08: Hellbent and Hellbound

Chapter 8

Hellbent and Hellbound

Jaclyn hovered around the doorstep like a menacing presence, boring her gaze on Ashley.

Jaclyn: “Well, aren’t you going to let me in?”

She impatiently tapped her fingernails on her purse.

Makayla: “NO! Don’t let her enter, Ashley!”

She jumped in front of Ashley, spreading her arms out to shield them. Ashley tilted their head, and Blake quirked an eyebrow. The fuck is this? He thought.

Blake: “Who are you and what do you want?”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Jaclyn: “I am Jaclyn Kovalenko, the owner of this land, and I am here to take back what’s mine!”

She gestured around them. Blake gaped at her, dumbfounded.

Blake: “Excuse me?!”

He furrowed his eyebrows.

Jaclyn: “Excuse you.”

She scoffed, flipping her hair.

Jaclyn: “I am the owner of the Kovalenko Chateau!”

She gestured to the mansion next door.

Jaclyn: “However, my parents were not well and sold off parts of the land to peasants such as yourself to build these… hovels.”

She winced at their home.

Jaclyn: “And now my mansion has fallen into disrepair at the hands of my drug-addict sister and her friends!”

She explained with a huff. Ashley gaped at her.

Jaclyn: “But, these dark days are over now with a new hope as I aim to take back what’s mine and build my glamorous paradise; Jaclynville! I shall reside in my mansion and build my day spa right here!”

She smiled widely, spreading her arms out proudly.

Ashley: “...Jaclynville? Day spa?”

They laughed awkwardly and scratched their head.

Blake: “Are you shitting me?”

His mouth twisted into a scowl.

Jaclyn: “You dare laugh in my face?! I would have spared your little slum if it weren’t for YOU trying to take something from me!”

She pointed her sharp red fingernail at Ashley. Ashley froze.

Ashley: “Huh? What did I take from you?”

They knit their eyebrows.

Jaclyn: “Don’t act innocent! I saw you trying to seduce my man! You take something of mine, I will take something of yours! Lazaros is mine, and this land is mine, you fat little thief!”

She narrowed her eyes into dark, sinister slits as she crushed her hat. Ashley’s eyebrows rose.

Ashley: “...L-Lazaros?!”

They gasped. Makayla interjected with a scoff.

Makayla: “Oh, please. Lazaros was trying to seduce Ashley to hurt me because he’s bitter and jealous of me!”

She draped her arm around Ashley. Ashley bowed their head.

Jaclyn: “Oh, please, no one is jealous of you!”

She chortled and winced at Makayla.

Blake: “Touché. A broken clock is right twice a day.”

He interjected, clearing his throat, snapping their attention to him. Makayla glared at him.

Jaclyn: “Broken clock?! How dare you imply I’m lacking in wit and inferior to the likes of YOU!”

She sneered at him with disgust, cross-examining him.

Jaclyn: “Look at you with your biker gang jacket and prison tattoos. Were you high on meth when you shaved off half of your head?”

She scrutinized Blake. Ashley cupped their mouth and knit their eyebrows. Blake rolled his eyes.

Blake: “You implied it yourself when you pulled that erroneous assumption about me out of your ass and when you came here threatening to take our land to build 'Jaclynland' or whatever.”

He rolled his eyes, making air quotes with his hands.

Jaclyn: “It’s my land, and it’s Jaclynville. ”

She stamped her heel.

Blake: “Whatever. You have no ground to stand on. You said yourself it was sold off; therefore, it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to us. Now, get off our property!”

He said firmly as he went to close the door in her face. Jaclyn wedged her heel between the door.

Jaclyn: “How dare you shove the door in my face! This isn’t over, and I will get what I want! You have made a potent enemy…”

She locked her glare on him.

Ashley: “Oh no… are you going to gas us out of here with your stinky feet?!”

They groused and fanned their face.

Jaclyn: “WHAT?! How vulgar! My feet don’t stink!”

She snapped at them.

Makayla stepped forward and knelt to her feet, removing her stiletto heels.

Makayla: “That is a blatant lie, Jaclyn!”

She laughed, and a rotten stink pervaded them.

Ashley: “Oh god!”

They cupped their mouth and groused as the smell smacked them in the nose.

Blake: “UGH, it smells like something died!”

He groused and covered his nose with disgust. Jaclyn glared at Makayla, snatching her heel back from her and putting it back on.

Jaclyn: “YOU did this! You put that vapid curse on me to make people smell roadkill instead of roses when they smell my feet!”

She snapped at Makayla as she smirked at her. Ashley tilted their head and turned to Makayla.

Ashley: “...Is that true, Makayla?”

Blake gaped at Jaclyn and rolled his eyes.

Blake: “Are you shitting me?”

He laughed disbelievingly.

Makayla: “Of course not, Ashley. It’s easier to blame me for her bad foot odor!”

She waved her hand and chuckled. Jaclyn narrowed her eyes at Makayla.

Jaclyn: “Oh, like how you blame me for your relationship misfortunes?”

She smirked at Makayla. Makayla’s laughter died on her lips. Ashley quirked an eyebrow and turned to Makayla.

Jaclyn: “How long until this one runs away from you or hates you, too?”

She chortled, pointing at Ashley. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Blake: “Hopefully soon.”

He deadpanned. Makayla glared at Jaclyn.

Makayla: “Get OUT and stay away from Ashley!”

She snapped at Jaclyn, wrapping her arms around Ashley. Jaclyn laughed at her and gazed up at the moon.

Jaclyn: “You have until the next full moon to get off my land, or you will all have hell to pay. Don’t cross me more than you already have.”

She bore her icy-cold gaze on them all and sauntered off the veranda and into the darkness.

Blake shook his head and slammed the door shut.

Blake: “Fuck her and her day spa!”

He huffed. Ashley remained silent, looking pensive.

Makayla: “Don’t let her scare you, Ashley! I will protect you from her! Don’t worry!”

She cooed and petted their head. Blake rolled his eyes at her.

Ashley: “...What did she mean by your relationship misfortunes?”

They swallowed hard and asked in a tiny voice.

Blake: “I’d like to know that myself.”

He folded his arms across his chest. Makayla sighed and bowed her head.

Makayla: “I’ve had a lot of bad luck with relationships, Ashley... Jaclyn played a role in that…”

She frowned.

Ashley: “Oh, I’m sorry… what did she do?”

They knit their eyebrows.

Makayla: “She cursed me, Ashley…”

She sighed. Ashley’s eyes widened. Blake interjected with a bitter laugh.

Blake: “You’re both delusional. There’s no such thing as a curse. Your relationships failed because of YOU! Take some accountability.”

He pointed at Makayla. Makayla’s bottom lip trembled.

Makayla: “You’re seriously victim-blaming me?!”

She cried.

Blake: “If you run into an asshole, you run into an asshole. If you run into several assholes, you’re the asshole.”

He shrugged.

Makayla: “I’m not the asshole! You don’t even know me or my life!”

She snapped at him on the verge of tears.

Blake: “The math speaks for itself. The common denominator is you.”

He shrugged. Makayla glared at him.

Makayla: “You’re just jealous that Ashley has someone who loves him, while you have NO ONE! No wonder you have no friends and no one loves you! The common denominator is you! You’re the asshole!”

She fired back at him. Ashley jumped between them, interjecting.

Ashley: “Please stop fighting and being mean to each other! Can’t we all just get along?!”

They pleaded Beseechingly. Blake folded his arms across his chest.

Blake: “No.”

He said flatly. Makayla draped her arm around Ashley.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, Ashley, I will be the bigger person and get along with your mean brother just for you!”

She patted their head and glared at Blake. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “Thanks, Makayla…”

Blake rolled his eyes.

Blake: “Good luck with that.”

Makayla forced a smile at Blake and then turned to Ashley.

Makayla: “Soooo… we have a Christmas gig tomorrow night, you should come!”

She poked Ashley’s tummy. Ashley giggled a bit.

Ashley: “Oh?! Uhh, sure…”

They chuckled and raked their fingers through their hair.

Blake: “Okay, we will be there.”

He interjected. They both turned to him, looking surprised.

Ashley: “...W-wait?! You want to come, Blake?!”

They brightened.

Makayla: “I knew you’d come around to me.”

She grinned, and Ashley smiled a bit. Blake frowned at her.

Blake: “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not letting Ashley go off to a thrash metal gig on their own and I don’t trust you or your oaf of a brother!”

He huffed and folded his arms across his chest.

Ashley: “Ohhhh… I thought you wanted to come so you could see Andreas!”

They scratched their head. Blake reddened. Makayla scrutinised Blake.

Makayla: “Andreas, huh?”

She smirked and stroked her chin.

Blake: “I suppose it would be nice to talk to someone with a brain...”

He cleared his throat. Ashley smiled at him. Makayla rolled her eyes.

Makayla: “Whatever, it’s your funeral. Craig will kick your ass into the hospital if he catches you with Andreas and catches you being a dick to his little sister!”

She waved her finger at him.

Blake: “Is that a threat?”

He laughed bitterly.

Makayla: “No, I’m being nice in warning you! Besides, think about poor Ashley caught in the middle of his brother and lover fighting! We need to get along for Ashley!”

She cooed at Ashley, petting their head. Blake drew a long breath.

Blake: “Fine. Whatever.”

Ashley gasped and pulled Blake and Makayla in for a hug.

Ashley: “YAY!”

They beamed.

~

The night of the gig arrived. Blake drove with Ashley seated beside him. He wore his leather jacket over his ‘Death’ T-shirt with torn black jeans and Doc Marten boots, smoking his cigarette. Ashley was dressed in their faux fur coat with a white paisley shirt, bellbottom jeans, and sandals on their feet. They pulled into a parking lot behind an aubergine-colored warehouse with big red neon letters beaming ‘HELLBENT’ out the front of it. Posters for tonight’s gig were plastered on the walls, and people stood outside smoking and chatting in the parking lot. Thumping bass and shredding guitars pulsed from inside the club.

Ashley was awe-struck as they emerged from the car and drank in their surroundings. Blake inhaled deeply as he got out of the car.

Blake: “Alright, let’s do this.”

He exhaled and put out his cigarette on the heel of his boot. Ashley followed Blake to the entrance of the club. A large bouncer stood at the door with a shaved head and muscular arms.

Bouncer: “IDs, please.”

Blake fished in his jacket pocket, handing him his Koala State Driver’s License. His Date of birth displayed May 12th, 1960, with a photo of him staring blankly at the camera with shoulder-length hair.

Bouncer: “From up North are ya?”

Blake wordlessly nodded. The bouncer handed him his ID back and gestured for Ashley’s. Ashley handed him their Golden Shore “MovieMountain” annual ride pass. It displayed a photo of Ashley smiling with shoulder-length hair, and their Date of birth was shown as February 20th, 1964.

The bouncer gave Ashley an incredulous look.

Bouncer: “...I guess that counts.”

He returned Ashley’s card to them.

Bouncer: “Go on in.”

He stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.

Ashley: “Thank you! Have a nice day!”

They chirped and entered with Blake.

The volume of the music grew louder and smacked them right in the face as they entered the establishment.

Ashley: “Oh, WOW! It’s so loud, haha! How will you talk to Andreas with all this noisy music?!”

They chuckled and yelled in his direction. Blake blushed.

Blake: “I guess how we're talking now.”

He yelled back and observed their surroundings. The club was dimly lit up with hues of crimson and magenta. The venue was packed to the brim with a large turnout for tonight’s show. A band played on the stage, rattling the walls with heavy blast beats of a drum kit, forming a mosh pit.

They entered the area adorned with red leopard-print carpet, red couches, and band posters covering the walls. A steel staircase was tucked behind it, leading up to the top floor.

“ASHLEY!”

They turned their head in the direction and saw Makayla pouring drinks behind the bar. She was dressed in tight black jeans and a black crop top with ‘HELLBENT’ across her chest in scratchy red lettering. The bar was illuminated by the glow of magenta lights and a wall of brightly coloured drinks behind glass cabinets.

Ashley: “Oh, hey Makayla! Why are you stealing drinks from the bar?!”

They gasped. Makayla gaped at them and forced a laugh.

Makayla: “No, silly, I work here!”

She petted their head.

Ashley: “OH! Silly me!”

They chuckled and pulled up a barstool, sitting across from her.

Blake: “Who could fault you for making that assumption?”

He rolled his eyes and sat down beside Ashley. Makayla shifted her eyes to Blake.

Makayla: “Ah, so you brought Groucho with you.”

She quipped. Blake rolled his eyes.

Blake: “I need a drink.”

He said flatly.

Craig's booming voice cut through them as he marched up to them.

Craig: “OI! The fuck are you doin’ here?”

He bellowed at them. Blake rolled his eyes and groaned.

Blake: “Give me your strongest drink.”

Makalya grabbed a bottle of absinthe and poured it into a glass for him. Ashley turned to Craig, observing that he was wearing the same denim ensemble again.

Ashley: “Oh, I'm here to see your trash rock band!”

They smiled. Craig snorted and laughed.

Craig: “It's Thrash Metal, ‘n you sure ain't dressed for the fit!”

He laughed at Ashley’s bohemian clothing, disapprovingly.

Ashley: “Oh? Is that because I don’t wear the same outfit every day like a cartoon character?”

They scratched their head. Blake burst out laughing. Craig gaped at them.

Craig: “...Are you high or somethin’?!”

Makayla chuckled and smiled at Ashley, petting their head.

Makayla: “Don't worry, I've got your back, Ashley!”

She smiled at them, placing her hand on their shoulder.

Ashley: “Thanks, Makayla.”

They smiled back at her. Makayla leaned over and pulled out a T-shirt from a box under the counter.

Makayla: “Ta-da! Now you're part of the Nuklear Krew!”

She presented them with a black T-shirt with ‘NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION’ in spiked neon green letters across it. Blake frowned at her and quickly drank his drink.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! This is pawesome! Thank you!”

They gasped and beamed.

Craig: “Oh my stars! This is pawesome!”

He laughed, imitating Ashley. Blake turned to Craig.

Blake: “Don't be a dick.”

He scolded him and glared at him.

Craig: “What?!”

He laughed.

Blake: “Don’t make fun of Ashley.”

He said firmly in a tone to warn him not to go further.

Craig: “Pfft, I'm just havin’ fun! Ashley is my new buddy!”

He laughed and draped his arm around Ashley.

Ashley: “R-Really?!”

They gasped and smiled. Blake rolled his eyes at Craig.

Makalya swung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed Ashley’s hand.

Makayla: “Come on, Ashley, let's go get you dressed up!”

She cooed at them, pulling them into her.

Ashley: “Oh?! O-ohkay!”

They chuckled and stammered as she dragged them up the stairs with her. Blake rose from his seat.

Blake: “Ashley!”

Craig stood in front of Blake, blocking him with his towering bulk.

Craig: “Sit the fuck down, mate.”

He commanded him, boring his cold glare onto him.

Blake: “Get out of my way.”

He hissed and glared back at him.

Craig: “Nah, mate, let's have a lil chat!”

He shoved Blake back down into his chair and sat down beside him.

Blake: “What do you want?”

He asked sharply, impatiently folding his arms across his chest.

Craig: “This is MY turf! Andreas is MY man, ya-quiche?”

He pointed his finger at his face. Blake gaped at him. Is this guy for real? He thought.

Blake: "Capisce, stronzo.”

He smacked his hand away from his face. A big, dumb grin spread across Craig’s face.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath, I'm strong!”

He flexed his biceps and lifted his shirt to show off his abs. Blake rolled his eyes at him.

Blake: “Strongly stupid. I called you an asshole in the language you pissed on, idiot. Ya-quiche?!”

He said flatly. Craig dropped his shirt and glared at him.

Craig: “OI! The fuck did you say to me?!”

He bellowed, stepping closer to his face again.

Blake: “You heard me. Now, get out of my way.”

He fired back at him. Craig scoffed and laughed at him.

Craig: “What? YOU wanna take ME on?! Let's fuckin’ GO, cunt!”

He spread his arms and puffed his chest out to him.

“CRAIG!”

A feathery voice cut through them. They turned to see Andreas standing behind them.

Andreas: “What the hell are you doing?! Leave him alone.”

He hissed at Craig, getting in his face. Blake turned to Andreas.

Craig: “B-But he called me an idiot!”

He pouted and dropped his arms to his sides, defeatedly.

Andreas: “Then don't act like one! You were making a fool out of yourself!”

He scolded him, waving his finger at him. Craig lowered his head and pouted like a puppy that peed on the rug. Blake stumbled over a laugh. Andreas drew a breath.

Andreas: “We're up next. Where's Makayla?”

He looked around for her.

Craig: “I dunno, she ran off to fuck her weirdo girlfriend or boyfriend or whatever!”

He pouted and threw his arms up. Blake glared at him.

~

Makayla led Ashley into the restrooms. The music simmered down to pulsating bass and drums from outside the walls. The room was dimly lit with magenta lights on the ceiling. The walls were covered in graffiti tags, and a large mirror hung over the dirty basin.

Makayla: “Okay, take it off!”

She tugged at their faux fur coat.

Ashley: “Okeydokey!”

They nodded and shrugged out of their coat, draping it over the door of the bathroom stall.

Makayla: “Now, take this off.”

She purred and poked their tummy between their shirt buttons.

Ashley: “O-oh, sure!”

They redenned and shivered, heading into the bathroom stall. Makayla chuckled and followed them in, closing the door behind them.

Ashley: “M-Makayla!”

Their voice quavered. Makayla chuckled.

Makayla: “Aww, don’t be shy!”

She stroked their tummy. Ashley shivered at her touch.

Makayla: “I’ll go first!”

She smiled at them, lifting up her tank top to reveal her large breasts and black lace bra. She threw it into her bag. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “O-oh wow…”

They swallowed hard. Makayla smiled at them, stroking their tummy.

Makayla: “Now, it’s your turn.”

She teased. Ashley slowly unbuttoned their shirt to reveal their soft tummy.

Makayla: “Aww, you’re so cute!”

She cooed at them, rubbing their tummy. Ashley redenned and shivered.

Ashley: “T-thanks, you too!”

They smiled at her and took the shirt, slipping it over their head and pulling it down over their body.

Ashley: “Oh, it’s a little big! Do you have a smaller size?”

They glanced down at it and tugged at the loose material.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, you’ll grow into it!”

She smiled at them, kissing their cheek. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh? Does it shrink in the wash or something?”

They chuckled. Makayla fished in her bag, pulling out a large denim jacket with various band patches sewn onto it. The Voyage Burger logo was sewn onto the back with the Norse lettering of “VOYAGE BURGER” surrounding it.

Makayla: “I also want you to have this, too…”

She smiled at them, draping the jacket around their shoulders. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Oh?! You want me to wear your jacket?!”

They smiled at her and shrugged into it. It hung off their body loosely like the shirt, and they caught a waft of hamburgers and weed.

Makayla: “Yes, it’s yours now! Oh wow… You look SO sexy, Ashley!”

She cupped her cheeks adoringly at them in the denim jacket and shirt.

Ashley: “R-Really? Thank you!”

They blushed and smiled.

Makayla: “I’ll look after this for you!”

She assured them as she stuffed their faux fur coat into her bag.

Ashley: “Oh, thank you!”

She then pulled out her Nuklear Intoxikation tank top from her bag, slipping it onto her body.

Makayla: “Let’s go rock out, cutie-pie!”

She cooed at Ashley, draping her arm around their waist and kicking the bathroom stall door open with her boot. Ashley’s smile faltered when they caught their reflection in the mirror.

~

Makayla led Ashley out of the restroom, where they were greeted with a balcony view of the stage below their feet. Makayla peered over the railing and saw Andreas and Craig stepping out onto the stage, greeting an antsy crowd. Their drummer, Kurt, was setting up his drum kit.

Craig: “G’day cunts! We’re Nuklear Intoxikation!”

He hollered to the crowd, pumping his fist in the air.

Andreas: “Where the fuck is she?”

His tone oozed with exasperation.

Makayla: “KEEP YOUR PANTS ON! I’M COMING!”

She yelled down at them from above. Laughter trickled through the crowd. Andreas shook his head at her as she ran down the stairs, dragging Ashley behind her. Makayla panted, short of breath as she ran onto the stage, hastily sliding her bass guitar over her shoulder.

Makayla: “OKAY, READY!”

She hollered, strumming her bass guitar. The crowd laughed and cheered. Andreas sighed and shredded his guitar with her bass, kicking into the song. He froze when he caught Blake’s eye roll amongst the crowd. Andreas bowed his head and looked away in shame.

Ashley rushed up to Blake, tugging on his jacket. The band kicked into their set in the background.

Blake: “Ashley?! There you are!”

He turned to them, feeling a wave of relief wash over him.

Blake: “Um, what are you wearing?”

He gaped at them..

Ashley: “OH! Makayla gave me her shirt and her jacket!”

They chirped, tugging at their jacket. Blake scrutinised their new clothes.

Blake: “Right, because you’re a big fan of Nuklear Intoxikation and WeedWizardBongLord.”

He pointed to the patch depicting a green wizard tree man smoking a bong.

Ashley: “Of course, Blake! I wanna support my girlfriend’s band and her favourite restaurants!”

They chirped enthusiastically.

Blake: “Those are heavy metal bands, Ashley… wait, is that a fucking Voyage Burger patch?”

He groused at the backpatch. Ashley chuckled.

Ashley: “OH! Yes, it is!”

They smiled and nodded. Blake rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Blake: “What do you see in her, Ashley?”

He groused at Makayla on stage. Ashley swung his eyes to her.

Ashley: “She’s nice to me and protects me, Blake, and she’s a cool rockstar!”

They glanced up at Makayla on the stage. Blake rolled his eyes.

Ashley: “She’s been through a lot of heartbreak, and I don’t want to be another person who breaks her heart…”

They sighed and bowed their head. Blake gave them a skeptical look.

Blake: “Riiiiight, what if she’s the heartbreaker?”

He challenged them, folding his arms across his chest.

Ashley: “Oh, she wouldn’t do that to me!”

They waved their hand dismissively. Blake drew a long breath and shook his head.

Blake: “This is why I will never do relationships…”

He muttered bitterly as Craig leaned into Andreas and kissed him, while giving Blake the side-eye.

Ashley: “What?! Never-ever?! You never want to fall in love?!”

They gasped.

Blake: “No, Ashley, I don’t want to fall into a trap of being treated like a fool.”

He huffed bitterly. Ashley’s mouth hung open.

Ashley: “That’s NOT love! Makayla would never do that to me, Blake!”

They placed their hand over their chest.

Blake: “She already has.”

He countered, tugging at their jacket. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “I hope you fall in love someday, Blake, so you will see how beautiful it is and how wrong you are!”

They glanced up at him with wide eyes. Blake sighed and reached into his pocket for his cigarettes.

Blake: “I need a smoke.”

He groused and sauntered towards the door. Andreas swung his gaze to Blake as he exited the club.

~

Blake stood outside the club, leaning against the wall under the crescent moon in the sky. He lit up his cigarette and inhaled a long drag of smoke, basking in the silence of the car park. I shouldn’t have agreed to come to this hellhole, he thought to himself, exhaling his smoke. I’m grabbing Ashley and we’re going home, he thought.

Suddenly, the large metal door to the club swung open as someone stepped out.

Blake: “Great, you’re here, let’s go home.”

He said firmly, putting out his cigarette on his boot.

Andreas: “That’s a bit forward, don’t you think?”

He replied, stepping under the moonlight into view. Blake froze.

Blake: “...S-Sorry, I thought you were Ashley.”

He mumbled. Andreas waved his hand.

Andreas: “It’s fine.”

He assured him with a smile.

Andreas: “I want to go home, too...”

He admitted and leaned up against the wall beside him. Blake turned to him.

Blake: “Why do you come to this place?”

He pressed him, offering his deck of cigarettes.

Andreas: “Because… I love music.”

He said, gingerly accepting his offer and taking a cigarette.

Blake: “Maybe so, but you don’t want to be here.”

He said matter-of-factly, lighting up his cigarette. Andreas paused for a moment as his bluntness took him aback.

Andreas: “...What gives you that impression?”

He pressed him with curiosity, lighting up his cigarette.

Blake: “You said you want to go home, and you’re out here right now.”

He gestured around them.

Blake: “Besides… you looked like you would rather be anywhere else on that stage. Actions speak louder than words.”

He added, waving his hand. Andreas paused and nodded.

Andreas: “You’re perceptive…”

He confessed in a small voice.

Blake: “Not that I blame you, though… I felt like I was watching a circus performance.”

He groused and shook his head. His harsh words took Andreas aback, but he knew he was right.

Andreas: “I guess Maxx claiming we were his band isn’t so far-fetched after all then…”

He laughed bitterly.

Blake: “Why do you stay then?”

He asked.

Andreas: “Because this is my music and it’s the only way I get to do what I love…”

He sighed. Blake quirked an eyebrow.

Blake: “You’re too good for the circus, and you don’t need those idiots!”

He blurted. Andreas’ eyes widened.

The door swung open as Makayla stumbled out.

Makayla: “Oh, heeey guys! Hey, Andreas! Hey!”

She smiled and winked at him.

Andreas: “Have you been drinking?”

He sighed.

Makayla: “Just a little bit! Have you seen where my sweet piggie pie went?”

She sighed and knit her eyebrows. Blake gaped at her and furrowed his eyebrows.

Blake: “Seriously? You lost Ashley? I knew I couldn’t trust you!”

He huffed, putting his cigarette out on his boot and shoving past her to the door.

Makayla: “Nuh-uh! I didn’t lose Ashley!”

She pouted, stumbling into the trash and falling on her ass. Andreas sighed and shook his head, following Blake back inside.

They entered the nightclub again, where Blake scanned the crowd for signs of Ashley. Dammit, they’re wearing that stupid thrash metal outfit, so now they blend into this hellhole, he thought.

Blake: “ASHLEY!”

He called out for them, alerting Craig, who was seated at the bar, chugging beer. He swiveled around on his stool, and his heart sank when he saw Andreas emerging from the back door with Blake.

Craig: “What the FUCK?!”

He panted furiously, shooting up from his seat and marching over to them like a mad bull.

Craig: “OI! The fuck do you think you’re doin’ cunt?!”

He snapped at Blake, grabbing his shoulder.

Andreas: “Craig, please.”

He drew an exasperated breath.

Blake: “Get off me, you dumb oaf! I’m trying to find Ashley!”

He shot back, smacking his hand off his shoulder.

Craig: “Dumb oaf?! I ain’t stupid, I know what you’re up to! I told you to stay away from my man!”

He rasped and grabbed his shirt collar.

Andreas: “We were just talking, Craig!”

He said sharply.

Craig: “Yeah, well, men only want ONE thing, Andreas!”

He huffed and glared at Blake. Blake rolled his eyes.

Andreas: “I am a man, too, Craig, and I want more than ONE thing. Not every man who talks to me wants to fuck me!”

He fired back at him, folding his arms across his chest.

Blake: “Sounds like a confession from someone with a one-track mind.”

He glared at Craig. Craig shot him a hateful glare.

Craig: “FUCK YOU!”

He shoved Blake against the square pole in the middle of the room.

Andreas: “ENOUGH, CRAIG!”

He snapped at him, stepping forward.

Blake: “Fuck off! I don’t have time for your macho bullshit!”

He huffed and shoved past Craig with a hard thud. Craig stumbled back and gaped at him.

Craig: “OI! I ain’t lettin’ you get away with that, cunt!”

He marched to Blake, grabbing his arm and shoving him down to the ground with violent force. Blake rasped as he fell into a table with a crash of shattering glass as the drinks hit the floor. Andreas gasped and cupped his mouth. The air of the club shifted as people stopped to gather around and gawk at the commotion. Some of them laughed, others looked concerned, and others chanted: “FIGHT! “FIGHT!” FIGHT!”

Andreas: “God damn you, Craig!”

He slapped Craig’s chest and rushed over to Blake. Craig knit his eyebrows.

Craig: “A-Andreas!”

He stammered, and his bottom lip trembled.

Blake: “What the FUCK is your problem?!”

He staggered to his feet and shoved Craig back. Craig scoffed and laughed at him.

Craig: “Pfft, what are you gonna do? You ain't even six foot, n you ain't got muscle on me.”

He taunted him, patting his head. The crowd chanted: “FIGHT!”

Blake: “No, but unlike you, I have a brain.”

He countered, kicking his ankles and knocking him down to the ground with a hard thud. Craig grunted and winced as his body hit the ground like a ton of concrete. The crowd cheered and laughed.

Blake: “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

He folded his arms across his chest, glaring down at Craig. Craig gritted his teeth and glared up at him.

Suddenly, the loud rumble of a bass guitar pierced Blake’s ears. He froze into a state of paralysis at the strumming of Makayla’s bass guitar from the stage above.

Makayla: “Hands off my brother! Don’t move a muscle until I cease my bass hustle.”

She sang and locked her angry gaze on him.

Blake: “W-what the FUCK?”

He gasped and shifted, unable to move. Craig shot up to his feet, grabbing him from behind, snaking his big arms around his neck, trapping him in a headlock. Blake grunted as he squeezed him like an anaconda.

Blake: “G-GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”

He wheezed in his grip. Makayla’s bass continued to echo around him.

Andreas: “STOP IT!”

He pleaded and pounded on Craig’s back.

Craig’s cackling grew more intense until, suddenly, he dropped Blake out of his grip, sending him crashing to the ground. Blake looked up to see Ashley standing behind Craig, tickling his sides. Makayla dropped her bass guitar and gasped.

Makayla: “A-Ashley?!”

She cried out.

Blake: “ASHLEY?! W-what are you doing?!”

He panted, catching his breath and able to move again.

Ashley: “Helping you with my ticklewondo!”

They exclaimed, tickling Craig, sending him crashing to the ground.

Craig: “WAHAHAH! OI! G-GET OFF MEHEHE, YOU LITTLE SHIT!”

He rasped between furious breaths of laughter as Ashley yanked his boots off to tickle his feet. The crowd erupted into laughter at Craig. Andreas gaped at Ashley.

Craig: “NOHOHOOHOHO! FUCK OHOHOHOFF!”

He rasped, paralyzed on the ground, and overwhelmed with humiliation. The people who once looked up at him with admiration on the stage now looked down on him with laughter.

Ashley recoiled and stopped when they caught a waft of Craig’s feet.

Ashley: “Ohhhhh, eww! Your feet totally reek!”

They gagged and fanned their face. The crowd pointed and laughed at Craig. Andreas rubbed his temples and groaned. Craig’s ire soared through the roof, and he turned to Ashley with a face of black thunder.

Craig: “MY FEET DON’T STINK! You RUINED ME, you little cunt! I’ll kick your ass!”

He panted and grabbed Ashley by the collar.

Makayla: “NO! CRAIG! DON’T HURT HIM!”

She cried, picking up her bass guitar again.

Andreas: “THAT’S ENOUGH, CRAIG!”

He marched over to him. Suddenly, Craig was knocked to the ground as Blake kicked him away from Ashley.

Blake: “Don’t you DARE!”

He rasped and bore his hateful gaze onto Craig. The crowd cheered and chanted “FIGHT! “FIGHT!” FIGHT!”

Suddenly, Blake was restrained by a strong grip. He looked up and saw the same bouncer from earlier in the night, and they were all surrounded by security guards. Ashley swallowed hard, and their heart sank, turgid with fear. A burly man approached them, dressed in a leather vest and jeans. He wore his grey hair back in a ponytail and had a long grey beard, as well as sleeve tattoos down his arms.

Makayla: “Hah, now my boss will deal with you!”

She taunted Blake with a smirk.

Boss: “Get the fuck out of my club! You’re ALL banned from Hellbent!”

He barked at them all.

Blake: “Gladly. We’re going home NOW, Ashley!”

He huffed, grabbing Ashley’s arm, dragging them towards the door. Ashley bowed their head and nodded.

Boss: “You’re fired and banned, too, Makayla!”

He snapped at Makayla. Makayla’s smile died on her lips.

Makayla: “W-WHAT?! What did I do?! I didn’t do anything wrong! Get off me!”

She whined as she was dragged off the stage by a security guard. Ashley knit their eyebrows at Makayla, giving her a dubious look. What did she do to Blake with her bass guitar? They thought to themself.

Boss: “You were drinking on the job, and you escalated the fight! I can’t have you or your band in my club anymore! Get the fuck out.”

He snapped at them all.

Craig: “GET OFF ME, MATE! PFFT, WE DON’T NEED HELLBENT! FUCK YA!”

He roared like a caged lion as the security guards dragged him to the door. Andreas bowed his head and embraced himself. He then stormed out of Hellbent.

~

Craig burst out of the club like a mad bull, marching up to Blake.

Craig: “YOU! This is all YOUR fault for tryin’ to steal my man! You’re gonna fuckin’ PAY for ruining Hellbent for me, cunt!”

He waved his finger at Blake.

Makayla: “You got me FIRED, asshole!”

She screamed at Blake. Blake gaped at them both.

Ashley: “I-It’s not Blake’s fault.”

They said in a small voice, tugging on Blake’s sleeve. Makayla gaped at Ashley.

Makayla: “W-wha? So you’re blaming me?! You’re supposed to be on my side, Ashley!”

She cried. Ashley knit their eyebrows. Blake glared at the siblings with hatred.

Blake: “YES! Because it’s YOUR fault! YOU started a fight with me just for talking to Andreas for five minutes. You dug your own grave, idiot!”

He snapped at Craig. Craig sneered at him.

Blake: “And YOU were drunk on the job and didn’t step in to stop the fight! What did you freaking expect?!”

He pointed at Makayla. Ashley shifted their gaze to Makayla.

Ashley: “And you used your Majique on him…”

Their voice trailed off. They all paused and turned to Ashley.

Makayla: “WHAT?! H-How could you accuse me of something like that, Ashley?!”

She gasped at them. Craig scoffed and laughed.

Craig: “The fuck drugs are you high on?! I took him down myself!”

He snorted. Blake blinked mutely.

Craig: “YOU fuckin’ embarrassed me in front of the whole metal scene with that feet tickling crap! Now we’re gonna be a laughing stock like Maxxy Malone of Sex Bees!”

He rasped at Ashley.

Andreas emerged from the shadows.

Andreas: “You already ARE! You embarrassed YOURSELF and it’s YOUR fault! Wake up, Craig! This band is already a joke! Neither of you takes this seriously or cares about the band anymore!”

He interjected. Craig turned to Andreas. Makayla pouted and folded her arms.

Andreas: “And you know what? Neither do I! I don’t give a damn about Nuklear Intoxikation anymore and haven’t for some time now! You both ruined it for me! I don’t even LIKE thrash metal anymore! I wanted to explore something new, but it’s always your way or the highway! Well, now you can do what you want because I’m DONE. I’m taking back my songs and I’m out.”

He threw his arms up. Craig’s jaw hit the floor, and Makayla gasped at him.

Craig: “W-WHAT?! B-BUT YOU CAN’T QUIT NUKLEAR?! Don’t let this shit get to you! We’ll just find somewhere else to play!”

He pleaded with Andreas. Andreas gaped at him and laughed bitterly.

Andreas: “Now you suddenly care? It’s too late for that, Craig; my mind is made up.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Andreas: “Besides, there are NO other heavy metal clubs! In fact, when we got kicked out of Hellbent… I actually felt relieved, like it was a sign that it was time for me to let go of what no longer served me anymore.”

He gazed up at the stars above them.

Blake: “I’m glad you made the right choice for you.”

He said earnestly. Ashley nodded and smiled. Craig turned to him furiously.

Craig: “YOU! You had somethin’ to do with this! I’ll fuck you up!”

He snapped at Blake.

Andreas marched up to Craig, shoving his chest.

Andreas: “If you actually cared to LISTEN to me, you would have known how I felt, Craig! But that’s the problem; You NEVER listen to me!”

He snapped at him.

Andreas: “Tonight was my last straw! I felt like I was trying to rear a wild animal! I told you so many times to STOP, but you wouldn’t listen to me! You just HAD to be the big 'macho man”! And now you’ve lost it all! Your big dumb ego is more important to you than the music… or me.”

He snapped at Craig. Craig recoiled as his words slashed at him like a sharp blade to the heart.

Craig: “W-What are you trying to say?! A-Are you breaking up with me?!”

He whimpered. Andreas drew a long breath.

Andreas: “...Now you finally listen when it’s too late….”

He sighed and bowed his head. Craig’s bottom lip trembled.

Andreas: “I can’t do this anymore, Craig. We don’t align with each other anymore, and you make my life too chaotic… You hurt me too much.”

He closed his eyes.

Craig: “Y-You’re breaking up with me on Christmas Eve?!”

He bawled and cupped his mouth.

Andreas: “Does it matter? ...I can’t stand another day with you.

He sighed with hurt in his tone. Craig recoiled at his harsh words.

Andreas: “I need to be alone…”