Alek

Verity's melodic voice rose above the cheering crowd. Sweet, but with a bite that made me lean in, eager for more. The set had begun twenty minutes ago with up-tempo selections I'd heard dozens of times on the radio, and in one case, in a commercial for mascara. This song, however, was new to me, although the audience seemed to know it already. They sang along, swaying back and forth to the slow beat.

I was a wild dancer

He was a true warrior

We dreamed of escaping together

We dreamed of finding each other

I left and I lost him

I left and I lost him

We thought we'd found the key to happiness

But I went to dance wild in the moonlight

And I searched the night sky for him

My true warrior had escaped

Without me.

I left and I lost him

Letting the house security deal with crowd control, I was free to watch from the wings. Verity in profile, glimmery as the bright spotlight hit her, wore the costume of a Greek goddess: a fitted toga with slits dangerously high up both thighs, golden cuff bracelets wrapped around her wrists. I studied the line of her bare neck where it met her shoulders and for a moment, let her be a beautiful popstar deity rather than the monster all signs indicated she was.

The song transported me to a paradisal world where monsters didn't exist. But when Flora came to stand at my side, I fell back to Earth, returning to the reality of my life and my solemn mission.

"This song speaks to me," Flora shouted over the music.

"Is it new?"

"Pretty new, yep."

We both took a couple of steps back to make it easier to hear each other.

"It's good."

"A man of few words."

That was true, but only when it was in my best interest to hold something back. I could say a lot more, but I wasn't going to let on to Flora the many ways this song was making me feel. "I have many words," I told her, "But I was curious to hear more from you instead."

Flora stuck her hands in her pockets and swayed from side to side with the music's slow tempo. "Okay. About what?"

"Well, I don't know if you realized it or not, but Verity and I didn't exactly start off on the right foot."

"Really?" She snorted. "Did you know she called you a useless contract obligation?"

"She did?"

"And also, an overpaid babysitter who would probably accidentally drop a real baby if one was left in your care."

"Ouch."

"Guess she hasn't warmed up to you, huh?" She looked at me and cocked her head. "You don't like her either, do you?"

"What? Of course, I do. She's Verity Jayne." I tried not to let emotion leak into my voice. "What's not to love."

"Uh-huh."

"She's gorgeous and talented."

"And smart," Flora added. "People tend to overlook that."

"Not me. She's highly intelligent, clearly. And so, so witty with her insults."

"She is that. And what else?"

"What do you mean?"

"Verity has many wonderful qualities," Flora said, "but you don't like her and it's not because she doesn't like you. You came into this with something against her. I doubt it's that she doesn't sing your favorite genre of music."

Perceptive.

Having this conversation with Flora was like walking a tightrope. If I leaned too far one way, I'd close her off from responding further. If I leaned too far the other way, I'd reveal too much. Either way, I'd lose my balance and fall.

"You saw for yourself, Flora. She's unpredictable."

"You're talking about last night?"

"Aren't you? Isn't anyone?" This wasn't rhetorical. After retrieving Verity from her middle of the night pondside mud bath, we'd boarded the bus to face a bunch of relieved people who patted her on her back, hugged her goodnight, and then never uttered another word about what had happened.

"When you've known Verity as long as I have, Alek, you learn that it's worth it to roll with her mood swings, and her, as you put it, 'unpredictable' nature."

"Because you're getting paid?"

"Excuse me?" Flora's nostrils flared. It was the first time I'd seen her look anything close to angry.

"I didn't mean..."

"Didn't you?" Hands out of her pockets, she wrapped them around herself. "Look, new guy, Verity and I have been friends since we were little kids. I've seen her through tough times. But also, she's seen me through the same. There is no one more loyal than Verity Jayne. But here you are. You've known her for less than a week and you think you get to judge her? Or judge me for sticking by her? I'm not doing anything that she hasn't done for me."

By now, Verity was signing her heart out to one of her biggest hits from last year, a song about dumping her first serious boyfriend. The audience was ecstatic. The scene behind stage—not so much.

I brought up my hands in a show of concession. "My intent was not to be judgmental—of Verity or of you. You may not believe this, but I'm asking because I'm worried about her." That was the truth, but one with several interpretations. Hopefully, Flora would interpret it differently than I meant it.

"Oh." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just very defensive of her, you know?"

"Of course. It's because you're such a wonderful and longstanding friend that I'm talking to you about this, even though I sense I've become very close to getting pepper sprayed again."

"No! I would never!" Her cheeks reddened.

"So, that's why I'm asking... has this sort of thing always been happening?"

"Well," she stared out onto the stage as she thought. "Verity often needs her alone time—nothing wrong with that. Granted, she doesn't usually take off in an unfamiliar city unannounced, but..."

"No, this isn't just about her disappearing act." I paused as one of Verity's dancers rushed by wrapping a boa around his neck before gliding out onto the stage. "You know what I'm talking about. She told you, right?"

"Sure."

"Sure? You say that like it's no big deal. But I saw it happen, and whatever it is, it's a big deal."

"You saw it happen?" Flora frowned. "Verity didn't mention that."

Interesting. "She kept that from you? I wonder why."

"She must not have thought it was worth mentioning."

"I suppose. But she's not exactly an open book. I think that's partly why we have this conflict between us. I keep feeling like she's withholding important information."

"She doesn't have to tell you her life story."

"No, I get that. But if there are things happening to her that would put her in danger, well then, that does matter to me. As her bodyguard."

Putting my hand on her shoulder, I steered her towards me so she could see how serious I was. "I don't have to be her best friend, Flora. That's your job anyways. But there must be some trust established between us. And, frankly, I'm struggling. It's not all her fault, though. I can be..."

"Dense?"

I flashed her my dimpled grin. "Okay, maybe. So, I've come to you to do my part here. Because you are definitely not dense. So, if there's anything about Verity that you think I should know."

She paused. For a moment, I thought she'd closed me off and walk away, but then she nodded like she'd made a decision. "Verity and I have a lifetime of secrets together. I'm not inclined to tell you any of them, but..."

"But..." A whole world of knowledge could be contained in those three letters.

"But she totally let herself tread into dangerous waters with this wackadoo fan. Hell, she didn't even tread, she dove headfirst. That could have ended so badly."

"What fan?"

"You know... Chip." She waited for me to give her a sign of acknowledgement, but I had no clue who Chip was.

"Um, he's the whole reason you got hired in the first place. She slept with him, and he became, like, instantly obsessed. Started stalking her. Showed up at her home, at her father's home. Called himself her mate."

"Her what?" Holy shit, Norvin was going to want to hear about this.

"Yeah, I know. Seriously weird. She's not a goose. She spent one night with him. That doesn't make him her mate for life." Flora shivered. "He totally gave me the creeps, that guy."

"I can imagine."

"The thing is, even though she should know how dangerous he was, she has never, not once, expressed the level of concern she should have. She didn't even want you hired but finally consented only after Janene threatened to pull the plug on the tour."

"So that's how this came about."

"Yeah. It makes me think about..." she stared off towards the whirling streams of color on stage as dancers twirled around it. "Never mind. I said I wasn't going to tell you secrets and I meant it."

"Not even one little one?"

The dimples didn't work this time. She shook her head. "Not a chance, buddy. I am glad you're here, though. Verity doesn't want to admit she needs people to look out for her, but she does. You're going to have to win her over somehow, or—"

She ended mid-sentence with a gasp.

I followed her gaze and it landed right on Verity. Verity, who was no longer dancing, no longer singing.

The dancers stopped as well, the crowd ceased cheering, the band stopped playing. The concert hall fell silent, but not as silent as Verity, who stood without moving, eyes glossed over.

"Oh my God," Flora said as she started to sprint towards her friend. I followed right behind.

"It's happening, Alek, isn't it?"

It was.

And in front of thousands of horrified witnesses. 

___

Author's note: Well... this doesn't seem good. What will happen if Verity experiences a blackout in the middle of a concert? 

Insider tidbit: Verity writes all of her own lyrics. She's constantly jotting things down, so you may see more of this from her in the future, and if I'm not mistaken... life events will play a huge influence on what she comes up with. 

Thanks for all of your support! I am so grateful to you!!!