Alex heaved, doubling over as he came to a stop outside the train station. As soon as he felt someone grab hold of him, he had sprinted straight out of there, much to the protests of the ticket guards. A fine in the mail was a small price to pay for safety. His chest burned as he leant backwards, gulping in the air as his lungs shrivelled like prunes. Slumping back against the fence behind him, he checked his phone. No sign of Corinne and she hadn't messaged. He could see the entrance of the train station from where he was, and she hadn't come out yet.
"In trouble?"
Alex jumped, swivelling on his heels and nearly falling over only to be greeted by the sight of his feline partner.
Felismon leapt from the fence, landing on his shoulder and curled around the back of his already warm neck. "It's lucky I followed you and Blondie; you're always needing my help." She purred, her tail swishing and then looked around. "Where is she?"
Alex glanced around, nervous about being seen to be talking to a cat, or worse, if someone noticed he had a Digimon out in public it was a breach of The First Law. "I'm not sure."
"Why are you running? A sale on hair gel?" Felismon's whiskers tickled his cheek.
"Someone was chasing us." The sweat pooled on his forehead and he wiped it away with his sleeve, exhaling deeply.
"I gathered that." Felismon dug a claw lightly into his chest. "Let's get going. I'll simply incinerate any further pursuers."
"I've told you before. You cannot kill people." Every time he saw these flashes of brutality in Felismon it reminded them of how different she was when they first met.
"A light charring perhaps?" Felismon teased, releasing her paw. "Let's go to the concert and get me some fish."
Alex sighed. "I don't think they'll have fish."
Felismon leaned her head against him and closed her eyes. "Not my problem."
Reluctantly, Alex walked away, glancing over his shoulder as he typed a message to Corinne.
I hope you're safe. Get in touch soon. Meet at the concert x
~.~.~
Corinne was firmly placed onto a wooden chair as they entered, the door locking with a click behind them. He walked across the small room, which had screens showing various angles of the station against the wall ahead, and then turned to face her. Loosening his navy tie, as if he was some cool teacher trying to connect with her, he asked, "So, do you like animals?"
"No, I don't." Corinne tried to smile, to pretend this wasn't terrifyingly creepy. This man was definitely unhinged to say the least.
He pouted, pulling his radio off his black belt and playing with the antenna. Looking at her he smirked. "Not even puppies?"
Corinne snatched a glance to her right to see there was nothing but a mop bucket and a wet floor sign. "I'm partial to a puppy." She just had to remain calm.
Twisting the radio off, he placed it on the long steel desk behind and then turned around. "You've met RODAF before, haven't you?" His eyes narrowed on her and he walked slowly forwards.
Corinne rolled her eyes in a mock protest. "Yes, of course I have," she said sarcastically.
He smirked. "That's okay. If you don't want to chat, I can do the talking." He stepped closer again and leaned in, his lips almost touching her ear. The feel of his breath against her made all her hairs stand on end. "You're not leaving here alive."
Corinne lunged for him, panicking, but he backed away. Twisting, she fumbled with the door, trying to escape but in a flurry of movement her arms were forced behind her back and cuffed together. His large firm hands pushed her back into the chair where he zip-tied her ankles to the legs, rooting her to the chair.
Stepping back, he pulled off his blue conductors' hat, revealing a head that had been shaved bald and a scar that ran from his forehead up and across his head to behind his ear. "Don't bother screaming. There's no one else down here." Removing the navy waistcoat, he tossed it into the corner.
"I wasn't going to," Corinne retorted firmly, looking around for any kind of escape. She struggled against the handcuffs, but they weren't going to break. "What is it you want?"
He smirked, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt. When he was done his eyes struck her like knives with their ferocity. "Where can I find Tyler Remmie?"
Corinne's heart quickened and she felt her façade slip, revealing the panicked expression.
"So, you know him." He reached behind his back and withdrew a knife. Lazily, he tossed it into the air but as the blade fell back down, he caught it and threw it at her in one swift movement. The blade grazed her cheek, embedding firmly in the wall behind her with a twang of the blade.
"All that bark and you've got no bite." He walked towards her purposefully. "Want to share where he is?"
"Untie me and I'll show you my bite," she growled defiantly. All she needed was one chance and she could be out that door. When she had reached it just then she had twisted the lock open. All that was left was the handle and then running as fast as she could.
"Feisty." He leaned into her. "I like it."
Corinne swung her head at him, but he dodged to the side, tugging his knife free and stepping back to face her while tapping the blade against his outstretched palm.
"What do you want?"
He smirked. "Now are we ready to talk?"
"We'll see." She glared at him, trying to remain defiant. There had to be some way she could escape. The zip ties around her ankles would slip over the chair legs if she could lift the chair. Testing the movement, she rocked back slightly but it was too obvious. "It depends what you want."
"I already told you. Tell me where your leader is and all I'll keep is a fingertip of yours. Maybe the full finger. I haven't quite decided yet." His jet-black eyes seemed to light up at the prospect of inflicting pain. He twizzled the blade against his own index fingertip, almost playfully.
"Tempting but I'd rather keep the finger." Corinne rocked again, almost freeing her ankles.
He slammed his hands on her shoulders, pinning her to the ground. "Tell me where he is, or I'll start cutting. I've got a bit of a deadline and, well, to be honest I quite enjoy the cutting part more than the talking." His arms were almost as hairy as a bear, which matched the fierce strength he was exerting on her shoulder. Beneath the thick black hair, she noticed several tattoos – one of which she knew was a gang tattoo – and began to realise just how serious this man was.
Corinne felt the sweat pool in uncomfortable places as the panic set in. No one was coming and he had her trapped. "I'll tell you!"
He stepped back, his toothy grin quickly forming from ear to ear. "And the hummingbird sings."
In the corner of her eye, Corinne spotted something moving. Lummon. She had no idea how the Digimon had got in here but did her best to contain the elation she felt at seeing her friend here. "I think it's time we cut this short."
"My thoughts exactly." He twirled the knife between his fingers as if it were a coin and he was a cheap magician. "Start with Tyler and then tell me about the others."
Lummon padded down onto the desk, making a soft thud.
The man turned to look and staggered back. "What?"
Lummon unleashed a reverberating roar, yellow rings emitting from her maw until they made contact with the man and knocked him completely unconscious. Looking up at the singular bare lightbulb on the ceiling Lummon's eyes sparkled.
Corinne kicked backwards freeing her ankles and leaned forwards, pulling her arms off the back of the chair to stumble to her knees in front of Lummon. Bending her neck down over her partner, she nuzzled the little lion cub into her chest.
Lummon nuzzled her back. "Why are you here?"
"Can you free me, sweetie?" Corinne asked, leaning back up and turning around.
"Nibble!" Lummon's sharp teeth tore through the handcuffs, allowing them to fall to pieces behind her.
Rubbing her wrists, sore from straining against the restraint, Corinne looked down at the man with more than a little contempt. Resisting the urge to do anything to him, she plucked her phone from her pocket. "The Resistance is back – with or without Tyler's permission." She typed up a group text demanding a meet-up and hit send. "If we don't protect ourselves then they'll pick us off one by one. Whoever they are." Her phone pinged and she saw Alex's reply asking where she was. Cursing, she picked up Lummon into her arms and ran out of the room. Hopefully she would make it in time.
~.~.~
Corinne's heart leapt almost out of her chest in elation as she saw the concert doors ahead. There was a queue of people and a bouncer who was slowly going through the tickets. Running up, Corinne tried to slip past him but was quickly stopped.
"No ticket, no entry." The bouncer's eyes were obfuscated by black sunglasses as he looked down at her, arm outstretched.
"My friend has my ticket. We have backstage passes. I literally know Ellie."
"Sure you do," a girl from behind mocked, her friends giggling. "Get to the back."
Corinne sighed. "I'm telling the truth."
The bouncer removed his sunglasses. "No ticket. No entry."
Corinne's phone vibrated in her pocket and then she realised that she could just ask them to come out and prove she wasn't some crazy fan. Pulling it out, she began to type her message. "Just give me a second."
"There's no tickets left online, idiot," the girl from earlier quipped, sniggering at her own joke.
Her phone pinged almost as soon as she had sent the message and then Alex called her. "Alex, put Ellie on the phone."
"Such a poser." The girl laughed.
Corinne held out the phone to the bouncer.
"Look, miss, I don't care who you have pretending on the phone—"
"So, humour me?" Corinne said, smiling almost through gritted teeth. What if one of those people from earlier was around and was waiting to snatch her away?
He reluctantly took the phone and opened his mouth a few times but was clearly interrupted each time. Handing Corinne the phone back, he opened the rope that was blocking the entry. "I'll let you find your way inside."
"Hey, wait, let us come!" the girl called after her.
Corinne glanced back and shook her head. Stairs flanked her either side to get up to the rings of seating that encircled the stadium. The large circle expanse ahead had throngs of people dancing along to the support act. Lights, sounds and smells assaulted her senses as she began to work her way around the edge underneath the seats and towards the back-stage entrance.
From behind, she felt arms wrap around her in a tight bear hug, squishing her in a vice-like grip.
"Get off!" she struggled, pushing out with her arms and kicking against something hard.
"Ow!"
The grip relaxed and Corinne spun to face her attacker to see Alex rubbing his shin. "I'm sorry!" She rushed over, rubbing his shin.
"I'm just glad you're safe."
Corinne looked up to catch Alex's gaze and they both smiled, lost in the moment until the caterwaul of a roaming hot dog seller broke the moment. "Stop being a softy. I couldn't miss this, could I?"
Alex laughed, tugging at the sleeve of his red jumper. "I'm just, whatever." He sniffed, wiping his nose and then grinned. "Hey, what was that message about?"
"Not now," Corinne replied, thinking it best they get everyone together before she got Alex's hopes up. "Come on, let's go see Ellie before she goes on." She grabbed his hand, tugging him after her.
"This again?" Alex groaned, reluctantly allowing her to drag him in tow.
They flashed their passes to the bouncer and entered the backstage area. Significantly less glamorous than being on the other side, it was mostly exposed supports, people rushing around and talking loudly and a lot darker than back out there. Almost all the heavenly mixed smells of food had been locked behind the door that had just swung shut and now they were in a different world.
"Ellie is just through here," Alex said, pushing a metal door open ahead and revealing light from the room within.
Corinne walked over, peering inside the dressing room which was simple but kitted out in a comfortable manner.
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Ellie bounced over. "Alex said you were in trouble and might miss it." Well that was the understatement of the century.
Deciding it was best to keep her story private for the time being she simply smiled back. "I couldn't miss this. Thank you for inviting us back here." She looked back behind her as the crowd roared at the finale of the supporting act. "Nervous?"
"Always." Ellie shrugged. "But the show must go on." Turning back, she walked back over to her dressing table and picked up the lipstick, touching up the pink lipstick on her heavily made up and yet simultaneously natural looking face.
She twisted towards them, her exposed midriff showcasing the toned abs. It was framed neatly by a long-sleeved rose-pink tank top with bell-bottom sleeves that showed most of her slender forearm. "You need to go out the front. It's time for me to head out." Plucking the phone from her bra, she tossed it onto the cream sofa near the door and ushered them out. "Alex, you know the way, right?"
Alex nodded but Ellie was already rushing off towards the stage, touching up her hair as she jogged in those incredibly tight black jeans.
They headed up some stairs in the backstage area to a small outcropping that overlooked the stage from the right, granting them an aerial, if slightly obscured view. Although, it was significantly clearer than if they were down in the mass of thriving bodies. Corinne glanced back at Alex and saw his face that seemed to be contorted in a mixture of pain and constipation. Shaking her head, she realised he was not particularly comfortable dancing when it was just the two of them. Dancing closer to him, she closed her eyes, moving to the music. As the song moved into the chorus, she abruptly pulled a goofy face, making him laugh. "Dance, you idiot."
"I…" Alex frowned.
Sighing, Corinne grabbed his hands, pulling him around and laughing as he moved like a robot.
As Ellie transitioned into the next song, the crowd began to sing along. It was more of a ballad with a huge flowing cloak falling from the sky and draping around Ellie's shoulders, where it was blown about by a fan. Alex was humming along to this one, his eyes fixed on Ellie.
"So, you like this one?" Corinne asked, grinning.
"What?"
"I bet Ellie will let us join her if we ask."
"Corinne, I don't think we're supposed to—"
"Come on!" She grabbed his hand, pulling him back out into the backstage area.
"I don't really think this is a good idea," Alex protested.
~.~.~
Alex tried to resist as Corinne dragged him ever closer to the stage. He began to pull a little more firmly, trying to free himself from Corinne's grip but she was unrelenting. As they reached the edge of the stage, Ellie looked over at them and grinned, she indicated with her eyes at them and Corinne clasped her hands, mock pleading.
"You can't back out now," Corinne whispered out of the corner of her grinning mouth.
Alex remained rooted to the spot, he felt like his whole body was made of ice; he was completely immobile.
"Everybody, I'm going to pause for a minute so I can introduce you to two special people." She held out her hand beckoned towards them. "Corinne and Alex, let's give them a big cheer as they join me on stage."
Alex shook his head, but Corinne tugged him out and then the blinding lights preventing him from seeing anything. The yelling from the crowd was deafening. The assault to his eyes and ears made him feel like a deer in headlights.
"How would you all like if they joined me for this next song?" She called out to a loud cheer from the crowd. She motioned to someone behind them and a microphone was attached to both of their heads, sitting near their mouth and skin-coloured to obscure it slightly. The wire ran down his back and a power pack was attached to his trousers. Alex shifted uncomfortably. He would do anything not to do this.
The music started up and Ellie nodded to them as she leaned into her microphone. Alex leaned over to Corinne, covering his mic. "I don't want to do this."
"Well we're here now," Corinne whispered, covering her mic. "It's starting." She uncovered her microphone and began to sing, her and Ellie's voices filling his ears as the speakers blasted from all sides out into the crowd.
Ellie glanced over at him expectantly as she saw him frozen still.
He mimed the words, knowing the song off by heart from the times his mum had taken him with her to the recording sessions. The pressure suddenly felt overwhelming, like the wave was breaking over his head, and he felt sick, dizzy and his chest tightened. He couldn't be here. He had to get away now. Turning, he sprinted off the stage, pushing past a stagehand as he felt sweat pour from every pore on his body.
Shoving open the door to Ellie's dressing room he practically fell through, closing and locking it behind him. There wasn't enough air for him to breathe. His chest rose and fell rapidly as his legs became weak. Simultaneously he felt furious, angry that this would happen. He collapsed back into the door, unable to keep himself standing with how much his head was swimming.
Alex jumped, hearing a knock at the door. Standing up slowly he tentatively opened the door, still trying his best to calm down. Presumably it was Corinne. As he opened the door something obscured his vision as it was put over his head – a bag of some kind – and then a hard object crashed into his head and his consciousness was gone in an instant.
~.~.~
Corinne came off the stage. Ellie had to stay and continue the concert, but it was worth checking on Alex. It was weird him getting uncomfortable like this. "Alex?" She called out, to no avail. She sighed and realised he would have gone somewhere quiet with a lock. He always did that when he was having a strop. Walking over to Ellie's dressing room she rapped her knuckle on the door. "Look, I'm sorry, Al." No response. "Hey, stop ignoring me. I don't even get what I did!" She rolled her eyes and moved to walk away; he would get over it. Stopping, she tried the handle and felt it give.
Pushing the door open, she stepped inside and called out, "Alex?" There was no one there and no reply. Maybe he was somewhere else. As she tried to leave, she spotted a red smear on the door. It looked wet. Touching it, she froze when she realised what it was. Feeling her eyes widen with shock she looked down at the ground and saw his crushed mic pack by her feet. "Alex!" She ran out of the room, her heart pounding in her head. This couldn't be happening. "ALEX!"
Who took Alex? How are the others? Will Felismon get her fish?
A chapter released in less than a week? I know, who do I think I am. As I said, the chapter is a lot shorter. Also I am a glutton for punishment because I just rearranged the next 15 chapters, including seperating some to improve flow and then I realised I needed 3 fresh chapters for all of it to work and urgh. I love writing it but I wish I could just project everything in my head onto a page perfectly and instantly. I also wrote a barebones chapter for all the chapters up to chapter 100 (apart from those that already had chapters) just so I had the plot kind of written out for me to fill in with character interactions and descriptions. As I've said before, I do have a plan in a mixture of in my head and brief notes in a word doc but this was more to simplify that into a blow-by-blow chapter breakdown as I've found myself having to go back and reread things quite a bit lately to avoid continuity mistakes. Anyway, this one was a lot easier to edit as it was more just removing a few superfluous scenes and expanding on the remaining content a bit more.
I don't own Digimon.