Ashes of Sunlight

Ash and the boys dropped to various couches, chairs, and other pieces of what might be deemed furniture, the boys obviously at home in the lavishly dilapidated surroundings. “Where did Laddy go, this time? It seems that he’s always disappearing.” Ash commented, looking around for the little boy. “Don’t worry, he’s safe here. He probably just went to his room. Yeah, you noticed that he likes to pull disappearing acts. He might look young and helpless, but that kid’s tough on his feet. If he somehow gets in over his head, he’ll find us. Nothing to worry about.” Dwayne said, lounging on what previously was a plush armchair. “But he’s only a kid. Where are his parents?” Ash asked, curious about the kid who she already cared about.

“Who knows? His mom disappeared when he was real little. We found him on the streets, digging in the trash for food. At least this way, he has a roof over his head, food to eat, and someone to protect him.” David said lazily. “True. How did you guys meet?” Marko laughed, loud and hard, at her question. “Well, we kinda formed a group over time. First I met Marko, then Dwayne joined us, and finally Paulie. Now you.” “Now me, what?” Ash asked, confused about what David might have meant. “Now you. Now you’re part of the group.” Dwayne clarified, without really making anything clear. “But how did you guys meet?” Ash repeated. “It was a long time ago, and it’s a long story. Not on the first date, Babe. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all in time.” Marko somewhat answered. “You’re right. We barely know each other. I should be getting back to my motel. See you guys around.” Ash made to get up and found herself restrained by Paulie, who’d been sitting silently next to her on the couch the entire time. “Wait, that’s not what Marko meant. It’s just that, shouldn’t we get to know each other, the here and now, rather than the past?” Paulie almost begged. “I…I guess. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to hang out a little longer.”

“So, what do you guys do for fun?” Ash asked, plopping back down on the sofa. “Well, we hang at the boardwalk a lot. Best place around. Hell, only place around, but definitely the best place to cause a ruckus. Anyway, David’s a big movie fan. He’s seen just about everything. Paulie loves music. If he doesn’t know it, it doesn’t exist. Dwayne loves to read. Got a whole library and everything down here. Me, I like to draw. Guess I’m the artistic one.” Marko laughed. “Really? Wow, you guys have such diverse interests. I’d love to see some of your art, someday, if you don’t mind.” Ash commented. “Nah, I’d love to show ya some. No need to talk so formal, though. Sound like you’re on TV, or something.” Marko said, raising his eyebrow at her speech patterns. Ash blushed, “My parents are pretty big in the political scene. They always insisted that I talk properly. It’s a pain in the ass, but sometimes I can’t help it.” “Our little princess, huh?” Dwayne joked. “Um, no. I hate being called that. Just because I was born to those freaks doesn’t mean that I’m better than anyone. Not that my parents ever understood that kind of thing. Anyway, I’m just Ash.” “Alright, ‘just Ash’, where you from?” David asked. “Hollywood.” Ash answered shortly. “Wow, what made you run from there?” Paulie asked. “Being almost raped will make you run from anywhere.” Ash answered softly, so softly that if she wasn’t in the company of boys who had extra good hearing, wouldn’t have been heard. “Who the fucking hell raped you and where is he so I can rip his fucking guts out and feed them to him?!” David demanded, getting to his feet faster than Ash thought was possible. His face seemed to be darker, yet somehow glow, in his anger, and even though Ash knew she wasn’t who he was angry at, the opposite actually, she felt herself shrink back against the couch a little, in fear. “Shh, babe. He’d never hurt you.” Paulie comforted her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “I know. It’s just…my parents didn’t believe me. He’s the police chief and he told them this bullshit story about me doing drugs and coming on to him, and it just happened…last week…and this is all so new. Gods, I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.” Ash cried into Paulie’s shoulder. All the tension, confusion, and vulnerability coming to a head in that moment as Ash started to sob. “Hush, baby. We’ve got you. You’re safe here. Why don’t you sleep here tonight. We’ll protect you. Always.” David whispered to her, gently picking her up and walking to a bed somewhere, depositing her on the soft surface as Dwayne snuggled into her other side. David laid down next to her, everyone still dressed, and Ash vaguely heard Paulie and Marko lying down on David and Dwayne’s other sides. Then peace. Her first really good night of sleep since the incident. Feeling safe, protected, and comforted, Ash slipped into the dreamless darkness of unconsciousness.