Steal the Show •On Hold•

Chapter Nineteen

Artemis sat on her bed, staring out the window. Will, Jade, and Paula were out, so were Ollie and Dinah.

Artemis pulled out her toiletry bag. She slid her razor out of it. She let it hover over her arm before shaking her head and putting it back. Wally wouldn't want her to cut herself. Why did she even want to? She just- felt like it.

She knew that she should talk to someone about it, but it felt stupid. It was just a few whispers of curiosity. Nothing bad would come from it.

There was a knock on the door. "Can I come in?"

"Of course you can, Wally."

He walked in. "Hey, Babe. You ok?"

"Yeah," Artemis lied.

Wally sat next to her. "You're lying."

Artemis sighed. "I finished that new song that I've been working on. Wanna hear it?"

"You're straying from the top- fine."

Song: Bad Liar by Imagine Dragons

Artemis took a breath. "Oh, hush, my dear, it's been a difficult year and terrors don't prey on innocent victims. Trust me, darling, trust me darling.

It's been a loveless year. I'm a girl of three fears. Integrity, faith and crocodile tears. Trust me, darling, trust me, darling.

So look me in the eyes. Tell me what you see. Perfect paradise, tearing at the seams. I wish I could escape. I don't wanna fake it. Wish I could erase it. Make your heart believe.

But I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know. Now you know. That I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know, you're free to go (go).

Did all my dreams never mean one thing? Does happiness lie in a diamond ring? Oh, I've been askin' for, oh, I've been askin' for problems, problems, problems.

I wage my war, on the world inside. I take my gun to the enemy's side. Oh, I've been askin' for, oh, I've been askin' for problems, problems, problems.

So look me in the eyes, tell me what you see

Perfect paradise, tearing at the seams. I wish I could escape. I don't wanna fake it. Wish I could erase it. Make your heart believe.

But I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know.

Now you know. That I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know, you're free to go.

I can't breathe, I can't be. I can't be what you want me to be. Believe me, this one time. Believe me.

I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know. Now you know. That I'm a bad liar, bad liar. Now you know, you're free to go.

Oh

Please believe me. Please believe me."

"Artemis?"

"Yeah."

"Is that song for me?"

"Yes," Artemis said in an embarrassed voice.

"What terrors?" Wally asked, concerned.

"I keep pulling out my razor and wondering if I should cut myself with it, just to see what happened. I also think that anytime I hold anything sharp. And I think about scratching myself again, since at least it's not as bad as cutting."