Chapter Three
Addictions
A large stage had been erected up near the edge of West Langley Lake, situated between the triangle of Eastbourne, Polegate, and Westham. It was a simple stage – nothing too fancy – built by a local garage. Two scaffolds extended on either side of the stage while the floor was metal with a rubber coating. Four large spotlights hung on a metal beam above the stage, while a number of smaller lights extended across the edge of the flooring.
A makeshift backstage area had been set up behind the main stage, made up of tarpaulins stretched out to look like a large tent. Inside was full of boxes, technical equipment and a small team of men and women making sure everything was in fine condition for the upcoming performance.
In an offshoot tent four people were sat around a table in silence, psyching themselves up to get on stage. They were the Miracle Skyhawks, a band who were close to breaking out had it not been for the untimely death of their prospective manager and not soon after their lead singer, Kingsley. With that chance lost they could only stay in Eastbourne and grew to local celebrity status. Their concerts had been permitted by the council as long as it was held in the afternoon and didn't promote drinking or partying or any other illicit activities.
"There seems like more than usual today," Murphy said as he leaned back in his seat, the most relaxed of the four. With his luxurious black locks that cascaded down his back and his bad boy persona, Murphy was popular with both girls and boys alike.
"Good… The more crowd the more chance for another promoter to see us…" Jade Skysong's long jet-black hair had been tied into a tight ponytail that reached down to her belt. Three beads had been tied into a strand of hair near the top of the ponytail, a tribute to one of her musical heroes and worldwide icons – the Enigma, Bridge.
"I'm just ready to have fun!" Sticks tapped his drumsticks against the table lightly, grinning like a gleeful puppy. Those circular sunglasses of his were covering his eyes as always and his tall spiked Mohawk always drew the attention of fans as it tended to change colour every week.
"It's not about fun," Jade shot back. "We need to break out of this place. We're drowning down here."
"That doesn't mean we need to lose sight of who we are," Bethany Cross sat with her arms folded, looking at Jade with a disapproving look. "The Miracle Skyhawks were always about having a good time."
"It'll be a good time when we get to play in front of thousands of people who've come from all over the world." Jade responded sharply. Despite being the newest member of the band, Jade wasn't afraid to say her opinions and voice her concerns.
"I appreciate you're aspirations for the band, Jade," Bethany stood up and picked up a black leather jacket from the back of her chair. All four of the band members were wearing a matching black leather ensemble. Sticks had torn off the sleeves of his jacket and Murphy's had a number of autographs spread over it from the musical legends he had met. Bethany zipped her jacket up and looked to Jade. Jade just sighed and pulled on her own slightly large jacket that once belonged to Kingsley. Emblazoned across the backs of these jackets was silver-studded text: 'The Miracle Skyhawks.' "But remember, Jade. You're in college. You don't need to rush."
"I'd quit in a heartbeat if we got the chance to get out. You guys know that," Jade shook her head. "Do you know how frustrating it is, being nearly six years younger than you? I want my voice heard around the world."
"We'll get there," Murphy smiled. "But there's no rush."
"Whether it's one or one thousand, people'll hear what you have to say," Sticks stood up and clapped Jade on the back. "Let's get that voice out there for the people waiting for us."
"Alright, enough chatting. Let's go." Bethany, the self-proclaimed leader of the band, started walking to the steps that lead up on stage. She had picked up her bass guitar and slung it over her back. It was a wonderful guitar that had been with Bethany's family for nearly two generations. Murphy held his own electric guitar, holding it like a lover would their partner.
The four members of The Miracle Skyhawks walked as one up the stairs and through the rubber flaps that lead to the stage.
As soon as Bethany's foot hit the floor and the crowd saw her, they erupted with cheers. It seemed like nearly all of Eastbourne had turned out for this one. As usual it looked like there were a lot more younger people than old, but that was to be expected. Ever since Jade had joined she had brought over a whole new demographic – something Bethany felt was sorely needed. She, Sticks, and Murphy had only been getting older. Jade was the new blood that was very much appreciated.
"EASTBOURNE!" Jade's voice rang out as she grabbed the microphone from the stand at the front of the stage. Her voice echoed over the crowd and only fuelled the cheers. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!? I CAN BARELY HEAR YOU!"
This proved effective as the crowd roared back at Jade. Jade grinned – a lioness among her kingdom – and stepped forwards. "That's more like it! I want London to hear you roar!" Another massive cheer shot up and Jade soaked it all in. She may have been only seventeen but a crowd like this made her feel like a superstar. For this performance, she could forget about the fact that they hadn't been able to break out of Eastbourne and just live for the music.
Jade swung around and pointed to Sticks, who had taken his seat at the drums. "Let's hear it for our man, Sticks!" The crowd erupted again.
One shrill voice near the front shouted out over the noise, "STICKS, YOU ASSHOLE! YOU STOOD ME UP!"
Sticks just raised an apologetic hand and shrugged, causing a wave of laughter to roll over the crowd. Sticks was known throughout Eastbourne as getting it on with nearly everyone he met – provided they were hot and overage. Gender didn't matter to him, as Sticks would always be proud to admit. "Next time, love! I promise!" Sticks called out.
"And let's get one for Murphy!"
Murphy raised up a hand and accepted the cheers of the crowd – the female cheers most prominent. He looked like a superstar already and stood like the stage belonged to him. A lot of newspapers had said that he was going to be the next Bridge – though Murphy was always quick to answer than he wasn't the next anyone, he was the first Murphy.
"One more time for Bethany!"
Bethany stepped forward and thrust her fist to the cheers, her smirk prominent on her face. Bethany may have loved this business more than anyone. She had worked her whole life to make a band that would make it and though she wouldn't admit it, losing that chance to break out four years before had hurt her. Losing Kingsley had hurt her even more.
Jade took a deep breath. "Enough of that! Time for talking is over! LET'S GET THIS MUSIC GOING!" With that final roar, the crowd erupted one more time before The Miracle Skyhawks started their always impressive performance.
The clink of the penny made Daniel Gecko nod at the passer-by as it landed in the proffered hat. Daniel sat with his back against one wall, legs spread out in front of him. He was dressed in near-rags – a jumper that was too large for him and had numerous holes and a pair of khakis that looked nearly ten years old. Grime covered his face and his hair was knotted and tangled. A cardboard sign leaned against the wall next to him, reading:- 'PENNY FOR A WAR VETERAN?'
It was proving effective if the weight of the hat was anything to go by. Daniel took a handful of coins and saw a number of shiny pound coins. Just what he wanted.
"Here you go," another man placed a rolled up note in Daniel's hat. "I hope you can get enough to sort yourself out,"
"Thanks…" Daniel replied gruffly.
"You know… My father died in Iraq. Was that where you were?" The man smiled, his respect clear across his face.
Daniel sniggered. "Fuck if I know," With that, he hopped up to his feet and pushed the hat of money under his jacket. "Thanks for your patronage," With an exaggerated bow, Daniel quickly walked away from the man, shrugging his jacket tighter around him.
His arms were starting to shake again, his fingers twitching, sweat dripping down his forehead. Thank God he had managed to get enough to treat it. With the confidence of a man who knew the inner depths of Eastbourne, Daniel turned into a dark alley and descended down some steps. He opened a door and made his way through what looked to be some kind of maintenance room before opening another door and coming out into another alley.
Daniel looked around for a moment before continuing down the back-alley until he came out onto another sidewalk. He walked for a while, limping on his left foot as he went.
Finally he entered into a maintenance yard for the nearby train station. A couple of old husks sat on the rails and piles of lumber had been stacked around, proving suitable cover. Daniel moved through the gate without any hesitation and moved through the maze of old trains and lumber.
He stopped in front of an old body of a train and tapped twice on the door with his knuckle. He could smell that familiar acrid smell from inside and when the door opened, it invaded his nostrils like a punch to the face.
"Gecko?" The man who stood at the door looked as bedraggled as Daniel did, with a full tangled beard and long greasy hair. "I told you not to get here." In his left hand the man held what looked to be an old piece of pipe. "Shall I get the right leg to match the left?"
"Lou… I got the money…" Daniel desperately pulled out the hat and practically threw it down onto the train chassis floor. A couple of coins bounced out and rolled towards Lou's feet. Lou bent down to pick one of the coins up and peered at it with wild eyes.
"Mmm… I suppose this will do." Lou picked up the hat and turned around to place it on a shelf. Daniel caught sight of the fire inside the container. Some kind of glass beaker had been placed on top of it and a faint green smoke was rising up – the source of the acrid smell. It was being filtered through a man-made pipe that let the smoke dissipate into the air outside the train. "Come back tomorrow. I'll have the stuff."
"…Tomorrow?!" Daniel's eyes widened in desperation. "No, no, I need it today – I need it now!"
"Excuse me?" Lou's eyes flashed dangerously. He tapped the pipe against his leg in a threatening gesture.
"Look… You're cooking it, I can see it… I-I-I'll wait, I'll wait just… I need it… Don't screw me, Lou… Please…"
Lou just sneered and pulled the freighter door shut, slamming it in Daniel's face.
"...Hah…" Daniel staggered backwards and held his right arm tightly. It was shaking out of control, pain running up and down. "…Hah… Hah…" A flash of pain hit Daniel in that familiar spot at the back of his skull. He clutched it in pain and felt red run over his eyes. "…Lou… Lou is an asshole… He doesn't treat you right… Do by him and he screws you… Know better… You should know better… Hah… Fuck him… fuck him, fuck him, fuckhimfuckhimfuckhim… FUCK YOU!" Daniel slammed his palms against the door of the train but there was no response as Lou was no doubt counting the money that Daniel had just earned.
Without a second thought and with that red haze in his mind Daniel looked around and found exactly what he was hoping to find. He hoisted the broken piece of track up onto his shoulder with surprising strength and grunted as he slipped it over the handle of the container, jamming it into the floor so the door couldn't be opened. With that down, Daniel obeyed the voices in the back of his head to head over to the other side of the container where the acrid smoke was coming out of the pipe.
The smoke was a concoction of Lou's – a reaction from his homemade drug. The smoke wasn't that bad if caught second-hand; only a light buzzing and a faint headache. But if inhaled into the lungs for an extended period of time, it was lethal. Daniel tore off his jacket and clumped it into a ball in his hands. Sweat was running down his face, dripping to the gravel below him. He stuffed the jacket into the pipe; pushing it in as far as it would go. Just as he wanted the smoke stopped coming out.
"…Hahha… That'll teach you… Lou… Screw me, why don't you… Hah…" Daniel made his way over to the door of the container again and put his ear against the door. It didn't take long until he heard coughing. The coughing grew worse before something heavy slammed against the door.
"Gecko! What… What did you… do…?!" Every word was interrupted by vicious coughs. The door rattled but the blockage held true. "Gecko… Geck—Daniel… Dan… I'll give you the stuff I… I'll give you your money, just let me out… GECKO!"
"Haha… hahaha…" Daniel clutched at his skull as he watched the door shake weakly. Lou had started crying judging by the sobs that were interrupted by thick coughing. Then the noise went silent and there was a thump as something hit the floor. "All mine… Mine… My money… My drugs… mine, mine, mine, mine!"
