RECAP:
"Tom.. What are you doing curled up in a ball on the sand?" They heard Eileen speak again, this time cautiously. Next there was a slight whimper coming from the beach at their feet, Arden and Dan could only assume she had resorted to poking the poor guy.
"I don't like this game anymore" his scared feeble voice sounded out like a small child afraid of the dark.
"Neither do I if it means I have to look at Marks junk- I thought woman kind was safe from that fate." Leeny replied smugly, only to be swiftly followed by Aaron proclaiming the pain would now be over and Mark's angry muttering.
…
The bright kitchenette of the fancy hotel room was loud with the din of voices. The group was back at the boy's place; it was much closer to stay in the city than go back to the suburbs for the evening. As they ate the icecream Tom had bought on that fateful night of meeting they rehashed some of the more amusing events of the evenings adventures. Rupert, Aaron and Mark were grumbling while the others laughed loudly at their woes.
"I still can not believe that you guys made me go to the video store RIGHT AFTER the DVD release of the latest Harry Potter- you're sick. You know I was standing right next to a bloody life sized poster of myself! There was no way they wouldn't recognise me!" Rupert whined, his face still red with embarrassment. Arden and Dan howled with laughter, leaning against each other in a last ditch effort to remain standing. After wiping away the tears and a few irregular gulps of air Arden choked out her two cents on the matter.
"I can't believe how funny it was when the chick behind the counter went all fangirl on you before you asked for anything, drawing EVERYONES attention to your presence in the store.. And then when she called out what you wanted on the loudspeaker so that the guy out the back could check for her!" Another bout of laughter interrupted her before she could continue with an afterthought. "You know, if you weren't famous she would have just gone and got it herself- the price you pay my friend." Though Rupert wasn't the only one who had a bad end to a good night.
"Forget about him! I had to stand out the front selling bloody naked photographs of myself! Rupert took FOREVER - I must have had to offer at least fifty people and the truly degrading part was that NO ONE wanted any! EVEN WHEN I OFFERED TO PAY THEM JUST TO END THE PAIN!" Mark bemoaned using exaggerated hand gestures to show them all his clear mortification.
"Well Sooo-RRY Markus. I was just a tad busy trying to disentangle myself from the most embarrassing situation of my life! That chick was practically attacking me- and then LAUGHING at me.. So I apologise if I wasn't too concerned with your little pornography ring you were running out there!" Rupert snapped back so full of sarcasm it was practically tangible. This only set off Tom, Arden and Dan more, Eileen was busy trying to be sympathetic and stifled her laughter with fake coughing fits. Now it was Aaron's turn to complain and Arden was quite frankly surprised that he had waited this long.
"Enough with the fake full names! Anyway, you guys are done now- it’s the past! I've got to sleep with that… THAT THING on top of me for the next month" He squeaked out in a strained high pitch voice pointing to a package in the corner. It was only visible as a lump under their beach gear since Az had insisted that it be hidden from view at all times- but these precautions still couldn't erase it from their consciousness.
"It is so not enough of the fake full names Aaronlington. Besides dude, The Count from Sesame Street is the LAMEST vampire of all time! You got lucky. It's only a doona cover- well… and pillow cases but we didn't say that you HAD to put those on- they were in the set." She looked over to him catching his distraught facial expression.
"Oh really! Don't look like that. Stop being a baby hes a cartoon!" Arden burst out, patting Aaron on the back with patronising slowness.
"Being a cartoon didn't stop Rupert.." Tom snickered out in response while shifting his narrowed eyes around to meet his co-conspirators- all of which were now trying to keep the amusement contained to prevent torturing poor Rupert any further. Aaron, still offended by Arden's blatant lack of sympathy and insulting speech, shot her a glare and huffed, deciding to mope by himself in the corner of the room that was furthest from The Count and it's obviously evil motives. Rupert on the other hand decided a sarcastic smile was all that was required and continued happily munching his pilfered mini-bar snacks.
"Sooo.." Eileen began looking with scrutinising eyes at Arden and Dan. "Its all well and good for you two to laugh now but we'll see who is laughing after the old 'we love Dashboard' convention tomorrow!" Tom chuckled along. Arden rolled her eyes and swallowed her enormous mouthful of icecream too quickly.
"Are you guys seriously that retarded! I told you I liked them, why would you give me something I liked in a room locked away from the five banes of my existence and with the one person I can actually stand." She choked out through the brain freeze. None of the present company was really insulted, they knew she was just being her usual twisted self. In fact, far from offended, most of them had horrible deformed grins slipping up their faces- all but Dan.
"What? What are you all smiling about? It sure isn't the circus coz you don't really look that happy- more… evil." She questioned suspiciously.
"Nothing" Eileen and Az- who had slunk back to the table to join the fun- said in a singsong voice that made Arden's skin crawl.
"Seriously.. Why the sadistic manic glee?" Arden asked raising an eyebrow.
"You'll find out tomorrow when we get back to the Shanty won't you?" Mark chimed in, the sickening grin still slicked on his face and pulled at the corners like washing on a clothesline.
"Ooo-KAy." Arden replied in a dismissive way before adding a muttered afterthought to Dan, "weirdos". As she lapsed into deeper thought, Arden looked at Daniel knowing that he was probably the only sane person left; bar herself of course. This was definitely a realisation that she needed to share.
"Hey, you guys.. Are you ever nearly one hundred percent sure that you are living in that movie 28 Days- where the whole world but you and possibly a moderate to moderately good looking guy get infected with this weird contagious rage that makes everyone go on killing sprees to satisfy their blood lust while also loosing their ability of conscious thought?" Dan muffled a snort in his shoulder as he tried his best not to catch Arden's eye. The exaggerated innocence in her voice did not fool any of them- below it was laced with the poison she managed to inject most of her statements with- sarcasm. The others lost their creepy clown faces and just glared at her.
"WAIT! Moderate to moderately good looking!?" Dan yelled out in indignation turning accusingly on Arden. She batted her eyelashes as a distraction before bolting to the door- it was time to cut her losses and run; she had no allies.
The hotel chasey turned out to be much more fun than their regular 'free range' round the block chasey. It had elevators and stairs and many, many floors to play on, always resulting in desperate hammering on the elevator buttons and tripping up and down steps in their haste. They found their way back to the room one by one as they got bored; Arden finally returning last when Dan caught her hiding behind a pot plant waiting to ambush him. The two entered to see a pile of bodies with their heads smashed into pillows lying haphazardly around the room. Some had found beds; others were just on the floor or couch. With the other five asleep, Arden, being quite adverse to the general practice of it, stole Dan's ipod to listen to while everyone dreamt. Though Daniel tried to stay up and keep her company, he drifted off after an hour or so as the long day took its toll on him and his eyelids fell unknowingly.
The sun pulsed though the long windows onto the seeming mass zombie grave that was Room 781, which stirred slowly to life at this cue at around noon. Arden however, was already up and showered, not to mention letting in room service to drop off lunch. With hair sticking in all directions, slight sunburn and bewildered looks on their faces, the others appreciated this peace offering only second to the pot of coffee she held up. The day had begun and they had plans: Nothing that either Arden Baker or Daniel Radcliffe would know about just yet…
As the Slanty Shanty came into view in all of its leaning glory Arden found that her pancakes no longer sat so happily in her stomach. It seemed they would rather be acrobats than delicacies fit for consumption, something that wasn't resulting in any good feelings on her part. Tom jumped out of the car, pulling Arden by the arm up to the door. She had never once dreaded going into her beloved home but there was always a first for everything.
"What the devil are you planning?" She squeaked out nervously. Mark, Aaron and Rupert were busy manhandling Dan out of the car where he was adamantly holding the handle as if his life depended on it and screaming absurdly. Arden had to crack a smile- it looked too funny. She did the clever thing and submitted to their demands knowing that five against one was not a battle worth fighting physically.
The reason for all of this chaos was a simple fact of human life; that the only thing worse than knowing their fate was not knowing it. And Arden and Dan wouldn't put anything past their friends: after all, they were talking about the people geared with the intimate knowledge of their every weakness here.
After much flailing and yelling on Dan's part, and a whole lot of subtle attempts to weasel information out on Arden's, the two ended up in front of a bright green door that was at the very end of the slanted hall. Arden looked at Aaron and Mark with confusion; she didn't know what was so evil about the Rec Room. The others hadn't seen this room yet- mainly because it was Billie's favourite room (besides his bedroom) and Arden and Az hadn't gone in there since he had left- so they wore uncertain looks that hinted that they did not know what to expect. She could only assume that this would be the cell she and Dan would be trapped in for the next seven hours.
After such a long period of disuse the door had somehow sealed itself in its spot, stalling the inevitable just a little tiny bit longer. Aaron had to resort of brute force once again – the second time in this mission- as he lined up the arm with the completely unbroken hand and ran at the lacquered green obstacle. The hinges creaked as Aaron battered his shoulder into the door uselessly. Billie had long ago perfected a special method of opening the door that he refused to tell anyone so the others had to rely on less simple methods to gain entry.
Finally it sprung open and smoothly swung back into the very wall that supported it with a clatter.
"Weee're HEEERREEE!" Aaron shouted. "Time to get settled in for the long haul." He grinned widely at them showing just about every tooth in his mouth. The room was dark and dusty, sheets draped over bulky objects everywhere. Mark flicked on the ancient lights with a loud 'clunk' as Aaron pulled away one of the eerie white protectors. Below was Billies enormous amplifier and some cords, something which Az skilfully hooked up to Dan's now confiscated ipod. Aaron flicked switches and adjusted the volume before proclaiming it was all ready to go. The others waved cheerfully, setting Rupert's chunky watch down on the worn floorboards and leading the ipod and cable out the door. They shut it with just enough room for the cord to run under the gap- Dan and Arden's control over the musical ambience now forfeited.
Arden smiled nervously at Dan from where she stood just opposite him. This wasn't too bad at all, they would know the time, had company AND she could tell that Aaron wouldn't have the music too loud since he wouldn't be wanting to hear any of it. The song began and they breathed a sigh of relief. 'Hands Down' wasn't a bad song at all- there was something sweet about it that made it likeable, Az and Mark seemed to be quite forgiving when it came to the playlist they had quickly compiled.
"So this is it then, might as well sit down or something." Arden laughed pulling Dan onto the floor with her. They lay next to each other facing the roof and softly singing the words- they knew this enthusiasm towards the band wouldn't last very long so decided to make the most of it at the start.
His fingers were intertwined with hers as they closed their eyes to everything in the world but each other and the soft music. If this was torture then they weren't feeling it. That’s the thing about punishment- life being the first person perspective experience that it is means if we want to hurt or please we have to do it inspired by others fears or wants- not our own. Arden chuckled at her friends foolishness, they had assumed since it would be the worst experience of their own lives that it would be hers too- this however, was not the case. The song slowly faded out and both exchanged a smile getting ready to sit up and do something. As they propped themselves on their elbows lying parallel to one another Arden heard something very strange and unexpected. Something infuriating. More specifically, a quick pattern of notes then four clangs of a symbol. Even more specifically it was 'Hands Down'. Again.
Dan and Arden hesitantly met eyes.
"Please tell me they didn't..?" Dan said over the song raising his eyebrows slightly.
"At least its an alright song- I'm not going to crack like Aaron wants. He WILL sleep with The Count for a month and I'll do this. It’s the way the game works." She said back grimly, though lightening up at the thought of Aaron sleeping with in Sesame Street decorated bed in his 'too cool' bedroom. She shared the thought with Dan who also found it a reason to keep going.
"Ok!" he exclaimed brightly, "lets do something fun. Dance with me." He smiled his charming grin and Arden couldn't say no. After all, seven hours was not bound to pass quickly. He held out his hand and pulled her from the ground.
His hand fitted snugly in the curve of the small of her back as his other continued to hold her own- only shifting to change their grip. She placed one hand lightly on his shoulder and they began to step, Dan guiding her with a gentle ease. The dancing began to become more inventive as they went and the pace increased. The song ran over and over, round and round the room like a carousel as they turned and moved through the air. As Dan spun Arden outwards her laughter echoed in the small low ceilinged room and he playfully shushed her.
"We don't want them to know we're enjoying ourselves." He whispered with laughter in his eyes. He tugged her hand and she twirled back toward him, though in the little space they were confined to due to the bulky sheet covered furnishings, she ended up flush against his body. Both froze- no longer dancing or even blinking. Quick, fast exhales took the place of their happy footfalls and all semblances of playfulness were now gone. Like two children that had climbed too far up a tree, the pair stood in terror, not knowing how to get back down from here- both craving the adrenalin of the fall but dreading the impact of the landing. Arden's heart pumped hard against her ribs even after her breathing had slowed and the seconds ambled along, each one determined to take as long as it possibly could. The resolute tune of 'Hands Down' powered into yet another round as they stood frozen.
Finally Arden felt her feet move her back, a gap now residing between them in the wake of her uncertain retreat. At the impact of her foot in the stumble backward Dan watched an eyelash fall to her cheek like an autumn leaf from a tree. He reached up and gently brushed it onto his fingertip holding it up just in front of her lips.
"Make a wish." He breathed out in a low rasp. The world seemed to rush back to normal time and the song sped back into her consciousness. Arden exhaled - all her inhibitions with the Carbon Dioxide she was expelling - lifting the black lash from his skin with the long puff of air and into a small cloud of dust they had stirred in their dance.
"I really hope this was it.." Dan said biting down on his lip as he tugged her hand to bring her crashing into his chest and leaned into a swooping kiss. It was tentative and gentle and Arden smiled slowly. His lips ran fluidly over hers, his arms wrapping protectively around her as she stood with her hands by her side. She couldn't decide how much to encourage this- do we fuel the fire we play with despite the danger in the fun or do we let it die out and find a lesser amusement that wont end in nursing burns? Arden didn't know, but all she knew was she was terrified of burning alive. But this was only a moment- only a kiss. It wasn't a binding contract so she relaxed just a little. Dan pulled away so his lips were an infinitesimal distance from hers. She could feel the heat radiating from them as he spoke.
"So, did I hope for nothing or did hoping finally pull through?" He asked quietly looking at her with sparkling blue eyes. She smiled a lopsided grin.
"I actually was wishing that I could stalk Patrick Stumph from Fall Out Boy but I guess wishing that you'd kiss me was up there- right under Patrick." She laughed quietly, the reverberation through her body causing her lips to brush his softly.
"Well, I guess if I'm second to Fall Out Boy I can live." He sighed rolling his eyes in mock irritation. Arden grinned widely at him.
"Yeah well, you're going to have to- Patrick and I have a thing- it’s a secret thing he doesn’t exactly know about but its there none the less. Count yourself lucky that I was all the way here in Australia and no one comes here- the odds were in your favour." She said mimicking his tone in her faux consolance.
"I'd be willing to bet on those odds.." Dan said as he leaned in for another kiss, but Arden stepped quickly out of the circle of his arms.
"Sorry, no one wished on that one!" She said cheekily. Dan huffed, but couldn't hold back his grin.
"I was under the impression that it was my wish." He said as he stepped forward. Arden took another step back.
"Look, Dan, lets just sit down." She said quite seriously letting him know that this would not be the end of their back and forward exchange of affections. She was still afraid and he could sense her fear but she was warming to him and that was the most he could ask of her- even if he didn't know it.
One hundred and twenty-one repeats of Dashboards 'Hands Down' later the two sat back to back chatting comfortably – though their patience was well and truly worn with the choice in music.
"You know by the end of this we will have heard this song one hundred and thirty six times. This is more than enough! I want to kill. I'm developing a blood lust The Count WISHES he had." Arden said through clenched teeth, though laughed at her own joke that was tacked on the end. Dan just gave her an understanding look that spoke worlds of exasperation and defeat as the song started again. He decided it would be best to keep their minds off the ringing of the music in their brains so he took on a conversation he had been mulling over all of the previous night.
"So Arden, tell me, who is this mysterious Billie?" He asked, uncertainty evident in his voice.
"Well," She began "He is without a doubt the most important man in my life." She replied rather ambiguously. Dan was desperate to know his secret- he was this enigma that was thrown around by all of his new friends casually and he knew that he had to figure it out before getting to Arden.
"Wow, that’s a big claim. Does he live up to it?" He asked through a chuckle, desperate to sound casual. Arden shifted a little behind him and he cursed himself for the fact that that was probably the wrong thing to say. Her reply however, came quite naturally, though he expected an awkward silence or a blow up.
"I have never once doubted him. He is the only person I have ever trusted entirely." She said surely and evenly. Dan raised his eyebrows at this comment, Arden didn't seem like one to ever entirely trust anyone."
"And how did he earn such a fortunate gift?" He queried, no longer able to keep the curiosity out of his voice.
"He was there when everything went up in flames." She replied simply- though continued after a pause to shed some more light on the matter. "He knows my pains blow for blow as he felt them too. He looked after me and brought me back from the brink of sanity. He understands me because he is me." Dan could not see but she was wore a sad smile on her face as she spoke. "I would not wish the hurdles of my short life on anyone, but I didn't wish it, it just happened, and for that we will always be connected. Heart to heart and mind to mind." Dans tired brain blocked out the din of the music throbbing its way through his head as he took this in. He could never be this mans equal because he had never had the chance to live in such a way. It was impossibility at its finest.
"Can I see your tattoo?" He requested softly. He was sure the words would have been lost under the music but she had heard them in the clarity they were spoken. Arden moved in front of Dan, pulling down the top of her black 'Against Me!' shirt to reveal the tip of the heart and the curvy inked inscription 'Billie'. She sat back down, this time next to him as he thought this simple gesture over. He had still only seen half of the heart.
"Can I ask you a question?" He said with slight defiance- never having liked something being kept from him. Arden turned to meet his eyes but suddenly tore her gaze away at the sound of the door clicking. Their time was up. However, it was not exactly the finale they had expected. A person walked right in the room and looked around in confusion before looking down to the floor where they both sat below eye level. Dan looked up into the face of this all too familiar yet wildly unfamiliar new company. He did a mental double take doubting himself for a moment- a very long moment. Arden seemed frozen solid where she sat- her body rigid.
"Oh, Sorry, I was just checking out the Band Room while Billie dragged his suitcase to his room. We just got in. Sorry to disturb." The boy mumbled out shyly before smiling warmly and walking back out. Arden snapped her head towards Dan gauging his reaction. She would have laughed if the situation were any different.
"So what was this one important question that I will allow you to ask me?" She said smugly knowing that she had gotten out of this tangle far too easily.
"What the bloody hell is Patrick Stumph doing in your house!?" Dan practically yelled.
