Chapter 8: Things Go Wrong
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
It was late afternoon when Noodle and 2D arrived back at the Spirit House. Removing his helmet, the singer closed his eyes, sighing as a light breeze ruffled his hair. He stood there for a few moments, ignoring the ghost-ridden house which loomed ominously over him until he felt a warm hand settle on his shoulder.
"2D?"
"Yes, love?" The singer replied, glancing down at the guitarist.
"We should only have to be in the house for a minute," Noodle told him, holding his gaze steadily. "We'll convince Murdoc and Russel to get out for the rest of the day and meet us at a hotel tonight. They need to understand how important it is that they don't return to the house until tomorrow, after we pick up Charlene's special powder."
2D frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over him. "Noodle… Wh-what if the spirits got s-stronger while we were gone? What if the powder comes too late?"
Noodle stroked his arm in a comforting manner. "The house looks calm from out here. I'm sure everything's fine inside."
2D wanted to believe her, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. Come on, 2D, the singer thought. Noodle's the smartest person I know. If she says everything's fine, then it must be true. He offered Noodle a small smile, which she returned.
Noodle slid her hand down the singer's arm and entwined her fingers with his, which made 2D smile wider. Hand in hand, they approached the house. "After we convince Murdoc and Russel to leave, I'm going to go to the local gym. It's been too long since my last workout," Noodle said. "If you don't want to spend the rest of the day wandering around town, you could try the cinema. I hear they've put a new zombie movie out."
"Yeah, Zombie Dinosaur Invasion III," 2D replied, a dreamy look in his eyes. "Maybe Russel and Murdoc will want to see it with me."
"Good idea. Then you could all watch each other and make sure no one gets into any trouble."
When the duo entered the old house, 2D frowned at the atmosphere of gloom and decay, missing the sensation of warm sun on his back. Keep it together… We'll only be here for a minute…
"Murdoc! Russel!" Noodle greeted as she and 2D found their bandmates lounging in front of the television. Murdoc winced slightly and looked irritated but seemed to have overcome the worst stage of his hangover. Russel, whose head had been drooping, blinked up at them sleepily, and returned the greeting. "Hey, baby girl, 'D. You guys have a good time in town?"
"Yes, and we made some important discoveries," Noodle informed. "We met the woman who lived in this house twenty years ago, Charlene Germaine, and she told us how to get rid of our spirit problem. But we have to stay out of the house tonight so that things don't get worse before we can fix them."
"One night out of the house is going to solve our problems?" Murdoc growled doubtfully.
"Not exactly. But tomorrow morning, I'm going to pick up some special powder from Charlene which will send the spirits back to the other side. Russel, you'll need to take some of the powder too. We suspect that the spirits have been using you as a portal and stealing your energy."
"Hmm," Russel nodded thoughtfully. "That explains how tired I am. But is it really necessary to leave the house tonight? I mean, one more night couldn't do too much harm, could it? I'm not feeling up for travelling right now."
"Er… Russ," 2D chipped in nervously, "The lady said that there was a bigger spirit that might come out if it gets enough energy. I… I don't want it to come out…"
"2D's right, Russel," Noodle affirmed. "We all need to get out of here, especially you, because the longer you're here, the more energy the spirits will get, the stronger they'll become, and the more chance there'll be of a worse spirit appearing."
2D saw Murdoc open his mouth and feared that the stubborn bass player would refuse to cooperate. However, he was pleasantly surprised. "Alright," The bassist groaned. "I was going to meet up with our collaborators tonight anyway. Whoever wants to can come along; we'll need as many minds as possible to discuss themes for the next album."
Russel sighed. "I suppose I'll go with Murdoc then."
"Excellent," Noodle said with a grin. "I'll be at the gym and 2D will be at the movies. Later tonight, I'll get us some rooms at a hotel and we can hang out there until tomorrow. I'll text you when I have the hotel's address."
2D sighed with relief when Murdoc rose from the couch and ruefully switched off the television. "Get up, Lards. We're leaving now."
. . .
2D was in his room searching for his wallet when he heard a knock at his door. He looked up with a smile. Maybe someone's decided to go to the movies with me! Skipping to the door, 2D opened it and found Murdoc standing with his arms crossed, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.
"Hello, Murdoc!" 2D chimed pleasantly.
"Faceache. I need to have a word with you." Murdoc strolled into the room and leaned against the windowsill. 2D sat on the edge of his bed facing the bassist, who shifted so that his shadow fell over the singer.
"Had an awful hangover this morning," the bassist grumbled. "But not so awful that I didn't remember a few things from last night."
Murdoc stared down at 2D, who tilted his head undiscerningly. "Umm… Okay."
Rolling his eyes, Murdoc muttered a phrase under his breath which sounded a lot like "thickhead." Returning his gaze to 2D, the bassist elaborated, "2D, I made some accusations last night. About you. And I need to know if they're true. Does this ring a bell?"
2D closed his eyes, thinking back to the Strobelite club. Did Murdoc and I even talk? I thought I spent the whole night with Noodle. Thinking harder, 2D recalled pulling Murdoc away from the bar, and Murdoc saying something about women… "Oh yeah!" 2D said, smiling. "Sorry, Murdoc. I'm still not interested in going with you to pick up birds. But if you want to go to a club later-"
"No!" Murdoc growled, slapping a hand to his face. "What I said after that! About you and Noodle!"
2D's face dropped and he scratched his head nervously. "Oh yeah… er… well, you never made any particular claims, aside from acknowledging that me and Noodle are friends-"
Murdoc took a step towards 2D, making the singer cringe slightly. "'D, you and Noodle can do whatever you want, be whatever you want, I don't care. But I need to know. This is my band, and I've got to keep track of what all you lackeys are doing so that you don't go breaking each others sodding hearts and ruining everything I've worked for! So tell me, is there anything going on between you and Noodle?"
2D paused for a moment, staring at his knees. "Uhhu… er… well, no-"
"Then why'd you hesitate to answer me?"
2D flinched at Murdoc's accusing tone of voice. "Nothing's going on. We're just friends and we care about each other"
Murdoc's stare lost none of its intensity as it bored through the top of 2D's bowed head. "Do you want something to be happening between you and Noodle?"
2D squirmed. Gosh, this question is even harder than the last one! 2D fumbled through his words. "Well, I… ahhh… ummm… I want to… to make sure… that Noodle gets what she wants… so when she needs a best friend… ummm… I can be that best friend… and she'll… love me as her best friend… Maybe more than she likes the rest of her friends?" He glanced up at Murdoc, braving the bassist's hard stare.
Murdoc held 2D is his gaze, his face still as stone for a good few seconds before the bassist's lips began to curve into a knowing smirk. "Well, that was quite a speech for you, Faceache. But I'm afraid that if equivocating was your goal, you failed miserably. You didn't say no. That tells me everything I need."
2D gaped up at Murdoc's evil grin. "Wait… but… I never said-"
"Figure yourself out, 2D," Murdoc said, pushing himself off the wall and sauntering towards the doorway. "The sooner you do, the better off everyone will be." And then he was gone.
2D was left alone in his room to think over the uncomfortable conversation. Equivocating? What does that even mean? And me and Noodle… Why does he want to know what I want, anyway? And what about him knowing everything he needs to know just 'cause I didn't say no? I mean, it's not like I said yes. Besides, all I really want is… ummm… ah… well… 2D scrunched up his face in confusion, his thoughts racing in disorganized turmoil. He stood up and paced the room. What do I want? Why am I even thinking about this, it's a stupid question! Me and Noodle are best friends! We already have something good going! 2D banged his head into the wall, groaning. But… If I could have… Would I..?
The sound of car doors slamming and a motorcycle revving caused 2D to snap back from his deep thoughts. Oh yeah, I'm supposed to be leaving the house. Gotta grab my wallet first.
. . .
The singer stepped softly down the stairs, the creaking of the ancient wood echoing through the eerily silent air.
2D strolled into the kitchen and glanced out the window, into the driveway. He pouted when he saw that the motorcycle and the car were already gone. It would have been nice if someone had stuck around to give me a ride… Oh well. I guess I'll just call a cab.
The singer turned to lean with one hand against the kitchen's small wooden table, using his other hand to fish his phone out of his pocket and scroll through his contacts. Finding the number for Professional Cabs United, he hovered his thumb over the call button and moved to press it.
Then, something odd happened.
"Owww!" 2D cried, dropping the phone which was suddenly red-hot. It clattered onto the wooden table, knocking over a stack of papers as 2D whimpered, feeling his fingers sting and throb. He raised them to his mouth and sucked on them, hoping to cool the awful burning sensation.
The singer glared sullenly at his phone, which seemed to be mocking him as it sat face-up on the table, unscathed, with the cab company's number still shining off the screen. Why did it do that? 2D thought, feeling more hurt than curious. Stupid phone… 2D sighed and began to stack the scattered papers back into a neat pile.
2D recognized among the papers some of the mail he had collected earlier that morning. As his eyes passed over one of the sealed envelopes, he felt a sudden compulsion to pick it up. Grasping the envelope, 2D studied it closely, noting the stamp (which, creepily enough, had a picture of his own face on it) and the title Billy Bobkins, a.k.a. your biggest fan scrawled in the top left corner. 2D didn't have the greatest memory, but even he could recognize the name of a fan who sent him letters twice a week, even when he had yet to disclose his location. It's that weird fan dude who always writes. I wonder how he always seems to know where we live. 2D looked at the addressee label in the center of the envelope. Like all of this particular fan's letters, it was addressed not to the whole band, but specifically to the singer.
2D stared at the letter, forgetting about his stinging fingers as an odd sort of feeling stole over his mind. Murdoc usually just tells us to throw away fan mail. These letters rarely contain anything interesting anyway… But he couldn't take his eyes off the letter. It was as if there were some foreign force in his mind, prodding him, pushing him to open it. It is addressed just to me… None of my bandmates should mind. I guess I can give it a quick look-over before I head to the movies.
As 2D tore the envelope open, a small shiver of pleasure washed through him, as if rewarding him for complying with his mind's strange whim. 2D removed the letter eagerly from its packaging, and his shining black eyes rolled over the script:
"Dear 2D,
"Hey! It's Billy again! Even though you haven't responded to any of my letters yet (2D thought back to the time he had roasted marshmallows over a fan mail fire), I know you love to hear from me! And I'm sure you've just been too busy making music lately to write!
"I heard that the Phase 4 album is in the works. I'm checking your website daily, so I'll be the first to know where preordering starts! It wouldn't surprise me if I were the first person in the whole world to preorder it. Do you think you could pick out a special one for me and sign it?
"I also heard that most of the songs on the album will have collaborators. Don't get me wrong; collaborators are cool. But I miss your voice, man! Could you make sure we get a couple of tracks with just you singing? Please? It would make my day!
"I noticed that neither you nor the rest of the band have RSVP'd for my birthday party yet. That's totally okay! Feel free to just show up whenever! You don't even have to bring a present! In fact, I'll give you my presents!
"I have to wrap up this letter now so that I can put it in the mail before my mother wakes up. She says that I have an 'unhealthy obsession.' Personally, I think there's no shame in a twenty-five-year-old man living in his mother's basement trying to keep up with the people who are most important to him.
"Remember to write some good songs with just you singing! I'll probably cry if you don't! You can sing them at my birthday party!
"Sincerely,
"Desperate to hear your melodious voice,
"Billy Bobkins
"A.K.A. your biggest fan
"P.S. I love you. And your voice. Write those songs!
This dude's crazy, 2D thought, shaking his head. He had half a mind to stick the letter in a toaster and watch it burn.
An oppressive sensation suddenly swept over 2D's mind. Holding the letter in his left hand, 2D raised his right to rub his skull, groaning. Did I remember to take my pills this morning? It feels like I've got a headache coming on… 2D grimaced. But my head doesn't usually feel quite like this before a headache. This is different. 2D pondered confusedly over the odd feeling in his mind. It wasn't as terrible as an oncoming headache, but it wasn't pleasant either. Focusing on the feeling, his eyes squeezed shut, 2D willed it to go away.
2D felt a strange compulsion again, like the one that made him open the letter. There almost seemed to be a voice whispering suggestions into his mind: Look back at the letter, 2D. Look at it.
Remembering how he had felt good after complying with the first of his mind's strange whims, 2D opened his eyes and glanced back down at the letter in his hand, skimming over it briefly. As his eyes slid over the phrase I miss your voice, another sharp twinge lanced through the singer's mind. And that voice in his head- maybe it's my conscience- began speaking again:
Our fans are sad. They miss our voice. they're sad, they're so sad…
2D felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes. My fans are sad. He felt a deep, melancholy feeling settle in his chest, and bowed his head. Sad, sad, sad-
Hey! You know what we should do to make our fans happy?
2D perked up, listening to the voice in his head. What? What should I do?
You should write a song! Just like the letter asked for! You can write a song with just you, all by yourself!
That heavy feeling in his chest was lifting, and 2D smiled eagerly. Yeah! I can write a song! And then everyone will be happy! 2D looked around the room, looking for a bandmate to share his idea with. Then he remembered. My bandmates aren't home right now. They're not here to help me make the song.
That's okay! The voice cried merrily. This is your song! You can do it all by yourself!
2D shuffled his feet nervously. But I like it best when we make music together. It'll be lonely writing a song all by myself.
No, it'll be fun, trust me! And your bandmates will be so proud of you!
An image swam to the forefront of 2D's mind, holding the singer's attention like a hypnotic vision. He saw his bandmates smiling, clapping him on the back and congratulating him on his excellent new song. Allowing his eyes to close, 2D smiled, falling into the vision, dwelling on each of his bandmate's faces in turn. Murdoc, usually so grouchy these days, would look transformed with the joy of hearing 2D's music. Russel, for once wide awake, would be nodding his head, enjoying the rhythm of the tune.
And Noodle…
Her smile will be the best.
2D's breathing caught in his throat as he saw the beautiful guitarist grinning from ear to ear, telling him that the song was the best she'd ever heard. She would step close to him, her arms wrapping around his waist and sliding up his back, and he would lean down so she could bring her lips close to the side of his face, so close that her soft skin brushed against his as she whispered praise into his ear…
2D shuddered involuntarily, overcome by the power of the vision. And that odd little voice, strange but encouraging, spoke up once more. You want that, don't you? Their praise? Her praise? You can do this, 2D. You can write the song.
2D opened his eyes, which shined white with excitement. I can do this! I'm gonna make them all so proud!
2D turned towards the hallway to run to the recording stu- wait a minute. We don't have a recording studio in here. 2D paused, startled out of his blissful compliance. There aren't even any instruments here.
Never fear, 2D! The voice chipped in merrily. Take a look in the basement; I'm sure we'll find something down there!
2D smiled once more. Yeah, the basement! There's got to be something I can use down there! The singer sprinted joyfully towards the basement stairway.
Thudthudthudthud… 2D's feet thundered down the stairs. Hopping over the last few steps, the singer rounded the corner and turned to face the main room of the basement with shining eyes.
His jaw dropped.
Sitting right there, in the center of the room, was a large piano.
Wow, 2D thought, approaching the instrument with an expression of pure awe. Noodle's been passing through here to get to her room for the past two days, but she never told me this was here! He stroked the keys gently, without pressing any. Was it a trick of the light, or did the ivory really glow beneath his fingertips? Was it just his own excitement, or could he feel energy pulsing from within the instrument? This is so cool! Why didn't Noodle tell me about this?
2D tilted his head slightly to the left. Maybe it wasn't here yet earlier. Murdoc or Russel might have placed it here, it may have popped up while Noodle and I were gone-
Popped up?
2D imagined a piano suddenly appearing in the basement out of nowhere, then vanishing as quickly as it had come. It appeared again, then vanished, then appeared, then vanished, appeared…
Vanished.
A piano that vanishes… but that sounds a bit like…
Eyes widening, 2D gasped in horror, yanking his hand away from the piano and stumbling backwards frantically until his back hit the wall. The ghost piano! 2D eyed the piano in shock, now noticing that the keys really were glowing, that there really was some sort of strange energy pulsing out from the instrument, tearing through the air and sending awful chills through his bones.
What's wrong, 2D? The voice piped in. It may not have the best reputation, but a piano's a piano. Besides, it might turn out to sound super cool, like Murdoc's special base guitar! Give the piano a chance!
"No…" 2D said out loud, shaking his head as he rejected the guiding voice. I'm not supposed to go near this piano, that's why we're all leaving the house- wait a minute! I shouldn't even be in the house right now! 2D began edging towards the stairs. "I've got to get out of here!"
Come on, 2D! It's just a piano!
"It's a demon piano!"
Just try it, just one little song!
"No! I've got to stay away from that thing!"
Just press one key? Please?
"NO!" 2D shouted, suddenly angry at the voice in his head. "You're a stupid conscience! Didn't you listen to anything Noodle or the old lady said? The piano is bad! This house is bad! I'm leaving NOW!" 2D turned away from the piano and marched towards the stairs.
Not cooperating? Oh well. You give me no other choice.
2D fell to the ground.
"Ahhh!" He cried, squeezing his head in both hands as a wave of agonizing pain burst through his skull. It felt like his brain was exploding, burning…
SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T LISTEN?
"Stop it!" 2D wailed, clenching his fingers into his hair as he writhed on the floor.
OH, YOU WANT THE PAIN TO STOP?
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" 2D screamed. He didn't like the voice, and he was starting to think that it wasn't his conscience. It was something bad… Very bad…
POOR 2D'S HAVING A LITTLE HEADACHE, the voice sneered. NOW, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENNED IF YOU'D JUST FOLLOWED MY ORDERS.
"I-I'm g-getting out of h-here," 2D cried through the pain, pulling himself to his knees. He crawled across the floor towards the staircase, his kneecaps grinding painfully into the hardwood floor. When he made it to the bottom stair he reached up, grabbing the railway and beginning to pull himself to his feet. His knees had barely left the ground when the railing began to burn. 2D screamed as he quickly let go of the railing, falling backwards and hitting his head against the floor with a resounding bang. Threading his fingers back through his hair, 2D moaned. The room was spinning, it felt like a bomb had gone off in his head, and his face was sticky with tears.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, BOY; READY TO PLAY ME A SONG?
"No! Neve- AUGH!" 2D howled as the pain in his skull intensified. He curled into a ball and dug his fingernails into his scalp.
YOU SHOULDN'T BE SO STUBBORN. IT WILL ONLY CAUSE YOU MORE PAIN.
"NOODLE!" 2D cried, his thoughts becoming blurry. "Noodle, help me!"
SHE CAN'T HELP YOU. SHE LEFT, REMEMBER?
"Russel, Murdoc!" 2D continued frantically, tears streaming down his face. "Anyone, please help! Please help!"
NO ONE'S HERE TO SAVE YOU. I'LL GET WHAT I WANT IN THE END.
"No no no…" 2D whimpered. "Please…" He didn't think he could hold onto his mind much longer, the pain was pushing his thoughts, his resistance, to the edge. I can't do this…
GIVE IN, 2D.
"No…" 2D pleaded, shaking his head weakly.
LET GO.
"Nuhhh." 2D let out one last shaky breath before his mind fell to pieces.
The singer went limp, his curled limbs falling heavily to the floor. The sound of his collapse echoed through his hollow skull. The pain was gone. So were the rest of his feelings. His thoughts were gone, too. His mind was utterly silent.
Feeling better?
2D's head felt numb, completely empty. Like a zombie, he nodded dumbly to the voice.
Then get up.
2D rose to his feet, his eyes listless and glassy.
Sit at the stool, in front of the piano.
2D complied, walking over and sinking into the faded seat. His hands folded over the gleaming keys. Ghostly green tendrils crept out of the piano, wrapping around his hands, crawling up his chest, his neck, his face, covering him in a glowing web. A strange energy slipped down his throat; his body rebelled for a moment and he choked, but the energy swiftly stifled the reaction. Feelings that weren't his own sparked in the singer's brain. Somewhere, in the core of his mind, a small piece of 2D whimpered in protest as it was surrounded by foreign voices; they pulled at him, taking over his thoughts, his creativity, his soul, and combining it with their own. The voice chuckled with satisfaction.
Now play.
. . .
The sun had just sunk below the horizon, leaving a thin orange line below a navy sky. Saturnz Barz stood tall, silhouetted against the last dying rays of sun. As a breeze rustled the leaves of a haggard old tree, a distant noise began to make itself known. At first it was a gentle buzz, barely discernible against the sound of the windblown leaves. It grew louder, becoming less and less distant until it began to resemble a gravelly roar. The roar of a motorcycle's engine.
A rider became visible in the horizon.
Noodle leaned forward, hoping she could make it in and out of the house before the sky went completely black. I can't believe I left my phone behind, she thought, gritting her teeth. The others are probably wondering why I haven't contacted them yet; they'll be impatient. Murdoc will be a pain to deal with…
She pulled up in front of the house, hastily dismounting and setting her helmet in the grass before running to the door. Noodle grabbed the doorknob, intending to yank the door open as quickly as possible. She paused when she felt the handle vibrate.
Noodle stared at the door. She couldn't help having a flashback to the raccoon in 2D's closet. Moving her hand, Noodle brushed her fingertips lightly against the door, then against the side of the house. It was all vibrating, almost imperceptibly.
Biting her bottom lip worriedly, Noodle glanced towards the nearest window. Someone had left the kitchen light on, allowing Noodle to see that there were no spirits in that room. She took a deep breath. A trembling house won't hurt me. The spirits are probably just snoring.
Noodle entered the house warily, quickly switching on a light and searching all corners of the foyer. All seems well up here, aside from the floor vibrating. And that noise… Noodle closed her eyes, listening. It sounds like someone's playing music.
Noodle took a few steps forward, swiveling her head from side to side, trying to determine where the music was coming from. Following the sound across the foyer, she found herself standing in front of the basement door. The guitarist pressed an ear to the wood and listened. Yep. That's where the music's coming from. It was an odd sort of tune with various instruments; Noodle could pick out some sort of keyed instrument amongst the noise, as well as a male voice singing. The voice sounded ominously familiar, but the door muffled the sound too much for her to make out the singer or the words. In fact, even through the door, Noodle could tell that the whole song had a warped quality to it.
The spirits must be messing with that old record player. I hope that thing's not haunted too. It's a cool antique, and it would be nice to keep around once this whole mess is over. For a moment, Noodle considered checking the basement to make sure the spirits weren't causing any serious mayhem, but she ultimately decided against it. They can't do much harm as long as we avoid them. I'd better just grab my phone and get out of here. I may have left it by the kitchen cupboards when I was grabbing those protein bars…
Turning her back to the basement, Noodle ran to the kitchen and smiled when the scarlet gleam of her phone case caught her eye from the countertop. Approaching the object, Noodle picked it up tenderly. The case had been a gift from 2D last Christmas. It was covered in custom script chosen by the singer. Japanese symbols were etched in shining black ink upon the case, including symbols for the words dare, friendship, love, gorilla, and, of course, Noodle. The guitarist smiled. Turning on her phone, she saw that she had multiple texts from Murdoc, and a missed call from Russel. I better go make those hotel reservations soon.
As she turned to leave the kitchen, Noodle heard a buzzing noise, like a phone vibrating, somewhere nearby. Noodle looked back at her own phone, confused. I'm holding my phone right now, and I didn't feel it vibrate. Noodle checked her screen just to make sure. Aside from the messages she had seen moments ago, there was nothing new.
Another buzz pierced the air. Noodle looked up, her head jerking towards the kitchen table. There, next to a disorganized pile of miscellaneous papers, was the shining screen of another phone, this one in a bright magenta case. 2D's phone.
Noodle picked up the item. 2D's phone wasn't locked (the singer could never remember his passwords) and Noodle was able to read the message he'd just received from Murdoc:
"Faceache, has Noodle texted you? Tell her to hurry up with those hotel rooms."
Noodle pocketed 2D's phone along with her own as a chill crept up her spine. How could 2D forget his phone? He would've needed it to call a cab; the theatre is too far away to walk to. She grimaced worriedly. I know that Murdoc and Russel didn't give him a lift; they left just before I did. 2D was the last to leave the house… Noodle's eyes widened, and she felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. He would have been the last to leave the house. If he left the house.
Noodle dashed out of the kitchen, sprinted up the stairs, and burst into 2D's room without knocking. She found it empty. "2D?" Noodle called, turning to face the hallway so that if anyone were on the top floor, they would hear her. "Stuart? Toochie? Are you here?" There was no response.
I'm probably overreacting… He probably set the phone down after calling the cab… but then Noodle remembered the basement, the keyboard-like tune, the familiar singing which she had taken to be a record…
Noodle raced down the stairs. Arriving quickly at the basement entrance, Noodle flung the door open, and was immediately hit by a wave of loud music. She raced down the stairs, towards the strange lights flashing across the walls and the floorboards, towards the music which grew louder as she cleared the last stair and turned to face the room.
The sight before her made her gasp.
In the center of the room sat 2D playing a piano, his back turned towards her, both himself and the instrument shrouded in an eerie green glow. Around him, the room was in complete cosmic disarray. It was like when the spirit house had appeared to soar through space during their first haunting, except now, various scenes flashed out of where the room's walls ought to be, a collage of cityscapes, dancing crowds and flashing lights bombarding the eyes. As Noodle attempted to take in the visual mess of the room, 2D's voice soared hauntingly into her ears.
"I was gone with the self of the day, gone… With the self of the day, gone…"
"2D!" Noodle screamed over the noise. "What's going on?"
But her friend didn't respond, continuing to caress the keys of the spirit piano and sending eerie notes flying through the room. His head was bowed over the keys with complete focus; the ghostly green glow of the instrument cast a sickly sheen upon his spiky blue hair. It was as if he hadn't even heard her.
Beginning to feel frantic, Noodle took a step forward, braving the distorted scene as she reached out to her friend-
And got slammed into the wall.
"Ahh!" Noodle gave a short gasp of pain as whatever had pushed her began to wrap around her, holding her arms to her sides. She struggled for a moment before angrily turning to face her captor: A long, blue, one-eyed worm. "Get off, you stupid demon! What are you doing with my frien- mmph!" She felt a new presence hovering behind her head as multiple hands covered her mouth. The guitarist continued to struggle, but with her arms bound to her sides and two spirits working together to hold her down, there wasn't much she could do. Her pulse racing, Noodle watched the scene unfold in front of her.
Although she couldn't see her bandmate's face, Noodle could make out a slick sheen of sweat coating the singer's arms and sticking his shirt to his back. The spirits must have had him playing for them for hours! But he just keeps going… Usually he complains when Murdoc tries to make him do something like this; why isn't he complaining now?"
2D was singing a song that she had never heard before, and she didn't remember 2D ever talking about making a song like this. 2D would always consult his bandmates when he was trying to write a song; he would want help sorting out all of the feelings behind the lyrics and making those feelings tangible to an audience. Noodle listened carefully to the lyrics, trying to figure out what they were about.
"Gone with the self of the day, gone…
"I'm back, where are we goin'?
"Seem to get tired of the mornin' dawn,
"With a basin on my head,
"I'm missin' all that I used to know, then,
"I get the kids to go, and I get,
"Up on with certain dread,
"And when I see the kissing down below,
"Easy life, I get right,
"I was gone with the self of the day, gone,
"With the self of the day, gone,
"With the self of the day, gone,
"Gone, gone, gone,
"I was gone,
"I get dropped from where I belong,
"I take my pills and I get in the mood and I,
"Take five to get it to load in,
"Even in the place,
"And I get my jeans on right,
"And sit in the rows and,
"Inside I live in a cage and I,
"Peek out and summon the code and I,
"Enter the lake to face what I'm cagin'"
Well… This is a puzzle. Noodle cursed inwardly with frustration at the cryptic lyrics. Some parts seem to be about a normal day, but then he talks about dread, and being in a cage… Is that how he feels, being stuck here? The guitarist could feel her heart breaking for her friend. What about the chorus? He's "gone?" gone with a different self? What does he mean?
Noodle listened through another round of the chorus, her mind producing more questions than answers. When the chorus was complete, the music dropped off slightly, becoming soft, and 2D's voice stilled. The swirling scenery also calmed, and the room began to sink into darkness. Noodle decided to take the opportunity to try to reach out for her friend. She bit down hard on one of the hands covering her mouth, and they flew away quickly while the spirit behind her growled. Noodle shouted, "2D! What are you singing about? How are you 'gone?'"
The hands were back upon her, this time pressing her jaw to her skull so that her face could barely move. But she was able to watch as, slowly, the singer's head began to turn. His profile became visible, and Noodle's breath caught upon seeing the hollow look in the singer's eyes.
A thin beam of light shot out of the piano, hitting one of 2D's black eyes. His emotionless face instantly contorted into an ugly scowl. It frightened Noodle to see his with that expression; it looked so unnatural spread across the singer's pale features. 2D opened his mouth and growled.
"She gave me sleeping powder."
As Noodle's eyes widened, 2D's head twitched violently. The scowl was gone, replaced by a mixture of confusion and fear. The singer looked into Noodles eyes, his lips parted and trembling, and he looked like he was about to tell Noodle something-
The piano exploded in a burst of scarlet light.
Noodle flinched, but struggled to keep her eyes open. She saw the huge light flare in the center of the room, sparking madly, before it shot forward, passing through 2D, knocking the man off his stool and onto the floor. The light then disappeared, and the room plunged into total darkness.
Noodle fell to the ground as the spirits holding her suddenly vanished. Her knees hit the floor and she threw out her arms, catching herself and sparing herself a head injury. The room was now completely silent. Lifting her face, Noodle looked around frantically, unable to see a thing in the pitch-black basement. "Toochie? Can you hear me?"
She heard a shuffling noise coming from the center of the room.
Noodle reached into her pocket, pulling out her phone and turning it on. The pale light of the screen burned her eyes before she held it away from herself, turning it to illuminate the room. She could have cried with relief when she saw 2D rising to his feet, his back turned towards her as he straightened his legs, swaying slightly. Noodle stood up as well. Then the floor began to tremble.
My nerves have had enough of this house… "2D, I'm not sure what just happened, but we need to get out of here now."
2D stood there, breathing deeply, not turning around. Noodle tilted her head in confusion. "2D? Is everything okay?"
2D didn't react, but the floor continued to shake. Noodle took a step forward. I'll carry him out of this house If I have to. "I'm going to get us out of here, 2D-"
The singer turned around so fast that Noodle involuntarily flinched backwards. She looked into his eyes and her heart nearly stopped.
They were blood red.
Noodle watched in horror as her bandmate's face contorted into a cruel sneer, one that didn't belong to the sweet singer she knew. Her hands trembled slightly as she whispered under her breath, "Toochie…"
With a demonic smile, the man in front of her replied, "Gone."
. . .
And that is why 2D must always be supervised. He's never gonna live this down…
Coming up next: The spirits have taken over 2D! Can his bandmates get their beloved singer back, or is his mind lost forever? What are the spirits going to use him for?
P.S. I'm going on a trip and I probably won't be updating for about a month. But don't get worried! I promise I'm not giving up on this story! We'll see if I can squeeze in another chapter before I go, but if not… well… see you in August!