Beyond the Whale
Note: Written by a complete amateur. Read at your own risk. Heh.

With no rain for days, no moisture in the air, a sudden swift heat from the heavens sent the island into a melting chaos. With a burn on her shoulder and her feet in the sand, she wished no more than to splash around in the cool, drifting sea. But many of times, her band mates warned her that the sea around Plastic Beach might be more toxic than the blasting rays of sun. No one had ever tried to stick a single toe in the water. Rumor had it that the liquid could tear through the toughest skin. But it couldn't be that bad.

She inched closer to the shoreline, right where the salt-heavy water foamed up against the gain of the beach, and planted her feet securely on the damp ground. But her nerves got the best of her when the mini waves came crashing down in front of her. She jolted back without words and sighed heavily. The sun. The water. The freaking rain clouds drifting thousands of miles away. Somewhere out there, over the vast ocean there had to be a rainfall that she craved. It would either wash away her burning flesh or abandon her for a dying child on the other side of the ocean. It seemed that the later was on its agenda.

But there was no way to confirm the existence of this storm.

Noodle desperately wanted to sit in the tower that protruded from the island. Wanted to watch the Weather Channel for signs of hope that maybe this storm she made up would take a stroll to Plastic Beach. But even silly Dave can't combat the sun chaos, which not only burned through Noodle's skin, but also left a nasty power outage. With no air conditioning, the tower became a boiling shithole, and the only way to escape was to retreat outside.

She played the guitar today. She gathered shells today. She talked to the pelicans today. She did everything she could do outside except the one thing she really wanted to do. Go in the damn water. And with all the trash littered around, she was quite sure Murdoc was telling to truth when he made it clear not to go in the sea. She was forbidden. That was that.

Her mind dozed off. God knows where it went, but it went somewhere. It could have gone to her return to the Gorillaz. To the pelican she conversed with earlier. To Russel's amazing dinner last night. To Murdoc's morning bitching. Good Lord, she had it with his hangovers, they were quite a stress. Then again, she maybe… just might… be thinking of 2D's stupid toothless grin an hour ago when she gave him the most colorful shell she had found earlier that day. The man was quite the child. And from what she heard, the man was also a poor soul up until her return.

And suddenly, a chilly substance engulfed her foot. She screeched, realizing she was too close to the water. But it was too late. She had touched the deadly sea. And it did absolutely no harm to her skin. The guitarist jumped in her skin, feeling a slight stab of regret, and then a wave of curiosity. No… it couldn't have been. The water was perfectly safe. Or so it seemed. The water retreated again, and she decided to chase after it. It came splashing back, hitting her ankles with a gentle force. An amazing wave of relief and coldness rushed through her body as she ran deeper into the ocean and dove in. This was the sensation she had been waiting for all week. Finally.

Murdoc was a heartless idiot.

Minutes went by as she bathed in the cool water. It was a pleasant feeling of relief from the dreaded heat that had been frying Plastic Beach. And through all this, she concluded that Murdoc lied to her. He just wanted to keep her from escaping again. But where was she supposed to go? Back to hell? Leaving the Gorillaz again was the last thing on her mind. She knew she belonged there at Plastic Beach right now. She was not leaving without her band. Ever.

She knew that the water did have some undesired effects to body after seeing an enlarged Russel, but he had been in the water for hours eating waste. As long as she didn't spend too much time in the ocean, she'd be fine.

But after a while, long after she became adjusted to the cold, she grew bored again. The water satisfied her need to cool down, but she had yet to find entertainment to waste her time on. She buried her head in her hands and rubbed her face with exhaustion, then yawned. Being stuck on an island in the middle of nowhere didn't exactly have many advantages. Maybe that could be their next song. Stuck on A Beach. Featuring the pelicans. Yeah, that'd be good stuff. She started humming a made up tune to her song. It turned into a full melody as she sung the words in her head. Stuck on a beach… stuck on a beach… if you swim away you'll never reach… the closest mainland from Plastic Beach…

There's a barrier in the simple truth

A highlight if all goes well

A downfall in sanity from all the noise

A shadow from my choice… to stay with you

The sun makes Hell look like a playground

A playground, a playground

Hell looks like a playground

I want to go, but the choice is yours

Stuck on a beach, stuck on a beach

If you swim away you'll never reach

The closest mainland from Plastic Beach

The most pathetic song Noodle had made up in less than thirty seconds ever. So she decided to quickly forget about it. She was just bored. It's lame to be influenced by such a weak emotion. Plus, Plastic Beach was kind of fun when it wasn't so damn hot.

But someone behind her had different plans. The moment she heard the first note of the keyboard, she regretted making up the stupid tune. The notes hit the air like invisible fireworks. Each note played with such craft and skill, and she only knew one other band member other than her who was a master at the keyboard. Noodle's face flushed. He had picked up on the tune so perfectly, it seemed like it could actually be a potential new single. She couldn't help but smile and giggle before turning around to see 2D channeling all of his concentration on his keyboard as he leaned against the giant plastic boulder behind him. He had her presence tuned out, and all his focus on the music as his talent leaked through the sounds of the melody.

Listening to 2D play her tune was like drawing a pretty picture and having it displayed in the Musée du Louvre. Her heart pounded to the gentle beat of the tune and her head felt light. His music gave her peace and longing for emotions she never thought existed.

Suddenly, the music stopped. "Wot are the words?" She heard 2D ask her with a loud voice. He wouldn't leave his spot, for he had been clinging to the outer walls of the tower all day. He wouldn't dare go near the water, in fear of the whale.

Noodle looked up at him from the distance and blinked. She lied, "I don't know, I just made it up." She felt herself shrug. There was no point in keeping the lyrics she had in mind before. They were done singing with their Plastic Beach album and didn't need more songs about it. She also didn't like the fact that 2D caught the tune, for she thought it was dreadfully awful.

"I's quite lovley," 2D insisted, still keeping his distance.

Noodle turned a bit pink in the face. "Really?" she asked.

"Yup!" 2D nodded happily. "I' made my 'ead 'urt less!" Noodle couldn't help but giggle again at his remark. Ridiculous. The melody she created made her own head hurt even more. But yes, it was embarrassing for 2D to have heard it. Made her feel uncomfortable, but at the same time, tugged at a spot inside her chest that hurt when it was touched. It was a painful grasp around her heart, nothing like she ever felt when she was alone. This feeling wasn't new though. It was there earlier when she gave him a shell, which was now hanging on a string around his neck. She only just noticed. He smiled his toothless grin again, that childlike face she adored leaked through. 2D suggested with his high-pitched voice, "Let's sing about somefink! Come 'ere Noods." He patted the wall behind him.

He started up the tune again before Noodle could protest. She gave in, pulling her legs out of the shallow water and onto the shore. Her feet abandoned the pleasant sensation of the cold water to join 2D against the wall. Her walk was slow and heavy, the wetness of her feet putting weight on her body. The sand caught between her toes and stands of breeze ticked her ankles. Upon leaving the shoreline, the music grew louder and the breeze became stronger. 2D glanced up from his keyboard at Noodle and smiled, then looked back down at his keyboard. "You can't sleep long… you can't sleep long… the sun will be far gone… so you can't sleep too long…

2D became closer and closer as Noodle made her way up the beach.

Stay awake through the morning call

Too loud to catch the noise

If the tumbleweeds don't settle in spring,

I'll think the sparkle is gone from your eyes

She finally reached the wall where 2D leaned against. She placed herself right next to him, watching him as he skillfully put words to her music. Once again, he didn't acknowledge her presence as he solely concentrated on the heavy notes and lyrics. He hesitated in singing in between the verses, a two second delay for him to come up with words.

Loss is louder than the headache in my head

The headache, the headache

The headache resting in my head

I'm taking you back through toxic seas

You can't sleep long

You can't sleep long

The sun will be far gone

So you can't sleep too long."

2D finished, looking up at Noodle for approval, "Somefink like t'at, maybe?" He laughed. "I don' even know whehre t'at came from. Silly me."

Noodle's jaw dropped. She instantly knew what he was singing about, but he probably had no idea. The words had a heavy amount of emotion in it… so much that she felt like her mind was drowning. But those lyrics definitely fit the actual tune much better. He made the puzzle pieces of her notes fit perfectly - 2D was a psychotic genius. She watched him set his keyboard against the wall as he looked out at the ocean.

Then, he took a pack of cigarettes and a lighter out of his pocket. Noodle rolled her eyes. Smoking. Again. But 2D lost his grip on the lighter and it came plummeting down into the sand. Noodle dove for it, feeling the urge to do something nice for him at that moment. She picked it up and ran her thumb across the rusty silver surface. Old. Dusty. He needed a new one, bad. She couldn't even her reflection in it like she could before El Manana. How many cigarettes had he smoked in her absence? Probably more than he ever did in his life.

When 2D stuck the cigarette in his mouth, Noodle reached up and swiftly lit the little stick. He breathed in, then took it out and blew out a small jet-stream of toxins. He looked at Noodle and ruffled her hair. "Fank yew, love."

She ignored the grateful gesture, still in awe over the powerful lyrics 2D produced in the matter of seconds. Noodle played around with the flame on the lighter for a while. This was bad. His lyrics were definitely apart of his true emotion. The thought of it really frightened her. What now? What was the next step? Which road should she drive down? No wait. There was no road for that kind of thought. It would never work. They both knew that, and the pain of it drew her crazy to the point of insanity. Noodle's heart sank.

They could not use that song.

Her thoughts were interrupted. "AAAH WHAAAAALE!" 2D shrieked and hid behind Noodle. He latched his hand onto her hand and cowered against the wall. "H-h-halp me."

Noodle saw it too. A small grayish whale peaked above the water's surface at Noodle and 2D from the distance. Its large eyes glimmered in the faded sunlight. She couldn't resist the cute face, so she waved at it. The whale flipped over, causing 2D to flinch. Noodle saw the whale wave a flipper at her. Gosh, the poor thing looked friendly. She didn't understand the vocalist's weird cetaphobia. She patted 2D's head with her free hand. "It's okay, 2D-san, he's just waving hello. He's cute."

"'ow is 'e cute? T'e bloody fink is gonna get me!" 2D argued while clutching her hand tighter and shivering uncontrollably with his cigarette hanging from his mouth. The poor fellow was scared out of his mind.

Noodle squeezed his hand, "Don't worry. He's really far away." She giggled at him. It was really cute how her 2D-san was so freaked out by such harmless creatures. He was a puppy dog afraid of lightning. Except cuter. But she knew that his phobia was getting really unhealthy for him. If the air conditioning and power was working, he would be curled up in a corner in his room watching zombie movies.

That was when she knew he had to overcome this fear. It's not like he had plans to leave Plastic Beach anytime soon. The whale guarding his room was overstaying his visit. She also wanted 2D to feel the water, which was nice and cold. It would calm him down. Once the whale was out of sight and he had calmed down a bit, Noodle put a few inches between her and 2D and looked up at him. She said, "You know, the water feels really fantastic."

She felt 2D instantly shut her out. "No way! No way am I getting near t'at whale!" he cried out.

"Shh… shh…" Noodle placed her hand over 2D's mouth. "The whale is gone. I promise. I don't see him out there right now. It's the perfect time to cool off from the heat. Aren't you burning up?" 2D's face was definitely red from the heat, and she was beginning to feel burnt up again. She needed to water badly right then. 2D's teeth clattered under her hand. She removed it and whispered in his ear, "I promise he won't be there. Even if he was, he won't do any harm. I promise. Just… come with me. It's really hot and I don't want to be in the water alone. Please?" 2D bit his lip in confusion. Noodle knew he was traumatized, but he has to get over it. Good news was that he looked like he was seriously considering it. Then, Noodle got closer to his ear and softly sang, "The sun makes Hell look like a playground. Follow me."

She slowly guided 2D down the beach as he kept his grip on her hand really tight. There was no way he was going to let go anytime soon. She felt the pressure of his large hands around her own. Just the touch felt wonderful. It felt as if he were protecting her, the other way around from reality. Bluntly stated, 2D's interaction with her always blurred the lines between reality and fantasy. It was an embarrassing thing, how weak he made her legs. He was right there. Right there next to her. Yet, she expected nothing more than the joining of their hands.

The trek down to the shoreline wasn't easy, even though it was a mere forty feet away. The sand found its way into Noodle's toes again. The grains tickled her feet and the newly developing dry wind curved around her exposed neck, her purple hair bundled in a low ponytail. 2D suddenly stopped at the shore's edge. He had made progress. Noodle gently tried to push him in, but he stayed firm, still biting his lip and shaking like a nervous monkey.

"Come on, 2D-san. It's just water," she showed him by bending down and splashing some at his feet with her free hand. He was lost for lost, for the turn of his head showed no interest in getting in. Yet, he was sweating from the heat like a madman. And so was she. She sighed. "Well, I guess I'm going in without you. What would happen if a whale attacked me? You wouldn't be there to save your lil' love, would you, 2D-san?"

This stuck a nerve somewhere in between 2D's migraine. His eyes swelled up and his eyebrow twitched. When Noodle tried to advance, he pulled her back and grabbed her hand with both hands. "Don' go, Noods. Loss is louder than the headache in my head," he sang quietly with fear.

Noodle managed a weak smile and said, "Then come on. You'll like the water. I promise. And no whales." 2D gulped and stared down at the water. His reflection made him cringe a bit. Noodle nudged him further. She was excited that he was making progress.

Then, he let one hand go and he bent over to splash water on his face and neck. He paused. Noodle saw the look of relief from the vocalist's face, even though it was brief. This made her smile from ear to ear. 2D seemed to be enjoying the little waves on the sand, and he further progressed by stepping into the water about ankle deep. Then knee deep. Noodle led him a little further and they found a comfortable place to stand in the sea. He splashed some water on him, then took a puff of smoke from his cigarette. Noodle, with her hand still trapped in 2D's clutch, submerged herself into the water and then came up for water. She felt that deep sense of relief from the heat again. And she could tell 2D liked it too. She reminded him, "See? No whale."

"I'm glad." 2D said. "Thanks, lil' love. I really needed i'. I thought t'e fawkink 'eat was goink to kill meh."

"It's still hot," Noodle shrugged. "It's just so much better in the water."

2D nodded, "Yup!"

Noodle giggled again. Plastic Beach may be desolate and isolated, but the company of her band around, particularly 2D, always reminded her that she wasn't alone. Murdoc didn't need to force 2D and her to stay by paying a whale to guard him, or by lying to her about toxic water. They would go where Gorillaz would go. That was that.

She turned to 2D. "Want to actually work on that song we had going? We can come back to the water every ten minutes to cool off. I know you wouldn't dare take your-"

He felt her hand get squeezed even harder as 2D admitted obliviously, "Let's stay…

…I like havink an excuse to 'old yewr hand."