Feral lay in her bed, thinking. She felt numb. It wasn't a happy kind of numb. She remembered being five years old, sitting with her mother and father, eating ice cream. She had been happy numb then.. But not now.

She felt ice cold, and it was a wonder that the tears from her eyes didn't freeze. She shifted under the sheets, trying to fall asleep. She couldn't help but stay awake, haunted by the thought of what Frank must have done to that poor Janet girl. She thought of how he must have laughed when she resisted, and smiled when she gave in..

But then, she remembered how he had said he disliked her mother, and how he had stood up for her in front of both her mother and Mick. And then.. she wished that he wasn't a prince of some far off planet where free sex was the hype of the day.. She wished he was sitting by her side, on the edge of the bed, telling her he was listening. Such warm thoughts lulled her into the soothing arms of sleep.

Columbia patted Frank's shoulder, "You can't help it now, Frankie.. You were different, then.."

Frank looked disheveled. His hair was knotted and in mats. His face was tear-stained, and very raw-looking. His eyes were red and tired. He said in a hoarse tone, "I've let her down.. And I can't believe it.. She was in love with me.."

Col raised an eyebrow, "No offense, but quite a lot of people.. er.. 'love' you.."

Frank growled, "I know THAT, Col! But she hid it! She never flirted with me, never fought for my attention! It wasn't the lust that everyone else has gone through! It was a quiet love, a feeling of concern for someone you admire.."

Columbia sighed, "I know what you mean.."

He was in a horrid mood, "No you don't, Col.. You don't. You were one of them."

She looked insulted, and squeaked, "One of who?!"

"One of the ones that only wanted what they couldn't have.. from me."

She stood, removing her arm from his shoulder, "Oh! If that's what you want to get into, Frank, fine! Although I do care about you!"

Frank snorted, "Like hell."

Columbia returned, "I do! Do you think I'd be here, trying to cheer you up, if I didn't care?" Frank looked up, realizing that he shouldn't have used her as an anger outlet. He realized that he wasn't mad at her, or anyone, for that matter, beside himself. Still, he couldn't voice this, for Columbia had had enough, "Well, fine.. What do you think? You think I would have come over here to try and seduce you in your sad state? Oh, wait! I see where you got that idea.. Yes, that's right.. YOU USED IT ALL THE TIME!" She rushed out the door, slamming it behind her.

Frank put his head in his hands, "Earth would be a better place without me.."

When he finally lifted his head, it was to scream, loud and strong. His voice caught as the sobs joined his yells. His world shattered. There was nothing anymore, and Frank knew he was miserable. He couldn't take anymore of the hopelessness. He knew.. He had sworn to never.. ever.. return to the way things were.. All the same, he just couldn't help it as he lost his mind.

He stood slowly, walking in a zombie-like fashion to a partially hidden closet. As he turned the handle to open it, the tune began in his head. The tune which had been beating with the strains of his heart for ten years tomorrow.

I'm a wild and an untamed thing.

The light of the living room fell in a thin sliver inside the closet. In the line of light, there was only black.. But it wasn't the black of shadow, it was the black of sequined leather.

I'm a bee with a dirty sting.

Frank's lips stretched into an all-knowing smile. The tune grew louder. He pulled the hanger from his closet, along with a bag. He set the hanger on the doorknob and placed the bag on the ground before him. His mouth formed those heavenly lines from his song..

So let the party and the sounds rock on.. br I'm gonna shake it till the life has gone,

And the heels fit perfectly, after all those years..

Rose tints my world and keeps me safe from my trouble and pain.