Pretty Boy Psycho

At home Sunshine stands blinking at the front door holding my rucksack in his beak. I sit on the porch glad to see my griffon’s okay, but my mind is numb. Danny sits with me. He’s gone silent. He does that when something goes terribly wrong. He hasn’t said a word since we pulled him off his patrol and Charlie explained in rational terms what we think has happened to Geordie. I can’t stand waiting for Charlie to finish his conference with Courtney. My hands have gotten the shakes.

Sunshine drops the rucksack on my knee. He carried my rucksack all the way home. I don’t get it. It’s just some dumb rucksack. I stare into dark grey clouds. This is it. I’m looking hard but can’t see past the grey.

Sunshine nudges my shoulder with his beak.

The whooshing of griffon wings. Charlie and Hotaru are home already. Too soon.

“It’s a flat out no.” Charlie slumps next to me on the porch. “Courtney said she wouldn’t risk sending her best agents out to rescue a liability. I don’t know what to do.”

This is bad bad bad.

My panic rises. I lost Jess. Can’t breathe. Not Geordie too. When Jess caught the affliction, I hid in my room. General Midnight’s a bully who’s out to get my friend. Geordie got rid of Max for me. I slide my switchblades into my hands. Take some regular breaths; breathe away the shakes.

“I know what to do.” I place my arms round Charlie and Danny’s backs, in traditional Al style. “We’re going to free Geordie from those nasty mean Thunders ourselves.”

“It’s suicide,” murmurs Charlie in frustration.

“Not if we plan properly. We’ll sneak onto The Plaza somehow. Find out where they’re holding Geordie and bring him home. To do those things we need a plan. You’ll help me out with that ’kay?”

“I can but they’ll be...” Charlie trails off.

“Experimenting,” musters Danny.

“Which means he won’t be dead yet. We have time. Geordie’s rock solid so can tough it out. He’ll be counting on us to help so: kitchen, paper, pencils, plans. Plan tonight. Make a move tomorrow.”

Danny nods.

“Alright we’ll make a plan,” agrees Charlie.

“Super. Sunshine keep an eye on Chunk. We wouldn’t want him leaving without us.”

Right I’ve got us sat round a table ready to make a plan which is a far cry away from taking action. The three of us need to be a hundred percent positive to get through the next few days.

I tap at Danny’s shoulder. “You’re good at fetching things aren’t you? Like when you got my nail polish. We’re going to need grey cloaks and shirts, trousers too, and boots. Do you think you could get us those items?”

“I... yeah. Yeah I could.”

“Can we start at the beginning? Best to be chronological about what is going to happen,” says Charlie.

“Sorry I just thought whatever happens we’ll need to blend in.”

“Are you suggesting we pose as Thunders?” Charlie jots down that idea.

“How else will we get onto The Plaza silly?”

“Plan A: break onto The Plaza as Thunders.” Charlie starts sketching out a diagram of The Plaza. On noticing me staring at him work he says. “I memorised it from a map Clover showed us in class.” He adds a bridge and circular building. “Before we go in I want to know exactly where Geordie is being kept captive.

Which means our plans cannot develop properly until we know Geordie’s exact location. So in the morning: Danny you get us those grey clothes while me and Al hang out close to The Plaza where we’ll try to over-hear information on Geordie. Going tonight is too dangerous. Midnight will be expecting retaliation. I’d rather face danger with some light. Danny, we’ll meet you back here at noon. Are we in agreement?”

I stick up a thumb. “That is a fabulous plan. Everything will turn out alright if we work together. You’ll see.”

“I like your positivity Al but getting Geordie back alive is looking impossible. I’ll try of course I will but can’t help thinking we’ll die trying,” musters Danny.

Most of me is having those thoughts too. I will them away. Have too. “Not impossible. You know why? Because we got the most intelligent mind that ever attended Cloud High and best katana wielder. Don’t say a word Danny Kaito. In a real fight you’d slaughter anyone of us. No self-doubt tomorrow because we’re awesome amazing and I believe in both of you. Trust you a million percent.”

I leave the house out the back door quick before those two see through my optimism into my doubts and fears. Go a solid distance away from the house where I take to jumping up and down on the spot while screaming. My erratic behaviour attracts Chunk. He crashes down close to me. We both jump up and down, letting off steam, while Sunshine runs around us in a circle.

* * *

Three whole days it’s taken for us to over-hear any information on where Geordie’s being held captive. Finally having news is relief. Now comes the hard part; taking action.

We sit on a dusty floor in an abandoned pub. Charlie chews his cheek as he scans his diagrams of The Plaza. “We only have one shot at this rescue mission. If it goes wrong it’ll be on my head.”

“All our heads. If your plan fails it’ll be because we didn’t carry out our jobs properly. Geordie’s being held here.” I point at Spindle Tower on Charlie’s final map, plan, diagram thingy. “This tower is situated almost central in The Plaza. To get over there we walk to The Plaza real casual. You tell whoever’s on guard duty we’re there to complain to Captain Yuki about what happened to our camp in Dover.” I tuck my hair behind my ears then pull up a grey hood. “When we’re at The Plaza we head straight for Spindle Tower, swiftly but quietly. Using his super cool discretion skills Danny takes out the three soldiers who guard the tower while me and you head inside. I make for the stairs, you hold off anyone who’s at the bottom of the tower, make sure no one follows me up. Danny will join you because Thunders are sure to swarm once they realise we’re intruding. I bring Geordie downstairs no matter what even if he’s unfit to move and I have to drag him.” I doubt I could drag Geordie very far. He’s heavy with muscle.

Danny presses a thumb against a katana making sure it’s sharp. “We’re doing this?”

Charlie looks to me as though for a stamp of approval.

“Yeah let’s get Geordie back. If we fail at least we died trying as a team.”

“Do either of you want one last look at the plans?” When we both decline, Charlie shreds his papers into little pieces then throws them into the air. Gives me his slanted smile, making his scar more prominent, from under his hood which makes him look very much like a scary Thunder.

As we leave the cover of the pub I wish we had Geordie with us. He’s great to have around in a crisis like when we messed up at Dover. Without him we’d be dead. Right need to look like a Thunder. I guess they look like ordinary people. I doubt a Thunder soldier would link arms with his comrades though. I want to. Refrain from doing so.

Streets closest to The Plaza are always empty of regular citizens. I see the odd Thunder clad in grey making their way to The Plaza. They take no notice of us meaning we must be blending in. Nearly there. There’s the upside down cart I hid under, before Geordie decided he wanted to be friends. Me stabbing Sad plays before my eyes. I blink as guards on duty approach us.

“State your business.”

Charlie makes direct eye contact with the guard and manages to speak normal easy. “We’re from the camp in Dover which was burnt down. We wish to speak with someone regarding our current situation.”

“You want to be reassigned you mean?” The guard scratches his beard. Ewww itchy. “Odd your squad was sent north.”

“We’re stragglers I’m afraid. We had a medical emergency.”

Danny holds a palm tight to the right side of his face. “Flames hit me,” he mumbles sounding in pain.

“We’ll probably have to catch up with our squad. Are we alright to fetch our co-ordinates from The Hub?”

“You’d better.” The guard waves us onto The Plaza.

Getting past those first guards was easier than I thought it’d be thanks to Charlie being ever so convincing. I’ve never even heard of The Hub. Him paying attention in Clover’s classes is sure coming in handy today. I want to ask what this hub is but better not in case a nosey Thunder overhears my naïve question.

This is one heck of a huge plaza. A mega crack has made a gauge in the stone work. Huge rope bridges have been put up for safe passage across. We go over one of these bridges.

Scree. Scree. Scree.

Skeletals fly above us, twirling as they dip in and out of the Cloud Barrier. I only glance at them a moment, scared if I stare in fascination I’ll draw attention to myself. I must focus. Look straight ahead like Charlie is doing. I can’t believe we got onto The Plaza this easily. It’s crazy.

On stepping off the bridge I notice a large round hut. Oooh it’s The Hub. It’s hard to miss with such a big sign hanging over the door. Lots of Thunders go in and out of there. We bypass The Hub, past some tents, then wham, there’s Spindle Tower. It’s just like its name; all crooked and spindly. Midnight’s home touches the clouds. Geordie’s up there. My chest gets tight. No words are exchanged between us. In silence we approach the entrance. As predicted three soldiers are on guard duty. Danny takes out his katanas. Runs up the steps, at three armed soldiers, while me and Charlie hold back feigning shock, until Danny’s taken down one soldier. As he goes for the second we run up the steps. I want to help him scared he won’t manage those two by himself but there’s no time.

In. Upstairs. Grab Geordie. Out.

We clatter into- oh my goodness- my whole body freezes. There’s like a whole party of people congregated at the bottom of the tower. Looks like they’re having a rally. This is Midnight’s home; there were only supposed to be a round of patrol soldiers in here.

“The plan,” whispers Charlie right in my ear.

Carry on with the plan now? We’re like party crashers and overly out-numbered. A yell of extensive pain rebounds from the very top of the tower. No one pays any attention to the yelling. I crane my neck back trying to see to the top of the tower. It’s too high.

“Go!” Charlie gives me a push towards the spiral staircase to get me going. At least the way to the stairs is clear.

“What about you?” I shriek as I bolt to the stairs with Charlie covering me.

“We stick to the plan. I’ll hold them off for as long as possible. Keep going.”

Holding them off for as long as possible will end in death for Charlie. As I put a foot on a step he spins to face anyone who dare come over to the stairs. I’m terrified for him but can’t coward out my job to help; have to leave him like we left Danny. Follow the plan.

That pained yell shocks the air.

Run. Run. Run. I use a black handrail to pull myself up these spiral stairs. Sprint my fastest not daring to look down. If I do, I’ll be totes tempted to go back for Charlie which would result in our rescue mission being a fail.

Clink. Clink. Clink. Boots follow on metal steps behind me. I’m much further up than them. Does having a pursuer mean Charlie’s down already? Mustn’t think that way. Must concentrate on reaching the top. We’re rescuing Geordie because death is kinder than being experimented on. From those yells I’d say he was in mortal peril. No time to think about negatives or I’ll coward out. Ouch, legs hurt thanks to these many steps. Ouch. Getting to the top of Watch Post was way harder. Almost at the top. There’s like a circular platform above me. It’s shiny black like this hand rail. The platform looks as though it’s floating in mid-air. It’s probably hooked up to some suspension ropes.

“AHHHHHHHHhhhh...”

Poor Geordie. I take the steps three at a time, having no idea what I’ll see on reaching the top of Spindle Tower. All I know is I want to stop the source of his pain. On rounding the last twisty section my eyes are almost level with the top of the platform.

“Stop ahhhh s-s-s-t-o-o---”

Geordie’s forced to stand in the centre of the platform while Midnight tweaks at a glass rod she’s shoved behind his ear, through his skull into his brain. At every slight movement Geordie contorts with pain but is unable to move from where he’s stood because he’s chained to an obsidian pillar in front of an arched inky blue window; sort of like you’d imagine old spectacular cathedrals to have.

“This is an interesting experiment Lucky.” Midnight gives a full turn of her metal rod as she blinks at me.

“Ahhhhhggghhh.” Geordie tries to keel onto the floor but is unable to move anywhere.

“Stop it,” I shout.

Yuki grabs my arm as she catches up to me. “Sorry General Midnight. I didn’t think any Cloudys would be stupid enough to approach us on the eve of your Eclipse Festival. I shall have great pleasure in teaching this one it’s wicked to run into other peoples’ houses uninvited.”

“Now now Captain Yuki, I think this little Cloudy would benefit from a short lecture. He might learn why we do what we do here.” Midnight beckons to me. “Do come closer. Not too close mind. One false move from me and Lucky here will go completely bonkers without developing the affliction. However, I dare say he is immune.”

As Yuki leaves go of my arm I take several cautious steps over to Midnight. Yuki tickles the small of my back with her sword. Given some relief Geordie’s eyes droop almost closed.

“As you can see Lucky here has streaks of blue in his hair meaning there must be some special substance making up his DNA.” Midnight puts some pressure on the glass rod making Geordie spasm. “I am prodding around, trying to find his secrets. I think the cure to the affliction is swimming round in his gene pool. I want to discover the cure. Harvest it.”

“It’s torture,” I muster, having no idea what to do for the best. I’m running out of options. Thunders are stamping up the stairs, I can hear them running, getting closer.

Midnight twists her rod.

Geordie screams in agony. She’s going to kill him. Won’t stop her experiment until his heart fails.

“Stop it please,” I yell not knowing what else to do.

Twirl, twirl, twirl.

Geordie tries to bring his hands up to grip his head. Manacles restrain him from moving his arms high enough. I can’t stand this anymore. The noises he’s making are horrific and I can’t bear to see his whole body convulsing, unable to go anywhere.

Prod, twist, twist.

“I said stop it!”

Quick blink. “No.”

“Even if it’s just for a little while please.”

Eyes close. “Give me one good reason.”

“Experiment on me instead,” the words burst out my mouth without thought.

“I’m only interested in dark haired people.”

“Have you ever found any answers with dark tones of hair? Look.” I grasp a fistful of my hair. “I’m shiny blond. Maybe your answers are in light tones. You wouldn’t know if you’ve never tried experimenting on pure blonds before. The answer to the affliction could be in me. I give my body and soul to you freely as long as you let him have some respite until you’re done with me. It won’t take long. My pain tolerance levels are incredibly low.”

On opening her eyes Midnight looks me over as she starts sliding the glass rod from behind Geordie’s ear. “You’ll come freely with no stunts?”

“What stunts could I pull from all the way up here?” I glance behind my shoulder as a squad of soldiers arrive to stand level with Yuki on the platform. “There’s nowhere for me to run to, and Geordie’s in no state to go anywhere.”

Result Midnight starts to un-lash Geordie from the obsidian pillar.

“And you’ll let me say goodbye, won’t you? I know I’m dead as soon as you shove that thing through my skull. Please, let me say goodbye.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because it’s the Eclipse Festival, and we’re lovers, seeing each other,” I wail as over-dramatically as possible. “I’m going to die and want to say goodbye to my boyfriend. If you don’t let me say goodbye, then you’re nothing but a monster like they taught us in Cloud High and your experimentation is pure sadistic.”

“Well I suppose it is the eclipse in an hour. Say goodbye. You have thirty seconds.”

I catch Geordie as he is let loose from his last manacle. He falls into my shoulders. “Go,” is grunted at me.

I wind my arms round him as though going for a lover’s embrace. “Do you trust me?” I whisper. Dying is better than being experimented on.

Geordie sort of bobs his head. I take that as a yes and immediately shove us both towards the arched window. Throw us right through the glass. “Chunk!” I yell as glass shatters and falls through the sky, taking us with it, as though we’re suicide jumpers. I’ve jumped blind trusting Chunk will be close enough to save us. He won’t let Geordie fall. He won’t. He won’t. He won’t. The ground is too close. A mass of night black collides into us, as though punching us further into the sky. A millisecond later two sets of talons grasp at my cloak. I hold Geordie extra tight, scared I’ll drop him. Whack, one of Chunk’s back legs smacks into The Hub. He roars and I scream as he pulls up, taking the three of us into grey cloud. We burst safely into a blue sunlit sky. Sort of safe. Holding onto Geordie is a strain on my arms. There’s no way I’m letting go.

“Can you take us to the emergency meet up point please?”

Chunk flies us to a small patch of hollow trees. He gently drops us on the ground then flies back into the sky. I stare after him. “Don’t go. Geordie needs you,” I call but he doesn’t hear me because he’s roaring too loudly. That’s one pissed griffon.

Geordie grips the sides of his head and screams and screams and screams.

Quickly I take up the pack we left hidden inside a hollow trunk. Take out a canteen of water. Undo my scarf and drench it.

“Make it stop. Stop stop STOP.”

“Have you gotta headache?” I try to sound calm but after what I witnessed feel panicked too. Only I can’t show my fearful side right now. “Here.” Trying to keep my hand from shaking I press my scarf against Geordie’s brow. “Sssh, it’ll be alright. I promise.” I don’t think Geordie knows what to do with himself. His body keeps tweaking and ticking.

“Get her out my head!”

“She’s gone.” With my free hand I rub Geordie’s shoulder. Now he’s choking up, having a complete breakdown and I’m not surprised. Skies knows how long Midnight’s been sticking pointy implements into his head.

Al!” Danny phew. He lands right by us on Honey. Jumps down from her to kneel on the ground with me. “I know we said in and out but throwing yourself out the window was mental. Is he alright?”

I shake my head. “Midnight was sticking this glass rod into his brain. Was so inhumane. Gruesome. Have you seen Charlie? I had to leave him to fetch Geordie.” My words spill over each other as panic sets in. “There were way more people in Spindle Tower than we anticipated. Charlie’s gone and Geordie’s hurt bad.” Tears prick at my eyes.

With that cool composure I’ve always admired in Danny he gets hold of Geordie in a loose embrace.

“My head.” Geordie presses his forehead against Danny’s chest. “Fucking make it stop.” At least the screaming has toned down to moaning. I’ve no idea how to help. Danny seems to be doing an almost successful job of calming him down by simply sitting with him.

One worry weight crumbles into relief as Charlie comes running through the trees. Blood rolls down his arm but he shows no signs of being concerned about his injury. “For a moment I thought we were too deep in trouble to get out.” Charlie sits right by Geordie and rubs his back. “As plans go that was a shambles. Al must have thought fast up there. How are you feeling?”

“Midnight was literally sliding a glass rod into his brain,” I say in a hushed tone.

Charlie picks up my dropped scarf. Dabs more water on it then rests it against Geordie’s head. “Take some water for me.” He presses the canteen against Geordie’s mouth. “Al, can you show me the entry point of the rod?”

“Behind his ear. The rod was thin. I doubt it left much of a mark.”

“Don’t touch me!” Geordie slaps away Charlie’s hand then sits with his arms folded, rocking slightly. “No touching.”

“Sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you?”

“Unless you can bloody erase my memory no there’s not a single thing you can do to help.” And he goes into complete melt down. Physically and emotionally self-destructs.

He said not to touch him, but I nudge over to him anyway. Hold his trembling hands and give them a squeeze. As I do he slams his head against my shoulder.

“It’s okay brother.” I’ve a mountain of explaining to do when he’s in a more normal frame of mind. He better believe I was only making us out to be lovers to get us out the window or I’ll die of super awkward embarrassment.

“Al. Al. Al,” mumbles Geordie as he drifts.

I tap tap tap his arm to let him know I’m here. That is till Chunk comes limping over, and cute, gives his friend an affectionate headbutt. I transfer Geordie over to Chunk. The muscular griffon winds his tail round Geordie’s waist. A minute later Sunshine skips over to me. I’ve a sneaky suspicion he’s been following Chunk to make sure he didn’t do anything daft.

“I think we ought to send for a doctor,” says Charlie as he rummages through our medi kit in search of a bandage for his arm. “There could be serious implications to his mind or nervous system.”

“I’d not send for one without his consent,” warns Danny, “or there’ll be hell to pay.”

“He’s in no fit state to deal out hell.” Charlie shrugs off his jacket, rolls up his shirt sleeve, has a close inspection of his own injury, pours a helping of water on open flesh, then ties a bandage round the wound without a wince.

“Mate, I wouldn’t even mention what happened to a doc unless Geordie wants you to.”

“I certainly will if he shows the slightest signs of speech impairment or ticking. Pandering round his attitude won’t do him any good.”

“What did you do? You’ve not told us how you escaped Spindle Tower yet,” I say to change the subject.

“I had some help.” Charlie clasps his hands together as he delves into his version of events. “I was trying to keep anyone from getting onto the staircase. Didn’t leave my post until Yuki forced me out the way. Thought I was dead at that point. It was as though she saw right through me, fixated on pursuing you Al. As party goers closed in on me I knew I was dead. There were way too many for me to force an escape. I lost my nerve to be honest. One Thunder got to the front of the others making these barbaric noises. Thought he was going to lob my head off. Told everyone else he was taking out the trash. Hurled me outside at sword point. Got me out the front door then dipped his steels into the wounds of the soldiers Danny took down. Went back inside. Left me on the doorstep. I ran down the steps in time to see Chunk hit The Hub with Honey flying after him. I’ve no clue why that Thunder would help me out.”

“Wasn’t Cain infiltrating was it?” asks Danny.

“Definitely not Cain. He was too slim neither was he the right height.”

At this point of the conversation Geordie jolts awake. Sweat is forming on his brow. He tries to crawl across the floor, but Chunk keeps his tail wrapped tight round his waist. Geordie pushes his temples against his knees as he curses and claws at his restraints. Chunk flexes his talons into the earth, disregarding any pain he’s getting to his tail.

“I’ve seen enough. I’m fetching Anthony.” Charlie makes a move to get up.

“You can’t,” says Danny.

“He needs professional help. The longer we leave him the harder to treat him.”

“No, you really can’t. It’ll be properly dark in an hour or sooner. Kensington is in Lundune. The moonlit sky will be swarming with Thunders searching for us. Do you see Chunk flexing his talons? He’s set to grab Geordie and go. Honey’s tense. She wants to leave too. If we left now we could make it home before dark.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck. FUCK.”

Geordie’s screaming makes Danny flinch. “On the flip side we can’t leave him in this state all night. Getting to Kensington would be risky like. Couldn’t we take him to the doc at Cloud Association instead?”

“I don’t trust her with us,” says Charlie.

“I ain’t seeing a quack.” Despite his head hurting Geordie still manages to grasp the gist of our conversation. “Take me to one and I’ll never speak to you again.”

“What is with you and doctors?” asks Charlie. “You’re behaving worse than Al.”

“When he was a little kid he got the pox. Easily treatable but his dad took him to a quack and the ointment he used on him made him worse rather than better. My mum ended up having to treat him. If she had the right ingredients she was skilled at making natural remedies,” says Danny.

“I see. Well Geordie, Anthony certainly isn’t a quack. I think we ought to see him.” Charlie takes hold of Geordie’s arm and attempts to pull him up and gets elbowed in the eye for his efforts.

“Well I don’t know what to do,” sighs Charlie as he rubs at his eye. “Al, what do you think?”

“Me?”

“You’ve got us this far. We’re running out of sunlight so need to stop talking about what we’re going to do and act.”

Herm priorities. I sit quiet for thirty seconds to try find the right thing to do for everybody. “We take Geordie home. He might feel better there however he’s not the only one who ought to be seeing a doctor. If you want to see Ant I support that decision.”

“I’m starting to feel light headed. I’ll visit Anthony.” Charlie mounts Hotaru who is prancing on the spot more than ready to leave.

“Will you be alright on your own?” I ask.

“I expect so.”

At that Charlie takes off by himself. Time to fly ourselves. Looks like I will have to assist Geordie onto his ride. Seeing we’re wanting to head home Chunk uncoils his tail from Geordie’s waist. I try assisting but get the slap away treatment a lot. When Geordie’s eventually on Chunk he’s more laid on him than sat.

“Urrr mate, do you want me to ride with you?” offers Danny.

In answer Geordie takes off. I scramble to get on Sunshine while giving Danny a, we’re-in-for-a-few-days-of-trouble, type look and get one in return. When we hit lowering sunlight Geordie’s groaning away as Chunk attempts to fly gently which is proving difficult due to his boisterous nature. If his rider wasn’t hurt it’d be hilarious to watch.

“Charlie will be home before us if we keep this pace,” says Danny after an excruciating ten minutes.

I rub the side of Sunshine’s neck as he tries to be subtle about speeding up. “We can’t go any faster without Geordie, silly.”

“Fuck it.” Geordie does his best to sit straight, then whoosh, Chunk’s off.

Chattering his beak in delight Sunshine shoots to catch them up.

Geordie arrives home first. I land to find him laid out on the steps leading onto the veranda, grumbling his favourite curse word. Danny hoists him up by the arms while I find the door key which is somewhere in the bottom of our pack. As soon as I’ve opened the door Chunk shunts past me to get inside. I help Danny hold Geordie up. We guide him to the lounge figuring taking the stairs to his bedroom might be too much of a challenge. We sit him with Chunk, who is tapping a talon against the fireplace as though to say: hurry up and light a fire. Danny sets to work on this demand while I try calming down Geordie.

“How’s your head?”

“How do you think? My brain’s banging so much I’m nauseous. My world’s spinning crazy. I can’t see straight.”

“Maybe closing your eyes would help.”

“Makes it frickin’ worse.”

“Okay. Do you want a drink?”

“Charlie already tried that trick. Where’d he go anyway?”

“To see Ant about his arm.”

“What of his arm?”

“He took a hit defending the spiral staircase while I ran up it.”

“You’ve left him on his own. Are you trying to kill him?”

I tuck my hair behind my ears. “I made a decision based on the priorities of our mission. The end goal was rescuing you.”

“You made the decision?”

“Yeah. Al stepped in as team leader while you were away.” Danny smiles as he sparks up a flame.

Geordie puts his head in his hands and mumbles, “you never split the team when Thunders are directly pissed at us.”

“Don’t you worry.” I take a blanket from off the armchair and drape it round Geordie’s shoulders. “Charlie’s a capable individual. I wouldn’t have given him my blessing if I thought he was incapable. I bet he’s at Ant’s place now. Ant will put him up for the night then he’ll be home by mid-morning tomorrow. You’ll see. Stressing won’t help your head.”

“Nothing will help my head. You don’t understand.”

“I saw. You’ve mental and physical pain. We can sort the physical then help you with the mental.”

“You can’t! My head will never stop pounding. She probed my brain!” Geordie’s eyes water over and he loses control again.

All I can think to do is hold a wet cloth against his head while trying to sound reassuring. He’s not hearing me. I suppose I wouldn’t hear me either if I had a thumping headache. We’re in for a long night. If he gets aggressive I’ll have to deal with it. Then again his energy levels are low so keeping him in control should be easy enough.

“Been tortured, hasn’t he?” musters Danny looking as clueless as I feel.

Pointlessly I rub Geordie’s shoulder. This cold wet cloth is proving a lousy soothing device but it’s all we’ve got.

About an hour into pointless reassurance the front door goes making my body jolt in shock. Danny slinks off, katanas raised, to see who the intruder is. I hope it’s just the wind.

“He still has a headache I take it.” Charlie comes into the lounge holding a basket. My nerves settle.

“You were quick. We didn’t expect to see you till morning.”

“I couldn’t leave Geordie in this state all night.” Charlie kneels opposite Geordie with a bottle of tablets. “Take three of these. They’ll make you feel better.” He pours three white powdery tablets into a hand. “They’re pain killers. Anthony said they should settle your head. He wanted to see you for himself, but I didn’t bring him even though I ought to have.”

“You told, bastard!”

“Be quiet and swallow three.” Charlie pretty much shoves the tablets into Geordie’s mouth. “Anthony’s a professional. You won’t get worse. Al, make sure he swallows them whole with water.”

Charlie sure gets stuff done when he puts his mind to a task. He leaves me trying to coax Geordie into washing the tablets away with a cup of water; ends up being more compliant than I thought he’d be. Keeps up cursing and moaning for a good twenty minutes after he’s taken the tablets then gets dopey and leans into me, watching flames flickering in the fire place in silence. Those pain killers must be working.

I smell food coming from the kitchen. Something greasy. Turns out to be bacon butties. We get two each courtesy of Charlie.

“Try eat.” Charlie places a plate on Geordie’s lap. Next he takes a glass bottle out of his basket and pours a fizzy substance into four cups.

“What’s that?” I watch bubbles rising to the top of clear liquid.

“Lemonade. It’s full of sugar. Anthony gives it to his patients who are low on energy. He thought it might perk up Geordie.”

“How did you pay for all this?” asks Danny.

“I didn’t. Anthony believes if a patient can’t afford to pay they shouldn’t have to. He bases himself in Kensington to get payment from the wealthy for his services but sees a lot of regular civilians for free.”

“How’s your arm?” I ask on taking a sip of lemonade. Yum! It’s as fizzy as it looks.

“A superficial injury mostly. More blood than damage. Like a deep cut.”

Out of the four of us Charlie is deffo the best cook. This bacon is amazing. Geordie’s even managing to nibble his way through his butties. The more he eats the more respondent he gets. Halfway through his dinner he’s started listening to us three talking.

“Have you anything else in your magic basket?” I ask when I’m all out of butties and lemonade. “Cake perhaps?”

“There’s nothing else except the pain killers.”

“We should save the basket. Take it on a picnic to the shingle or pier at Dover. You could invite Lucy, Danny.”

“Lucy?” Charlie laughs. “I think it’s Jules this week.”

“But you’re always sneaking off to see Lucy.”

“It’s on and off. Friends with benefits I believe. Is that right?” says Charlie.

Danny sips at the last little bit of his lemonade. “We’re friends, yeah.”

“And I was under the impression attitude here was the crude one.” I nudge Geordie with my elbow.

“What?” grunts Geordie.

“What do you think about going on a picnic to Dover? Fun right?”

“If you’re five.” Geordie uses my arm as a pillow. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

“Fetching me.”

“You’re welcome.”

“No, I’m not. You shouldn’t have risked your lives for me when all I ever give you in return is my stinking attitude.”

“Don’t be daft,” says Danny.

“We know you’ve got a mouth on you,” says Charlie.

“I do appreciate your opinions Charlie. Sorry I take my shit out on you Danny. Al never stop with your optimism.” Geordie practically hugs my arm. “This isn’t all there is. I shouldn’t rip on your bright spirit.” He attempts hooking an arm round the other two. “For the longest moment I was suffering, the next I’m home by the fire, getting all the support in the world off of my family.”

“Sorry we were late mate. You shouldn’t have had to suffer,” says Danny.

“You weren’t late. I’m surprised you got in let alone out.”

“We’re as astounded as you,” says Charlie. “Can you remember what Al did to get you through the window? He won’t tell us. Said his methods were somewhat controversial so he had to tell you first.”

“Flaming skies, didn’t maim Yuki’s other eye did ya?”

I push Geordie into Danny and clasp my hands round my knees.

“How did you get her to let me loose?”

“Sorry. I panicked. I didn’t mean what I said.”

“What did you say that’s so bad Midnight unlashed me?”

“I told her if she gave you some respite I’d take your place until she’d killed me with the glass rod to the head. I said I’d come quietly with no stunts if...” best he hears it from me in case rumours start soaring. Controversial stuff you don’t want anyone else to hear about usually comes out to the world as juicy gossip. “... if she let me say goodbye.”

“That seems innocent enough,” muses Charlie.

“It’s not innocent at all! I told Midnight you were my boyfriend Geordie,” I blurt out. “I said she ought to let us say goodbye because it was the Eclipse Festival. I pretended to yeah embrace you in a more than friendly way in order to shove us out the windo-o-o-w,” I wail. He’s going to hate me because he’s totes not into that kind of thing. Is my complete opposite which is why I’m surprised to hear him laughing.

“That’s smart for you Al lad.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Wish I’d have seen Midnight’s face when you did one out the window. She must have been furious.”

“There might be rumours spread about us.”

Geordie shows me his fists. “That’s what these are for if anyone dare accuse me of incest with my bro.”

“Thank you for being so understanding.” I’m unable to look up from my feet. A part of me is repulsed by my methods.

“Quit with the embarrassed routine. If you find lads attractive there’s nothing wrong in it.”

“I’m not embarrassed. I hated talking about you in that way. Was wrong, real wrong.”

“It was only a fabricated story yes?” says Charlie.

“Of course! Geordie’s not my type. He’s way too heavy handed.”

“Now it gets weird,” grumbles Geordie, and pinches the bony part of my shoulder, making me shriek. “I’d hit you if I had the energy. Like Charlie said you fabricated a story to get me outta the tower. I get why you did it meaning we’re cool. What’s the problem?”

I sit thinking for a few seconds trying to figure out what my problem is. There doesn’t appear to be one. “No, no problem.”

“Great. Now I’m gonna bed before you tie yourself in knots with more non-existent problems.”

When Geordie gets to the door he has to lean into the wall to support himself. Looks like he’s having a dizzy spell.

“Do you want me to help you upstairs?” asks Danny.

“I’ll manage. You can let Chunk out for me. He doesn’t like being cooped up indoors.”

As Danny lets Chunk out the front door, Sunshine wanders in, preferring to sleep from the comfort of our lounge rather than the great outdoors. I sit stroking his feathers for a while, wondering if Geordie will be able to sleep tonight. I know I’d have problems if someone abducted and tormented me.