Song of the Chapter: Time Bomb (Feat. Veela) - Feint & Boyinaband (DnB)

I realize things aren't super exciting yet, just bare with me ... the worst is yet to come.

(Monstercat's POV)

We pull up to the hotel we previously bought rooms at and sneak us all in. The story's a little long and awkward,  so I'll spare you the details. Just know that I will never look at stuffed animals the same way again.

Once we get up to the rooms, we're greeted by two pleasant surprises.

"Danyka Nadeau," Noisestorm says. "Oh, and Laura Brehm. Never seen  without each other, as usual."

"Like you and Phantom are any different," one of them says, laughing.

"And ... why is he wearing your hoodie?" the other giggles.

Noisestorm shrugs and Phantom smacks him. "Take your hoodie back," he grumbles, pulling it off over his head. "I don't want anyone getting any ideas."

"Like what? We're a couple?" Noisestorm jokes, but then frowns as he realizes what he said. The two of them share an awkward glance and both yell, "NOPE" at the same time. Phantom chucks the blue hoodie at his friend and storms into one of our rooms, his face bright red.

"That," Noisestorm says after an awkward silence, "was an accident."

Laura and Danyka laugh and enter their own room, separated from the other guys. I give Eveelyn a little shove and she slowly follows them.

We have five rooms all together,  since there's so many of us; one for the three girls and four for the boys - there's too many of them to count,  especially since half of them won't stop moving. I let everyone get settled and rest for an hour before I call everyone into the middle room to explain my idea. Some of the artists have been questioning my motives.

"Is everyone here?" I ask, standing up on the little desk. Nobody answers and everyone keeps talking. "IS EVERYONE HERE?" I shout.

The room finally quiets down and I can get a good look at everyone. There's barely enough space for everyone, and we're all jam-packed, but I've never felt better. We're a family now. Well ... except maybe Eveelyn. She's still kind of shoved herself in the corner and won't interact with anyone. I'll talk to her later.

Well, this is it. There's no backing down now. "Some of you have been wondering why I thought coming into the city was a good idea," I begin and someone mutters something under their breath. "Well, I have some things to explain." I rub my paws together and grin. "The MI's base is here, correct? So if we're here, too, and they don't know we are, we can watch them. See what they're actually doing here, what protection they have, how easy it'll be to sneak past them. Phantom can get in easier to grab more music. The rest of us can pick up supplies and stock up the campsite, in case we have to leave on short notice. Plus, some of you really need some civilization interaction."

There's a collective chuckle, but the emotions on the artists' faces range from annoyance to fear to excitement.

"Anyone who doesn't feel comfortable here can go back to the campsite, if they want to," I suggest. "I'm sure someone will take you."

"That's it?" Muzzy grumbles.

"That's it," I say, shifting my feet uncomfortably. "We can plan things more easily if we know what we're up against."

"True." Tristam nods, leaning back on the bed post. "Plus, I think there are still a few of us here - in the city."

"So you're not going to forbid me from buying more fireworks?" Noisestorm calls from across the room.

"Please do," Phantom mutters.

Ideas begin to form in my head. "Buy as many as you can," I say, ignoring the various groans. "We can use them as safe weapons - cause trouble, you know, that kind of stuff. If we annoy them enough, they'll all come out in the open and we can finish it off."

"We're not fighters," Tristam says. "Most of us can't even sneak around. I don't want to hurt anyone more than we have to."

I want to tell them than people get hurt in a rebellion. Someone this powerful isn't going to go down without a fight. Instead, I say, "Fireworks can do some good damage, but they won't kill. They're easy to get and easy to hide. In the end, yeah, we might have to use something bigger, but we'll figure that out when it comes closer."

Tristam shrugs. "Alright, I see your point. But right now, we need to stock up on food but keep low at the same time. How many of you are in the MI's security system as an artist and/or on the run?"

Multiple hands go up, scattered around the room.

"How many of you have pictures in the system?"

Some hands go down.

"You guys will stay here," Tristam says, and even though he's completely taking control, I let myself relax. They all seem ready and willing to follow him, and he's a natural leader. "The rest of you will get various jobs - things to pick up and such. The ones with voices in the system will have to promise to say quiet. Got it?"

A loud and over-dramatic sigh causes the entire group to turn their heads. It's Noisestorm, raking his hand through his hair in annoyance.

Phantom lets out a loud laugh. "Finally."

●•●•●•●

(Evee's POV)

I follow the girls into their room and flop down on one of the beds. They ignore me for a while until one of them suggests I go and take a shower, since I hadn't before. I do, and the hot water relaxes me. I've always loved showers, washing away everything; guilt, loneliness, anxiety, everything. If only something as simple as that could get me out of here.

I step out only to find my old clothes gone. Awkwardly, I poke my head out and one of them, Laura, I think, hands me a new pair of clothes - sweats, naturally comfortable. I thank her and quickly change, loving the feeling on soft fabric on my finally-clean body.

Laura and Danyka are talking loudly when I join them again. I sit on the other bed by myself and get out my sketch pad.

"So, Eveelyn," Danyka says, "what kind of music do you make?"

"I don't ..." I mutter, not wanting to talk. "Not the kind you're thinking of."

"Do you sing?" Laura points at herself and her friend. "We do. We don't really make it."

"Sort of."

"Then, no offense, but why are you here?"

I don't tell them that I was sort of kidnapped and forced into this mess. Instead, I say, "I ran away from my parents ... I play the violin."

I expect them to laugh or something, but they don't. Instead, Danyka's face brightens. "Really? That's so cool!"

"We should write a song with you!" Laura giggles. "Wouldn't that be cool? I mean, the label doesn't usually release that kind of music, but think about it for a second. I sang a cool song with TheFatRat that sounded like an orchestra piece in certain places ... us three could make some cool stuff!" She mutters something under her breath that sounds like, "I wonder if he's okay ..."

Danyka gets super excited, too, and they both start discussing different parts and lyrics they want to put it, leaving me out. I don't take the rejection personally. I probably would've done the same thing.

I go back to my sketch and ignore them, too. I'm doing just fine by myself, but Laura jumps into the bed next to me. "What do you think?" she asks.

"Hmm?" I answer half-heartedly, trying to shield my drawing from her.

"About the song idea."

"Oh, I umm ... I think it's great."

"You weren't even listening, were you?" She laughs. "You know, EDM isn't all computers and stuff. I know plenty of songs with violin sounds in them."

"Like what?" I grumble.

"Through the Dark," she says.

"Hmm?"

"Most things by Rogue."

For some reason, that catches my attention, but I try to ignore it. He abandoned me for these weirdos.

"You have to listen closely," Laura continues awkwardly when I don't respond.

"I think his voice cracks in that song," Danyka comments. "I don't remember where, I'll have to listen to it again."

I don't really care about any of his songs right now. I hate EDM and I hate Rogue.

Someone knocks on the door. "We're ready to go, just to let you know," Tristan - no, Tristam - calls. I'm not going with them, but I suddenly have a strong urge to ask.

"Hey, umm ..." I begin awkwardly. "Can I come with you?"

There's a hesitation. "Sure," he finally says.

I stand up, much to the surprise of the other girls. Maybe I'll have another chance to escape, or at least get a better idea of what the city looks like from a runaway's point of view. I've lived here my whole life, but I've always felt safe on the streets, at least until recently. Hopefully no one will recognize me. They shouldn't, since I never wear anything like this in public and I currently don't have any make up on.

Tristam grins at me when I open the door. "Ready?"

"I guess," I answer. "Are Danyka and Laura coming?"

"They didn't want to," he says, shaking his head. "It's just you, me, and Stephen."

Well, awesome. I'm stuck with two guys and no one else. At least these aren't the totally insane ones.

We start to leave, and I lag behind a little as we walk to the elevator. Someone grabs my shoulder roughly and I jump in surprise as they spin me around to face them. It's Noisestorm, and his eyes are as hard as diamonds. His fingers are tight around my shoulder, but they relax a little as if he's making sure he doesn't hurt me. "Do you know what I also believe in?" he says, his voice low and almost threatening.

I don't answer, but force myself to meet his gaze. I don't regret what I did.

"Betrayal at second glance." Before I can even react, he spins me back around and gives me a shove toward the elevator. I turn again to apologize, even if I don't mean it completely, but he's already halfway down the hall, his hands shoved angrily into his hoodie pockets. Honestly, at the time, the kiss had seemed like a good idea, but now, I realize that I might have seriously hurt him.

"Come on, Eveelyn," Tristam calls.

I let my gaze linger just a little longer before running to catch the elevator.