Seretonin Dreams blinked against the bright sun then slipped her big bug-eye sunglasses on, effectively cutting the sun's glare down. Seretonin looked around and had an odd feeling of Deja Vu as she looked around. A normal scene of the group. She smiled feeling at home and leaned back against the tire of the beat up van and closed her eyes. The heat outside was scorching despite it being early in the morning and so she had taken off her jacket and sat in her green half cami shirt. She could hear the song Dashboard by Modest Mouse playing on the station that was broadcast by Dr. Death Defying and couldn't help but sing along.
“Sere, come over here.” She heard the familiar comforting voice of Shanty and she opened her eyes to see him standing some five feet away. She stood up and dusted off her butt as she walked over to where Shanty was. He was about 6'4” and obviously aged. He had brown hair that had flecks of grey along the sides and around the fronts of his ears. He had a kind face that was full of knowledge and love for the young girl that walked towards him. She stopped next to him and awaited his next command, but instead of talking he patted her on the shoulder and held out a book. It was brown with a deep purple binding.
Seretonin grinned and took the book, her eyes gleaming from behind her large glasses. She turned it to one side to view the title which was written in elegant golden writing. The title read; The Scarlet Letter. Seretonin blinked then opened the inside to read the published date.
“1944?” She asked looking up. “Its so old... how is it in sucj good condition?” She asked her voice holding much awe and excitement. She had yet another book to add to her collection. Shanty smiled down at her and hugged her.
“Happy Birthday Sere. You don't need to worry about where or how I got it. Just, read it, enjoy it, and keep it safe.” He told her and kissed the top of her head before he turned and walked away to where Devils Cannon was stuffing cans into a pack.
Things suddenly blurred and it seemed to be a new day, this was odd and confused Seretonin Dreams. She tossed her head to one side to see Devils on the ground screaming in agony and clutching his bleeding arm. She tried to rush to him, to help but suddenly she was lying on the ground, unable to breath, a sharp heavy force bearing down on her neck.
What's going on!? She thought as her eyes darted about. The sun was still shining just as bright, but there was a figure over her. A man with a mask, and a white jacket. B.L.Ind! She thought as she struggled to breath and flailed and thrashed under her assailant. She could hear shots being fired, people yelling her brother screaming. Then just as sudden as the forced had settled upon her it was gone. She gasp and touched her neck instinctively. As air filled her lungs she sat up to see the man lying slumped on the ground blood oozing from a deep would in his neck. She blinked away the tears of pain from her eyes and grabbed her gun and held it up. She looked around but all the could see now were 4 dead B.L.Ind men, Falling Tears running towards her brother who was hunched over someone. Devils Cannon was now groaning as he began to pass out from blood loss and Widows Whistler at the van yelling at the transmission radio port.
She didn't see Shanty. She looked around desperate to find him, to know he was ok, until she realized her brother, Angels Fall was hunched over Shanty. In an instant Seretonin was limping over to them as fast as she could. She fell to her knees next to Shanty across from where her brother was. She tore her glasses off and gasped for air as the tears filled her eyes.
Falling Tears closed his eyes and shook his head before rushing off to where Devils Cannon was passed out, still bleeding out. Angels Fall shook as he sobbed trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from his hazel eyes. Seretonin looked down at Shanty and shook her head, tears streamed down her face and dripped off her chin onto her lap. She began to repeat the word no as she gazed down at the man who had been forever a constant in her life. She shook her head as she looked down at the almost peaceful look upon the old man's face. And after a while she let her eyes trail down to where his killing wound was. At the base of his neck, just in the center on the collar bone. Blood was still oozing out of the deep laser wound and stunk of burnt flesh.
She sobbed and cried more as she put a hand on his face. “Wake up.. please... wake up..” She sobbed as she put her hands behind his shoulders and lifted into a sitting position and hugged him close, his head lolled back. She ignored the stink as she buried her face in his shoulder and cried, whimpering as sobs rocked through her body.
“Don't leave us.. Please wake up Daddy..” she sobbed just as Widows placed a hand on her shoulder. As she looked up at him he offered a tiny smile then frowned, sadness deep in his blue eyed gaze. He took Shanty from Seretonin's grip and laid him back down then put a blanket over his body. Seretonin held her breath, her lip quivering before she began crying again. And as the sobs rocked her body once more Widows sat down Indian style and pulled her into his lap and hugged her as she cried into his neck.
******
Seretonin sat up with a jolt, her heart beating fast. She looked around to see Angels sleeping next to her and Devils driving while Falling rested in the passenger seat. She had been dreaming of the day Shanty had died, the day she got the book, the day she lost her closest friend, her father. Devils glanced back at her a worried look on his face.
“We are almost there...” He told her.
“Almost where?” She asked after a moment.
“Falling said he could help us, help us get Widows back... He said drive on until we see the Texico.” was his response before he stopped the van and swiveled to look at her more carefully. “Are you sure you're ok? You were starting to cry in your sleep.” He asked worry deep in his gaze and voice.
Color rose to Seretonin's cheeks at his concern and she nodded. “Im fine, just a nightmare. How is your arm? Do you want me to take over from here?” She asked then slumped back as Devils shook his head and restarted the van and drove on. The headlights cut through the darkening area to reveal a much better road and about 10 miles down a bright glowing rectangle.
“That must be the Texico.” He commented and sped up a little faster. After about 7 minutes of driving Devils finally killed the engine and tapped Falling who jolted then blinked and yawned before letting his brown eyes focus on the building before them.
“Wake Angels and Sere and lets go meet Neon..” He said as he climbed out of the van. Sere heard and tapped her brother waking him and telling him to keep quiet as they all climbed out of the van then walked towards where Falling waited by an odd looking machine.
Devils, Seretonin and Angles all stopped in front of the machine. It had a picture of a can that was read and white and read; Coca-Cola in white lettering. Seretonin made a face then exchanged glances with Devils before Falling started to open the front of the machine. And revealed the hallway into the building behind it.
He motioned for them to go first then entered behind them and shut the makeshift door behind them. They stepped on through the narrow corridor in silence as their eyes began to adjust to the light that sparkled from the end of it. Seretonin was the first to step into the glowing almost booming room. All around lights flashed and music boomed. It was almost like a club, or at least what they thought a club would have been like.
“Oh heavens child!” Came an oddly familiar voice. Seretonin looked to her left to see a large black man dressed in neon clothing and had a lot of make up and glitter all over. She frowned as she looked at him as he sauntered up to her. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to speak but he began first.
“Look at you! So big! What happened to that pretty blonde hair you had? Oh my...” He said as he grabbed her face then her arms. “You are very scrawny, you know it's ok to eat, no need to be anorexic or bulimic.” He told her still examining her closely.
“Excuse me!” She said and slapped his hands away and stepped behind Falling. “First off, we don't get much food, and I share what we do get with my brother so that way he grows more, I am not anorexic or bulimic! I never had blonde hair, and what the fuck are you wearing? Did a unicorn vomit on you or something?” She said making a face as she said her last comment. The man before her made a fake hurt face then smiled and grabbed her face with one hand squishing her cheeks up making her make a fishy face.
“Be nicer to your Godfather child and secondly, mind your elders.” He told her then shoved a finger in her mouth then let her go. A disgusted face came across her face and all color drained from her face before she doubled over and began heaving. The man held a large can under her face where she vomited into it.
Soon after she finished with her vomit fit Falling helped her sit down then began laughing and him and the other man hugged. Angels had already curled up and was once again asleep while Devils stood next to a very green looking Seretonin.
“You should have been nicer to her Neon.” Falling said the man who laughed and clapped Falling on the back.
“She needs to learn to think before she speaks.” He said then winked. “Now, explain to me a little better what you need.” He finished as he motioned for Falling to sit at a table chair. Falling obliged and sat across from Neon.
“Wait, who is he?” Devils asked looking weary.
“The name is Neon Zombie, I'm a costume and makeup artist, and before you ask, yes, I am gay.” He explained then turned to Falling again.
“Some B.L. Guys got Widows, and we need to get him back. You can get us in I presume?” Falling started then stopped when Neon lifted his hand.
“Sure can, I'm gonna need Seretonin and her lover there.” He said with a nod to Seretonin and Devils. Devils scowled at the comment but neither said anything. Falling nodded and motioned them over. Devils helped a shaky Seretonin up and they walked over then sat at the table too.
“You two will be posing as Doctor and Nurse.” Neon stated matter of factly then tossed a bottle of yellowish looking water to Seretonin who caught it then downed half of the bottle. Neon waited patiently as she finished the rest of the bottle. She cleared her throat and glared at Neon who simply grinned back.
“What do we need to do?” Devils asked after a moment.
“You are gonna go undercover. After Falling contacted me I went right into finding about what was going on, he fought and got a little hurt, so they have him set up in a public hospital on the edge of Battery City. So that's lucky. I was informed that they are trying to get him back into the mindset that all the other idiot followers are in, so we need to act fast. Tonight we are gonna go over the basics, what to say, how to act and such. Then you are gonna give him a saline solution that is mixed with some Tetrodoxin. A very small amount, it will slow down his nervous system long enough for him to be presumed dead, and you two.” He said with a small pause to let this sink in. “Will be the ones taking his body away. But instead of heading to your supposed lab, you will meet back here, and in a few hours Widows will be just fine. A little sick, but he will do OK.” He finished with a nod as he leaned back in his chair.
“Ok... so, that's it?” Asked Devils who to nodded as he let it all sink in.
“Yep, tomorrow a few hours before dawn I will get you guys looking legit and we will head out. Hard part for you Sere? You need to be submissive. You can't speak your mind, don't get cocky, ok?” He said a stern tone in his eyes and voice as he gazed at a green looking Seretonin. She nodded meekly then sighed.
“What was on your finger when you shoved it in my mouth?” She asked and made a disgusted face and ran her tongue on the roof of her mouth and stuck it out as if dispelling the taste.
“Ipecac syrup. It induces vomiting, I thought it was a proper way to teach you to watch your tongue.” Neon said as a smile crept onto his lips.
“Ewww..... My bad, but still, you are way to glittery.” She said then shied back as if expecting him to pull the same stunt.
“Get some rest, I will wake you in a few hours to get you ready.” Neon said as he stood to show them where to bunk.
*********
“I look ridiculous!” Seretonin complained as she looked at herself in the full body mirror. She wore an all white dress that ended at her knees, a pair of tan nylons and a pair of white slip on shoes. She wore a wig that was blonde and curled and had bangs that covered her brown eyebrows. Across her abdomen was a navy blue belt that was a little to loose but Neon was behind her tacking it to make it fit better. The dress buttoned up all the way and ended in a deep V neck but do to Seretonin's small chest showed off nothing. She thought she looked rather silly and immediately began to take off the wig but Neon smacked her hand.
“No, you need to wear it, they know what you look like, so the hair change is a good idea, look you only have to look like this for like 3 hours.” He explained while Seretonin made a horrified look. Devils laughed from where he sat in a chair already dressed in his white slacks and lab coat a stethoscope hanging around his neck. He too wore a wig to cover his strawberry red hair only his was black. Beside him was his doctor kit which held all the fake necessities and the special saline solution they would have to administer.
“Your father would find this amusing.” Neon said then frowned when Seretonin's face fell and tears began to well. “Oh no.. They got him?” He asked then saw Falling nod from in the mirror. Neon pursed his lips and patted Seretonin on the shoulder. “Good man he was, me and him were like blood brothers you know? I was there when you were born you know... Your father's proudest moment... when he held the tiny you, all smiles and giggles.” Neon said and hugged Seretonin. “I remember that day really well. I even remember the fight him and mother got into about what to name you.” He said and chuckled.
“They fuoght over my name?” She asked and looked up at him, curiosity in her green eyes. Neon looked over the small window in his makeup room and decided they had some time.
“You bet, they used to get into the most heated conversations, your mum was a big supporter of what Better Living was suggesting. But your father... He didn't so much agree with it, but they were doing really good until you came out.” He paused and chuckled to himself as he remembered. “Sasha, your mother wanted to name you Rosy, but your dad would have none of that. He wanted to name you after his great grandmother. Maude.” Devils snickered and Seretonin grimaced.
“Maude?” She asked and then laughed. “Shanty was odd...What did they decide on?” She asked considering she didn't remember her original name.
“Cecilia Maude Folton.” He said then patted her on the back as he set the white nurses' hat on her blonde wig and bobby pinned it down. “Alright, we need to get going, Falling you will stay here with Angels right?” Falling nodded while Seretonin smiled at her name. She finally knew what her birth name was. Devils stood and grabbed the doctor bag and followed Seretonin and Neon out. “Oh, and Falling, Bird Song will probably show up later with Solar Crash, don't be alarmed, I told them you were gonna be here.” He said and when Falling nodded again he led the two outside and loaded them into an old pink and orange metallic painted Mercedes.
They drove on for nearly and hour until the arrived just inside Battery City where Neon dropped them off at the back of the hospital. “Good luck, remember, be careful, and look alive Sere.” He said with a wink before he drove off leaving them standing looking slightly lost.
“Well, Cecilia, lets go.” He said, Seretonin had decided to use her birth name as her code name.
“Alright then Dr. Robert.” She replied with a small smile.
