Chapter Five
Noodle waited a while before moving; her nerves were still rattled and her stomach still ached. She ran her hand across her abdomen feeling for anything abnormal. The pain she experienced in her dream felt all too real. She hoisted herself off the chair and eased her way to the lift, one arm wrapped around her stomach.
The kitchen looked like the type of kitchen you'd expect to see when left in the care of two men. Food crusted dishes piled in the sink and on countertops and the trash bin overflowed. Crumbs and stains garlanded the table that occupied the room and the light stench of rotting food could be smelt. Noodle was a bit apprehensive about entering but her empty stomach didn't care if the room had a live pig in the room, it needed nourishment! Engrossed with hunger and the astonishing condition of the room, she never noticed the grinding of gears from the lift.
"Noodle?"
She turned absently to the sound of her name. He hesitated in the entryway of the lift, his hand rested on the metal doorframe. His chest was bare and he only wore a long stripped pair of pajama bottoms; his eyes drooped and his hair was a mess. 2D blinked trying to adjust his sight to the light. He twisted his knuckles into his eyes and yawned, "Wot ya doin' up so late?"
She looked him over, the image of him scrambling towards the lift after her, his face so forlorn made her feel guilty. She averted her gaze trying to ignore her noisy heartbeats. "I was going to get something to eat," she answered feeling flustered.
"Me too," he grinned. "Cawn I join you?"
"Of course, 2D-sama. It is your home."
He laughed walking past her to the table, "'S not my home, if I could go 'ome I would."
"Then why do you not?"
2D tore off several sheets of paper towels from a roll dampening them with water. "Murdoc won't let me leave. Tosser kidnapped me n' it 'oldin' me 'ostage." He cleared the table and began wiping down the surface. "Sorry it's so messy 'ere."
Noodle stared at the way his muscles flexed underneath his skin as his arms worked to clean the mess. "Why do you not just leave on your own?"
" I've tried. Several times actually. By Jet Ski, by motour boat, even tried by plane but in the end Murdoc always caught meh. 'E's even put a bloody whale to keep an eye on meh!" He overturned the wet sheets to use a clean part.
Noodle looked puzzlingly at 2D. He acted so coolly, so nonchalantly.
"2D-sama? You are not mad at me?"
The singer stood straight, water dripping down his arm. "Course not! Why would I be?"
Noodle shrugged, "I acted foolishly in your room and ran away like a small child."
"I shouldn't 'ave been so annoyin' n' tryin' to make you take your mask off." He smiled again throwing the dirty paper towels on top of the growing pile of garbage. "Sorry about that, you don' 'ave to take it off if you don' want to." He gestured for her to sit and she did. "Would ya like a cup o' tea?"
"Hai," she nodded. He was too good to her.
2D searched the cabinets for a teapot. He filled it with water and placed it on the stove. He turned the knob onto high and let it sit. Noodle's stomach growled again, demanding food.
"Tha's right, you wanted somefink ta eat?"
"Hai," Noodle nodded.
He crossed the kitchen swinging open the refrigerator scanning its naked shelves. "Awl we really 'ave is… Pancake mix n' fish."
"I rather have pancakes then fish," Noodle said scrunching her face.
"Pancakes it is then!" He lugged out the bottle of pancake mix, shaking the jug to stir up the contents. He turned another knob on the stove and place a clean pan on the neighboring side of the teapot. The liquefied pancake poured thickly into the pan with a sizzle. Noodle admired the way he moved so swiftly around the kitchen cooking a meal, preparing tea, cleaning a few dishes, and acting so merrily about it too. She let a smile overtake her face.
The kettle began to whistle and the water bubbled at the top. 2D shifted it letting the teapot settle down then poured the steaming water into to cups then turned the knob to 'OFF.'
"Green tea o' black?"
"Hmm… green."
They were in luck; only one green and one black teabag were left. 2D preferred black tea anyway. He tore each packet open and dunked them into the water. The bags oozed their flavors mixing with the water.
"We don' 'ave any sugar," 2D said apologetically, "we don' 'ave much of much it seems."
"It is fine, thank you 2D-sama," Noodle replied accepting the drink.
She shifted her mask just below her nose bringing the rim of the cup to her lips. The hot drink slid down her throat warming her soul and soothing her body. It had a bitter tinge in it, but it was decent nonetheless. 2D slaved over the stove, sipping from his cup now and again. The underside of the pancake turned a golden brown indicating it was ready. He flipped the cake over cooking the raw yellow side; it making a loud crackling noise. He smiled at his work, feeling rather proud.
He scooped up the cooked cake and drowned it in syrup. Placing the pancake before Noodle, waiting patiently as she took the first bite. The cake was warm and sweet and sticky.
"It is good," Noodle commented, surprised that it came out as well as it did.
"Fank yew!" 2D gleamed, turning back to the stove, pouring out the last of the mix, and feeling accomplished.
He placed the empty bottle to the side wiping his hand on his pants. Turning too abruptly, his elbow hit the handle of the frying pan flipping it over. Hot, uncooked pancake mix splattered on 2D's bare stomach. He jerked back, his hand flared out in an attempt to catch the pan. The searing surface of the pan burned his palm, shooting pain up his arm. The pan crashed to the ground. 2D stumbled back leaning onto the counter, gripping his wrist ,crying out in pain.
"2D! Let me see," Noodle cried hurrying to his aid.
"I – I'm fine," he replied, his hand shaking uncontrollably and grinding his teeth.
"Let me see," she repeated, taking his hand forcibly.
His hand trembled in hers and his palm turned red. Noodle ripped several sheets of paper towel and wetted them.
"Hold it tightly," she said, closing his hand. She retrieve more wet paper towels and started wiping down his stomach. Blotches of red stained his skin where the mix had scorched him.
"I ruined my pancake," he tired joking, wincing at the ache.
"I think that is the least of your worries right now, 2D-sama," Noodle scoffed cleaning the last of the mix from his skin. She stood up straight noticing how close their proximity became.
2D stared at Noodle's lips, the only part of her face he's seen since she'd arrive at Plastic Beach. From behind the mask, she witnessed his face changing; his eyes grew soft and his face relaxed. On her tiptoes, Noodle inched her way closing off any distance between the two little by little. 2D's mind forgot all about the pain on his hand and belly as Noodle's warm breath danced across his skin. Time seemed to slow for both of them; the sound of their heartbeats was the only noise. Their lips millimeters apart.
"I wonder how much it would kill you to see him burned alive?"
Noodle reeled back knocking into the table and spilling her tea. Her head zipped around searching for the origin of the voice. No one but her and one befuddled 2D inhabited in the kitchen.
"Noodle?" 2D swallowed thickly, his face reddened as he fathomed what almost occurred. He stepped forward touching her shoulder with his good hand.
Noodle gasped and recoiled spinning around backing into the table again.
"Noodle? Wot's wrong," 2D implored, his eyes worried.
She ground her teeth, trying to get a hold of herself. A large shadow materialized itself behind 2D, darkening and forming a body, its red eyes glowing an angry red. Noodle watched in terror as the monster continued to stretch, towering over them. His long, lanky arms stretched out like wings behind 2D, his claws contracted. He hurled his arms toward the singer.
Noodle inhaled sharply, pushing 2D to the ground shielding him with her body. A looming laugh echoed throughout the kitchen as the shadow vanished.
"T-2D?" Noodle huddled over him, each of her hands on either side of his head. He struggled for air, his chest rising and falling slowly. He turned gradually to face her, his eyes half open. A warm sensation soaked Noodle's skin. Blood trickled from underneath 2D and across the kitchen floor. "2D-sama," Noodle began, trying her best not to sound panicked, "2D, s-stay with me, okay?" Tears flooded the mask as Noodle spoke. Her tore off her mask clumsily and tossed it behind her. "Stay with me," she repeated, her voice quavered.
A weak smile fixed itself on his face, his eyes shifting closed, and his breathing stopped altogether.
"2D," she screamed desperately, "wake up!" She placed her hands securely around his pale face, stroking his cheeks. His lips turned a pale purple. "Wake up 2D! Please…" Feeling empty and powerless, she collapsed on his chest listening to empty heartbeat.
"Oh, look. See what you've done and gone? You've killed him." The monster resurfaced lingering over them. "What did you ever do to you? Poor lad, falling for a woman who would ultimately lead to his death," he laughed. Rage swelled in Noodle's chest. She gritted her teeth, angry tears replacing the sad tears.
She tore herself away from 2D's lifeless body, swinging her fists. She aimlessly swung at the demon; tears and wrath blurred her vision making it hard for her to focus. The demon evaded each blow with ease, laughing at her feeble attempts. Noodle swung dejectedly one last time, her energy completely drained. The demon caught her wrist twisting it behind her and slamming her into the wall. His hand knotted itself in her hair pushing her head further against the wall.
"I told you I was going to make you suffer," he sneered, grounding her face harder, pulling her hair. "And this is only the beginning."
Noodle slumped feeling all her energy deplete. She stared blankly at nothing and at everything. Her eyes rolled back, a piercing pain cutting through her chest.
Dear me! Poor 2D! This can't be possible, can it?
Goodness Gracious, I finally posted something. I felt the need to - or obligated actually. I just hope it satisfies :(. I was still very much unsure about this chapter. So if you would be so kind: Please write some reviews? I'd be ever so grateful! These last two moths have been utterly chaotic for myself. The play I participated in went on longer than planned, Advanced English is a pain in the arse, Calculous is making my love for math questionable, and my, how did I put this? editor? Has been unavailable lately. But these are all just excuses, no?
Anyhow, I will try to write quicker without going insane. It seems that every time I open a new blank document to write (or even think about writing) I get a wee bit anxious. But some lovely reviews could assuage that. :)
Hmmm... It seems like just rambling now. I guess that's what a lack of sleep does to a person. Review! Oh... I'm terribly sorry... Review! That just slipped out...
That's all for now! 3
Ps. Have you all seen the storyboard for Rhinestone Eyes? Oh, I nearly died it was so amazing. And what do you guys think of their new single? Doncamatic? I'm still on the fence.. Catchy though.