A/N: Here's the first chapter of this weird new story. Hope you read and review!

A Spiteful Unseen

I always knew things between my parents were getting rough, but judging by the screaming coming from my house I guess I may have underestimated the situation. I blew out a soft sigh and walked the rest of the way home with a heavy heart and even heavier book satchel across my shoulder. I felt the negative energy swelling as soon as I walked through the front door.

Ordinarily I'd come home smelling something good on the stove and hearing my mama singing something bluesy while she made dinner. I'd do my homework and when daddy came home we'd watch something on the telly until mama called us in. Then they'd ask me about school and daddy would talk about work and mama would smile and laugh and we'd be great. I'd finish up the dishes and go take a bath and fall asleep on the couch listening to vh1 music videos or something of that sort. But not today.

I found my parents in their room having a screaming match again only this time there were clothes thrown all around the room and broken glass everywhere. My mama had rings around her neck and wrist and there were scratches on my dad's arms. I didn't see any blood this time.

I left quietly and headed to my room but I knew they wouldn't notice me anyway because they were too wrapped up in themselves. I darted upstairs and shut my door softly then threw my satchel down on top of my bed. It hit the dark green sheets at an angle before hitting the floor with a loud thud. I bet my mathematics book weighed it down. I hate math.

I heard my parents' footsteps as they climbed up the stairs to come check on me. Daddy came in first with a weary smile.

"Hey, love, didn't hear you come in." he croaked. My mama was right behind him in her wrinkled red dress.

"Everything okay up here, baby?" she rasped.

Ordinarily I'd say that I was fine, and that I didn't need anything. I'd let them patronize me and tell me that they both were just having a rough day. Then they'd go back downstairs and it would be a bit quieter but no less hostile in the house. I would stay out of their way and fix a microwave pizza or something and listen to some cd's until I got bored or fell asleep; whichever happened first. But not today.

"No, everything ain't okay. I'm tired of this." I said shakily. My heart was pounding and my palms were flooding out but I had to speak up.

"I'm tired of both of you fighting. It's not fair. You don't know what it's like to have to deal with this all the time—"

"Don't know what it's like? Are you serious, love?" Daddy asked incredulously. "You think this isn't bloody hard for me, either?" my dad exclaimed.

"Stop yelling at her, it's nobody's fault but yours! If you hadn't have gone and quit your job we wouldn't be in this mess!" Mama accused.

"I didn't quit I got laid off, you nagging bird! That's all you ever do these days and I'm sick of it!" my dad yelled.

"So what are you gonna' do, leave? You're never here anyway. You're always down at that bar drinking away all my hard-earned money." Came my mother's sarcastic hiss.

"I don't know what money you think you're making down at that little hole in the wall, but it ain't enough to buy a shot of the poorest rum with so don't start." He warned.

"You know what, I don't deserve this. I could do so much better. You always were holding me back but not anymore. I'm going home, and I'm taking my daughter with me." She vowed.

I froze, and so did my father.

"The hell you are. You can get out, but you won't take my daughter with you. Not down to those shoddy apartments and that ninny of a sister you've got" my daddy snarled.

"Well she ain't staying here with you. And I'll be damned if you take her near your crazy daddy—"

"He ain't crazy!" my daddy protested.

"He's bat-shit insane!" my mom laughed mirthlessly.

"Whatever. He's not going to be raising her, I am." Dad stated firmly.

"And you've been doing such a wonderful job of that so far" Mama snapped.

"Look are you leaving or what?" Daddy growled.

"Not without Tasha" my mom declared. Both heads swiveled towards me.

By now I had tears running down my face and I couldn't even speak if I wanted to. I glared at both of them in turn before jumping from the bed and leaving the room. I slammed the door behind me for good measure.

I didn't even realize I was heading in the direction of my grandpa's house until I happened upon the front steps. I glanced up in surprise and had to laugh because, had I been thinking straight, I would have never come here. At least not of my own volition; daddy made me come down here on Saturdays to make sure grandpa was alright and that the local kids weren't around throwing rocks at his windows.

Today they were.

"Hey, cut that out!" I ordered.

They all laughed but scattered and I made my way to the back door that I knew he always left open. I gave the old wood a push and immediately put my hand to my nose. There was smoke everywhere.

"Grandpa, where are you?" I shouted. The house was almost completely dark and I tripped over various unseen things before I caught sight of the light coming from the kitchen.

"In here, in here!" I heard him yell.

I hurried into the kitchen with watery eyes and burning lungs. Although my grandpa may be a little far gone, I still think there's some good in him; albeit way down deep in there. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him either way, though.

"Grandpa, what happened?" I coughed. The kitchen was ablaze. There was nothing but flames and black goopy remains of what used to be dishes and kitchen appliances. The stove looked to be the cause of it and was nearly melted as well.

I looked on the floor and saw grandpa covered in ashes and reaching feebly for a cigarette that lay innocently just inches away from him, out of his reach.

"Hand me that fag, won't you love?" he coughed, then his eyes fluttered shut.

Ignoring his request I bent down and hoisted him up onto my back then tried to make it out the front door but cried out when I found the doorknob was searing hot. I hurried to the back door and kicked it open just in case its knob was hot too. I'm almost sure it wasn't though.

I didn't get very far before I had to stop and pull out my cell phone. I dialed 999 and gave them the address before I collapsed.

The trip to the hospital was the worst thing that could've happened to my parents, or so it seemed. First of all, I hit my head when I collapsed and had to stay overnight but it was nothing serious. And there was a burn on hand from that searing hot doorknob that had been treated. Other than that, I was fine.

My parents couldn't stop arguing over whose fault it was and my mama ended up leaving. Probably out of guilt she left a note for me saying how sorry she was and defending her decision by foul-mouthing and otherwise defaming my dad. I tore it up as soon as my hand got better a week later.

So now it was just my dad, grandpa, and me. Since we never did figure out how he managed to burn down half his house grandpa had to come live with us. Daddy said it would be safer for him that way. It's only more stressful for me; I mean he gets on my last nerve sometimes with all his singing, off-beat jokes, and otherwise odd personality.

To keep myself sane, I've learned to just ignore the things that went on at home and pretend that everything was going great. I started to cook meals and take on other chores and things that mama used to do, and I started to force myself to be there for my dad and grandpa, to hold them together and keep them from doing anything stupid like drinking too much or forgetting to eat. It was working out pretty good so far.

Today was my first day as a senior. I walked to school this morning in the November chill wearing my typical school uniform comprised of a pair of khaki jeans and navy fitted polo shirt. I had to rub my arms to keep the blood flowing through them since I had stupidly forgotten my jacket at home. At least my thick dark hair was long enough to warm both my ears and cheeks. Licking my lips I trudged onward while silently reminding myself to ask daddy for a ride to school next time, embarrassing as it was to have him drop me off.

Well that's not completely true. Lots of the females at my school go crazy when they see my daddy coming. I guess to them he's attractive. He has that sort of rock star swagger about him. Long greasy hair that refused to stop growing, fanged grin, tall and slight build and let's not forget that olive skin. He tended to dress in leather more and more often since mama left but I guess that's his way of reverting into the bad boy he was before he got married. I hope this doesn't get out of hand.

I crossed the parking lot and headed into the front office of my high school with a small smile. I was really growing up. Pretty soon I'll be out on my own, going to the University or maybe studying somewhere in the States. The possibility of being my own person excited me to no end, but I couldn't dwell on that yet; I have to take care of my dad and grandpa for now. I couldn't let them down.

With a new spring in my step and a goal in mind my smile widened and I let the excitement of a new school year take over me. Someone called my name from down the hallway.

"Tasha! It's good to see you again" Mr. Thomas exclaimed. He looked genuinely happy to see me.

Mr. Thomas was my Biology one and now Biology two teacher. He was a friend to me when I first arrived at high school as a scared freshman. He sort of looks out for me like an uncle or grandpa. He hadn't changed much: his graying black hair was still cropped close to his head and his mottled pale skin still held the same deep-set wrinkles. He wore a dark red sweater over black trousers and loafers.

"Yeah, same here" I grinned.

"I heard about your grandfather's house being smoked. Are you alright?" he asked solicitously.

I nodded that I was and his grey eyes softened. "And how's Jacob, the old bloke?"

"He's living with us now." I gave a short laugh. What a drag that was.

"Oh. I pity you, my dear. Well, I'm off. I'll see you later on then" he called behind him as he walked off. I continued down the hall in a different direction until the bell caught me. It was a typical day.

On my way out of school today I ran into some trouble and in this case it came in a trio. There were some young men from the University who liked to smoke in the student parking lot right around the time I got dismissed. I normally would go through the teacher parking lot instead but today I completely forgot about them.

They either sat in the old black muscle car or leaned against it casually with a cigarette in their mouths and way too much time on their hands. Isaiah was the youngest; he was about my age and was in his third year in college. I think he's a genius or something and that's how come he started when he was only fourteen. He had short dirty blonde hair and brown eyes like his older brother Troy. Troy was 20 and also in his third year of college. He was built like a young Kurt Cobain and sort of sounded like him, too, or so people say around school. Both he and his younger brother wore dark jeans and navy bomber jackets with black boots I didn't know the name of. They really intimidated me already because of the mysterious glint in their hardened toffee-colored eyes.

JT was another story. He was the laid back one, the ring leader and the oldest of the three. He wasn't related to them, but his dad was my Biology teacher. He prided himself most on his good looks, especially his long hair. It was rumored that he'd been growing it out since birth and it now reached a formidable length. He always wore a black pilot's hat with a golden band and gold olive branches stitched onto each side. Such hat adorned his head today. Unlike his cohorts he wore black pants and an open leather jacket that revealed a tan torso and silver chain around his neck. He was slouched in the driver's seat taking a drag on his cig.

"Where you going, rose?" JT called out in a low accented voice. I froze in my not so subtle attempt to get away from them.

"Home" I answered. Apparently this wasn't the answer he was looking for because he got up and started to saunter over to where I was standing in the near-abandoned parking lot.

"It's getting dark. You want me to give you a ride?" he offered.

"N-no, that's okay. I can make it before dark" I tried to assure him but my voice trembled ever so slightly. He laughed softly.

That laugh did things to my stomach and caused me to think a little bit slower than usual. Amazing.

"What's your name rose? I think I've seen you round" he remarked. He began digging in his pocket for something.

"I've seen her round, too mate. Pretty little thing, she is" Troy commented.

"Tasha" I replied neutrally.

I was still in a bit of a shock that they were actually talking to me and not attaching me or making fun of me. That's what the kids in school say would happen if you ever stuck around them long enough. Maybe I haven't stayed long enough, which means I still have a chance to get away.

"Tasha. S'nice. My name's Jorell, but you can call me JT if you want. S'what these blokes here call me." He smiled.

"Okay. Well I'm going to go then" I attempted once again to leave but my wrist was promptly caught by the dark-haired JT.

"Won't you let me give you a ride? I really would like to get to know you better" he cajoled. He had taken to pulling me towards him and I bit my cheek softly.

Would it really be so bad to take a ride from him? He doesn't seem so bad. And it's just a short ride home, too. I made up my mind.

"Alright. I live just down the road so you won't have to drive very far" I told him.

"Pity." JT sighed. "Go ahead and take the front seat, rose"

I did as he said and placed my book satchel on the floor between my legs and then reached to buckle my seatbelt.

"If you're looking for the belt, you ain't gonna' find it" Isaiah stated as he climbed into the backseat. His brother joined him and JT started the car with a lazy grin.

"Okay then. To Tasha's house we go." He exclaimed.

"Murdoc, are you sure we lost 'em?" 2D wanted to know. It was the first time he'd spoken in several hours. Murdoc blamed this on the various pills he'd reluctantly taken this morning. Things had changed drastically from this morning.

For one thing, there was no Plastic Beach anymore; those sodding pirates had made sure of that. Now all that was left was a heaping pile of melted plastic and rubble of what used to be a faux paradise. For better or for worse, though, no one could tell.

"Yeah, Dents, I'm sure" Murdoc wearily replied. He took a cursory glance around the chopper and nodded in grim satisfaction upon seeing they were all there: Noodle, her Cyborg surrogate, the aloof blue-haired singer, and of course his own unsavory self. They were all okay, at least physically.

Russell had swum away and was seeking the quickest route to Japan so that he could get back down to size with the help of an eighty year old scientist named Fujioka Tamaki. He said he'd "see ya when I see ya", whatever that meant.

"Where are we going again?" Noodle asked quietly. She barely spoke much either, but behind that Tommy gun she was fierce and barking orders. If it weren't for her they'd have never made it out of the wreckage in one piece.

"Back to good ole' Stoke; I figure we can get a decent apartment and continue on from there. Settle in, buy some instruments, get laid, make an album or two; all's well that ends well, right?" he blathered on. His mind seemed to be not all there as of late.

"Right" 2D replied absently. He slid his clown mask on and began humming again.

None of them noticed the blinking red light indicating they were running out of fuel.

I shivered as JT pulled into the parking lot of a greasy fast-food place and got out. I followed his lead and fell into step beside Troy and Isaiah. Heads turned when we walked through the door and I shrunk back between the blonde-haired brothers. Isaiah sent me a knowing look before casually taking a drag on his cigarette and blowing smoke in the general direction of the people. Troy caught on and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. JT finally turned around.

"What's this?" he asked with a bit of a smile tugging at his lips.

"Lil' love's nervous 'cause all these sods are starin' at us funny" Troy murmured. I shrugged when JT looked at me for confirmation, and the long-haired man smiled.

"People are always looking at us that way, rose. Don't mind it at all." He reassured.

I relaxed a little bit and he ordered for us all. It didn't take long for me to shut out the rest of the restaurant and get comfortable with my new friends. I learned lots of things about them, like how Troy is a closet poet and is often times found with his nose in a book. Isaiah is deathly afraid of monkeys and is the more aggressive of the two brothers, and he likes to play guitar. JT is an artist and an only child that always wanted brothers, and he says that's why he gets on so well with Troy and Isaiah. JT also liked to play bass. I told them I could sing pretty well.

"Really? I've always thought girls who had a voice were pretty fit" Isaiah grinned. He had a nice, boyish smile when he decided to show it.

"Why don't you sing us a little something Tasha?" Troy asked. I shook my head but JT gave me a nudge.

"Come on, rose, just one song" he whispered while giving me a soft smile from underneath his lashes. He had me there.

"Okay." I gave in. I cleared my throat delicately and wet my mouth.

"…Lord, hear me now…junk boats and English boys…Crashing out into the noise…electric fences and guns…Youuuuu swallow me…I'm a pill on your tongue…" I faded out. That was all I knew; I'm not even sure I knew who the song was by or why I was singing it, it just…stuck with me when I heard it playing on the radio one night.

"That was deep kid" Troy said after an awkward silence filled the air between us.

"That song is by the Gorillaz. Everything they do is deep" Isaiah replied with a smirk. I didn't know who they were talking about, but I didn't care enough to ask. I took a look around and saw that we were the only ones still here, and it was pitch black outside.

Daddy's going to kill me; if he's sober, that is.

"How the bloody hell was I supposed to know we were out of fuel?" Murdoc screamed as he yanked on the handle with all his might trying to steer the chopper that was quickly descending towards the Trent.

"Stop screaming Stu-chan! Help us with this damn thing!" Noodle ordered as she, too grabbed hold of the device. 2D sat in the corner shivering with white eyes and mumbling to himself. Cyborg Noodle made her way to the handle and gave it a hard yank, pulling it completely out of its socket.

"Well aren't you a helpful little fucker? Don't you know your own strength you bucket of bolts?" Murdoc jeered.

His creation didn't take any notice of him but instead gazed with her fleshly counterpart out of the window at the mass of water quickly zooming in on them.

"…Crashing down…" 2D howled from his corner holding his head. Noodle sighed and jerked the vocalist up by his underarms and shook him a bit.

"Snap out of it, Stu-Chan! Here, put this on and wrap it tightly" she told him severely while thrusting a life jacket at him. He numbly put the jacket on and glanced out of the window again. Noodle took a spare spanner she'd found on the floor and began bursting the windows. Her Cyborg double followed suit and shot out the other windows, seeming to enjoy it a little too much. Before they realized it, the chopper crashed into the water and they did their best to swim out in time.

2D had almost made it to the top when he saw that his bassist band mate had gotten hit in the head and was now floating unconscious through the deep waters. He thought deeply for a moment.

He could leave him down there and be justified in doing so. After all the hell Muds put him through it would be a fitting end to the sod, but he wasn't going to do that. With renewed vigor 2D began swimming towards his friend and scooped him up, just barely reaching the surface in time enough to get a gulp of air.

"You did well, Stu-Chan" Noodle praised with a knowing smile. "Stay good, okay?"

2D nodded between breaths and made a face when Noodle pressed her delicate ruby lips to Murdoc's green ones and began to blow. She pulled back and punched his chest in. 2D was completely befuddled.

"Wot…wot are you doin', Noodle?" he huffed breathlessly and in bewilderment.

"CPR. It's to help revive someone who's been drowning." She explained curtly. "This bastard doesn't deserve it, but I love him too much to let him die" she admitted. "You guys are my only family."

"Aw, Noodle" 2D murmured with a faint blush. "Ay', where'd C.C. get off to?"

"C.C?" Noodle asked in confusion.

"S'wot your replacement likes to be called."

"How do you know what she likes to be called?" Noodle frowned.

"Well she told me when we were watching a zombie film in my room on Plastic Beach" 2D replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world to watch horror movies with a robot.

"Okay. Well I don't know where she is. I didn't see her come back up" Noodle stated.

"I hope nuffing's wrong wif' her. She wasn't so bad" 2D murmured.

"No, she wasn't so bad." Noodle agreed.

They were quiet. Sometime later Murdoc began to come to and he saw the way 2D had his arm around Noodle's thin shoulders and how she leaned against him, completely content. It was dark and there were a million stars in the black sky that seemed to be watching the two band mates rather than the other way around because they both had shut their eyes to the world around them.

Soaking wet and freezing cold, the Gorillaz, or at least what was left of them for now, spent the night on the banks of the Trent among the broken bits of the remains of the chopper.

A/N: Okay, please tell me what you think and if you like this or not; thanks in advance!

Lorra