The Heart's Rhythm

Chapter 2 - Opening Act

Emma's cool skin began to tingle as the warm musty air of the Riddle surrounded her. She inhaled the expected aroma; rum and coke, cigarette smoke and male musk. It was familiar and arousing. There was always something about that smell, it charged the room with lust and urged those under its spell to take chances. Looking around the crowded room, she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dimmed lighting. As usual, the ratio was heavily in favour of the women, though for Emma, everyone was prey and she never knew who would catch her eye. 

A tall, bearded man strolled across her path heading towards a large group in the corner of the room. Black heavy boots stomped beneath torn jeans, and Emma noticed an old well-worn Iron Maiden t-shirt peeking from underneath an almost complete patch covered battle vest. Most of the patrons, men and women, were dressed in this similar fashion. Metal, the great equaliser in the battle of the sexes. Emma always loved the clothes and style of the scene. The men looked tough and masculine and the women were fierce and dangerously beautiful beneath war paint makeup. Emma's outfit perfectly suited the scene and she was glad she had bought the long sleeve Thy Art Is Murder shirt that comfortably fit her curves without showing off cleavage. In her younger years, her breasts were always admired by the teenage boys in her friendship group. It was flirty and exciting to be looked upon with lust and she would wear tank tops, v necks and dresses with low lines to show off her bouncing assets as often as possible. After high school, the novelty began wearing off and with new professional standards required at her office, it was rare that her cleavage would ever peak through. The only down side to her new t-shirt was that she didn't really know the band too well and hoped that no one would ask her about it. She wasn't one to wear things to look cool but there wasn't many options at the small op shop she had visited on her way into Daliton. 

The bands were still setting up between sets moving instruments off and on carefully but with a practiced hand. 'May as well get a drink' she thought as she headed over to one of the bars. Standing in line, she checked her phone. No new messages. What did she really expect? Her phone used to be her life, always pinging with phone calls, messages, Snapchats and Facebook notifications. Things changed after Kyla though and the lump of plastic rarely bothered her anymore. Placing it back in her pocket she was knocked and took a few steps back reclaiming her balance. A large woman was standing in front of her who had definitely not been there before. Emma rolled her eyes and tapped her on the shoulder. She turned and stared with eyeliner smudged brown eyes down at her. Immediately she knew this woman would be painful to deal with and to act innocently was the best course of action. She smiled warmly said "Excuse me, you may not have realised but I am in this line."
She scowled at her, "So?" looking Emma over with disgust before turning back to the bar.
Emma could feel the heat rising in her neck. She was always fiery and sometimes let her emotions get the best of her. 'Calm Emma, calm. She's not worth it' she breathed to herself.

"Check, check. 1. 2." boomed a voice from the stage. The next band was starting and Emma still hadn't gotten to the front of the bar line. She huffed and tapped her foot impatiently. The bar was clearly understaffed and those that were tending were run off their feet. As much as Emma wanted to see this next band, she had invested too much time in this line. Finally, getting to the front and waiting for the large woman to take her multiple beers off the counter, Emma ordered three large double shot vodka lime and sodas. She wanted a nice buzz but if it meant standing in line half the night, it was better to double park and smash a few down. Before even leaving the bar she drank deeply and finished one glass. A small droplet of the strong concoction dribbled down the left side of her chin as she felt the hot burn within her throat and the warmth deep in her. Exhaling, she picked up her remaining drinks, pushing past the line behind her and took up a position near a pillar in the centre of the room.
"Alright, alright, how you doin' tonight fuckers? We are Soul Wakers. We are so excited to be here in Daliton. Are you ready to get fucked up! This one is for all of you who have been fucked over by your psycho ex. Fuck them!"

Emma smiled by the corner of her mouth and tapped her glasses with her polished nails. 'This is going to be good.' As the song started she could feel the rhythm vibrating through the floor and enter her body. Music always had a powerful hold on her. The right song could have her emotions take hold and flow freely and uncontrollably, creating waves of peace, anger, love, nostalgia, fear, passion. Tonight was about letting go of the past, having an outlet for all the anger she felt towards Kyla and moving on. Metal was a perfect choice with the powerful lyrics, strong and deep melodies and hard beats. Just what she needed. The songs of Soul Wakers were groove and thrash orientated, a new sound she was becoming more and more interested in. It wasn't the harsh screaming style of metal that sounded like thrown instruments hitting the pavement, it had slow riffs, clean vocals and waves of sound that excited and teased.

As the set was wrapping up, a familiar frame stood once again in front of Emma pulling her out of her music enhanced mood. She stared furrowing her brow at the huge ass squeezed into tight black skinny jeans that bent over as the large woman placed her handbag on the floor. 'Not this bitch again' Emma tutted annoyed. This time the large woman had her possie of equally unattractive loud women around her screaming explicit compliments at the lead singer and completely blocking her view of the band. Emma annoyed, slightly tipsy and somewhat petty, stepped obviously around the group of women, knocking the shoulder of the woman on the farthest right and stood within their line of sight to the lead singer. A bold move Emma thought to herself as liquid courage momentarily blocked her logic, forgetting she was in a unknown place alone and may have just angered a group of local metal women. She decided not to acknowledge the nasty bitchy comments made behind her back and tried to enjoy the music.

The song ended and Emma applauded and cheered. 
'Thankyou guys. We've had a blast. Stay and have a few drinks with us. The headlining band Debonaire will be on in 10 minutes' the lead singer huffed into the microphone, clearly exhausted.
Emma was glad to still have a drink in her hand, it seemed that the room had tilted on its side and everyone was being pushed to the bar. Content with the growing buzz, Emma walked to the outer walls and rested on one of the surprisingly soft red couches sporadically placed around the room.