Beginning, Section II

Chapter 8: Drift and Die

Posted on May 24, 2009

Elys was still driving the HUMMER when she pulled into the parking lot at Subway Monday evening. Char was waiting for her inside the restaurant but when she saw the black monster pull in with Elys behind the wheel, she ran outside to see what was going on. Elys opened the driver's side door and forgetting that she wasn't in her little Geo, missed her step down and fell out onto the wet pavement.

Char burst into laughter and walked over to help Elys to her feet. "Good going, Grace."

"Thanks," Elys said and then looked down at her once white pants. "Awwww man! Look at that dirt! It's going to take me forever to get it out!"

"Whatever you do, don't bleach 'em," Char advised. "Dobaks always seem to turn yellow when you do." She looked back at the HUMMER and said, "So what are you doing driving the Great Ozone Killer anyway?"

"My car broke down at the Darcy mansion and Jack sort of twisted my arm to borrow this thing. It's a bit pretentious, I know," Elys replied, jerking her thumb at the truck.

Char eyebrows rose. "You know, I think he likes you."

"He does not!" Elys replied, trying not to think of what had occurred in Jack's bedroom the other night. She felt a vague unease that Char said the same thing Gayle had said in a phone conversation a couple nights ago.

"Uh huh."

"Really Char! He probably wouldn't have even lent me a car if Georgi hadn't brought it up in the first place."

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?"

"Oh, just shut up."

"You do realize the rims have spinners on them?"

"What?" Elys shrieked and looked down at the front tire where one of the rims was slowly spinning to a stop. "Oh man! I've been driving around town like this all weekend? You've got to be kidding me!"

Char patted her friend's shoulder. "There, there… It's not that bad. Everyone will only be gossiping about it for the next ten years or so. Let's get inside and I'll buy you a meal, okay?"

"Sure. So how are things going with Sergio?" Elys asked as they walked inside and got in line to be waited upon. Much to everyone's surprise, Char and Sergio had continued to see each other. Char seemed to be happy and Elys was glad her friend had finally found someone who didn't treat her like dirt or ditched her after trying to get with Jane.

"Pretty good," Char said, her eyes brightening. "I'm trying to train Sergio out of his more obnoxious behaviors and though he backslides from time to time, I think I've almost got him where I want him. Barring that, he really knows how to treat a woman well. He cooked supper for me last night and gave me the newest Donnie Yen movie for an early birthday present. I don't know how Sergio found out I like him but it's the best thing he could have given me."

"Awesome!" Elys grinned. "Speaking of birthdays, I want to take you and Jane out next weekend. Any ideas on what you want to do?"

"Hmmmm… Why don't I get with Jane and then we'll get back to you?"

"Sure!" Elys said as they finally headed the line to place their order. They spent the rest of dinner discussing possible plans for the weekend and the testing scheduled for the beginning taekwondo class to be held that night.

Jack hadn't realized just how much he'd looked forward to Elys's visits to the mansion until they ceased. The sounds of shouted commands and laughter which had filled the house were now replaced with the moaning and whining of Caroline. Jack had seen Elys briefly once when Georgi tested for her yellow belt and then again when she returned the HUMMER and the clothes she had borrowed. There were the nights Georgi attended the Academy, but Elys was almost unreachable as she was always surrounded by people. Jack wandered the corridors in the evenings, feeling a bit lost, trying not to admit to himself the reason behind it. He couldn't, acknowledge his feelings for Elys because it would mean he would be sucked into the grasp of a fortune hunter, forever condemned to be unhappy and unloved.

Chase noticed something was wrong with Jack and quickly deduced the cause. "Jack, will you stop walking in and out? I'm trying to watch the TV and you're distracting me. You've been moping around the place for almost two weeks now, so why don't you just call her?"

"Call who?" Jack asked pretending not to know who Chase referred to.

"Elys!" Chase yelled in exasperation. "You know you miss her, so just call her! Ask her out on a date like any normal man would do."

Jack glared at his friend with a stony expression. "I am not going to call Elys," he ground out. "I don't know what gave you the idea that I miss her, but you're completely wrong."

Chase gave up. "Whatever. I'm not going to keep arguing with you about it," he replied, throwing the television remote on the table in front of him. "I'm hungry. What do you say about getting something to eat?"

"There's plenty of food in the kitchen," Jack said irritably.

"No. I'm hungry for Chinese. Let's go out."

"I don't want to go anywhere. Why don't you call up Jane like you do on most evenings?"

Chase sighed in exasperation. "Because she's out with Elys and Char celebrating her birthday, okay? And why don't you wanna go out? With Caroline in Detroit for the weekend and Georgi staying the night at Kitty's house it's not like you need to stick around. We've been cooped up inside practically all winter so let's get out of the house for once!"

Jack walked over to the window and looked outside at the pond which was shimmering in the late afternoon sun. The cold weather had finally broke as the temperature had gradually risen over the week and soared almost to an astonishing seventy degrees that day. The traces of the freak March snow storm two weeks earlier were erased, leaving the brown grass and leafless trees bare. The nice weather was supposed to last the weekend and Jack suddenly felt a bit of Chase's enthusiasm take hold. "Alright," he said turning to Chase with a smile. "Let's get out of here."

"Now you're talking!" Chase grinned. "Come on! Let's see what Meryton has to offer!"

"Happy birthday to you!" Elys sang to her two friends, leading the staff of the Fortune House in her favorite rendition of that timeless classic. "You live in a zoo! You look like a monkey and you smell like one tooooo!" Jane and Char rolled their eyes at Elys's singing as a server placed a bowl of fried rice with a candle stuck in the middle on the table along with their orders.

"I think her singing gets worse every year," Char commented dryly to her sister.

Jane's eyes twinkled with mirth as she replied, "She sounds like a dying cat stuffed inside an elephant's butt."

"Thank you!" Elys said. "It's always nice to be appreciated! Now blow out the candle before more wax drips into our food."

The three women enthusiastically dug into the various platters of food, each taking a little bit of everything. They were well into their meal when Chase and Jack walked into the restaurant.

Jane was the first to catch sight of them. "Chase!" she called from the booth where she, Elys, and Char were seated.

"I thought this was supposed to be a girls' night out," Char hissed to her sister as the two men walked over to their table. "Did you plan this?"

"We can't just ignore them," Jane replied with a blush. "And no, I didn't plan this. I just mentioned to Chase where Elys was taking us out tonight. I can't help it if he decides to show up!"

"You can call Sergio if you want," Elys suggested before the sisters began to fight. Chase and Jack were almost to their table and Elys knew it wouldn't look good for Jane if she was caught ripping Char's hair out.

"I might later on," Char replied and then smiled sardonically at Chase and Jack. "Well, well, well. Fancy meeting you here! Ain't it a wonderful coincidence and all that jazz? Now. What the heck are you doing here?"

"Just eating out," Chase said innocently.

"Do you want to join us?" Jane asked with a smile.

Chase glanced over at Jack, who had his arms folded across his chest and was scowling. "Sure! We'd love to as long as we're not interrupting anything."

Char looked suspiciously back and forth between her sister and Chase. "You two did plan this, didn't you?" she asked.

Jane had the grace to look embarrassed. "Well sort of… I just dropped some hints on where I'd be tonight and maybe mentioned how great it would be if we happened to run into each other."

"Jane, if you didn't want to go out with Char and I tonight, you should have said something," Elys said, looking hurt.

"I was thinking more along the lines of 'the more, the merrier'," Jane replied with a sheepish grin.

"Well, you could have checked with us first!" Char snapped.

"Char, I didn't think you girls would mind!" Jane said defensively.

Char pushed back her chair and stood up. "That's just it!" she yelled, glaring down at her sister. "You don't think! You didn't think when you stole Elys's date! You didn't think about how Elys would feel having your boyfriend crash our night out when she's treating us for our birthday! You don't think about anyone but yourself!"

Chase and Jack shared a panicked look before slowly backing away from the imminent explosion. Chase wanted to say something in defense of Jane, but wisely realized anything he could add would only make things worse. Jack noticed the attention they were attracting in the restaurant and wanted to melt into the floor with embarrassment.

"That's not true!" Jane shouted back as she stood to face Char. "Besides I already apologized to Elys for Chase and I. She's forgiven me, so why can't you?"

"I don't think Elys should have forgiven you! Things always come to you too easily, Jane! You always get what you want not caring who you hurt in the process and then all is forgiven in the end. You are selfish and spoiled rotten. It's not right!"

Jane's face paled with anger. "So that's what this is really about, isn't it? You're jealous of me like you always have been and you can't let it go!"

"I don't have to listen to this!" Char snarled as she grabbed her purse off the back of her chair. "You can think what you want but you're wrong, Jane." She gave her sister one last hate-filled glare before storming out of the restaurant.

"Char! Wait!" Jane yelled. She flashed Elys, Jack, and Chase an apologetic glance before following after Char.

"I better make sure they don't kill each other," Chase said to Jack as he, too, left the restaurant.

The sounds of the continuing argument could be faintly heard from inside and the roar of an engine and the squeal of tires announced that someone had left in a hurry.

"Well… There goes my ride," Elys said quietly, trying to fight back the tears she felt for the ruin of the whole evening.

Jack looked down at Elys, almost startled to still find her sitting there. She had been so quiet during the fight that he had completely forgotten her presence. "What did you say?" he asked.

"I said I think I've been stranded. I'm pretty sure the tire squealing was Char leaving the parking lot--she does that when she's angry. And Jane and I rode in with her." Elys's voice cracked towards the end of her speech and she turned away so Jack wouldn't see how close she was to crying.

Jack could see Elys was upset and he was surprised at how much it bothered him. He sat down beside her, unsure of what to say.

"I only wanted to do something nice for those two," Elys continued, talking more to herself than to Jack. "I didn't mean for it to turn into a big mess." She looked up as a waitress approached the table, carrying the bill.

"You alright, hon?" the waitress asked, handing the tab to Elys.

"I will be," Elys replied with a teary smile.

"Well, get this handsome boyfriend of yours to take you home and cheer you up," the waitress said with a sly smile towards Jack.

"Oh! He's not my boyfriend!" Elys exclaimed as the waitress walked away. She looked over at Jack with a slight blush covering her cheeks. "Sorry about that."

Jack tried to keep his amusement from showing on his face. Instead, he reached over and took the bill out Elys's hand. "May I?" he asked.

"What? No!" Elys said, reaching for the bill as Jack casually glanced down at it and pulled out his wallet.

Jack took out two fifty dollar bills and laid them on the table. "Well, if I'm your boyfriend, I should be paying for the meal."

"I don't need your help paying! And besides, that's way too much!"

"I know you don't need my help, Elys. Just consider it an apology for ruining your evening, okay?"

Elys sat back in her chair, stunned by Jack's gallantry. "Well, okay. Thank you. But I know the bill didn't come to a hundred dollars."

"That's an apology to the owners and staff for making a scene," Jack shrugged.

"Do you always fix a problem by throwing money at it?" Elys asked curiously.

"I've found that money is useful for resolving most problems. Most people are willing to overlook many things for money, just as you have done."

Elys quietly pondered Jack's last comment for a few seconds and then stood up. She opened her purse and pulled out some cash and threw it on the table. "You might as well take your money back," she said coldly. "I'm afraid I can't accept it after all." She turned and walked away from the table.

Jack stared at the retreating Elys in confusion and ran after her, pausing just long enough to pick up the money she had left. "Elys, wait!" he called as he followed her outside to the parking lot. He couldn't find her at first and then spotted her halfway down the block. "Elys!" he called again.

Elys ignored him and kept walking in the direction of her apartment. She was seething with resentment and anger and the half mile walk home would help to calm her down.

Jack cursed loudly and jogged after her. "Elys, will you stop?" he said as he grabbed her arm, ducking a fist aimed for his face.

"Get off me!" Elys snarled, shaking him off.

Jack thought about reaching out and grabbing Elys's arm again but thought the better of it. He remembered all too well what she had done to Caroline and he wasn't about to volunteer for a repeat performance. "What is wrong with you?" he asked instead, jogging to keep up with her.

Elys thought about not answering but decided Jack would probably follow her all the way home just to get an answer. "I'm am not one of those people who can just be bought off for a little bit of cash and an insincere smile, Jack," she said indignantly.

"Why did you let me pay for dinner then?"

Elys stopped in her tracks and pointed a finger in Jack's face. "Because you said it was an apology!"

"It was!"

"Then why be a jerk about it? You laugh it off because that's how you solve all your problems. It's insincere and repulsive."

"Hey, you asked me a question and I gave you an honest answer."

"That people are easily bought?"

"I'm just speaking from experience. Look, I'm sorry I said anything. I didn't realize I'd be stepping on your ego."

Elys glared at him. "You disgust me," she spat out and continued walking home.

"At least let me give you a ride home," Jack yelled after her. "Or does that hurt your pride too?"

"I'd rather be stuck in a room full of rabid dogs," Elys yelled back, making an obscene gesture.

Jack watched her walk away. "The truth hurts, doesn't it Elys?" he muttered to himself as he turned to walk back to the restaurant and his truck.

Jack walked into Price's Supermarket later that night, after driving up and down the streets of Meryton, searching in vain for Chase. He had tried calling his friend's cell phone several times but either it was turned off or Chase wasn't answering. Jack assumed Chase had gone to Jane's apartment and had decided to stop off at the supermarket to buy a six-pack of beer. It had been a long night, and nice cold beer sounded like just the thing to help him relax.

After wandering around in Price's beer cooler for several minutes, trying to find his favorite brand, Jack emerged successfully and started to walk up front to the registers. Two women were having a conversation a couple of aisles down, unaware of how well their voices carried. Jack wouldn't have thought much of what had to be an everyday occurrence at any retailer but the mention of "Chase Bingley" pulled him up short.

"He's such a nice boy! So handsome and more importantly, so rich!" one voice exclaimed with a whiny nasal twang.

"I'm sure Jane is a lucky girl," the other woman replied in a bored tone of voice.

"Oh she is, she is! And I told her that she has to move soon to land him. I said, 'Jane, you must use all your wiles to get Chase to give you the ring. Seduce him if you have to but get that ring!' And she's such a good girl that I know she'll follow through without delay," the first woman gushed and who now Jack correctly assumed to be Jane's mother.

"That's wonderful," the bored woman said.

"Isn't it though? And I think it'll be a June wedding! Maybe in a castle in England. Wouldn't that be romantic? And of course Chase would pay for it all!" Mrs. Lucas squealed.

Jack had heard enough. He walked away as the two women loudly continued to discuss wedding plans and he resolved to speak to Chase as soon as possible. It was imperative that Jack warn his friend of the danger he faced.

Chapter 9

Posted on July 13, 2009

Elys cursed under her breath as the telephone rang for the tenth time that day. It had been almost a month since the big fight at the Fortune House and she, Char, and Jane had made a tentative peace, in part fueled by the fact that Chase Bingley (and his sister, according to a delighted Georgi) had simply disappeared when he left for a computer convention in Chicago, leaving behind a broken-hearted and devastated Jane. Char and Elys had spent the last few weeks trying to comfort her, each receiving several phone calls a day.

Elys rushed over to grab the receiver before the voicemail could pick it up, tripped over the cat, and stubbed her toe on the coffee table in the process. "Hello?" she answered in a strained voice as she hopped around one foot, rubbing the sore toe.

"You'll never believe what I just did." It was Gayle.

"No, I probably won't," Elys agreed as she flopped down on the couch. Simba jumped up to lay down next to her and purred loudly when her person started to stroke her coat. "What did you do?"

"I told Kitty that she could go with Lydia to a concert tonight--it's for… oh I can't keep the names of these bands straight but it's one she's obsessed with at the moment. Georgi's going too."

"What?"

"It's not as crazy as it sounds," Gayle said defensively. "The concert is at the Crank Shack in Flint, so it's not like they'll be going far and Lydia's mom is going with them to supervise."

Elys leaned forward and ran a hand through her hair. "Ok, stop. Explain from the beginning."

Gayle sighed. "Lydia called here last night. Apparently there was a contest on one of the radio stations for four tickets and Lydia's mom won them for her. Since all of Lydia's other friends are either grounded or busy that night, she invited Kitty along but there was still one extra ticket and she agreed to let Kitty invite Georgi."

"Did you talk to Lydia's mom?" Elys asked with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Yes and she sounds like a reasonable woman. I also checked with Jack Darcy to let him know the arrangements. I don't think the girls will get into any trouble. Why? Do you think I'm making a mistake? I'd really hate to tell Kitty no after all of this--she's on cloud nine right now."

"What did Dad say?"

"You know your father, he deep in his writing and doesn't want to be bothered," Gayle laughed, "He just said he'll agree to whatever I think is best."

Even though Elys couldn't think of a good reason to disagree with Gayle, she still was unable to shake the feeling of dread over letting the two friends go to the concert with Lydia. "I guess it sounds okay to me--I just wish it was anyone besides Lydia."

"I know," Gayle replied, "Georgi will be there and she seems to have a steadying influence on Kitty. Besides, with an adult there, how much trouble can they get into?"

Plenty, Elys thought but refrained from saying it. She was probably just being paranoid. "Tell Kitty to enjoy herself then, and tell her I said to have fun, but not too much!"

"I will!" Gayle said cheerfully. "By the way, when I spoke to Georgi's brother, he asked about you. I still say that boy has a crush on you."

"Gayle," Elys groaned. After their last conversation, Elys had seen very little of Jack. He would drop Georgi off at the door of the Academy for the Intermediate Class, never coming inside, which suited Elys just fine. She figured he was too angry and disgusted to have anything to do with her anymore, but Gayle's comment forced her to reconsider her supposition.

"I'm just saying," Gayle said innocently. "Anyway, I'll let you go--I've got to make lunch. Bye!"

"Bye," Elys muttered and hung up the receiver. She picked up one of the throw pillows lining the sofa, buried her face in it and let out a scream, startling the contentedly purring Simba. The cat hissed at her person and then jumped off the couch in an explosion of flying fur, growling to express her discontent at having her rest so rudely interrupted.

Kitty and Georgi were so busy talking that they failed to notice Mrs. Philips was pulling up to another house until they were actually sitting in the driveway. Kitty looked at Lydia in surprise. "Is there someone else going?" she asked.

"You'll see," Lydia replied with a mysterious smile as she opened the car door and got out. She motioned for the other two girls to follow her and once all three were standing outside, Mrs. Philips simply waved at them and drove off.

"Um, where is your mom going?" Georgi asked.

"To work," Lydia said with an airy toss of her hand. Mrs. Philips was an emergency room nurse and often worked long and unexpected hours. "She got called in at the last minute, so we ended up having to make different arrangements." Noticing that Kitty and Georgi exchanged nervous glances, she added, "I mean, I hope it's all right."

Kitty looked over at Georgi, who just shrugged. "Sure, I guess it is," she said. "But how are we going to get there?"

"Ladies!" a male voice said from behind them. "Are we ready to go?"

Kitty and Georgi whirled around to see a boy of about seventeen or eighteen years of age standing behind them in the driveway. He tall and good-looking, with blonde hair and blue eyes, and wore a rakish smile. Lydia squealed and ran over to him, throwing her arms around his neck and planting a big kiss on his lips.

Georgi leaned in towards Kitty and asked in a hushed tone, "Who is that?"

"Greg Wickham," Kitty breathed. "He's a senior and captain of the basketball team. And as of yesterday, he's also Lydia's current boyfriend."

"Oh!" was all Georgi had time to reply before Lydia called them over to meet Greg.

"Girls, this is Greg!" Lydia gushed, "and he's going to be driving us to the concert!"

Greg gave Kitty and Georgi a lazy smile, letting his eyes wander over them with an appreciative heat in his eyes. Georgi felt a small shiver race down her spine. There was something in his look she didn't like and she wondered if Kitty felt the same. She sneaked a glance over at her friend but Kitty was almost giving him the same wide-eyed look of adoration as Lydia was. Deciding it must be her inexperience with boys of her own age, Georgi tried to shake off the unpleasant feeling and smiled back at Greg. "I suppose thanks are in order," she said.

Greg shrugged. "Don't mention it. In fact I should be thanking Mrs. Philips for allowing me the opportunity of being seen with three gorgeous ladies!" Kitty and Lydia giggled and Georgi felt herself blushing slightly. Nobody had ever described her as gorgeous before. "Come on, ladies! Let's get going," Greg said as he turned to walk back towards the house, leading a still giggling Lydia. "We don't want to be late!"

Something occurred to Georgi as she and Kitty followed the couple to the garage. "Aren't we going to be way early?" she asked. "I mean the drive to Flint only usually takes a half hour. It's five o' clock now and the concert doesn't start until seven-thirty."

"You never know with the traffic this time of year," Greg replied, giving Lydia a wink. "Road work usually starts about now and the traffic can be backed up for hours, especially on the interstates."

"I'm sure you're right, Greg!" Lydia giggled again. "It definitely could be a long trip."

"I didn't think about that," Georgi replied slowly. "I guess it makes sense though." She shrugged mentally, knowing that Greg was most likely right, especially since she was not yet old enough to drive and had never actually made the trip from Meryton to Flint since she had moved to the area. She kept silent and listened to the chatter as they all climbed into Greg's sliver Dodge Charger and it was not until they were well out of Meryton that she felt comfortable enough to join in the general conversation.

"Elys?" It was Gayle again.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you could do me a tiny favor. Are you planning to stay in tonight?"

Elys sighed as she leaned back on the couch and propped her feet up on the coffee table. "Nah, I'm not going anywhere. Jane's still too depressed to go out and Char's got a date with Sergio."

"Wonderful! Well, your father and I decided that as long as Kitty's gone for the evening, we wanted to go out and catch a late movie and then maybe have some dinner. But Kitty's supposed to call here and let us know when she's heading home from the concert. Do you mind if I leave her a message to call you instead?"

"Sure, I'll play Mommy for tonight," Elys replied.

"Great!" Gayle exclaimed. "Oh , if Kitty asks to stay out any later, the answer is no. She'll be up late enough as it is and I don't want to deal with a grumpy teenager tomorrow."

"Isn't Georgi staying the night?"

"No, Jack is going to pick her up as soon they're back in town. Alright, Elys, I'd better go. And thanks!"

"No problem. Have fun!" Elys hung up the receiver and then looked down at the cat curled up next to her. "Well, Simba, it looks like we're playing answering service tonight," she said, reaching down to scratch the cat between the ears.

Simba looked up at her owner and hissed before jumping down off the couch, her tail swishing back and forth in indignation.

"I know how you feel," Elys muttered.

Lydia exchanged a look with Greg and then turned around in her seat to look back at Georgi. "Oh, didn't we tell you? The concert's actually in Detroit!"

"What?" both Kitty and Georgi exclaimed in unison.

"Oh my god, my mom is going to kill me!" Kitty moaned.

"Just where in Detroit?" Georgi asked, fearing she knew the answer already.

"Weston's," Lydia giggled.

Weston's was an old disco club, located in downtown Detroit, that had been converted into a concert venue, hosting mostly rock and metal bands. The area had an unsavory reputation and though neither Kitty nor Georgi had ever been there, they were both aware of some of the uglier rumors about the place.

"No. No way. There is no way you are dragging me all the way there," Kitty said, her voice taking on a panicky tone. "We've got to go back!"

"It's not that bad," Greg said, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. "I've been there several times and nothing's ever happened."

"Yeah, but my brother and Kitty's parent's won't be too happy when they find out," Georgi replied angrily.

"Who says they have to find out?" Lydia asked. "We'll go and come back safely and they'll never be the wiser!"

"Does your mom know?" Kitty asked.

"Sure!"

"Then she lied to my mom?"

"Come on, Kitty. You want to go to this concert as much as I do but you know your parents wouldn't have ever let you come if they knew. Mom and I fixed it so you could go."

"And we won't tell if you won't," Greg added.

"Well… we're already halfway there," Kitty said slowly, looking over at Georgi. "So there's not much we can do about it now. And my parents and your brother never have to know…"

Georgi sighed. "Alright. Sure, why not? Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

"Yes!" Lydia beamed at the two friends. "Trust me girls, this will be a concert you'll never forget!"

"Aren't you going to lock your car?" Kitty asked, once Greg and Lydia finally joined them.

"Nope. If someone wants in my car bad enough, they'll just smash in the window," Greg shrugged as they made their way around the building. "This way I won't have a broken window. Besides, everything's out of sight, so they'll probably leave it alone."

"Does that happen a lot here?"

"Enough, that most people just leave their cars unlocked."

"I guess that makes sense," Kitty mumbled as the joined the line of people waiting outside Weston's. She and Georgi were both silent after that, both feeling a bit tense and anxious, though neither one wanted to admit it. Lydia and Greg both seemed at ease, chatting idly to each other while they waited to be let into the building.

Gradually the line grew longer as more people arrived. Cars passing by slowed as the passengers peered out to stare at the crowd, many of whom were decked out for the concert. Mohawks, chains, fairy wings, black makeup, and the occasional bondage outfit made for quite a scene.

One car pulled up next to the building and parked right on the side of the street. A fat, drunk, bearded man jumped out from the driver's side, carrying a six pack of Corona and joined the line where he greeted some of his friends. The crowd got considerably noisier after he passed out the beers.

"Aren't you afraid of getting a ticket?" someone asked him.

The drunken man grinned. "Nah, the Detroit cops have better things to do than worry about little ol' me!" Just then a police car drove by and the man raised his beer in salute. "See!" he laughed loudly. "Probably either going to a murder or to find doughnuts!" Several people cheered and laughed as another police car drove by, oblivious to the man holding his beer in the air while pointing at it and grinning like an idiot.

The crowd was beginning to get considerably more rowdy when it passed the time for the concert to begin. Suddenly a shout cut through the din, causing both Kitty and Georgi to jump.

"Bullets!" a guy with a blue Mohawk shouted, pointing up at the metal siding that lined the building just above him. The siding was riddled with bullet holes; some still had the slugs wedged inside. Blue Mohawk pulled out a large pocket knife and reached up to try to pry out one of the slugs. "This is cool! I'm going to make into a necklace!" he exclaimed. "I think it's a .45… definitely a .45! Sweet!"

"That's just great," someone muttered. "We're all going to die standing out here like idiots."

"Drive by!" someone else shrieked.

The crowd screamed and while many people ducked, a few actually dove to the ground for cover. Nervous laughter rippled through the throng when they realized nothing had happened. Everyone slowly straightened, feeling a bit foolish for having been tricked.

"That wasn't funny!" the drunken guy yelled.

"Hey, it never hurts to have a drill, just in case!" someone else shouted back.

Kitty and Georgi were both relieved when the bouncers started to let people into the venue. At least there would be some feeling of safety inside.

Kitty and Georgi nodded their agreement while Greg took Lydia's arm and led her off into the concert hall. The upper level of the hall had tables scattered around a large dance floor, with a fully stocked bar situated along one of the side walls. Two staircases led down to the pit and the stage, where the band was already warming up.

Greg led them down into the pit where a crowd had already started to gather. He and Lydia mingled with other people, chatting and laughing, while Georgi and Kitty stood next to the stage, watching the band. Eventually the pit became packed with people and the lights dimmed, signaling the start of the concert. The crowd cheered and soon everyone was swaying to the music and singing along with the songs.

"Hey, did the ticket guy say if smoking was allowed?" a young man asked Georgi, shouting to be heard over the music. He had several tattoos on his neck and his face had many piercings.

Georgi shrugged. "He didn't say anything about it."

"Cool!" Pierced Man pulled out what looked like a short, fat cigarette and lit it, drawing on it heavily several times. He held it out to Georgi. "Have some!"

Georgi's eyes widened as she caught a whiff of the smoke. "Um, no thanks. I, uh, have a sore throat," she said, plucking at Kitty's sleeve and pulling her away and into the crowd.

"Georgi, what are you doing?" Kitty asked, irritated at having been dragged away from the stage.

"That guy just offered me a smoke!" Georgi hissed in Kitty's ear.

"So?"

"It wasn't a cigarette!"

Kitty's eyes widened. "You mean, people are doing that here?"

Both girls jumped when Greg suddenly appeared from behind them, wearing his most charming smile. "So how are you liking the concert?" he asked, placing his hand on the small of Georgi's back and massaging gently.

Georgi felt a chill go up her spine but answered him with a smile. "We love it!" she exclaimed, taking a step forward, hoping to stay out of Greg's reach.

Kitty nodded enthusiastically. "This is the best ever!" she gushed. "Thanks so much for bringing us!

Greg just shrugged as the band started their next number. All three were quiet as the song played, though Georgi was uncomfortably aware of Greg standing just behind her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his body.

Between the press of bodies, one in particular, and the head jarring blast of music emanating from the speakers, Georgi was starting to feel a bit claustrophobic. She decided she had to get out of there, at least for a few minutes. "Hey Kitty, I'm going to go find the bathroom. I'll be back," Georgi yelled in her ear.

Kitty was distracted by the music and didn't really hear her. "Huh? Oh, okay!"

Georgi turned and pushed through the crowd to find her way upstairs and out of the pit. She wandered the upper part of the hall and then after asking several people, found the bathrooms out in the darkened lobby. It was empty and relatively peaceful in there. She spent several minutes, trying to calm her jangled nerves before walking back outside to rejoin the concert.

"There you are," a male voice purred and Georgi whirled around to see Greg leaning against the wall next to the door of the women's bathroom. "I was getting worried."

"Greg! You scared me!" Georgi said nervously as she wondered why he'd followed her.

Greg pushed himself away from the wall and sauntered over to her. "Crowd getting to you?"

Georgi began edging her way back towards the concert hall. "Yeah, I'm not used to being around this many people."

"Maybe you just need to relax," Greg said as he put his hands on her shoulders and trailing them lightly down her arms. "And I think I can help with that."

Georgi gasped as she was suddenly pulled against him and into a rough kiss. She struggled with Greg for several moments until she managed to break the kiss, but not his hold on her. "What are you doing?" she snapped.

"Doing what you've wanted all night," Greg replied with a confident smile while tightening his grip on her arms. "I saw the way you were looking at me. Come on, Georgi. It's dark and we're alone. No one would ever know."

Georgi felt the panic beginning to swell up inside, threatening to take her over. Greg's grip was strong and she wasn't sure she would be able break free of him. Just as Greg was leaning in for another kiss, Georgi remembered a past martial art lesson with Elys when they had devoted a night to pure self defense. The panic began to subside as Georgi decided on her next course of action. "Greg, I am asking you right now to let me go," she said, trying to give him one chance to back off before she hurt him.

"No way!" he chuckled before mouth descended to hers.

Georgi had been waiting for this and tilting her head, smashed into Greg's nose with the top of her forehead. One of his hands flew up to hold his nose while the other dug into the flesh of her arm.

"What did you do that for?" Greg snarled.

"I said, let me go!" Georgi shouted and kicked him in the leg, her heel connecting with his leg just below the knee Greg howled in pain as she raked her heel down his shin and slammed into the top of his foot. This time he did let go and Georgi took the opportunity to run back into the concert hall, where Kitty found her before she was halfway to the pit.

"What's wrong, Georgi?" Kitty asked after taking in taking in her friend's agitated state.

Georgi didn't feel like explaining what had just happed in a crowded, noisy room and not when she had to look forward to a two hour drive back in same car with Greg Wickham. "It's nothing. I'll tell you later." She only hoped that he wouldn't mention anything to Lydia as it was going to be an uncomfortable ride home as it was.

The two girls spent the rest of the concert in the pit and though Kitty was enjoying herself, Georgi was having a hard time paying attention. She kept looking around, expecting to see Greg pop up at any moment, though nor he or Lydia seemed to be anywhere in the crowd. She was dreading the end of the concert.

When last song was played, Kitty and Georgi followed the flow of people up the stairs and out back into the lobby.

"I wonder where Lydia and Greg are?" Kitty mused aloud. "We should probably wait for them." She and Georgi detached themselves from the crowd and stationed themselves next to one of the exits, waiting for the couple to appear. As the number of people dwindled in the lobby, Kitty began to frown. "Where are they?" she sighed in exasperation.

"Maybe they're still inside, waiting for us?" Georgi suggested.

"Could be. Let's go look," Kitty shrugged. They searched the hall and the bathrooms but there was no sign of either Lydia or Greg. "Ok, so maybe they're waiting for us outside."

The outer doors clicked shut behind the girls as they walked out in the chill evening. There were still a few people standing outside the building but none of them were the two Kitty and Georgi were looking for.

"They must be inside," Kitty grumbled and turned to go back through the entrance, but when she tugged on the handle, she found it was locked. "Great, just great!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation. "Now what do we do?"

"We could always wait here," Georgi replied, trying to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach that had been growing ever since the incident in the lobby. "Or we could wait by the car. They'll have to come out eventually."

Kitty's eyes brightened. "Great idea! Let's go."

The walk around the building was a short one, since the two friends were impatient to find Greg and Lydia and be gone. But when they reached the parking lot, both girls stopped suddenly and gasped in shock. The lot was mostly empty but for a few vehicles. Greg's Dodge Charger was not among them.