Disclaimer: I do not own Gorillaz or any other artists, lyrics, films, TV shows, etc. that I reference in this story.
A pill to make you numb
A pill to make you dumb
A pill to make you anybody else
But all the drugs in this world
Won't save her from herself
Prologue
She panted, each one growing heavier and more audible. They weren't the pants of lust that Murdoc usually heard leaving her mouth. They were the frenzied pants of madness. Her eyes were wide, crazed, piercing. Suddenly, she tore at her hair and screamed. No, thought Murdoc, not screamed. It was something else. Like a scream, but more. Exponentially more. A scream reaching such a multitude of rage, horror, agony and torment that a word strong enough to express it did not yet exist. Thousands of chills ran up the length of Murdoc's spine. The animalistic noise was one that Murdoc often felt rising in his own throat. Sometimes he was barely able to keep it down. He was painfully aware of what suffering it took to produce such a scream. When her mouth finally closed with a pitiful and heart wrenching sob, she fell to the ground, curled into a tight ball and quivered. That was the moment Murdoc realized that he might have a heart.
/
She'd been watching him from the other end of the bar for the entire night, looking over every few minutes. Once in a while, more frequently as the night progressed, she'd take a swig of the rum she held in her bony hand. Maybe that was what caught Murdoc's eye. That night, the bar brimmed with groups of slutty looking girls sipping Martinis or Smirnoff Ice coolers. The prissy high maintenance type, the bothersome kind. She stood out, chugging her rum like a seasoned alcoholic. Maybe it was the apathetic, glazed over look that resided comfortably in her cat-like eyes that made him notice her. Or it could have been the unnaturally long, chaotic golden waves flecked with dirty blonde that framed her pale heart shaped face. Whatever the reason, Murdoc was drawn to her, the almost sickly looking girl in the shapeless black dress and Doc Martens.
The two played games with their eyes all night. She'd look over at him and the right corner of her mouth would slightly twitch, the beginning of a smile. Then she'd look away. If he caught her looking he'd smirk at her, his devilish features curling up, grinch like. Their eyes would meet again and she'd dreamily raise an eye brow before taking in another mouthful of rum, sensually circling the rim of the glass with a thin finger. When a trashy looking groupie came over to him, she gave him an insolent wink, and he rolled his eyes in an impatient mockery of the groupie's desperate attempt to seduce him. But his eyes always found their way back to the golden haired girl with the sallow complexion.
The bar emptied out with the exception of Murdoc, his new, enigmatic interest and a few drunk and horny lovers left dirty dancing to the slow and sentimental songs that played through the loudspeaker. The kind of songs that are played in the early hours of the morning to encourage the late night stragglers to go home to their beds, and to the beds of their lovers.
Her head was sluggishly swaying to the music. Her eyes rolled back in her head and closed. When she opened them she saw Murdoc looking at her again. He slowly rose from his seat and somewhat drunkenly staggered over to her, sliding a hand around her waist and whispering into her ear: "Ello, Luv." His voice was deep and throaty. She could feel his warm breath on her neck. She let her eyes roam up his body, from the floor to the bloodshot, mismatched orbs that rested intently on her.
"Hello Murdoc Niccals," She replied in a raspy voice that didn't suit her face at all. She gave him a subtle smile. "What took you so long?"
"Traffic." Murdoc chuckled, sitting down on the stool next to her. "Slutty, desperate traffic. So you know who I am, eh darlin'? And who might you be?"
"Hmm? Oh, Cameron." Said Cameron, the rum making it difficult for her to focus. "One more for me, please." She said, to the bartender. She gave Murdoc a smile, adding, "and one for my new friend."
The two sat in comfortable silent for a spell, breathing in each other's scents. Murdoc's musk of cigarettes and booze, Cameron's of oranges and spice. She smelled warm, like the colour red. "You sure can hold your drink, can't you, Luv?" He grinned, looking into her dark eyes. She gave him a cocky shrug as their glasses arrived, downing hers in one fluid motion to punctuate his statement. She closed her eyes, rested an elbow against the bar table, a hand against her face and let out a satisfied, "Mmmmm."
"That hit the spot?" Asked Murdoc as he guzzled the rest of his drink, his green skin eerily glowing in the dim lighting. She nodded. "Then what do you say we head back to Kong?" He suggested, offering her his hand. When she hesitated to take it, he grinned and said, "Relax, Luv, I ain't the Big Bad Wolf." She matched his grin with a lazy one of her own, taking his hand and saying "But my, what a long tongue you have."
Murdoc couldn't tell if her tone was merely joking or obscenely lewd, but hoped it was the latter. He tested her, dipping his head to the left side of her neck and giving it a long continuous lick, collarbone to ear. "All the better to pleasure you with, my dear." Cameron shuddered. His hopes were confirmed. Murdoc pulled her up off the stool and into a pool of light cast by one of the brass hanging lamps. He held her close against his body. She was tall, almost the same height as he was. Getting a better look at her, he chuckled, realizing the reason behind her dazed and dreamy demeanour. "My, what large pupils you have. Whatcha on, Luv?" Cameron met his gaze, unashamed, but ignoring the question.
"Excuse me for trying to have a good time, Officer Niccals. Shall we be on our way, then?" She asked with mocking, exaggerated politeness. He held out his arm.
"After you, fair lady." He said escorting her through the door with a gentlemanly bow and less than gentlemanly intentions.
Murdoc floored the gas pedal of the Geep almost as soon as the key penetrated the ignition. The acceleration almost knocked me out and I loved it. The mix of drugs, booze and adrenaline sent endorphins pulsing through my body. Arms, chest, stomach, legs and somewhere in between the two. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this alive. He must have seen it on my face because he looked over at me with a pleased expression, pushing the pedal down further.
Sweet Satan, the girl looked like a mad woman! A caricature-like grin had taken over her face, and her wild hair was whipping around, pulling in all directions. She reminded me of myself at that age. The carelessness, getting high, going to bars alone and leaving in cars with strange, older women. Men, in her case. Me, specifically, I thought with a sneer. Impure and twisted thoughts danced around in my mind. She couldn't have been older than 20. Probably younger. But I didn't want to think about that. She seemed to be enjoying herself (who wouldn't be enjoying themselves with the one and only Murdoc Niccals). There was a mixture of adventure and anticipated lust etched onto her pale, animal face. She looked almost feline with her hazel, almond shaped eyes, small nose and sharp looking canine teeth. I lowered my foot deeper onto the gas pedal and grinned.