THE GUITARIST

PERPETUAL BURN

BRIAN

I woke up at lunchtime and my eyes searched for that female figure that was no longer there. I felt a slight emptiness inside my chest, as if that space was exactly the size of her.
I lay there, thinking about the night before... I looked right at the place where we were and the memories flashed through my mind like a movie. Everything was so clear, crisp...
She had entered my world, crossed the barrier I'd erected to protect myself and broken all my defenses...
That was it, I was falling in love again... after years of seclusion and loneliness, I opened my heart to someone...
I pulled the pillow she had slept on in hopes of catching the scent of her hair and giving my spirit some peace.
Even though I felt a little awkward, I was determined to have her company again.
I dressed hastily and went to Angelique's room, knocking on the door, identifying myself. She was a little apprehensive and I excused myself, walking awkwardly into the room.
She hugged me and thanked me for everything I had done. She also apologized for bothering me and I couldn't think about anything other than feeling her hands around my body.
An agony gripped my body, as if she already had plans for tonight.
Nervousness took over me, but, stuttering, I asked:
-Can you... can you... um, can you... sleep again tonight?
She smiled and said yes. I kept pulling away from my mind, thinking about the kiss we had shared, because that memory was so vivid and so fresh in my memory that I could reach out and take it.
I politely invited her to my room for lunch and she accepted. After all, in the hotel restaurant we were more likely to meet the rest of the staff.
She handed me back the shirt she had worn the night before and laid it on the bed.
I asked Angelique to take a look at the menu on the table and as she read it, I tried to discreetly sniff the shirt through the mask. Her scent was there, reminding me of the night before, but she interrupted me saying she already knew what she was going to order.
I felt silly doing this, like I was some obsessed psychopath. But her scent soothed my body...
I dropped the shirt on the bed and looked at the menu too. I asked for the menu numbers and we sat at the table on the balcony of my room.
-Your room looks like paradise! - she said, sneaking over to the sill.
-They always put me in very tidy rooms... even though I say I can stay anywhere.
-You are lucky!
We talked a little about the night before and she sadly recalled what had happened to her.
-I never thought that Alex would act like that ... - Her tone of voice was sad.
-But I also don't want to hear anything that comes from him, I want him to leave me forever!
I listened in silence to everything she told me and then I heard a knock on the door.
It was becoming natural for me to eat any meal in front of her, lifting the mask and revealing only her mouth.
After lunch, we started to think of something to do, until the phone rang.
It was the production team, informing that due to the success on the first day of the event, some musicians were invited for a sudden interview.
I didn't like interviews and was already formulating a refusal when I was just asked to play something, as if it was a preview of what I was going to do. I confirmed the time and hung up the phone, heading over to my suitcase to grab a shirt.
-Well... since you're going to be busy with your work, I'm going to some stores to choose today's one!
She hugged me goodbye and craned her neck to look at me. Inside the mask I gave a small smile, finding that sweet attitude.

ANGELIQUE

Time to look for a costume! I stepped out of Brian's room but my happiness soon turned to fear, as I figured Alex might still be there, lurking.
Despite the fear, I thought I couldn't let it stop me.
I went to Jape and Jenni's room, asking for company for the city tour. Jape opened the door wrapped in a sheet and I covered my eyes, laughing at the situation.
They accepted my proposal and I waited for them in the lobby.
Thomas and Nancy waved and chatted with me. I told them I was going for a walk with Jape and Jenni and they offered to go too.
Just as I expected, they asked about the bandage and I told them the whole story I had told before and they were scared.
Apparently, the hotel had hushed up this case so they wouldn't have to explain the security breach.
Jape and Jenni arrived and we all went to town.
There were stores of all kinds, from needles to gun sales. We went into several costume shops, which were very busy due to the event. Although there were many options, I wasn't sure what to wear.
At the back of the store, I saw a huge red cape. It was my size, luckily!
-Madam, this is the last one. - said an employee.
I was choosing piece by piece until I assembled what, in my view, would be Little Red Riding Hood. I looked for a beautiful white corset and a short black skirt with some white ruffles.
The girls also chose new costumes and the guys had their eyes on a musical instrument store that was two stores down from ours.
Nancy wanted to check out a makeup store, and we spent the afternoon visiting stores and trying to satisfy everyone's individual interests.
I noticed that on one of those corners there was an arcade store and I saved that information for use at the right time.
Time passed quickly and I didn't even notice that the sky was darkening and it was time to head back to the hotel.
-I want to eat pastel! - Jape said, pointing to a store that was on the way up to the hotel.
We entered the store and found Aelden, Stela and Alex sitting at a table. Aelden waved at us and we all walked over. I was the last to sit at the table and then a heavy mood settled in the air.
Everyone was silent and Aelden and Stela were not understanding anything.
-What is it, guys? - he asked, embarrassed.
Thomas cleared his throat and Jape said:
-That guanciale pastel with pepper looks good, doesn't it?
-Hey, wait a minute, something's wrong! - Stela said, looking at me and then at Alex.
-What's that on your neck, Angelique?
Alex got up from the table at the same time I did. One of us would have to leave and I'd rather it be me.
-It was nothing serious, Stella. I need to go back.
-No, it's my time - Alex said.
I glanced at him and just walked out of the store with my stomach growling with hunger.
-I want to understand this shit that happened there... - said Aelden, crossing his arms.
Jape got up with the menu in his hand and said:
-The guy almost stabbed her.
-Stab!? Did the weirdo do this? - asked Stela, assuming Brian was the author.
-The weird Alex! - he exclaimed, looking disappointedly at his friend.
-You're exaggerating, nothing was stabbed. Angelique said they were scratches. - said Nancy.
Aelden and Stela stared in amazement at Alex, who stood looking at them.
His gaze had transformed. There was no guilt, just coldness.
-No, wait there! What the fuck did you do, man? - asked Aelden, rising from the table. Stela also got up and Jape and Jenni were at the cashier placing the order.
Alex briefly explained what had happened and Aelden looked in shock.
-Man... I've known you for twelve years and you've never done anything like that.
-I'm telling you, that weirdo is getting in the way...
-Shut up, Stela! - Aelden ordered, pulling Alex into a far corner.
She got up sullenly and went to order.
-Wait... don't tell me it was because of Buckethead! - he said, looking sternly at his friend.
-He took my girl away from me! - Alex continued, trying to justify the act.
-I can't believe it, Alexander, really. - Aelden covered his eyes with his hands, slightly stressed.
-The guy doesn't go out with any woman... he shouldn't even know how to have sex and you think something's going on?
Alex gave a brief smile at his friend's comment, but replied a little seriously:
-I feel it is. She walked away from me.
-Look, you've already screwed up a lot of times with Angelique. You cheated like hell at concerts, and we were the ones hiding your mess until you got back from your fun times. Besides, you kept other women's phones in your pocket, went out with them to public places, man... What did you want? She must have gotten tired of it all.
-I made a mistake but I want to be forgiven!
-Dude, to forgive or not is her decision alone. And it's clear she doesn't want to bring it up right now.
-She broke up with me yesterday... - Alex continued, crestfallen.
Aelden took some pity and tapped his friend on the shoulder, saying:
-I know it's hard but you'll get over it. Life must go on...
-But in that time, she will get closer and closer to the maniac... and he still hit my head with that damn guitar! he said, raising his voice.
-Alex, breathe! Don't freak out! You need to distract yourself from everything that went on there and let time define things. Let her breathe a little and then try talking again, okay? -Aelden was serious but his words were wise at that moment.
With no option, Alex agreed and his friend pulled him by the arm to eat a pastel and everyone at the table changed the subject.
I went back to my hotel room and it was almost 6:30 pm. I decided to get ready, because the show would start at 8 pm.
I wondered what to put in Little Red Riding Hood's basket, while my stomach rumbled hungrily.
I heard a light knock on the door and opened it carefully to look. It was Brian, who was already ready, holding his guitar and a black backpack. My face lit up with joy and I smiled at him.
-I promise I won't take long to get ready!
I entered the bathroom and he remained standing by the window, looking like a mannequin.
I did my makeup and put on a red lipstick to match the cover.
When he saw me, he asked:
-Little Red Riding Hood?
-Yea! - I replied, showing him the basket.
-I just don't know what to put here... they don't allow food to be brought in at the event.
-I think I know what to put there! – he exclaimed.
We left my room towards his and he came back with a scary white-haired puppet. I started laughing and thought it was a great idea!
We headed to the event and Brian took me to the main box with him. I shouldn't be there as it was a VIP area and I didn't have any tickets.
However, I stood there enjoying the show.
Buckethead was wearing black pants, a yellow jacket and a KFC bucket with "FUNERAL" written on it.
His enigmatic performance on stage had all the fans, as usual, screaming. He did one of his robotic dances with alien gloves and played several songs with the bands that performed. In addition, several photos were taken.
I looked around and the amusement park was still full of people. As my stomach rumbled with hunger, my thoughts took me to the candy apple with a chocolate spider on top...