Titania’s face lights up with surprise. “Oh, well, you don’t say?”
“Yes, I do say.”
“Well, how do you do?” She steps forward and gives each of us a kiss on both cheeks. “I hope you don’t mind. We’re in the middle of a grand little party. Won’t you join us?”
I notice Titania is talking primarily to Ledger and my grandfather. She hasn’t even met my eyes once. I glance at Ros, whose face has formed a scowl.
“Of course they’ll join us,” Obe says. He opens his arms wide. “Say adieu to the outside world of blah. Into the numb factory we go! Sound! Music! Come, my queen,” he says, grabbing Titania. “Take hands with me. Let’s rock the ground whereon these sleepers be!”
Titania turns and winks at us, gesturing for us to follow.
We venture inside where the music blares and the bass thuds hard in the center of my body like a false heartbeat. The lights twist and flicker across the enormous open room, alive with hundreds of dancing, writhing bodies. We look down on the chaos from the height of a balcony. Oberon goes to the railing. A spotlight swirls through the darkness and lands on him. Someone rushes over and shoves a microphone into his hands. He twirls his purple cape as the crowd oohs in recognition.
“People! Are you feeling numb yet?”
The crowd screams violently. Faces turn. Hands point and wave. The spotlight begins to flicker, making his movements appear robotic.
“If you’re feeling numb, I want to hear about it!” he yells, pointing the microphone toward the crowd. “We have a real excuse for a party here tonight!”
The crowd roars, and Oberon laughs hysterically. “I know, I know. You’ve all been missing her. But my beautiful ladies and my not-so-gentle men, let me tell you, Miss Titania, Queen of Fairyland, is baaa-aaaack!”
Titania saunters toward Oberon. He swings her into a theatrical kiss. She’s handed a microphone covered in glittering feathers. The crowd roars so loudly she can barely be heard.
“Well, thank you, thank you all! I must say I am flattered. Oberon is right. It hurt me greatly to be away for so long. But now I’m back, and let me tell you, I’ve missed all your wonderfully numb faces, my fairies!”
The crowd whoops and hollers. A group of men at the front climb onto each other’s shoulders, forming a human pyramid. They work their way forward until the one at the top reaches up, presenting Titania with a single purple flower. “Oh my, that’s very kind,” she says, taking it. She makes a big show of smelling it, then scoops it into her cleavage before casting it out into the human sea. Men swarm, bellowing, tearing each other apart for the flower.
“Is everybody having fun?” Obe says into the mic.
The crowd screams with delight in reply.
“Well, that’s good, but I think you could have a little more fun, don’t you?”
Another shout from the audience makes Obe nod in approval.
“Go do Titania a little favor and get your love-juice at the bar. But first, my sweet little party fairies, it feels a little muggy in here . . .”
The crowd cheers.
“In fact, I think I see some clouds,” Obe says, pretending to look at the nonexistent sky. “Whaddya say, numb heads? Shall we have a little storm?”
The sea of people rush the dance floor. Lights flash. The sound of thunder fills the interior. “Oh yeah, I know what you want!” Obe shouts. “Let’s make it rain!”
The crowd flares into hysteria as the ceiling explodes. A warm liquid pours down over the dance floor. The lights tremble and shake, making the liquid look like bright-blue rain. The crowd explodes. People climb atop each other, fighting for a spot under the sprinklers. They lap at the water, drinking it in, spreading it over their faces and bodies.
In moments, the rain ceases. The lights resume their pattern. The beat rises. Drenched people stagger left and right, their bodies contorting and flexing unnaturally. Obe and Titania kiss before walking back toward us, arm in arm.
“Gotta keep the people happy,” Obe says. “That’s all they want is a little happiness. Ain’t that right, Titania?”
She leans down, strokes his head and then catches our eyes. “Let’s visit the VIP room. It’s divine!”
We take a flight of stairs with a gold railing up to another floor. The carpets are purple, the walls covered with sparkling displays feeding atmospheric images. Soon we find ourselves inside a small, dimly lit room. A chandelier hangs above a circular sofa and two matching armchairs covered in short black fur. The patterns of light dance on the upholstery, making it look alive. The air is stale. Like no one’s opened a window in a very long time. I look around and notice: there aren’t any windows.
“So what do you think of Fairyland?” Obe asks.
“It’s amazing,” Ros says, wide-eyed. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Obe and Titania snicker. “I bet not,” he says. “Coming from the forest.”
Ros frowns and sits back.
“What are you giving them?” Grandpa asks.
Obe lifts an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“The rain. What’s in it?”
“Look, don’t judge.” Obe waves Titania off him. “People just want to unwind a little from time to time. You know, let go. It’s harsh out there on the outside.”
“I know,” Grandpa says. “But what are you giving them?”
“Just a little love-juice. Now it’s my turn for a question.” Obe sits forward, his eyes big moons. “The volumes? Where are they?”
“They’re safe,” Ledger says, adjusting the backpack.
“Oh, so you do have them,” Obe says, eyeing the pack. “I pray thee, give it me.”
“Not yet,” Ledger says. “First you tell us why we’re here.”
“Can’t a king offer his subjects safe harbor? Sheesh, why is everyone so skeptical these days?”
“We’ve driven a long distance,” Grandpa says. “We have a long way yet to go.”
“Just show us your volume,” Ledger says. “Or are you not at all concerned Fell is following us? That they could be on your doorstep any day now?”
“Nice try,” he says wagging his index finger. “I thought I told you before, Jack, Jim, whatever your name is . . .”
“It’s Ledger.”
“Right. Well, I thought I told you before, Edgar. This is Fort Numb. My Sovereign, my rules.”
“We don’t like your rules,” Ledger says through gritted teeth. “And the fact is, I’m starting to think you don’t even have a volume.”
“Will you listen to this guy? I don’t have a volume! Of course I have a volume!”
“Then let’s have a look at it.”
“You’re a feisty man-nymph, aren’t you? Okay, then. We’ll take you to our volume. But first, how about a little nymph action!” Obe claps twice. Titania’s eyes harden as a line of girls covered head to toe in feathers parades toward us. They strut and wiggle on cue, performing a strange rhythmic dance. Obe sits forward, clapping wildly, his eyes radiant with delight.
“I love this part,” he says to no one in particular as one by one, the girls begin plucking off their feathers, revealing bright patches of neon-yellow skin underneath. They pluck and pluck, and then turn, plucking each other. Obe laughs hysterically.
A couple of them come over and poke their rear ends out to him, wiggling their feathers in his face. Obe plucks them like mad, tearing feathers out by the handful until the girls are barely covered. When there are just a few feathers left, they giggle and run away, hiding their faces.
“What the hell was that?” my grandfather asks.
“They are the nymphs,” Obe says. “Like I said, they will do anything and everything.”
“What’s wrong with their skin?” Ros asks, her eyes stony.
“What do you mean? Aren’t all nymphs that color?”
“No human being is that color. Its unnatural.”
“Well, they’re not human. I told you—they’re nymphs.”
“That’s disgus
ting,” I say. “I feel sorry for them, trapped inside your deranged fantasy.”
“Why? They love it! That’s what we offer in Fort Numb. Every deranged fantasy, everything your imagination can imagine. That’s what we stand for. Forget yourself, your inhibitions. Get numb. Have fun.”
Ledger stands. “Okay, enough of this. You’ve had your fun, Obe. Let’s get down to business. Where is the volume?”
“We’ll get to that. But first, let’s all relax and have a drink.”
Obe claps his hands. In moments, a tray of glasses are brought out, one for each of us. The fluorescent yellow liquid sloshes as Ros takes a glass.
“Drink up,” Obe says.
Grandpa eyes the liquid. “What is it?” he asks.
“House special. You’ll be feeling fine in no time.” Obe snatches a glass and glares directly at me. “A toast,” he says, raising it. “To the ones who got away.”
Ros tips the cup toward her mouth, then abruptly pulls it away. Her eyes flash me a quick warning. No, they say. Don’t drink it. A girl in feathers rushes up to Obe. “Pardon me, sir?”
Obe lifts his eyes, lazily. “What is it? Can’t you see I have company?”
“It’s your appointment, sir.”
“And?”
“You asked me to remind you when it was time. It is time, sir.”
Obe bolts up from his chair. “Christ! Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir. We sent the car, like you asked, but I’m told it was refused.”
Obe nods and straightens his crown. “Okay. Good. Fine. Tell them I’ll be there.”
“Of course, sir.”
The woman in feathers rushes off. Obe laughs a little and chugs down his glass. “You’ll have to excuse me. I have to meet someone.”
Titania stands. “Can’t I come with you?”
“No!” Obe shouts. He composes himself. “I mean, not this time, babe. Why don’t you keep our guests occupied?”
Obe takes off. I feel Titania’s eyes on me. “Well, here we are. Just us chickens.”
Titania doesn’t touch her glass. I watch my grandfather. He’s not drinking either. He shoots me a look, and I know better than to take a sip.
Titania looks at Ledger and bats her eyes. “Well, aren’t you going to finish your drinks?”
Ros slams her drink on the table. “Enough screwing around. You know right well we aren’t going to drink this stuff.”
“I don’t know anything of the kind!”
“Look, lady, I might be from the backwoods, but that doesn’t make me a doorknob. Now why don’t you tell us what’s in this tonic of yours?”
Titania leans in. “Shhh, keep your voice down,” she says. “He might hear you.”
“So what!” Ros shouts. “I’m calling bullshit on this right now.”
“Please,” Titania begs. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating, but for all of us, just drink it.”
Ros stands. “C’mon, Noelle. Ledger. William. Let’s get the volume and leave.”
Titania lowers her head. Her voice is solemn. “He’ll never let you.”
“Let us?” I say. “What do you mean let us?”
“It’s nothing. Forget it, please,” Titania says. “Forget I said anything.” She lifts her eyes and bats her lashes slowly. They glint and sparkle in the hazy light, and I realize everything about this place is feathers. All of it. Just fluff, and feathers, and whatever it is in these glasses that will keep us here if we drink them. “Don’t you see? It’s for your own good.”
“No, Titania, we don’t,” I say, frustrated.
“Look, you’re just going to have to trust me. I’ve said too much already. You’d better make Obe believe he is in control, that he owns you. If he doesn’t, you’ve got no chance.”
“No chance of what?” Ros asks.
Titania’s eyes darken their sickly yellow stare. “Of getting out of here alive.”
“So you want us to play along, pretend like we don’t know what you’re trying to do?” Ros says. “No way. Not happening.”
Titania narrows her brow. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll just drink what’s in front of you. Like I said, you’re just going to have to trust me. If Obe comes back here and you haven’t finished your drinks, he’ll order another round and then . . . and then . . .”
“And then what?” Ledger asks.
“Do I have to spell it out for you? You’ll be made numb, just like everyone else! He’ll drug you silly, and there will be nothing I can do to stop him. Don’t you get it?” She leans forward, her voice hardly a whisper. “There’s nothing in these drinks.”
“Bullshit,” Ros says, slamming the table. “I can smell the drug myself!”
The yellow drink. Yellow skin beneath the feathers. Titania’s eyes. The Forgetsum pills the Risers had. No wonder Ros is so agitated. Whatever is in these glasses is the same stuff her grandmother was burning inside the tent. The same stuff the Risers gave G to help her survive the brutality of Fell.
“Forgetsum?” my grandfather says, taking the word from my mind. “You’re telling me Obe is trying to poison us?”
“He is. But I’m not.”
“Why should we believe you, Titania? Why do you want to help us?” Grandpa asks.
“She doesn’t!” Ros blurts out. “She wants us to end up like her and those poor girls with the feathers coming out of their butts. Hell no. We’re getting out of here. Volume or no volume.”
Ros rises, and Titania grabs her by the wrist. “Listen to me, you ungrateful little shit! I mixed those drinks this morning myself to make sure there wasn’t enough! Not to do anything, anyway. At most you won’t remember how you got in here. That’s it.” Titania’s big yellow eyes seem to double in size as she talks. For a second, I start to think they might pop right out of her head. “You think I want to wear this disgusting thing? Well, I don’t. None of us do. Why do you think I went away?”
“Why did you?” I ask, trying to sort through my own confusion.
“I faked an overdose. They pump your stomach up in Stoneleigh, clear as much of it out of you as they can. But the truth is I needed to get clean, as clean as I could anyway. See,” Titania says, leaning over, pulling up one of her feathers. “My natural color is already coming back.”
Obe wants us to forget. He wants us to forget everything. The volumes. Our purpose. Ourselves. “You expect us to believe there isn’t enough Forgetsum in here to knock us off our feet? To make us forget why we were here in the first place?”
“I told you to trust me,” Titania says.
Trust. That’s a difficult word. I struggle with the meaning. How do you trust someone when you’re knee-deep in Sovereign crazy, staring point-blank at a woman with bile-yellow eyes wearing feathers instead of clothes? I reach for my glass, casually knocking it off the table with the others, spilling all the Forgetsum-laced drinks onto the floor. Titania’s eyes widen as she bolts from her chair. “You little fool! I told you they were safe! Now Oberon will be furious! He’ll think I did this!”
She holds her tongue as two feathered girls rush to her side and start cleaning up the mess. “One of you get us another round. Ask Sandra to mix them. Not the usual way, the way I told her to this morning! Hurry up!”
Titania gets up, the feathers on her thighs and stomach stick together with the liquid. “Obe cannot know about this. He needs to think you are cooperating.” She turns to the nymphs fawning around her. “Will you all please just hurry up! He could come back any minute.”
“We’re not drinking anything you give us,” I say. “There’s no way.”
“If you don’t, he’ll find another way,” Titania whispers.
“I don’t understand,” Ros says. “Obe brought us here just to drug us? Why would he do that?”
“Because,” Grandpa says flatly, “he’s going to give us up.”
Titania’s face changes. Her eyes flatten, the life draining from them. “Perhaps you’re much too clever for your own good,” she says
. “To be clear, he’s going to trade you. With Fell.”
“So the whole protection thing was just a ruse to get us and the volumes here, in one place?” Ledger asks.
Ros kicks the edge of the table. “I should have known! Why didn’t I see it?”
“There’s no way you could have,” I say quietly.
The second batch of drinks arrives. Ros sits, her head in her hands. “We’re as good as dead,” she mumbles. “Maybe we should just drink it.”
“Yes, good! Drink it. Drink it now, and I can get you out of here,” Titania says. “Now please! Hurry up!”
“Can you now?” We all turn and see Obe standing behind us. He gives a little wave. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your conversation, but I couldn’t help myself. It was so captivating. Especially your part, Titania.”
“Honey, if you’ll just give me a second to explain . . .”
“Shut up!” he shouts at her. “You’ve said enough.”
Grandpa stands. “Oberon, let us speak to Goodfellow. Between us we can all come to some agreement.”
“Oh, so sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Hartley, but Goodfellow is long gone. I run things now here in Numb. Well, technically Fell runs me and I run Numb, but still . . .” Obe laughs bitterly. “Not a bad partnership, if you ask me.”
“I tried to help you,” Titania shouts at us. “To give you a way out. All you had to do was drink my batch. But you couldn’t manage that, could you?”
Obe turns, hitting Titania with an open hand across the jaw. “I said shut up!”
I begin to feel dizzy, my head hazy and light. I wonder if I’ve been poisoned another way, the drug seeping into me through the air alone.
“You see, I’ve worked really hard getting things just right here in Numb. We prefer a simple existence. Pleasure. Safety. Ease.”
“We’re not here to take that from you,” Grandpa says. “We just want the volume.”
“Yes, and that’s the problem,” Obe says. “To have pleasure, to have safety and ease, we need the volume. And we need yours, too. You see, there isn’t much Fell wanted from us in the end. I get Fell’s protection and some perfectly good electricity. All I have to do is distribute their drug. Which works out well for me since the people happen to pay anything for it.”
Blood, Ink & Fire Page 25