I'm Going to Hell for Sure

Elicia:

Turning my head against the door, listening for signs of life as rushed footsteps approached the door. Sliding back on my knees, clenching the linens tightly to my chest as soft knocking sounded from the door.

“Elicia.” Sue spoke softly from the door, quickly jumping to my feet as the lock bolt clicked open and she stood quietly with a small smile across her lips.

“Sue. What happened? Are they okay? Oh God, are they hurt?” Trying to slid past her as she held up her hands with a bright smile.

“They’re fine. Just “guys being guys”, so you go ahead and shower, and I’ll take care of the bed. Okay, luv?” She gingerly slipped the crinkled linens from my hands, turning me around by the shoulder with a gentle nudge towards the shower.

Looking over my shoulder as she disappeared into the room, humming a soft tune as my jumbled thoughts clashed with a thunderous thump against my temples.

“Someone had a “blissful” morning.” Sue laughed softly from the room, flinching back in panic that I heard her voice even though she spoke in a whispered tone.

Shaking my head in denial as the shower fired to life in a rushing roar, slipping my soaked panties off with a quick toss to the basket as the hot water pelted along my burning flesh.

“I’m “Fucking” losing my mind.” Groaning out as the water roared angerly along my head, drowning out my thoughts that pricked at temple with a nasty throbbing.

“Nope, you’re fine, luv. Just a little shock.” Jumping around as Sue laughed softly, while she pulled out fresh towels, setting them on the heating rack next to the shower.

Clenching my chest as the steamy water rolled over my taut muscles, somewhat soothing the aching that thumped in my core but failing at subduing the headache.

“Sorry, luv. Didn’t mean to give you a freight.” Sue held her hands up with a gentle expression as she walked back towards the door.

“Sue, what happened earlier with the guys? Their eyes…and the claws.” Holding up my spread fingers under the water, studying my own nails painted in a metallic purple chameleon, touching my face and eyes with gentle finger strokes.

“It’s best if you talk with the guys. Randi took them to the club for pre-opening inventory, so the house is all yours until later. Would you like me to steam your dress for tonight?” Her smile was so welcoming like all the ladies of this family, nodding to her question as my plans for today started running through my mental check list.

Turning around as she exited the bathroom, leaving me to finishing washing up while I skimmed through a few lists of possible songs to play for Izzy and Desmond’s anniversary tomorrow night.

I’ll talk to the guys later, first, music selection.

Shutting down the shower, quickly drying off with my locks wrapped up in a towel grabbing grey sweats and a black fitted tank, while brushing my teeth humming “Sweet Dreams”, Annie Lennox original, don’t get me wrong Marylin Manson made a sweet remake but Annie’s voice just game the song a different dynamic.

Finger brushing my locks, braiding them into pigtails as the excitement of playing filled me with a giddiness. Playing piano was my get-a-way from the loneliness growing up orphaned but gave me great joy when I could share it with the other children Miss Clay and Derek raised together.

Speed walking to the music room that ran along the length of the east wing of the villa, overlooking the massive lake and pastures with roaming horses. Wiggling my fingers in excitement as the Sapele Mahogany danced beautifully against the crisp blue skies filled with white fluffy clouds.

Gliding my fingers along the crisp coolness of the ivory keys, settling down on the matching bench with a rich black leather.

“Steinway & Sons have outdone themselves again.” Laughing evilly as my fingers took position along the ivory keys with a slow exhale to calm my emotions.

Playing a few warm-ups to adjust the sound balance of the room with the control panel along the wall to my left, making the final adjustment of the dampening panels enhancing the rich tones of the cords.

Shaking out my limbs with a finger stretch, playing the opening cords to Queens “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the rich piano cords blended and reverberated harmoniously. Letting Freddie speak through my fingers as the piano responded perfectly to the change in chords and tempo, feeling the emotions as the words sang out through the room.

Jumping up, head banging at the change-over, letting the piano led me into another realm of musical bliss as the melody slowed down into the final chorus. Opening my eyes with deep exhale of happiness as loud clapping and whistles sounded from the doorway.

“Bravo!” Sue, Maxine, and John stood with bright smiles and tears as they applauded in excitement.

Taking my bow as they walked over to me, giving me hugs and happy nods of approval.

“That was “Awesome”!” Maxine laughed lightly as she sat on the floor with her legs stretched out with her hands holding her up on the ground.

“I always liked “Queen” and that song is great to test out the “sound quality” of any room.” Taking my seat on the bench as John and Sue sat on the distressed brown leather sofa with brass buttons highlighting the lines and curves of the design.

“Any requests?” Looking between the three as they silently shared straight expressions and nods, perking a curious brow.

“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon. I know, so “corny” right? But we always got a kick out of it, seeing we’re…” Maxine stopped sharply as her parents snarled lowly at her, sharing a confused brow between them as they looked kind of “nervous” at Maxine’s words.

“It’s cool. I think it’s a great choice, seeing that we are in London, well, the outskirts but still the same.” Laughing playfully as my fingers began the upbeat intro with my own added flare, watching as their eyes swirled brightly with bright smiles as they sang the words with added effects on the “Awhoo’s”.

Why did John and Sue get nervous with Maxine’s explanation?

What happened with the guys and Randi?

What the “Hell” is up with those dreams?

I mean, they’re awesome in all kinds of ways, but ever since the attack, I’ve dreamt about the “Goddess Hathor” and the “Guardians” or “Watchmen” in such vivid color and sensations.

Ugh! That fucking ache distracting me as Maxine looked at me strangely, sniffing the air with a devilish look to her parents. Smelling the air only smelling the faint scent of a Christmas cottage and “wet dog” but the guys didn’t have dogs.

Hell, even the horses smelt better with a crisp air scent from being outdoors all day.

“Well, I hate to break this up but we have some things to finish before we go home for the weekend.” Sue stood up with a sharp clap of her hands as John looked at her confused but snapped up quickly when she bared her teeth with a silent command.

“Right. Yeah. Yeah, the um…uh-flowers need watered before we leave.” John took off on a hot foot, while Sue disappeared down the hallway towards the kitchen to make her final inventory order for the coming week.

The guys were great cooks, always trying different ingredients and receipts from around the world. Sue enjoyed reading their list of requests, because she was a cook at heart always asking for leftovers but oddly turning down the invitations for them to join us.

Chris joked that it was her way of giving them “space”, but it felt like I was intruding after Roger mentioned they always had dinner with them when they were home.

“So, you and the “Nightshade Quad”, what’s it like?” Maxine turned into a crushing schoolgirl, tilting her head to the side as her curly blonde locks flopped along her shoulder.

Is she asking like “roommate” wise or like “Boyfriend and Girlfriend” well, plural Boyfriend but still, is it like that? Or is that how it looks? Stuck in thought as Maxine squealed loudly, triggering the thumping to fire back to life.

“Oh…my…Gawd!” You’re so “crushing” on them, like “clear as day” crushing.” She laughed playfully, twirling her finger at me with a bright smile.

“Honestly, they’re great but after Bain, I just need some time to myself to figure out “this”.” Pointing to myself, drawing a large circle around my body as her smile grew darker with mischievousness.

“Okay, E. Keep telling yourself that.” She stood up, holding her hand out to me.

“Come on. Let’s get you ready for the club tonight.” Her strength was insane as she dragged me away to get ready for tonight, which the dress was on “purpose”.

I’m going to Hell for sure.