Ashes

Chapter 52

"So I hear you're performing at the Spirit Horses Country Music Superfest. Congratulations!"

"Um, thank you." Why weren't these pills working? Ashanté's voice kept quavering and she sounded like an idiot. Jolene had set up a camera to record the interview for broadcast later in the week.

"For someone not quite established as a star yet, that's quite a coup. Only thirty artists can perform that weekend, and an appearance can make or break one's career. Some of the biggest stars in country music today have been turned away, yet you won a spot. How does that make you feel, Ashley?"

Huh? Ashanté had no idea how to answer that. This is why I need the pills! Why aren't they working?  Maybe she should've taken more. It would look suspicious to excuse herself again, though.

"Ashley? Can you tell us how you feel?"

"Um, well, I never meant to take anyone's spot. I didn't know that other people were turned away. I'd never even heard of this festival until yesterday. I think it's held in Georgia, and I've never been there before. If someone wants to take my place, I'll gladly step aside. I don't want to keep someone else from appearing."

"That's generous of you! But I think the schedule is set now. Who are you looking forward to seeing the most?"

Argh.

Ashanté hadn't seen the schedule and had no idea who was performing. She hadn't even known until now that any big names would be there. If it was such a big deal, then how come she'd never heard of it before?

"Ashley? Did you hear the question?"

"Hm? I'm sorry. Does it seem hot in here to you? I could adjust the thermostat if you like."

"No, I'm fine. I see that your hit Stars and Bars has stalled at number seven on the Billboard charts, and you've released a new single called Ashes. Do you think you'll be able to ─ Ashley? What are you doing?"

Ashanté tugged on her dress trying to pull it off until she remembered it had a zipper in the back. Trying a new tack, she slid her arms out of the sleeves and then twisted the back of the dress to the front so she could unzip it. How did it get so hot in here? She'd never been so warm in her life.

I'm burning up!

Burning up the charts, winning all the hearts. Why did Jolene make her wins feel like losses? Her song stalled? Funny, she'd always thought number seven was pretty good. Good for me anyway; I never expected to chart at all.

Pulling her dress over her head, she took it off along with all her other clothes. Thought it would make it cooler but it still feels like Hell in here.  Did that make Jo Satan?

Hehe heh heh!

Picturing Jo with a pitchfork and horns gave her the snicker snorts, and she giggled as she ran to the bathroom to take a cold shower. At first it felt good, but in a minute the showerhead started spraying hypodermic needles from the nozzle, and she ran out of the building sopping wet, screaming that she was bleeding.

Jo grabbed her camera and followed Ashanté outside, tossing questions at her as if the interview was still going on.

"Ashley, have you been drinking or doing drugs? Your fans want to know."

What? Ashanté turned around and found herself surrounded by zombies who'd emerged from the surrounding apartments to see what all the screaming was about. One zombie used her phone to dial a number. The other zombies used their phones to record everything Ashanté did, hoping to go viral.

"Have you taken any drugs, Ashley? Your fans deserve to know."

Fans? She didn't have any fans. If she did, it wouldn't feel so hot right now. A good fan would cool things off.

"Ashley? Can you hear me? I asked if you've taken any drugs. Your fans have a right to know."

"No, I don't have any drugs. Just pills from my manager."

"Did Bryce give them to you?"

"No, he took them away."

An ambulance pulled up, followed by a police car and a fire engine. With the help of the cop, the paramedics corralled Ashanté into the ambulance and drove away.