Chapter 6

Curfew and 'Keeping People Safe' only extended until the mayor needed to schmooze the governor at the Luau. Once the day before the festival come around, the idea took hold that maybe what had just been teenagers coming in from the city to fuck with a small community. The idea had Shane smirking when Marnie told him.

"I don't like it either…" Marnie said. "From what they told me it was disgusting in that shrine. Absolutely awful!" she added as she laid the feed for the chickens down.

"So are you going to say anything to Lewis next time you see him?" Shane teased her, knowing full well the answer.

"Absolutely!"

You're so full of shit Marnie.

The pub's signs were lit against the darkness of the evening dusk - neon and shining as they cast shade onto the background of the sky, making it seem like a hole of blackness. The thought crossed Shane's mind that he no longer yearned to stand in the corner taking up space and watching his fellow neighbors cut their lives short in a noisy old bar. As he passed by the pub, he thought about Emily and if her night was going well, and if Pam had gotten too drunk already and spilled her beer all over the bartop, and if Gus was giving her a hard time like he normally did when the place was packed. He wondered if she was wondering why he wasn't out drinking. Shane was never sure if they were exactly friends. Because she was the barmaid she was supposed to be friendly with the patrons, but Emily wasn't about being disingenuous, and he thought about how she might act around someone who she didn't like. He couldn't picture it, as there wasn't a soul he could think of whom Emily could downright not like.

Maybe I'll stop by later this week and see what she's been up to.

Sitting at the lake dock was the outline of his friend, the man he pretended he didn't have feelings for, who had given him a cryptic answer as to whether or not he reciprocated. The air had cooled down significantly over the course of the day as Shane laid down on the old wood pier and let nature sooth his aching muscles.

"Hard day at work?" Mars asked, taking a can from the cardboard case of beer he provided, pulling the tab and handing it over to Shane.

"When isn't it?" he answered and took a long drink. "How many frozen bags of corn do the people of this town really need?"

Mars let out a small chuckle as they toasted to another day of Shane making through his shift. "No seriously, I swear I unload so many fucking boxes of frozen food and shit every day and I really want to know where its going," Shane continued to complain. "Who's buying it?"

"I don't know. Maybe the mayor for the potluck?" Mars half joked.

Shane gave him a strange look, then connected the dots in his mind.

"Ohh yeah. You've never been to the Luau," he said. "It's a communal potluck. Everyone brings something for the soup."

"Ohh really? What if it sucks?"

"Sometimes it does… and Lewis always loses his shit because the governor of the county comes by to taste test it."

"So that's what everybodies been hush hush about," Mars said, catching Shane's attention.

"What do you mean?"

"So while I was minding my own business, I heard people talking about if it's really safe to lift the curfew."

A cocky half-grin half crawled up Shane's face. "All this over a bunch of dumb kids."

"You still think it was just a bunch of kids from the city?"

"Well, what else could it be?" Shane snapped back as he crushed his now-empty can against the pier before grabbing a replacement. "I don't believe in any of that magic mumbo jumbo. Unless science proves it, or I've seen it with my own two eyes, it's not real."

"So you think a bunch of kids from the city stole a cow, were able to bring it into Caroline and Pierre's home, kill and gut it, cover the place in blood, do all that without waking anyone up, and not leave a trace of evidence of breaking in?"

"It's a better explanation than a spooky monster came and did it!" Shane answered him. "Monsters aren't real."

"If you say so." Mars chuckled. "I don't know what really happened or why, but everyone in the town is still pretty scared, enough to where there's a large majority mad at Lewis."

"Well, what's the man supposed to do? How can you keep the town on lockdown and be able to kiss the governor's ass at the same time? Somethings gotta give. So do you believe in all that magical crap?"

Mars took a moment to think.

"I believe in monsters."

"What kind?"

"The ones who say they're your friend to your face then stab you in the back. Hell, they stab you in the chest if they think they can get away with it."

"Yeah, I believe in those kinds of monsters too," Shane agreed.

Sunshine blanketed the beach, and the hot midsummer air cooked the people who celebrated their festival within it. Sand squished and formed to his bare feet and burned (but in a good way) as Shane arrived with Jas to enjoy the outdoor fun. Before Shane even had his hand unlatched from the young girl, she was running towards the only other kid her age: her best friend, Vincent. Shane was glad to see his goddaughter happy, glad to see she had adjusted to changes in life better than he had been able to.

Shane saw Marnie busy at work. She was always here early getting the potluck ready, helping Gus set up, and doing all the general duties of the mayor's wife, all without the status, recognition, or a pendant.

I hope I'm never that fucking stupid…

What did Marnie hope to accomplish by doing all these wonderful things for Lewis? Did she think one day he would wake up and make their relationship public? Marry her? Shane knew to stay out of it, but part of him wanted to tell his aunt that she deserved better, that she was worth more than the scraps of love Lewis let her gnaw on. He had even once overheard her talking to Gus asking for a man's opinion on the matter. The old chief didn't have the heart to tell her to dump him, and Shane wondered if she had forgotten he was a man too, old enough to know the games Lewis played.

Just break up with the bastard.

Shane put on his best fake expression as he walked by, trying his best to not let his general disgust with Lewis seep through when he waved at him.

Be nice Shane, you don't want the heat.

How could anyone be so fake? His fake expression began to fade as he tried to not let the thought fester, but it did. He didn't understand the appeal of pretending to be happy when he wasn't, let alone pose as another person's friend when he clearly couldn't stand most anyone. He was happier being an honest asshole than faking a persona. At least Lewis' reelection scheme of artificially putting fear into the townspeople by locking the place down wasn't turning out the way he had intended, and that brought Shane some joy. At least the town could finally move past this prank, and return to normal.

As Gus tried his best to keep the flies off the food, Shane took upon himself to help by stuffing his face before the insects could land on it. Once he gathered a plate he eyed the bench that Lewis and the governor stood around, knowing full well that he wasn't welcome. He knew his eyes weren't the best, but Shane didn't see anywhere else to sit. He'd have to choose between making small safe talk with Lewis and the ass he was so desperate to kiss, or on the ground. He chose the dock instead.

Sitting on the first few steps of the wooden pier, Shane tried to focus more on the more unique and pleasant smells than the insufferable ones. He shouldn't have complained in honesty. It was a good spot to claim. He could supervise Jas as she played on the dance floor, people watch, and when he ran out of food he wasn't that far from the buffet to refresh his plate. Sure, the sun was blister-inducing, but he hoped he would only tan in its presence since that's what always happened when he was in highschool. He finished off the helping of hot pepper chutney and leaned back, eyes closed enjoying the heat, thinking back to when he was younger and how he didn't have all these aches and pains.

Enjoy it while you can Jas, it only goes downhill…

However, in that moment he felt a glimmer of peace touch his thoughts, just like the sun and vodka he had stashed away in his pockets were eating his depression, just letting him be without his mental illness and letting him forget. In a blink it seemed to fade, feeling the weight of another person taking a seat next to him, the wood creaking, his heart jumping.

"So, what am I going to have to do to get you to dance with Emily and me?" Mars asked, his voice cutting through Shanes dreamy state. The request made him smile.

"Why do you want me to dance with you two?"

"Because it's fun!"

"I'm having fun right here enjoying the peace and quiet," Shane said, adjusting his body to the hardwood underneath and closing his eyes. Mars gave him a light shove.

"Please?"

He couldn't resist catching a glance at Mars draped in his beach attire,

That smile…

"Maybe later. I'm not really feeling up to it right now."

"Alright, suit yourself!" Mars answered by giving his friend another light shove before running off to join Emily.

In plain sight Shane pulled the vodka from his pocket. It was disguised as water, and the plastic crinkled as he took a swig. No matter how bad his addiction worsened, he assumed he would always feel that nip at the end - the sting and shiver of how hard liquor tastes without a mixer. He was supposed to be watching Jas, but his eyes kept wandering back to Mars and Emily, both smiling and having fun.

How did the man do it? How did Mars stay so happy? A part of him wanted to tear himself away, sickened by how well his friend could strike up conversations or make friends with anyone, how he always seemed so filled with joy, content with his life. Why couldn't Shane do that? Some people are just born that way, he supposed. His jealousy ended where his feelings started, and every time he saw that smile and that toothy grin, he melted a little bit more.

The vodka was settling in his system and he was starting to feel more than what he thought he had in him. The way Emily danced with him...

That should be me.

How they were laughing at jokes he couldn't hear...

That should be me.

Did she feel the same coldness when Mars put his hand on hers?

We should be holding hands.

Shane tried to think back to the last time he was jealous.

No try to forget, try to forget…

Balancing his drunken body as his feet sunk into the sand, tripping a few times before connecting with the semi solid dance floor, Shane couldn't see the delighted faces of Emily and Mars as he approached.

"Deciding to join us?" Emily teased as Shane turned red, either from the sun or from her words. "Good thing you brought some water!"

Yeah good thing I did, hehe…

He wasn't out of it, but the mix of blazing heat and booze had Shane incredibly dehydrated and slightly delirious. He finally had a moment to talk to Emily. He never realized how much he enjoyed her company until he didn't have it. Mars, on the other hand, was like an ice pack as leaned his back against Shane's as the shade his frigid body provided combated the heat. A thought hit Shane that, even for someone anemic, being that cold was...odd, but he had reached the point of being drunk where he couldn't keep the thought long enough to question it. Mars just felt good, and that's all his touch-starved self seemed to care about.

A beat found itself blasting out of the speakers that Shane could bop too. Emily couldn't notice it, but Mars, who was still back-to-back with Shane, could feel how his friend's shoulders flexed and how his body swayed, even if it was minimal. He spun himself around, then put himself between Shane and Emily.

"Wanna dance?" he asked.

"I don't dance."

"Emily?" Mars invited her by holding out his hand. She gladly took his invitation and Mars led her away from Shane in a pseudo waltz. An emotion he wasn't ready for hit him: Jealousy. Someone else was holding his friend, his…

Fine. Both of you can look fucking stupid. See if I care...

But he did care, more than he wanted to acknowledge in his own thoughts. The way he made Emily weightless on the dancefloor, where she got to put her hands on his waist, how Shane was regretting that stern no to dancing with his…

Crush.

Mars' eyes would look up from Emily for the slightest moment to make contact with Shane's.

If you want to cut in, she won't mind.

His hands were shaky, not because of a lack of enough booze but from fear, anxiety, the eyes of others, the idea that he was reading the situation wrong. However, in a moment of clarity, all the sound stopped, and Shane could hear a faint voice in the back of his mind, one silenced by years of evil thoughts which gave him doubt:

You'll never know if you don't try.

He let the voice go and tried to shake the thought away with more vodka.

He likes you, go dance with him.

Another swig.

Who cares if anyone is watching?!

He had it. With one more sip of liquid courage, Shane put his 'water bottle' back in his pocket and walked with confidence over to Emily and Mars.

"Show me how you're doing that!" Shane demanded, not sure how to smoothly cut in. Mars grinned.

"What? Waltzing?" Mars asked. "Haven't you ever been to a wedding?"

"Yes, but how do you do it so good?" Shane slurred, clearly drunk. The conversation already had Emily trying to hide her laughter.

"Practice?" Mars answered as Emily pulled herself away. "If you want I can help you-" Before Mars could finish his sentence and direct Shane to Emily, his fingers were interlocked with Shane's.

The fear on Shane's face was clear, but Mars didn't let it stay for too long. Mars moved like water on glass, and guided Shane with each step. With a liquor-soaked brain Shane struggled to remember the last time he was forced to be this graceful.

"Relax." Mars spoke in between the music, cutting through Shane's inner thoughts. "Let me lead."

But Shane, too drunk to realize where he was stepping, kept bumping into Mars. His heart jumped every time their bodies would clash. He knew the tip of his nose to the ends of his ears were red with infatuation, and for a moment he let go of the embarrassment, and let the vodka wash away his shame, just enjoying the here and now. As they two-stepped the world faded, the eyes he worried about were gone, the fear of being rejected melted. It was just him and Mars.

"See, you're getting it!" Mars complemented his dance partner.

Shane was so drunk though. He was as easy to lead as a moth to a flame. In the corner of his vision he saw Robin and Demetrius, both laughing and happy. Robin was putting her head against her husband's shoulder, and Demetrius was sneaking a kiss. He finally understood why they would dance at the saloon every friday.

Kill me if i dont ever have that...

He felt Mars' coldness bringing him back to reality. His fingertips were almost touching the small of Shane's back. Shane pulled away, only to have Mars pull him back. The world was again gone. It was only him and Mars.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mars muttered, turning Shane another shade redder.

"Dude, what if people think-"

"Let them," Mars cut him off, continuing to lead.

He knew now that there wasn't the hanging glaring fear of "What if" or "Maybe not." The way Mars touched him, held him, all the gestures from when they first met was him being more than friendly. Mars liked him romantically, and that made Shane feel warm, maybe even happy. Even if it wasn't permanent, he felt it. The crushing weight of sadness lifted in a moment he wished he could live his entire life in. He beamed and laughed to himself.

"What's so funny?" Mars asked, like he wanted to be let in on the joke.

"I just haven't been this happy in a long time," Shane confessed, losing his footing and having to rely on Mars, who struggled to keep him from falling. Once he regained his bearings Shane still kept himself close to Mars, head to his chest, grinning and giggling to his drunk self. Their dancing turned into swaying back and forth.

"Hey…" Mars tried to get his attention. It worked.

Those eyes.

"You're really heavy."

It was then Shane had realized he was more than close to Mars but was being propped up by his friend. The shame and humiliation stung quickly and Shane was pushing himself away. Before Mars could pull him back, Shane was already losing his footing and falling on his ass, hands on his face, dizzy and shit-faced.

When Shane found the courage to reenter the world around him, Mars stood over him, hand out ready to help him up. The moment between them passed as Mars pulled Shane back up to his feet.

"I think you should drink some real water from now on," Mars teased.

Without thinking Shane let out a slurred response.

"That obvious?"

"Just a little." Mars continued to tease. Emily soon returned to them with a solo cup filled to the brim with water,

"Hey, don't be passing out, we just started having fun!"

Another emotion hit Shane: He felt loved, even if it was for a moment and faded like the smell of flowers off in the distance. He thanked Emily and sat in the shade with Mars riding out the excess alcohol in his system. Under the trees Shane fought to stay awake, everything swaying in his eyes. But Mars stayed still and solid in his vision.

"Thanks for showing me how to dance."

"Just don't get so drunk next time."

Shane held back a grin. "No promises."

"I like dancing with you. I just can't keep holding you up."

"But I like you holding me," Shane slurred, not realizing his thoughts were slipping out through his mouth.

" I know," Mars muttered, slowly moving closer to Shane, until his friend was leaning against him and falling asleep.