“Baaah-dum-da-duuum, bah-dun-da-duuuuun~!”
“I swear to God, Sally, I will wiggle out of this hold…”
Sal smirked as she bridal carried her cousin down the stairs, “Fine, gimme the ring back—"
“Proceeding to waggle—” Calypso was actually tempted to follow through with it.
The duo were closer and closer to the bottom of the carpeted stairs and the slightly boxed-in stairwell. Not because of the “intentional” design, but due to the lift system that Mrs. Moses needed to the right of them, the railing being noticeably thick.
Sal was still smirking with no signs of exhaustion yet. It was times like these, despite looking like a model, that Calypso was reminded of how strong her cousin was, “Either way, I’m gonna finally embarrass ya’ in front of yer new friends~”
That immediately gave Calypso pause—for a number of reasons. Sure, the girls have rapport now, but now there’s three levels of acting that needed to be achieved. Acting like it wasn’t just weeks since they’ve all met, acting like Calypso sneaking out was really bonding with them, and the present scenario of all being scarred from this tragedy. All of that while keeping the story straight.
And the fact that “friend”, Calypso being eligible for such an honor, she didn’t feel like it was just. One girl is just too nice for her own good, the other she bullied and gave more reason for her to hate the world. Sure. That’s worthy to be included with others.
But it didn’t matter, as Sal reached the living room area, gently placing Calypso onto her feet. Allowing her to scan the room.
Mrs. Moses was at a very puffy chair, must’ve been her personal one. Before the massive TV set that stretched across the rug that damn near covered the oak flooring. Her wheelchair behind her loveseat, with Bradley standing beside her, implying that he helped her into it.
On the couch, Gale and Natalie sat at the opposite ends. Gale immediately waved at Calypso and Sal, while Natalie had both arms draped across the backrest. Craned her head towards the cousins.
“Griiiiimes,” Natalie greeted… Or Calypso took that as one.
This is the first time Calypso had a proper look at her… A messy, ash-colored pixie cut with her bangs all over the place, goggles rested on the top of her head. She had a face that was cute, soft, as if she’s never walked outside a day of her life, which contrasted heavily with her lowered, weary blue eyes. And to tie the image together, she was one of the types that had their lips parted in idle, showcasing her pearly top row of teeth. It almost could be interpreted as her eternally frowning.
Calypso smiled, walking toward the couch. “Glad to see that you’re doing better, Natty…”
If Calypso could wince, she would’ve. But she couldn’t stop, and proceeded to plant herself between Gale and Natalie, much closer to Natalie. “You were the worst off, after all…”
“Thaaat I was…” Natalie moved her right arm off the backset, placing it on her lap. Her slight mouth gap disappeared whenever she spoke. “But it takes a lot to bring ol’ Natalie Noel down—well, nothing too different from a regular human—”
It was so interesting… Not only having a face to contextualize these painful lines, but her eyes. How they squint, how they suddenly shoot open as she changed speeds. It was almost inspiring.
Calypso realized why she often has people instantly sniff out her brand of deception or deduction. Which, she thought to herself, will prove wonderful as she tries to lie her ass off.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“On that note, I should beat ya’ up, Cal!” Gale chirped. Even her threats have this cheerful tint to them, despite Calypso instantly turning toward her. “You should’ve told me that your cousin’s, like, one of the most gorgeous girls I’ve ever met, I’ve seen her all over campus--!”
Cue Sal hopping from behind the backset and landing in the available gap between Gale and Calypso, causing Calypso to stiffen in place, but forward this time.
“Shucks~” Sal adjusted her cap, before nestling in further. “Me bein’ hot is old news; yer both a cutie an’ yer nice—that’s a-dime-a-dozen!”
Gale giggled in response, “Thanks—biggest compliment coming from you! We have to talk about deets once this news thing is over—I gotta know how you pull those outfits off!”
All Calypso heard was, “Makin’ what ya’ got work, is all it is~” from Sal, before Natalie softly nudged her, watching her lean in.
“This broadcast is looking to be very serious,” Natalie let her tone crackle as a result of talking so low. “We have to assume everyone is watching… This is going to affect everyone’s schedules, one way or another.”
Thinking fast, Calypso lightly shoved Natalie with a curt giggle. “Okay, okay, loud and clear, you~” Thankfully, Natalie quickly caught on, overdramatically falling onto her side with a neutral expression.
“Y’all trendy gals talkin’ shit over there~?” Sal joked with a grin and lowered eyes.
“I was not only defending your honor but not saying you’re valley girls AND pointing out that I care about fashion as well~” Calypso put a hand on her chest.
“Aw yeah, the ‘I look like I’m goin’ to school every day’ style—” Sal snarked, with her grin growing wider.
“I have jackets and stuff, too--!” Calypso pouted vocally, somehow.
“Now now, girls—” Artemis came from the kitchen area, and proceeded to lean in on the backset of the couch with arms outstretched. “You’re both pretty—let’s act like adults and watch the town hall now~”
Mrs. Moses grabbed the remote, flicking the TV on with a low hum.
It took a while for the program to start on the local news station. Talking heads chattering about what could be said, before giving their actual opinions to evaporate their grounds of neutrality. Enduring such pain for the odd 10 minutes or so.
But the image of the screen eventually changed, broadcasting the main event.
A simple stage and podium, the mayor flanked with guards on both sides and an aide behind him. He was a balding man, the last of his ginger hair crested the back and sides of his shining dome. A suit that was far too box-y and starch-y to have been worn regularly. As if this was a suit he was “meant” to be wearing because that’s what “leaders” do.
Which inspired so much confidence in Calypso. She was practically brimming with such, as she tried to withhold an uneased sigh.
“These have been… Such terrifically horrible days we had to face as a town—” Mayor Huntington’s name flashed under him during the broadcast. “Terrifically meaning the immense weight of such… Tragedies, of course—”
It was so fundamentally clear that he was reciting a speech he didn’t draft, that even “normal” people that didn’t pay attention to these things could see it.
Huntington adjusted and breathed out quickly, “The Fire of Trey Wilson Hospital carries with it a toll of 20 people… Not counting the unfortunate souls that were taken off their various life support and were later found in the wreckage. This included a student of Stanton University, who fell into a coma after a merciless beaten that turned out to be connected to these heinous plots.”
Calypso wished that were true on some level. But she had to live with that guilt.
“I will… Spare everyone from the grizzly details, because that’s what these monsters want,” Mayor Huntington adjusted once more, glanced up at the crowd as the various cameras flashed. “I will not stand here and give these creeps the spotlight they crave. This is our 250th anniversary. This is our town. And in our years as a community, we have faced the worst and emerged better than ever!”
Huntington pumped his fist, before realizing that this was meant to be serious.
“T-that said… We’ve decided, out of both taste and security, that we will be post-phoning our Founding Festivities, including the Fall Formal that was supposed to happen in a matter of days, until the Winter months. We need time to recover, to heal from these wounds. And—just for good measure, we will be issuing a 9 PM curfew until further notice. The perpetrators have evaded justice, and us getting help from our neighbors will ensure that they will be caught. But until then, stay safe with your families and friends. At the end of the day, we’re still celebrating what a community—”
There were sudden screams that cut through not only the TV, but through the tension of the hall itself.
The guards immediately got Huntington and his aide away, ushering them. The camera crew scrambled to capture what was happening…
It wasn’t an attack.
But a number of the crowd that was in the hall… Screaming. Screaming bloody murder, holding their heads, shaking them as if they were in Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
Calypso’s expression tightened. Natalie was right after all.
Cassie was not pleased.