09: Hellbent

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 9

Hellbent

Craig’s van sped through the tree-lined streets of Selene Valley with a screech of tires and loud thumping of heavy metal blaring from the speakers. Ashley, Madelyn, Blake, and Makayla rolled around in the back as Voyage Burger boxes flew around them and instruments crashed up against the walls of the van with a loud thud.

Makayla: “WAHOOO! Mosh pit in the back!”

She cackled and flailed around as Craig laughed aloud. Ashley's heart hammered in their chest as they scrambled, trying to reach for anything to hold onto, grabbing Madelyn’s foot.

Madelyn: “Heheh, HEY!”

Blake: “HEY! What are you doing, you big oaf?!”

He snapped at Craig. Craig turned to him in the back with a big smirk. Andreas glared at Craig beside him in the front.

Andreas: “He’s being a big Jerk and showing off for you.”

He bore his icy cold gaze on Craig.

Craig: “NO I AIN’T!”

He huffed and stomped on the brakes, flinging them all forward.

Andreas: “CRAIG!”

He rasped as his raven hair flung over his face.

Makayla: “Don’t worry, cutie, I got you!”

She cooed at them, draping her arm around Ashley and smirking at Madelyn. Madelyn frowned at her.

Craig: “We’re here, cunts!”

He grinned at them all. Andreas glared at Craig as he climbed out of the van and slammed the door behind him. Makayla kicked the back door of the van open, stumbling out.

Ashley stepped out of the van, wide-eyed and curious at the sight of the 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. Thumping bass and shredding guitars pulsed from inside the club. The twinkling lights of the cityscape sat in the backdrop behind it, reflecting on the water under the bridge. The silhouette of the giant Viking ship with neon red letters beaming ‘Voyage Burger’ could be seen in the far distance.

Makayla draped her arm around Ashley, staring at it with awe.

Makayla: "Isn't it beautiful?!"

She sighed wistfully.

Ashley: "Uhhh."

Madelyn laughed. Andreas circled the back of the van, grabbing his guitar.

Andreas: "Who's the drummer?"

He asked, looking at the drum kit in the back of the van.

Craig: "Some bloke I met at the pub!"

He grinned with a thumbs up. Andreas gaped at him.

Andreas: "Um, what? You didn't tell me until now?"

Craig: "What? It ain't my fault you were off with HIM!"

He pointed to Blake.

Blake: "Not my fault he wants to get away from a dumb asshole."

He rolled his eyes at Blake.

Craig: "OI! You wanna fight me, cunt?"

Blake: "No."

Andreas drew a breath.

Andreas: "No one is fighting anyone. Stop messing around! We're running late... again."

He interjected, stepping between them.

Craig: "Yeah, well, I drove as fast as I could cos you were playing cards with the weirdo neighbours 'n wanted to bring them with us!"

He countered with a pout. Andreas glared at him. Ashley awkwardly ran their fingers through their hair.

Madelyn: "Wow... so rude."

She shook her head at him.

Blake: "Yeah, because he wanted company that isn’t stupid."

He replied. Madelyn laughed.

Craig: "FUCK YOU, DICKHEAD! I'M NOT STUPID!"

He fired back at him.

Andreas: "ENOUGH!"

He interjected, making them all turn to him.

Andreas: "Stop being an asshole, Craig! And stop dawdling around, Makayla! Everyone just grab your shit and let's go!"

He commanded. Ashley was taken aback by the harsh command coming from someone so calm and quiet. Craig froze in his tracks and lowered his shoulders like a scolded puppy dog, and Makayla gaped at him.

Craig nodded and scurried over to the van. Makayla followed after, grabbing her guitar.

Craig: "Allow me!"

He gave Blake the side eye as he lifted and carried the bass drum over to the door. Blake rolled his eyes.

Craig: "Come on, cunts, grab your shit and let's go!"

He led them to the entrance doors. Andreas rolled his eyes.

Andreas: "You're just repeating what I just said, and why do you have to use that vulgar word?!"

He scolded Craig.

Blake: "Because he is one."

Craig glared at him.

Craig: "Fuck off! YOU'RE a cunt!"

Andreas rolled his eyes and approached the bouncer at the front of the club. There stood a large wall of a man with a shaved head and tattoos.

Bouncer: "IDs, please."

He held out his large, calloused hand.

Andreas reached into his back pocket, pulling out his state ID, showing it to the man. Makayla reached into her shirt, pulling her driver's licence out of her bra. Madelyn fished around her leaf handbag, pulling out a ‘Solaris Park annual ride pass’ card with her name, age and photo on it. Makayla rolled her eyes at her. Ashley's eyes widened with curiosity.

Bouncer: “Hmm, alright, that is acceptable.”

He nodded to her. Craig hastily scrambled in his pockets.

Craig: "Ah, shit, I left it at home!"

Andreas rolled his eyes.

Andreas: "Of course."

Ashley and Blake exchanged a confused glance.

Ashley: "Huh? What are those cards and why do they have your faces on them?"

They all turned to look at them.

Craig: “What?! Are you stupid?!”

He laughed at them. Andreas glared at him.

Blake: “No, but you are!”

He countered. Craig pouted.

Madelyn: "...What?! You didn't get an ID in Sunshire?!"

She pressed them. Ashley and Blake exchanged a look.

Ashley: “Uhh, ID?”

They glanced down at the sun tattoo on their thumbs. Blake looked down at his.

Andreas: "Identification Document.”

He explained.

Andreas: “How were you able to identify each other?"

Ashley: "Uhhh... with the sun? We could see each other clearly in the day, but it got harder at night."

Makayla and Craig both burst out laughing.

Makayla: “Oh, you're SO funny, Ashley!”

She cackled with amusement, draping her arm around them. Ashley tilted their head. Funny? What did I say that was funny? They wondered.

The Bouncer gaped mutely at them all.

Bouncer: "Look, I don't know what game you're playing here, but no ID, no entry."

He held his hand up firmly.

Craig: “HA! Suck it, weirdos!”

He taunted them.

Andreas: “That includes YOU, Craig.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Craig: "WHAT?! Come on! I play here every weekend! Do I look like a miner to ya?!"

He huffed, gesturing his arms in a position of holding an axe.

Andreas: "Minor, Craig."

Blake: "He's a major pain in the ass.”

He huffed. Madelyn laughed.

Makayla stepped forward, reading his name tag.

Makayla: “Come on… Maurice! Let them in! I work at the bar, and I'll shout you free drinks all night!”

She reached up to place her hand on his shoulder. Ashley turned to her. She works here?!

Bouncer: “No.”

Makayla twisted her mouth, recoiling at that word.

Makayla: “Alright, I didn't want to have to do this, but you left me no choice!”

She clicked open her guitar case, pulling out her bass guitar and hoisting it over her shoulder.

Makayla: “Let us in! Let us in! Open the way. Hold open the door and allow us to pass. Oh, and get us some Voyage Burger while you're at it. As I will it, so shall it be!”

She sang as she plucked her bass strings.

Craig: “The fuck are you doing, Makayla?!”

He scoffed and laughed at her. The Bouncer froze in a daze and stepped aside.

Bouncer: “As you wish.”

He gestured for them to enter. Ashley's jaw dropped. Makayla grinned smugly. Andreas gave her a look.

Makayla: “Thanks, Maurice. Make that a Ragnarok meal, Odin Rings, a Valhalla shake, and a little Berserker meal.”

She commanded. The Bouncer nodded and turned towards the giant Viking ship and red neon sign down the end of the street.

Craig: “Fuck yeah, cheers, Makayla, I'm starving!”

Makayla: “Oh, no, it's not for you, it's for Ashley!”

She grinned at Ashley. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Me?!”

Madelyn narrowed her gaze at Makayla.

Madelyn: “Oh, here we go.”

The volume of the music grew louder and smacked them right in the face as they entered the establishment. Ashley gaped with awe at the dimly lit with hues of crimson and magenta. The venue was packed to capacity 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 and a neon glowing bar along the back of the wall under the stairs.

Ashley: “Oh my stars… how can anyone see or hear anything in here?!”

They shouted over the loud music.

Makayla: “Come on, this way, Ashley!”

She grabbed their arm, leading them towards the staircase at the side of the stage.

Andreas: “You shouldn't have done that, Makayla!”

He hissed at her.

Makayla: “Why? We got in now and free Voyage Burger!”

She shrugged. Andreas shook his head.

Andreas: “Majique shouldn't be used like that!”

He scolded her. Blake turned to him.

Blake: “What do you mean by that?”

Andreas: “Bent against one's will. Especially for some Voyage Burger, and especially for commonfolk.”

He shook his head.

Andreas: “With every spell, there is a consequence.”

He added. Ashley’s eyes widened. Blake pursed his lips.

Makayla: “It’s not that serious, Andreas!”

She scoffed and laughed. Craig barged into the backstage door, leading them inside.

They entered the room backstage, where people sat on moldy old couches with their instruments, encumbered by cigarette smoke and banter, awaiting their moment to shine on the stage.

Craig: “THE MAIN ACT IS HERE, CUNTS!”

He announced as he marched into the backstage room. A group of men in denim and black band-tshirts cheered and howled for him like dogs.

Man: “YEAH! FUCKIN’ CRAIG, MATE! SICK CUNT!”

He hollered to him.

Craig: “Fuck yeah!”

He high-fived him. Andreas sighed.

Craig: “And just where do ya think YOU’RE going?!”

He stood in the doorway, blocking Blake from entering the room.

Blake: “Get out of my way.”

He growled.

Craig: “Bands only!”

He shook his head.

Makayla: “That’s right! You two stay out!”

She stood by him, blocking Madelyn from entering, too.

Blake: “What about Ashley?!”

He peered over his shoulder. Ashley knitted their eyebrows.

Makayla: “Ashley is my groupie! Only groupies are allowed!”

She laughed, draping her arm around Ashley and giving Madelyn the side-eye. Madelyn glared at her.

Ashley: “What’s a groupie?”

They tilted their head and scratched it.

“You can be MY groupie, baby!”

A nasally voice purred from behind them. Ashley turned to see a scrawny man with orange-tan skin and matted scraggly hair resembling hay. He was dressed in a clashing ensemble of neon leopard print with green cowboy boots.

Ashley: “Oh, my stars, I didn’t know they had jesters in the outside world, too!”

They gasped and beamed at him, their eyes lighting up with excitement. The room erupted into laughter. Craig cackled with amusement.

Man: “WHAT?! NAH-AH! I ain’t no clown, baby! Don’t you know who I am?!”

Ashley tilted their head, staring at him.

Blake: “Some loser. Don’t talk to strangers, Ashley.”

He huffed. Ashley pouted.

Maxx: “NAH-AH! I’m da one ‘n only Maxxy Malone of Sex Beest!”

He proclaimed proudly, handing Ashley a signed photo of himself.

Ashley: “Hahaha, it says Sex Bees!”

They giggled.

Maxx: “IT’S NOT SEX BEES! IT’S SEX BEEST! T! T!”

He screeched.

Maxx: “It’s not my fault! My stupid housemate got ‘em printed wrong!”

Ashley recoiled and blinked at him. Craig scoffed at him.

Craig: “Oh, you got imaginary housemates now, huh?”

He laughed.

Madelyn: “Wow, this guy is dumber than Craig.”

She laughed.

Craig: “OI! I ain't nothin’ like that trash clown!”

He snapped.

Ashley: “Uhh… what am I supposed to do with this?”

They asked awkwardly, staring down at the signed photo of Maxx.

Madelyn: “Put it in the bin!”

She hollered.

Ashley: “Oh, okay!”

They smiled, dropping it into the bin

Maxx: “WHAT!? NO! DON’T TRASH MAXXY!”

He screeched and paused when he turned to Madelyn.

Maxx: “Well, well, what do we got here?!”

He purred and stared down at her large breasts.

Madelyn: “Sorry, not into clowns.”

She laughed at him.

Maxx: “I'm NOT a clown!”

He stamped his heel. Makayla pouted.

Makayla: “What are you doing back here?!”

She asked him sharply.

Maxx: “Rockin’ out with my cock out, duh!”

He thrusted his pelvis.

Craig: “Real bands only, mate! Imaginary bands don’t count!”

He laughed at him.

Maxx: “SEX BEEST IS REAL!”

He whined.

Madelyn: “Yeah, like the tooth fairy.”

She laughed.

Andreas: “Where are your bandmates, Maxx?”

He looked around the room.

Maxx: “They’re stuck in traffic, idiot!”

He scoffed at Andreas. Craig burst out laughing at Maxx.

Craig: “Never change, Maxxy! You’re my fave person ever!”

He cackled, draping his arm around him.

Maxx: “Nah-ah! I ain’t gay, dickhead!”

He pouted, slapping him away from him. Craig burst out laughing with amusement. Andreas rolled his eyes.

Maxx: “Maxxy Malone is into HOT LADY BABES!”

He squealed and sauntered over to Ashley, draping his arm around them. Ashley tensed up uncomfortably. Andreas shoved Maxx away and approached Ashley.

Andreas: “Sorry guys, bands only back here!”

He exclaimed. Craig smirked at Blake.

Makayla: “Nooo, Andreas! Ashley is with me!”

She pouted, stamping her feet.

Andreas: “This isn’t the place for someone like Ashley…”

He groused at Maxx and others like him staring at Ashley like a piece of meat.

Andreas led them out of the room and into the hallway where Blake and Madelyn stood.

Andreas: “Sorry about all of this!”

He profusely apologised to them all.

Ashley: “Huh? Why are you sorry for? You didn’t do anything bad!”

They tilted their head at him.

Madelyn: “Yeah, it’s not your fault your bandmates are stupid jerks!”

She replied.

Blake: “Thanks for getting Ashley away from that creep!”

He nodded to Andreas.

Andreas: “No problem.”

A shaggy man with a beard approached them but then stopped to glare hatefully at himself in the mirror.

Ashley: “Uhh, are you okay?”

They tilted their head. The man kept his gaze on his reflection, shaking his head.

Man: “No! I’m angry at that dickhead in the mirror!”

He snarled at his reflection.

Ashley: “Uhh, that’s you. Why are you angry with yourself?”

The man locked his gaze on Ashley.

Man: “...Because he let himself down! He let himself be miserable for too long!”

He huffed. Andreas looked at the man. To his surprise, the absurd musings of an inebriated mind resonated with him on some level.

Blake: “ASHLEY! Don’t talk to strangers!”

He grabbed their arm, shoving them behind him. Makayla poked her head out the door.

Makayla: “Oh, he’s not a stranger! He’s our new drummer, Keith!”

She exclaimed, taking a swig from a bottle of rum.

Craig: “Oi, Keith mate! This is the bloke I met at the pub! I bummed some ciggies off him!”

Andreas gaped at Craig.

Andreas: “...He’s as high as a kite! How’s he supposed to play?!”

He shook his head.

Keith: “Even better than when I’m sober!”

He grinned. Andreas gaped at him and Craig laughing.

Andreas: “I need a drink…”

He rubbed his temples and drew a long breath.

Makayla: “Oh! Come with me! I’ll make you a drink!”

She smiled at Andreas and scurried towards the bar. Andreas blinked mutely at her.

Andreas: “I was speaking in jest, but maybe I should!”

He twisted his mouth.

Andreas: “If you guys aren’t going to take this seriously, why should I?!

He laughed bitterly and threw his arms up in frustration, following her towards the bar.

Craig: “Fuck yeah, that’s the spirit, get on the beers, Andreas!”

He grinned. Andreas rolled his eyes and ignored him.

Blake: “You’re an idiot.”

He glared at Craig and followed after Andreas.

Ashley knit their eyebrows and turned to Craig.

Ashley: “Oh dear… you’re dimming his light.”

They sighed sadly at Andreas.

Craig: “The fuck you smoking? Andreas loves me!”

He scoffed and laughed at them.

Ashley: “Huh? I’m not smoking?”

They tilted their head, looking around. Madelyn smiled at Ashley and then turned to Craig.

Madelyn: “Okay, I’m only telling you this to be a good neighbour…”

She stood up on her tiptoes and placed her hand on his shoulder, gazing directly into his eye. Craig blinked mutely at her.

Craig: “...What?”

Madelyn: “He HATES you.”

She whispered in his ear. Craig paused for a moment, and then he laughed a mighty laugh.

Craig: “PFFT! Fuck off! Andreas loves me! He thinks I’m the coolest bloke ever! He’d NEVER fuckin’ leave me! We’re inseparable like glue!”

He scoffed and laughed at her.

Ashley: “Oh? Then why is he with Blake and not you right now?”

They scratched their head, gesturing to Andreas and Blake sitting at the bar. Craig’s stomach dropped, and he watched them through narrow slits.

Andreas: “Go on, make me your strongest drink.”

He shouted over the music and waved his hand at Makayla behind the bar.

Blake: “I’ll have one of those too!”

He shouted and held up his hand. Andreas turned to him, welcoming him to sit with him.

Andreas: “They had alcohol in Sunshire?”

He asked him.

Makayla: “No shit, sherlock!”

She laughed. Blake turned to her with an arched eyebrow.

Makayla: “It’s the happiest place on Earth, right?!”

She smiled at Blake.

Blake: “Or so Ashley believes. But yes, we had alcohol. They wanted us to be happy.”

He laughed bitterly.

Andreas: “Did it make you happy?”

Blake: “No.”

He said flatly.

Blake: “Nothing did, but it was the closest I could get. It just made things more tolerable.”

He shrugged. Makayla poured vodka into two tall glasses in front of them, filling it half-way. She then filled the rest of the glass with cola.

Makayla: “There you go! Enjoy!”

She grinned at them, taking a swig from a bottle of rum.

Andreas: “Well, here’s to true happiness in the new sun cycle!”

He exclaimed, holding up his drink to Blake’s.

Blake: “To happiness. If it exists.”

He clinked his glass to his and took a swig of his drink with a slight contortion of disgust. Andreas followed suit, and he gagged and twisted his expression to the burning alcohol in his mouth.

Andreas: “God damn!”

He gagged and fanned his face.

Blake: “Are you ok?”

He asked with a look of concern. Andreas paused to his question. Am I ok? No one ever asks me that, he thought.

Andreas: “I don’t know anymore…”

He pursed his lips.

Andreas: “I don’t know what I want anymore.”

He pensively gazed up at the stage and saw Craig marching towards him through the crowd.

Craig: “That fuckin’ cunt, tryin’ to steal MY man! I’m gonna kick his ass!”

He growled through clenched teeth and fists. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Oh no, please don’t hurt him! Can’t we all just sit and talk over some tea or something?!”

They pleaded with him, tugging at his vest.

Craig: “They don’t serve fuckin’ tea at a club, idiot! Only sooks drink tea ‘n I ain’t no sook!”

He huffed at Ashley.

Madelyn: “You’re being a sook right now!”

Craig: “NO I’M NOT! I’LL SHOW YOU!

He whined and marched up to Blake at the bar.

Craig: “OI, THE FUCK YOU DOIN’ WITH MY MAN?!”

He snapped at Blake.

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 have sex with 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: “OH YEAH, I can take ya out with ONE punch!”

Andreas twisted his mouth.

Andreas: “Leave him alone, Craig! If you start a fight, I’m going home!”

He said firmly, holding his hand up at him. Craig pouted like a scolded puppy.

Ashley felt a tap on their shoulder and turned to see Makayla standing there.

Makayla: “THERE you are! I’ve been looking all over for you! I got something for you! 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.

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

They gasped and beamed.

Madelyn: “Wow, I didn’t know Ashley was a fan of Nuklear Intoxikating feet.”

She laughed. Makayla swung her gaze to her.

Makayla: “Nuklear Intoxikating feet?!”

She sneered at her.

Madelyn: “Yeah, didn’t you name your band after Craig’s stinky feet?”

She asked.

Craig: “WHAT THE FUCK?! NO! IT’S MY BAND AND IT’S A WICKED SICK NAME!”

He rasped.

Ashley: “That’s so funny!”

They giggled. Makayla glared at Madelyn.

Makayla: “You’re just jealous because you aren’t a part of our krew!”

She huffed at her.

Madelyn: “I don’t want to be in your ‘krew’!”

She shook her head and turned to Ashley.

Madelyn: “Do you like her band, Ashley?

She asked them.

Craig: “FUCK OFF, IT’S MY BAND!”

He interjected. Madelyn laughed and ignored him, keeping her gaze on Ashley. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “Uh…”

Before they could answer, Maurice the bouncer approached them with boxes of Voyage Burger. Makayla’s eyes lit up.

Makayla: “Oh wow! Thank you, Maurice!”

She beamed and presented them to Ashley.

Makayla: “Here you go, Ashley!”

She exclaimed. Madelyn rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out.

Ashley: “Oh uh, thanks, Makayla…?”

They awkwardly laughed and ran their hand through their hair. Makayla looked over at Andreas with a grin and a thumb’s up.

Andreas shook his head.

Blake: “What is she doing?!”

He snarled at Makayla.

Andreas: “I don’t know anymore. She doesn’t listen to me. He doesn’t listen to me. Why bother anymore? Not my circus, not my monkeys!”

He slurred his speech and waved his arms around with frustration.

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

He assured him, placing his hand on his shoulder. Andreas paused and gazed at him. Suddenly, the announcer came over the speakers.

Announcement: “NEXT UP, OUR MAIN ACT OF THE NIGHT! NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION!”

They hollered. Andreas paused and felt the room spinning around him. He exchanged a look with Craig from across the crowd, feeling the distance between them.

Andreas: “Alright, I’ll be back.”

He staggered to his feet and made his way to the stage. Blake watched him go and sat at the bar with Ashley and Madelyn. Madelyn picked up a burger from the box and started eating it.

Madelyn: “So, are you gonna wear your new shirt, Ashley?”

She asked them.

Ashley: “Uhh, maybe later, haha.”

They awkwardly rubbed the back of their head.

Blake: “That’s Ashley-speak for no.”

Madelyn: “Can I wear it?”

She laughed.

Ashley: “Oh, I thought you didn’t like Makayla’s band?”

They tiled their head.

Madelyn: “No way! Nuklear Intoxikating feet is my favourite band ever!”

She laughed as she pulled the shirt up over her head. She then summoned her staff, waving it over the T-shirt, manipulating the lettering to read ‘Nuklear Intoxikating Feet’ Ashley giggled. Blake turned away, trying not to laugh.

Ashley: “Are you laughing, Blake?!”

They gasped.

Blake: “No.”

He pursed his lips.

Craig marched out onto the stage, grinning at the crowd. Makayla skipped onto the stage with her majique purple bass guitar with the Voyage Burger sticker, and Andreas santered onto the stage behind him with his black left-handed Jackson Kelly guitar, standing out of the spotlight. Keith the drummer, stumbled over his drum kit with crashing cymbals.

Craig: “G’DAY CUNTS! We’re NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION!”

He pumped his fist in the air, revving up the crowd to cheer.

Madelyn: “WHEEEW! NUKLEAR INTOXIKATING FEET!”

She cheered in the crowd. Craig and Makayla both glared at her.

Craig: “LET’S BRING IN THE NEW YEAR, EY! HIT IT!”

He rasped as Keith beat on the drums. Andreas winced at the stage lights blaring in his face as he played the opening riff to the first song. He felt as though he was in the middle of a Zoo exhibit, gawked at by rowdy beasts. Craig paraded around the stage like the King of the jungle, and Keith crashed on the drums like a mad ape, playing off key to everyone else, off in his own world. Then there was Makayla, fixing her gaze on Ashley across the room like a hungry lioness.

He watched as Makayla strummed her bass guitar, locking her gaze on Ashley at the other end of the room at the bar, chanting something under her breath. Suddenly, Ashley fell into a trance of ravenous hunger, devouring a hamburger.

Andreas: “What is she doing?”

He gaped at her and then his gaze shifted to Blake sitting beside Ashley, frowning with his arms folded. Andreas bowed his head at him and looked away in shame.

Andreas: “What am I doing?”

He paused and stopped playing. Craig snapped his neck around to Andreas behind him.

Craig: “OI! Andreas! What are you doing?!”

He hissed at him, mid-vocal. Andreas stared down at his guitar.

Andreas: “I can’t do this anymore!”

The words fell out of his mouth before he could register them. The band stopped to a halt, all staring at him, except for Keith who continued to drum into his own world. Ashley snapped out of their daze.

Ashley: “Huh? What’s going on?!”

They gasped.

Craig: “...WHAT?! The fuck do you mean by that?!”

His voice rose to a high pitch.

Andreas: “I quit.”

He said tersely, removing his guitar off his shoulder. Craig and Makayla’s jaws dropped. The crowd booed and some people laughed. Madelyn was the only one who cheered.

Madelyn: “WHEW! GOOD FOR YOU, ANDREAS!”

She cheered. Ashley cupped their mouth and Blake’s eyes widened.

Craig: “WHAT?! YOU CAN’T FUCKIN’ QUIT THE BAND, ANDREAS!”

He stamped his foot.

Makayla: “Yeah, what the hell?!”

Andreas: “It’s not a band. It’s a damn ZOO CIRCUS!”

He snapped. The crowd erupted into laughter. Craig knit his eyebrows and looked around the crowd.

Craig: “W-what?! No it’s not! We’re fuckin’ thrash metal kings of the jungle!”

He stammered. Keith hit the drum kit with a ‘badum-tush’ turning Craig’s rage to him.

Craig: “STOP DRUMMING YOU DRUGGO! THAT WASN’T A FUCKIN’ JOKE!”

He rasped, kicking the bass drum, piercing through it with his boot with a loud bang. The crowd laughed harder.

Keith: “Whatever, you derro cunt! You guys suck! I quit!”

He slurred on his words and stumbled off the stage, disappearing into the crowd.

Andreas: “There goes drummer number ninety-five.”

He remarked dryly. Trickles of laugher poured across the crowd.

Madelyn: “Best stand-up comedy show ever!”

She laughed and clapped.

Andreas: “Anyway, I’m taking my songs with me and leaving. Yes, MY songs. I’m done with Nuklear. Hell, I don’t even LIKE thrash metal anymore!”

He snapped. Blake watched as Andreas walked off the stage with his guitar as the crowd booed. Craig clenched his teeth and fists, turning his fury to Blake.

Craig: “...YOU!”

He rasped into the microphone, pointing at Blake through the chaos of the crowd. Blake returned his glare. Ashley gasped and grabbed Blake’s arm. Andreas turned to Craig.

Andreas: “NO, CRAIG!”

He pleaded and shoved his way through the crowd, trying to get to Blake before Craig could.

Craig: “YOU! This is all YOUR fault!”

He rasped, shoving Blake down, knocking Ashley to the ground amidst the chaos.

Blake: “ASHLEY!”

He saw red when he saw them on the ground. Madelyn knelt to Ashley.

Madelyn: “Are you okay?”

Ashley gazed up at her and nodded.

Blake: “YOU STUPID ASSHOLE!”

He rasped, punching Craig in the face with burning fury. Craig wailed and recoiled back.

Craig: “OWW! ARGH! YOU CUNT!”

He cried as his left cheek flared up a burning red. The crowd went wild, chatting: “FIGHT!” “FIGHT!” “FIGHT!”

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. Madelyn shoved her way through the crowd towards Makayla.

Madelyn: “Oh no you don’t Hamburgeress!”

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.

Craig: “GOTCHA! You’re gonna PAY for what you did!”

Blake grunted as he squeezed him like an anaconda.

Blake: “G-GET THE FUCK OFF ME!”

He wheezed in his grip, unable to move. 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.

Craig: “WAHAHAHA! 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. But most of all, what struck him was Andreas, glaring down at him.

Makayla: “OH NO, ASHLEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON’T DO THAT!”

She cried out to them, hastily plucking her bass guitar strings. Suddenly, a hamburger was shoved into her mouth from behind.

Madeyln: “Shhhh! Be quiet!”

She taunted. Makayla turned to glare at her.

Madelyn: “When will you accept that what others do is out of your control, Hamburgeress?!”

She shook her head and snatched her bass guitar out of her hands.

Makayla: “HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!”

She spat out the hamburger and saw red.

Madelyn: “You’ll have to come catch me!”

She winked at her and scurried through the crowd with it.

Makayla: “GET BACK HERE!”

She rasped, chasing after her. Madelyn ran through the crowd.

Makayla: “You should NEVER steal another Sortilege’s staff!”

She panted and fumed at her.

Madelyn: “I don’t want your stupid staff, Hamburgeress! I’m just borrowing it!”

She teased and shoved her way through the crowd, back towards the others. Suddenly, her face contorted with disgust as she caught a foul vinegar and cheese odor in the air. Ashley recoiled and stopped tickling Craig when they caught a waft of his 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! I’ll kick your ass, you cheeky lil shit!”

He panted and grabbed Ashley by the collar.

Andreas: “THAT’S ENOUGH, CRAIG!”

He marched over to him. Suddenly, Craig was knocked to the ground as Blake shoved 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 Maurice the 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. Madelyn followed with them.

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. Madelyn rolled her eyes at her.

Madelyn: “Not at all, Makayla. You never do anything wrong. You’re a pure angel.”

She taunted. Blake glared at the siblings with hatred.

Blake: “YES! Because it IS your fault. BOTH of you! YOU started a fight with me because of your wounded pride!”

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. Madelyn threw her head back and laughed at her. 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. Ashley recoiled. Madelyn draped her arm around them, comforting them and Blake stepped in front of them.

Andreas emerged from the shadows.

Andreas: “LEAVE THEM ALONE, CRAIG!”

He marched up to Craig, shoving his chest. Craig’s shoulders dropped as he stared at him, stunned.

Andreas: “You already are like him! You embarrassed YOURSELF, and it’s YOUR fault, but NAH-AH, let’s blame someone else! This was never about the music! It’s about you and your big dumb EGO!”

He interjected, pointing at Craig. Craig turned to him, gaping like a fish.

Andreas: “I warned you so many times this would happen, but you NEVER listen to me! No, you laughed in my face and mocked me when I told you your tower would collapse if you continued on this path, and look what happened! Now you’ve lost EVERYTHING!”

He threw his arms up in frustration. Craig bowed his head in shame.

Craig: “...I still got you though!”

He grinned at him. Andreas paused to slowly turn to him.

Andreas: “No, Craig, you don’t…”

He shook his head. 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.

Craig: “Y-You’re breaking up with me on New Year’s?!”

He bawled and cupped his mouth.

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

He sighed with defeat and resentment in his tone. Craig recoiled at his harsh words. The explosion of fireworks in the distance across the water crackled through the silence around them.