Chapter 3: So dance, much pain
I half expected to wake up in my bed like nothing had ever happened but I found myself lying on the couch I was just sitting on moments ago. Blinking a few times my vision came into focus. 2-D and Noodle were hovering over me.
"Oi, I fink she's awake." 2-D pointed out poking my face; I blinked and made a noise.
"No shit Sherlock… I would like to stay longer you all seem like fun people but I have a pair of balls to rip off with my bare hands." I groaned sitting up slowly grabbing my head.
"I don't fink yu should be goin' out any time soon mate. Yu really took quite a fall there." Despite the empty eye sockets his face did read concern to a point. I smiled sadly desperately wishing I could remember these people. I looked over to see the TV was on playing the music video for 'Superfast Jellyfish' while Murdoc was sleep in the chair next to the window. He had a lit cig in his mouth and a beer hanging in one hand. Part of me wanted to slap him awake and throw the cig out the window, but then again I don't remember him so he could be violent when woken up.
"Panic! There is a guy in a pink sweater vest and some brutish dudes going into your house. Ya know them?" Russel asked glancing over at me. Kyle…. I gave a low growl before rising slowly off the couch.
"That's the dick who's getting his balls ripped off. If anyone wants to wake him tell Murdoc to sell tickets because the show is just about to begin." I wobbled a little over towards the door opening it to see the brutish people lugging boxes of my stuff and my furniture out onto the sidewalk. There was a free sign on the curb. I roared like an angry bear and stormed over to my house.
"KYLE WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING WITH MY STUFF YOU SHITHEAD?!" I screamed ignoring the dizzy feeling in my head. He came around the corner from my kitchen smiling.
"I thought you would, while you were on bed rest, appreciate a cleaner apartment. So I hired a profession cleaner and some movers to clean out all of the garbage from your house." His smile wasn't fazing me in the slightest. I growled louder and tackled him to the floor putting him through the new coffee table that was just put in front of my TV. The movers stopped what they were doing to watch. My neighbors came through the door right after to watch me as I ripped off Kyle's pants and underwear. Taking my hand I got a firm grip on his balls and glared with fire in my eyes.
"Give me one good reason and only one good reason why I shouldn't rip your fucking balls off with my bear hands! You have five seconds!"
"Protocol squid scented jellyfish."
"I'm sorry what the fuck did you just say?"
"Squid scented jellyfish." He held his hands up defensively grinning sheepishly. If anime expressions were a thing I would have been on fire right now. He thought some stupid couple of words would spare him? I roared like an angry bear again squeezing his balls tight. Kyle was begging for mercy but I was done. It was like a dam broke in my head and all the pent up rage and anger I felt inside finally released as I slowly ripped his balls off in one swift motion. When they were off in my hand I glared at his screaming face and shoved the bloody ball sack down his screaming throat.
"GET THE FLYING FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE YOU LITTLE GIRLY SHITBAG BEFORE I GRAB A KNIFE AND TAKE YOUR DICK OFF WITH IT!" I screamed at the top my lungs cracking my voice as Kyle managed to get off the broken coffee table and run outside. He said something to the movers before jumping in his car driving away. Breathing deeply I stood there letting the anger boil until his car was out of site. Looking over everyone was hiding behind Murdoc who had a small video camera in his hands; he was laughing his head off.
"Oi luv I didn't even think ya 'ad it in ya! That bloke'll be 'avin' to get a sex change 'e will!" He laughed again turning the camera off. Noodle, 2-D, and Russel already ran out the door standing over on their stoop scared to death of me. Strangely enough this all felt normal; the ridiculous antics and scared friends. I wanted to remember why this felt normal but it wasn't working; I wanted to cry.
"Yeah…" I sighed looking over the broken coffee table as the movers started bringing my stuff back inside, they took the broken table leaving right after, "Look Murdoc I kind of want to be alone right now if you don't mind. I got a lot of stuff to work out right now." I looked up to see his face; he was still laughing a little and wiping tears from his eyes. I had no idea that someone else's pain could bring anyone such great joy.
"Awright luv I'll be off, but before I go, curious if ya wonted tah go out tonight wif me an' me mates?" We're goin' clubbin' thought ya might wont a break aftah all tah crap ya was puttin' up wif the past few days." It sounded like a lot of fun but my head was pounding and no amount of pain medicine could fix that right now.
"My head hurts real bad. Actually that whole event took a lot out of me, surprised I'm not puking right now… I'm going to go nap maybe if I feel better later." I smiled awkwardly watching Murdoc leave my apartment looking a bit let down. He then turned around on his heel looking back at me pulling something out of his pocket.
"Uh luv before I go ya dropped this at tah beach tah othah day. I fergot to give it back earlier." He handed me my I.D. I guess I was so caught up in the confusion of the past few days that I forgot about it completely. I smiled and mumbled a thanks before closing the door. Sauntering up to my bedroom I crashed on the bed falling asleep. There was a knock on the door that woke me up hours later. The pain in my head was lowered to a dull roar which was low enough to climb out of bed and open the door. 2-D was standing there.
"Uh 'ey Panic… uh Murdoc was wonderin' if yu woz still interested in comin' out wif us tonight? We woz goin' to a club downtown wif lotsa booze an' dancin' if yu still wanna come?" He smiled brightly as I closed the door in his face running back up to my bedroom.
"Oi faceache wot'd she say?" Murdoc asked walking up behind him.
"She slammed the doo' in me face an' ran upstairs. Did I scare 'er off or somefing?" The front door suddenly opened and there stood the woman Murdoc was still in love with. He said this a few times before in the past few days but now she looked the part like the day he met her six years ago. Her hair was down as she never liked it up and was wearing a pair of goggles on top. She was wearing red plaid printed pants that hugged her in all the right and wrong places and her shirt was one he remembered as his favorite. Panic was a bit of an artist and loved making her own custom shirts so this one, his favorite, was the classic Gorillaz logo in a strange colored paint. Murdoc was hoping this was the one that glowed in the dark.
"I had to go change, figured if my head stopped hurting enough to come get the door I could go out for a few drinks too. I also haven't been out to a good club in a real long time." I smiled ruffling 2-D's hair following them to their car. Sitting in the back between Noodle and Russel was fun. Noodle was saying things in Japanese I could only assume she wanted me to reply back to while Russel translated a little for me.
"Baby girl I know ya can speak English. Panic can't remember any Japanese right now so give her a break for a bit." Russel spoke looking out the window.
"Alright…" Noodle sighed taking out a Gameboy from her pocket playing a game, "We can talk later when we're alone. I don't need Murdoc or 2-D hearing anything." She looked up at me and smiled. I smiled back before she turned her attention to her game.
"Oi Noods ya can say anything ya wont to her I con't promise it won't go on tah internet though." Murdoc piped up from the front tilting the rearview mirror to look back at us.
"I don't want any of our secrets winding up on your twitter again. The last time that happened Panic was on The Late Show." Wait I was on The Late Show? Who the hell am I?
"Can I ask why you guys keep calling me Panic and not Charlotte like on my I.D.? Is there some story or something I don't remember?" I asked as we pulled into the parking lot for a club called 'Nightlights'. Murdoc poked his head around from the front.
"Luv yer Panic because ya are plain an' simple. Also coz of tah ridiculous things ya was screamin' 'bout when ya first stayed wif us at plastic beach. Since ya was screamin' so loud 2-D came up to ya room at night an' tried tah get ya awake. Aftah callin' Charlotte a few times ya nevah woke up so he screams Panic wake tah fuck up an' ya got up. I wolked in from me room tah see wot all tah shit woz 'bout an' 'eard faceache call ya that I figured it would stick. Liked it bettah than Charlotte anyway." He smiled before climbing out of the car along with everyone else. I sat there for a minute confused as to the story I was just told. Do I still scream in my sleep now?
"Panic ya comin' or ya wanna just sit there an' fink fer a bit?" 2-D poked his head in the open door before I climbed out after. I had a bad feeling in my gut about tonight but decided to push it aside and try to have a good time. When Murdoc reached the end of the line the bouncer came up from the front telling him he and his friends could go ahead in. Why were these people so important? I think I said something about it yesterday… When I got up to the front of the line behind Russel the bouncer put the red rope down in front of me.
"Oi ya 'obknockah she wif us. Don't ya know who that is?" Murdoc glared at him before I was let inside. The place was covered in wall to wall dancers and drunks. There were a few booths open and I was assuming the red rope in the corner to the flight of stairs was the VIP area. Which coincidentally was where we were headed. As tried to walk around the large group of dancers some drunk guy grabbed my ass.
"Who the fuck grabbed my ass?!" Looking around some fat ass smiled and winked at me before catcalling with wolf whistles.
"'ey luv wot ya doin' 'angin' 'round wit them blokes? Why not 'ang out wit a real man like me? I bet I could show ya a real good time!" He was getting closer to me; I only wished looks could kill.
"Here's a thought, why not you piss off and keep your fucking hands to yourself you little twat? I'm not interested and if you're trying to pick up on chicks then try a fucking mint dickbag." It actually felt really good to say that. I glared some more before he grabbed my shoulder. I was going to kick him in the crotch but Russel had it covered. He hovered over the guy and cracked his knuckles; he ran. No wonder I stopped coming to clubs by myself when Kyle wouldn't take me. Murdoc walked back and put his arm around my shoulders before we reached the VIP door.
"Stick wif me luv I promise tah drunks won't bothah ya a tick." I smiled a little it was nice having friends. I still only wished I remembered who they were. The bouncer for the VIP door let us up right away upon sight. The second floor was a little better with a light up dance floor, more lounge seating, and less people. Leading us over to a lounge area with two dumb looking broads in the way Murdoc screamed for them to leave. That wasn't very nice… wait since when did I care about a couple of dumb looking bitchlets? My head started to hurt again and Murdoc noticed this ordering some drinks for everyone right away. The DJ was just walking on the stage as I took a seat.
"'ello downtown London! DJ Drax comin' at ya wif a killah show tonight. It's tah last Satahdah of tah month so we gonna be jammin' out wif lotsa tah Gorillaz tonight, feel free tah get outta ya seat an' make them hips gyrate an' those booties shake." As I sat down in an empty seat Noodle handed me a tall glass filled with some vodka, my favorite. Taking a big swig the remaining pain in my head slowly died down. I forgot how much alcohol dulled my aches and pains. If I was an alcoholic six years ago crossed my mind right then. As I was about to get lost in my thoughts and space out the DJ played a good song 'People'; 2-D got up and grabbed Noodle's hand taking her off to dance. Russel had a few girls come over and take him to dance. That just left me and Murdoc despite all the women gushing over him like the little bitchlets they were.
"Hey luv why don't ya let us sit wif ya fer a bit? I bet we'd be more interestin' than that whore ovah there." I knew they were referring to me; I was the only woman nearby. Still though no one calls me a fucking whore and gets away with it. Before I could say or do anything someone else had that covered for me.
"Oi luv ya gonna just sit there starin' into ya glass all night or ya wanna dance wif me? Or if ya 'ead's still poundin' ya at least wanna come sit wif me? I'd rathah not 'ave all these bimbos ovah me right now." I heard Murdoc ask; the disappointed faces on the dumb girls was priceless.
"Huh… uh sure let's dance been awhile since I danced." I smiled at him swigging down the last of my vodka in one gulp. We walked out to the sparsely populated dance floor and he just stopped, looking at me. I raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not sure if ya still go the moves luv. If I remembah correctly ya was the one who could dance anyone undah tah table. Ya haven't fergot ya DDR days 'ave ya luv?" Oh hell no he did not just call me out on my dance skills. He was right though I could dance anyone under the table; even the dumb bimbos coming over to us trying to take Murdoc over into their creepy slut corner. So I did one of the few things I remembered how to do and pushed past him dancing like a hardcore heavy mode game of DDR. The girls didn't look as impressed, unlike everyone else in the club. They sent one of their cronies to out dance me. Stupid mistake as the DJ changed songs to 'Clint Eastwood (Ed Case & Sweetie Irie Refix)'. Last time I checked the twerk was out of style as of years ago you whore…
"I guess we got us a dance contest brewin' up on tah dance floo' make some space for tah luvlies!" The DJ pointed out in a no shit Sherlock kind of voice. The amount of people I wanted to throw down a flight of stairs today was growing… Soon the bimbo's friends came over and got in my face.
"Oh the little girlie thinks she can dance! Where'd ya learn those moves from ya mum?" The tall redhead laughed.
"Oh I'm sorry are you laughing at me? The chick who owns the world record for the highest score in DDR ever? Kindly fuck off and kiss my ass, I don't need some little bitchlets giving me shit! You want a fucking dick to harass go try that guy in the pink sweater vest he loves whores like you!" I pointed to Kyle who somehow through everything that happened today made his way to the same club as us and even made it to the VIP section of the place. What in god's name was he doing here? They glared at me before walking away to go twerk at Kyle. Turning back around Murdoc was standing there with a bright smile on his face; something I was imagining was a rare sight for the guy since he calls one of his mates 'faceache'. A few hours had passed dancing and drinking the night away. I kind of didn't want it to end that was until Kyle spotted me and rushed over.
"Oh Charlotte!" He grabbed me off my barstool and started to hug and kiss me, "I'm so glad you're ok are you still confused? I mean we can still work everything out. You still love me right?" How the fuck was this fucker even standing right now? Murdoc has video evidence of me ripping this guy's fucking balls off with my bare hands for Christ's sake.
"Get the hell off me you manwhore! I thought I ripped your balls off anyway?! How are you still walking?!" I growled pushing him to the floor as 'Plastic Beach' came on.
"I have a high tolerance for pain when my love needs me to care for her! Come let us leave this filthy sweaty dance hall and go to a proper one!" I looked at him like he was fucking crazy. Did he think I was some kind of fucking idiot? I wanted to grab a knife and slice off this guy's dick to match with his balls but I don't think I ever carried a knife with me before in my life. He got up and continued the onslaught of hugs and kisses till I pushed him to the floor again. Russel and Noodle took notice of Kyle and came over. Russel cracked his knuckles like before but Kyle didn't look too scared until Noodle kicked him in the crotch a few times. This send him over the edge for pain. His eyes popped out his head as he collapsed on the floor screaming. Fifteen minutes later an ambulance came to take him out. When the police showed up Noodle lied saying it was an accident. She said I was dancing and he got too close for comfort and I happened to kick the poor sucker in the crotch. They let me off with a warning and left soon after. This was great you know? I was having a great night with great people and he had to fucking come and ruin it like he always does this. 2-D saw my obvious distress and came over to sit with me at the bar.
"Somefing wrong Panic? Ya con't let that bloke ruin ya 'hole night. Wanna come dance wif me and Noods?" I smiled at him and shook my head; 2-D seemed more sympathetic each time he opened his mouth. I gave him a pat on the back and he left with Noodle to go dance some more. I ordered another vodka and downed it quick taking 2-D's advice that I shouldn't let the dickbag ruin my whole night. So I got up off the stool and made my way out to dance slightly drunk. Out of the corner I caught Murdoc chatting with the DJ slipping him a few bucks before making his way over to me.
"Awright ladies an' gents we got a special song goin' out to a woman named Panic from a Mr. Murdoc. An' 'ere we go wif the last song of tah night, On Melancholy 'ill." Murdoc had slipped the DJ a few bucks to make a request since he didn't normally take them. He had an idea; if she couldn't remember she loved him he would try his damndest to make her fall in love with him all over again. He didn't want to admit it but he missed her. On Melancholy Hill was her favorite song she would play it all the time on Plastic Beach whenever she could. I looked up at him and he was smiling more normal and less like a homicidal maniac. I was actually missing the maniac smile though.
"Awright luv ya 'eard tah man, tis a special request an' I do believe it was tah ya. So con I 'ave this dance or wot?" Soon we were slow dancing around the lit up floor; it felt rather strange dancing like this given the usual mannerisms I've seen of Murdoc today. What was good though there was no one else; except for Noodle, 2-D, Russel, and a few stragglers everyone had left, even the bar tender. This felt so familiar and it was driving me insane why I couldn't remember.
"It woz an honah DJing for all of ya tonight an' a shout out to all tah wondahful dancahs and tah me favorite band who showed up tonight, Tah Gorillaz. Murdoc, 2-D, Noodle, Russel an' Murdoc's girlfriend Panic. 'Ave a good night ya guys I'm out!" It was then like a flash of lightening I remembered everything. I fell to the floor on my knees gripping my head in pain. These people were my friends; they were the ones who saved me when I got kidnapped. I remembered the trip to Plastic Beach, them begging me to stay when I tried to go home, getting drunk and partying like no tomorrow, swimming in the ocean, fighting off whales, even pulling pranks on everyone. Then I looked up at Murdoc. I wanted to hug and kiss the fucker but I wasn't some sad sap who got over emotional. So I did the next best thing.
"Hey fucker you wanna come over to my place and christen my fucking bed? I haven't even sent the fucking headboard through the fucking wall!" This was how I remembered acting. Because as every tabloid and magazine cover had ever featured pics with Murdoc and me there had to be my favorite word of all time somewhere in the fucking title. If you haven't figured out what the flying fuck that word was then I am truly sorry. Murdoc put on a sadistic Satan worshipping grin and hugged me tight.
"There's me sassy ass little bitch. I missed ya luv. Don't think I evah missed anything before. An' yeah it would be my pleasure tah send ya 'eadboard through tah wall." The feeling of something going bad tonight that sat in my gut most of the night was gone. As much as I didn't want to get emotional and shit I teared up just a little. Only a little; crying is for little pussies who can't handle their emotions like big kids.
"So let's get the flying fuck out of here after I go the bathroom. I have to piss like a fucking Russian race horse." I walked down the stairs going down to the basement where there was a line of people all waiting to pee. God damn it why do women take so fucking long in the bathroom? The dirty toilet seat isn't going to fucking kill you and if it's that fucking bad go the fuck home and wash your fucking dirty ass. I was so tired and so full of pee at this point I didn't notice anyone get in line behind me.
"Protocol squid scented jellyfish." I blacked out completely.
