On the grass hill, the ground was chilly, but dry, and the wind was light and cool. It shushed through her loose hair and raised goosebumps on her bare arms. It’s wasn’t uncomfortably cold, but she slid the jacket on. It was soft black leather, a couple sizes too large, the whole back colored by the bands emblem, all fire and bones and desert. Florence shrugged it on, relaxing in the warmth and comforting familiarity. It smelled like him, despite her numerous thefts of it. As the idle, time killing radio music continued to play and the crowd talked a steady background of noise, Florence glanced around. Her odd ensemble of an outfit didn’t stick out amongst the concert goers. In fact, it seemed a bit tame next to the goths and cowboys and indie rockers. It was a little amusing, and heartening, to see such an eclectic cast of people, likely from other towns and states, with vastly different lives, all gathered to hear the same music. Wonderful, though she was irritated by the toker she could smell a few rows down. This was music, genuine music. She couldn’t imaging not being stone cold sober for this. Nonetheless, Florence was glad to be there. She hadn’t attended a show for several years, not since they made a real name for themselves. She wondered how long it would take someone to notice she was wearing the lead man’s jacket, smiling a little to herself. Her smile remained as the lights dropped and the music faded, and in the dark of the stage she could see their figures moving like ghosts in the shadows, taking up their instruments and places. The crowd, incredibly, fell to near complete silence as he began to very lightly pluck his guitar strings. Florence wasn’t expecting that sort of respect, but was gladdened. He began to sing, slow and thoughtful , the only accompaniment to his voice the guitar he played and the wind rustling the grass, a single soft light on him. Tears glassed her eyes. When his voice and last cord faded out, so did the light, and for one solid, breathless second, silence reigned complete. Then the stage exploded in light and sound. The drums thundered through the ground, bass notes thrummed in the air, golden beams blared out the stars in the sky and left after images in her eyes. Her skin rippled with goose flesh from the sheer force of sound, the beat pulsing up through the ground to her feet, up her legs and into her chest, matching the pace of her heaving heart. Her breathing was shallow, thin cold oxygen creeping into her tight lungs. Her eyes closed, not concerned with seeing so much as hearing, focused on his steady voice and the rising music. Tipping her head back to face the clear sky, Florence inhaled the chilled air, felt the wind like hands in her hair, the music beating like blood through her veins, his voice in her ears, sad and soft and melancholic, speaking of distance lands and remembered death, of the beautiful places of the world and lonesomeness of living, of dark deserts and the vast space filled with stars. Opening her eyes, Florence watched the stage lights flash across the black sky, glimpsing stars between the strokes of yellow and green and white. The song ended, and he began the next with only vocals, absent of any instrumental backing. She heard his voice, strong and distinct, and thought while there weren’t many beautiful things left in the modern world, of the few that remained, music was still here, and still as beautiful as it had always been.

The music pulsed and the lights flashed in time with the beat of whatever song was playing. My friends had dragged me to some teen club where you had to be 16 or older to get in. They thought it would be the perfect place to celebrate my sweet 16 birthday. I agreed although this was so not my type of place; I didn’t like crowds and only ever went to school mixers and dances to appease my friends, but I spent the whole time off to the side. I guess I am a bit of a wall flower and that suits me just fine. I never liked being the center of attention and often did my damnedest to stay out of the spotlight; I sat at the back of the class room in school, ate at one of the tables in the far corner of the cafeteria at lunch, with the few friends I had, most of whom I had been friends with since preschool and mostly kept to myself. I also didn’t consider myself exceptionally pretty; I mean I wasn’t ugly by any means, but there was also nothing special about me. I was 5’ 3” and about 130lbs with dark brown hair which I had always worn very long for as long as I can remember not to where I was sitting on it but still past my waist hazel eyes and a slightly tan unblemished complexion with high cheekbones a straight narrow nose and full lips. I was not well endowed in the bust department, but I wasn’t flat either; as far as my body goes I considered myself average so no not ugly or plain by any means but not exceptionally pretty either. I was maybe cute at best. It was odd for me to be friends with the people I was friends with do to the fact the most of them were extroverts and social butterflies where as I was more of a introvert and preferred solitude. My friends think I need to get out more and some even think I need a significant other. I use that term do to the fact that even though I don’t date at all really I do know that I am pan sexual or that I don’t base relationships off of gender. My friends don’t know how I can tell considering I have never been in a relationship, but for me it’s one of those things I just know. Anyway I don’t need a significant other, I am just fine being a solo act for now; even now while my friends are out on the dance floor talking, laughing and flirting while they danced I sat at one of the few small tables that were available suddenly my friends rush over to me. “Come on Sarah come dance with us” said Tracy the neon lights reflecting off her blond hair “Yeah Sarah this is supposed to be your sweet 16 birthday celebration you can’t spend it sitting on the side lines the whole time” Raquel with her extremely dark hair and skin making her stand out against the brightly colored flashing lights said “RaRa is right Sarah come dance and have some fun” said Hallie her flaming red curls bouncing around her face That’s when I noticed one of our group was missing “Hey guys where’s Kelsey” “Oh don’t worry her older brother Dillon showed up and took her home apparently she snuck out to come here you know how strict her parents can be” said Raquel “Indeed” I said I knew perfectly well how strict Kelsey’s parents were super religious and straight as arrows she was lucky that they sent her to public school and not a catholic all girls boarding school where you have to where uniforms and everything she would never thrive in a place like that they had threatened it once after she had put hot pink streaks in her hair I mean it wasn’t that big a deal it washed out after 24 washes but no they did not approve at least she was safe and sound and we would most likely get a text from her later if her parents don’t confiscate her cell phone and if they did we would see her in school on Monday “Anyway come dance with us” Tracy said grabbing my arm and trying to tug me to the dance floor then the DJ got on the microphone “ok I need all the single ladies out on the dance floor” he said as Beyoncé’s song single ladies began to play “And it’s one of your favorite songs” said Hallie “Okay fine” I gave in fallowing them to the dance floor and started dancing with them but someone bumped into me knocking me over “Oh my goodness I am so sorry…are you alright ? Here let me help you up” said a female voice and a pale hand was extended to me I took it and was helped off the floor looking at the person who has just helped me up it was a beautiful teen girl with purple hair and electric blue eyes that were glowing in the dim light no that’s not possible peoples eyes don’t glow they just looked like they were glowing trick of the light maybe “Thank you” I said “No thanks necessary darling after all I was the one who knocked you over” “Oh I…” “Sarah come on” Hallie was calling to me from somewhere further on the dance floor “That’s me I have to go” I said hastily leaving the girl to find Hallie “are you ok Sare Bear we tried to come over to you when you fell but the dance floor is just too crowded” “Yeah I am just fine but you are right about the dance floor being crowded I think I am going to just sit out the next few dances” “Okay we’ll probably leave soon anyway” I left the dance floor and went to sit at the table I was sitting at before then a voice spoke to me “excuse me” the voice said I look to see the teen girl from before “I just came over to be sure you were ok and to apologize again” “Oh I’m alright and it’s okay you don’t have to apologize” “I respectfully disagree…please allow me to buy you a drink to make up for it” “No that’s not…” “I insist let me buy you a drink” “Okay” I say and fallow her to the small bar at the back of the club each of us taking a seat on one of the tall bar stools “What can I I get you ladies?” the bartender asked “I will have a Virgin Appletini, what about you darling?” the purple hair girl asked me “A Shirley Temple” I said “Coming right up” he said leaving only to return a few moments later with our drinks I didn’t say much as I sipped my drink then the girl spoke to me “I’m sorry but I didn’t catch your name before” “Oh it’s Sarah, Sarah Davis” “Draya Royal it’s nice to meat you” she said taking my hand and kissing the top of it and then suddenly I felt drawn to the girl I surged forward and smashed my lips against hers and she responded immediately without surprise or hesitation as if she had expected me to kiss her she tasted sweet like fruit but that could just be from the Appletini she had been drinking then ever so slowly she pulled away the loss of contact caused a unbidden whimper to escape my lips she giggled and it sounded like music I was snapped out of what ever spell I was under when some stupid teenaged boy at the end of the bar wolf whistled saying “girl on girl, so hot” Draya turned to glare at the boy “if you have any sense of self-preservation I suggest you keep all future comments to your self” she said her tone dangerous and threatening then turned back to me and smiled sweetly “Now where were we” she said leaning in for another kiss but I lean away she gives me a confused and maybe a little bit hurt look “I’m sorry it’s just I’m not usually so forward and I don’t know why I kissed you not that I didn’t like it I just don’t usually do that kind of thing” “It’s alright I tend to have that effect on people and if you don’t want to continue I understand” “ It’s not that I don’t want to continue exactly it’s just…I mean I don’t even know you” “I don’t know you either” “It’s just… I don’t go around kissing perfect strangers in bars” I understand…so you think I’m perfect” she said from her tone I could tell she was trying to flirt “I… no… well I mean you are very beautiful….so I guess yes some would describe you as perfect…not that I was…but that’s not to say I don’t think you are…I mean…I do.. and you are… and I’m going to shut up now” I said looking down at my lap blushing from embarrassment then I heard that musical laugh again “You know you are sort of adorable when you are embarrassed like that” she said still smiling at me which only made me blush deeper “I…thank you I guess” “Not at all darling” “Why do you keep calling me that” “I can stop and just call you Sarah if you prefer” “No I don’t mind I was just curious is all” “I suppose I just like calling you that” “Oh okay” “So tell me what is a pretty thing like you doing here” “It’s my sweet 16 birthday celebration” “Guess I messed up the whole never been kissed thing for you” she said laughing “I guess so” I said shyly At that point Hallie came running up “ready to go Sarah?” She asked but saw Draya sitting next to me “Uh… on the other hand I see you met someone so we don’t have to go now…” she said trailing off Draya turned to look at Hallie “No, it’s getting late you should take your friend home after all I hear it’s dangerous for young ladies such as your selves to be out so late at night” “Young ladies…you can’t be much older than us” Hallie said “I’m older than I look my dear and as I said it’s getting late you should take your friend home” “Yeah your right…come on Sarah let’s go” “Thank you for the drink” I said and was about to leave but before I could she cupped my face in her cool hands and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead “See you around darling…oh and happy birthday” “Thank you” I said blushing before hopping off the barstool and walking with Hallie to the exit of the club”Sarah you naughty girl hooking up with someone” “Shut up Hallie we didn’t hook up she just bought me a drink that’s all” “Sure” Hallie said disbelievingly I glared at her all the way back to the car

I leaned against the front door of my house once I was inside after my friends dropped me off I was surprised I was so tired but I felt exhausted and so I went straight up to bed I opened my window a crack to let in some fresh air and then crawled into bed falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow

I woke up feeling like I was being watched I sit up only to see a pair of bright electric blue eyes looking at me and they were most definitely glowing in the darkness of my room I look away for a moment to turn my bedside lamp on but when I look back my room was empty aside from myself no stranger with glowing eyes anywhere. I feel a warm breeze against my skin and look to see my window wide open but I knew for a fact I only left it open a crack I got out of bed and stuck my head out my window looking around but nothing was amiss so I sighed pulled my head back in and shut my window not completely for some reason I still left it open a crack I was being silly I was on the second floor of my house how would someone come in through my window and perhaps I just imagined the eyes it is dark in my room and I had just woken up after all but I couldn’t explain my window being all the way open and I couldn’t help but feel like the eyes I saw were some how familiar that’s when I remembered Draya’s eyes I thought it was a trick of the light when I saw her eyes glowing but maybe it wasn’t but how would she be in my room the girl didn’t even know where I live I sighed this was becoming to complicated and I was still too tired to think about it so I crawled back into bed closed my eyes and went back to sleep but this time my dreams were plagued by glowing blue eyes and the alluring girl they belonged to

TO BE CONTINUED…

Have you ever heard a ringing in your ears while you’ve been in a quiet place? This is temporary, although rarely it’s the symptom of a serious health problem, like a tumor or possibly blood vessel damage. Whenever it’s temporary, it’s usually from when you’ve been in a loud setting, like a concert, or sporting event.

Ringing in your ears is more common than you think. But sometimes, this ringing can be what you least expect. Sometimes, it can be the result of something otherworldly.

My name is George. Last night, I was at a sporting event. It was a game between the New Jersey Devils and the Los Angeles Kings. The Devils won the game by a score of 7-6.

The game was extremely loud so I knew my ears were gonna be ringing for quite a while. But I never truly thought about what would happen that night.

I got home an hour after the game had ended, tired. I took a shower, and after I finished, got in some sleeping clothes and laid down in my bed. I fell asleep quite fast.

I woke up with a huge headache. It was painful, like a pounding in my head. I thought I was simply dehydrated, so I went to the restroom to get a drink of water.

When I got into the restroom and looked into the mirror, I saw something strange about my right ear. It began to leak out a black liquid. What was this black liquid? I investigated further, only to see a tiny hand in my ear!

I jumped back, startled. I almost fell into my bathtub in shock. Why was there a hand in my ear, what was in my ear? I investigated further, this time getting a flashlight and shining it in my ear.

What I saw absolutely frightened me. There was a swarm of devils in my ear! They were red, and had tiny horns, teeth and fangs. It was like they were inside my body the entire time.

What am I supposed to do with them?

In a city of thousands you’d think the loudest place was town square. With the commercials all playing at the same time on motion sensor pop up screens. The horns on the hover cars as they streak through the sky. A cacophony of voices as people talk to various tech in the streets. No this was peaceful. Music to my ears as I sat on some steps strumming my guitar. Not that I needed the money. In fact Mother hated when I did this. But it’s not as if she knew how often I did it. Because the true terror was at school. And despite Mother’s constant proximity only my elusive Mum knew the extent of that horror. “Kyran!” I jumped as my best friend’s face popped out of the holo band. But I managed to hold on to the guitar as I held my wrist up to face her. “You know you can call me without hacking my holo band, right?” “Not when we’ve got an exam in calculus today.” I swallowed. “Please tell me you’re joking.” “Get your butt here in the next three minutes or say goodbye to your spot on the hover ball team.” And with that her face disappeared into the holo band. So now I had two options. Go to the worst place on earth and flunk the exam. Or skip the rest of the day and be barred from the sport I loved. Well if I flunked I’d be off the team anyway. And if Mother found out I was skipping again… I threw the guitar in the case, barely slinging it onto my back as I made a run for the nearest alley. In the middle of the day like this it was empty. But the trouble was my destination. Closing my eyes I cast my mind back to my school just a few miles away. And I was hit by every insecurity that a teenage mind could muster. The self doubt, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and fear. It grated against my sensitive mind like an out of tune rock band. And once again I was glad that I didn’t have true mind reading like my Mum. But just sensing the emotions like this was enough. It wasn’t like the adults that hurried down the street. Their emotions were duller and direct whereas the teenagers raged with several emotions at a time. And of course, I was the only one who could feel those emotions beating at my ears. Like a tone deaf orchestra all trying to play louder than the other. But Mother’s rage would be worse. Especially with how long Mum had been gone already. It was always better when my two mothers were home. But with Mum’s mysterious job it wasn’t to be. Mum had taught me how to not only silence the emotions I heard but to use them. They were spots on a map. A guide to the perfect place to portal. It was the spot of calm that I needed. Opening my eyes I locked onto the coordinates and opened a portal. Stepping through, I found myself in a janitor closet. The cleaning bots were all lined up at their charging stations waiting to be summoned. But outside I could here running feet. And my heart sunk as the bell rang. Bursting out of the closet I ran through the emptying halls. As long as I didn’t use my powers it didn’t matter who saw me. But I still got the occasional glare from teachers as I passed their classrooms. Finally, I skidded into calculus. My sneakers were loud in the room full of testing students. All eyes were on me. Confusion, anger, annoyance, interest, fear, exhaustion. The emotions filled my ears with an overwhelming feedback. I took a step towards the door. The teacher cleared her throat. “Take your seat, Mr Apara. I’ll have no more disruptions.” I sat next to Chula and turned on the holo desk. Grabbing a stylus from my guitar case I stared at the foreign equations that popped up. Yeah, I should’ve skipped. Mother was going to kill me for flunking. And anything would be better than sitting in this cacophony of emotions. Biting my lip I started to stand but Chula’s hand was suddenly on my arm. It was silent. I let out a breathe. Chula was always adept at muting the concert of horrors. I focused on the first question. Now to start a new nightmare.

Pulsing, throbbing, aching were the sounds that punctured Ephesials eardrums. The sharpness of their voices, a series of licks and caws and trills, were foreign to his ears, grating painfully across the surface of his cerebrum like blades on stone.

Ephesial clutched at his head, hating that his hands no longer covered his modestly. But at that moment his desire to block out the screech of their voices outweighed the shame of his nakedness.

“Please…please stop….please”, Ephesial begged, voice raw from pleading. As expected, they did not care that he was sobbing, nor did they care that beads of scarlet blood had begun to seep from his ears. The weeping tears of ruby looked striking against the bronze of his skin, appearing more like regal dripping jewels than bodily humor.

The figures, draped in silken ivory robes, closed in, pinching the circular cage of bodies even tighter around him.

Their voices threaded together, weaving into a blanket of white light that hung suspended in the air above Ephesials sprawled form. His body, which was once shivering from the cold of the marble floors beneath him, warmed under the sudden light.

For a moment, the sensation of sudden sun-warm light on his skin was pleasant, but that bliss soon turned to agony. The heat went from pleasant, to uncomfortable, to scalding in a matter of seconds.

Ephesials skin quickly blistered and boiled from the heat of their sharp tongues. Their words, punctuated and heavy with ancient curses, lashed at his skin until his flesh split and tore to expose images and symbols adorned on the surface of his integument.

In a desperate attempt to stop their assault Ephesial tried to speak, his lips bubbling with blood and bile.

“I repent! I repent….oh Gods, I repent. I’m sorry for what I have done. I will do anything to show you that I am sorry…so sorry…I am so sorry!”

Again, they did not cease their attack at the sound of his pleas.

(They were not the forgiving type)

The sound of their voices hadn’t changed in intensity, but his ears had long numbed the sound to a painful ringing. His eardrums, he supposed, must’ve been punctured by now. Torn and mutilated by the blades of their biblical tongues.

Ephesial glanced up and saw that the pure white of his surroundings was now marred with streaks of red. He swiped at his bloodied eyes and refocused his gaze upward.

Ephesial watched in horror as the bright white canopy of light descended towards him, faster now than it had before. Ephesial was afraid of what might happen once that light touched him. Would it kill him instantly? Or would they continue to make him suffer?

Ephesial knew this was his punishment. They had warned him long ago that the punishment for defying them would be painful. But he had expected a different kind of pain, one delivered by weapon or hand. Not whatever this was. This kind of pain, this long-lasting and humiliating kind, was not what he deserved.

After all, had he not once been a devout follower of the celestial hierarchy? Had he not proved time and time again, how loyal he was to their cause?

As a matter of fact, Ephesial had dedicated his life so profoundly to the seraphine order that he had rejected his only son at their abandoned temple and sold his first daughter to their covenant. Surely, they could have forgiven him for the one slip up he had in all his fifty years of dedication. For his sole mistake of wanting one thing in this world that he could have and love. His wife, Merida, had been understanding when he forsook their son on the temple stairs. She had been heart sore and slightly less understanding when it came to their first daughter, but when the nuns had come to retrieve her 5-year-old girl she had willingly let her go. But when their third daughter came along, a cherub thing with big green eyes and a golden halo, she had refused to give her up.

They were getting older now, and the fact that she had had a third child, let alone a healthy one, was a miracle. This is why when the order had asked him to perform his third and final act of devotion- sacrifice his daughter upon the marble altar - he had refused.

In a fit of blind panic and fear, he had tried to fool the seraphs and trick them into thinking he had obeyed their orders. The child he had bled on the alter that day had his third borns golden curls and blue eyes, but she was not of his bloodline. The child he had slaughtered had belonged to the village baker, one of 12 of their children. A child who was already sickly and dying. The girl, only eight days older than his own child, had lived a torturous life thus far, her broken body chronically pained.

Ephesial knew what he had done was cruel, calloused and evil, but sometimes he tried to convince himself that he had done her a service. Putting her out of her misery had been a kindness her own family would be too soft to give her. Besides, another part of Ephesial was greedy for a family of his own. He had once understood the brevity of the tasks the seraphs ordered him to complete, but now, it seemed they only wanted Ephesial to live a miserable and lonely existence.

Not only had he defied the celestial order with his actions, but he had slaughtered an infant child. Perhaps, in a way, this punishment was deserved. Maybe he deserved what they were doing to his mortal flesh, turning it into a body preserved in script with the sins of his crimes.

Ephesial covered his eyes, as the light came down, their netted curses too blinding for his mortal eyes. Their words, heavy chains of luminosity and power fell upon him, cursing his body in a broiling heat that sizzled past skin and muscle, falling against his bones like a second skeleton.

Ephesial screamed, his voice fracturing and splitting in the way that only a broken man’s voice can echo. Ephesial screamed for the wife and the daughter they had stolen as the first act of punishment against him, the image of their cold bodies in the bed beside him filling his mind. He screamed for the desertion of his firstborn and the loss of his second. Ephesial screamed and screamed and screamed.

The light encroached around him, suffocating his body now red and raw.

The thrumming sound of their voices dulled slowly as Ephesial felt his mind sway and wane. He could feel himself giving up and falling away into the bright nothingness, wanting nothing more than to float away and disperse into the air like light itself. In a hissing snap, the light fizzled away and Ephesial sunk deeper and deeper beneath the earth, far away from the towering figures that watched him fall.

When the rumbling earth settled and the skies ceased their turmoil, somewhere deep beneath the earth a creature stirred. Blind, deaf and naked was he, a creature desperately seeking warmth and comfort in the layered soils that hid roots, bones, and stones. His pierced shrieks rose from his throat, high- pitched moans that quickly diffused into the damp ground that only he inhabited.

Ephesial, now in the skin of a naked and shameful creature, was forced to live alone in his bed of earth, forever beneath the feet of man, shivering and afraid.

POV: 2nd Year ~Remus~ Remus was playing wizards’ chess with Sirius in the common room. He had only been there for ten minutes, but he already wanted to go up to his dorm. It was so loud. And very hot. He closed his eyes and tried to block out the noise, but it was hard. Peter and a few other students were playing exploding snap, and James, Dorcas, Marlene, and a few second years were talking loudly. The fire crackled, and Sirius was tapping his fingers on the table. Someone was humming and James’s snitch was buzzing around the room. He could feel a headache starting quickly. He suddenly realized that Sirius was saying something. “…Remus? Reeeeemuuuus!” “What Sirius?” Remus opened his eyes. “Are you okay?” Sirius asked quizzically, “I said your name a few times. It’s your move.” Remus looked down at the board, but he couldn’t concentrate properly. Sirius looked at him in concern. “Remus, what’s wrong?” “It’s really loud in here,” Remus said quietly, “and I have a headache.” “Ok, lets go up to the dorm.” Remus got up and felt a rush and a small dizziness. He stumbled a little, and Sirius caught him. “Moony, are you ok?” “I don’t fell very good honestly.” He replied, shaking a little. “C’est inquiétant,” Sirius mumbled, “Come on Moons, let’s get upstairs. Can you make it?” “I think so.” Remus responded. They walked up the stairs and entered their room. Remus lay down on his bed. “Do you need anything mon ami?” Sirius asked. Remus smiled a little. “Can you get me some water?” He asked. “De I’eau. Oui.” Whispered Sirius, who had started across the room. It was sweet the way Sirius would say stuff in French whenever he was anxious, nervous, stressed or angry. “Here Remmy.” Sirius handed him the water. “Get some sleep. If you don’t feel good tomorrow then we’ll bring you to Madam Pomfrey. I’m going to tell Prongs your not feeling well, d’accord?” Sirius left the room, and Remus drifted off to sleep.

“He doesn’t look too good.” “Should we bring him to the hospital wing?” Remus felt a cool touch on his forehead. “Yeah, he’s burning up.”

Remus woke up in the hospital wing. He saw Sirius, James and Peter sitting besides him. “Hey guys.” He said, his voice scratchy. Peter got him some water, and he drank it. “You had a fever,” said James sounding a little worried, “How are you feeling?” “Better.” Remus replied truthfully. “Good.” Said Sirius happily, smiling up at him. ————- Later that day, he was free to go back to the Gryffindor common room. When he walked in, all his friends ran over and hugged him. “We weren’t sure if you’d get to come back tonight.” Peter said. “Madam Pomfrey said I could go back to classes tomorrow.” “Bien,” said Sirius happily, “classes were pretty boring without you there to tell us to pay attention.” They all laughed, and headed up to the dorm so he and Sirius could finish their chess game. “Did you guys take notes during class?” Remus asked once they had finished, “Yeah, we took turns, and we got your homework. We asked Lily to get the homework from the class you’re in with her.” Peter replied handing him his homework and notes in the handwriting of each of them. “Thanks,” Said Remus happily, “You guys are the best.”

The End

The elephants trumpeted like a sickly orchestra as their blood was syphened. Skin once healthy and full, now sunken and depressed. Arranged in their circle, veins dripping, sunken eyes with fear. Again they bellow, ear shattering at first, less and less as they deplete. As the machine pulsated, every fifth pulse resulted in a painful extract. As the draining reached its end the elephants are slumped on their knees, heads hung low. Barely keeping their eyes open. “Final strain, t minus 20 seconds till switch” said the man over the intercom. The elephants in unison gave there last trumpet. It was weak, strained, and overall just sad. Pathetic. They should just give up. They collapse together and immediately lowered to the next station. The cages open up and more elephants are filed in and the process is repeated. “New strain, phase 1, t minus 10 seconds”. The engineers insert the tubes and back away with their hazmat suits. The elephants jostle as much as they can under the restraints. “Phase 1 in 3…2…1” and again strain of the trumpeters repeats.

The bass from the speakers was deep in my ear drums. The floor was shaking under the weight of the dancing crowd. I couldn’t hear Kara over the music but she was dragging me through the club. People shouted their hello’s at her and she hugged strangers all night. While I was internally in a panic that I couldn’t hear my own voice in my head. I didn’t want to be there, but I knew if I’d stayed home I would’ve cried al night and been miserable. Break ups were never easy, but this was the worst. Kara passed me another shot of tequila that I downed before she could even get her own. I was just trying to drink until I was numb. I was drinking until I couldn’t be bothered by the terrible music the dj was playing or the fact that people kept shoving past me with no regard for my personal space. The buzz was starting to kick in and I was loosening up and dancing a bit. It was always like this on a night out her her. She was the song, the life of the party, while I was background music that no one paid attention to. Kara and I danced and drank and drank and danced, before I knew it I was almost enjoying myself. I’d completely forgotten about Daniel and I was enjoying just being free and putting myself out there. I was even approached by a few guys on the dance floor. This is why I loved Kara, she knew how to push me just enough to break me out of my little shell of self isolation. “Let’s go do another shot!” I screamed over the music and grabbed her hand an lead her to the bar. “You’re glowing right now and its not just the sweat on your face” she laughed and hugged me. We grabbed our shots and clinked the glasses together. Two guys from the dance floor came over and offered to buy us another round. She looked at me for approval, always making sure I wasn’t overwhelmed. I nodded at her and smiled. “Tequila, no lime!” I yelled out and laughed “Wooooh we got a wild one over hear” said the taller of the two guys. “I’m Kara, this is Sky” she introduced us to them and put her hand out to them. “I’m Blake and this is Nick” said the shorter of the two. I could already see that he was into Kara. He was eyeing her up and down and held her hand while he spoke. “You don’t come here often do you?” Nick said to me with a smirk “No only when this one drags me out of the house” I laughed and playfully slapped at Kara’s arm. “That’s a shame, you seem like a fun time.” I laughed and we walked back out to the dance floor. I wasn’t usually one to dance with random guys like that but he was gorgeous and I was having the time of my life getting attention from someone new. I danced with him all night and then the music stopped and the lights flashed on and off for last call. I looked over to where Kara had been dancing with Nick’s friend but she was nowhere to be seen.

Sound represents an audio matter in the oxygen which is rather a complex concept envisioned in imaginative languages witnessed by persons left with different impressions of definition descriptions inside of one’s lucid conscious. Drummers bang the auditory instrument creating a vibrant sound echoing through the canal like a river flowing in water-like space from the touch of a vibration. The best noises are autonomous voices which discuss wishes of blessings and speak positive phrases instead of broken promises conversed with blemishes which predict the most vicious premises. Since its conception, noises mixed with sound effects glisten in the unseen vision to create a sense of which direction a sentence was mentioned which makes so much sense to witnesses who listen. In the end nothing left can be said like when you mention the silence and the last word has been finished.

What? Speak louder, I can’t hear you. What? Wait, come with me.
She grabs his hand, and moves him through the crowded room away from the blaring sound of the stereo. As she walked, leading him outside, she wondered how the party got so large. She had only invited a few friends over for drinks, but now over 50 people were crowded in her small, one bedroom condo. Wondering, with a bit of alarm, what happened to her cat, Cindy.