So We're Not Dead, Now What?: The Lightmare Series

by Sarah Carroll

  Suddenly, Madness heard footsteps echoing in the hallway, breaking the silence. He listened closely. After months of observation, Madness found he could often tell his friends apart by their footsteps. Alaura, being smaller than the rest of them, moved quietly like smoke, though he could occasionally hear the tips of her wings brushing the ground. Manuel moved at a relaxed pace, sometimes with a slight stumble in his step. Goldenrod liked to go barefoot, so he could hear the soles of her feet against the tile as she walked. Derek’s footsteps were louder than most, yet smooth and casual. Cassidy always moved with urgency, fighting against an imaginary clock. And then there was Estarria. He recognized her footsteps now, quick and unapologetically loud.

  Estarria appeared in the doorway to the living room, her arm leaning against the frame. “Hey Madness. Back already?” Her wavy violet hair had been tied up in a ponytail and drops of sweat dotted her face.

  Madness nodded. He wondered if she had spent all afternoon hacking at the training dummy with her battle-axe, or if she had used fire instead.

  “What were you doing in Aqualita, anyway?” Estarria asked, raising an eyebrow. Madness was not surprised by her confusion. Most of his friends had been reluctant to return to Aqualita since they went for Madness’ trial. Too many bad memories there, he supposed.

  “Making deliveries,” Madness answered, gesturing towards the empty bag. It turned out that people were desperate enough for quick shipping that they were willing to pay him for it, despite his flaming appearance.

  “Madness Prime strikes again, huh?” Estarria replied with a hint of a smile on her face.

  Madness grimaced. Manuel had once jokingly referred to the service as ‘Madness Prime’. Unfortunately, the name had stuck.

  “I suppose so,” Madness responded with a blank expression. “What have you been doing?”

  Estarria shrugged, taking a glass from the shelf and filling it up water from one of Alaura’s water jugs. “Training. You know, the usual.” She slowly took a sip from the glass.

  “Battle-axe or fire?” Madness asked.

  Estarria grinned. “Why not have both?”

  Madness paused, staring at her. “You set the axe on fire.”

  Estarria looked at him with mock-appreciation. “You know me so well.”

  Madness glanced around the room, noting for the first time the empty chairs. Now that he noticed, it seemed strangely quiet. “Where are the others?”

  Estarria took another sip of water from the glass before setting it down on the wooden table beside her. “I’m not sure about Cassidy and Alaura, but I saw Derek earlier. We sparred for a bit before he decided to leave. Apparently, Goldenrod and Manuel needed him for something back on Earth.”

  Madness’ eyes widened slightly. “Derek sparred with you?” He felt his fingers twitch. “Please tell me you did not set him on fire.”

  Estarria’s face darkened. “I didn’t land a hit on him.”

  “What?” Madness asked, surprised. He knew Derek could fight, but Estarria had been trained by the Nightmare himself.

  “Yeah,” Estarria replied. “He’s a sneaky bastard. Every time I got close, he teleported behind me.” She glared at her glass of water. “I wish I could do that.”

  Madness hummed to himself quietly. He hadn’t seen Derek fight very much during the overthrow of the Balance Regime. Had he always been so skilled in evasion?

  Madness made a mental note to study Derek more carefully as he leaned back farther in his chair. “So, he defeated you?”

  Estarria shook her head. “I may not have been able to hit him, but he’s not as strong as I am.” She smirked. “As if a puny weakling like him could knock me down.”

  Madness disagreed with Estarria’s physical assessment of Derek, but he opted not to say anything.

  Estarria fell back into the chair next to Madness, wiping sweat off her forehead. “Still, it’s not every day I end a sparring session in a tie.”

  Madness tilted his head towards Estarria with a skeptical look. “That’s partially because people don’t usually spar with you.” Goldenrod certainly hadn’t enjoyed being thrown through a wall. Cassidy had to cut a few inches off her hair because Estarria’s black flames singed it. And, of course, everyone remembered with painful clarity the time when Manuel stumbled in on a sparring session between Estarria and Madness and needed to be rushed the hospital.

  Madness himself didn’t mind sparring with Estarria, but after watching Manuel eat through a straw for three weeks, he tried not to engage in that kind of behavior if he could help it.

  Estarria groaned. “Goldenrod told me I need to be less violent. How am I supposed to do that?”

  “Well, not burning people might be a good place to start.”

  Estarria glared. “Very funny.”

  “That wasn’t a joke.”

  “I know.” Estarria let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not like I’m trying to set people on fire! It’s just part of my fighting style now. It’s ingrained.” She scowled. “A few years ago, fighting was…simpler. Nightshade used the flames and Estarria used the weapons. Now, while my combat techniques are a lot more versatile, I also have trouble dialing it back. It’s just the Nightshade in me, I guess.”

  Madness nodded. “I understand that.”

  Estarria gave a light laugh. “You definitely do.”

  Madness flinched, remembering some of their more violent sparring sessions.

  “I wish I didn’t,” he admitted.

  Estarria paused. After a moment, she gently lifted her hand and put it on Madness’ shoulder. “We can’t restrict ourselves all the time. Everyone has to release their emotions somehow.” She smiled faintly. “Our way is just…more destructive.”

  “Did someone say destructive?” A voice rang out from the hallway.

  Madness and Estarria turned towards the voice to see Cassidy, covered in purple slime.

  “Uh…” Estarria began.

  Cassidy glanced down at the front of her shirt, which had been stained a dark violet. “Oh, um…Alaura sent me to deliver something to the fairy representative.” She pulled a napkin off the table and dabbed at her face. “Not sure what was in the box, but they didn’t take it well. I hope Alaura puts a massive tax on their imports.” She began wringing out her hair. “So, what’s destructive?”

  Madness and Estarria exchanged a look.

  “Sparring,” Madness supplied after a moment of silence.

  Cassidy nodded in understanding. “Ah.” She glanced at the clock. “Well, I have time and I need to release some anger right now. You have enough energy for it?”

  Estarria gave her a skeptical look. “I thought you said you wouldn’t spar with me after I burned your hair.”

  Cassidy shrugged. “It grew back.”

  After studying Cassidy for a few moments, Estarria finally shook her head. “Not this time, Cassidy. As much as I’d love to kick your ass, you’re covered in slime and that’s gross.” She strolled out of the room without another word.

  Madness turned to Cassidy. Perhaps this was an opportunity. “I don’t mind the slime if you would like to release some energy.” He hesitated. “That is, if you’re up for that.”

  The corners of Cassidy’s mouth tipped upwards. “Madness, I’ve sparred with Estarria at her worst. I think I can handle you.” She punched him playfully on the shoulder. “Race you to the training room!”

  With that, Cassidy sprinted out the door. As Madness watched her bound down the hall, he felt a twinge of amusement. She thought she could handle him?

  Madness’ eyes glowed as he stood. “Don’t be so sure.”

  Date Night

  “Goldenrod, that performance was fire!” Megan, Manuel’s cousin shouted over the crappy DJ music, now in full swing. Bright lights blared, swarming the dance floor in vibrant colors. Humans swayed back and forth, tossing their hips and moving their arms in wild, carefree motions.

  The band had just finished packing up their equipment, Megan still holding her
electric guitar case.

  Goldenrod gulped down half a bottle of water as she wiped sweat off her face. “Yeah, that was pretty great, wasn’t it?”

  Manuel appeared behind her. “It definitely was,” he said.

  Goldenrod grinned at him. His I’m With Ragnar Hat had been tilted at an odd angle, now hanging partially over his left eye. “When did you get here?” she asked.

  Manuel grinned back. “I’ve been here the whole time. Cassidy, Estarria, and Derek came also, but I have no idea where they went.”

  “They probably got the hell out of this dump once the decent music stopped,” Megan responded, checking her watch. “Ah crap, gotta run. No time to be a third wheel. I’ll see you two tomorrow?”

  Goldenrod and Manuel nodded. “Of course,” Goldenrod answered for both of them.

  Megan disappeared into the crowd as she carelessly shoved her way between the dancing couples.

  Manuel gestured towards the dance floor and offered his hand to Goldenrod. “Shall we?”

  Goldenrod snickered as she flipped his hat over his face. “You don’t even know how to dance.”

  Manuel hastily tipped his hat back over his head. “That’s part of the fun!”

  Goldenrod smiled, taking his hand. The two of them rushed over to the dance floor, enthusiastically twisting and bobbing to the beat. Almost immediately, they crashed into one of the other couples, who both gave them reproachful looks.

  “Whoops,” Manuel said, trying to ignore their piercing glares.

  Goldenrod yanked his hand back towards the center of the dance floor. “Let’s try not to bump into anyone this time,” she suggested.

  This time, they moved slower. Manuel managed to spin Goldenrod around without accidentally tossing her into the person next to them. As Goldenrod rested her arms on his shoulders, she met his smile with hers.

  “I missed this,” Manuel told her.

  “Me too,” Goldenrod agreed. She realized with a pang of regret that they hadn’t had a night out since before the Balance Regime. “Let’s make up for lost time.”

  She leaned in, ready to do just that, just as Manuel let out a sharp yelp.

  Goldenrod jolted in alarm. “What?”

  Manuel grabbed his foot and rubbed it tenderly. “You stepped on my foot.”

  Goldenrod stared at him. “Are you serious?”

  Manuel continued massaging his foot. “Hey, it’s no laughing matter! Those heels of yours are death traps!”

  Goldenrod glanced down at her shimmering blue heels. “I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize I stepped on you.” It would be just like her to ruin such a perfect moment in such a stupid way.

  Manuel started laughing.

  “What?” Goldenrod raised an eyebrow.

  “Nothing, it’s just-” Manuel’s face turned red as his laughter grew hysterical. “You were worried because you said I couldn’t dance!”

  “Shut up! It’s not funny!” Goldenrod protested, trying and failing to stifle her chuckle with her hand.

  “It is very funny,” Manuel replied.

  “Hey! Lovebirds! I’ve been searching for you two everywhere!” A voice called out. Goldenrod and Manuel turned around to see Cassidy.

  Goldenrod’s face turned red as she suppressed a laugh. Cassidy looked like a mess with her black hoodie and frizzled red hair.

  “Hey Cassidy, I wondered where you got off to!” Manuel said cheerfully.

  Cassidy grimaced. “I got questioned by the event security.”

  “What?” Goldenrod had to fight even harder to stifle her giggles. Even on Earth, where no one knew her, people still tried to arrest Cassidy.

  Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Yeah, they searched me for weapons and drugs. It was not a fun time.” She sighed. “Still, I at least managed to catch the first few songs you guys played. It sounded pretty good, Goldenrod.”

  “Thanks,” Goldenrod replied sunnily.

  Manuel put his arms around Goldenrod and smiled. “Alien Hunt strikes again!”

  Goldenrod grinned. She had picked the band name, simply for the irony.

  “I guess so.” Goldenrod cocked her head. “Hey, where are Estarria and Derek?”

  Cassidy’s eyes flitted back and forth as she scanned the room. “I’m not sure. I lost them just before I was dragged out by security.”

  An uneasy silence washed over them. They could imagine what kind of trouble those two could get into.

  Manuel froze. “Hold on, I think I hear something.”

  Goldenrod frowned. How could he hear anything over the pounding beat? She cupped her ear, listening intently. Gradually, she began to make out the distant echoes of screaming. “Oh no,” she groaned.

  “Let’s go,” Cassidy said gravely. They started to walk towards the sound.

  Suddenly, a large gasp erupted from the crowd. The music cut off abruptly into the screeches of dying static. Goldenrod stood on her tiptoes, trying to see over the panicked crowd.

  “Oh crap!”

  A man who was covered in blue and orange glitter had been slammed into the DJ booth. Derek stood over him, fist raised, while Estarria had another guy pinned to the ground. For some strange reason, the two of them were also coated in glitter. Behind them, several men in formal black suits lay on the ground in various states of consciousness, some of them groaning and others swearing.

  “Do I even want to know?” Cassidy questioned.

  “It’ll be fun, she said. You need to blow off some steam, she said,” Derek muttered to himself, rubbing his eye, which had been bruised a nasty shade of purple.

  He shook glitter off his arms, glaring at Estarria the whole time. “We are never, ever speaking of this again.”

  Estarria shrugged noncommittally. “Fine by me.”

  Goldenrod turned to Cassidy and quietly whispered, “I think the answer to your question is no, you don’t want to know.”

  The event security burst through the door, glittering blue and orange with icy glares on their faces.

  Manuel laughed. “Are you sure about that, because now I definitely wanna know.”

  Derek groaned.

  “You’re paying for my equipment!” a voice interrupted. Goldenrod jerked her head around to see the DJ angrily striding towards them.

  Goldenrod facepalmed. “Now I remember why we never go out.”

  Relaxing

  “Prepare to go down, Little Miss Sunshine,” Estarria smirked. She slammed her empty glass on the table so hard that the glass shattered, sending tiny shards flying everywhere.

  Goldenrod gave Estarria a smirk of her own in response, unfazed by Estarria’s unnecessary brutality.

  “The only thing going down is the Fire Sprite in this glass,” Goldenrod retorted. She downed a second shot of Fire Sprite, her gaze fixed on Estarria.

  “Aw yeah! Get her, Goldenrod!” Manuel cried.

  Derek shook his head in disbelief. “You seriously think Goldenrod can out-drink Estarria?”

  Manuel grinned, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Man, you haven’t seen her try.”

  Alaura shook her head in disdain, eyeing her friends with a sour look on her face. The evening had started off innocently enough. They had all gotten together to celebrate Goldenrod’s birthday. Unfortunately, they decided that playing a drinking game was a great way to cap off the night. Had they not gotten enough last time?

  She gazed around the room, not bothering to hide her glare. Cassidy sat next to Goldenrod, dutifully refilling Goldenrod’s glass (and her own, about twice as often). Cassidy leaned back in her chair, watching the chaos with a smile on her face.

  This should be good, Cassidy thought. Alaura grimaced. Yes, watching Estarria and Goldenrod desecrate the sacred brand of Fire Sprite via a drunken contest wasn’t what she would call ‘good’.

  Derek had his back against the wall as he stared at Estarria and Goldenrod with a strained expression.

  I can’t believe these people helped save the universe, she heard Derek think to himself. They act l
ike my buddies from college. Except…well, more violent.

  Seemingly in sync with his thoughts, Estarria broke another glass.

  “You’re cleaning that up!” Alaura warned.

  Estarria shifted her stare to Alaura’s ruby red eyes. “Don’t you have servants for this sort of thing?”

  Alaura sighed in frustration. How many times did she have to explain this? “No, we don’t do that here, except for the crew that does the dusting once a week! If you make a mess in this place, you clean it up!” Alaura stomped her foot. “My home, my rules!”

  Estarria grinned. “Okay, Mom.”

  Alaura ground her teeth as her face burned red with fury. She glared at Estarria and Estarria stared back, as if initiating a challenge.

  Alaura repressed a shudder. She had never noticed how…intense Estarria’s gaze was before. Even though her eyes had misted slightly from the Fire Sprite, they radiated a dark energy that came in waves of violet and red.

  “Uh, a little less talking, a little more drinking,” Goldenrod’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She pushed the bottle back towards Estarria playfully, but Alaura noticed Goldenrod’s gray-blue eyes focus on her. Goldenrod always tried to diffuse tension, but occasionally that got really annoying. Sometimes, you just had to fight things out.

  Of course, Alaura thought as she looked at the fragmented shards of glass littering the kitchen table, maybe fighting things out with Estarria is a bad idea.

  Cassidy handed Estarria a new shot glass. “Try not to break this one,” she suggested.

  Estarria grumbled to herself, taking another shot. She managed not to shatter it as she put it down.

  Manuel turned towards the corner. “Madness, who are you betting on to win? Estarria or Goldenrod?”

  Everyone turned towards Madness, who stood against the wall with his arms folded calmly across his chest. He cocked his head, looking thoughtful.

  I am still unsure as to the point of all this, Alaura heard.

  You and me both, she almost said out loud.