Chapter 11
"What do you mean, we can't see him?" Misty snapped angrily at the nurse.
"I mean," the nurse sighed back impatiently, "That he has treatment today. We're done all we could to keep him alive this long. Just go home and let us do our job."
"The man actually looks like he's dying when you do that 'treatment' on him!" Misty shouted, "At least when we're here with him, it gives him a little life..."
"I'm sorry," the nurse growled, "I'm afraid I have no time for this. I have a patient to attend to."
Without waiting for a reply, she stormed off, leaving Misty to glare after her. In a fit of her own petty revenge, Misty cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Hide your children!!" she cried, "That woman's a child molester and murderer!!! And she's out for your children's bodies and blood!!!"
Not only did this cause an uproar amongst the staff and parents, she also woke the babies in the maternity wing and made a few of the children in the waiting room start crying. Satisfied, Misty whipped around and stormed out of the hospital. The band mates and even Lynx stared after her in horror before running after her. Had she really just done that?! They found her sitting on the pavement with her back against the van while she wept into her knees.
"It's not fair!!" she cried, "Bill doesn't have much longer!! They should let me spend all of his remaining time with him!!!"
The band mates glanced at Lynx, figuring he'd know what to do.
"Sorry, guys, I don' know how to calm her down when she gets like this..." he sighed.
The others shared a look of despair before they huddled around Misty and knelt down.
"It's alright, love," Johnny whispered, rubbing her back soothingly.
"Yeah," Teddy smiled bashfully, "I mean, we're all still here for ya...and we'll make sure you get to see 'im tomorrow..."
"And the next day, and the day after that..." Jimmy listed.
Misty glanced up at them all.
"Please don't cry..." Gregory mumbled as he hugged her from the side and as he lay his head on her shoulder.
He glanced at her as he sent her his next words in his mind.
'What happened to the girl who stood up to my father that night in the cemetery?' he asked softly, 'And who wasted no time in beating Rookery senseless when she had the chance...? And who forgave me for biting her best friend?'
She smiled a little and edged a little closer to him.
"You're right..." she forced a laugh, "You're all right."
They pulled away as she pushed herself back to her feet.
"What am I doing cryin' and whatnot?" she grinned, as she brushed herself off.
"Yeah, cheer up!" Teddy giggled, "You get to come to my house tonight for our practice!"
"Then let's go!" Misty laughed.
--
"After our blood, freezes the flood...
All through the night and gifted with sight-
To see in the darkThey can see in the dark
You know they can fly, can fly oh so high
Live under the earth and gifted from birth
To see in the dark...(Vampires...)
They can see in the dark (Vampires...)
Vampires...vampires...
They can see in the dark
They can see in the dark
All through the night and gifted with sight
Vampires..."
Misty smiled as she listened to the band playing their song 'They Can See in the Dark'. Gregory's voice was actually very soft here. There was a certain way he sang that soothed her. He sang in a haunting tone. With each 'vampires' that he'd sing and that the others would echo, he would hold the note almost monotonously, but in a way that sounded haunting and hypnotic against the strum of a guitar. She smiled as she continued to sketch him.
"After our blood, freezes the flood
With dangers at hand cry out through the land
They can see in the dark (vampires can)
They can see in the dark (vampires can)
Vampires...vampires...
They can see in the dark
They can see in the dark
With dangers at hand cry out through the land
Vampires...! Vampires..."
A shiver raced down Misty's spine as she glanced at him. His eyes were closed as he let himself sway to the music. After a moment, the music grew quiet and he stepped back up to the microphone and began to sing slower.
"You know they can fly
Can fly oh so high
If you see one tonight
Don't put up a fight...
Make peace while you can"
There was almost a pause.
"Make a friend if you dare...
A friend who can fly
Can fly oh so high
And see in the dark
And live under the earth"
He slowly opened his eyes.
"Make a friend if you can
Of vampires
Vampires, vampires, vampires...!
Vampires can
They can see in the dark!"
Misty grinned and clapped earnestly.
"That was great," Lynx laughed, clapping as well, "You guys are great!"
"We know," Jimmy smirked back.
"So, Jimmy," Misty laughed, closing her sketchbook and glancing at him, "I noticed Liv was real sweet on ya..."
Jimmy grimaced.
"Ugh...don't remind me..." he grumbled.
The others laughed a little; sans Gregory, who was having his sheep problems as well.
"Yeah, Liv and Jules are practically obsessed with Jim and Greg..." Johnny laughed.
"Watch it, Alucard!" Jimmy snapped, "They loved you at a time as well!"
Johnny shook his head with a laugh. Like in the Sackville-Bagg home, they were in the basement. Teddy had a lot of older brothers--the goth in question was the youngest.--most of whom were either in college or in the higher grades. The basement was also Teddy's bedroom. He had very many band posters around his walls and goth and metal CDs scattered around the floor. The lights were dim and some even had black lights screwed into place to add an eerie tone. He had regular beanbag chairs littered around here and there as well. There were a few articles of clothing lying around as well, but nothing too 'embarrassing'. Teddy had seemed very flustered when they came down. Unconsciously, Misty had taken a peak into his mind and had seen that he was really nervous. She didn't pry too far, but she surmised at least that he was nervous about having a girl in his bedroom. Two of his brothers who were home had poked fun at him for bringing home all of his 'gay friends' again. Misty had merely rolled her eyes and cut off the Playstation video game they'd been playing with her mind, earning a long scream from the two. To the band's enjoyment, the two then began fighting over who'd been winning when the game cut off. After offering a murmured 'thank you', Teddy had lead them to the basement.
"So, Teddy, how many brothers do you have?" Misty asked, as the band mates set to take a break.
"Five," Teddy sighed back, "Two of 'em are in college now, two are in Johnny's grade and then the last is in your guys' grade."
"And in what grade were the two brainiacs in your living room?" she asked.
"They're both seniors..." Teddy replied.
"I can't imagine having so many brothers..." Lynx sighed.
"I can..." Gregory mumbled, "Not brothers...but siblings..."
"Whatchoo mean?" Lynx asked.
"Lesse..." he sighed, ready to count on his fingers, "I've already got Anna and Rudolph...then I've also got you, Tony and Misty living with me. That's five others living in my house. You're all like family anyway...so it's like I've got five siblings..."
Lynx took a moment to absorb that before nodding.
"Yeah," he nodded, "I guess that makes sense..."
Misty smiled a little and lay back slightly in the beanbag chair she was sitting in. She stared up at the manilla-colored ceiling. She felt tired. Rather, she felt drained. She winced and held a hand to her forehead.
'So damn beautiful...' '-one so pretty would never like me...' '...what is that...? I don't remember havin' mustard today...' '...wish I could tell her...how much I love...' '...such a brat...' '...a small kiss?...'
"Misty, you alright?" Johnny asked in his deep voice as he hovered over her a little.
She opened her eyes a little too look up into his upside-down face.
"I'm fine..." she sighed, sitting up, "I got a bit of a headache, though...I'll just go grab some aspirin...I have some in my bag in the car...I'll be right back..."
She stood and walked over to the stairs. Once she was out of earshot, Gregory turned to the boys.
"I'll be back too," he sighed, "I need to use the restroom."
The others rolled their eyes before nodding. Gregory walked swiftly up the stairs. He and the others knew well that there was a bathroom in the basement, but they also knew that Gregory had a thing for her. They couldn't deny that they felt the same--save for Lynx of course--but they had more respect for each other and their feelings. Unlike most men, they share a lot with each other. If they didn't, they wouldn't be able to connect as easily as they do on stage. They are aware of how the other is feeling and when and will choose songs and performances based on that. While the other band mates and Lynx talked about the musical at school, Gregory had found Misty siting in the van outside with the door open. She was laying back with her eyes closed and her feet hanging out the door.
"Yes, Gregory?" she asked as he approached.
"You alright...?" he asked, cocking his brow.
Misty sighed and sat up; glancing at him after opening her eyes.
"I think it's getting worse...that 'affliction'..." she explained, "It's not even at night anymore. I'm hearing thoughts all over the place..."
Gregory shifted uncomfortably as he climbed into the van as well and sat behind her. With a small splash of pink on his cheeks, he embraced her, pulling her ear to his chest. Misty glanced at him curiously.
"What the hell are you doing...?" she asked.
"I saw it in one of Anna's movies..." Gregory grumbled back, "Look, if you don't want to listen to those voices, then listen to my heartbeat...that might help..."
Misty smiled a little and started laughing. It was a foolish idea, but it was sweet. To humor him, she hugged him back and closed her eyes to focus on his heartbeat. She was somewhat surprised when she found the voices dwindling until they were low whispers. Glancing at him and pulling away, she couldn't help but break out in hysterical laughter.
"What?" Gregory laughed.
"I never would've guessed in a million years that that would've worked," she cackled back, "It's a little ridiculous, but I'm real grateful...Thanks, Gregory..."
He shrugged with a laugh.
"Glad to help..." he sighed.
She hopped down from the back seat and turned to him.
"Well, we best get back to the others..." she feigned a sigh, "The others won't know what to do..."
"You sure you're alright...?" Gregory asked, concerned, "I'm sure Johnny wouldn't mind taking you home if you need to go rest..."
"Nah, I feel great," she grinned, "Come on."
Gregory shrugged, but followed her anyway, his hands fisted in his pockets. He winced a little and hurried inside. His skin was starting to get warm. It wasn't a particularly sunny day, but it was enough to hurt a light-sensitive creature of the night. He was sure some of his skin must look burnt, but he'd play it off as a sensitivity to light to the others. The whole school was under the impression that he actually had a sensitivity to ultra-violet light, and medical cases about this very subject helped back this up. The band thought it was cool, that even nature wanted Gregory to look like a vampire. If they only knew? Misty eyed Gregory curiously.
"You alright, Greg?" she asked, furrowing her brow.
Gregory nodded.
"Mum and dad didn't want to tell you guys, but we went to the doctor earlier this year and found out I'm actually a little allergic to the sun," he lied, "I use sunscreen and that's abel to protect me a little from the UV rays, but otherwise, it's bad for me to be out in the sun as well..."
"That's too bad..." Misty frowned, "But hey, at least you and I can hang out when the others want to go hang around in the sunlight...not that I imagine this will be soon..."
Gregory nodded with a laugh. He hated lying to Misty--especially since he had to completely focus on the lie and not contradict himself in his mind--but he knew he couldn't tell her. It'd drive her away. He was on thin ice with her as it was; he couldn't let her find out.
"Oi, Dalv," Teddy whined when they reached the basement again, "What took ya?"
"Yeah, we coulda swore you'd fallen in..." Jimmy scoffed.
Gregory rolled his eyes and Misty shook her head.
"So, guys, what are you gonna sing next?" she asked, "My headache's gone, so I'm ready for anything."
"Well, we were hoping you might sing something for us again..." Teddy answered sheepishly.
"Sure," Misty nodded, "Any requests? It's Teddy's house, so I figure he can pick..."
"Really?" Teddy gasped excitedly.
"Sure," Johnny shrugged.
"Okay...um..." Teddy began before jumping up and running to a stack of CDs in the room.
He looked through the albums and snapped his fingers before turning to her again.
"Could...Could you maybe sing 'All Around Me', by Flyleaf?" he asked, blushing cutely.
Misty stood in thought for a moment, thinking about the lyrics before nodding.
"Yeah," she nodded, "I think I remember all the words...But can you guys play it? I'm really surprised you know any Flyleaf songs?"
"Well, we just pick 'em up real easy..." Johnny grinned.
Misty shrugged as she walked over to the mic stand. The boys grabbed their instruments as Gregory and Lynx sat down to watch. After a moment, they began playing. On her cue, Misty began.
"My hands are searching for you
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you"
She paused a moment as she collected her thoughts for the next part of the verse.
"This fire rising through my being
Burning, I'm not used to seeing you"
A short interlude followed before she reached the beginning of the chorus.
"I'm alive, I'm alive!
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing"
Lynx glanced at Gregory, who was watching Misty carefully. The tan-haired boy chuckled a little before nudging him slightly. Gregory glanced at him. Lynx cocked an eyebrow at him, which earned a dark blush.
"My hands float up above me
And you whisper you love me
And I begin to fade
Into our secret place
The music makes me sway
The angels singing say we are alone with you
I am alone and they are too with you"
Gregory sighed and looked back at Misty, entranced as he usually was.
"I'm alive, I'm alive!
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing"
Her voice became soft as she sang the next verse. Lynx, meanwhile, had stood and was walking over to Teddy's impressive stereo system. He grinned widely and retrieved a CD from his bag. He also retrieved his headphones as he placed the CD into the system.
"And so I cry
The light is white
And I see you..."
She smiled as the music began to build again.
"I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive...!
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Take my hand
I give it to you
Now you own me, all I am
You said you would never leave me
I believe you
I believe...
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding on to what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healed"
She jumped as Lynx inadvertently let his CD start at one of the loudest volumes possible.
"Work it
Make it
Do it
Makes Us
Harder
Better
Faster
Stronger"
He turned to them after hurriedly shutting off the music and laughed nervously. The others glared at him angrily as they fought to regain their hearing.
"That sounded familiar..." Johnny sighed, breaking the sudden silence, "What was the song?"
"'Stronger'...by Kanye West..." Lynx mumbled.
"I didn't know you two liked rap..." Jimmy commented.
"Usually, we don't," Misty sighed, "We like techno music, like Daft Punk and that song has some Daft Punk in it...In fact they perform the opening and do that 'Harder, better, faster, stronger thing all through the song...so we usually make that song an exception. We do the same for most Gorillaz songs as well..."
"Ah..." Jimmy nodded.
"So, before Lynx blows out our eardrums again, were you guys gonna sing anything else?" Misty asked, casting a glare at Lynx.
"If Dalv is up to it..." Jimmy shrugged, "We did have one we wanted to do..."
"Which one's that...?" Gregory sighed.
"'Death of Me,' by Red...?" Johnny answered for him.
"Ooh!!" Misty cackled, "Good song!!"
Gregory shrugged.
"I guess we could play it...but then we have to get home..." he sighed, "Mum'll flip if we're late for dinner..."
"I hear that," Johnny laughed, "Shall we then?"
Gregory nodded and stood up to the mic, taking a few deep breaths while Misty sat down. The music began and Gregory stood waiting for the short time he had to.
"I should have seen those signs all around me
But I was comfortable inside these wounds
So go ahead and take another piece of me, now
While we all bow down to you"
Misty rocked from side to side as she sang along with the chorus.
"You tear me down
And then you pick me up
You take it all
And still it's not enough
You try to tell me
You can heal me
But I'm still bleeding
And you'll be the death of me"
Gregory smiled at her as he continued.
"How can you end my affliction
If you're the sickness and I'm the cure?
Too long I've faked this addiction
Another sacrifice to make us pure"
Again, Misty sang along, albeit much quieter with the lyrics.
"You tear me down
And then you pick me up
You take it all
And still it's not enough
You try to tell me
You can heal me
But I'm still bleeding
And you'll be the death of me
You tear me down
And then you pick me up
You take it all
And still it's not enough
You try to tell me
You can heal me
But I'm still bleeding
And you'll be the death of me"
Gregory's voice dropped to a whisper for the bridge, getting louder here and there when needed.
"I won't forget
I cannot forget this
I won't forget
I'll never forget this
I won't forget
I cannot forget this
I won't forget
I'll never forget this
I won't forget
I cannot forget this
I won't forget
I'll never forget this
I won't forget
I cannot forget this
I won't forget
I'll never forget"
He rubbed his throat a little after the screaming as he sang the bridge.
"You know I can never prove this solution
You aren't the one that I thought you were
And so I learn to embrace this illusion
The line that separates
It starts to blur
You tear me down
And then you pick me up
You take it all
And say it's not enough
You try to tell me
You can heal me
But I'm still bleeding
And you'll be the death of me
And you'll be the death of me
I will not forget
I cannot forget this
And you'll be the death of me!"
The others harmonized a little at the end as the music began to fade before they stopped. Misty cheered as Gregory grabbed a bottle of water and drank a few gulps. He enjoyed this music, but it was hell on his voice. He was almost always hoarse the next day after a concert and could barely speak. He didn't mind, though, most of the time...Misty checked her watch before jumping a little.
"Woah! I'm sorry, Teddy, but we've gotta get home..." she sighed as she collected her things.
"It's okay, I understand..." Teddy laughed as he helped his band mates pack up what they needed, "Tomorrow, we'll be at Johnny's house, right?"
The bassist shook his head.
"Sorry, guys, my grandma came the other day and she hates the loud noises..." he sighed, "She'll be headin' off this weekend, but for this week, I can't have practice at my place...You know how it is..."
"We can have practice at my house again if that's the case..." Gregory shrugged, "Mum loves seein' you guys and I really don't mind..."
"We'll do that then," Johnny smiled.
"Actually, lets' have it at the Thompson house," Misty suggested, "I think I'd like to go home tomorrow night--it's gettin' late today, so why not have it there."
"Yeah!!" Lynx cheered, "Wait till you guys see her room!! That's where you'll have your practice. Completely soundproof and so cool!!!"
"That sounds great!" Teddy cheered, "Let's do that!!"
"Alright..." Johnny sighed playfully, "You've twisted my arm...We'll have practice at the Thompson house."
"Yay!!" Lynx cheered before running up the stairs, "I call shotgun this time!!!!"
The others shook their heads as Teddy escorted them up the stairs and to the van.
A/N: Phew!! That one took a while...Ugh...but I have a good excuse...My college classes are kicking my butt...I'm so wiped out most days...but I'm still gonna update for all my loyal fans!! (XD That's so cool!! I have fans!!!) And I'll get out as many chapters as I can as often as I can.
Well, I don't own the songs in this chappy...um...I'm sorry if some of you thought that was a little too harsh for Misty to do at the beginning of the chapter, but she's pissed off and she's devious when she wants to be...;D
