I've been taking forever on this so I'm sorry.


Days had passed since Melody reunited with her friends. They talked on the phone for hours about what Melody had been missing out on. Margaret was finally able to stay with her mothers side of the family after a custody battle that took place for 2 years. She was much happier now that she was living with them after her fraternal grandparents gave everyone hell, even when in the past they had tried to have margaret never see from mothers family again ever since she was a child. For Margaret she, "Couldn't care less for those fat, pasty Italians." She enjoyed every bit of her newfound freedom with her new family, they let her talk to whoever she wanted to and let her stay out late so as long she told them where she was going. It gave Melody's dear friend a chance to be in total control of her life as she wanted to, of course she wouldn't tell them always where she'd exactly go to. Some parties and some usual sad love-sick boys to visit were few things Margaret wouldn't tell her family. She grew up to be sneaky and Melody wondered if this would have an affect on her in the future but didnt want to upset her friend with her thoughts, after all, she was more alive than she ever been. So what if she wanted to break a few hearts for sport or partied all night long? So long as Melody hoped it was to have a good time and not to run away from issues or fall in the same cruel personalities of her fathers family. The only thing to do was to be a good friend and watch out for her.

As for Athena, she had been doing well. Still friends with Margaret, she would tag along with her going out at night but would never lie to her family on where she was going. Athena was born in a middle class lifestyle with 4 older brothers and loving parents it was mostly normal in sharp contrast from her two best friends. Usually Athena would invite them to outings and events her family would do like camping, travelling, going to fairs, the beach, etc. Melody knew why. Athenas parents always loved having them over and being so family orientated they took it upon themselves to share what they had with her friends. Some of Melody's best memories would always be with Athena's family, as if they were her first family ever. Margaret felt the same not knowing who her parents really were and having to be raised by extended, it felt nice and normal to be with Athena's family. Athena herself really kept things together and for so long managed to stay in touch with Melody. Which was how Melody managed to find them again, hearing Athenas mothers voice over a phone call for the first time in months. Despite Athena's loving backround she still had some insecurities. She was tall for a girl around 5'10, red long hair, white skin with freckles across her face, chest and shoulders. Melody remembered the times in elementary school boys would tease her for her appearence but her friends were always there for her.


It had been nagging Melody for the longest, she wanted to go outside and be with her friends again. The feeling of being free after so long again made her grateful but wondered if her life should have always been this way if it wasn't for Vincent. Sending her to multiple families time after time and continuously intervening whenever he noticed her getting comfortable. It was like clockwork and learned that the hard way from her first family she stayed with after her parents passed. Those first people were so nice, loving, and warm that Melody had almost healed. The only mistake she did was telling Vincent about how happy she was he and without saying anything much the next couple of days would be her packing up for good - leaving them behind. From then on she was used masking her feelings out of just survival. but the times have changed now and she was ready to live her life unconditional and in a triumphant way but she knew that it would take time and the first steps is little by little. Rummaging through her stocked closet she found something more to her tastes, very plain and moderate: A black, short-sleeved turtleneck with black leggings and plain white sneakers she looked in one more time in the mirror.

I'm disgusting.

The sun was going down, so she quickly collected enough bravery to ask Ofdensen to see her friends again. Inhaling deeply she turned off the lights and walked down the hall to his office.


"Abigail, this could be very serious, how would we explain all of this carefully enough to her?" Ofdensen put his glasses down on the table and rubbed his eyes. What time was It? 5? 6? Knubbler and Abigail had been in his office for three hours already normally a meeting about the bands well-being takes an hour but apparently more when it came to his cousin. Knubblers ideas were sure original thoughts alright.

"Aw jeez y'know what, its one of those things that just come out of no where and sometimes you gotta take care of it."
Abigail looked over to a hungover Knubbler with an arched brow, "I guess what knubbler is trying to say is some things like this aren't easy but we know she isn't a child, she's smart enough to understand the things we're going to tell her but I've contacted the church like you asked they haven't gotten back to me yet so we're still waiting."
Ofdensen put his glasses on his grimaced face and sighed at the thought of the possible involvement of her being in the prophecy. If he was the Dead man what worse could she become just by being blood related? Before the conversation continued Melody came behind the crack of the door.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but I was meaning to ask something."
"Ah melody," Ofdensen said opening the door, "Come in there's two more people you have to meet. This is Abigail Remeltindtdrinc the band's lead producer and Dick Knubbler the band's main sound engineer-"
"Hey hey hey!" Knubbler slurred out from the couch, "And producer too, c'mon I've been with you how many years?" Melody smiled nervously, trying not to stare too long at Knubblers mechanical eyes, "It's very nice to meet the both of you…" She answered. She hoped they didn't hear about her and Toki's incident.

By now, they most likely had.

"So what is it that you needed to ask again?" Ofdenson asked. Melody hugged herself in self assurance and took a deep breathe, "I was wondering if I could go see my friends Margaret and Athena tonight." She asked carefully. The short second pause gap of no response seemed like forever until she heard Ofdensen, "weelll…" he trailed off and looked at Abigail, with a big smile on her face nodding yes. It was they only extra input he needed. "Just make sure you wear your ring and if you sleep over let me know, until then curfew is 10." He answered promptly. Melody's eyes widened a bit but didn't complained as she backed up to the to the door with a quick thank you. Abigail smiled over to the door as it closed and reminded Ofdensen, " Things will be awkward but it's best to let your cousin live a little bit."

He looked down at his desk, sure it was a little much but she was right, Melody needed to become an average kid again. Higher class and his blood, but average at least.

Knubbler had stood up stumbling a bit and stretched his arms as his green eyes flickred, " I can see this meeting is over so til next time Ofdensen. I wont be surprised if she turns out to be just like you." Abigail gathered her paper work from a table and proceeded to walk out with Knubbler. "Have a great afternoon Charles!" she said before closing the door with a toothy grin.

She seemed excited about the whole change, Ofdensen speculated it could be because of her no longer being the only girl in Mordhaus. Or it was a spectable to see him as something else than just the band's manager. Nevertheless, it was going to be more surprises down from there.


Melody had forgotten about the ring and hurried back towards her room to grab it when she noticed something outside her window in the large yard. Sitting on one of the picnic benches sat Toki fiddling with an acoustic guitar, focusing on the strings when he suddenly lifted up his head and saw melody through the window.

Her heart leaped. He spotted her and she stood there frozen. He squinted his eyes to get a better look and smiled waving a hello. Strangely, he wasn't as nervous as she was and reluctantly Melody waved back.

Should I go and talked to him?

She thought it best to stuff down the social anxiety once again and just have a small conversation before she left, after all she was going to be living there now. Might as well be on good terms with the band. Walking down the stairs toward the back door Melody's hands got immediately sweaty as she took a couple of steps outside.

"Hi's Melody!" The Norwegian chirped out. His voice was as childlike as she remembered.

"Uhm hi, I was wondering what you were up to." She said quietly.

"Oh nothing's just playing an old grandpas guitars. I gots bored being in my rooms all day. How about yous?"

"W-what I've been up to? Well, I was getting ready to see some friends but decided to just-"

Don't panic too much you're doing gold. Just don't talk so much.

"I-I guess talk to you for a little bit?

Toki shrugged a shoulder and smiled, "Oh okays. You wants to sit down maybe?"

Melody quickly sat down across from Toki as he tuned the guitar and tested the sound. She wondered how he could tell when a string sounded right.

"Can I ask you something?" She mustered up.

"Of course," Toki responded, " What is it?"

Melody thought of a different question that wouldn't be too confusing.

"How long have you played the guitar?"

Toki's blue eyes glistened as he thought about it.

"Wells… growings up was hard. And sometimes when I coulds, I's go into town to look for somethings to do. I stumbleds one day in a black metal shops and seens a guitar that was hanging on the wall." Toki put the acoustic down on the table and continued, "It was no grandpas guitar but a black gibsons. It was beautifuls. I went back to that shops whenever ams coulds. Listened to the records playing in that store. Trying to learn how to plays it, eventuallys, after enough practice and moneys saves up I took that guitars with me to Americas."

Toki looked back over to Melody, out of a trance.

"Do yous play?" He asked.

She blinked back into consciousness, "Oh well no, I never learned. As a matter of fact I never really got into music. Never had the chance."

"Oh.." Toki looked down and paused for a second then smiled." I can teach yous!"

"O-oh uhm." Melody didn't know what to say when suddenly Toki stood up, "When yous comes backs tonight just goes to my rooms. I'll teach yous! It's boring enough around here anyways it woulds be funs!" He said excitedly

"Ah, okay then!" Melody responded quickly. Toki then took off inside the building "Okays sees you then!" and disapeered.

Melody groaned. She was already breaking rules.

Never go over to the band's quarters.


"So any reason why you can't hang out with them? Is your cousin worried you'll get diddled or something?" Margaret joked. Melody blushed in embarrassment and tried to hide it by concentrating on braiding Athenas hair.

"I don't think it's that. I'm sure he just wants to keep me sheltered for a while. I mean, Dethklok wouldn't want to be bothered by me going around their quarters seeing what their doing and all."

Athena looked over at Melody, "But you're not the nosy type at all, I'm sure you wouldn't bug them."

Sighing, she supposed it was her being a little girl. And common sense says little girls shouldn't be friends with grown men. But it reminded Melody of the over protection she got from families before that knew nothing about her.

Margaret and Athena knew her best. Melody was moody and had a lack of patience sometimes. But that didn't make her a bad person, those things combined with some social anxiety made others think she was an asshole. But sometimes Melody couldn't get in touch deep with her feeling because she feared the worst things she'll find.

"Mankind are beasts"

"Melody?" Margaret said loudly, breaking her trance.

"Sorry..." She said as Margaret crossed her arms at her.

"As I was saying snowflake," Margaret said, "Do what you want to do. Don't worry about your cousin so much because he can't watch you like a fucking hawk all the time. We'll find ways getting around him." Melody stared blankly.

"Oh come on Melody!" said Athena, "Margaret was just talking about going out Friday night!"

Getting irritated Melody rolled her eyes," I'm sorry!" She pouted and fiddled with her ring, "But I can't really sneak out like we used to since my cousin made me wear this tracker."

Margaret squinted at the gold band around her friends finger, "That ain't a damn thing to worry about. Again, we'll figure out something to get you out. I'll probably call my friend Sandia to cover for you, don't worry she's cool. But you really need to come to this show with us! We've been going to this venue for a while now and I'll think you'll love it."

"Who is Sandia? And what kind of show?" She asked. Athena reached onto Margarets bed to pull out a flyer from under the pillow, "Sandia is one of our friends we met last month, here take a look at the venue." She she smiled and handed it over. Melody read the details on the low quality black and white design text that read the time and date in the downtown area. "Heart-On-Your-Sleeve underground show with special guests Danny Chauvini and SubBach." Well that's creative I guess," Melody scoffed, "A mishmash of local bands and new sounds should be interesting. I need to get out more anyways."

Margaret smiled wide and squeeled with excitement, "You're going to LOVE it! I know a lot of the people that go but promise me you'll come by to my house first. I want to dress you up so that way they won't know were kids and get us kicked out." She hopped off the bed and towards her record player and pulled out a vinyl. Melody wondered if what she was doing was right, if she shouldn't give her cousin Charles a chance at all to know her like she did with all the other intruders in her life or should consider this time to be different since he was blood related. She looked over and saw Athena admiring her braids in the mirror, remembering what her friends father said, "Sometimes you pick and choose who will be your family. And that's never a bad thing."

Margaret turned up the volume blasting Bad Brains, one of Margarets favorite band. Seeing her and Athena living their lives was all Melody had hoped for while she was away.


Walking down the hallway into the main livingingroom of Mordhaus, it was early in the morning. Melody debated with herself if she should take the back door towards Toki's room or not. He was probably asleep and wouldn't be up to give a guitar lesson but she really didn't want to go back to her room and wallow in her bed until the sun was up.

Ah fuck it why not.

Unlocking the back door open she made her way across the patio and field area. Looking around the whole place seemed so much bigger: the twilight horizon and chilly air made it all come together with as a very surreal moment. Not far were Dethklok's living quarters, each one wide and hexagonal shaped. Arriving at one of them on the side of it's door was an etching of a picture, this particular one showed a face with a stout nose and short hair.

"Murderface. Well I guess keep checking."

Walking over to the next one she had found Toki's face next to it's door and decided to knock.

"No. I shouldn't be here this feels wrong. Maybe I still have time to turn back-"

The door opened and revealed a shirtless Toki rubbing his eye.

"Melody?" he squeaked out, "Is thats yous?"

She stammered and looked away to avoid eye contact. NOTHING made her more uncomfortable than looking at people in the eye.

"W-well I uh…" She said folding her hands, " I… I know that its early but I can't sleep… y-you think you can teach me?"

He rubbed his eye "Oh the guitars?" he chirped up seemingly more awake now, "Comes in." He opened the door wider by going behind it allowing Melody entrance. She nodded her head and nervously shuffled in.

First thing to see was his bed and hanging aircraft models from the roof. Nearby was a work desk , it was messy as glue stained the desk and paper clippings scattered all around the desk and floor. Melody decided to sit on the chair and face Toki who was on his bed tuning the guitar again.

He picked at a few guitar strings that sounded like the duncun hills coffee jiggle only some of the chords sounded more drawn out.

"I'm guessing you like playing your own way?" Melody asked.

"Abouts the songs?" Toki looked up, "I can'ts reads notes but listensings is goods enough. It's a feelings thing."

"A feeling thing? Did Skwisgaar learned the same?"

"Yeah that didldos did. Here yous trys it." Toki offered holding the acoustic by the neck. Melody felt too small for it as she couldn't get her right arm around it enough comfortably. Pricking at a few strings, she listened carefully while Toki watched with a soft smile. He didn't try to direct her or give any advice he looked on to see a little girl trying out the guitar for the first time. Soon Melody heard and memorized the difference of each string and started going back and forth from highest to lowest. She then thought of where her left fingers should go on which fret and decided to try it out. Holding onto the deeper sounding string she continued her pattern, alternating different strings to hold down. It all sounded like a bunch of mess scrambled together however Toki didn't mind the experimentation. Melody didn't notice but he was a little bit proud. As toki checked the time it was getting late and decided to stop the late night lesson, he put his hand on her left hand and spoke, "Yous should bes goings backs to sleep soons. Aftersall Charles ams get pissed. I'll walks you to your rooms." Both standing up, Toki put on a shirt as Melody set the guitar by the wall

Toki looked over, "Ohs, yous cans keeps it." He smiled as she held onto it, "It's betters to practices to makes perfects." He finished. She lifted the instrument and hugged it as they stepped into the halls and across to the main house. Toki wondered how she must feel being here. It was innately in him sometimes to make sure people were satisfied. It could be from his past talking, but he felt responsible for Melody to make sure she was comfortable. After all, she was wedged into living this way she must feel alone. It was time for toki to speak up as they crossed into the main house.

"Melody," he said, "Ams you okays with Charles beings your familys?"

She saw concerned blue eyes from him. He wasn't joking or being too invasive, so she answered him, "To tell you the truth it's a stretch from what I was dealing with before." Melody looked towards the windows of the living room trying not to think so in depth about the homes Vincent put her in, if she did she would cry, "I have what I wanted and that was to be wanted by my real family. But now that I can live...well I don't know what to do exactly." Climbing up the steps she forgot all about the bright moon that filled up the sky and for a moment she didn't feel like breaking down.

Toki spoke up, "Maybes yous just needs to know Charles and Dethkloks betters." He smiled.

"Well Charles made it clear I can't go anywhere near you or the rest of Dethklok rooms. I already broke that rule right now being with you." Melody frowned. What was her cousin trying to hide from her about the band?

"Psh, screws dat robotsk," Toki dismissed rolling his eyes, "He probablys think we ams crazies, but don't worrys he'll have tos accepts us." Standing in front of her room Melody sighed, "I wonder when that will be. I do want to meet the rest of you guys. It wouldn't feel right if I never did. I mean we sorta live together." Giving each other a small hug both Melody and Toki said a goodnight with him promising he would teach her again. He walked down the hall into the stairs as Melody locked the bedroom door behind her. She contained herself for so long now with buried anger and resentment to forces that burdened her life from the very beginning but what made her more frustrated was a fact she tried to push away what she met tonight: Someone else she can talk to and who was very attractive.

"Jeez," she groaned, "What's wrong with me? I got to get that out of my mind." The shirtless guitarist was handsome enough to make any girl her age write unrealistic fanfiction about him. Lying down she pushed the image of Toki out of her mind as silence set in, she hoped Charles wouldn't kill her for going to his room. However, she couldn't escape the feeling that something else was wrong.