Page 26 of Sonata
16
Viola
Icouldn’t tell if it was tears or blood running down my face, but my eyes were burning and my throat felt raw. It dawned on me that I was screaming, so I bit my lips hard enough for a coppery taste to fill my mouth. My body as clenched tight, every muscle stiff as a rock from the pain pounding in my temples while the blaring sound sequentially increased in volume.
We were going to die.
After all the shit we went through, all the pain and suffering we endured, our heads were about to explode like water balloons we used to throw from windows on the pavement as kids. Rage, like I’ve never felt before, took whatever air I had left in my lungs, the burning, all-consuming sensation too alien to comprehend.
We all see ourselves differently from the perspectives others have of us, and I, for one, thought of myself as a very happy, kind, and loving person. Someone incapable of hatred or fury. A trait made by choice, not by default. It was enough of a shock to snap me out of whatever magic Seraphina was dashing out at us, and the high pitched noise along with the pain, immediately stopped. It was so sudden I actually ended up falling over to the side, my shoulder taking the impact hard enough for me to feel my skin ripping on the uneven ground. The stench of asphalt, decomposing leaves, and moist soil assaulted my nose with a vengeance with my face pressed to the dirt the way it was.
My vision cleared somewhat, and I darted my gaze around over the bodies writhing on the street. Above the twisting forms, I could see Seraphina standing on the sidewalk, both arms stretched to the sides and her lips moving. I counted my lucky stars that her eyes were closed even though Phillip was undisturbed by the magic and staring unblinkingly at the mass murder the witch was trying to commit. The asshole had his eyes greedily locked on Lucien’s brother, the one that got Melody as the chick of the century.
Lucky bastard, my friend was one of the best people I knew.
I clawed my way inch by excruciating inch toward my friends. If I snapped out of it, they could, too; I just needed to help them. We were kidnaped, used, and hurt because apparently, we were these powerful Muse things or whatever. It was time to put that shit to the test, big time. If we weren’t able to save ourselves and those on our side, what good were we to anyone? Keeping an eye on the witch and Phillipe from the corner of my vision, I finally reached the girls. They were both curled around each other in hopes of lessening their pain, I assumed.
Arm outstretched far enough, my shoulder popped, I reached for Melody first. Having your best friends in a life and death situation helped immensely since you know all their quirks. My hand wiggled between their bodies, a lot harder than you’d think with them twitching and moving, but I managed to squeeze it in.
I pinched Melody’s boob.
Hard.
Fingers pressed so tight I could almost feel them touching, I went to town on her tit. It was a trick I learned when we were in band camp, and she thought it’s smart to hide my violin. She didn’t talk to me for the entire time we were there, and I prayed it will do the trick now. I rather her not speaking with me than burying her body.
“Ouch, you bitch.” Melody gasped, and I could’ve cried. I did cry, actually. A tear trickled from the corner of my eye from relief.
“Thank fuck, it worked.” Breathing the words, I slid a little closer so I could reach Harmony.
“Thank you.” Melody’s voice hitched as she rubbed her eyes. “I hurt all over.”
“Shhh, that ass Philip is watching. Keep an eye on him until we get Harmony to snap out of it.” I was already pinching Harmony’s inner thigh like a fiend.
“No, girl.” Melody slapped my forearm. “That won’t work. Watch this.” With a groan, she slid her butt closer to our friend.
A quick glance told me the magic was still in full effect, and the bodies were more sluggish. Dark patches were forming around everyone, and I hoped they peed themselves rather than thinking it was blood spreading under everyone.
“Hurry.” I hissed at Melody just as her fingers squeezed Harmony’s nose.
Melody’s knuckles turned white, and I thought she’ll rip our friend’s nose out the way she was tugging on it. I wasn’t the one to talk after practically ripping Melody’s boob, but it wasn’t pleasant to watch. With a massive intake of air, you’d think she’s breaking the surface of the water while drowning for an hour, Harmony lifted off the ground, clawing at Melody’s arm.
“What now?” Melody asked without missing a beat. “She always does that if you pinch her nose, it’s the only way to wake her up since she sleeps like the dead.” She rushed the explanation defensively.
“I’m going to break your fingers, and you’ll never play an instrument again.” Harmony threatened, glaring. “Oh my god, I want to be dead. Why am I not dead?”
“Die later. Right now, if we don’t stop Seraphina, she’ll kill all of them.” They both frowned at me as if I’ve grown a second head. I could see the point, knowing there were a bunch of people who wanted to harm us, but…“The hotties, too. You want those dead, as well?”
“Étienne.” Melody tried to scramble to her feet, but I yanked her back down.
“Don’t stand up jackass, she’ll see you.” I hissed as I tugged their faces closer to mine. “Everyone is telling us we are these muses, right? We already killed innocent people by playing a dumb song. We are doing it now, too.”
“I don’t wanna kill people.” Melody flinched like I’ve slapped her.
“Die then.” Anger bubbled up. We were getting killed, and she worried about harming others. “I’m going to do anything to stay alive.”
“Vi, wait.” Harmony took hold of my upper arm when I tried to move. “We don’t have our instruments. Only you have your violin.”
“Then fucking sing, Harmony.” The memory of my scream when Seraphina walked in, finding Lucien there was too fresh in my mind. “I don’t know what else to tell you. I know I’m not going down without swinging.”
