Chapter 2: The Fear
When Death vanished, Michelle assumed a determined look and headed in the direction of her bus. Benson stopped her, "Wait, where are you going?"
"I need to calm my nerves. I need to get in the right mindset before even thinking about going tonight," replied Michelle.
"We need to practice though," said Benson.
"Practice won't be worth anything if my mind isn't in the right place. I'll join you in about an hour, but right now, I need time to myself," said Michelle. Making that final statement, she walked off.
While everyone else on the park staff worked on strategy and perfecting their musical talents, Michelle was in her bus trying to calm down. "I swear, he still scares me. Not as much as another does, but pretty good," she said to herself. "Why did I even agree to this anyway? Who knows who Death is going to bring to the playing field. I can deal with Angelica, but if he who scares me more than Death is there... I don't know what I'll do." Michelle started getting worked up and panicked. She took a few deep breaths to calm down. "It's all right... everything's fine." She slowed her breathing and she gradually felt better.
Michelle emerged from her bus 20 minutes after she had entered. She had psyched herself up and was ready for practice rounds with the rest of the park staff. She found them in Skip's garage playing instruments and testing their vocals. Renae was the first to notice Michelle's appearance. "Hey, I thought I heard your quiet footsteps. Come in, you're just in time!" she said.
"All right," said Michelle. "Can I get everyone's attention, please?" She paused until everyone made eye contact with her. "Thank you. Um, I would first of all like to say that I'm sorry for what I've gotten you all into. Death and I have a history and I'm sure he's just looking for an excuse to get my soul, but I'm the type of person that won't go down without a fight. I hate losing and I relish winning. I think we can beat any opponent he puts before us. I am not the least bit intimidated with him or Angelica and you guys shouldn't be either. So... let's see what you got."
They each showed Michelle their talents, both instrumentally and vocally. While she felt unsure about their vocal skills at first, as practice went on, it got better. It wasn't anything she thought was winning material, but she hid what she thought and told them they were doing well.
8 o'clock was fast approaching, so the park staff headed for the karaoke place that eight out of ten of them were banned from: Carrey O' Key's karaoke bar. When they pulled up, Michelle posed the question: "So, since the rest of the park staff was here before Thomas was, does that mean you're the 8th one banned, Renae?"
"Yeah, but that's only because they couldn't handle the fullness of Renae," replied Renae.
"Some days, I'm not sure I can take it either," Michelle replied in joking.
"Stop talking! You're supposed to be singing tonight, remember?"
"Oh, I remember. I remember all too well." Michelle looked serious, but she soon broke out laughing. "I'm sorry, I can't stand being serious for too long. It's not in my personality. Anyways, let's go in, and whatever happens, let's just give it our all."
Everyone got out of Skip's van and they were really pumped. They were sure that they could take on all-comers. Of course, then they had to walk in the door and see their competition.
At a booth closer to the stage, right next to the booth that was reserved for the park staff, Death and his gang were there. Along with him was his wife, Angelica, the Guardians of Eternal Youth (all four of them), Gary, the guardians' chaperone, the wizard, the God of Basketball, and someone whom only Michelle was acquainted. Upon seeing the tenth member of the table, Michelle gasped and immediately went pale.
"A-A-A..." Michelle stammered. She was shaking from head to toe.
The tenth member of the table, a robin in a striking black suit and red cravat, stood and went over to the under-dressed park staff. He bowed to them and said, "It is a pleasure finally meeting all of you in person, I've heard so much from Death already, but I look forward to learning more." He went over to the stricken-with-fear Michelle and kissed her hand. "It is always a pleasure seeing you, my little... Michelle." He smiled a wide, white smile that seemed to strike more fear into Michelle. "Well? Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friends?"
"They're hardly friends, they're co-workers. If Death suggested friendship, he was sorely mistaken," said Michelle defensively.
"Ah, of course, but..." he said. There was an awkward pause and Michelle gulped before gaining back enough courage to speak again.
"Adam, this is the park staff: Benson, the manager; the groundskeepers: Skips, Mitch, High-Five Ghost, Mordecai, and Rigby; the park overseer, Pops; Thomas, the intern; and, finally, my acquaintance of five years, Renae," introduced Michelle. After each introduction, Adam shook their hands.
Adam got close to Michelle and she flinched. Adam smiled. "Don't worry, babe, I'm not up to anything... yet," he whispered. Aloud, he said, "Well, it was a pleasure meeting all of you, especially you, Skips. I have heard much... but I won't get into that. This is a friendly competition for money and souls and I am merely a happy participator in this game. A game, which I am sure, that Michelle will not lose if I know her, but she should not win either. If she wins, she will find a most... disastrous fate awaiting her on night's end. Happy singing and good evening to you all." He gave a sweeping bow and returned to his table. The park staff got seated at the other table and Michelle was still a wreck.
"Are you okay, Michelle?" asked Benson.
"I'm fine... I just... I just really hoped he wouldn't be here," Michelle replied. She was visibly shaking and looked beyond scared.
"Hey, thick or thin, we'll be with you," said Renae. She patted Michelle's hand encouragingly, but it didn't seem to help matters. The tears Michelle had been fighting back began falling.
"That's nice, Renae, but it would help if I didn't have such an intense scelerophobia," said Michelle shakily.
Renae took out her phone and searched the phobia. "Scelerophobia... oh, the fear of bad men," Renae clarified.
"Uh huh," Michelle sniffed.
"Hey, it'll be okay, Michelle. We've fought Death and won before. You've got nothing to worry about," said Skips.
"I have handled Death before as well. He's one of my ex-boyfriends, in fact. Him I am afraid of, yes, but I can handle him. The one I truly fear is the smooth talking Adam, my first husband. He has, since our separation, developed something inside of him that makes me very afraid for not just my safety, but also the safety of the people around me. He has always gone after the people I cared for most... that is the reason why I tried to mask our closeness. If he gets even the inkling of an idea that I care for one of you deeply, he will stop at nothing until you're dead and that's just how he works," said Michelle, all the while shaking.
"An ex-boyfriend and an ex-husband? How old are you? OW!" Rigby posed his questions, but was soon silenced by a hit from Mordecai.
"I'm a lot older than you think," said Michelle.
"Oh, come on, you can't be any older than 23 or 25," said Skips.
"And you can't be any older than 38 or 40, yet here we are," said Michelle. She and Skips shared a stare-down in which they tried to figure each other out, but the voice of Carrey O' Key at the mike interrupted their thoughts.
"We have a special treat for you tonight, ladies and gents. Two teams of ten are going to be in a sing-off. 18 of them are normal people, but two women are sirens, and sirens, as you may or may not know, have magic in their voices. They can manipulate their environment as they sing, making them practically omnipotent when singing," Mr. Carrey O' Key began. Michelle scoffed at this as the man continued. "I present to you the two teams: the Magical Elements..." he pointed and a spotlight came over the magical group, who waved and smiled. "And the Park Pouncers." A spotlight came over the park staff and Michelle shook her head and smiled.
"Well, son of a gun, the man read my mind," said Michelle. She got a smiling wink from Death and she felt a blush rise to her cheeks, despite their shaky past.
The announcer continued, "Now, here's what's on the line: If the Park Pouncers win, they get their bill paid in full and the ones who were banned from here no longer will be." He seemed upset at the second condition, but continued, "If the Magical Elements win, however, they get the souls of the Park Pouncers." The crowd oohed in anticipation. "May the two sirens please come onto the stage so that I may explain the rules." It was an announcement more than a request. Michelle and Angelica both stood up and headed for the stage. They came on from opposing sides of the stage, but the tenseness between the two was enough that it made them seem closer.
Mr. Carrey O' Key went on, "Now, here are the conditions of the competition: there will be three rounds. In the first round, it will be completely individual singing. No help from the team. In the second round, of the nine non-sirens on the team, three shall be selected to do a duet with the siren of their team. In the third and final round, there will be a group song.
"The rules are as follows: No interfering with the opposing team. That means no distractions and no foul-play. Each team shall politely applaud their opposing team and express fair play at all times. There shall be no attempts made against any opposing team-members life, nor limb, nor pride so long as the competition runs. Am I understood?" He turned to the two sirens and even though the two were staring daggers at each other, they nodded their assent. "Good, now, shake hands and let's begin!" Michelle and Angelica coldly and quickly shook hands. They went off of the stage and waited for the announcer to continue.
The night went on with both teams playing strong and hard. There didn't seem to be a clear-cut winner or loser. Michelle wound up doing a duet with Mordecai, Benson, and Skips. Angelica wound up doing a duet with Death, Archibald (one of the guardians) and Gary. The night was going smoothly for both sides.
"Well, we've had some really good talent up here tonight, folks, but there's still one more round of competition to go. The Magical Elements are up first with the song: 'That's Death,' written by Miss Angelica, the siren," announced Carrey O' Key. Applauding was heard as the team came onto the stage.
Angelica went over to the side mike and Death assumed the main mike. Michelle gulped as the music for the song began. "Ooh... ooh... ooh..." Angelica harmonized.
"I know I've been a bad man..." sang Death.
"Been a bad man..." echoed Angelica.
"But you know that I do what I can..."
"Do what you can..."
"It's my living, it's my life, and frankly, that's death..."
"That's death... ooh..."
"I'm the one who steals your breath, baby..."
"Steals my breath right away..."
"And I know I'm not perfect, but honey, you need me..."
"I need you..."
"As much as water hydrates you and life takes you away..."
"Takes me away..."
"You know I'll be comin' round some day..."
"Ooh, ah..."
"It's my living, it's my life, and frankly, that's death..."
"That's death... ooh..."
"I'm the one who steals your breath, baby..."
"Steals my breath right away..."
"You know, baby, like the plague, like the bug... I'm your drug..."
"Ooh..."
"You can't miss me, baby, kiss me..."
"Ooh..."
"Let me show ya what I'm all about, baby..."
"Ooh, ah..."
"It's my living, it's my life, and frankly, that's death..."
"That's death... ooh..."
"I'm the one who steals your breath away, baby..."
"Steals my breath right away..."
"And you know that I'll be comin' round... some... day..."
"Please come around some day..."
The song finished and everyone applauded. Michelle was wide-eyed and astonished at their performance. It sounded so much like an old-time song, yet it was entirely original and Michelle had to give them props for that.
"All right, up next is the Park Pouncers. Their song is called 'Living With and Without You,' written by Ms. Michelle, the other siren. Give them a round of applause," said Mr. Carrey O' Key after his announcement.
The park staff came onto the stage and Michelle went behind the main mike. Skips sat beside her since the main instrument in the song was a bass. Michelle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and took the plunge.
"I was born to a simple life," Michelle began. "My heart was young and pure and I knew how to feel... but those days are gone..." She paused, letting the bass play a moment before continuing.
"On the first day I saw you, I was dressing up my friend for a prom date with you... I wish it had been me, yeah, I wish it had been me... but those days are gone... gone like my young and pure heart. I wish I could go back, go back, go back, but I can't. I wish I could get up the nerve, I shoulda had the nerve, yeah. Now I'm living with and without you... I'm living here, but you don't see me. I wish I was with you. I'm living with and without you." The bass played some more, along with a few riffs from an electric guitar by Mordecai. Benson was playing the drums softly since after the first pause.
"I never got the nerve... mmm... and it hurts so bad. It hurts so bad." Another pause.
"On the next time I saw you, you were feeling low. Your prom date was cruelly wrenched from you by that cruel hand of fate. You looked like you hurt so bad... mmm... so very bad. I saw you take your life in a new direction and I thought I had a chance, but I never got up the nerve. I wish I got up the nerve... mmm... I wish I could go back, go back, go back, but I can't. I wish I could get up the nerve, I shoulda had the nerve, yeah. Now I'm living with and without you... I'm living here, but you don't see me. I wish I was with you. I'm living with and without you." Another pause as the music increased in intensity.
"Now I'm closer than I've ever been before. I've had this crush for what feels like 200 years... I'm tired of all these tears... tired of all of this pain... I got nothing left to lose or gain, all I've got in my mind is you." The music went quieter again.
"You're right in front of me and here's my chance to tell you... I wish I could go back, go back, go back, but I can't. I wish I could get up the nerve, I shoulda had the nerve, yeah. Now I'm living with and without you... I'm living here, but you don't see me. I wish I was with you! I'm living with and without you, yeah... I'm living with and without you, yeah... I hope you'll finally see me." The song finished and the crowd was in an uproar. The raw emotion that came from the song was unlike the one that came from "That's Death." Angelica's song had a flirty air to it and was light with humor, but Michelle's song was sad love-sickness. It was something the crowd connected with well and Michelle smiled. The Park Pouncers left the stage and Mr. Carrey O' Key came back on.
"Well, folks, you heard it here first. Now, at your tables are paper ballots. Write in your vote and put it in the box. Who will it be? The Magical Elements with their song, 'That's Death' or the Park Pouncers with their song, 'Living With and Without You.' The votes begin now," said Mr. O' Key.
For the next five minutes, everyone, even the team members themselves, cast their votes for which team performed better. Both songs were great, but only one could win. After a moment, everyone was done voting and Mr. O' Key gathered the boxes with the help of his bouncer. They went into the back room to count the votes and the wait began.
Death came up to Michelle's table and said, "Don't worry, they'll count fair or they'll have their deadlines moved up."
"That's nice, Death, but you don't need to extend pleasantries with me," said Michelle.
"Well, I like to. Despite what happened between us, you're still the same woman you were when we broke up and I'm still the same man," said Death.
Michelle was silent a moment and Death was about to head back to his table when he heard Michelle say, "Thank you." Death looked back in surprise and smiled. Michelle hid her face to hide her blush, but it was already apparent. Renae opened her mouth to say something, but Michelle interrupted with: "No, I don't want to talk about it right now."
Ten minutes passed and Mr. Carrey O' Key and his bouncer came out with a single piece of paper. On that piece of paper, everyone assumed, were the results of the count. Everyone waited with bated breath and anticipation. Mr. O' Key came up to the mike. "All right, after a count and a re-count, we have come to a winner. The winner of the singing competition with 98 votes to 2 is..." Everyone leaned further in their seats and waited expectantly for the answer. "The Park Pouncers." There was little enthusiasm in his voice, leading Michelle to wonder what the remaining seven banned had done to deserve such disdain. Putting that aside though, she joined her team to receive a trophy in their honor. Angelica screamed in frustration and immediately left the building. The remainder of the Magical Elements came onto the stage.
"Congratulations to all of you, but I think most of the thanks goes to Michelle. I don't think you lot could have won without her," said Death. He extended a hand to Michelle and she happily took it. They shared a mutual look as the rest of the team members exchanged handshakes and congratulations. It was, after all, a fair win.
"Hey, who do you figure those two votes were?" asked Renae mockingly.
"Actually, one of the votes was mine," said Michelle.
"WHAT?!" nearly everyone said.
"Well, it was a good song and I had to give credit where credit was due. Besides, I never did feel right about voting for myself in competitions," said Michelle.
"Then, who was the other vote?" asked Renae.
"That would be Angelica," said Death.
"Sorry about how things turned out," said Michelle.
"Eh, that's all right. I may get a good sound nagging from my wife for the next week, but it was well worth it to see and hear you again tonight, Michelle," said Death.
"Thank you, Death. That means a lot coming from you." Michelle smiled and Death returned it.
The Magical Elements started heading for the door, but there was one who lingered. "Oy, Adam, are you coming or not?" asked Death. Adam didn't answer, he just stayed behind. Michelle gained eye contact with the red bird and knew trouble was afoot.
"I have one more thing I need to impart upon Ms. Michelle before I go," said Adam. He got close to Michelle and gazed deeply into her eyes. She was fearful and her breathing was starting to pick up again. Michelle waited, rooted to the spot and unsure of what Adam would do. Finally, Adam made his move by seizing Michelle in his arms and shoving his mouth into hers. She struggled to break free, but his grip was too strong.
"Adam, stop!" said Death. He ran forward just in time for Adam to finish the kiss and drop Michelle on the ground. She lay there, paralyzed in shock and fear. "What did you just give her?" Death raised a fist to Adam, but Adam was calm in his reply.
"I didn't give her anything. I only heightened what she already had. I give diseases and vices. Remember?" asked Adam. To Michelle, he said, "I told you your heart would be your undoing." He laughed as he disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. Death knelt beside Michelle and looked her over.
"What is it, Death? What's wrong with her?" asked Renae worriedly.
"I haven't seen a case like this in a while. It might very well end her life soon," said Death.
"What? What?" asked Renae insistently.
"Her condition may fluctuate from day to day, but unless someone can be good to her, she's going to die of a broken heart," said Death.
"What?! A broken heart? That's impossible," Benson scoffed.
"Actually, it's very possible. I've seen a case like this before, long ago. A guy I knew fell in love with a married woman. He was so obsessed with her that he wouldn't be with any other woman except her. When she didn't divorce her husband and rejected him to his face, he broke and just..." said Skips. No one needed to hear the last word to know what it was.
"So, how do we fix it?" asked Renae.
"We have to find out who she's in love with. If that person feels the same feelings back, there's a chance that she may live," said Skips.
"There is another option," said Death.
"What is that?" asked Skips.
"She could fall in love with someone else during her period of heartache," replied Death.
"And you think she would go back to you?" asked Skips skeptically.
"Hey, stranger things have happened... seriously though, take good care of her. She deserves so much... so much that people haven't or weren't willing to give her." On those last words, Death left the building. As for everyone left, Michelle was just lying on the floor shaking. Skips picked her up bridal style and carried her back to the van. It was a unanimous decision by everyone that they would make sure she was well taken care of and that they would find out who her heart yearned for the most.
Okay, so there's that. What did you guys think? Good, bad, so-so? I personally liked the angles being used here. I don't think anyone has written something with Death having this big of a part before. Twists and turns? I think so! I hope you guys liked the songs I wrote. I also hope you guys return for the next chapter, because I'm not done yet. Please keep reading and reviewing, thanks :)