Chapter 3

Release the blood, let the feeding begin…

Bryn and Tannis followed Kodi around the bustling, festive streets. Bryn felt right at home here, surrounded by people and music parading the air, it was paradise for her. All the while though, the young wolf dingo kept an eye out for the strange thief she'd seen earlier, or at least thought she'd seen.

"So where we goin' first?" Tannis asked.
"Pavel said he'd meet us over at Murphy's. He's grown a bit since you guys saw him last" Kodi answered with a slight grin.
"Bet he's still short as all hell" Tannis snickered.
"It's not his fault. Jacques and Dixie are both small breeds. Don't be critical".

As they approached the bar, Bryn swore she could hear a voice singing in the back, a girl's voice. It was one she didn't know. While Tannis and Kodi chatted with Pavel, a Pomeranian-Scottish Terrier mix, Bryn made her way to the back.

"Whoa…"

There was a big crowd of dogs surrounding a makeshift stage. On the stage was a borzoi, a Rottweiler, a German Shepherd, and what appeared to be a malamute. The borzoi was practically beaming. It'd been her voice Bryn heard.

"Alright, I'm not gonna lie, that was hot, Sirena" the Rottweiler stated, "But let's give you folks what you came here for. Give it up for my man, Vance!".

Vance! Bryn was no on high alert. The malamute stepped up and locked eyes with the borzoi, Sirena. Now that Bryn could see him, he looked like a malamute with faded colors. His eyes, where they would've been brown were clouded over.

"My god…he really is blind!" Bryn thought.
"Sirena, my best girl, wanna start us off?" he asked, his voice low toned and somewhat…seductive…

Sirena smiled and faced the crowd. She started to speak in an almost child-like voice.

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't".

Vance smirked and faced the crowd, beginning his song. "I invite you to a world where there is no such thing as time. And every creature lends themselves to change your state of mind".

The way he moved mesmerized Bryn. He had something fluid and striking in his gait. And his voice, it was dark, but rich like chocolate. How did he learn to sing, Bryn wondered.

"And the girl who chased the rabbit, drank the wine, and took the pill has locked herself in limbo to see how it truly feels…to stand outside your virtue. No one can ever hurt you…or so they say".

Bryn could've sworn he was staring at her. It was like he could see her through the darkness she assumed was his vision. She closed her eyes and felt herself moved by the dark richness of his voice.

"Her name is Alice! She climbs into the window, shapes of shadows! Alice! And even though she's dreaming, she knows".

The other dogs cheered him on. This was what Vance lived for. It was here, in front of a crowd, pouring his very soul into song, he found his paradise.

"Sometimes the curiosity can kill the soul but leave the pain. And every ounce of innocence is left inside her brain".

It was a story Bryn knew. Alice in Wonderland…strange. Why would he choose this particular song, about this particular tale?

"And through the looking glass we see she's painfully returned. But now off with her head I fear is everyone's concern. You see there's no real ending. It's only the beginning. Come out and play".

Vance was in heaven. This was one of his favorite songs and he was proud to finally be performing it. He tried not to get too excited, but his heart was racing, despite his efforts to subtly calm it.

"Her name is Alice! She climbs into the window. Shapes of shadows! Alice! And even though she's dreaming, she's unlocked the meaning for you!".

Meaning? What could that mean? Did this song have a meaning to him? Why was this dog such a mystery? If anything, he seemed more…wolf. It made Bryn wonder if Vance had wolf in him.

"This kingdom…good riddance! Her freedom, and innocence, has brought this whole thing down! Her name is Alice! She climbs into the window, shapes of shadows! Alice! And even though she's dreaming she's unlocked the meaning for you".

Sirena started to sing in a faint voice. "Red knights, white knights marching into a fight. Drink me, shrink me. Fill me to sink me. Red knights, white knights marching into a fight. Drink me, shrink me. Fill me to sink me".
"She's unlocked the meaning for you!" Vance looked over at Sirena who ended the song with that strange child like voice.
"In contrary-wise, what it is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

Silence reigned for a moment…then abundant cheers. Vance smiled proudly. No matter what he sang, he always left a crowd wanting more. But tonight he couldn't do much more. His illness was getting worse, as his heart was still racing and soon enough, a seizure or something close to it was inevitable.

"Thanks guys you're too kind. Murph, let's have someone else take the spotlight".

With that said, Vance headed off the stage feeling light headed and somewhat weak but satisfied. Sirena followed behind him. Bryn watched with utmost curiosity. But now after that performance she felt a little inspired herself. She called out loud enough for Murphy to hear.

"I'll take the stage!"

She didn't notice, but the singing thief stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of her voice. Vance's light headed was replaced with something. Curiosity. He never forgot a voice, but he'd never heard this one before. She must've been a newbie.

"Vance c'mon…what if the cops come?" Sirena tried to get him away.
"Hold on, I wanna see what this little girl can do. Just a few more minutes".
"You're a wreck, Vance! You need to get to my place and get your meds".
"Look, can't I go one night without being drugged up? Besides, we all know it's not doing anything but delaying the inevitable. I just wanna listen. That's all I'm gonna do. I promise".

Sirena sighed in defeat and stood with her friend. He didn't see it, he couldn't, but there was a hint of jealousy in Sirena's eyes and somewhat in her voice too. She feared the worst.

This girl was going to take up her mantle, usurp her as a possible love interest for Vance.

A/N: Okay, before I go any further, I gotta get the disclaimer out of the way. The song featured in this chapter is Her Name is Alice by Shinedown. I heard the song and I absolutely loved it. While it's not really relevant to the story, but I heard it and thought it'd kinda be Vance's theme, along with the song I'm Free by Bryan Adams, but I'm gonna leave that alone. Thanks to all who have reviewed and followed this story so far. Next update should be in a couple days. Oh and Bryn's name is pronounced Brin, and she'd be voiced either by Emilie de Ravin (Belle from Once Upon A Time) or Samantha Barks (Eponine, from Les Miserable) if she could pull off an Australian accent. Vance would be voiced by Vin Diesel, partly because his character was inspired by Riddick, which I went and saw recently (Awesome, AWESOME movie). So I own nothing but ideas and original characters and you all know who they are. Anyway, thanks again. My rant is done