The Steam Lounge

Disc 1 - Track 19

Yellow Flicker Beat – Lorde                                                                                                                       "I'm a princess cut from marble, smoother than a storm. And the scars that mark my body, they're silver and gold."                                                                                                                                                                                 -----

Joe made dinner for himself and Pete, glancing over at the sofa that Mercy sat on. "Do you want some sweetheart?" He asked, making his way over to her. 

She nodded shyly, getting up and following him to the table where he laid another plate and set of cutlery in the space next to him. 

Pete went to get her a soda from the refrigerator when Joe came and stood next to him. Mercy couldn't quite see what they were doing but she didn't really care too much. 

Joe took something from his pocket, dropping it in the opened can of soda. It fizzed for a moment and Pete looked at him in disbelief. "Dude, what the hell are you doing?" He whisper-shouted, glancing quickly back at Mercy who was oblivious. 

"Listen, you know what would have happened if she'd have managed to get out this morning. We need to make sure she isn't gonna pull any shit while we're asleep, this is the perfect way to do that. This way shes goes to sleep before us and wakes up after us." He explained, making Pete uneasy. 

"Joe, shes just a teenager. Isn't this a little extreme?" He asked him. Joe had already picked up the can and went to hand it to her. 

She smiled, taking a drink as Pete watched, guilt washing over him.

It wasn't long after dinner when the drug started to take effect. Joe had gone to the toilet and Mercy looked at Pete with tired eyes, as if she was looking right through him.

"I think I'm gonna go to bed, I'm kinda tired. I'm in Joe's room tonight aren't I?" She asked, seeming to already know the answer to her question. 

"No. I mean yes, but don't you want to stay up for a little while?" He paused to see her disinterest. "Come lay down on the couch with me for a little while. That way you and Joe can go to bed at the same time." He suggested, trying to stop Joe doing anything while she was fast asleep in his room. 

"Is that okay?" She asked, making Pete nod and take her hand.

"Of course. You can rest your head in my lap and I'll get a blanket for you." He said, leading her to the sofa where she happily did as he suggested, getting comfortable with her head on him. He stroked her hair slightly, letting her settle.

Patrick stayed there until late that night in fear of stirring up further tensions or making things difficult for Mercy. He made dinner for himself once everyone had settled down in the living room. They were watching a film and Patrick could see Mercy laid out with her head resting on Pete and her legs sprawled across Joe's lap.

"Hey, is she asleep yet?" Pete asked Joe, trying to look down at the teens eyelids. Joe placed his hand on her thigh, glancing at her.

"She's in-between I think. Her eyes are closed but she's moving around a little. She'll be asleep soon. It kicked in a lot quicker than I thought." He replied, taking a sip of beer. Patrick continued to make his dinner, trying to ignore the others.

"Aren't you worried about her hearing you? She might catch on or something." Pete asked warily, stroking the young girls hair. Joe shrugged, smiling.