Don't Come Crying

Title: Don't Come Crying

Form: Short Story

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Setting: Modern-Day Undisclosed Location

Page Count: 18

Logline: After years of working as a nocturnal assassin for a secret society, pop sensation Amora finally takes matters into her own hands and tries to escape her captors, leaving the world of glitz and glamor to regain her freedom.

Don't Come Crying

The soft pelting of rain hissed in front of my window.

I pulled back the long red curtains.

Street lamps lined the avenue like soldiers, guarding the room with flaming spears of rage.

A shiver crawled down my spine as screams of agony roared in my head. Eighteen years of suffering.

I backed away from the window and saw a line of golden framed photos decked across my drawer.

Pictures of a younger me dancing and singing at podunk talent shows in floral dresses reminded me of my family back home. Times were so simple back then.

Looking up, I saw them, my first headlines. I read them to myself. "Young Starlet Wows the Crowd with Show Stopping Performance!", "Samantha Dazzles the Audience With Cover of Starlight by Lady Jones".

Samantha...it's been a long time since anyone called me that. A smile crawled on my face as I remembered the last time someone called me Sammy rather than Amora. Him.

I glanced at one of the pictures and felt my cheeks reach a boiling point.

It was of me and a boy with dark brown skin and amber eyes. Memories of him and I rehearsing songs and going on tour together filled my head. We'd always have so much fun together.

I picked up one of our old posters, reading its title. "Sam and Malachi: Soul of the South." Man, what times those were.

My smile collapsed as I turned to the left.

Shots of me in bikinis, corsets and bustiers hovered above my nightstand like ghosts, spotlights hovering underneath them while they hung on the walls. Newspaper articles mixed in with the pictures stood perched next to them, bragging about my beauty and latest fashion choices. In the center of it all, stood a massive poster of me in a black chemise and cream colored rabbit ears, kneeling behind my signature written in bright red ink. Its tagline read, "Death never looked so beautiful."

I glanced hellwards. How could I be so stupid? Leaning on my bed, I put down the photo and drifted off into space, remembering the night I sold my freedom away.

It was a hot June night. The air was muggy and there were enough fireflies to light up the night sky if need be.

I was sitting in her office, fingers tapping against the arms of my leather seat while I took in everything around me.

Dim yellow light bulbs hovered above me, their slick black wires swinging back and forth while a red glow bounced off the dark walnut walls.

A soft breeze zipped by, causing my gaze to shift toward a wooden table. Perched on it, was a pair of cracked skulls holding melting red candles in their heads, wax flooding through their eyes.

It seemed like things were finally going right for me.

A tall, slender woman walked in, adjusting her glasses and flashing a scowl at me. Clearing her throat, she placed a black folder with my name on it on the desk. "I must admit. It's not everyday you see Ms. Farwell so excited about a new subject."

I toyed with my fingers. "Well, I guess she must've seen something in me she didn't see in other people."

The woman looked me up and down. "Perhaps. My name is Cinera. I'll be your manager during our time together." She offered me a hand.

"Rosenberg, Samantha Rosenberg. It's nice to meet you." I shook her hand and gave her my brightest smile.

Her hand slipped out of my grip. She glanced at her file. "So, how did it feel when you heard the news?"

"Oh, it was amazing! I just couldn't stay on my feet! When I got the letter in the mail, I didn't even know how to react. I mean, after all the time and hard work, to hear that I'd finally be guaranteed a place in the spotlight?" I paused and let out a sigh. "It was a dream come true. For a second, it almost felt like something was finally going right for me."

"Well, can't say I haven't heard that reaction before." Cinera opened the folder, unveiling a long piece of papyrus laced with inky black letters. "I assume someone told you the situation, yes?"

"No. All they said was that I got the record deal." I glanced at the hardwood floor, noticing a life sized tiger skin rug complete with a head filled with freshly polished fangs.

"Well, Ms. Farwell wants you as a solo act. She thinks you're gonna be her next big star." She tapped her fingers on the desk. "But the catch is that Malachi's got to go if you want to accept her deal."

"Wait. What?" I looked at her. "I can't leave him behind! He's my best friend!"

"Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but she won't take you if you refuse to part from him." Cinera tilted her glasses.

"But we've worked so hard for this! How am I supposed to tell him this without breaking his heart--"

"Oh, you won't have to worry about him after you sign the contract. Once you do, we'll make sure he gets the memo and he'll be off your hands."

"I can't do that to him, not when he's given me so much." My head hung low.

"Well then, I guess I'll have to escort you out," Cinera emerged from her seat and walked towards the door.

"Wait." I paused, heart sinking. "I'll do it."

"Are you sure?" she asked and cocked an eyebrow.

I nodded. It's not like I'll get an opportunity like this again.

"Excellent," Cinera grinned, getting back in her chair. "Now, have you heard of Farwell's Golden Rule?"

I shook my head.

"A deal is a deal." She skimmed the piece of papyrus, placing it on the desk. "And according to your contract, yours is a life for a life."

"Okay? So then, what are the rules?" I slanted an eyebrow.

Cinera smiled, placing the contract in front of me again. "Now then, if you just sign here, you'll be all set."

Smirking, she handed me a black pen.

I folded my hands on the desk."Aren't you going to tell me all the rules first?"

"That's for you to figure out." Cinera slid the contract towards me.

I shifted my gaze back towards the pen. Um...okay.

My body swayed while moths fluttered in my stomach, slowly eating me alive while I stared at the pen. That's fine. Maybe that's just how they do it in showbusiness.

I glanced at the ceiling and my blood ran cold. What the--

A thin-horned shadow with a long neck and flaming red eye hovered above her, long claws growing like tree branches while it swallowed the light in the room.

Candlelight flickered around me, barely fighting back against the pitch black darkness.

My eyes widened as I pulled off the pen's cap, spotting a long silver blade attached to the bottom of the pen.

A legion of goosebumps emerged on my arms. "Um...I think you gave me the wrong pen."

"Oh, no. You just prick your finger and sign the contract with it."

A chill slithered down my spine. Do I really want to do this? I held the blade in my hand. Guess I don't really have a choice.

I followed her instructions, scribbling my bleeding finger across the page and wiping it on the corner of the desk.

Cinera chuckled, closing the folder and offering me her hand.

An awkward laugh escaped my lips as I lifted from my seat.

"Perfect. Welcome to the family, Amora." Cinera wrapped her arms around me, smile still intact.

"But my name's Samantha." I tucked a bang behind my ear.

Cinera looked at me, a pair of red fireballs glistening behind her amber eyes. "I can tell this will be the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership."

I smiled back at her. "Amora" huh? Not bad. Not bad at all.

Snapping back into the present, I put my head in my hands. Oh, how naive I was. I closed the long, red curtains.

Thunder roared above me, flashing a bolt of white light and flooding the streets beneath me.

Tears welled in my eyes and all the things I lost plagued my head.

Obsidian decked vinyl records hung on the walls, glistening like crystals while a black diamond chandelier hovered above me.

My red velvet pumps clicked against the black tile floor, heels dancing across them as I toured the room, the makeshift museum of twisted fantasies and fatal lies. How did I get here?

I took a deep breath.

Fragmented memories of drunken afterparties and rowdy concerts plagued my head. Fame came with a high price.

I glanced at a magazine article, its title reading, "Back in the Spotlight: Amora Returns with a Bang!" A picture of me in a corset dress holding a gold leaf pistol stood behind the text. Oh the irony. Songbird by day, assassin by night. That's what they always said I was.

Vinyl records and bejeweled daggers littered the walls while golden trophies shone under the light. Pearl laced handguns and copper pistols floated next to them, their grips gleaming next to the terrarium. It's a shame these are only decorations. Though I never understood why Ms. Farwell decided to give my brand an "edgier" look.

Soft orange candle light flickered around me, their flames drifting back and forth while a blackened skull sat on top of a decaying vintage piano.

I stopped at the back of the room, a lump forming in my throat.

Mascara stained tears dripped down my face and stung like acid.

I placed a hand on my head.

My hands shook and my chest tightened, memories of dark rituals and cold-blooded murders running through my mind as visions of gory torture sessions and sadistic murders made my hands tremble.

Whimpering, I looked around, lip quivering while the walls shook, shadows leaking down them like ink.

A chorus of screams and cries echoed around the room, ringing in my ears while severed arms, legs and torsos rained from the ceiling. What's going on?!

Hallucinations of blood from unsung talent drenched my hands while I fell to the ground, sobs escaping my lips.

I looked in the mirror, chest tightening while my reflection stared at me blankly.

Her pupils dilated and her negligee tore as she levitated off the floor. Next to her, formed a big black shadow with glowing white eyes and long thick horns, its smile glistening.

The shadow smirked at me and sliced off my reflection's head, letting its corpse hit the ground like a rag doll and bursting into booming laughter.

"No!" I slammed the mirror onto the floor and raced towards the walls.

One by one, I tore the picture off their hooks, smashing them into the ground and ripping them to shreds.

Tears dripped down my face while I stormed towards my closet, throwing my bustiers and chemises against the wall and tearing my leg garters apart. No more playing around! I want my life back!

I raked the records and weapons off the walls, piling them in a corner and letting out another scream.

Ripping the curtains from my window, I smashed them into the ground, trampling on them while I shattered the mirrors around me.

My fingers burned and my breath shallowed, forcing small hiccups to escape my lips. What is wrong with me?!

I collapsed, falling onto a pile of old costumes and dresses while I looked up at my nightstand.

A picture of me from eighteen years ago stared back, eyes filled with disappointment.

How could I have been so blind?

Sobs and bawls of pain echoed around my room, a mess of glass, old pictures and outfits surrounding me while I lay next to Eros' and Hela's terrarium.

Eros slithered towards the front of his terrarium, glancing at me as if he were smiling.

My frown faded and my eyes locked with his while a warm, fuzzy feeling swallowed my heart.

Hela turned away, coiling herself into a black hole of passive aggression next to her food bowl.

I let out a yawn. Hearing the phone ring, I gasped, rushing to pick it up. My hands shook. "Hello?"

"It's time." The phone went dead.

I scratched my head, sitting on my bed.

A grandfather clock behind me ticked past midnight, its baritoned bell booming around the room.

I took a deep breath and glanced at the pearly pistols. Pressing the bottom of the gun, I froze, spotting a cache of golden bullets inside the magazine. But will it work?

My eyes wandered towards the terrarium, watching Eros and Hela stare at me while my frown melted.

An evil grin formed in its place.

It has to....She won't have a choice. Rushing into my bathroom, I grabbed my makeup kit, reapplying mascara and splattering my face with powder. Finally, after all this time.

I looked at myself in the mirror and batted my eyelashes. Tonight's the night.

My simper grew while I painted my lips red, kissing the mirror and turning off the lights. I let out a breath. And everything's gonna be alright.

Slipping into the rockabilly dress and black stiletto pumps, I pulled my shoulders back, strolling towards the desk and grabbing a piece of paper and a pen.

I started to scribble.

'Hello Ms. Farwell,

I bet you weren't expecting to hear from me tonight. I wanted to go over our little deal. A life for a life, and don't come crying when the price gets too high, right? I paid my end of the bargain, so now, it's time to pay yours. It was a pleasure doing business with you, but at the end of the day, all those trophies weren't worth the cost. So now, I'll be back, and when I am, I'll make sure all hell will break loose.

Signed with Love and Hate,

Amora'

I folded the note and faced the terrarium. My smirk grew as I opened the cage. "It's time, Hela."

The black boa slid up my arm, flicking her tongue at me and gazing back at Eros.

His eyes glistened while he lifted his head and caught my gaze.

I chuckled. "Don't think I'd forget about you, Eros." Offering my other arm to him, I grinned, watching his red and white scales climb my arm. "Now, let's get this party started, shall we?"
I took a seat, clearing my throat while the two boas slithered off my arms and toward the door.

Outside, army grunts lined the halls, guns cocked and ready for a bloodbath.

Let the games begin. I belted my first note in soprano.

My voice bounced off the walls, its melody seeping through the keyhole and grabbing the attention of the SWAT soldiers nearby. I closed my eyes and tapped my foot.

My first verse rippled around the room, sending a thrust of energy through my veins and swallowing my entire body.

Hela flattened herself and slipped underneath the door.

Bright green venom spewed through the plastic lock, unlocking it from the outside.

I opened the door, watching Hela sink her fangs into a charging guard.

One by one, she slithered off their bodies, her venom leaking out of their skin and uncovering their bones. Eros followed suit, choking them from behind and trailing behind his sister.

I grabbed my pistol and shot the rest of them, lifting my voice while I made my way down a marble staircase. Change is in the air.

Blood painted the marble checkered floor behind me like rubies as I stepped over the corpses beneath my feet.

"Freeze!" a soldier yelled.

Armor decked grunts circled me, their assault rifles trained at my chest and night vision goggles activated.

Hela and Eros sat next to me.

I cocked an eyebrow at them and grinned. "Are we really gonna have to do this the hard way?"

The guards ignored me and shuffled closer.

I sighed. "Fine." I fired a shot at a soldier's forehead, watching him fall to the ground while Hela and Eros pounced on the rest of them.

An orchestra of screams and gunshots filled the room as the soldiers tried to shoot the two snakes, crashing into the floor while Hela and Eros flipped and spiraled in the air.

Cinera emerged from the shadows, a bright red flame emerging from her right eye. "I must admit, I'm quite impressed. When Ms. Farwell said you were a handful, I wasn't expecting this."

I pointed my gun at her. "Guess handfuls come in different packages, don't they?"

Looking around, Cinera chuckled, ripping off a dead soldier's head."Apparently."

A funnel of blood red fire surrounded her body, swallowing it whole as she stalked towards me.

Flickering in the flames, was a woman's shadow, its right eye glowing while a tall cloaked figure rose from the pool of ashes beneath it.

I backed away and gripped my gun, hands trembling. What the--

Thin, crackling impala horns stood tall above the figure's hood, their shadows towering over me as the figure emerged out of the flames.

The left half of a scold's bridle formed in the flames, flashing a gnarled smile at me as it tilted its head. In the center of it, was a diamond shaped garnet, shimmering while a golden band decked its edges.

Dancing flames and sparks hissed from behind the bridle, rising from the figure's left eye and burning the ends of her cloak.

My lip quivered, watching the figure grin at me.

"Like my true form, Amora?" Cinera echoed, lifting me by the throat.

Clawing at her hands, I fought her grip, breath fading.

She chuckled, her left eye glowing."Don't worry, you'll get a Shadowform, too if you stay here long enough."

I winced as Cinera slammed me into the ground, pointing a forged metal blade at my throat.

Hela and Eros rushed in front of me, flashing their fangs at Cinera.

She kicked them to the side. "But let's not give ourselves too much credit. After all, you're the one who blindly made a deal with Iblis' mistress."

I grimaced, pushing myself off the ground and holding my arm."Well, I'm done with it now...I know who I am, and I know where I belong."

Cinera scoffed. "What a shame." Swinging her blade, she charged at me, letting out a grunt.

I dodged her blow, breath fading as she wrapped her hand around my neck.

"And now, you're at the end of your rope, hoping someone will show you some mercy." She smirked, her mask shifting under its fiery base.

"No." I glared at her and gripped my gun. "I'm just at the beginning of it." Blasting it, I regained my breath, watching her fall to the ground.

I froze. What the heck?!

She hummed, body regenerating from the bullet wound while her gem glowed. "So that's how you want to play?"

I reloaded my gun and nodded. Her power must come from the gem.

She paused. "Well then, let's get started." Cinera bolted towards me, a quartet of forged metal claws on her left hand swiping at my cheek.

I hissed, cheek stinging while a trio of scorching claws cut across my face. I reached for my throwing knives, scars stinging while I landed a kick on Cinera's mask.

Growls and grunts echoed around the room as we exchanged blows, sparks flying while we danced over a pile of corpses.

Throwing my knife at her, I snarled, heart pounding while I dodged her claws. I reached to land a punch on her jaw, chest tightening and blood boiling.

She ducked under my fist, letting out a snicker while watching me crash into the floor. "Is that all you have?"

I screamed, feeling Cinera's sharp heeled boot stab my ankle.

"Pathetic." A blaze formed on Cinera's hands, consuming her metal claws and swallowing her cloak whole. "But then again, what more should I expect from a simple little streetwalker?"

I grimaced while I tried to wrangle out of Cinera's grip. My eyebrows furrowed, heart pounding while my breath hitched. "No, I'm not."

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Cinera's claws grew brighter, an orange glow devouring her hand while she pointed them at my throat.

I clenched my jaw, hissing as her claws hovered over my throat. "No, I'm not!"

Using my other leg, I swept Cinera off her feet and grabbed my bayonet, letting out a breath. From there, everything escalated so quickly.

Trails of blood scattered the checkered floor, glistening crimson under the bright yellow lights.

I drew my gun, heart pounding and chest tightening while I held it between my teeth.

Getting back on her feet, Cinera followed, letting out a growl and deflecting my bullets. "Enough!"

I froze, eyes locked with hers as I gripped my gun.

"This fight is over. You may either go back to your room or watch your blood splatter all over this floor. The choice is yours." Cinera looked at me, letting out a breath and flashing her claws.

I scowled at her, watching Hela and Eros slither down my legs, coursing towards Cinera's.

The two grabbed her, coiling themselves around her arms and forcing her to her knees.

"Actually, I feel like it's time you send Ms. Farwell a message for me." Wiping my brow, I pulled out my note, placing it in her cloak and grinning at her.

I cocked my gun and leaned close to her ear. "When you get back to the Tavern, give this to Ms. Farwell. And when you do, tell her she better pray to whatever twisted fantasy she has, or so help her god, I'll tear her tyranny branch by branch and watch it all burn."

I pulled the trigger, watching the gem in Cinera's forehead shatter while her corpse turned into a pile of rocks and dust.

An alarm blared off, red lights flashing while metal bars descended from the ceilings.

Shoot!

Hela and Eros rushed towards me and slithered up my arms.

I put my gun away and bolted towards the door, dashing down red and gold hallways laced with tall wooden doors and mantles with serpent heads.

On each door was a label marked with the name of one of my friends. Lizzy Lieu, Cher, Muskira, and hundreds more.

I froze. Poor souls...they only wanted the same thing I did.

"Let me out!" I heard Lizzy call from behind one of the doors. "Let me out!"

The discordant banging on the doors roared around me as the doors bent and shook in place.

"Help! Somebody," another voice called. "Somebody, help me!"

The chorus of yelling voices grew louder as I looked around, ringing in my ears while I watched a metal gate slowly fall in front of me.

Behind it, was the front door, my one way ticket to freedom.

"Got enough venom, Hela?" I asked.

She turned away from me.

I sighed, watching the gate hover only inches above the floor. Sorry, guys, I only have one shot.

Dashing towards the door, I slid under the gate and reached the front door, yanking it open and taking in the cold misty air.

A smile crossed my face while I remembered the night I regained my freedom. Took all the courage in the world, but if I had the chance to do it again, I definitely would.

"Sammy, you ready to go?" Malachi asked.

I nodded. "Yep! All set!"

He smiled and hugged me close. "It's been a long time since we've done something like this."

"You're telling me," I chuckled. "Just like old times, huh?"

"Yeah, only this time it's ten times better." He grinned, cracking his knuckles and walking towards the stage.

I cleared my throat and followed him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure and honor to present to you, Sam and Malachi, The Soul of the South!" an announcer cheered.

Walking onstage, I glanced and waved at the cheering crowd.

Lightbulbs trapped in jars dimmed while a pale spotlight perched on my face. Round tables and red velvet booths scattered the floor in front of me decked with wilting red roses and dying marigolds. Waiters dashed around the scene, dropping off and picking up plates as the chime of Malachi's vintage piano wafted around the room.

Eros and Hela slid off my arms and down the microphone stand, heading towards the kitchen.

The beat of a drum kit followed suit, filling the room while a saxophone blasted next to me.

I let out a hum, smirking at Malachi.

A rush of energy surged through my body while he played my favorite song.

Yep, definitely like old times. I stood behind the microphone and started to belt, the lyrics pouring from my lips.

A sea of people clapped while a trio of backup singers crooned behind me, creating a four way harmony as I danced across the stage.

Gazing at the crowd, I gasped, spotting my best friends standing in the front row. Looks like the gang's all here. I waved at them. My heart skipped a beat while they cheered extra loudly.

I twirled around and let my hair hang loose, ending the song with a bang and letting out a soft chuckle.

The crowd burst into cheer as I took a bow.

I turned to face Malachi, giving him a wink and a smile while he gave me a thumbs up in exchange. This was where I belonged. It may not be what it was, but I couldn't ask for anything better.