Finding Life In Death
Hello there… This story I guess is about… life… how it isn't fair and why things happen and that how do we know anything about it at all. It makes no sense and we just let it slip right past us. What happens after we die? Do we go to heaven? Do we get reborn again? Do we go nowhere? How do we know? When we die don't we all expect someone to show up and be ready to answer our questions? Well in this fiction… that guy doesn't show up.
2-D obviously had been knocked out for quite some time, just over an hour has passed at what it seemed and already the sun was beginning to set. 2-D was still carrying the sleeping Axe Princess upon his back. 2-D's back did ache and it felt like his bones needed cracking and were grinding together painfully but he didn't want to wake Noodle up. The clouds and fog had almost gone completely and left the sun to set nicely. 2-D stopped and squinted at the sun. It was a beautiful golden yellow leaving the blue sky glowing orange and red just over the white clouds. Lovely. 2-D liked watching sunsets. It was calming. Sunset coming on, but the sunrise will see again.
"That's a nice sunset"
2-D whispered hoarsely to himself. He hadn't had any water all day and his throat was dry and breathless. Noodle moaned and shifted around on his back starting to slide off. 2-D hoisted her back on with a jump and continued walking. He could see Kong now. Out in the distance he could see the Studio and the landfill and graveyard was a dead giveaway. 2-D was going to make it and he would show them that he did find Noodle and she wasn't dead. He would laugh in their face and Damon's broken jaw. Noodle still couldn't believe he actually did that to his manager!
2-D soon neared Kong Studios. He looked over to the landfill and the song O Green World suddenly hit his mind like an asteroid. The thunder and black clouds filled the sky over the junk pile of crap and scraps. Crows flew over the wasteland and 2-D spotted lurking shadow figures wondering around mindlessly groaning and biting and rotting quite badly. These creatures are known as zombies.
When 2-D thought he could get as close as he could without getting seen by them, he stopped. If he did have to run then Noodle needed to be awake and on her feet. It wasn't that she was too heavy it was because he couldn't risk it if she fell. 2-D turned his head to hers, her bangs covering her eyes completely and he face peaceful. 2-D needed to wake her. He gently jumped up and down and shook and whispered in her ear.
"Noodle love, we're almost home, wake up now… Noods?… wake up sleepy head"
Noodle groaned and opened her eyes lazily and stared at 2-D. She must have died because she was looking at an angel. She smiled and lifted her head and yawned sleepily waking herself up. Her hands fell from his neck and she held his shoulders ready to get off his back. 2-D let her fall to her feet on the ground.
"Thank you"
"We're gonna play tag with some zombies now ok love? The aim is ter not get touched by the zombies and first one to get ter Kong unbitten wins. Got it?"
Noodle nodded teasingly, she knew the drill. She got in a ready to run stance and grinned evilly. 2-D did the same and stood next to her.
"Ready… Set… Go!"
2-D said and they both took off running to the gates of Kong. So far no observant zombies had seen them. The wire gate with the words KONG opened for them and they ran in past the graveyard. But… no zombies saw them. Noodle stopped and looked at them confusingly. 2 were just a few feet away from her but they haven't even looked at her. 2-D stopped after a while on his own and ran back to Noodle screaming.
"Noodle! What are yer doing? Get away from them!"
2-D reached Noodle and was pulling her back by her arm. Noodle kept moving forward though.
"No 2D-san! Look! The zombies do not see us"
"What do yer mean they don't… hey…"
2-D let her go and walked in front of her. The zombie lover walked right up to one of the living dead and clapped in it's face. It jerked and looked up to him. It stayed deadpan and ignored him, walking away with the other one. 2-D frowned in confusion. They never did that before. They were warm flesh but the zombies didn't want to eat it. 2-D walked back to Noodle who looked just as surprised as him.
"…That's weird"
"They have never done this before, they always ran to try to eat us"
"Yeah… somethin's not right… C'mon"
2-D and Noodle walked normally back to the carpark, eyeing every move the zombies made. They all saw them walking… but they just walked past them like they were just another one of their kind. Something defiantly wasn't right. The zombies were cannibals. They eat people. People like 2-D and Noodle. Why weren't they now? Maybe they went vegetarian? Made friends with human kind, the living? Whatever the reason, 2-D didn't like it.
They walked into the dimly lit carpark. It was quiet. No cars racing about and no annoying or disturbing sounds coming from Murdoc's Winnebago. Everything looked deserted. The light's flicked a bit and Noodle checked everything absentmindedly. 2-D looked for Damon's car which was still in the exact same spot as he last saw it. There was an empty space where 2-D's car should be. Someone must have stolen it after it had crashed… but why? Wouldn't they have found him?
"2D-san! The Geep is gone!"
2-D raised an eyebrow questionably at Noodle who pointed to a large empty space where the Geep would be parked.
"They must be out or something"
"I saw lights on inside"
"Uh huh…"
2-D looked around confusingly. No one was around. Not even Murdoc was sitting in his Winnebago with his bass, cigarettes and tequila, making out with a blonde slut. He was always doing that at night. But now they were just… gone. Maybe Damon had sued their ass for 2-D's behaviour. The singer laughed off the thought and started walking to the stairwell.
"Well then someone must be here love, we'll check the kitchen ok? Russ would be havin' somethin' ter eat about now wouldn't he?"
Noodle nodded knowing that would be perfectly true. He was always hungry. Plus his obsession for hogs or any dead animals still confused her greatly. 2-D opened the door and started slowly walking up the stairs from which he hurriedly ran down this morning. Noodle anxiously followed not knowing what to do. The friendly zombies were scary enough. Didn't want anything else strange coming to Kong… actually scratch that. You would have more trouble trying to find someone that wasn't strange that had already encountered Kong.
"Damon and Jamie still here?"
"Their car is but I don't know about them… I hope they're not waitin' to personally fire me…"
"Do not worry 2D-san! I am sure Damon would not fire you for breaking his jaw"
"Aw thanks love, feel loads better. I don't punch that hard do I? A weakling like me?"
"You are not weak"
"If I wasn't then Muds would have bruises all over him every day"
Noodle laughed silently. It was true. 2-D would defiantly seek his revenge once he gets healthy, fit and strong. He'd beat the old man to a lifeless limb. 2-D reached a door and stopped to listen for anyone inside. Noodle cocked her head to one side waiting for an answer. 2-D shrugged not able to hear much and just opened the door wide and stepped in, the door closing behind him. Noodle paused waiting for a reaction from 2-D. Either a cry of laughter or a girlish scream. Anything. She wanted to see someone that she could run into the arms of. After a long wait, the Axe Princess sighed and walked up to the door and gingerly pushed it open waiting to see her band mates, her family, the people who raised her from 10, the people she loves dearly.
Every move is of vital importance
The only connection to life that you think is still there
She saw the empty living room lying in front of her. The lights on and the TV going. 2-D silently standing in front of it. Glued to it. Like it was brainwashing his mind and he was trapped staring at it for the rest of eternity. The British voice of a woman was quietly talking on the playing television. The 6:00 news. They came just in time.
Tears began to well in the eyes of the Lord
Everything isn't what it seems
Noodle felt a sudden slow sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Like pain was like lead that was weighing heavily upon her, forcing her to the ground on her knees. Something was going on. Something wasn't right.
What you believe is only what you want
But sometimes we would rather hear the truth
Noodle walked forward, every step seemed like it took hours, the destination in front of her only getting further away. Something defiantly wasn't right.
You need the truth to survive in the real world
Your world is way off the planet, trapped within depths of the mind
Noodle walked aside and stood next to 2-D. She glanced at his face. He looked horrified. Pale and sick even.
It wasn't the reason reality was created
You're not insane if you think you are
"…2-D?... what is…"
It was a world everyone had to share, the choices were theirs all along
Even after we pass we still have contact with our own kind
Noodle tried off after she caught sight of the TV and the picture upon it.
It wasn't our fault
It showed flashes of a car crash that was done on an early foggy morning.
We all had to obey
There was a silver one collided…
But we finally found it and got the true answer
…with 2-D's.
Finding life in Death
2-D let out a whine and cringed. He lifted a hand to his face and covered his eyes already starting to well with tears, forcefully falling onto his cold hand. His nose began to run and he choked by trying to hold back his sobs. On the TV, 2-D's dead body was lying motionless in the driver's seat, his head bleeding badly and the broken windshield in front of him. Police hurrying past into the car to get him out hoping their favourite Gorillaz singer was still alive. The camera was being shoved away as it followed 2-D's pale frame on a stretcher into the back of an ambulance. Its doors shut tight and it set off straight away at full speed down the deserted road and disappeared into the mist. More police were surrounding the car crash and a young English man was yelling, almost screaming at them and crying hysterically. His voice and words were heard loud and clear onto National Television.
"I didn't see him! He just came at me and he was on the wrong side of the road! And it was fog out! I couldn't see him! And then he hit me! I didn't see him! I swear I didn't! I didn't mean to kill him! Oh God! I didn't mean it! I didn't see him!"
He screamed in pain once again and the police tried to calm him down and ask him questions. The camera flew in all directions trying not to miss a second of all the action and catastrophe. The woman once again stepped out into view looking rather mortified herself.
"Stuart Tusspot or otherwise known as 2-D is being rushed to the nearest hospital right now. We can only hope that he hasn't left us and that he will be on his feet once again in no time. Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, friends of the Gorillaz, report that he had suddenly left Kong Studios after they came back from shooting their latest music video, entitled 'El Manana'. He left because he went to find the teenage Gorillaz Guitarist 'Noodle' who had not come back with Albarn and Hewlett because of an 'incident'. I'm here now with Damon Albarn at the scene with more information. Damon what exactly happened with the Japanese teen?"
The camera moved to show Damon standing next to the woman. He was looking back at the two cars and was biting his bottom lip to keep from crying. His bloodshot eyes revealed more than they let on though. His jaw was clean but bruised and black. Damon looked into the camera and sniffed before getting his attention to the woman who was anxiously holding the microphone to his face.
"Um… Noodle died… during the video. She… She was in the windmill and we were doing the video again for the fifth time and then… 2 helicopters came and they… they shot the windmill down with Noodle inside it… I didn't see her get out"
Damon's voice was raspy and dry and ached like a giant pill was stuck in his throat blocking his wind pipe. He didn't want to talk about Noodle right now.
"Do you know who were in the helicopters?"
"No but we are onto them… we'll find them and then we'll kill them"
"Where are the other 2 band mates and Jamie Hewlett?"
"They shouldn't be bothered now… they were traumatised enough with Noodle's death, I don't think they will be able to handle this"
"What will the band do without a singer and a guitarist? Will they be replaced?"
Damon froze and stared at the woman. He then randomly laughed loudly making her jump fearfully. He turned his back to the camera and buried his face in his hands and sobbed loudly. The woman just stared absentmindedly and waited for his reply like the brain dead reporter she is. Damon turned back and let his hands fall. Tears covered his face and he looked horrible like the world was coming to an end.
"Excuse me…"
He whispered to the woman that Noodle could only just make out his words. He covered his face once again and slowly walked away and off the camera's screen. It turned back to the reporter who was looking at the screen depressingly.
"I'm sorry Damon can't answer some of my questions now, the death of 2 of his greatest friends has left him speechless. We will have more information later and we will keep you updated on the Gorillaz progress. Right now, the music video, El Manana of Gorillaz has been sent and we will broadcast Noodle's final moments for the first time on National TV. I'm Susan Marshall and you're watching 3 news. Here is the video"
The screen went black and the noise of the TV stopped. 2-D still had his hand over his eyes and was quietly sobbing. He heard every word. Noodle though… Noodle. Noodle couldn't believe it. It wasn't real. It was just a dream. She must be dreaming. She can't be dead. She was right there. She did survive the crash. She remembered waking up and climbing out of under the piles of broken wood and climbing up the trench. She remembered wandering around for days and calling for help. She remembered struggling to survive against weather, starvation and dehydration. She remembered 2-D finding her. It can't be real. She wasn't dead. She wasn't. She needed her proof. She needed to see what she could handle.
The video started once again with Noodle's emerald green eyes glistening in the sun. It pained 2-D to hear that song. He shook his trying to block the sound. He never wanted to hear that song ever again. The screen fell back to a full view of the windmill and Noodle sitting on it in the warm sun and gentle breeze. Just the way she remembered it. Suddenly the TV was switched off and the screen flashed and went blank. The Japanese girl opened her eyes surprisingly and stared at 2-D. He didn't move and inch. She looked around her and saw nothing but the remote on the couch. No one turned off the TV… but someone had to… Her video was wasting.
"No! Stay on!"
Noodle whined sadly as she pushed the button on the TV, her video came back on and Noodle sat down quietly and watched. 2-D still huddled in himself crying. Noodle needed to watch, she needed to see. How exactly did she die?
Summer don't know me
No more eager man, that's all
Summer don't know me
He just let me love, in my sea
'Cos I do know lord
From you that
Just died, yeah
I saw that day
Lost my mind
Lord I'm fine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Don't stop the buck
When it comes it's the dawn, you'll see
Money won't get there
10 years pass tonight, you'll flee
If you do that
I'll be some
To find you
I saw that day
Lost my mind
Lord I'm fine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
I saw that day
Lost my mind
Lord I'm fine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
El Manana
Gorillaz
Noodle used every little bit of strength in her body just to lift her hand and turn of the TV. Her finger pushed the button and she let her hand fall down. She lowered her head and saw the tears hit her freezing white legs and arms. Staining her flesh. That explained everything. The car crash. The zombies. Seeing no one for miles. Everything was explained… just… why did everything have to be explained that way? Noodle looked up with gentle cries of her own. 2-D's dark eyes stared down at her understandingly. They both felt the same pain. Like they were one. At least they had each other.
"…2-D?"
"Love!"
2-D cried and he dropped down to Noodle and embraced her in a tight hug. Noodle squinted her eyes shut and wrapped her arms around 2-D's neck and cried hysterically into his chest. Everything was gone. They were dead. They could see life no more. They couldn't see anyone. Like they were blind from colour. Why were they still there? Aren't people meant to leave and go somewhere when they die? The living and the dead can't both share the earth. It would get too crowded, even if they didn't see each other. 2 kinds. Spilt right down the middle. Total opposites. Night from Day. Black from White. Bad from God. Death from Life. It was all the same. Life is a game. A game of anything. It's all luck and fortune until you take a bad move. Then… your out. And you don't get another in? What were they to do? If you were already dead then did that mean you didn't need food or water or sleep because you couldn't die again? Did you age? Could you still feel pain? It would be horrible to feel pain and never ever die from it. Like torture. 2-D and Noodle have nothing to do. Nothing to do but wait. Wait till the end of eternity… if there was ever going to be one. But forever is a long time… maybe they might find something… but never again could they see… how they used to be. Ever. Again.
We can't just die
We all go somewhere
We must find a light
Something to guide
Answer our questions
Take us in
Tell us why
Everything wasn't fair
Why do birds fly?
Why do plants grow?
Make us wise
Then let us go
Repeat our souls
Again and again and again
Time never ends
But then again
It never really did ever start
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