Death Valley (Desert Children Series #2)

Back in Her Arms

 

I picked up the gun and fired at another masked face. He tumbled to the ground, looking like a sack of potatoes. I forgot that we were both of the same kind. Both made of the same material. Just bones under a whole lot of skin. A beating heart stopping. Another soul fading into the desert.

But after our fight is done, I looked around at the bodies and I didn't know how I could have done this. I am no better than them. I'm nothing.

A felt a hand on my shoulder. Ghoul was waiting for me to get back in the car with him and the others. The feeling of guilt still lingered in my mind. I wanted to tell Ghoul how I felt. But I knew now wasn't the time. I had to get back in the car and go to a place where I had to smile and pretend I wasn't a murderer. Pretend this wasn't me.

I sat with an empty feeling inside of me. The volume on the radio was loud. The station wasn't coming in so well, but the others sang along loudly with the sounds of Def Leppard. Ghoul grinned at me and I forced a smile back. He put his arm around me and held me close.

Maybe I'm just weak.

I was probably the only one not having fun. Even with the warmth of alcohol in my system, I couldn’t shake the feeling of regret and guilt in my mind. I was feeling excessive remorse. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. The bastards killed my mother.

 

“What’s wrong, sunshine?” Ghoul asked.

“Nothing. I’m fine.” I said, faking a smile.

 

Ghoul leaned in closer. “Seriously, Phoenix.”

 

“I’ll tell you later, okay?”

 

I didn’t want him worrying about me. He had enough to worry about already.

 

Near us, a drunk Kobra stood up on a table and started singing, “My anaconda don’t!”

 

Ghoul shook his head. “Not again.”

 

Kobra always found an opportunity to stand up on a table and make elaborate speeches or start a sing along. It was funny how a drink or two could change his attitude completely. I always knew of him as an angry son of a bitch who hated everyone.

In the corner of my eye I could see Rocket watching from afar. She was giggling. When she locked eyes with Kobra, she looked away shyly. Someone was crushing.

Ghoul grabbed my arm.

 

“There’s someone I want you to meet.” He told me.

 

“But… Kobra?” I asked.

 

Ghoul sighed. “He’s Poison’s brother. Poison will take care of him.”

 

I was introduced to a set of Japanese twins and a tall boy. The twins were known as Electric Heart and Diamond Venom. They were wearing matching outfits and impossible to tell apart. It looked like they had never left their scene phase. Their black hair reached their waists with pink streaks and fringed bangs. The tall boy went by Neon Pop. I could see where he got his name from. He wore a neon pink jacket. His spiked, black hair was filled with colors. If the city of Tokyo was a person, it would be him. The group all had blindingly white teeth.

The two girls ‘awwwed’ when Ghoul and I held hands. It was as if they had never seen two people hold hands before. Neon looked at us both apologetically when the two twins began asking us questions.

 

“Where did you two meet?”

 

“Where was your first kiss?”

 

“Who asked who out?”

 

“I want to know.”

 

“We want to know.”

 

I looked up at Ghoul before answering. “He saved me. I was stranded in the desert and he found me. We decided we both really liked each other at a party.”

 

“Actually,” Ghoul spoke up. “I liked you since the first day I met you.”

 

The twins ‘awwwed’ some more.

 

Rocket piped up from behind Ghoul and I. “And they’re engaged.”

 

I turned around to give Rocket a confused look. “How do you know?”

 

“Well, there’s a big ass ring on your finger.” Rocket laughed.

 

“When’s the wedding?” Electric Heart asked.

 

“We haven’t planned it yet.” Ghoul answered.

 

“Please invite us when you do make invitations. You two are the cutest.” Diamond Venom said.

 

Rocket was getting impatient. “Ghoul, I need to steal Phoenix.”

 

Before he could respond, she grabbed me and pulled me away from the group. I followed her into an uninhabited corner.

 

“Phoenix, what’s the difference between me and you?” Rocket asked me.

 

“Uhhh…” I looked at her, confused. “There’s a lot of things.”

 

“Here, I’ll give you a hint.” Rocket made a large gesture at herself and then at me.

 

I looked down at my chest. “Is it really that bad?”

 

“Ugh no not that. You need a makeover. Seriously. You look like Ghoul dressed you.”

 

“But I guess he kinda did.”

 

Rocket laughed. “That explains a lot.”

“Fine. Come over after the party. Be there or be square.” I crossed my arms over my chest.