Page 139 of Disharmony

Suddenly, Tiffany’s voice fades into nothing, and the song cuts out. The scratching of a record rings out, a nice touch from Leila. The stage lights plunge into darkness, and the audience gasps, unsure whether this is part of the planned performance.

“You’re on Ash,” Cookie says, giving me a push forward.

I take a deep breath and step through the curtains onto the stage into the thick purple smoke, which hides what’s going on. I weave my way through the performers. As I move, a spotlight appears and shines down on my head to follow me. The piano opening to Bring Me To Life starts.

Tiffany’s eyes narrow as I reach center stage, but she can’t throw a temper tantrum when the cameras are rolling. She’s used to being the one in control, but now… she has to follow my lead if she doesn’t want to make a fool out of herself.

I start to sing.

As I do, campers in the audience point at the screen behind me. There is something playing…

fifty-five

Zed

What the fuck is going on?

Ash steps through the smoke like a gothic goddess rising from the embers. I recognize her outfit instantly. She wore it when she performed with us. That, with her acid wash jacket, makes her look like a warrior preparing to take her rightful throne.

Tiffany pales in comparison by her side and fades to insignificance. She’s just another pretty face that could have been generated by an AI machine, but Ash is interesting. She’s different. Captivating. She takes my breath away.

I don’t know how she’s pulled this off…

I look at McCallister whose ass is hovering a few inches from his seat. Jacqueline’s lips are set into a thin-lipped smile, but fire burns behind her eyes. Does Ash really understand what she’s doing, or what facing the wrath of Jacqueline and Starnote will mean?

Tiffany’s jaw sets, but she manages to control her anger in front of the cameras. Her high note has been stolen from her. Ash is going to steal the motherfucking show. The other campers sway side to side, improvising on the spot as Ash starts to sing.

Her voice is delicious, thick like honey, and I get lost in it. She isn’t holding back. Her raw, gritty edge comes out in a growl as she rises to the chorus. The backing singers know the song. Who doesn’t? It’s a good choice.

One brave backing singer steps in and starts harmonizing with Ash. Then, another joins in. Tiffany may have been their Queen, but they aren’t going down with her. There is new royalty in town, and this is their chance to impress too. They’ve been against Ash for so long, now they have to stand with her.

It’s not until she’s halfway through the first verse that I really pay attention to the video playing on the screen. Pictures of the campers, happy times on the lake, Cookie, Leila, the twins, and someone else… a girl with mousy brown hair I don’t recognize. The video zooms in on her smile, then there are more pictures of her, smiling and joking. As the song progresses and the chorus hits, my eyes widen at the sight of the same girl in a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask.

Holy shit…

They are telling Riley’s story.

If Ash is aware of what’s happening, she doesn’t show it. I cast a glance at the judges. Unlike Jacqueline and McCallister, they have no idea this was never meant to be part of the show. Jacinta dabs her eyes, moved by the display.

“She’s really doing it,” Ripper murmurs, transfixed on Ash and staring up at her in awe.

I once questioned whether Ash would be able to face a life with the Basilisks. I didn’t know whether she was strong enough, but now, I know she can take anything.

We hide under our masks from the world and, as Ash roars the chorus, I realize she’s exposing herself to the world… and that makes her braver than the three of us combined. It’s never been a question of whether she could handle life with us, but whether we could handle her.

fifty-six

Ash

I lose myself in the music.

I don’t think of how many people are watching, or the reactions of the judges, or even how Jacqueline is going to bury me in so much shit that I’ll never work again. I keep my gaze focused on the treetops and let my voice do the talking.

My emotions rise to the surface and bubble over, making me shake. I’m tearing my soul from my body and letting the lyrics carry over the breeze. I hope the people I love will understand why I have to do this. Why I have to embrace who I am.

The harmonies of my fellow campers around me elevate my words. As the chorus builds, I throw my head back and roar, stunning them into silence. I let my anger fuel me. I feel fury at Tiffany, who was content to do anything to shine. I feel resentment at McCallister for not allowing me to express myself, and this whole damn camp for suppressing our creative freedom. I feel frustration at Brick for getting me into this damn situation and almost ruining our friendship… then, Mom. I feel hurt at being left behind without a proper goodbye. How could she leave me?

I scream, not just for me, but as a homage to the Basilisks. The band who taught me who I really am. Performing with them showed me how it felt to be alive, and I never thought I’d get to experience that feeling again… until now.

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