Survivor's Guilt

VI (DAMAGED)

The kick-off party was at a bar called The Seventh Story, an ironic name to say the least, as the bar was only two stories and we were being given the second floor all to ourselves. Lilith and I were making a valiant effort in attempting to agree. So far, the arrangement wasn't the issue. I could handle two hours every three days. I could handle the notice before she took over. The one thing I still was not in agreement with was the outfit change. She seemed insistent upon it, saying my sense of style was downright atrocious. I countered with the argument that it would draw too much attention.

I felt her go silent within her prison. I secretly wondered if I exhausted her. If so, the rest of the night was going to be peaceful. I liked the sound of having a quiet night, it meant I could socialize with my crew, and not have to worry about a hostile takeover. I take my drink into my hand, a Dr. Pepper because the last thing I need is to get drunk and have Lilith take control. I make my rounds, learning In This Moment would be helping us start the second leg. I reach my crew sliding into the only free spot.

"There she is, our fearless leader." Milo drapes an arm across my shoulders.

"Sorry about earlier, I know I said I'd meet up with you." I apologize. I feel her shifting restlessly inside of me. She tended to get upset anytime I apologized as if to say we were above it.

"We understand, Cap." Amias places his hand on top of mine.

We spend the night catching up with one another. Milo and Nadine had a staycation, celebrating their anniversary. Toshi proposed to Kambria in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Kambria had the moment filmed. Amias told us all about his time with Johnny. When it got to my turn, I expressed there was not much to say. I had my crew with me at my courthouse wedding. By a twisted chance of fate, we had avoided talking about my blackouts. I did not want to tell my friends that we were once again in danger of losing our souls.

I set my empty glass on the table hearing raised voices coming from a few tables over. One of the new stage crew members; a young man fresh out of high school, and eager to prove himself is in a heated conversation with one of our veterans. Amias tenses at my side. She awakens from her slumber her presence seeps into my consciousness. It's as if she's standing next to me watching with an amused expression. I can feel their anger and what's worse is that she's feeding off it.

"That's my wife you're talking about, you little prick!"

The veteran, a muscular man by the name of Dio cocks his fist back, punching the newbie. Our newbie flies crashing into a neighboring table. The room falls silent. Kambria jumps back into Toshi's embrace. The newbie, whose name I'm fairly certain is Benji pushes himself up. He has the nerve to laugh wiping the blood from his lip. My stomach starts growling, my mouth watering at the sight.

"Is that all you've got? My grandmother can throw a better punch than you." Benji taunts.

"Boy is going to get himself killed," Nadine says in a hushed whisper.

The air is charged with tension, it's growing thicker by the second. Dio hesitates for a second before going straight for Benji. The newbie holds his own, gaining support from the other new hires. I swear an array of colorful phrases that would make my aunt cringe. If the record company caught wind of this, we ran the risk of having the tour canceled. I slide off my chair, I can break up this fight. I've broken up fights before, my Aunt Carolyn always assumed I started them. When she'd had enough, she sent me to her friend Cookie, a retired Black Ops. Those were the summers I dreaded, but Cookie did give me freedom.

I duck Dio's punch, catching Benji's. Lilith laughs from her cage at the sight of his shocked expression. Benji tries again using his other hand. I raise my arm, blocking the blow. I hiss at the impact, but I don't let up. I sweep his legs flipping him onto his stomach. He bucks and struggles, Lilith lends me her strength.