Chapter Fifteen
I tossed and turned in my bed. The warmth that had my body was gone and it was affecting me now. I wanted that warmth again. Why?
I gulped as I thought of what happened. Stork hugged me. My mind just kept repeating.
I remembered his smell when he held me. The smell of freshly mown grass and peppermint mint. It was intoxicating to me. I licked my lips as heat rose up to my cheeks.
I shouldn't even be thinking him as nothing more than a good friend. I can't…I can't.
With that thought, I fell into a dreamless sleep. We left Terra Rex apparently when I was sleeping. I came out and we were all voting on a vacation.
Aerrow told me the overruling vote. I just raised an eyebrow in question.
"Terra Neon?" I asked. "What's that?"
"You'll love it, Alice!" Finn said. "There's games, rides, funhouses-" He grabbed my shoulders, smiling in my face enthusiastically. "It. Is. COOL." He gushed as he shook me with each word.
"Does it have roller coasters?" I asked, slightly dizzy from the shakes.
Finn laughed as he let go of my shoulder. "Does it have roller coasters?" He said between his fits.
I pouted and glared a little.
Sure. It was great that he hadn't disappeared into oblivion with his many clones (Which we explained after I calmed down by a lot) but it didn't change who he was. Finn was always teasing me. So, I tease back.
Meaning, I punch him super hard in the arm.
"YA-" I yelped but bit my lip to contain the rest as I held my hand. I groaned in pain as I gripped the wrist. Radarr patted my shoulder and churred in worry. "I'm fine." I said, nodding. "Just a little annoyance."
I heard Stork bite a laugh at my double-meaning.
Junko stepped forward and started to talk. "It has about thirty-seven roller co-"
"I'm in." I said before he even finished.
Everyone laughed. As the Condor flew to the amusement park terra, we had a basic free day.
I was reading a survival guide Stork loaned me up in the pipes above. I came to like this area because of it's odd perch. If we needed to get into action, all I had to do was roll off the pipes and I would land right on my feet.
"I want you to learn what you can just in case you end up separated from us and all alone."
"Thanks, Stork. I knew ya loved me."
"Wha-What?"
"Ha-ha!"
I smiled at the memory as I read the words on the page. It was actually not too bad. Pointers on which fruits were safe and how to identify them, poisonous plants to look out for, monsters that could jump out at you during the day and how to fight them off. It was a nice let up.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!
The amp was crying in pain as Finn blasted his guitar as loud as he could. He decided to sing some random nonsense about Terra Neon. The song and guitar wasn't bad but the whole issue with the way he sang was horrible and painful.
TOO! OFF! KEY! I screamed mentally as I blocked my ears, dropping the book.
"FINN!" The Storm Hawks shouted.
He stopped strumming his guitar. The whine of the amp died down to a quiet static and I slowly drew my hands from my ears. "What?" Finn asked dumbly.
I rolled onto the ground in front of him. He jumped back in shock as I stood before him.
"Weren't you in your room?" He asked. I snatched his guitar. "Hey!" He said, trying to get it back. Finn was stopped by my foot holding him back as he reached for his precious guitar.
"You can play well," I said calmly. "The song wasn't bad but your vocals were absolutely bloody horrible!" I told him. "What the hell were you doing with you mouth?"
"Uh…singing?" He asked. He then stepped further into my foot to try to get his guitar.
"Wrong answer!" I said, shoving him back with my foot. "That wasn't singing! That was the mating call of a Raptor!"
Everyone snickered at that. Finn growled. "Fine!" He snapped. "Let's see you do better!"
"With pleasure!" I snapped. I walked up to the amp and turned it down significantly. "First," I growled at the blonde as I began to tune the guitar. "You needn't have the volume so damn loud. This amp is powerful. Turn it passed ten, you could blow the speakers. Six is the highest you should go. It would be clear enough to hear so it won't come out as some Scream-O nonsense." I almost hissed the last word as I continued to tune the guitar. "Second, tune your guitar each time you play. When last had you done that, sharpshooter?"
"I don't know." Finn said like he didn't care. "Maybe one…two years?"
I sneered at the sound of that, growling slightly. I think I heard a slight gasp from Finn.
"Finn, maybe you should listen," Piper said. "She sounds like she knows what she's talking about."
Finn just scoffed. I found the perfect tuning and strummed the guitar. It sang beautiful as I played with the guitar pedal, scrolling through the different sounds until I found the right one.
"Where do you sing from?" I asked him calmly.
"My throat. Why?"
I shook my head. "No, no, no." I said, putting down the guitar real quick. "Here." I said, poking his diaphragm. "You sing from the gut or diaphragm."
"How can you tell?"
I smirked. "Sing from the throat." He did so. We kinda winced at that. "Now, sing from the gut." He did so. He was shocked by how…good he sounded. So was the rest of the team. "What did you feel?"
"It was kinda like a pressure in my stomach. How did you-"
"I practiced a lot over the years." I said simply. "Sing like that from now on. I doubt you'll get anymore complaints."
Finn just nodded. "You gotta play still." He said, crossing his arms over his chest.
I rolled my eyes and picked up the guitar. I began to play. Piper squealed and sang along with me as we played.
What I Like About You by Lillix
U-U-Huh x2
What I like about you
You hold me tight
Never wanna let you go
No you make me feel alright
Yeah
Keep on whispering
In my ear
Tell me all the things that I like to hear
Cuz it's true
That's what I like about you
What I like about you
You really know how to dance
When you go
Up
Down
Jump around
Talk about true romance
Yeah
Keep on whispering
In my ear
Tell me all the things that I like to hear
Cuz it's true
That's what I like about you
What I like about you
Hey!
The boys applauded the performance as Piper and I finished. We were smiling as we bowed casually. Finn, however, was pouting.
"Doesn't count!" He claimed. His finger then shot towards Piper. "She was singing so loud, I couldn't hear you."
I pouted my lips then smirked. "Fine." I said, scrolling through the setting again. I found the acoustic setting and smiled. "I'll play a song that puts me to sleep every night."
I began to string the guitar slowly in accordance to the notes of the song. Each riff was played to perfection. I began to sing.
Crystal Ball by Pink
Drinking wine and thinking bliss
On the other side of this
I just did a complicit
And a willing accomplice
All my doubts have filled my head
Cascading up and down again
Up and down and round again
Down and up and down again
Oh
I've
Had
My
ChancesAnd I've
Taken 'em all
Just to end up right back here
On the floor
To end up right back
Here on the floor
Pennies in a well
A million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Fortune teller that says
"Maybe you will go to Hell."
But I'm not scared at all
Mmm
The cracks in the crystal
Cracks in the crystal ball
…
Sometimes you think everything
Is wrapped inside a diamond ring
Love just needs a witness
And a little forgiveness
And a halo of patience
And a less berate of pacing
I'm learning to be brave in my beautiful mistakes
Oh
I've
Felt
That
FireAnd I've
I've been 'burned
But I wouldn't trade the pain
For what I've learned
I wouldn't trade the pain
For what I've learned
Pennies in a well
A million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Fortune teller that says
"Maybe you will go to Hell."
But I'm not scared at all
Mmm…
Of the cracks in the crystal
Cracks in the crystal ball
…
Irony
Irony
Is hate and love
Is hate and love
Of what it has done to me
What it's done to me
What it's done
Done
…
Pennies in a well
A million dollars in the fountain of a hotel
Broken mirrors
And a black cat's cold stare
Walk on the lattice
On my way to Hell
I'll met ya there
But I'm not scared at all
Mmm…
No
I'm not scared at all
Of the cracks in the crystal
The cracks in the crystal ball
The song slowly ended and I opened my eyes to look at my applauding friends.
"Al," Piper said. "Where'd you learn to perform?"
"Hm?"
"You looked so emotional. You looked…" Piper seemed stuck to find the right word for it.
"Professional?" Junko offered, to which Piper nodded.
"Where did you learn to perform like that?" Aerrow asked. What is this? Interview the Earthling Day? "Now that I'm on it, where'd you learn to fight?" Evidently, yes. "The way you fight is good enough to become a Sky Knight."
I blushed a little and turned away. "I was in a lot of musicals as a kid." I said, explaining the music thing. "And I liked to watch a lot of action movies. Those warnings about "Don't try this at home" were just stupid subtitles to me."
Everyone busted out laughing and I smiled awkwardly.
"Approaching Terra Neon." Stork announced. He actually sounded excited…for him.
We started to whoop for joy.
When we got onto the terra, I had to do a double take as we stood in the middle of the entire thing.
"Yeah," Piper said. "This place has it all…except for one thing: People."
I looked around the empty area. That's weird.
"It's like everyone just vanished." Aerrow said.
I shuddered at the sound of a crow cawing to make emphasize on the eerie atmosphere.
"This is weird!" Piper said. "Terra Neon is always packed!"
I stood a little closer to Stork, freaked out by all this. "This is kinda freakin' me out." I mumbled.
"Relax. It's probably nothing that big of a deal." He whispered to me hoarsely. "Everyone probably went to a show."
I was shocked but…this thought actually calmed me down a lot. I looked at the yellow eyed Merb. He was watching me cautiously before a faint smile appeared. I was shocked.
Seeing him smile…made me smile.
"You should smile more." I said. "You look good when you do."
Stork's smile fell into shock as he watched me. "What?" He asked.
Stork
"You should smile more." The small brunette next to me said. "You look good when you do."
I was shocked, my smile falling. "What?"
"What?" She asked innocently, confused no doubt.
"You said…I looked good when I smile." I told her, reminding her of what was said.
She blinked then her face turned bright red. "What?" She gasped. "I said what? No wait! You're crazy! You must've misheard me! I-eh-uh!"
She then turned around and ran ahead to catch up with the others.
I stared at the girl that was so odd and from another world. Everything feels so wrong about her… I told myself.
"No lines for us!" Alice said beside Junko and Finn. The three ran to the first and biggest roller coaster they saw.
I watched as the cart lurched Alice, who sat in the front while Junko and Finn sat behind her, forward. She held her arms up, whooping.
I bit my inner lip as I watched her smiling and cheering for joy. She was so…nice when she was smiling. I narrowed my eyes as I watched her.
Damn. Why does it feel right then?
Alice
"I think I'm gonna barf." I groaned, holding my gut as I walked to a trashcan.
"Alice, you didn't even ride that many rides." Finn teased.
I growled at him weakly. "For the record," I said, putting my hand over my mouth. "I rode twenty-seven rides and just now felt like puking. You rode ten and blew chunks in the nearest trashcan as soon as we got off." I growled.
Junko rubbed my back as I held onto a trashcan. "She's got a point, Finn."
Finn growled in protest. "Fine. You win then, Alice. Want something to eat?"
I shook my head.
"How about a drink?"
"Just some water." I said.
Finn sighed. "Don't move. I'll be right back."
With that, Finn was off. I was finally able to breath but I moved slowly. Finn got me a bottle of water and I drank it slowly.
"Thanks, Finn." I breathed, once I finished my first sip. "Feeling better already."
"That mean you're up for more rides?"
"Hell no."
Junko and Finn laughed. At that point, Junko's stomach roared. "Ah…I'm hungry."
"Why not some cotton candy then?"
I followed behind the two and saw that Piper, Aerrow, Stork, and Radarr were right behind me. Stork came up and patted my back. "You okay?"
My heart began to hammer in my chest as I remembered what nonsense spilled out of my mouth earlier. How embarrassing.
"Yeah. Just rode one too many roller coasters."
"You lasted quite a while though." Piper said, trying to lighten the mood.
I nodded with a small smile.
As we got closer to the cotton candy maker, I watched as I saw someone standing in the middle of the rode.
He was there but when I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things. When I had looked again, he was gone.
My heart was pulsing in my ears as I gulped. My breath was suddenly heavier and my chest tighter.
No way…it couldn't be… My mind raced. It looked just like…him. No. It was just an illusion. A trick of the light. There's no way that-
"Alice?" Someone asked, putting their hand on my shoulder.
"WAAH!" I shouted, jumping away and dropping the water bottle. I was shaking badly as I looked at a concerned Merb. "S-Stork?" I sighed in relief as I held my hand to my chest. I looked up at Stork. "Geez. You got me pretty good, Stork." I said with a huge smile.
Stork
The girl looked frightened but she was smiled like she was. She then looked forward. "I think we're going to the theatre now." She said, pointing ahead.
I looked to see that my squadron was heading towards the theatre. Alice ran and I followed to catch up.
Why was she so afraid? Could she have seen something?
I looked around, suddenly suspicious of our surroundings. I ran to catch up with the others.
Alice
I stood before the doors, hearing applause and cheering from within.
"Now we know where everyone went," Aerrow said to Piper.
"Sounds like the whole terra's in there." Piper said in agreement.
I touched the handle but froze when I was about to pull at it. Something's in there. It's not…entirely evil but at the same time…
"Alice?" Junko asked.
"You okay, bud?" Finn asked.
"Keep on guard." I said. "I don't like the feel of this place. It feels wrong."
Aerrow stepped next to me. He grabbed the handle of the other door. I looked up into his green eyes. He had that same old smirk on his face that seemed to say "I'm right beside you, Alice." I smiled back and nodded.
We opened the two doors and stepped in, the other Storm Hawks following behind closely. I stepped in cautiously. I was listening carefully, hearing the people within the theatre. It sounded like they were cheering but…like it was a forced cheer.
SLAM!
The instant the doors behind us slammed closed, everyone had brought out their weapons except for Stork and Radarr. Radarr was doing his adorable Sky Fu while Stork just staggered behind me.
Why behind me? I questioned as I raised an eyebrow to him. Looking at the crack beneath the door, I saw a shadow. In that instant, it was gone, like it had slithered away. I sheathed my weapon, as did everyone else.
Piper calmly checked the doors. "Locked." She said once they rattled in protest.
"Want me to smash 'em down?" Junko offered.
The sound of trumpet music sounded out. Aerrow then signaled us to move stealthily towards the main theatre.
Me: *Singing* Hello, hello! I'm at a place called Vertigo!
Piper: Lupin!
Me: *Unplugs iPod* Oh, what? *Piper points to FF* Oh yeah. Sorry, guys. I was jamming out to some U2. Good band, good band.
Aerrow: So, why the Terra Neon bit?
Me: I like that episode. I found it hilarious whenever Stork does his poetry. 'Course, Radarr's routine was absolutely adorable! *Glomp Radarr* I love you so much! You're so adorable, Radarr!
*Everyone laughs. Starling appears out of nowhere like the ninja she is*
Starling: Hello, everyone.
Piper: Oh, uh! S-Starling! Hi.
Starling: I got some message from someone named..."Lupin?"
Me: That's me. I asked you for the disclaimer and to apologize for not including you in my earlier chapters.
Starling: Nice to meet you. I was curious about that. I had gotten a call from Finn saying you were doing a story but I wasn't in it. How is the story going?
Me: Pretty well. And don't worry about the whole not being in it yet thing.
Starling: Oh, okay. So, how do I do this?
Aerrow: *handing over index card* Just read from this.
Starling: All right. "Lupin does not own Storm Hawks. They belong solely to Nerd Corps. She owns only Alice/Future Plot. All songs used in the series also do not belong to her, as said in the titles of each song. Thank you."
Me: Thanks, Starling.
Starling: Anytime. Just don't forget about me.
Me: No worries. If I don't find a good place for you in the story, I'll do a one-shot thing.
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