Page 13 of Marked By Night

She rips her hand from mine and starts pacing the living room. Her heels click against the hardwood flooring as she crosses the room and works her way back toward me.

“Because there’s nothing left for us here, Sadie.” She throws her arms up in the air and smacks them back down. “Nothing. We’re wasting away here! Can’t you see that? There has to be more to life than… than this!”

“I—I didn’t realize you felt so strongly about this. I’m sorry—”

“Forget it,” she interrupts. “Forget I said anything. Let’s go have fun at the festival. We can talk about it later.” It’s like a flip switches in her demeanor and she smiles, leaving no trace of the sadness behind as she drags me out of the door.

Her words spin repeatedly in my mind as I contemplate what she said. More to life than this. Truest statement I’ve ever heard in my life, but what can be done about it when you’re stuck working your life away?

I sigh, making sure to lock, check, and double-check our front door like I always do before bounding down our rickety porch steps. This may be the south, where everyone leaves their doors unlocked, but not us. Not that we have anything of value, but people can be destructive regardless.

The sound of a flicking lighter catches my attention, and I glance over to find our neighbor, Bedi, sitting outside at her rusty table lighting up a cigarette. She takes a puff, holding it in as she asks, “Where are you young ones heading?” She flicks the ash, watching us with those weary eyes of hers. With her other hand, she moves a strand of grey hair out of her face.

“You’re going to kill yourself smoking those, you know,” I respond.

She cackles and, as if to prove my point, it turns into a coughing fit. One of those deep hacking type coughs only heavy smokers have. When the coughing subsides, she spears us with a no-bullshit look. “Sure, kiddo. Now I asked you both a question.” She takes another long drag of her cigarette, likely to spite me. She’s a feisty old bat.

“No need to get touchy, Bedi,” Ash says. “We’re off to the music festival in town.”

Bedi doesn’t take her eyes off me, drawing me in with those violet eyes of hers. There’s so much age and wisdom there, it’s hard to look away. “Ah, well. I imagine it’ll be quite life-changing,” she says, the corners of her mouth tipping up. “A storm is brewing, and you will be stuck in the middle.”

The hair on my arms rises with her ominous words.

“What do you mean?” I ask in confusion.

She shivers and her eyes clear. “Nothing, dear. You enjoy your festival tonight,” then points to Ash with a narrowed gaze. “And you, little missy,” she wiggles her finger, “don’t get pregnant.”

I burst out laughing, forgetting all about her strange words.

“Bedi, I’m on the pill,” Ash says, cackling gleefully when Bedi rolls her eyes.

One of the neighbors a couple of doors down gasps and clutches her pearls, which makes all of us giggle even harder. When Ash’s chuckles finally subside, Bedi shakes her head at her. “Too much information,” she says.

“You started it, old woman,” Ash calls over her shoulder.

“I am not old, you little shit!” she shouts after us, making us laugh the whole way to the festival grounds.

5

Sadie

As soon as we step out of the car the humidity smacks me in the face, instantly ruining my carefully curled locks. So much for that spritz of hairspray. Extra strength my ass.

It’s a short walk to the main part of the park where the stage is set up and the festivities are being held. A sense of rightness fills me as I look around at all the cars surrounding us.

Somehow, I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. But I almost feel underdressed. People are decked out to the nines, with hair accessories and jewelry. Some are less dressed than Ash. As in nothing but loincloths and pasties over their nips. One guy is even sporting a Jesus costume, complete with a fake beard and everything.

Well, that’s a new one.

This crowd of folks, they’re not judgmental when it comes to style, they’re not stifling when it comes to creativity. We’re an anything goes type of crowd. Everyone has their flaws and we freaking embrace them. And that’s what I love about these like-minded people. It makes me feel so alive.

The wind kicks up a notch, blowing a stray piece of hair into my face. The sky is mottled with rain clouds but thankfully it seems to be holding off. For now.

Ash bats her eyelashes at the security guards, and they let us go through without frisking us, which is nice considering I didn’t want to give up my switchblade. A girl can never be too careful.

When we round the corner, my jaw drops. There must be at least five thousand people here already, not including the line of patrons still waiting to get in. I was not expecting such a good turnout. Although, some of the world’s greatest bands are here.

“Do you want to check out the merch before the show starts?” Ash asks, eyeing the various tents longingly.

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