Charlie must’ve snatched the papers out of her hands, because I heard a sharp sound. Heavy footsteps approached, and I watched as he punched the door open.
All the anger flooded out of him as he came near. Charlie knelt down and hugged me. “I’m sorry.”
I embraced him back, the sense of panic finally lifting from my shoulders. “Charlie, promise me you’ll never take me back to this hospital. Even if I’m dying, let me die. Just don’t make me come back here.”
Charlie stiffened, but he finally said, “I promise.”
Oberi blinked at us with big black eyes. I wrapped my arms around my middle as I asked quietly, “Now what do we do?”
“We don’t need anyone. We’ll get by without them,” Charlie said crossly.
“You don’t have any medical training, and I don’t know anything about healing spinal injuries,” I said in defeat.
“It doesn’t matter. I can help you a hell of a lot more than they can,” Charlie said firmly. “Let’s take some down time before class. We’ll start fresh tomorrow.”
I was pretty bummed out the rest of the day. I didn’t pay attention at all in class and half-assed my homework. I was all but ready to crawl into bed and avoid the world as we sat in the Villain’s Den that evening. Charlie had his reading glasses on and was working on a presentation, while I watched the news. Oberi lay over my feet and nibbled on a chew toy.
“Breaking news! A small boy with a curable illness who was taking refuge in the bunkers of Celestial City has died, due to being unable to access treatment,” the broadcaster proclaimed. “His death contributes to the thousands of lives lost in the previous weeks, with assaults on Kinpago and Celestial City continuing through the month. This morning, Octavia Falls was targeted by a Celestial air raid, which caught fire to half the town.”
The broadcaster went on to say that it didn’t look like a ceasefire was going to happen anytime soon. I frowned and turned away from the television. None of this helped to make me feel better.
Kallie came rushing into the Villain's Den— in a much brighter mood than yesterday, I saw. Marcus wasn’t with her. She ignored the carnage playing across the television, which felt heartless… and yet, wasn’t. There was so much bad news playing across the screen day after day now we’d already grown desensitized to it. I don’t know if any of us listened anymore.
“You seem rather cheery,” I noted.
“Ivy’s having a powder paint party at The Devil’s Playground tonight,” Kallie said. “The dancers are going to toss a bunch of colors into the crowd. It’s going to be amazing.”
My heart lifted. It was the best thing I’d heard all day. “Ancestors, that sounds like so much fun!” I said in excitement. “Charlie, can we go?”
Charlie leaned back in his chair. “I’m sorry, pidge, but I have to get this project done for Criminal Justice before my shift. It’s due tomorrow. I would if I could.”
“I’ll take her,” Kallie volunteered. “We’ll have a great time.”
Charlie hesitated, and I started to beg. “Please? I really want to.”
He finally relented. “Sure. You’ll be fine if Kallie’s around.”
I want to go, too! Oberi said in excitement.It’s been ages since I’ve been to a rave.
“We should get ready now,” Kallie said. “Before tickets are sold out.”
An hour later, Kallie and I had donned neon shorts and white t-shirts. She wheeled me down as fast as she could to The Devil’s Playground. Oberi followed behind, shaking all the ribbons we’d tied into his fur.
A world of wonder opened up to me as we entered the club. The club was mostly dark, with blacklights glowing against the stage and vibrant powder paint splattered everywhere. The paint was in round pouches that were stacked on barrels placed around the room. Inmates were everywhere, dancing through the strobe lights and tossing the powder paint at each other.
I heard Ivy’s voice resonate throughout the club as he sang a popular song. A couple of guys had lifted Ivy onto their shoulders and were carrying him around the room. He wore a cut-off shirt and silver panties with a mesh green skirt overtop. He was covered in all kinds of powder paint, and had bangles running up and down his arms. He threw his head back to the music, running his hands over his body in a sexy pose. Above him on the stage catwalks, Chancey was wearing an army helmet and throwing dollar bills down to the crowd below, making it rain money.
“Looks like Ivy’s having the time of his life!” I shouted to Kallie.
“So are we!” Kallie yelled back. “Come on, let’s get on the dance floor!”
Oberi gave a hearty woof, and we navigated our way to the middle of the club. We grabbed powder pouches off the barrels and tossed them at each other. The powder got all over our clothes and hair, and best of all, it was filled withglitter.I laughed as I tossed an orange powder pouch over our heads. It exploded, covering us with an array of paint and sparkles. Oberi looked like a multicolored rainbow, running in circles with his tongue hanging out.
I couldn’t dance like I used to, but I still had some moves. A smile spread across my face for the first time that day. This was so much fun! I was really glad Kallie had brought me here. It felt like old times.
We stayed on the dance floor for an hour, acting silly, dancing song after song as we smashed powder paint all over each other. Eventually, we needed a drink and headed off to order at the bar. I rolled myself over— and stopped dead.
A singular stair led up to the bar where you had to place orders. I’d never noticed it before… because I’d never considered it an obstacle. Now, it was a big one.
