Chapter 31: Cutthroat Cal's Piano Pals
. . .
Returning to civilization was nerve-wracking. I'd gotten used to the isolation of the mountain lodge and the safety it offered, so when we finally reached the base of Aconcagua and hopped a bus toward the nearest airport, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, worried that somehow the Suppliers had tracked us down already. After all, they'd spotted me in Argentina before my climb – chances were, they'd be keeping an eye on this country. Especially the airports.
I played with the strings of the hoodie I'd borrowed from 2D as Murdoc carefully adjusted a scarf to cover more of his conspicuously green face. Frank was leading the way through the security check, and I sighed with relief when we passed through without any trouble. I could only hope that the boys were having similar luck passing through an airport in the US…
We headed straight to the boarding area. Soon enough, our seats were called, and we were crammed into narrow rows with too little legroom for comfort.
Surrey, England… Here we come.
. . .
"Do you think your friends will have arrived yet?" Frank queried.
I frowned, gazing out the cab window at the evening sky. "I hope so. If they haven't, they're probably in trouble."
Shadowed streets zoomed by as the hotel where we'd dropped off Murdoc disappeared from view. I tilted my head against the cab window, letting my eyes half-close. I hadn't gotten much sleep on the plane, and my nerves were worn.
The cab turned into a neighborhood of small houses with ragged lawns and old cars. Everything seemed gray in the dying daylight. We rolled to a stop in front of a house that was undistinguishable from its bleak neighbors, save for its empty driveway. None of the lights were on.
I paid the driver while Frank heaved our luggage from the trunk. As we rolled up the rough concrete walkway, I felt a stir of unease – everything seemed so still! I glanced at my phone – I had expected the boys to arrive about an hour ago, but none of them had answered the text I'd sent when I landed.
You guys had better not be in trouble – I've had enough stress for one lifetime!
I tested the doorknob, found it unlocked, and walked inside. Feeling along the wall, I flicked a lightswitch.
I barely had time to react when a small, dark shape appeared out of nowhere and leaped toward me. Its claws dug into the clothes on my chest –
My heart leaped. "KATSU!"
I hugged the animal, feeling his purr rumble against me as I ran my hand over his soft stripes. I couldn't hold back a stupid grin. "Did you miss your momma, Katsu?"
The cat rubbed his head against my chin and mewed.
"The rest of us missed you too, you know," A deep voice chuckled.
I looked up – there was Russel, standing at the base of a stairway, smiling broadly. Depositing my cat back on the ground, I ran into his arms. "Russ!" I was airborne for a moment as he heaved me to his chest, but soon slipped back to the floor. "I was worried; none of you answered my text!"
"Sorry for scaring you, Noodle-girl; you must've texted after we all fell asleep. Everyone was tired after the flight," Russel explained. "I'd only just woken up when I heard Katsu making a racket! I think the others may have heard it too…"
Footsteps thundered on the floor above.
"Noodle?"
"Did Noodle just arrive?"
2D and Ace appeared at the top of the stairway. Breaking into crazed smiles, they raced down. 2D was faster, flinging himself forward at dangerous speeds – and promptly tripping and falling onto his face. Ace stumbled over 2D's floored figure and fell himself.
Behind me, Frank's voice wavered with concern. "Um… Are they okay?"
2D floundered and shoved himself of the floor, racing towards me with his grin not abated in the slightest.
"NOODLE!" He crashed into me; I had to take a step back so that I wouldn't get knocked onto the linoleum. He coiled around me, nestling his head over my shoulder and using both arms to squeeze the breath out of me. "I'm so glad you're back!"
Relief hit me like a train – my friends were safe! With a dizzying rush of joy, I gripped 2D's shirt, cementing our hug even tighter. "I'm glad you're safe!"
"Hey, don't I get a hug too?" Ace tackled me and 2D, and this time I couldn't stop the lot of us from crashing to the floor. "Dogpile!" Ace cried.
Russel sighed with exasperation. "Guys, we just got her back! Don't go breaking Noodle's ribs!"
Laughing, Ace jumped up and helped both me and 'D to our feet. My shoulder was sore from the tumble, but I didn't care – I was unbelievably relieved to find my friends smiling, safe and healthy, excited to welcome me back.
As 2D's hand found mine, Ace threw an arm over my shoulder. "So, are you gonna introduce us to your new pal, Beardy?" Across the room, Frank self-consciously scratched his fluffy chin.
I rolled my eyes at Ace's nickname. "Guys, this is Frank. His brother leads the gang that agreed to help us face the Suppliers. Frank, this is Russel, 2D, and Ace."
"It's nice to meet you all," Frank murmured.
The bearded man's gaze swept over my bandmates before settling on 2D, staring for a noticeably long moment. 2D tipped his head curiously, dark eyes sweeping up and down Frank's figure. "Hey… You look a bit familiar. Did we meet sometime?"
Frank averted his haze shyly. "Yeah, um… you used to give keyboard lessons at Crawley's juvenile detention center, back when you still went by Stuart. My friends and I learned from you."
2D's face brightened with excitement. "I'd almost forgotten about that! You're all grown up now! How are you guys?"
Frank grinned – he seemed happy to be recognized. "Well… It's complicated," he sighed. "I believe Noodle told you about the gang my brother leads. I haven't seen them in years, but I imagine most of my old friends are still in it. I left, though. I've had a good time in the mountains. And I can't thank you enough for teaching me the keyboard – it really helps me diffuse stress when I worry about the gang."
2D blushed, ruffling his hair. "I'm glad I was able to help."
Frank's eyes roved over the rest of the band. "I was a big fan of your music before I left for the mountains. But… I don't recall Ace from any of your music videos. Is he Murdoc's body double?"
I was pleased to find that the singer didn't violently flinch at the mention of Murdoc, although he did blanche a shade paler.
Noticing 2D's discomfort, Ace joked, "I was called in to keep the band green while Murdoc had his little prison stay. Green bass players are hard to come by, you know!"
"I imagine they would be," Frank agreed with a soft chuckle.
"Are you two hungry?" Russel asked. "I know a good Thai place out here that delivers."
My stomach rumbled – the small package of airplane food I'd last had felt like a lifetime ago. "That sounds great, Russel!"
. . .
About an hour later, I was scarfing Pad Royal at a round table with the others. "So," Russel asked, glancing between me and Frank curiously. "What's the plan for tomorrow?"
"My brother, Cal, wants to meet you all," Frank began, twirling a finger through his short beard while his fork twirled a dish of rice noodles. "Usually, he would arrange a meeting in a neutral public space, but since you lot need to lie low, he's suggested that we meet at the gang's hideout instead."
Russel and 'D looked nervous, but Ace was bouncing in his seat. "Awesome! Gang hideouts are the best!"
I had a feeling that this hideout would be a bit more intense than the cozy shed Ace had shown me pictures of the Gangreene Gang meeting up in… I hoped that Ace's optimism wasn't misguided.
Frank nodded. "I'll shoot a text to my brother with our location, and he'll send a car in the morning to pick us up. I should warn you, we're not quite as sleek and mysterious as the Suppliers, so don't expect a Mercedes or anything like that. The car will be something generic and nondescript."
"That makes sense," I replied.
Frank tapped on his phone. "I've sent them the address of Murdoc's hotel too. I don't have Murdoc's number, so one of you should fill him in on the plan."
Like winter falling over the table, my bandmates became tense and stiff, their grins falling with a chill of foreboding. With a squeak, 2D stuttered, "Is… Is Murdoc going to be meeting with the gang at the same time as we are?"
Frank gave the singer an odd look. "We're all going to need to be there together to make plans, aren't we?"
I measured the haunted expression on 2D's ashen face. Would he be okay tomorrow? "2D, I won't let anything happen to you," I assured, squeezing his hand. "I've already told Murdoc not to interact with you. You won't have to speak to him or even look his way – I'll stand by you the whole time to make sure he keeps his distance."
The singer's hand constricted around mine. For a moment, I thought he was too wound-up to respond.
Katsu hopped onto his lap. 2D looked startled for a moment, then relaxed incrementally as his free hand rose to caress my cat's fur. He sighed. "Okay. I just… I need him to stay away from me."
I was truly sympathetic for 2D – he'd endured so much pain under Murdoc's hand, and it was cruel that he would have to face the bassist tomorrow. 2D's trauma was serious. The past few months had helped him become a more emotionally stable man, but I worried that tomorrow would find 2D overwhelmed with fear and bad memories.
We needed Murdoc's help on this – it was his plan, and he'd made important contacts in prison. Leaving Murdoc out of this mission wasn't an option, but I would make sure he wasn't the one in control as we fought this battle and moved into the next phase of our lives.
. . .
I couldn't sleep.
The room was pitch-black – I could barely see the bed I was laying on – but in Argentina, it would still be in the early evening, and my muscles were aching to move.
My phone buzzed. I rolled over to grab the cell from my nightstand, and grinned when I saw a message from 2D. "Are you awake Noods?"
"Yeah," I typed back. "Jetlag sucks."
"Can I come over?"
I grinned. "Sure!"
A door squeaked faintly down the hall, followed by the hushed tread of careful footsteps… My doorknob rattled and twisted as a shadowy silhouette entered the room. I turned on my phone's flashlight so that the pale glow bathed the room, and was rewarded with the sight of 2D's smile. "Hello, Love."
"Hey, D." I scooted back and let myself lean against the wall, patting the mattress beside me. "Get over here."
The mattress dipped under his weight, and I let myself sink with it into his side. His eyes glimmered as I leaned nearer, his smile growing. I kissed his cheek, and the skin beneath my lips war warm, flushed. I could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rising as I wound my arms over his shoulders. I shivered as one of his hands grazed my neck before gliding into my hair, stroking it reverently, before guiding my head firmly toward his. I let my body relax, let the memory of our time apart fall away, let my thoughts drown in the warmth and gentle movements he made against me as our lips met.
When he pulled away, he didn't go far, tipping his forehead against mine. "I missed you every day. All the time."
"I missed you too." I snuggled closer and smoothed my hands over the back of his shirt. "Next time I travel, I want it to be somewhere we can go together."
2D chuckled softly. "I look forward to it, Love."
He pulled my face back to his. As we kissed, I felt an arm brush over my back before gently catching my waist, pulling my body over his. I hummed thoughtlessly, euphoric at being able to feel so much of him after so much time apart. His lips slipped away, and my breath caught when I felt them on my neck.
After a minute's blissful kisses, he brought his forehead back to mine "Do you really think this plan will work?" He whispered, breath tickling my face. "That we can take on the Suppliers and win?"
I grinned at the hope in his voice, feeling my own heart swell with it. "I do."
He hugged me fiercely, flattening my waist against his "I can't believe this is finally happening!" he laughed breathily. "That I'll finally be free of them!"
I hummed, smoothing my hands over his chest. "You'll never have to worry about those pills again," I promised, dropping a kiss onto his chin. "No one's ever going to use you again."
A shudder coursed through him. Our proximity let me feel the subtle movement through my whole core. "Noodle…" His voice trembled. "How do we know that Murdoc's really on our side now? How do we know this whole plan isn't just another one of his schemes to make me hurt?"
"He was genuine when I spoke with him," I reassured in a soothing whisper. "You recognized Frank, so we know he didn't make up that part of his story." I met 2D's careworn gaze. "Did you get a good look at Frank's eyes? Did he seem trustworthy?"
2D sighed, fingers curling into my shirt and pricking my back through the fabric. "He looked like he was telling the truth. Like he really wants to help. But…" I could feel him tremble beneath me. "I though Murdoc wanted to help too. On Plastic Beach. I kept remembering more about it while you were gone, and… and… the more I remember… how can I trust myself after I let myself trust him?" His grip convulsed. "I looked Murdoc in the eyes a bunch of times, and I thought he was on my side! But… He told you what he did… He made me take the medicine again…" His eyes squeezed shut. "I'm scared. I don't want to be betrayed again. I don't want to be scared of him anymore, but now that I'm about to see him again, I… I…" His voice broke. "I keep trying to tell myself that you're stronger than him, and that I'm stronger now, and that he can't hurt me anymore now that you guys know what he did to me with those pills. But I'm scared that I'll look at him and feel helpless, like I did when he injected me with that medicine on Plastic Beach... Like the world is pinning me down and he's getting closer and there's nothing I can do to stop him…"
"It's okay," I pressed my temple against his. "It's okay to be scared of him. We all understand. We're all here for you. I'll do everything I can during the meeting to help you remember that he won't hurt you."
"Wh-what if I have a panic attack? I'm n-not good at snapping out of those, and I d-don't want him to see that. I don't want to look weak in front of him."
"Did you have any panic attacks while I was gone?"
"Two."
I stroked my thumb over his cheek, feeling the sorrow of 2D's trials twist in my gut. I kissed his nose. "If it happens, it happens. Sometimes these things can't be helped. But I'll be by your side the whole time, and so will Russ and Ace. We'll keep you safe."
Eyes still closed, he nodded softly. "Okay."
I stroked his hair, watching the tension in his face ease at the soothing movement. "For what it's worth, I think you should trust yourself and your senses. I think you were right when you thought that Murdoc genuinely wanted to help you on Plastic Beach. I just don't think either of you two realized how much it would scare him to face the Suppliers again."
. . .
2D spent the night in my room, and as a result we both had to pretend not to notice the suggestive comments a grinning Ace threw over the breakfast table the next day. Fortunately, Russel was too coffee-deprived to care, and Frank…
Well…
I think he was uneasy about seeing his old friends again.
I smirked when I saw the generic, windowless van that Frank's associates showed up in – it was just like the van we had used to get around America, save for a large logo on the side depicting a piano, a guitar, and an oboe, superimposed with the title "CAL'S MUSIC LESSONS." I quirked an eyebrow at Frank. "Is the music lesson business your gang's front?"
The bearded man nodded. "My brother thought he might as well put the skills the youngest members were learning in Juvey's volunteer-run music program to work."
Frank led the way out of the house. I exchanged a glance with 2D, twining my arm around his before we both followed Frank outside. Ace and Russel's footsteps treaded behind us. I spared a cautious glance up and down the street – I didn't expect the Suppliers to locate us this quickly, but we were better safe than sorry.
The back door of the truck slid open with a creak. I squeezed 2D's hand as tall woman bearing a rough resemblance to Frank hopped out of the back with a smirk. "Hey, little cousin! Didn't think I'd ever see you again!"
Frank paused, hesitating, before the woman rolled her eyes and bundled him into a tight hug.
"It's good to see you, Keys."
"Er… Frank. I go by Frank now."
"Is that the name you've been hiding from us with for all these years?"
"… Yeah."
The woman sighed, then jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "Get in."
She gave each of us an analytic look as we approached. I sensed that she was sizing us up, judging whether or not we were a threat to her group. I nodded to her calmly, and she nodded back to me as I climbed in.
The back of the van was a wide, seatless space made to transport large objects like pianos, but was instead full of six people aged from about twenty to fifty. The younger ones watched curiously as the older ones greeted Frank with pats on the back, warm greetings, and questions about where he'd been all these years. A few of them gave the band excited looks; one or two gazes lingered on 2D. The gang members moved to one side of the cramped space so that the band could sit against the wall on the other side, facing our new acquaintances.
I bumped 2D's shoulder. "How are you feeling, 'D?"
"Alright," He replied softly, taking my hand. "I was a bit nervous, but… I can't see any threat in these people's eyes. They don't mean us any harm."
Russel sighed on 2D's other side. "That's good to know."
Frank's cousin hopped into the back, slammed the doors shut behind her, and shouted, "All right Jean, everyone's in!" The van rumbled to life and lurched onto the road.
Ace, on the far side of Russel, was already engaging our company with enthusiasm. "So, what's your gang called? What's it like? I'm from a gang too, you know! Not as big as yours, but we get into plenty of trouble!"
The gang members glanced to Frank's cousin – she must be in charge, I thought – and she gave Frank an odd look. "You didn't tell them anything about us?"
"I didn't know how much you wanted to share," He replied. "It's been a while, and I wasn't sure if you'd become more secretive than I remembered."
She turned back to face us. "I suppose I have some introductions to make. You may call me Dawn. I'm the second-in-command here. Our leader, who you'll meet soon, is Cutthroat Cal, and our group is called Cutthroat Cal's Piano Pals – but you can just call us the Pals."
Ace chuckled. "That's a fun name!"
Dawn smirked. "We're a fun group."
. . .
The van pulled around the back of a shop bearing a matching instrument-strewn logo. We were quickly ushered into the building. I glanced curiously at a group of young adults who appeared to be using bassoons as pool cues – one of them skillfully sunk a red striped ball before nodding respectfully at Dawn. Dawn smiled back before leading us down a stairway and unlocking a heavy metal door leading into a spacious basement. The walls were lined with an assortment of black cases; I imagined there were enough instruments in those containers to supply an entire marching band. About thirty people were milling about the room, their heads turning to watch us.
A circle formed around a man sporting a patched tweed blazer and a piano-patterned tie – he looked every bit like the proud owner of a music shop. He also looked like the spitting image of Frank, albeit with a clean-shaven face. Frank shifted his weight nervously as his look-alike's eyes found him, clearing his throat. "H-hey, brother. Long time no see –"
Frank flinched when the man dashed forward, eyes widening as he was swaddled in a bone-crushing hug. Frank's nerves eased, and he seemed about to return the hug when his brother stepped back, gave him a hard look, and flung his fist into Frank's nose. "AH!" Frank raised a hand to his face, hissing as blood crept between his fingers. "Cal – !"
Cal cracked his knuckles, scowling darkly. "That's for running off and leaving me to think you'd been KIDNAPPED, or DIED!"
"Didn't Ben tell you that I was okay?" Frank exclaimed.
Cal growled furiously. "Couldn't you have left a note, or called, or ANYTHING, so I could have some peace of mind?"
Frank grimaced, closing his eyes. "I had to get away from this, and I didn't want to be followed! It was the best way to make sure you wouldn't know I was gone until I'd put some distance between us!"
Cal narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you back?"
"I'm not worried about you trying to coerce me into being your second-in-command anymore. I'm more stable now. I'm better at saying no."
Cal's stance wilted. "Is that what this was about? After all this time?"
Frank dipped his head.
Cal grumbled, pressing his fingers to his temples . "Well, I'm glad you're back, for now at least. Do me a favor and say goodbye before you run off next time."
Frank sniffled. "Okay."
Like the flick of a lightswitch, Cal suddenly beamed as he turned to face the rest of us. "I can't thank you enough for convincing my brother to call!" His smiling gaze roved appraisingly before settling on 2D. "You must be that blue-haired fellow my little brother used to rave about, who taught him to play the keyboard! I always thought it would be nice to meet you, but I never thought I'd be initiating a gang war over you!"
2D scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, um… We're really thankful for the help!"
Cal huffed. "It was a hard decision to make; but the more I think about it, the more I realize that something ought to have been done about those dirty Suppliers long ago. Especially now that I know what their pills do." His gaze darkened. "I'd heard rumors… I'd met a young man who claimed that his aunt had drugged him for two years with the Suppliers' help, and kept him in a basement while she collected his disability checks. That man was found murdered the day after we spoke… Then there was that teen who used to come here for guitar lessons – we really do run music lessons, you know – she was a prodigy! But one day she showed up all spaced-out, and after that we never saw her again!" Cal scowled fiercely. "I won't let them take any more kids from my turf. My gang has a good relationship with this neighborhood, and we protect it through any means necessary. The Suppliers have to go."
Ace grinned devilishly. "So, how's this gang-war gig gonna work?"
"I was going to wait until Mr. Niccals showed up to break into the plans, but – " A muffled piano ringtone sounded. Cal procured a phone from his pocket and grinned. "Yes, he's just arrived with Ted's team. They should be in any moment now."
I edged closer to 2D. He didn't look down, but his clammy, shaking palm found mine.
Footsteps – we turned to watch the door with the rest of the crowd, hearing the lock click as it released. A scar-faced man entered, glancing back to wave forward the group behind him. Two other unfamiliar figures stepped in before Murdoc emerged into view.
2D's grip clamped painfully tight.
The bassist's eyes skimmed idly over the room. He still had that tired, faded look he'd sported since his illness in the mountains, but he mustered a casual smirk as he gave me a nod. Then his eyes fell on 2D, and the smirk fell away like rain. He seemed almost concerned…
I glanced at my boyfriend's face and noticed the bluish shade it was turning. "Breathe, 'D," I whispered, nudging him with my shoulder. His eyes widened before his breath hitched back to life.
I observed my other bandmates. Russel's expression was stormy. I feared he might confront Murdoc, say something about all the danger he'd put us through, but then his eyes flickered to me and 2D, and he took a deep breath. For 'D's sake, he was going to avoid making a scene.
Ace's gaze was curious – he didn't seem abashed in the slightest to encounter the man he'd replaced. With a fang-toothed grin, he turned back to Cal. "Everyone's here, then! Let's dig into those plans!"
I wasn't sure if I felt more relieved or concerned when Murdoc walked past us and joined the other side of the gathered circle without making a single snarky comment about long-awaited reunions or the fact that we'd replaced him.
"Alright, then," Cal started. "I, the leader of Cutthroat Cal's Piano Pals, have invited my estranged brother and the band Gorillaz to our hideout to discuss our plan of action against the Suppliers." Nods and murmurs rippled around the circled Pals. "We will start developing our initial offence plan today. As my gang already knows, we have scouts visiting gangs we're on good terms with and other leads to collect information about the enemy. With luck, they will return with knowledge of bases and individual Suppliers we can focus our campaign on for maximum impact. Currently, the best information we have is from Mr. Niccals." Cal nodded to Murdoc, motioning for him to speak.
Murdoc gave a short cough before starting. "I met the Suppliers about twenty years ago; I was one of their first 'customers.' They were always secretive, but I know that they were smaller then than they are now, much smaller. Their operations didn't really take off until after I made my deal with them…"
I felt 2D's tense form shaking beside me. I edged closer, pressing my side into his.
"… Judging by where they found me, they probably started out somewhere in Southern England, likely near London. If they have a home base, it'll be on this end of the country."
"Strategically speaking," Dawn interjected, "we should see if we can find out where they're making their pills. If we take out their manufacturing facility; we take out their whole purpose, their source of income. No pills, no Suppliers."
"Hopefully, there's only one manufacturing facility to find…" One of the Pals murmured.
Cal grimaced. "I hate to say it, but there will likely be more than one. If my livelihood depended on distributing those pills, I wouldn't want to sink or swim on a single facility –"
"Actually," Murdoc cut in, "I think you're wrong there. I've met the Supplier's leader a fair few times. The old bat's shrewd and clever, but she's also a bit manic when it comes to secrecy. You know how the Suppliers always manage to avoid the spotlight even with business booming – that's because she's got the brainpower to micromanage every little move her gang makes, and she makes sure every move keeps them close to the shadows." He glanced significantly around the room, mismatched eyes narrowing. "She developed the recipe for those pills herself, and I'll bet she's as secretive with its formula as she is with everything else her gang does. I'd guess there's only one facility where their pills are produced, and that none of her lackeys know the full formula except for her."
The Pals chattered excitedly.
"That means we've only got one facility to take out; then we're set!"
"We've got to take out their boss too…"
"That's still only two main targets! One person, one place!"
"That's all we need to do?"
"That should be enough to cripple them!"
Cal raised his hands, and his gang fell into silence. "It seems that the next steps we need to take are clear. We must locate the Supplier's pill-manufacturing facility. We must destroy the facility. We must then locate and eliminate the Supplier's boss."
"Easier said than done," Dawn huffed. "If this boss lady is so good at keeping secrets, how are we going to find her or her facility?"
I frowned, running my thumb over 2D's knuckles. The only time we'd ever met the boss was when I'd been captured. I could recall a foggy memory of a small figure with a strangely resonant voice and expressions that never seemed to fit her face quite right… I didn't like the idea of using one of us as bait to meet her again, especially since we'd need to be captured – and probably drugged – before the boss would appear to us. But if it came down to last resorts…
"I could always ask to meet with them," Murdoc suggested. "I don't know if they've figured out yet that I'm working against them. They're probably suspicious, since I've been hiding from them since I got out of prison."
Feeling a change in 2D's grip, I watched the singer's face. My blood chilled as his lips curled into an intense scowl of mistrust – he looked angry. I pressed my body into his side. I'm here, 'D... Stay calm…
Cal tipped his head thoughtfully. "The scouts should be reporting back soon," He mused. "I'll ask them if they think they'll be able to scrounge up info on a pill-manufacturing facility from our sources. If they can't find anything by the end of the week, then we'll rethink our plan. In the meantime…" His gaze swiveled around the room. "I want you all to start thinking of ways we could locate and isolate the Suppliers' boss." His face split into a cheery grin. "Whoever comes up with the best idea doesn't have to clean any instrument rentals for a whole month!"
Cheers resounded. The excited Pals began forming small circles, eagerly discussing their ideas to take down the Suppliers' boss.
I tugged 2D's shaking hand, warily measuring his heated face. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah…" He inhaled a deep, quavering breath. "I think so."
I wasn't convinced. "You looked upset when Murdoc spoke. Did you see something in his eyes?" I felt my gut drop with misgiving. "Can we trust him?"
"I… I don't know." 2D lifted his gaze. Suddenly, his face curled into a feral snarl.
Murdoc was approaching.
I noticed Russel protectively edge closer on 2D's other side. Ace had wandered off to chat with a few gang members – it was just the three of us facing Murdoc.
Murdoc strode forward until he was poised a meter in front of us, summoning a familiar smirk. "Long time no see, mates."
Russel scowled grimly. "I can't say I'm very happy to see you," he muttered, "after finding out what you did to 'D. What you've dragged all of us into."
Murdoc shifted his weight. Seeming to search for something to do with his hands, he scratched an ear. "'Don't suppose we can call it water under the bridge now that we're all working together again, eh?"
"We're working together for now," I reminded him. "When this is over, you won't be a member of Gorillaz. We've lost too much trust."
Murdoc's gaze lingered on my face, the shadows stretching under his eyes, before his head tilted, flicking his gaze to 2D. "'Recon I've done some regrettable things, haven't I?" he murmured. He paused, waiting – I had the feeling that he wanted 'D to say something.
2D's eyes were half-lidded, and I had the feeling he wasn't meeting the bassist's gaze.
"If we're going to fight together," Murdoc prompted, "We might as well talk through a thing or two."
Still, 2D said nothing. Whether it was because he didn't want to talk to Murdoc or because he physically couldn't, I wasn't sure, but I could still feel tremors wracking his hand. It was probably taking all his self-control not to show those tremors to the others.
Murdoc cleared his throat, seeming to be about to make another attempt to get a conversation rolling, but I wasn't going to let him to drag 2D any closer to the end of his emotional tether. "Murdoc," I interrupted firmly, "you should go discuss plans with Cal. Start figuring out how you're going to engage the Suppliers if Cal's scouts can't find anything."
The last fragments of Murdoc's smirk fell. Like water freezing, a sheet of cold emotionlessness stretched over his face. The shift was swift enough that I almost missed the split-second of tired, weary sorrow, of loss, that he strove to hide. "Fine. I'll get out of your hair." He turned to walk away – Then paused. His shoulders bent, posture caving. I heard a short huff. "But… On the off chance any of you lot want to talk later, I –"
CRASH!
Upstairs, there was a shout – then a scream – then a rapid pinging, like gunfire…
Murdoc gaped at the ceiling. "What the hell - ?"
The door to the basement banged open.
"CAL!" It was the man who'd greeted Dawn when we'd entered the building, his eyes wide and frantic. "THE SUPPLIERS – THEY KNOW THE GORILLAZ ARE HERE, THEY'VE COME –"
PEW!
The man screamed and fell, clenching his hand over a bloody shoulder.
Cal cursed. "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! EVERYBODY GRAB A WEAPON!
I tore my eyes from the man bleeding on the floor to watch the Pals dart to the edges of the room. They grabbed the instrument cases, flinging them open. I gasped when a nearby woman pulled a tommy-gun out of a case that ought to have contained a trombone.
"YOU LOT!" Dawn appeared in front of us, dragging a confused-looking Ace by the collar. "Follow me, we're fleeing to the vans!"
I squeezed 2D's hand. My heart pounded as I chased Dawn up the basement stairs.
Two of the Pals were stationed near the top of the stairs, kneeling behind an overturned pool table. They traded fire with a group hidden behind a desk at the other end of the room – I could barely see the muzzles of their guns peeping over the polished wood surface. Fortunately, with the Pal's fire forcing them to lay low, the Suppliers couldn't get a good angle to shoot my friends or any of the Pals streaming out of the basement and through the back door.
Outside, I heard the screams of people fleeing the street as the gangs exchanged fire. I could see the Suppliers more clearly out here. Their dark, sleek cars lined the edge of the road. Here and there, a face bearing sunglasses and a snarl would appear as a Supplier leaned over their line of cars to take aim at the music shop's parking lot.
"YOU!" Dawn gestured to one of the older Pals who had followed close behind us. "Cover us and everyone else who needs to leave the building. Tell the last person who leaves to fire out of their car window to distract the Suppliers so that you can get away. Understood?"
"Yes, mam!"
"Good!" Dawn turned to me and the band. "Stay close to me. Run as fast as you can. Don't look back. Our target is the van we arrived in." She gestured to the van, about ten meters away. "On my signal… GO!"
I could feel 2D's nails biting my skin as we raced. My ears rung with the echoing whistles and thuds of bullets spraying the Supplier's cars. Dawn flung open the back doors of the van. Ace followed. I leaped in behind him, not letting go of 2D's sweaty hand. I heard the heavy thumps of Russel and Murdoc jumping in behind me. The doors slammed.
"IS EVERYONE OKAY?" Russel boomed with panic. "IS ANYONE HIT?"
"We're fine, Russel," I gasped, my eyes quickly skimming over the boys crouching and lying across the van's floor, taking in their heaving chests, wheezing breaths, and unharmed bodies. "No one's bleeding."
Russel pulled up his feet so that he could rest his head on his knees, and groaned. "Everyone's okay… Everyone's okay…"
I was disturbed. I'd never seen Russel this distressed – he was always sturdy and stable. "Russel?"
He raised his head weakly and attempted to smile. "I'm okay, Noodle-girl. I just… I don't like the sound of gunfire."
Dawn was in the front seat, shoving her keys into the ignition. The engine roared. The van lurched. I held onto 2D, trying to hold us steady, as we rocketed onto the street.
To my surprise, 2D tore himself out of my grip.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?"
Before I could react, he'd thrown himself over me, across the cramped space, toward a shocked Murdoc. Murdoc gasped as 2D pinned him to the floor.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT, ISN'T IT? YOU TOLD THEM WHERE WE WERE! IT'S ALWAYS YOU! WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TRUSTED YOU!"
"I didn't – ARGH!" Murdoc howled as 2D punched him in the gut.
"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LET ME BE FREE?" Tears streamed down 2D's face.
I threw my arms around the singer's waist and yanked him off Murdoc. "2D, stop! This isn't helping!"
2D thrashed in my grip as Murdoc curled around his gut and wheezed, "You know it wasn't me, 'D! Use your eyes; Look at me!"
Murdoc tried to meet 2D's gaze, but the singer squeezed his eyes shut and screeched, "I LET YOU TRICK ME BEFORE! I'LL NEVER LET YOU DO IT AGAIN!
A phone buzzed – Dawn shifted in her seat. "Ace, will you grab that from my pocket? It might be one of the other Pals!"
Ace acted quickly, typing the passcode Dawn recited before raising the cell to his ear. "This is Ace – yes, Dawn's fine." He turned to tell Dawn, "It's Cal!"
"Are the Pals okay?" Dawn asked.
Ace exchanged some words with Cal. "Nearly everyone made it out alright – someone even grabbed that bloke who got shot; they're headed to a hospital. Cal made a couple calls; it turns out that one of his scouts was compromised – that's how the Suppliers found out where we were. On the bright side, before getting captured, that scout found out the location of the Supplier's only pill-manufacturing base!"
My heart leaped. "That means…"
Ace smirked. "We've got 'em. Cal's texting everyone the coordinates. Two hours southwest, and then we'll be the ones on the attack!"
. . .
Coming Up Next: THE BATTLE HAS BEGUN! WOOT WOOT!
