A week has passed since we’ve moved into our new apartment, and it has done wonders for my sanity. I don’t have to fear touching the wrong thing or seeing a crack that might set me off anymore. A clean slate, with nothing but happy memories to make here. The new dawn burns through the windows of our bedroom as I wake up, half blinding me as I mutter a few choice words before tapping Anon on the shoulder.

“Come on, dweeb. We got work soon and right after that our show.” He grunts a little as he blinks at me a few times, looking absolutely exhausted as fuck.

“Alright, alright, lemme get up.” He rolls off the bed and slams into the floor with an echoing thud. Okay, I guess he’s going to do that for his entire life no matter where we live. I shrug as he stumbles back to his feet, tossing off the covers and grabbing my work clothes plus my prom outfit for the show tonight.

Anon shuffles up next to me, grabbing his clothes and trying to get to the bathroom without falling on the floor again. I guess I’ll be nice and let him wash up first for once. I pile my clothes on the dresser before taking a walk to the kitchen in my pajamas, looking for a quick snack. We’re still chewing our way through that Italian food and to be honest, I’m kind of sick of it by now but we don’t have the money to waste food. I snag a bowl of meatballs and toss them in the microwave, watching them spin as they rotate inside. Don’t know why but this calms me down for some reason.

A short time later, it dings and I take a seat at our tiny table—just enough space for the two of us. I flick through my phone, checking the news as I stab a few meatballs and shove them into my mouth. Bleh…week-old meatballs, nearly turned to rubber at this point but with just enough flavor to not completely suck. I make my way through it, doing my best not to gag as I finish them off and toss the plate in the sink.

I need to get the taste out of my mouth so I snag my pack of cigarettes from the counter. I light one up and sit by the window, blowing puffs of smoke out as I take my time smoking. I probably still smoke too many of these, but I still need them. I can’t stand the sight of blood even now. I got a paper cut yesterday and I nearly lost my shit until Anon calmed me down. Therapy hasn’t helped stop that…I’m terrified to think that I might be stuck this way. What will I do if I get hurt and Anon isn’t there? I don’t want to dwell on it.

I finish off the smoke and flick it out the window as I hear the bathroom door open. Anon comes out looking pristine as hell with his white work outfit. “All yours, Sweet Tooth.”

“Thank fuck, I’m feeling grungy as hell. Also…” I flick him on the nose “Think of a new nickname already, dork. Do I look like a sweet girl to you?” I flick aside my dark hair as I peer into his eyes.

He smirks as he responds without hesitation, “I mean, still sweet on me.” I let out a huff and he chuckles. “But sure, I can come up with something new. How about hot stuff?”

“Better but keep working on it.” I kiss him on the cheek as I slide past him to get into the still steamy bathroom after grabbing my clothes from the bedroom. I toss my clothes on the counter and get out of my pajamas. The shower here is a lot smaller than my old one, which sucks…can’t share anymore time in here with him unless I want to break a wing.

There’s still plenty of hot water left as I quickly wash up. I don’t want to be late on my first day, though I’m not looking forward to smiling through my sheer anger if someone acts like a prick to me. Working the tables is the worst job in any restaurant, at least in my book. I hop back out of the shower and dry off, throwing on my clothes as I grab my black eyeshadow, dabbing a bit on and shoving it in my pocket. Going to be putting on a lot more when the show starts, but for now just a little.

I grab my bag off the counter and find Anon chewing away at the remnants of a bowl of spaghetti. “All done? Let’s get going. I don’t want to keep Uncle Moe waiting, even if I am going to hate this part of the job.”

He gulps down the last few noodles before tossing the bowl in the sink and grabbing the keys. “I’m sure it won’t be too bad, Fang.” I give him a look. “Okay, it’ll suck but you have Moe to back you up. That’s gotta count for something.”

I tap the end of my beak as a devious grin spreads across my lips. “I could totally be a bitch and get away with it, couldn’t I?”

“What? No, don’t do that. There is no scenario where that would end well for anyone.”

“Well…except me.” He groans and I laugh with a flick of my wrist. “Just fucking with you, Anon. I know better. Now come on, done wasting time.”

We don’t have a car yet which sucks as this summer heat fucking murders us, but at least we don’t have to go far with how close we live to Moe’s restaurant. I’m sweating bullets as the sun oppressively beams down, scorching me, and I look over to Anon who is panting up a storm. Poor bastard and his delicate skin.

After a few minutes of sweltering baking heat, we walk inside the back of the restaurant and a blast of AC instantly blows away our problems as we stop for a second to enjoy it. I take a moment to fix my hair, the damn humidity having fucked it up a little as I tie it back under my crest. Don’t need anyone complaining they got a hair in their food.

“Don’t forget to tie your hair back, Anon. Oh wait…” I smirk and he flips me off with a smile of his own as he walks past me toward the kitchen. I sigh as I tie on my apron. Not sure why I have to wear one of these—not like I’m cooking anything—but Moe says people like the look. I’ve got no room to complain…he did give me the job without even interviewing me.

In a flash, two diminutive arms wrap around my waist and hoist me in the air with near bone-crushing force. “Mah little Lucy! Youse made it on time!”

I do my best not to gasp for breath as his sneak-attack hug threatens to shove my ribs out of place, instead holding on for dear life. He finally sets me down and slaps me on the back. “Wasn’t going to be late for my first day, Uncle Moe, but…please don’t break me.” I take a moment to catch my breath as he laughs heartily.

“Sorry Luc’, but can’t help myself. Youse ready for yer first day on the job?”

“As I’ll ever be. I’m looking forward to the end of the day the most, though…my first show in so long. I can’t wait to show them the new songs I’ve made since the last time I was here.” My heart flutters a little as I imagine all their cheering faces as I play my heart out for them, just like I did the first time.

He gives me a warm smile as he puts a tiny arm on my shoulder. “People been askin’ ’bout you ever since. If’n I coulda got away with just having you perform I woulda, but can’t pay ya enough on just dat.”

“It’s alright. I’m not expecting to be rich and famous, I just want to play music. I don’t mind dealing with people if I get to play a few times a week.” I give his hand a squeeze as I look around. “So, where do I clock in or whatever the hell I do?”

He thumbs toward a weird-ass contraption on the wall that Anon somehow used without thinking. “Punch in there and when ya leave at night. For now, I needs ta get back to the front. Many a pissed-off motha to deal wit’ and the day has only begun. Good luck Luc’.” He gives me one final pat on the shoulder before swaggering out to the dining room, the cacophony of an angry parent coming through the door. Fuck me, I am not going to enjoy a single fucking thing about this part of the job.

I sigh heavily as I finish getting ready, punching in and stepping out into the crowded restaurant. People as far as the eye can see, and a few already look like they are tired of sitting around. Well, no time like the present to get to work. I grab a tablet and make my way to the first group.

“Welcome to Dino Moe’s! What can I get for you?” I put on my best smile and my kindest voice. The dad gives me a weird look before giving me his order. I get a few odd looks from a couple more tables and I glance around to see that I don’t look even remotely close to how the other servers do. I guess it’s a bit weird to have your pizza order taken by some goth ptero but whatever, they’ll get used to it.

It goes by pretty quickly until lunch break, which I fucking need. Starting to get the shakes, not having had a cigarette in like four hours. I quickly head to the back and catch sight of Anon, who is already on his way to the side door. He pauses when he sees me and holds the door open for me. We step out back into the alley and I pull my cigs out and hand one to Anon, lighting up both of ours before I savor the sweet relief that flows into my lungs.

“Sweet Raptor Jesus, I needed this.” I let out a wispy sigh as a puff of smoke billows out of my lips. Anon is taking his time to enjoy his as well while he leans against the wall. My eyes wander a little catching sight of one of the posters Trish put up. She’s been putting them wherever she can ahead of our show tonight.

“Me too. It’s stupid hot back there with the rest of the kitchen staff, though I did learn Jerry likes gardening. Don’t know how the hell that came up.” He takes a heavy drag on his cigarette and blows out a smoke ring.

“Glad you are at least having fun somehow. I’ve been yelled at more times than I can count for not having something they ordered, even though the fucks never actually ordered it.” I stomp on the floor as I grumble under my breath. “Fucking assholes….”

Anon leans off the wall and puts an arm around my back, pulling me close. “Sorry, Fang. Sucks they are being dicks but we don’t have to do this forever. Just temporarily until I’m done with college, and then all you will need to do is a few shows to cover the bills.”

“Woohoo for four years of dealing with pricks.” I roll my eyes as I grind my teeth. “I swear these fuckers have no idea how to treat people. I’m a fucking person, not a goddamn machine.”

He shrugs. “Service industry, it’s the absolute worst.” I look down at the floor but he puts a finger under my beak, turning me to face him. “You’ll do fine, Fang, plus we’ll have plenty of money for smokes and a pile of nuggies.”

I perk up a little at the thought of nuggies. I haven’t had any since we moved and I’m already suffering withdrawal even though it’s only been a week. “Okay, for the nuggies I can deal with this shit.” I finish off my smoke before crushing it under my heel. “Only a few hours before our first show! I can’t fucking wait. Been needing an audience ever since the time we played at school. I never felt more alive.”

He smirks at me, my mood already improving. “We’ll knock ’em dead for sure. Or at least I know you will, my rock goddess.”

I blush a little as I look up at him. “Dweeb…anyway, let’s get something to eat. I’m starved.”

“Sure thing, Fang.” He holds the door open for me again as we head into the kitchen, grabbing a fresh pizza off the counter and digging in. I’m in heaven as the freshly baked goodness hits my tongue. Okay, maybe this job isn’t so bad since this is one of the perks. Doesn’t take us long to scarf down the whole thing and get on with the rest of our day.

A couple hours pass and then it’s nearly showtime. Uncle Moe heads home early for the day and leaves us in charge as we prep for the show. He doesn’t need to be here since we aren’t serving anything. I head to the back and stand in front of a mirror in a tiny changing room Moe set up for me, swapping out my clothes and applying a deeper layer of black eyeshadow over my eyes before I flick out my lashes with mascara. Never thought I’d end up wearing this outfit as much as I have, but it’s something I’ve learned to like ever since Anon convinced me I looked good in it.

I pull out any wrinkles in it as Anon comes in, fully dressed in his stage outfit from school with his bass slung over his shoulder. He takes a moment to look me up and down before giving me a thumbs up. “Looking fucking amazing as always, hot stuff.” Okay that nickname still needs work but it’s growing on me.

“Thanks, Anon.” I run a comb through my hair, parting it down the side and letting it hang loose as I run my hands over the shaved side. Still feels nice to touch the fuzzy part, easy to keep down too since all I’ve got to do is shave it down every few days. “Reed here yet?”

“Right here, dudes.” The smell hits me first before I even turn around, the telltale funk of pharmaceuticals hitting my nostrils like a ton of bricks. “Bros all set for our first show?” He’s already got his drums on stage and set up. How the fuck did he do that already?

“Fucking definitely.” I give him the biggest smile I can as I grab my guitar out of its case and sling it over my shoulder. “Been waiting for this for way too long. Let’s give them another show to remember, boys.”

They both nod to me as we head out on stage. The crowd turns to face us as we come out, a few cheers echoing through the quiet restaurant. Nothing compared to the number of students at school, but it’s not like we could fit a few thousand people in here. I take a look around the crowd and up front are Naser and Trish, smiling up at us as they cheer. Them being here builds up my confidence as I step up to the mic.

“Hello Lil’ Troodon! Sorry it’s been so long since our last show, but I hope you are ready for another awesome night! Let’s get started!” I immediately lead us into our first song, wanting to go through a few of our old classics before playing any new material. My fingers glide across my guitar as I sing my heart out, the damage to my lungs long-since healed. The audience breaks out into dancing and cheers as the music washes over them; even Naser is getting into it and he shouts louder than anyone else. To think that not a few months earlier, I wouldn’t have wanted him here at all. Now I’m so happy to see him loving it.

We get through a few of my band’s old songs before playing some of the new ones Anon and I wrote. A deeper metal tone hits with these and I sing at the top of my lungs, belting out the rough lyrics as the audience gets into it, jumping in place before a small mosh pit breaks out and Trish nearly gores someone as she drives them to the floor. Shit, remind me never to get into a fight with her.

I’m completely in my element as I dance on stage while I play my heart out. Reed is giving his best and he drums out a beat perfectly in tune with me as Anon lays out the thumping bass line, sending shockwaves through the crowd. A little while ago he couldn’t play for shit, now he’s playing like he’s been practicing for years. Pride fills my heart a bit, knowing I’m a kickass teacher as well as a musician.

As we near the end of the last song of the night, he walks up beside me and we sing the last lyrics as a duet. I look deeply into his eyes and I smile—my Anon, the rock that keeps me going. We finish the song with a dual flourish of our guitars and pose in front of the crowd as the last line echoes out of the speakers. It takes only a moment before the cheers erupt from every corner of the restaurant. My heart swells with joy as I look out across them all, each of them on their feet, shouting and whistling.

I step up to the mic one last time as I smile and give my best rockstar pose. “Thank you all for being here! You are an amazing audience. Hope to see you next tim—”

There is a loud crack from the crowd, and I feel something hit the side of my chest, causing searing pain to burn across my body. I fall with a yelp as the crowd looks on in horror, several of them panicking and fleeing the restaurant as both Anon and Reed look over at me.

What…what the fuck just happened? I touch my side and cry out in pain as I pull my hand back. B-blood? What? Why am I bleeding? I look at my hand and panic starts to set in, the sight of blood nearly making me lose control before I force myself to take a deep breath and shakily look around. Naser is pressed against the stage while Trish grits her teeth as she glares at someone standing in the light. It’s Naomi…and she has a gun. She fucking shot me?!

“W-what?” I stammer out as tears start to trickle down my cheek. “Why? Why N-naomi?” It’s not a deep wound—it only grazed the side and cracked a rib, but it hurts so bad and the blood, so much blood….

“You stupid bitch!” Trish shouts and Naomi levels the gun at her, causing Trish to stop dead in her tracks. She growls and continues to stare Naomi down as Naser keeps looking up at me in horror.

“Nobody fucking move an inch.” Naomi trembles with anger as she points the gun around the room. “Do anything, and I’ll put a bullet in her head right now.”

“Naomi, please wa—” Naser tries to speak but she fires a shot right past his head.

“Be quiet, honey.” Her face is twisted in an insane grin, her eyes wild as she stares at Naser. “I have business with Fang, that’s it.”

The tears flow down my face as panic hits harder and harder. I shudder in place as I hold my hand to my side, trying to stop the bleeding. “W-what do you w-want with me? W-why did you s-shoot me?” I choke out between sobs as I look at her.

“Why?” She grits her teeth. “Why!? Because you ruined everything!” She slams her foot on the ground and the gun shakes in her hand. “I was going to be the perfect girlfriend! I had Naser, I had everything, I was getting us set up to have the best life possible! We were going to get married and have children and I would have been the best housewife. But you!” She points the gun at me. “You just had to be in the way. Always drawing his attention away from our relationship with all your problems!”

She draws closer to the stage while she keeps the gun still pointed at me. I’m scared to death as I stare down the barrel of the gun held by that psycho bitch. “P-please don’t—”

“Shut the hell up, Fang!” she shouts again as she steadies her aim. “You took everything from me. Naser was supposed to come back to me after we broke up but no, he just got closer to you! Everything I did was to make you better, to fix the broken thing you are, and you stole him from me!” Tears slide down her face as her maddened grin grows. “Now you are going to pay for it.” Her eyes clench shut as she puts her finger to the trigger.

Everything slows down. I can see Naser’s eyes widening in horror as he reaches out, trying to stop her. I swear I hear Reed shouting something from behind me as Trish’s face drops in terror as she sits there, helpless. Tears stream down my face as I close my eyes. I don’t want to die! Not like this! Not after everything I’ve been through! All my hard work, everything Anon and I have done to rebuild my life…please it can’t end like this. I have so much more I want to do.

I hear three more loud cracks and I brace myself for the pain, but nothing happens. Tears cling to my eyes as I open them again and see someone standing in front of me. It’s Anon…wait, no! He stumbles back as he falls to his knees before collapsing on his side on the stage, blood seeping from the gunshot wounds. No…no…no! He…he got in the way! Naomi looks on in fear, all of her rage melting away as Anon lies there, unmoving.

All my panic disappears, the fear of blood fading as reality settles in. Time crawls by as I stare at his body. No…no…no no no! This isn’t happening! This is just a nightmare. Please let me wake up! I struggle to my feet as I reach out to him, tears pouring down my face. Please…please don’t let this be real!

“Anon!!!”