The Patron Saint of Monsters

Chapter Ten Part Seven

            Oleander loved music almost has much as she adored the dingy atmosphere of the cavern. Her nose burned with the scent of fresh sweat and spilled alcohol. She was especially fond of the contrast of her converse against the stained floor that the poor lighting causes. She was wearing cut off denim shorts that were probably too short and an empire waist shirt that showcases the faded bruises on her décolletage that Ian still hadn’t realized he didn’t give her. Her phone and wallet were in Valerie’s purse, which Trina was holding, because she had never found it practical to jump around with things you didn’t care to lose in your pockets.

 She was twirling and jumping. Singing along with the easy to remember choruses as if she were alone in her room with the stereo blasting loud enough to irritate her still trying to be cool neighbors, but she was damn well aware that she was in a room crowded with people. Valerie, Ian, Trent and Oleander were in the front row of pulsating bodies, Oleander was unable to distinguish the thumping bass line from her throbbing heartbeat. Her skin was slightly slick with sweat, it was a salty emulsion of her own secretions and those from the people surrounding her combined with the drops of sweat that had rained down upon her from the men prancing around the stage.

            It all felt lovely and poetic to her. She could feel the singer’s screamed words wrapping around her body in angry and hurt caresses, beautiful clouds of talent filled with the rain of artistic pain. She was unsure if it was the music and the adrenaline making her feel this way or if it was brought on due to the spliff she had split with Trent and Ian on the ride over. She thought it was both, the thrill of her boyfriend making small talk with the monster she was sometimes having an affair with. She almost wanted to hate herself for it, but she had long since stopped caring that she was the type of girl she had never expected to become. She supposed that it was some type of malicious metamorphous but then a loud guitar riff hit her in a way that robbed her of her breath and she momentarily stopped bothering with thinking.

            The song ended and the lead singer announced that the next song would end their set and then the band that most everyone had shown up for, A Symptom of Anaphylactic Shock, would take the stage after a fifteen minute break. He told the crowd that during the intermission his band would be signing their merch.  Oleander could tell that the current band had not performed live very many times before tonight, not only due to their still too garage heavy sound but also because of the way the musicians had played to the crowd, desiring more admiration. In an attempt to gather and monopolize the audience’s attention he asked a question before their final song began.

            “Have you ever wanted someone so badly that you just wanted to chop them up into bite size pieces and devour them?” He screamed out.

            Trent clapped and cheered in agreement in a way that sent a shiver of fear and arousal racing down Oleander’s back. Her entire body shivered against him and she caught a view of his smirk in her periphery. They started singing about a “relapse of memory.” When Val turned to shout at her.

            “Do you think Trent can score us booze?” Valerie asked her hopefully.

            Oleander shrugged in response and looked at Trent who nodded.

            “One for everyone?” He asked and everyone nodded, Valerie accompanied Trent to the bar to help carry the cups.

            “I thought he was a childhood friend?” Ian said sounding rather suspicious.

            “He is.” Oleander reassured her letting her annoyance color her tone.

            “Then how is he buying beer?” Ian asked.

            “It isn’t like they card here.” Oleander snarked.

            “Let’s just go sit with Trina and Rebecca.” She said.

            “I thought we came here to see the headlining band though?” Ian argued worried that he was causing his girlfriend to have a bad time.

            “I’ve seen them so many times. We used to watch them practice growing up, Rebecca’s brother is in the band.” She said dismissively before she realized the potentially massive mistake she had made, “Fuck!” She exclaimed, “Mark is in the band.” As she ran towards the table that Trent was at.

            “Trent let’s go smoke.” She suggested when she arrived at the table with everyone else, Ian walking quickly behind her in order to catch up.

            Trent just nodded and followed her out the side door to the creepy alley.

            “You wanna go home?” She asked with a guilty expression.

            “No, why?” Trent replied perplexed.

            “I forgot that this was Mark’s band and that you knew them.” She said hurriedly.

            “Oleander I’ve watched you watch them practice. I know who is in the band.” He reminded her.

            “Seeing them won’t upset you?” She asked taking a long hard drag on her cigarette.

            “No.” He assured her.

            She exhaled a heavy stream of smoke and shook her head. She said “Nevermind then.” With a smile as she threw her half smoked cigarette onto the dark and dirty pavement. She didn’t bother to snuff it out with her foot. She just twirled on her toes and reentered the sketchy bar.