by Layna Snow
“Yeah, Strawberry daiquiri. The usual. That’ll be five.”
Five what? She didn’t want more than one of them. She didn’t like the drink and didn’t want anymore. When the bartender held his hand out, Mel finally understood. She took some money out of her pocket and handed it to the man. She needed to get her own money. Everything worked around these weird paper and metal objects. And she didn’t want to keep using the boys’ money to pay for things. They were kind but she was sure that they didn’t have an unlimited supply of coins and bills.
“So you’re the new girl in town. Huh? Cay was here asking about you. Melony was your name?” He asked, running his fingers over his stubbly face. His hair was a little long, blond rather than Seth’s dark, and looked unwashed.
“No, Melody.” She corrected, unsure if she should offer her hand to shake.
The guy nodded, looking around as if concerned. “I’m Jimmy. I know the guys. I was sick and couldn’t make the game. I.. ummm.. heard of your problem. Maybe I could ask my…..brother-in-law about it? He knows a bunch. You can talk to him and he can figure it out for you?” While that was nice, Mel knew that her Warrior and Commander would be angry if she talked more about herself!
The man was large, fit, although his hair was sort of long and stringy. He scared her, for some reason, his eyes saw too much, were too on guard. She didn’t want to talk to him anymore.
“No thank you. Seth is smart. He can figure it out.” She answered. It’d be rude not to say anything!
He nodded and looked around again. “Okay, come back if you change your mind, okay?” Then Mel watched him put some things in a tall device that made a sound similar to a car. When he poured it out it was liquid. It was interesting, and Mel wondered if the guys had one of those devices. When the drink was made, Mel took the cool, frosty glass and turned to leave. She wanted to get back to Brooklyn as quickly as possible. No one talked to her there. She also didn’t have people touching her as she moved past! “Wait, you okay? You don’t look so good…” Jimmy asked, and Mal had to admit she did feel a bit funny.
But the crowd pushed in on her, trying to get the bartender’s attention and Mel just want to be back sitting. Nodding, Melody stepped back from the table.
However the other bartender—that’s what Brooklyn had called them, right?—stopped her. He handed her a piece of paper and shrugged, “Hey, Lady. You, Melody? I got a message for you. Someone called it in. Didn’t leave a name.”
Melody didn’t know what he was talking about. She looked back to Jimmy, but he looked shocked and moved to another customer. She couldn’t ask him! Surely Brooklyn would be able to explain it to her, if she could figure out the girl’s words.
It took just as long to push back through the people while her legs wobbled.
She put the drink down in front of Brooklyn and then took her seat, holding the paper in her other hand. “The bartender said something about a message called in. Do you know what that means?”
Brooklyn laughed. “Yeah, silly! Someone must have called the bar to leave a message for you. I swear my sister would do that if she could talk! Maybe it’s from one of the boys asking you for a threeway!” Brooklyn chuckled, pulling the paper from Mel’s hand. “Here, let me look at that.”
Mel didn’t care if the girl read the note. She didn’t think she could stop her either.
“It says, ‘we know what you are,’ weird! Probably a prank, huh?” she said, passing the note back with a shrug. “Don’t know what that means. Doesn’t sound fun though. So how is Jimmy? I meant to talk to him earlier but I didn’t see him when I came in.”
Melody looked at the note, happy to have been given the ability to read and write in all languages. It would have been difficult to live in this world without the power. She thanked God for that blessing. And it proved that he did care.
And sure enough, that was exactly what the note said. Melody suppressed a shiver. Someone knew what she was.
21
“Now drink up. We should go dance!”
Melody didn’t want to drink anymore. She also didn’t want to go back into the crowd of people. She’d much rather go to the house.
Not to mention that the message still bothered her.
Melody looked around to see if she recognized anyone. Someone here knew that she was an Angel, they also knew that she was here with Brooklyn. She didn’t know why someone would give her a note stating their knowledge, but she was worried. She could feel a tingling in the back of her neck. Her body shivered and Mel looked around again.
Seth had told her that the information could be used against her, and someone knew. Someone could want to hurt her. And she didn’t know who to trust.
Melody always relied on her senses of right and wrong. She was always able to tell good souls form bad, but in this world, without her powers everything was different. She didn’t know how to judge people.
She would have bet her wings that Emily was a good person. The time that they had spent together seemed genuine, and Emily seemed to open and truthful. How could someone who talked so much keep a secret? But Emily wasn’t here, and Melody didn’t want to be here either!
Could it be Nate? Would he be able to hide in the crowd so that she wouldn’t see him? He was very tall, so Mel didn’t think so. But who else could it be?
Brooklyn had been sitting here all night. She wouldn’t have had time to call the bar. She also wouldn’t have had to call.
Mel looked around again. It could be anyone. There were people here that she didn’t know. Brooklyn had told her that people from town and those who live outside in the boonies—whatever that was—came here. Any one of these Humans could know her secret. Any one of them could be planning on harming her.
She needed to escape. Her belly felt like it was rolling. The drink that she had finished didn’t sit well in it. Her head was feeling fuzzy too and Melody was scared.
“I want to go home.”
“I’ll take you,” came the reply behind her.
Mel looked over her shoulder and was pleasantly surprised to see Emily. “I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have run off like that when you were sick! I have been so worried since then but I’m too mad at the boys to call. Honey, you are alright aren’t you?”
Melody nodded. “I am. But I don’t feel well. I want to go home.” She repeated.
This was too much.
Her heart pounded so hard that she could feel it in her rib cage. She wanted to expel what was in her tummy but didn’t know how.
“Not used to drinking?” Brooklyn laughed. “You sure are a lightweight!”
Emily glared at the other girl. “You got her drunk?” She then turned back to Melody. “I didn’t think that you drank alcohol.”
Was that what she had consumed? That funny flavoured drink had devil-water in it?
Melody drew in a sharp breath but it didn’t help. She couldn’t get enough air in here. It all smelled like tart drinks and floral perfume. It made her feel sicker. And a tide of terror rushed over her.
She had to get out now!
She wanted Caleb’s arms wrapped around her and to hear Seth create a plan of action. She wanted to know that they would protect her and that everything would be fine. She felt confused, worried and ill. She wished that she had never come. Not even Brooklyn’s encouragement of her relationship was worth this feeling.
Not thinking about how she’d get back, or who was watching her, Melody stood up and rushed towards the door.
She didn’t notice that the other girls followed her. She didn’t even see the people around her as her vision grew blurry at the edges.
Nothing mattered but getting out!
The air outside was hot, but clean. It did not smell like artificial perfumes. It didn’t smell like body odour and alcohol. Outside was free of the bumping sounds and the crush of people. She did not like that place. She hoped that she wouldn’t have to go there again. In fact she would tell Seth. He would know how to shut it down. It was a menace to the town!
When she could think again, could open her eyes and look around, she notices a Human standing in front of her.
This woman had olive skin, slightly darker than Brooklyn’s. Her hair was also dark.
Melody would have worried, but the woman had a kind face.
Her eyes were wide with concern and her body, while curvy, wasn’t intimidating.
When Brooklyn came stand next to her, Melody saw the resemblance. She wasn’t as slim as Brooklyn but once Melody got closer she noticed that they shared similar features.
At a gesture from the other woman, Brooklyn turned around. “Oh, hey, Melly. This is my sister, Sophia, everyone calls her Sophie. Soph, this is my boss’s gal, Melody. Cool, now introductions are made, you can go home sis, and stop mothering me. I’m just taking Mel home.”
Mel nodded to the girl before turning to the receptionist. “Thank you.” She felt a little better out here. A little less tight in the chest. She still wanted to leave, but the panic had receded a bit.
The girl, Sophie, made some more gestures with her hands, which must be conveying a message of some kind to Brooklyn, for the receptionist rolled her eyes. “It’s only two. I’m all good to drive.”
At Mel’s questioning look, Em leaned closer, as if her words weren’t meant to be heard by the others. “She signs.” When that didn’t clear things up, Em tried again, “She’s mute. She can’t talk. It happened in the accident that hurt her sister. The signing is her way of communicating.”
“Ready to go, Melly? We should hit the road. It’s nine already and we don’t want to be back before bedtime.” Brooklyn laughed and started moving towards some cars.
“It was nice to meet you, Sophie. I look forward to seeing you around town.” Mel said, smiling at the pretty girl.
She signed something and Mel wondered what it was. Maybe she would learn to sign. It would be a good skill and Sophie seemed kind.
“She said ditto,” Brooklyn interpreted, although her words did not help clear up the meaning. What did ditto mean? And why was she using unusual words? Melody was fluent in English, at least she had been when she was created.
When Sophie elbowed the woman, Brooklyn muttered something that sounded like ‘well, that’s basically what you said.’ Before rolling her eyes. “Okay, okay, she said that she was happy too and hopes that you can spend some time together sometime.” Brooklyn finally explained, her voice rising to an unnatural octave for some reason, which seemed to annoy Sophie, if her facial expression was anything to go by. The girl signed angrily. “I was not mocking you! God!” Brooklyn snapped at her sister.
Melody wondered if all sibling relationships were like that between Sophie and Brooklyn. She never had a sibling, nor had she met any. Angels were not born and therefore did not share deoxyribonucleic acid. like Humans did. Since coming to Earth she hadn’t met any siblings either. Did they like to annoy each other? Did they feel a bond that was different from friendship?
“She’s drunk, Mel. Don’t go with her. Come on. I’ll take you home.” Emily tugged on Mel’s arm, trying to direct her to the side of the parking lot where her car was parked. Melody looked through the dark to see the green vehicle parked at the end of the lot, next to a pole without a light. There were a few cars near it, but it stood off by itself.
The darkness didn’t usually scare Melody. She was used to taking walks outside in the moonlight. Caleb worked often and therefore didn’t have a lot of daylight to spend with her. They had started walking after supper, while Seth did the dishes.
This however was different. Caleb wasn’t here to hold her hand. She knew that Seth wasn’t waiting to know that they came back safely. If something were to happen, if the person who left the message with the bartender were to try to hurt her, there was very little she could do.
Emily could try to help, but she was just one person. Brooklyn didn’t look very strong and Sophie was mute, she couldn’t call for help.
Just the thought sent chills up her arms. The building wasn’t lit up well. She couldn’t really see if there was anyone out there. The sooner she went home, the faster she would feel better. Mel looked at Brooklyn, eager to leave now. “I’m going to go with Emily. I haven’t talked to her in a few days and would like to talk to her more.” Really she just didn’t trust Brooklyn right now.
The foggy feeling in her head made it hard to think, and her legs felt awkward to use.
Why did she give me alcohol?
Brooklyn looked concerned and shook her head. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Mel, Seth told me to take you out and then right back. I don’t want to get fired. He will know if I drive you back or not. Come on. You can talk to Em another time. She just got here right now, she probably doesn’t want to leave now. Come on, Mel. I’m good to drive, don’t take what my sister said too seriously.”
“Oh shut up, Brooke. I came here because I was bored. And you might think you’re fine to drive but I haven’t had anything to drink. She’d be better off with me. You want to stay, I’m sure. Go back, have fun. The guys won’t fire you, just tell them that you didn’t know she left with me.”
Melody didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to go with Em and get Brooklyn in trouble, but she wasn’t sure if she should go with Brooke either. And now with the fighting increasing, Melody just wanted to call one of the boys to pick her up.
Emily and Brooklyn’s voices continued to rise, talking over each other until both Mel and Sophie stepped back. When she thought the girls would never stop arguing, she heard a slight crunch of stones behind her.
Melody whipped around, fear pushing through the cotton in her head, making her move, making her want to fight, but it all left in a rush when she saw who was behind her.
“Enough!” Seth roared, the command silencing both girls. “What is going on here?”
22
When Melody turned, Seth could see the relief in her face. She moved closer towards him, nudging up next to him as if his presence soothed her. He hoped that it did. Deep down he wished that he had the right to hug her and comfort her.
At least he could protect her.
“Stay next to me, Melody.” He said to her before stepping closer to the others. He nodded to Sophia, who looked almost as nervous as Melody. “You should probably go home, Soph. I can handle this.” He said and saw the acceptance on her face.
Seth watched as the mute girl walked to her small red car and got in. When she drove away, Seth felt comfortable enough to continue the conversation. He worried about Sophie sometimes. She was too sweet, too vulnerable. She was always looking out for her sister, but who was looking out for her?
“We were trying to decide who would drive Mel home.” Em said, glaring at Seth. Well, it didn’t seem like she had gotten over her anger. That was fine, he was wary of her too. They had to be suspicious of everyone.
“Yeah, boss-man. I was going to take her home but Emily here kept insisting. I’m perfectly able to drive!” Brooklyn asserted, putting her hands on her small hips and shooting a nasty look towards Em. She quickly looked back at him, eyes softening. “Maybe Em should take her home, I mean, there’s no reason for either of us to leave. We can still hang out here, have a couple more drinks. What do you say?”
As attractive as Brooklyn was, he still felt nothing. She was brash and offensive. Although he seemed to like that in Melody. He just didn’t feel anything towards the blonde. Maybe it was simply because she worked for him. Or maybe he found that that he liked flowing red hair and deceptive innocence.
“No, I think that I should take Melody home. You were gone a while. I was worried. We were worried.” They agreed to let her go. They had to give Melody the independence that any adult would have but it almost gave Seth a heart attack.
Caleb’s pacing and foot tapping almost drove him nuts. They lasted an hour before visions of Melody gettin
g drunk and assaulted by men at the bar overpowered his better sense.
Seth had volunteered to go find her and Caleb had readily agreed. He just hoped the other man wasn’t doubly as worried now that they had been gone for a while.
“Ya sure?” Brooklyn asked, her lip held out in a pout that he could only assume was supposed to look seductive.
“Yeah. I’ll walk you both to your cars.” He would hate for something to happen to them, especially if he could have prevented it. It didn’t matter that he was annoyed at his receptionist, or distrustful of Emily. This wasn’t a great part of town.
“Whatever, hot-shot. I’m going back in. Found some guys who’d enjoy my company.” She snorted and moved back to the door of the bar, momentarily deafening them in the process of opening the portal.
“I don’t need your help. As if you’re concerned for me!” Emily exclaimed as she started away from them towards her car.
Seth rolled his eyes and took Mel’s hand, feeling something against her palm. It was small, like a piece of paper. “What’s this?”
He held out his hand and waited for Mel to give him the note. For a few moments, he just watched her as she tried to look away from him, clearly hoping that she could avoid him, however he had more patience than she did.
Finally she sighed and passed the small slip of paper to him. It had male script on it and at first he was worried that it was some other guy’s number, but instead it was something worse. Far worse. We know what you are. Oh crap!
Someone had found her.
It confirmed all his fears about what happened at the football game. Someone suspected what she was. Someone was testing her.
Now they knew.
“Who wrote this to you?” He asked, grabbing onto her hand.
“Umm, well the bartender.” She said, looking towards Emily as if that would help. The girl had stopped and was watching them. She looked a little nervous. Guilty?
“Jimmy? Why would he know this?” He asked, thoughts swirling around his head, going too fast for him to process.