Chapter 82 (1/2)

Raina peaked out around the curtain, looking at the swiftly filling concert venue. That was a good sign for their ability to survive.

Much more chilling were the intermittent pops of gunfire and shouts of anger from around the doors to the stadium. Her security detail was manning the doors, keeping monsters away, but it was difficult as more and more people pressed in, desperate for a port in this bloody storm.

Her main bodyguard and friend, Matilda, and her manager and costume designer, Cassie, stood next to her.

“What do you plan on doing?” Matilda asked in a low voice, turning and looking at the frantically scrambling men backstage. Normally, they got their power from the small power plant the government of Franksburg still ran. However, that had become quite fickle in the last few hours, so her production team were scavenging the nearby area for generators.

Raina had even brought the one that powered her home when she came.

“I… Don’t really know. But…” And truly, Raina didn’t. These past few weeks, she had become increasingly reliant on the Senator. He essentially told her what she would be doing every day. It was nice, in a way. Her life was simple, and filled with music.

And yet, she couldn’t get the voice of that strange, stoic man out of her head. Should could still picture his face as he told her that he couldn’t tell what was the skill, and what was not. Sighing inwardly, Raina plastered a bright smile on her face and continued to speak. “But we couldn’t do nothing. Once word gets to the military, they will send-”

“No, they won’t” A cold female voice interrupted Raina, and she was shocked to find a bloodsoaked woman holding a spear standing near their group. Snorting, the woman pulled a towel out of nowhere and began to wipe her face. “The perimeter is full of holes already, there is no one they dare spare to come assist you.”

Then the woman hesitated, her face scrunching up. “...Except perhaps… me. I have come to investigate the state of the city. I am Alana.”

“You…” Matilda tilted her head to the side. “You are from that other village, to the north. The people who came down with classes…? DId you know  this would happen when they found a village!??!”

Alana grimaced. “I did warn them, they simply didn’t-”

“Enough, it’s fine.” Raina said coolly, giving the woman Alana a short glance before turning back to the stage. “For now, let’s focus on surviving. My song can help calm people-”

A scream distracted her, and Raina twisted to see that several large toads were hopping in from a side hallway. They spat poison around, the walls and floor that got covered in it were slowly warping and melting.

Alana blurred, racing towards the toads, and several turned and spat towards the approaching threat. Spinning her spear, she knocked the strange liquid to the side, except for one fat glob. It arced slowly through the air, and Raina watched it with wide eyes.

It was inevitable, she thought. My body won’t even move.

Matilda seemed to realize what was happening right after it was too late. Her face flickered between expressions, from calm, to shock of the frogs appearance, to relief as Alana moved, finally settling on mounting horror.

The acid took her in the face. She barely managed to close her mouth and eyes in time.

First, there was nothing.

Then there was pain.

Her entire world was on fire, focused on her face. Every concentrated nerve ending lit up like a candle.

Collapsing, Raina heard people swearing and rushing around her, dumping water on her face. But the pain persisted, ripping deeper. Her mind stuttered, and began to slow.

“Fuck, open your mouth.”

Raina drifted off into darkness, her only regret being-

Someone punched her in the gut, and she reflexively opened her mouth, gasping. A strange, warm liquid was poured down her throat.

“Mixed by The Ghosthound himself, not that you will appreciate it.” The woman, Alana, said waspishly.

Raina shivered, as her once weakening body was once more filled with vitality. More water was poured on her face, and the pain had dropped a lot as well, down to manageable levels, even as she felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

Slightly woozy, she managed to stand, gripping tightly onto Matilda. Slowly at first, but then committing, Raina opened her eyes.

It appeared that Alana had swiftly killed the frogs, and no one else, other than her, had been harmed. Which was a blessing, but Matilda and Cassie were looking at her like someone had died.

“Is… something wrong….?” Raina asked, wincing as she moved her face. Her skin still felt tight and raw.

Cassie winced. “Oh… it’s… it’s nothing. Just… a little scarring…”

Alana snorted. “Girl, that acid sorta fucked your face up. It’s not something makeup can fix.”