Sunshine hadn't quite figured it out yet, but she knew something was or had been going on between her sister and her guide. At this point, she could only wonder what it was. During the tour of the establishment, Blondie kept glancing behind her shoulder to see Sunshine staring right back at her peculiarly. One time she turned her head and the girl in the corset was not even three inches away from her. The startled girl jumped back and held her arms up in defense. Already, Sunshine could tell the girl was a fighter. "Don't do that shit." Blondie warned, clearly uncomfortable with her space being invaded so suddenly. Sunshine rolled her eyes, believing that the girl had overreacted. She then raised her arms up in mock surrender.
"Watch out. We got a badass over here." Sunshine remarked sarcastically. The other girl glared at her antagonist, her arms still raised. It was then that she snapped.
"You know what? You try living in a place like this for as long as I have-it does things to you!" Sunshine was about to tell Blondie that she in fact had dwelt in this place for just as long if not longer, but the conversation started to get interesting so she let the girl go off on her tangent. "Here, you're either strong or you're weak, there's no in between. I choose to be strong so that I don't get walked all over on by people like you. But that doesn't mean I'm so high and mighty either!" Sunshine felt a bit awkward. She didn't understand how one simple remark could set someone off like this. The beautiful brunet was so into her rant that she almost looked like she was on the verge of tears. "I have my limits, and I have my own breaking point. I do what I can to get by and if that means taking on a "badass" persona, then so be it. Hell, I don't even know if I'm pretending or not anymore because it's been so goddamn long! It's hard to trust the kind of people here. It's hard to trust anyone at all, so excuse me for acting the way I do and not living up to your expectations!" Sunshine was completely dumbfounded. Before she could stop herself, more words tumbled out.
"Damn. Get your meds yet, today?" Blondie just stared on with a hurt look in her eyes similar to the one she had shown in the dance room. Her body shook every so slightly. The retort must have hit a sore spot and Sunshine felt a twinge of guilt. She had clearly offended the other girl.
"That was out of line...I'm sorry." The dark minded girl did her best at an apology. Such a topic was not meant to be used so lightly and offensively. Blondie didn't seem to hear it. Somehow, Sunshine did not see the next thing coming. Blondie's fist made contact with the other girl's nose and a small crack could be heard. It was a hook punch that lacked in form but made up in power; the force was incredible. Sunshine felt a stinging sensation between her tear ducts and her bridge.
"They give me Thorazine," The lightly tan girl continued. Sunshine's eyes widened. Blondie laughed for a split second before her face returned to the somber expression. "I can't hear them anymore." Sunshine breathed in deeply, realizing the seriousness of the situation. It was not a subject to throw around and make fun of. She deserved the hit.
"Shit, Blondie I'm so sorry." The second apology sounded congested because of the girl's wound. The blood trickled down past her lips and a few drops hit the floor. "Fuck. I had...no idea." Chlorpromazine (technical term for Thorazine) was a strong anti-psychotic drug that was given to those with severe conditions. Sunshine sympathized with the broken girl. It must have been terrifying to be in her situation without anything to keep her together in one piece.
Blondie calmed down and then acknowledged what she had done. "Oh god," she cringed at Sunshine's bloody and slightly crooked nose. "I-I didn't meant to!" She started to whimper.
"Oh my go-o-d-d..."
"Don't apologize." Sunshine breathed slowly. "I was being an ass. Never occurred to me that someone else might be going through hell too." The two girls stared at one another for a few moments in silence. It almost seemed as if they were connecting then.
"Dammit, I-gah! I'm sorry." Blondie said, breaking the silence. "I'm gonna get you some ice." She beckoned for Sunshine to follow her to the kitchen.
"With the way, you punch," The darker twin bantered. "I might need the whole freezer." Blondie didn't laugh as much as Sunshine did at that comment. Sunshine had said some tactless things earlier but it didn't mean striking her was the right thing to do.
"I feel like such an asshole." Blondie grumbled as they entered the kitchen. Sunshine wasn't angry about the injury though. She admired the girl's guts to hit her like so.
"Hey," The green eyed girl reassured her. "It's just who you are. You're a fighter-be proud of that."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Rocket sat at the foot Delta's bed, watching the brunet furiously snip away at her nails with a metal clipper.
"Perfectly fine." Delta grunted in response. But the truth was, she was pissed. Her sister, who she hadn't seen in years, shows up, thinks she can walk all over her and then goes off somewhere with the person she had her eye on; so actually, no, she was not 'perfectly fine.' Rocket, however, knew that something was bothering her friend and didn't drop the subject.
"Well if you're so "perfectly fine", then why have you been acting like it's the end of the world for the past several days?" The blonde hugged her knees and raised and eyebrow suspiciously at the brunet. Delta avoided eye-contact.
"Because it is the end of the world-" She squeezed on the clipper tightly and pinched nail as well as flesh. "Ah!" She hollered, feeling the sharp prick seconds later. The girl stood up and waved her left hand around wildly to try to shake the stinging sensation away. "Goddamn!" Delta cursed loud enough for all the girls present to hear. She chucked the clipper as far away from herself as she could; they landed with a dinkin an opposite corner. The brunet stalked off down the rows of beds in the room, stomping as she went while still shaking her hand. Rocket stood and began to follow her, but then stopped once she realized Delta was heading for the door. The blonde decided it was best to let her blow off some steam. She'd confront her about things later.
Sitting up on a bed nearby, Sweet Pea closed her book and glanced at her sister. The older sibling had been reading Death Be Not Proud and was interrupted by the sudden colorful words of moments ago. "Is she okay?" Sweet Pea asked Rocket, sensing Delta was in a bitter mood. The short haired girl placed her hands on her hips and sighed.
"I don't know." she admitted.
The studio was dark and empty when the brunet entered, but she didn't mind; she preferred it that way. Delta leaned against the rail between the mirrors on the wall. She closed her eyes and took in the silence. Delta gripped the wooden railing tightly and inhaled deeply. The girl raised her head and readied her vocal chords.
The tune came out soft and sweet. ["Well I'll tell you something, I think you'll understand,"] She stared up above at nothing in particular. ["When I, say that something, I wanna hold your hand-"] The girl let her note crescendo in the same fashion as the song. ["I wanna hold your ha-a-and, I wanna hold"]- Delta's mind began to wander, and soon she was thinking of the blond haired beauty in the black bustier. The combination was too much and she stopped mid chorus as an overwhelming emotion took over.
The poor girl sank to the floor, rivers of water pouring out from her eyes. Delta felt even smaller than before as she pulled her knees in closer to her chest. She longed to disappear, to be lost forever; anything but this. She hated what she was and how it fought to overtake her every single thought. The girl would've given anything to be "normal." Growing up without anyone to help her through her differences should have made her stronger in a sense. But in fact, the lack of a guardian caused the girl to remain as fragile as a glass angel. Delta was done hiding who she was, but feared that if she came out, she'd be all alone again. The brunet had already began to make friends in this place and the thought of having no one at all scared her.
Glistening streaks strained the sides of her face as she tilted her head up to face the sky outside. "Why?" She asked fate, throat dry and voice barely a whisper. "Why did it have to be me?" The girl sobbed, resting her head against the wooden floorboards. Her arms in front of her ached though why, she did not know. Delta felt a subtle pounding in her temples and knew that if she continued on like this, a possible migraine would result.
The green eyed girl pulled herself back up to her knees and wiped the tears from both cheeks. She let her arms fall to her sides and shut her eyes. A warm feeling instantly inhabited her body, and for short moments, the girl forgot the reasons of her sorrow. ["These eyes are blind"], the warmth grew. ["To several hundred left behind. But the border is breached but not broken"] Delta suddenly couldn't remember why she had come into the studio. All she was focused on then was the song. The brunet let her voice carry up into the rafters. ["Who tries to find, the several hundred left behind? We will start again!"] A pinching jolt was sent through the girl, startling her thoroughly. When she opened her eyes, she nearly fainted.
Deep blue skies greeted her, and a long desired wind brushed past her. She was outside, away from the brothel, but the exact location was unknown to her. It didn't look like anywhere remotely in Vermont at all. Long blades of grass stuck up from the ground, and for miles around that was all Delta could see. I must be dreaming. The girl concluded, staring out over the landscape. How else would she have gotten there?
"Oh, this isn't a dream." The sound of grass swishing could be heard as well as a man's voice. "But it isn't a reality." Delta turned on her heels to face a man in a white, oriental robe. He was old, face withered and full of lines; short silver-gray hair was atop his head. "This is your reality." The sudden presence of the man surprised Delta and she wondered who he could possibly be. She was sure she had never seen him before in her life.
"Who are you?" The brunet questioned, feeling her muscles tighten. The old man molded his face into a gentle smile, realizing how dazed and confused the girl must be. His appearance seemed friendly and harmless enough, but the girl had always been the cautious type.
"A friend." The old man answered vaguely. Delta still was unsure, but took note of his careful demeanor. She deemed it safe and eventually approached the mysterious stranger.
"Why am I here?...Where is here?" Surely there was a definite explanation to it all. Another wind came from the West, sending ripples through the grass.
The old man pointed out past the mountains and that was when Delta noticed the triple moon parallel to the skyline. "The mind is a wonderful thing, isn't it?" Delta stared, open mouthed, not being able to respond. "This is your subconscious trying to escape." He explained in a level voice. "If you take in what makes you stronger, your mind will set you free." Free. The word rang out in Delta's ears. It had been what she wanted; to leave, to be rid of the brothel and its atrocities. The green eyed girl took in her surroundings, wondering how she alone could have created everything.
"This is insane," the girl stated, biting into her knuckle. "You're saying I can get out of here? But how? I can't do this." The old man gave her a look, raising his eyebrow; he obviously wasn't convinced. "And where would I even start?" She looked around frantically. Was this truly her path to liberation? How could she do it all on her own?
"You will find your answers soon." The man reassured her, acknowledging her bewildered expressions. "But not today. And don't worry, you won't have to go through this alone." Then Delta's vision began to blur and she scene grew into a blinding light. "One more thing," The brunet could barely see the old man, slowing disappearing from her sight. "Look alive, and stay sharp!" Delta blinked under the strain of the brightness. The fields were no more; no purple mountains, blue skies nor triple moon. She was back in the dark, empty studio still kneeling on the floor.
What just happened? Delta's heart had felt like it had stopped. She stared around the silent room with wide eyes. There was no way that she had just retreated into an alternate reality, but she had seen it and taken it all in with her own eyes. Thought it seemed nearly impossible, Delta knew she wasn't crazy. It was a sign; she was going to get out of there
the floorboards creaked on the outside of the room. Delta looked up quickly and saw a shadow move through the mirrors. She rose to her feet and turned to face the sound. There was nothing more than a few moments, then slowly, a figure emerged from the entrance next to Gorski's office. Even in the dark, Delta could tell who was present; stilettos came to a halt as Blondie leaned against the office wall. The expression on her face was meek and humble, unlike in previous days.
"Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in here." The gorgeous girl apologized. Delta's heart rate speed up, and she didn't know what to say back. Her lips were sealed and she hoped that Blondie had not heard her crying, or seen the droplets of water which still lined the corners of her eyes. Blondie took note of the girl's uneasiness and didn't stick around to wait for an answer. She pushed herself off of the wall and began to exit the way she came. Blondie paused mid turn and faced Delta again. "You have a really beautiful voice by the way." Then she was gone.
Delta pushed her bangs back, still staring at the entrance long after Blondie had left. The brunet's palm tingled and she could feel a light sweat build up and wiped her hands on her gray pajama shorts. Her forehead felt hot and she assumed it was from the conflicting emotions moments ago. Sleep. Her mind pleaded. Sleep. That was what she needed and all she wanted then.
It felt like heaven to the brunet as her head hit her pillow. The warm comforter covered her small body, and kept in the heat. Delta was just moments away from slumber when a face appeared above her, dark hair hanging down and touching the tips of her nose. The blankets ruffled as Delta bolted up into a sitting position. "The hell?" Delta cursed, flipping on the lamp next to her on a bedside table. In the dim light, the brunet could make out her sister standing beside the bed. "What do you want?"
Sunshine raised her hands in the air in mock surrender, and sat down on the side of the bed. "Chill out. I just wanted to talk." Delta glared at her twin, arms folded. She clearly did not want to talk at that hour, especially not with her. But then, a sisterly instinct took over as she noticed Sunshine's nose. The whole left side was purple and blue, in a line from the bridge down. Speckles of red were among the other colors.
"What happened?" Delta pointed to her sister's face. Sunshine played it off like it was nothing, trying to draw attention away from it.
"Don't worry about it."
"The hell I won't!" Delta hissed, feeling slightly offended that her sister refused to clue her on this injury.
"Quiet, you!" Sunshine snapped, and this forced Delta to laugh. It was a phrase Sunshine had frequently used with Delta when they were younger. For seconds, the brunet forgot why she was upset with her sister. Sunshine smiled as well, clearly remembering the past too. Then her expression went back to neutral. "I just wanted to say that I think we got off to a rough start last Thursday." Delta nodded her head sarcastically in agreement. "And I'm sorry it had to be that way. It's just that after all these years, I couldn't believe that you had ended up here too." The dark haired girl admitted. "I'd been secretly wishing I'd never see again because that way I knew you were somewhere better." The resentment swimming inside Delta's heart began to die down. Sunshine laughed softly, the first good- natured one in a long time. "And seeing you here put me off the edge. I was relieved that you were okay, but the fact that we're both trapped in this now...I don't know." Delta placed her hand on Sunshine's, knowing exactly how her sister felt.
"I know. I'm sorry too, but it's okay." The grin easily found its way back onto Sunshine's lips. She and her sister hardly held grudges against one another, so the fights never lasted very long.
"Well I'm glad that's settled, but that actually wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about." The brunet gazed at her sister peculiarly. If it wasn't to apologize, then what could it be? Sunshine leaned in closer so that no one else could eavesdrop on them. "I've been meditating lately and all that time alone has made me realize," She paused slightly to draw out the moment. "I think I've found a way out of here." Delta's vibrant, green eyes widened as she took in what her sibling was telling her. It was surely a sign. They were going to escape together.
