"You can come up now!" Luke yelled down to me.
You're giving me permission?
I groaned rolling over on the floor. I did manage to sleep but no longer than a few hours. I felt a little out of it as I rose to my feet. Sleeping on the floor was by far the worse place for a power nap.
"You coming or not?" Luke yelled again.
"Shut up kid," I said to myself as I started climbing the stairs.
For a church, the basement seemed very close to hell.
Instead of seeing Luke at the top of the stairs I saw Freddy. He handed me a water bottle for breakfast.
"Ready to go see the band?" he asked watching me guzzle the water down.
It was like my final request before I died. I was going to see the band that might take us to the top but then I would be killed off so he could bask in the limelight. I was just a tool to help Freddy become famous now before my life ended.
"Why are we seeing them now? Can't we wait till we dance to see them?" I asked trying to put off my execution.
"You're so stupid, Lacey," Freddy said going back to his old self. "Stalling for time is no way to become famous."
He doesn't even care that I'll die soon, I thought fighting the water coming to my eyes.
"I'm sorry if I don't see things the way you do so quickly," I snarled. "Fame isn't at the top of my priorities."
"Well then, good thing once I'm famous I'll have a choice at my next dance partner," Freddy said walking out of the church.
A choice because I won't be around anymore, I thought following him.
I just dropped the bottle when I was done. Didn't bother looking for a garbage can since the entire building was a huge trash can.
"Are we getting tailored?" I asked slowly catching up to him.
"Already done, Lacey," Freddy whined.
Of course, I thought. When one wants fame they stay at least ten steps ahead of everyone else on the road to it.
"So, where are these guys?" I asked approaching the car.
"Just outside of Dallas," Freddy answered with a smirk. "No one will come to your rescue when it's not their area code."
I rolled my eyes getting in the car. Freddy really did think of everything that could possibly stall him on his way to victory. He kept me in the dark, literally; made sure no one could get me, planned my death, and had enough time to gloat about it.
I rolled down the window propping my head on my hand. The wind felt nice going through my hair after what seemed like an eternity without it.
I could have just opened the door and ran. Open the door when Freddy made a left turn and hope the car behind me didn't hit me. Smash against the hot concrete, roll out of the road, and manage to survive. The speedometer told me to stay in the car as I glanced over at it.
I sighed nearly defeated. I could run once we got there. Slip out when I was supposed to be getting dressed and head for the hills. Run and never stop until I either died or found a vampire.
I then realized how much life I had outside of Godric's home. I stayed at his house, I ate his food, I enjoyed his company, and I slept in what would have been his bed. I would have to start thinking about my life in a new perspective if he really was dead; somehow I doubted it.
I shook my head. I hate being the damsel in distress.
I glared over at Freddy who took no notice of me.
I'll get out all by myself, I thought smiling. Freddy will never see it coming.
We pulled up to what looked like an abandoned warehouse. Freddy parked the car and turned off the engine. We both just… looked at it questioningly.
"This is it?" I asked.
"A warehouse has lots of room for equipment," Freddy said trying to look at it in a positive way.
"Looks like they used to slaughter pigs here," I said looking at the red stain that was on the windows.
"Well, I am a mafia member," Freddy said with a grin.
I rolled my eyed. Figures he'd look at it like that.
"So, when are they supposed to be here?" I asked not seeing ay other cars around.
"They didn't say," Freddy answered still looking at the building.
Another simple question you didn't ask? Fame was more blinding than love for him.
"Why don't you go to the door and fine out," Freddy said.
"You're the one they talked to over the phone, you do it," I snarled.
If I truly was in my last forty-eight hours of my life, I wasn't going to play innocent anymore around Freddy.
Freddy growled before he opened the door and stepped out. He slammed the door behind him and walked over to my side. He opened the door almost ripping it off.
"You're coming with," he said unbuckling me.
"God, you're such a pansy," I said as he pulled me out of the car. "Maybe you should keep the car on in case we need a quick retreat."
"Shut up, vampire whore!" Freddy shouted raising his hand up to hit me.
"I'm still innocent!" I screamed making a fist with my hand.
I aimed high and swung hard. I flinched making contact with something. I followed through with my first ever punch hearing my knuckles crack. I opened my eyes and brought my hand back letting my face flush with color for the moment.
It was embarrassing screaming to the world that I was a virgin but I was far too angry to let that emotion concur what flowed through me.
Freddy was doubled over with one hand bracing against his knee and the other on his jaw. I let a smile tug on my lips as I assumed I managed to hit his face. He slowly looked up at me removing his hand from his face. It was shock that I saw in his eyes; not revenge.
"You hit me," he said adjusting his jaw with his hand.
"If you keep acting like you do," I threatened. "I'll give you a black eye for your fame debut."
I walked away from him still holding my hand in a fist. It was hard to walk away from him in a straight line. My entire body trembled with anger and aggression. Even my clenched fist trembled at my side.
Freddy followed me and stayed a safe distance away as we came to the door. I crossed my arms trying to calm myself down. I leaned up against the building hearing it rattle as I shook beside it. My knees would give out soon if I didn't calm myself down.
Freddy cautiously knocked on the door keeping me in his vision. I scared him good for the moment. But I had no idea how he would act around me when the band was watching. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to hit him again.
I think my knuckles would shatter if I did, I thought.
"I don't hear anything," Freddy said putting his ear against the door.
"Check to see if it's unlocked," I ordered.
He pushed on the door hearing it creek against his weight. It took a few tries, since Freddy wasn't the strongest boy out there, but it opened loudly.
"I see all the camera equipement," Freddy said walking in.
I followed him noticing my body starting to relax a little.
There was a lot of camera equipment. It looked more like a movie set than a warehouse inside. Cameras, speakers, sets, and hanging microphones. In one corner was the band stage with the drum set and a few microphone stands. In the other was a decent amount of hardwood floor, more than likely for Freddy and I, to dance on.
The background for the dance floor portrayed a street corner with a diner and a very old looking car. It was all cardboard cut outs but the art work gave it detention. The diner was at the ground level of what looked like a hotel. A large light up arrow pointed to it and just below that was the old car. Just like the mafia gangs had when they had car racing scenes.
"I like the set," Freddy said walking over to it.
"Where are they?" I asked in a whisper looking around.
Freddy was, of course, more concerned with the stage he was dancing on, but I was worried about the band members. Sure they didn't say when to be here, according to dumb ass over there, but why would they just leave all this expensive equipment without even locking the front door? It was all far too fishy for me.
I looked out the door behind me unable to see any other car besides Freddy's. I didn't hear any cars coming down the road as I stared out into the distance. It truly was abandoned if no one even passed it on their way else where. How long it had been abandoned was a mystery I didn't want to solve.
"I think we should wait outside," I said.
It might look suspicious if they come and see us already inside. One, there was no lock. Two, they didn't know Freddy's face. They might even jump to conclusions that we're stealing things.
Freddy didn't hear me. He wondered over to the camera equipment looking at his reflection in the lens. He ruffled his hair, adjusted his jacket, and practiced winking.
Didn't I punch you just now? And your vanity is already back.
It was sundown now. I looked up at the ceiling thinking they might have installed those big mercury lights; nothing interesting was in my eye sight. The shadows stretched out across the building, and since the windows were splattered, a black-out effect covered the area.
Freddy yelled in the distance. I flinched looking over at him. He was looking down at the ground with wide eyes. I walked over to him hearing his breathing get heavier as I did. He was just staring at a whole r something.
"What is it?" I asked feeling a slight chill come over me.
"It's a trap door," Freddy said pointing.
I looked down at the floor. The band stage was a little elevated from the ground and it indeed had a trap door. A rug covered it before and I guessed Freddy moved it when he practiced his signature strut. The handle was a little rusty but didn't look to worn.
"I don't think we should open it," I said shaking my head.
Freddy shrugged but went to open it. I rolled my eyes and stepped back to give him room. Freddy would have to use his back and legs since he didn't have much upper body strength. His face started to turn red and the door inched up.
"Don't forget to breathe," I said glaring a whole through his forehead.
The door then flew open. Freddy took a few steps back to regain his balance. I glanced over my shoulder making sure no one was watching us. It was still silent outside.
"It's a vampire," Freddy said in a gasp.
I spun my head around seeing Freddy whiter than milk. I walked forward looking down at the now open trap door. There was a face. It was a bit pale and structured. His eyes were closed but he had eyeliner on them. His hair was dark and some came over his face.
"I don't think so," I said. "I don't know of many vampire's that will wear eyeliner."
"Lacey, he's in a band, of course he's gunna wear eyeliner," Freddy said lightly jogging over to me. "It's the new thing for modern male bands."
"Well, if he is part of the band I think you should at least tell him you're not interested in the offer anymore," I said taking my arm away before Freddy could grasp it.
"But he's a vampire," Freddy urged. "He'll eat us."
Laughter came from the open trap door. Freddy jumped for the first time I'd seen. I jump as well but only because Freddy jumped first.
"Oh, God, I'm not a vampire," the voice said.
Freddy and I watched the man climb out of the whole in the ground.
"Prove it!" Freddy shouted.
Was he scared?
"Our band has the reputation for acting as vampires but not actually being them. We sleep during the day, play music at night, and as you've seen, we sleep in the ground," he said watching his band members follow him out. "Or at least, try to."
Freddy seemed to buy it. I wasn't quite convinced but I had nothing against vampire's in the way Freddy did.
"Frederickson Grant?" the male asked. "I think we spoke on the phone a few times."
Freddy's face lit up. I could almost see the golden sparkly money sign in his eyes as he reached out to shake his hand. Whatever accusation of the band being vampire's was washed out of his brain.