A/N: I am so so sorry for the wait. I was "grounded" for something rather stupid. Before that, my musical and my music video kept me pretty busy. But I had already written this chapter, just never posted it. So, here goes.

A/N: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But what will I do with my life now that Gossip Girl is over? I find it ironic that Glee did "All That Jazz" and my film class is doing a parody of Chicago.

Chapter 2: Paralyser

• Rachel •

New York - what a place!
I have only been a part of it for several hours, but the city itself is alive with a constant hum that reverbrates through every being which ambles its streets. At first I was cautious to follow Lindsay around - we had just met, after all - but the girl truly knew her stuff. Releasing my inhibitions, I gleefully allowed her to show me her world. She was a born-and-bred New Yorker, and had friends in high places.

The first place she brought me to was a club. At first I was hesitant to enter, what with the large bouncer at the door. But Lindsay noticed my reluctance straightaway and yelled words of encouragement over the thumping bass that spilled out into the street. "I just met you, and I know how crazy this is," she began, earnestly focusing those blue orbs on me. "but this is actually a karaoke bar. Fights happen once in a blue moon." I looked over her shoulder at the bar. Aside from the crowd desperately hoping to get in, the club wouldn't seem to be a karaoke bar, or anything worthwhile. The facade was nondescript; the building was built by bricks, the doors seemed wood paneled and the entire thing was painted grey. The windows were sealed shut and also painted grey. The building was at the end of a street and spanned several square feet. It could have been a post-modern barn and would certainly not catch the eye of the average tourist.

"That's a long line." I said, focusing back on her. "Can't we go somewhere with a smaller one?"

Lindsay just laughed and grabbed me by my arm, leading me towards the front of the line. Ignoring the cries of the over-dressed huddled mass, she waved at the intimidating bouncer. "Hey, Damien. This is my friend, Rachel." She introdced. "Damien" smiled, an emotion much different from his former mask of stone-cold armour.
"Welcome back, kid." Damien replied with a not-so-suprising hoarse voice. The quality of it belonged to someone who smoked quite a lot. He stepped back and waved the way toward the entrance. "Knock 'em dead."

Knock 'em dead? Was Lindsay a singer, like me? I barely had time to process the thought, because the inside of the karaoke bar was a lot different than its exterior. Walking inside, I was transported into the Austin Powers meets Amy Lee dimension. Someone onstage was singing The Virgins' "Rich Girls", which gave the bar more of that that old school vibe. It was nearly impossible to take in, and twice as hard to explain. Although there were psychedelic colours on the walls, the dim lighting and contrast with the furniture brought on the dark appeal of the place. It shouldn't have worked in the slightest, but somehow, it did.

Lindsay led me over to the black marble tabletop counter and grinned, gauging my reaction. "I know, you're wondering how this could ever work as well as it does, right?" she asked. Unable to form words, seeing as how my jaw was currently brushing against the floor in shock, I could only nod. She hopped onto the table, knocking over a glass of something. "I come here just for a stroke to the old ego. I designed the place."

Brow furrowed in confusion, I tilted my head. But before I could ask, she answered with a laugh. "This place is a family operated thing. It's my father's bar, and Damien's my cousin. I, being the insanely fabulous visionary that I am, told my father exactly how to decorate it and what to do with it - karaoke in the open, actual bar in the back." I looked around once more, noticing again how well everything melded together. Virgins' singer was descending the stage while another performer took his place. Behind where we were, there were rows of dimly lit booths with patrons occupying them in ways I needn't have seen, and beyond that, rooms with "Do Not Disturb" signs on the doorknobs.

"I can tell by your incoherent mumblings that you're impressed." She laughed. "Brains and beauty, you know? But I've got much more talent." Without warning, Lindsay jumped down from the countertop, the chains on her black boots swaying as she walked up to the stage. She tapped the performer on her shoulder, smiled, and exchanged a few words. The girl - she looked extremely young; did they card here? - appeared relieved as she climbed down from the stage. Lindsay pressed a few buttons and grabbed the mic as the first few chords of the selected song came out.

"I hold on so nervously
To me and my drink
I wish it was cooling me
But so far, has not been good
It's been shitty
And I feel awkward, as I should
This club has got to be
The most pretentious thing
Since I thought you and me
Well I am imagining
A dark lit place
Or your place or my place

Well I'm not paralyzed
But, I seem to be struck by you
I want to make you move
Because you're standing still
If your body matches
What your eyes can do
You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you

I hold out for one more drink
Before I think
I'm looking too desperately
But so far has not been fun
I should just stay home
If one thing really means one
This club will hopefully
Be closed in three weeks
That would be cool with me
Well I'm still imagining
A dark lit place
Or your place or my place

Well, I'm not paralyzed
But, I seem to be struck by you
I want to make you move
Because you're standing still
If your body matches
What your eyes can do
You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you

Well, I'm not paralyzed
But, I seem to be struck by you
I want to make you move
Because you're standing still
If your body matches
What your eyes can do
You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you

I'm not paralyzed
But, I seem to be struck by you
I want to make you move
Because you're standing still
If your body matches
What your eyes can do
You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you

You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you

You'll probably move right through
Me on my way to you"

Lindsay made the song her own, jumping around the stage and dancing wildly. The whole time she had a great smile on her face and looked like she was having the time of her life. Before the song ended completely, the entire bar, myself included, was giving her a standing ovation. Whether they knew who she was or not, they were definitely an enthused audience. I was a sucker for a good voice, and even with a song like "Paralyser", her obvious talent had shined through.

She made her way over to me, giddy from the response she had gotten. "So, what did you think?" Her eyes gleamed with anticipation as if she had done this to impress me and truly valued my opinion.

I smiled in return, giving her a tight hug. "You were amazing! Is singing what you're at NYADA for?" I asked when I pulled away.

"Do you want anything to drink before we go to one more destination spot?" She asked me, raising her hand to signal the bartender. I shook my head; I'd been uncomfortable with the thought of drinking ever since I heard the news of Finn's accident. Depression threatens to overwhelm my mind, but I head it off by being enthused at Lindsay's new place.

"Where are we going?" I asked her, bouncing with energy in my seat.

She winked and grabbed my hand again, leading me out through the door. Excitement coursed through my veins as we ran and she hailed a cab. I had a feeling my night was only beginning.

• Quinn •

When dinner time rolls around, I'm not permitted to venture outside without at least two guards. It's amuses me that Raven believes that I will try to escape. There's nothing out there in the world for me to run to now.

And yet, while I hunt, there are two of her appointed guards at my side the entire time. Puck is one of them. Occasionally, I have the strongest urge to punch him in the face. Or in his crotch. He always manages to find a way to whisper lewd comments in my ear as I hunt or have his hands "accidentally" touch me. As I stated before, if I could, I'd clock him.

But I'm still on lockdown. I'm not allowed to harm any of the faction of Raven's crew that are loyal to her. I can't even participate in lessons and practice fights. My predatory nature has been stripped down, reduced to a mere memory only permitted to surface during a hunt.

Several slayings later, the three of us make our way back to the house. The other guard - who's name I've never bothered to remember - opens the door for me and I turn my brightest and most insincere smile at him. Immediately I am hit with the sounds of laughter and general celebration.

Music erupts from speakers and coloured lights attack the ceiling. The vampires are either socializing or sitting in corners with humans on their laps. It sounded and smelled like a blood bar in here. Leave it to Raven to do this.

"Baby, there you are." Speak of the devil. Raven appears by my side and kisses me, and I patiently count to ten inside my head while I wait for her to finish. When she pulls away, she stagger back like she's drunk.

"What's going on?" I ask, confused. Everyone is doing something - or someone - and no one's holding back.

"We're celebrating death, my love!" She exclaims, holding up a cup that smelled of blood and vodka. Typical. "Being superior To the humans, having no limits, you name it! Being dead truly gave us life."

Pardon me if I didn't feel like partying. Sadly for me, my second chance at life had been taken away.