'In starlit nights I saw you. So cruelly you kissed me. Your lips a magic word. You sky hung with jewels. The killing moon. Will come too son. Fate.' I had been listening to Killing Moon as I walked into the community center behind the others, reaching the locker room I took out one of my headphones and immediately heard Nathan's voice, "Some bastard killed me last night." I tilted my head in confusion who would break into a community center to kill someone. "Are you winding us up." Kelly asked not sounding at all concerned "No! No, cross my heart and hope to die. Or not." Nathan said while refusing to stand up off the floor "Who was it?" I said quietly from the back, I was kind of scared it was the masked man who seemed to be meddling with our lives, even if it didn't seem like him. "I don't know. I was too busy being savagely beaten to death." Nathan snapped before calming a little and continuing, "That is not a pleasant way to die." Simon stepped forward, "Have you got any enemies?" he sounded concerned and all I could think about was how he left me alone when I asked him to stay. "No. I'm universally popular and well-liked. Why would anyone want to kill me?" Nathan responded seriously. I couldn't hold back a snort as Curtis retorted "I can think of a few reasons." Alisha nodded along also amused "Definitely." I rolled my eyes a little "Shitloads." Nathan silently turned to Simon and Kelly looking for support to his claims. "You annoy people." Simon said with a smug little smile. I was glad he seemed more relaxed around us but I was still a bit pissed off. Nathan lifted his hand up gesturing to Simon "See why would you even say something like that? That's very hurtful." To my surprise Nathan was actually being quite gentle, then he ruined it "I thought we were friends, you ungrateful little twat." Nathan finished. Suddenly I was pissed off "Don't speak to him like that." I barked at Nathan, I thought we had moved past Nathan making jabs at Simon. "Why are you sticking up for him?" I regretted my decision before Nathan even finished as now everyone was slowly turning to me, "Do you love him?" For a moment I was frozen how the hell could I respond without making a big deal? "Oh, look, why don't you go and suck yourself off?" Alisha glared at Nathan for me. I'm glad I wasn't alone, she grabbed my arm so I would leave with her even just that little bit of protection I was grateful for hearing Nathan casual respond on our way out "I wish I could. I can never reach it." Alisha didn't stop till we were outside the building bringing out her back of cigarettes and silently lighting one. I stood there for a moment unsure if I should thank her for saving me or not. "You know, you either need to get a lot better at lying or sort your shit out." She looked me up and down waiting for a response. I wanted so bad to shift become someone else under her scrutinizing gaze but I stood strong looking her straight in the eyes, surely my own filled with worry and dread. "Trust me I know." A quick nod of acceptance she finished her cigarette and we went back in.
Walking back in I saw Nathan on the floor pointing at the probation worker "Hey, you're not allowed to do that!" Rolling my eyes at his theatrics I started to think about Simon and what was going on. I felt kind of bad, I mean yeah Simon was the one who left me when I asked him not to but he doesn't always understand social cues and all that and maybe I'm overreacting. I started mentally preparing myself to say sorry for being a bitch and not really helping him when he was trying to find the guy in the mask. After a few minutes of standing in the bathroom trying to psych myself up for this insanely simple task I felt ready. Walking back into the main room I looked around and caught sight of Simon talking to a different girl in a cute dress. He seemed... happy but I felt a little hurt. Discouraged I went to go go join Kelly and the others. I guess something showed on my face as Kelly looked at me then to Simon. Sympathy filled her face as I just lightly shook my head. My friends had been right I guess I did feel a little more than friendship towards Simon but there was nothing that could change it, I turned my focus to Nathan hoping he was on some crazy tangent to take my mind off the impending feelings. "She's after Barry." Great he was talking about Simon too, he turned around to look at the girl and Simon as she suddenly turned to us probably feeling all the eyes on her. "Oh, surprised to see me, huh? Yeah, you killed the wrong guy, you cute, psycho bitch. That's right. I'm on to you." Nathan started muttering while I turned away a bit embarrassed about being caught.
After we had done our work for the day we had taken some drinks up onto the roof to relax. Nathan was trying to explain to Simon that the girl he had been talking to was in fact his murderer but Simon didn't seem to be buying it. "She smashed my head against a sink like this, until my brains dribbled out of my ears." Nathan mimicked his head being smashed as if it would make Simon believe him. Simon started to defend the girl "She wouldn't do that." I was starting to become a little frustrated snapping at him "How do you know? You don't know anything about her." I felt regret as Simon glared but I was just worried about him. He wouldn't be able to survive being murdered and I don't know if I could handle another dead body, especially his. "Come on, man. It all adds up. Do the maths." Nathan was still arguing I was glad I wasn't the only one with reservations but it didn't make this any easier. "There is no maths." Simon was becoming more and more annoyed but this time I wasn't sure if I wanted Nathan to stop. "Right. She was here, plus no-one else was around. Times, she caught me leering at her semi-naked. Divided by, all the weird shit that happens to us. Equals guilty." Nathan emphasized his words with big dramatic hand symbols but Simon wasn't buying it. "That means absolutely nothing." A dramatic gasp from Nathan "Oh, my God! Really? She's a beautiful girl and she's here in the community center." I looked off to the side maybe I should stop him Simon obviously doesn't care. "So, I remember a similar scenario that resulted in me having sex with an eighty-two year old woman." Nathan finished with his hands on his hips looking at the ground he actually sounded upset. Before I could do anything Curtis spoke up with more evidence, "Then that shape-shifter girl. She was mental." Kelly glanced at me before adding to the conversation "Look what happened with you and that probation worker." Blinking I quietly asked them to stop but no one heard me, or maybe they just didn't care. "And did you know that some of these marathon runners shit themselves?" Nathan nodded as if he was bestowing wisdom instead of whatever that just was. I whined out almost a warning "Nathan can't you fucking stop." Simon looked around at all of us as if we were against him. What he said next broke my heart. "So, you think that if a girl likes me, there must be something wrong with her?" Alisha came to my defense for the second time today and I felt bad that we hadn't really talked before, "No, that's not what we're saying." "Isn't it? I thought that was exactly what we were saying." Nathan said confused looking back at Alisha and I.
I couldn't take my eyes of Simon trying silent pleading as if it doesn't fail every time. He looked at me for a moment his annoyance clear but he also seemed a little confused, conflicted. He blinked and it was gone. I felt tears rising but refused to let them fall as he went down to the stairs. I could hear the others calling for him distantly but he didn't turn around he didn't even slow his pace. I sank down to the ground with a sigh. Needing a minute to compose myself before, I abruptly stood. The others appeared to have just been staring at me in pity and the sudden movement made them jump back. "S-sorry." I stammered out looking around at them, "I've uh gotta go." Kelly and Alisha nodded sympathetically while Nathan and Curtis just looked at me almost confused. Fuck. Walking down the stairs I heard them talking. I almost stopped and went back but I couldn't face the others again. Reaching the bottom I heard the girl, Jessica reply to Simon smiling, "I'll meet you at seven in the bar on the estate." Great. Alisha came down the stairs after me, "You alright?" I looked down at the ground mumbling "They're going on a date. Seven. Bar on the estate." Alisha took a step towards me, she gently rubbed my arm. "You head home I'll make sure he's fine." She looked at me and I could tell she was genuine, I wanted nothing more than to go home and to bed so I nodded giving her a quiet thank you and I headed off back to the house.
The walk wasn't too long but about half way back I heard some footsteps running somewhere nearby. I was suddenly filled with dread. This is like what happened that day with Alisha why was I being followed? I twisted around to make sure no one could see me preparing to shift into someone more threatening when suddenly I felt a presence behind me once again I turned around terrified and I found a guy holding a knife towards me. I froze. I couldn't do anything at all as he started talking to me "You're gonna stay quiet. No screaming, no shouting, none of that shit." He watched me waiting for a response. I couldn't breathe as I slowly shook my head my eyes on the knife. "Get down." I slowly started to comply as he continued to give demands. "The bag, give me your bag." Before I could actually give it to him I noticed a shadowy figure. The man in the mask was behind him. I couldn't deal with this. I felt my heart beating faster. As I watched my mugger got beaten up by my follower. Life is great. Yup. After a few moments the fight was over and the mugger was unconscious. I looked up to see the victor who had his hand outstretched. I reached for my bag before standing up without his help still weary of him. But he seemed very insistent, that I follow him. I was freaking out. He did just save me though didn't he. I should be safe. God I'm an idiot.
We made our way towards what I always assumed was an abandoned building. It wasn't till we were inside a room covered in photographs of my friends, clocks that were slowly counting down, some already at zero. Finally he spoke. "Thanks for trusting me, I'm glad you're safe." Th-that was Simon. He seemed to notice my surprise and lifted off his mask. I was right. "H-how. I've seen you. What?" I started to get a little annoyed, "I'm not your Simon. I'm from the future. I came back because I have to save you." I took steps back I-I had to leave. This was too much. He stood forwards trying to calm me. "What do you mean!" I was gaining volume, "You can not be from the future. No. Stop it. Tell me who you fucking are. Explain it." He shook his head laughing. "It's me. Look." I looked up as he turned invisible. It confirmed he was Simon but what was he talking about. "I know your, well skeptical but yeah I'm from the future. I know you like me. I liked you too, you were just kinda scary. Usually angry." He gave a little smile, I mean it was right but it didn't prove he was from the future. "I was the one who knew about Nathan, I saved you today and I'll save you again." He continued as if him telling me would make everything fit together. "No" was all I could really say. I couldn't look at his face, it was Simon. Is this what it was like when I shifted? "You left because I have a date with Jessica didn't you." It was more sympathy, I was sick of it. "You sent Alisha and Nathan?" He asked a little confused. As mine furrowed up, I never sent Alisha and Nathan anywhere. I couldn't be bothered actually arguing with him so I moved on "You're different." I looked him up and down I could still tell he was Simon something just seemed off, "More confident? You're a lot less shy." I waited for his response but he just stared at me with a smile. "You also smile more." He seemed to suddenly become serious, I felt bad even if he wasn't my Simon it was still his face, his pain. "A lot happens between now and then" He kept standing closer and I felt a bit awkward though I also couldn't walk away. "There are things that need to happen at certain times, I'm here to make sure that they do." I couldn't look away as he slowly lifted his hand to my hair brushing it back. He couldn't quite seem to reach my eyes and I felt a kind of shame as if I had done something to him despite only just meeting him really. "You should go. It'll be alright." I felt a bit confused but slowly made my way towards the elevator when he called out once more, "No matter what happens, you can't tell Simon I'm him. Or any of them it could change everything." He was very serious and I almost felt scared of what was going to happen, "Promise me." I gave a silent nod not trusting my voice to come out right, he nodded in return making a final comment, "No matter what happens tomorrow. You'll be fine." Confused I turned back to close the door but I heard my phone ringing, stumbling for a few moments to grab it. Alisha, I answered feeling more than a little worried about something happening. "Me and Nathan, we followed Simon." I gave a little noise of acknowledgement looking up at Simon. He was right about them following him, unaware of what I was going through she continued, "He saw us, not exactly happy." I nodded my head but couldn't bring myself to say anything as Nathan seemed to be ranting in the background. "I'm sorry but he wouldn't exactly listen to us. You're gonna be okay though. I'll talk to you later" And with that she hung up while I stared into familiar blue eyes. It was supposed to be safety, why was I so worried.
I was especially quiet today. I could feel the others looking at me but they had no idea what was actually wrong. What really was going through my head. Yeah I was worried about Simon but the future. It was a lot to take in. I turned to the others, I knew I couldn't say anything but I couldn't stay in this funk so I would start actually trying to help the others. "Look, what's so difficult to believe?" Nathan was trying to convince Curtis and Kelly that Jessica had killed a man and they weren't buying it. Curtis questioned him "Did you actually see her kill him?" Defensively Nathan started to rant "No. I didn't have to. It was written all over her cute little face. I'm telling you, there's something seriously wrong with this girl." It was kind of funny watching him and it was a good distraction. There was a 'Shh' and suddenly Simon had joined us. "Jessica's invited us to a fancy dress party tonight." It was silent for a moment as we all looked around, we had just been talking about her being a possible murderer. Nathan stepped forward looking Simon up and down "You know what? You were right, man. I was jealous. I'm jealous of your, er neat hair and your the strange staring that the ladies seem to love so much. And I hope that you and, er Jessica. Lovely, lovely Jessica. I hope you'll be very happy together." Simon seemed pleased awkwardly reassuring Nathan, "You'll find your own girlfriend." Lifting his drink to his mouth without any hesitation Nathan responded nonchalantly "All ready got one, mate." I turned to him eyebrow quirked, yeah right. "Who is she?" Simon seemed confused. "Moo-nnnni-ka." Nathan let out slowly it was obviously made up he kinda sucked at this. "She's French." He tried to save it but it was pretty obvious. Simon challenged him "You should invite her to the party." And Nathan's "plan" crumbled "She's in France, what with being all French and that." Suddenly he gained confidence, "But seeing as this party's happening ten feet from my bedroom, I will see you there." He tapped his cup on Simon's as Simon started to walk away. Turning around to us he looked for approval of his lie smiling "Are you serious?" Alisha asked in disbelief. "When am I ever serious? But we need to be there to keep an eye on her, right?" He got real close pointing at all of us as he started to explain "It's a fancy-dress party. It's dark. You'll all be wearing masks. It's the perfect opportunity to commit murder. And incest!" He finished looking proud of his realization ruined when Kelly started to make fun of him "Who's Moo-nnnni-ka?" Which caused the reset of us to giggle while Curtis commented "That is the worst made-up name I've ever heard." Nathan nodded his head as he started to speak again, "You know, names never were my strong point. But I think the whole French thing sold it." He took a small drink from his cup and then threw the rest of it out and right into the face of a guy running past as a part of the marathon "Prick!" The guy shouted though he never stopped running, Nathan lent back a little offering an apathetic "Sorry, mate."
"Does anyone else feel like a total cunt?" Nathan shouted over the music. We had come dressed up as superheroes ironically. And almost immediately after Nathan's comment the group seemed to split. Kelly disappeared while Alisha and Curtis started dancing on the floor. Jessica had come over to take Simon away so it was just me and Nathan standing there watching them. As they started to walk away Nathan whistled and let out a "Nice costume." I rolled my eyes but watched them leave. There was a lot of people here, it was almost completely full which was strange and stressful. It was hard to make sure Simon wasn't being murdered when it was so easy to loose track of him. I was feeling more than a little sorry for myself but as it was a charity event there wasn't much in the way of alcohol. I guess being sober makes me more helpful anyway. After 20 minutes without seeing him I decided to make my way to locker room and try to find him. Once there I saw a body on the ground. I gasped out afraid it was him. The costume was exactly the same but as I knelt down I could see the guys face. While I was relieved Simon was safe, this just meant another innocent man had died. It was actually pretty sad. This however proved that someone was trying to kill Simon. Suddenly scared I ran out into the halls trying to find where he could be. When I saw an old man with a knife open a closet. "Fuck" I said quietly under my breathe. As I stepped closer trying to peek inside I saw Simon's pale skin. Panic and adrenaline fulled my body as I reached for something to stop him. Finding a nearby plant pot. I snuck up behind him and bashed the back of his head as hard as I could. It was a strange sensation as human flesh started to cave in with the force of the metal. He slumped down. I dropped the pot suddenly realizing what I had done. I stepped back in horror, looking between Jessica and Simon who seemed to be in varying states of undress. I suddenly felt embarrassed and a little upset. "I-I didn't mean to." I looked at Jessica sorrowfully. Unable to react. The police were already at the party so it was just a manner of explaining. Thankfully Simon and Jessica had backed me up and her dad wasn't dead just unconscious. We stayed there all night only leaving the building when the sun had come up the next day. As Curtis, Alisha, Simon and I exited Nathan and Kelly who had been talking started towards us, "Jesus. What with all the monkey business, I forgot about you and your girl." Nathan said curiously "So, she didn't brutally murder you, then?" I looked up at Nathan ready to go home and sleep "It was her dad. He's been arrested." Simon explained more, "Jessica isn't a psychopathic killer. She's a virgin." Nathan pointed at Simon in triumph, "I knew there was something wrong with her." Simon sounded almost proud as he responded "There isn't any more." Nathan was shocked, I had kind of come to terms in the couple of hours since saving his life. "I'm proud of you, man!" Nathan smiled and actually hugged Simon then grabbing his face"And I will expect to hear every disgusting detail." Turning the rest of us "Hey, this calls for a celebration." Simon smiled looking out at the lake, "Maybe this is what it feels like to be a superhero." Nathan had started handing out drinks and knocked his against Simon's in celebration before sarcastically adding "I think it might take more than you getting laid to turn you into a superhero."
*This chapter is based on Season 2 Episode 5 of British Television Drama Misfits I wrote it purely out of passion so it isn't perfect or an attempt to steal any works from Howard Overman or anyone else*