”
He glared at Jaclyn while she was occupied with Nuklear Intoxikation surrounding her.
~
Jaclyn glared at Craig and Veronika as they laughed at her.
Craig: “Nice shit show, Jacky-babe!”
He cackled. Jaclyn paused and glared at them. She then drew a long breath and smirked.
Jaclyn: “Nice radio show the other night… Oh, and the encore at that ridiculous diner. It seems that loser was right about you, after all.”
She smirked.
Veronika: “Pfft, you’re listening to my dweeb brother? …What happened at a diner?”
She folded her arms across her chest.
Jaclyn: “Oh, you didn’t know? Craig and Makayla got banned from that foolish Viking diner. I stand corrected, they do have standards, after all.”
She scoffed.
Craig: “Yeah, so? That place sucks anyway.”
He laughed.
Jaclyn: “Well, it seems this purple little piggy is bummed out about the ban.”
She teased Makayla. Veronika laughed.
Veronika: “What did you get banned for, Makayla? Did you think it was an all-you-can-eat restaurant?”
She scoffed and both she and Jaclyn laughed at her. Makayla glared at them both.
Makayla: “No, I shoved a hot dog in your asshole brother’s face!”
She huffed. Craig burst out laughing.
Craig: “Wahahaha! It was fuckin’ brilliant. Proud of ya, sis!”
He grinned at her. Makayla smiled a bit. Veronika’s smirk faded into a frown.
Craig: “We wanted to go see the freakshow but dorkula dobbed on us ‘n got us ALL banned! So that means you're banned too, V! So Trve Kvlt!”
He laughed. Makayla paused. How could Larry have known I was drinking and drawing on the walls in the girl’s bathroom? She pondered to herself.
Veronika: “...You went to Voyage Burger to taunt my dweeb brother without ME?!”
She locked her gaze onto Craig.
Veronika: “You went with HER instead?!”
She pointed at Makayla. Craig shifted his eyes awkwardly. Jaclyn smirked, reveling in this.
Veronika: “You ruined my big plan, Craig! I spent hours convincing Daddy to make him work there! I had something AMAZING planned and now you ruined it!”
She whined and stamped her feet.
Craig: “Ah shit, sorry V!”
Veronika: “You gave HIM the upper hand when he got us all banned and made us look foolish when he's the clown in the burger suit! You got us checkmated by LARRY!”
She fumed and waved her hand in their faces.
Veronika: “Now that stupid diner is his shield against us and we can't get him there! You just ruined the funniest thing ever!”
She shrieked. Jaclyn gave her a look.
Craig: “Ah, well, we'll just taunt him on his stupid radio show then!”
Veronika gaped at Craig.
Veronika: “CRAIG! I got his stupid show canceled!”
She hissed at him.
Craig: “Oh yeah…”
Jaclyn laughed with amusement.
Jaclyn: “That's too bad. I quite enjoyed his segment on taking down this wretched band.”
She sighed.
Jaclyn: “Perhaps, someone else should fill his shoes?”
She flipped her hair.
Craig: “You could probably fit into his shoes. They're big and stinky like yours.”
He laughed at her. Makayla chuckled. Jaclyn glared at him.
Jaclyn: “How dare you! I'll have you know I'm a size 6 and my feet smell of fresh roses!”
She snapped. Makayla laughed.
Makayla: “...You are not a size 6. I'm a size 6. Do you not know what roses smell like?!”
Jaclyn glared at her.
Jaclyn: “Trash Metal doesn't belong on the radio. Perhaps someone else should take over that time slot…”
Veronika glared at her.
Veronika: “Don't you DARE!”
Jaclyn flipped her hair.
Jaclyn: “Good day.”
She cackled and walked away.
Makayla glanced over at the amusement rides and sighed.
Makayla: “Can we please do something fun now?”
She pleaded with them.
Craig: “We ARE havin’ fun!”
He cackled.
Makayla: “Not really…”
Craig frowned.
Craig: “We’ve been to the bar ‘n had a good laugh at the clown bitch show! What more do you want?!”
He laughed.
Makayla: “I want to go on the rides!”
She exclaimed with excitement. Craig frowned and Veronika rolled her eyes at Makayla.
Veronika: “What are you? Twelve?!”
She scoffed.
Makayla: “What are you? Boring?!”
She poked her tongue out at her. Craig’s attention shifted to the market stall shrouded in black velvet curtains.
Craig: “Let’s go check out the markets.”
He suggested. Veronika scoffed and laughed.
Veronika: “Don’t be a dork, Craig! Let’s go drink some more beer!”
She scoffed, grabbing his arm and leading him towards the bar area. Makayla rolled her eyes and her attention shifted in the direction of the rides, where she saw Ashley entering the hall of mirrors with Maxx.
~
Blake stood outside the ‘hall of mirrors’ and sighed, glancing down at his watch as he waited for Ashley and Maxx. Suddenly, heavy roaring guitars caught his attention.
Blake: “...Is that Death metal?”
He paused, turning in the direction of a market stall shrouded in velvet black curtains.
Blake approached the market stall with ‘Måneravn’ written in a white gothic font. He was shrouded by Frankincense incense and the glow of black candles. There were various taxidermies, animal bones and crystals on display across the shelves, along with various tarot cards and artworks. Blake’s attention darted over to the record player sitting beside the counter.
Blake: “Hey, is that the latest Possessed Pestilence record?!”
He gaped and turned to the raven-haired man behind the counter. He was sorting through various jars of herbs with his back turned. He turned around, revealing himself to be Andreas.
Andreas: “Yes.”
He nodded.
Blake: “Ah, it feels nice to listen to metal in peace without obnoxious toilet sounds and idiots ruining it.”
He sighed happily.
Andreas: “Oh, Larry and Bobby? Yeah, I hate those guys.”
He grumbled.
Blake: “Me too! Just shut up and play the music, dammit!”
He huffed. Andreas smiled a bit and examined Blake.
Andreas: “I haven't seen you around the valley before…”
He stated.
Blake: “I like to keep to myself…”
He nodded and understood.
Andreas: “Well, if you're interested, I run ‘Måneravn’ at the Heathervale Lake Park markets every Sunday… perhaps I could bring more death metal records next time?”
He suggested.
Andreas: “I'm Andreas Ødegaard, by the way.”
He held his hand to shake his.
Blake: “I’m Blake Sabatini and I’m VERY interested!”
He smiled at him, shaking his hand.
Suddenly, Blake felt a large hand on his shoulder, followed by a booming voice.
Craig: “Yeah, well he ain’t interested in ya!”
He huffed. Blake gave him a bewildered look. Andreas closed his eyes and sighed.
Andreas: “What do you want, Craig?”
He sighed exasperatedly. Blake looked at them both perplexed. Craig locked his gaze on Blake.
Craig: “I want him to back off, that’s what!”
He huffed, shoving Blake. Blake furrowed his eyebrows at him.
Blake: “Hey! What’s your problem?”
He glared at him.
Craig: “Stay away from Andreas! He’s mine!”
He hissed at him between clenched teeth.
Blake: “I thought you were dating Veronika.”
He said flatly. Andreas rubbed his forehead.
Andreas: “My apologies. Craig is my ex. He seems to keep forgetting that we broke up.”
He hissed at Craig, glaring at him. Craig frowned and bowed his head.
Blake took a step back away from them.
Blake: “You have nothing to worry about, Craig. I want nothing to do with your gang and your drama. Stay away from me and Ashley! You’re trouble we don’t need!”
He warned Craig. Andreas frowned but understood. Craig’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.
Craig: “...Ashley, huh? Is that fat little teapot your lover or something?”
He scoffed. Blake gaped at him. Is he stupid?! He thought.
Blake: “He’s my brother, you idiot!”
He rolled his eyes at him. Craig paused and scrutinized Blake.
Craig: “...Holy shit! Now I see it! You look like a male version of that fat lil’ drongo, but stretched-out!”
He cackled, forming the palms of his hands together to make it look like he was squishing Blake between his hands. Andreas rolled his eyes at Craig.
Blake marched forward, getting up in Craig’s face. Craig had a few inches over him, but he was undeterred.
Blake: “Leave Ashley alone! Stay away from him… and your sister, too!”
He hissed in his face. Craig laughed in his face.
Craig: “Yeah, well your fat little teapot needs to stay the fuck away from MY sister!”
He fired back.
Blake: “Don’t you worry about that. Ashley will stay far away from her. He can do better than her.”
Craig: “What, Maxxy Malone of Sex Bees?!”
He snorted. Blake frowned.
Blake: “You’re much worse than that clown.”
Craig’s smirk twisted into a scowl.
Craig: “How DARE you! I’m nothing like that slimy cunt!”
Andreas rolled his eyes at Craig.
Andreas: “Actually, you kind of are.”
He shrugged. Craig recoiled to his remark.
Andreas: “You’re making a fool out of yourself, Craig! Leave them alone, and leave ME alone!”
He said firmly. Craig’s bottom lip trembled and he stormed off.
Craig marched past Veronika who was lurking behind the market stall, listening in on their conversation.
Veronika: “...God fucking damn you, Craig!”
She shook with rage and seethed.
TO BE CONTINUED.
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