Noodle prized her solitude.
Not that she didn't enjoy the company of her bandmates. Quite the opposite, she loved them fiercely. Russel was always there for her when she was having a bad day, cheering her up and distracting her with some other fun activity. She could go to him for anything. 2D was a constant friend, easy to be around when she wanted simple companionship. Noodle would listen to him blather gibberish for hours while she tuned her guitar; it was background noise with a consciousness attached. In the evenings they watched scary movies, which proved terrifying in any language. And Murdoc, well, he made her feel special. Even on his meanest days, when Russel would leave and 2D hole up in his room, Murdoc would still smile that toothy grin and give her a wink. Like they were sharing a secret.
But sometimes it became too much, a constant dull roar filling the house. Everyone bickered, about what, Noodle had some clue most of the time. It frustrated her how little she could do to stop it, and she found that escaping to her room wasn't enough as time went on. So, often, when the other band members were too wrapped up in their own grand dramas to notice, Noodle would slip out.
She suspected it was an old argument this time. Murdoc always had a bone to pick with 2D, and he was the usual instigator. The two were shouting, one in anger, the other in frantic explanation, when Murdoc snatched up the shade-less lamp and brought it down with in blind rage over 2D's head. The physicality of the fights were what drew Russel, and consequently, the strange blue man living in Russel's head. Calling them 'damn fools', antagonizing Murdoc further. More things thrown, more shouting, and eventually a visit from the police from reports of a domestic.
Strolling down the streets beneath the clear blue sky was much nicer, Noodle found. She liked the wideness of the sky above her, limitless. Already so tiny, there weren't many places she found cramped. But the greater and grander, the better.
People often glanced down at her as she swept passed then, arms swinging. She knew how she must look to them, this small, energetic creature dressed in clothes straight from Punk Rock Barbie. She didn't care. Let them think what they think. They had no idea. She often smiled at them, watching their faces flush as they awkwardly returned the gesture.
Today was a swinging sort of day, Noodle felt. She aimed for the local park, a flourishing chapter of deep green within the sleek city. Just one of her many havens, but her favorite.
In the stretch of the afternoon it was flooded with kids. Just the way Noodle liked it. She lost herself in the strange, foreign chattering of high voices calling out to their parents. Claiming a swing after some snotty kid fell and scraped his knee, she pumped her legs and felt alive. Up and down, up and down, the easiest dance in the world. She couldn't hear the shouting anymore, therefore it didn't exist. She was in Noodle World now, and no one fights in Noodle World.
Often on the swings Noodle lost herself in her own thoughts, letting the sun beat down on her face, blood pumping through her veins as she grasped the metal chains. She let the blue sky sweep through her mind like the breeze, feeling the rush in her stomach at every apex. It was a similar rush to performing onstage, but far less complex. In short, bliss.
But there was a shadow in paradise. A tall man with a baseball cap and blue jeans, friendly smile, about thirty. Cold blue eyes and stubble made him into a wolf. Crouching, talking to a little boy in overalls, white teeth flashing, pageant smile.
Mommy talking on her cell, hand in hair, skin grey and lined with stress. Not noticing.
Small hand enveloped in the wolf's ugly claws, leading him out of the park. In the unyielding sun it was nearly impossible to see looming shadows, but Noodle saw all. She pumped harder, gaining pendulum momentum. Waited for the monster to draw closer. His eyes gleamed, believing his prize secured.
She swung so high she feared she'd bump her head on a cloud.
And she launched.
Flying, whistling through the air like a bird, a raven, an angel of justice.
Whipped out a leg, struck the man square in the head. He barely registered the blow before she flipped over in the air and punched him across the face. Knocked out a wolf tooth, sparkling in the sun as it fell. He stumbled back and cursed, red smeared over his lips.
"You fucking bi-!"
Striking like a viper, Noodle jabbed into the soft abdomen with her elbow. With an ugly choke the man doubled over, releasing the boy. By now, they had gathered a lot of attention.
"What's going on?"
"That little girl-"
"Is that his kid?"
"-are her parents? I mean-"
"Charlie? Charlie!" The mother, finally. Searching wildly until she scooped up her small son, who was snotty and crying by now. She stared at the hunched man, putting two and two together.
"Were you trying to abduct my son?!"
The murmurs rose.
"-did she say-"
"One of those sickos-"
"-kidnapping? You think-"
The man staggered forward madly, making a desperate run. Immediately Noodle chased after him like lightning. Lept and snatched the collar of his cheap jacket. Something bought for ninety nine pence, nothing more than a disguise. She yanked back, propelling herself over his head as he hit the ground like they were playing Leap Frog.
There was a sickening crunch as his head bounced on the cement. Landing soft as a cat, Noodle brushed herself off. People were gathered all around, parents, kids, passers-bye, mouths gaping.
She smiled at them.
Two cops jogged up, cuffed the guy, and asked questions. The mother nodded, brushing a stray hair from her face, pointing at Noodle. One laughed, the other raised his brows, but the mother seemed insistent. From the energy in her voice and broad gestures, she was telling one heck of a story. One of the cops approached Noodle. He crouched down and smiled. Not a predator, more like a lazy bear. Like the yellow one that never seemed to wear pants from the stories 2D read. He spoke words, but it was all a generic English buzz. Shaking her head, Noodle gave him the phrases Russel had taught her.
"Saw-ry, I do nawt speak Eng-lish." The 'l' was hard, but with practice she could flip her tongue as good as any Anglophone.
The cop was taken back; he smiled and ruffled her hair. Noodle bristled and swatted his hand away. Her hair was especially reserved for one set of hands.
Neither police officer seemed particularly interested in dragging her down to the station, so she left. A few people beamed at her, one clapped her on the back enthusiastically. She didn't mind that so much.
It was close to four o'clock when she strolled back inside the house. Silence, the quiet before the storm. Unless the storm was already passed, which was hardly likely. Still, a girl could be optimistic once in a while, right?
Passing through the living room in boxers and nothing else, Murdoc did a double take when he saw Noodle at the doorway.
"Oi, you! Where've you been?" He strode towards her, an angry look on his face. "Worried sick, that's what I've been for the past bloody hour! But you don't care, do ya? Naw, you don't give a shit about ol' Murdoc."
She looked down at the floor. It didn't matter what words Murdoc was saying, he was angry. Likely the rage was carried over from 2D, but it still hurt. Stupidly, she felt tears well up in the backs of her eyes.
"Aw, no, c'mon Noodle, don't…"
Biting her lip, Noodling tried to stifle the tears, squeeze them back into the sockets. But wetness tracked down her cheeks, and she knew she was busted. There was a soreness in her throat. Maybe she should have stayed at the park, under the open sky. There was no room in here for all this emotion.
A hand set gently on her shoulder, and she saw Murdoc was eye-to-eye with her. He looked hugely uncomfortable, but his voice was softer.
"I ain't mad at you, I'm not. Just…just stop crying, alright? It's bumming me out."
Noodle took a deep breath. Only kids cry, she was no kid. Rock star, musician, kicker of pedophiles. She was metal, hardcore.
But maybe not right now. Maybe for now she could just pretend like she was a little girl. Only for a little bit, that would be enough.
She gave Murdoc a pretend hug. If she squeezed too hard, it was only because she was trying to make it believable. She guessed it worked, because he pretend-hugged her back.
"It's alright, luv, we fight, but it don't mean nothing. Nothing."
I love you too
With an awkward pat, Murdoc let her go. She smiled at him, feeling lighter already.
Murdoc ruffled her hair. "Now go on, silly monkey."
The weights were lifting.
And she was soaring through the air.
Because being the only girl kid among three loud, gross men had to have been somewhat difficult, right? And who wouldn't have a soft spot for that sweet, dangerous face?
If you liked this chapter, please consider leaving a review, as it lets me know you want more. I'm entirely open to suggestions! Thank you so much for reading!