Page 95 of Disharmony

I’ve always admired the Basilisks’ music and thought no other artists compared. But now, I’d be leaving in the knowledge that music isn’t the only thing they are the best at…

thirty-six

Ash

The ache between my legs confirms it really happened.

Fuck, I actually had sex with the Basilisks last night.

I may not know who the men behind the masks really are, but I know our unforgettable sex will make every other sexual encounter in my life pale into insignificance. Afterward, we stayed up into the early hours talking about everything and nothing at the same time: our inspirations, our music, what we thought of the world, Venom even spent time looking through my notebook and discussing my lyrics… We must have fallen asleep at some point, and now, I’m waking up in a coffin.

The Basilisks told me they sleep with their coffin lid’s shut. They have holes in them, but I’d still be worried about suffocation. My cell phone has been placed thoughtfully under the comfy pillow. I try to turn it on, but it’s dead.

I vaguely remember texting Cookie last night to prove I’m still alive. Hopefully, she can wait until I return to camp before pulling a search party together.

I crane my neck to look out of my coffin pod. The curtain separating the sleeping area is closed and blocks the view of the rest of the bus. I gingerly climb out and down the small ladder. After earth shattering orgasms, I’m still unsteady on my feet.

I’m wearing nothing but a Basilisks hoodie, but someone has hung my clothes from yesterday up on a hook on the wall alongside a limited-edition Basilisks T-shirt. There were only fifty ever made, and I remember how I stayed up until midnight years ago to try to buy one. I slip that and my shorts on then pull the curtains back.

The guys are awake and sit sipping coffee around the bar. A mug is waiting for me, still steaming. They’ve managed to change outfits without waking me, and they’re all wearing identical black onesies, with Guy Fawkes masks and hoods pulled up. If it weren’t for the first letters of their names painted red in the middle of their forehead, I’d struggle to know who was who.

Disappointment pangs in my chest, and I’m not sure why. After all, I was the one who told them I didn’t want to see their faces. Did I really expect they’d bare all to me after one amazing night together?

“What time is it?” I croak, my voice is hoarse from the screaming and… you know. There’s only so long Cookie can cover for me, and I’ll bet my phone is already blowing up with texts from her worrying I’ve been murdered and thrown in a ditch somewhere.

Zed nods out the window. “We’ve pulled up near Wilderton. Ted drove through the night.”

Without my mask, I’m lacking last night’s confidence and struggle to meet his gaze.

“I have to get back to camp,” I say lamely.

“Ted!” Zed calls through at a deafening volume, making me wince. “It’s time to go to Camp Harmony.”

The engine roars, and I sit down with them, grateful for the hit of caffeine from the black coffee.

“We’ll be there in ten minutes,” Zed says.

“You can’t drop me off!” I insist.

Jacqueline has cameras and security stationed at the camp entrance. No one can know I snuck out all night.

“What’s wrong?” Ripper teases. “Are you ashamed of us?”

“We’ll drop you near the entrance,” Venom says hastily to calm my racing heart. “You can walk from there, right?”

“Thanks,” I mumble.

“Do you want to talk about last night?” Ripper asks me.

Zed and Venom sip their drinks casually, but I can tell from the way their hands tighten around the handles of their mugs that casual is the last thing they’re feeling.

My cheeks burn at the memory of what we did… on the sofa… the floor… fuck!

“What about it?” I ask, trying to act cool like having a foursome is just a regular part of my day.

I want to spare them the awkwardness of letting me down gently. Last night was the best fucking night of my life, but I’m not naive enough to think anything will come from it. The Basilisks are freaking rockstars, and all good things come to an end. They don’t owe me anything.

“Ash, about what happened…” Ripper’s voice trails off.

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