“Good call,” Brent relaxed even more. “She gets delirious like that when she has her... Spells? It was bad enough she insisted on coming over to your house with nothing but her shawl on.”
Juno looked at David, and then over at Brent. “You mean she was...? Just the shawl and mother nature?” Brent raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “Damn. It’s a good thing she didn’t get too comfortable.” Juno apologised with her eyes when she realised what she’d said.
Brent shrugged it off. “It’s no problem. Trust me. She would never remove it. She paints the bathroom mirrors black when she takes a shower. For some reason she really believes she’s the ugliest of God’s creations. I used to tell her, every day for Lord knows how long, she’s not.” Brent looked over at David. “I mean, she’s a modest looking woman, right? Black hair just doesn’t go well with ruddy skin. And, sure, she’s a bit chunky, but that’s mostly because she’s short for her size. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Hardly beautiful, but she could look a lot worse.”
David’s face flushed. Feeling a bit guilty. Aware a part of him had experienced more than one embodiment of her sexuality. Trying not to look angry and confused. Hearing Cadence’s voice in his head telling him to keep on pretending Brent’s talk embarrassed him.
“It’s okay, baby.” Juno nudged him. “He’ll never tell you this, Brent, but he wants me to think he thinks Cadence is gorgeous. He said she was cute, but he’s the kind of man who wouldn’t have even told me he thought she was modest looking. Never. Not in a million years. He’d like me to believe I’m more fascinating than any other woman in the world, no matter how attractive they are. And, well, I’m not going to stop him from thinking that.” She hugged David and kissed his belly. “You’re so adorable, Davey. It’s all right. You can be honest.”
“My prediction has come true,” Brent said, laughing. “Awkward moments have, indeed, befallen us all.”
“Okay...” David still felt unsure of himself, but listened to Cadence and repeated every word she said. “I admit. She’s a lovely woman.”
“Lovely women are eighty years old and come from money.” Brent nudged Juno, who enjoyed seeing David roast as much as he did. “Come on. You can tell me what you really think.”
“Come on,” Juno said. “Just admit it. She’s not here to be all embarrassed about it. You may as well get it over with now.”
“Okay,” David said. “She’s an exquisite woman. She has a face she shows everyone, that’s extremely attractive, and another that’s as magnificent as I can remember. It’s like Heaven. And a beautiful body. Like something from a dream.” He hugged Juno with his left arm, pulling her into him as her face soured, and she looked up at him like maybe he was overdoing it a bit. “You’re a lucky man, Brent. I can’t believe she doesn’t think she’s pretty. It’s so obviously untrue. Are you sure that’s not just false modesty? She is very shy.”
Brent shrugged. “She’s an introverted person. But you’re being far too kind. Trust me, she’s under no illusions.”
David heard Cadence’s voice in his head again. I didn’t tell you to say that. Why would you speak such horrible and hurtful lies about me?
Because, David replied, I’m not lying. I’m telling the truth. You know what that is, right? The way you feel. The way you smell. The way you taste. I remember when I first saw you. And I remember when I met you at our new home and, both times, I’ve never been that mesmerised in my entire life. You can run yourself down all you like. Whatever mask you wear. It doesn’t mean I have to.
You don’t know me. We’ve never... You’re mistaken, and... How would Juno feel, David? You saying those things about me.
She doesn’t care, he answered, his words biting. She wouldn’t believe me, anyway. She finds you repugnant, and I’m not even sure she cares about me at all. According to you, she most certainly doesn’t. Remember? But I suppose you’re right... I apologise, Cadence. I apologise, Melody. I’m so very sorry.
Cadence returned the sharpness of his tone. Your apology is accepted. Your visitors are coming soon. I have to go now, but I can sense Brent is satisfied with your answer, and... Well. I don’t understand why you think... There’s no time. We’ll talk later about your misconceptions. And yes, Juno. She’s... Again, it’s not my place to say. But... She paused as her voice drifted in and out. I do love you for what you’re doing for us. And I thank you for saying that about me, even if you are confused. I can feel you mean it. I can feel everything about you. I can feel your heart. I can feel you truly believe what you say to me and about me. But you have to stop it. I must go. We will talk about this much more, later. When you can truly see me and what I am. When your mind stops telling you lies. Then you will have your explanation.
“You okay, buddy?” Brent asked.
“Yeah, Davey. Everything all right?” Juno bumped him. “You’re not worrying about me again, are you?”
“You’re not?” David asked. “I mean... no.” He turned to face Brent. “But those pizzas are done.”
Brent turned to the oven and shut it off. He pulled out the pizzas on three wooden holders and sliced them up with a butcher knife. “Just in time. Seems hanging out with Cadence left a little of that sixth sense sticking to you.”
“Maybe so.” David did his best to look confused on purpose. “The only other thing I can think of right now is I feel like we’re supposed to be in the living room watching television and eating.”
Juno looked at David and nudged Brent. “Way to milk that compliment, Davey.”
“As long as you don’t start smelling every damn thing we own.” Brent laughed.
Then they all agreed, if that’s what they were supposed to be doing, it was the perfect time to do it.
As they sat and turned up the television to a high volume as David suggested, a grey compact car pulled into David and Juno’s driveway and the sky grew dark for an instant.
The three Guatemalan goons Paul sent to dispatch David and Juno parked their car to the side of the house he’d instructed them they were to retrieve a cassette tape from, and walked to the front door. They stood outside the front, two trying to peek through the closed blinds while the other checked the door. To their surprise, the door was already hanging slightly open.
They moved in and closed the door behind them as silently as possible. The television in the bedroom was on and it appeared the unfortunate occupants were lying in bed watching whatever steaming pile of Sunday sports talk show crap would be the last thing either of them ever saw. Bloodied Machetes excepted.
When they stormed the bedroom, they found it empty. Just a bed that looked like it had never been used, and the television on for no reason. The first goon pulled the power on the TV set and held his finger to his lips as he listened. It seemed no one was in the house, but they checked all the rooms anyway.
When they found no one home, they went through the closets, not bothering to fix the mess they made in the process. Muttering to one another in Spanish. Eventually finding a briefcase hidden underneath a chest of drawers.
Inside the briefcase, they found only money. Not much, and no cassette tape. Not anywhere they could see. It appeared David and Juno had fled. With the tape, but without all their money.
The goons made their way back to the kitchen to call the situation in.
Paul and Richard sat in their warehouse office as they eagerly awaited news of the days events, watching infomercials on television to pass the time. The desk phone rang and Paul picked it up. “Hello? News?”
The goons explained the situation rapid-fire.
Paul asked them to hold for a moment and motioned for Richard to come over. “They say they don’t have shit. Some of the money’s there, but the tape’s gone. Or they can’t find it. Did those two say anything about where they were going to put the tape? Did Davey say anything about that when you talked to him last?”
“Just that he’d burn it,” Richard said. “As if that would fix anything. I told him that wasn’t good enough.�
��
“Well, fuck. Maybe that dumb son of a bitch did burn it.”
“We’re still killing him and that kooz Junie, though, right?”
“Of course. They say they aren’t there. The television’s on, but no one’s home. And the door was wide open.”
“Open? Shit, maybe they just ran out for a second,” Richard said.
“Yeah, maybe. All their clothes and shit are still there, but they could have run off for good. Spur of the moment.”
“How about this,” Richard said. “What if the guys hang out there for a bit, maybe an hour? Then, if Davey and Junie don’t show, we send them next door to get information from the neighbours.”
Paul looked at Richard with a hint of contempt. “You were serious about that shit? You’re going to kill the neighbours? What for?”
Richard sighed. “All right. We don’t have to kill them. But, if those two ran, maybe the neighbours know where to.”
“Fuckin’, Ricky. What the fuck is the problem with you?”
Richard threw his hands up in the air and looked away.
“They’ve only been there one day,” Paul continued. “You really think they even went to talk to their neighbours, much less confided anything in them? What is it? Really? You just want to kill someone, anyone, today?”
“You know.” Richard looked back at Paul. “I made certain promises. And it’s possible. They’re stupid enough to be sociable when they’re running for their lives. Junie, anyway. If she dumped Davey, her nymphomaniac ass is already looking for some strange. Think about who we’re dealing with. I’d say we at least have the boys go over to the neighbours and ask them some hard questions. You don’t want them dead? Too much heat? Okay. But we should at least see if they know anything.”
“That’s still going to bring heat, Ricky. And it’ll be state heat, because it’s a neighbourhood watch community. No local police force. You know that. And, if we’re going to ask questions, we should send someone else out there.” Paul paused. “You, for example.”
Richard snorted. “Me? Seriously?”
“Or anyone else you want to hire off the street. Just someone who can ask without raising any red flags. The Guatemalans don’t even speak English. What the fuck are they going to ask anybody? You didn’t think this through too good. I’m going to have them hang out for an hour, and you go round up guys to send out later. But tonight. Unless I get a call back from my boys saying Davey and Junie are dead, I want English speaking feet on the ground out there by this evening. Understand?” Paul put the phone back to his ear and began talking, but the other end of the line was silent. “They wandered off already. Fuckin’ Guatis.”
“I’ll go recruit some talent,” Richard said. “In case they don’t call back with good news.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Paul waved Richard off, glowering.
“...This is not a fairy tale... And now you know.”
I’m waiting in the corner of Its bloodied box, as I watch three brown monkeys rummage around, oblivious to the horrors their monkey brains keep their monkey eyes from seeing. Knowing It will be arriving soon. Saddened It can’t help Itself, but comforted by the clumsy display It put on, in this same box, earlier. With my favourite monkey. Exposing Itself in a previous form. Thinking my favourite monkey wouldn’t see. Being so pitifully wrong again. No longer able to ignore the path to Its redemption. The quick and easy fix to Its problems my favourite monkey’s meagre lifespan has presented It with for the second time.
And my favourite monkey wants answers. My favourite monkey wants an explanation. And It won’t be able to continue in Its vain attempts to appease the disgusting monkey It hopes to save. Still believing that’s the only way back Home, ignorant of the pride that cements that belief. Not without having to face the true path in my favourite monkey’s presence. Also unwittingly blessing me with the gift of being able to soon introduce myself to my favourite monkey, and not just provide protection while my favourite monkey doubts his own sanity.
As the brown monkeys finish squawking on the telephone and put it down to wait for a response from the monkey on the other end of the line, It swoops in. Passing through the roof like a dense fog as the brown monkeys look up in horror.
They beg and plead for their lives while the monkeys on the other end of the telephone line ignore them, and It takes all of the brown monkeys’ heads at once with a sweep of Its taloned wings.
And then It feasts. Decorating the walls of Its sanguine box with even more monkey blood. Doing every disgusting and foul thing It has to do before It vomits what’s left of them all over the floors, crushes their bones into dust and prepares their remains for transport.
It can feel me watching. It can hear me laughing. It knows I know It’s scared. And that things only seem like they’re working out how It believes they should.
It tries to brush me off with Its deadly wings, roaring at me with three sets of teeth chomping, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been waiting too long to watch any part of the end of this mission from the sidelines. I tell It if It doesn’t knock it off, I’m going to make Its teeth straight so Its bigger mouths cut off the smaller ones. But I give It sound advice, as I always do:
“...This is not a fairy tale... And, though you’re still prideful and stupid, you’re going to have to admit that soon.”
Brent, Juno and David were finishing their pizzas when Cadence came walking into the living room. She was wearing a light blue full-body nightgown that clung to her like it couldn’t bear to be a centimetre apart from her flesh. David thought to himself she did have the body of a dancer. Well muscled thighs and a gorgeous bottom. A slender stomach and beautiful breasts. He thought it was strange he hadn’t even noticed the body she wore now, in this small secluded town, or its shape, when they’d been psychically intimate earlier. Strange that, although her body was technically more acceptably attractive, it still felt like a cheap imitation of the body she’d worn when he’d known her as Melody, so long ago. If that was who she really was and his mind wasn’t just playing tricks on him, as she insisted it was. Stranger still that everyone else described her in such unflattering terms, everyone saw her differently and, no matter how vastly differing the descriptions were, no one was ever confused over whether Cadence was the topic of conversation when they discussed her appearance.
At the same time, Cadence’s voice came into David’s head. Asking him to stop treating her like a sex object. Telling him it made her feel like trash knowing his faulty perception of her body brought him such lewd pleasure and, yes, he would have his explanation, soon.
Juno bumped him with her arm and stifled a pained moan.
“Busted.” Juno kept her voice to a low whisper. “You so totally checked out her bony ass.”
“What?” David looked Juno up and down with what he hoped wasn’t complete disgust, licked his thumb and lightly cleaned a smudge of pizza sauce from the corner of her mouth.
Juno sighed. “Nothing.” Her face went soft as David withdrew his hand. He could see in her eyes, whatever Cadence transferred to him, he was now carrying. Because Juno looked lost. She’d forgotten he’d accidentally ogled Cadence right in front of her. Forgotten Cadence and Brent, and the killers that were coming for them, even existed. It was as if David could hear her heart beating faster and smell the sexual excitement on her breath. “I should go home. I need a fix. I’m craving... My stomach hurts and...” She grasped his forearm as she frantically moved her free hand from her stomach to her breasts, over the crotch of her jeans and then back. Around and around in something resembling a circle. She whispered even more softly, yet more desperately, “I need to fuck, Mr. Strange.”
“What?” David whispered too. “You want to...?”
“Not want. Need. Now.” Her eyes darted left and right and then fixed back on Brent as she continued to molest herself. “Come on. I’m hurting. You lost the bet. You owe me.”
“No, I’m through playing that game,” David said. “If you want to fuck Brent,
he’s right here.”
Juno’s face went pale as she stopped ogling Brent and the saliva David had dabbed on her mouth began evaporating. “Oh no.” She quaked. “During everything that’s happened today. All of the... I mean, I totally forgot.” She waved at Brent, who waved back at her. More interested in whatever Cadence was whispering in his ear, though his eyes were clearly busy keeping track of Juno’s wandering hand.
Juno looked at Cadence and Brent, feeling bothered and confused. Remembering that she’d already warned Brent about the bad men. Wondering why she’d momentarily forgotten.
It’s all right, Cadence said softly. It’s over. And stop it. You’re making me feel cheap. I’m never going to be able to wear this gown again if you can’t stop looking at me like I’m someone from your youth.
I can see what you look like no matter what you wear, David said. Perhaps it’s time you became comfortable with yourself. Better still, with what you used to be. You were a magnificent creature. And I never said I knew you in my youth. Just that I’d known you previously. Explain how you knew that. Tell me, again, how confused I am. And, while you’re at it, remind me... What exactly am I providing again?
Cadence glared at David and hid her face away. I never said... You confused me and I misspoke. Regardless, that still doesn’t give you the right to... It just doesn’t.
Okay, Cadence. Melody. Lecture me on right and wrong, David snapped back. And, please, feel free to never answer any of my questions about whatever it is I’m providing for you in return for your protection. He turned to speak to Juno. “It’s going to be all right. I promise. The first wave has already come and gone. Everything’s okay.”
“What do you mean?” Juno looked back at him in bewilderment.
Brent moved toward the kitchen. “I’m going to check on your place. You kids sit tight. A storm cloud passed over earlier. Could get ugly out soon. When it rains around here, it’s like fire and brimstone. I’ll be right back.”
fiX - A ParaBnormal Fairy Tale Page 21
