VIPER • the serpent princess

47

It's has been one month. After the death of there baby, Sweet Pea and Casey Jones both spiralled and grew apart.

Sweet Pea got violent. Getting into serious fights whenever he can and, even starting his own illegal night boxing matches. Plus drinking his youth away. Fangs stays close by him, despite not agreeing with a lot of the things his best friend has been doing, he won't leave his side.

Casey got reckless. Doing drugs, drinking and working at the strip club for money, on the weekends taking part in dangerous car races against other teen Ghoulies. Toni attempts to stay with her, but Casey is pushing everyone as far away as she can.

The two haven't seen each other in a month, nor have they spoken. Casey has her own trailer now, thanks to the money she's gotten from stripping, which she also spends on drugs.

~~

I light my cigarette as I walk out of the strip club, to find Toni leaning against my bike. I scoff, shaking my head.

"To what do I owe this lovely visit Toni?" I sigh.

"School starts in a week. You going to be coming?" she asks.

"Seriously?" I laugh, "Like I could give two fucks to go back there. Move I gotta be somewhere-"

"Where?" she hisses, "You getting drugs?"

I glare at her disapproving tone.

"Yeah Toni, I am. I'm going to get high as fuck and go to a party" I declare, "Move"

I push her aside and grab my helmet, throwing my cigarette on to the ground.

"Sweet Pea is at the station being held" she blurts our from behind me.

"So? He's been there once a week for a month" I respond.

"Rumour has it he's fighting Malachai in the ring tomorrow night. He's sneaking in a knife"

"What?" I turn to Toni.

"He's loosing it Casey, he'll kill him I know he will. I know you two are going through this horrible thing but one of you just have to step up! You can't ignore each other and Casey Sweet Pea needs you! He needs your help and you need to fucking help him! Care about him!"

"He won't fight Malachai, I'll make damn sure of it" I declare.

"Good, so you'll talk to him" she nods satisfied.

"No, I'll talk to Malachai"

"Woah! No, Case that's not what I meant" she shakes her head.

"I'm not letting Sweet Pea do something stupid and go to Juvie, he won't listen to me. So I'll go to my other ex boyfriend" I scoff.

"The ex boyfriend who drugged, raped and stabbed you to your near death?"

I turn to her, shocked that she was bold enough to say what she said. I scoff, getting on my bike and riding off fast, to Ghoulie territory. When I arrive, a bunch of Ghoulies are all standing around a camp fire, looking like fobs as usual.

"The Viper is here! A Serpent!" someone cackles, "Time for dinner boys"

"You wish moron. Where is Malachai?" I demand.

"Someone say my name?"

Malachai appears out of the ground, a huge grin on his face.

"I need to talk to you"

"Sure thing baby girl, come inside" he instructs, stepping aside and motioning for me to go into the small house.

As I walk through, Ghoulies howl and try to scare me, pathetic attempts. I enter the house and immediately see Jingle Jangle everywhere, weed and alcohol as well. Malachai points to the couch and I take a seat, he sits opposite me in a chair.

"Surprised you're here Casey" he smirks smugly.

"Why? I'm not afraid of you Malachai, you're a useless piece of Ghoulie trash, and the Serpents best you all. I have no fear of you at all, you should be afraid of me" I hiss, "You're not going to fight Sweet Pea tomorrow night"

He lets out a big laugh, shaking his head and leaning forward.

"I don't know babe! I am very excited to see him! I'm bringing my shiv" he grins, "Heard you two split up, so you won't mind if a kill him do ya?"

I glare, my hands going into fists and teeth biting together.

"You're not going to fight him Malachai, and you're not going to lay one fucking dirty finger on him"

"For what? If I do as you say, I need something in return. You know how demands work, I'll follow, for a price" he shrugs.

"What's your price?"

"Not so much a price...but a prize" he smiles, "You stay with me"

"Excuse me?" I scoff.

"Just one night, I think that's fair. One night, just you and me and I won't touch your pretty boyfriend" he explains.

I stand up, glaring into Malachai cold eyes, which I remember were so warm when I first met him.

"You raped, beat and fucking, stabbed me Malachai" I hiss.

"Sure, but before that. It was you and me against he world, you were in love with me. Those feelings don't go away which is why you're hear protecting Sweet Pea" he argues, standing up against me, "Admit it"

"I never loved you!" I laugh, "You were just some fun, I had just gotten out of Juvie. You're a fucking asshole"

"Fun, asshole. So, let's have some fun for one night" he grins, "It's that or dig a grave for your boy-"

"Fine, Malachai. It's a deal" I sigh frustrated, "This night start tonight?"

"Hell yeah it does" he nods, stepping closer to me.

"God at least get me drunk first" I scoff, moving past him to the bottle of vodka I see, grabbing it and drinking it fast.

I finish the bottle and then look back to Malachai who is taking off his jacket.

"Let's move this to the bedroom shall we?"

I gulp. I don't want to do this, but I have to...but it's going to be torture. The satisfaction he is going to get out of this, makes my blood boil with rage. I eye a stick of Jingle Jangle and swallow the deathly drug.

"We shall" I sigh, taking a step only to sway.

I fall into Malachai's arms and he helps me walk to the back bedroom. He lays me on the bed and then closes the door. I take a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling and praying this night will go fast.