#Maggie the waitress

[michaud-joshua-x1496]

The Perfect Team.

[collinsportmaine]

I’m continuing to work on my Modern (1960s) Dark Shadows Tarot deck. I’m particularly happy with how Maggie Evans came out.

I want her to appear as “waitress” Maggie (without the blond wig). I realize I’ve upscaled the cafe, but Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) looks so radiant!

[neoyorzapoteca]

"Ambivalence about responsibility for our own freedom does not mean we are stupid, self-destructive, incapable, or desirous of harm. It means we are human. And part of being human is not always wanting every moment of our lives to be a step on a long march toward emancipation and enlightenment. It also means contending with desires to circle or enter dark rooms.

Alcoholic or no, most who drink do so in part to ease the terrible burden of our volition; we drink in part because it can be delightful and exciting as much as scary and awful to “let things happen,” to find yourself in places and with people your sober self might not have sought, or might have outright rejected. This can be especially so for those of us socialized to be fearful. I was a pretty fearful kid, raised in the shadow of the sexualized murder of my aunt, and the teenage troubles of my wayward older sister. I thus found no small measure of euphoria and relief in tossing my drunken, twentysomething body upon the whims of late-night New York City, stumbling home regularly at 3:00 a.m. with a wad of waitressing cash stuffed in my bra or shoe. The problem, of course, is that the very substance that allows you to feel this freedom is the self-same substance that inhibits your capacity to remove or protect yourself if a situation becomes unwanted or dangerous. There is no magic cure for this dilemma; it is a knot with which each of us must grapple. Only we can know when we’ve had enough of the kind of wonky judgment that comes with combining sex and substance; it took me until I was thirty-three to have had enough. Some of my times were good and some were bad (none, thankfully, was catastrophically bad). But they were my times—I chose them, until I chose another way. I know—if and when you’re under the sway of a substance, it might not feel like you’re choosing anything. But one revelation of sobriety is that you actually can choose another way, even if this choice depends, paradoxically, on surrendering your illusion of control, and tiring of the particular brand of freedom that the substance has to offer."

Maggie Nelson, On Freedom: Four Songs of Care and Constraint

[drunkinyourbenz]

୨ৎ a footnote in your life. b.e

୨ৎ billie eilish x best friend!singer!reader

୨ৎ genre: angst

୨ৎ content: unrequited love, tension

୨ৎ note: part of my superache collection <3 based off the song footnote!!

୨ৎ wc: 1.5k

you knew better than anyone that your feelings for billie were unrequited. it wasn’t hard for you to see—if anything, it was painfully obvious. you were almost certain that she knew of your feelings too, that she was aware of how you felt and couldn’t bring herself to feel the same. 

in fact, you knew full well that she knew. you remembered the time at a party where you had the drunk slip up, the memory haunted your every living moment. “i love you,” you had murmured under the lights, just drunk enough to be stupid with your words but not enough to ever forget the moment. 

billie had simply smiled. “oh girl, sober up. you don’t know what you’re talking about.” why would you have lied? everyone could see the hearts in your eyes when you looked at her, everyone knew. she knew. so why? why did she keep pretending it wasn’t real?

still, those were the only words that left her mouth before she’d driven you home and helped you to bed—she’d even left you breakfast for the morning. she really made it impossible not to adore her with your whole soul.

mortified by her casual reaction, you had lied to her face when she asked you if you remembered. “remember what?” you had simply asked, and billie hadn’t noticed the way your hands were fiddling behind the back and your heart was beating out of your chest. of course she hadn’t noticed. she didn’t care enough to notice. 

she seemed almost relieved that you ‘couldn’t remember’, she had dropped the topic without another word and continued with her day like normal. you hadn’t, however, because to you the world had just ended. 

that was four months ago now, and you were still infatuated with her.

despite it being so clear that this adoration was unrequited, you couldn’t simply stop liking her. you’d tried—tried to push your feelings under the rug, to focus on your friendship. because you adored your friendship with her—she was kind, funny, perfect. maybe you needed to stop loathing the friendship, considering that you’d never be more than that. maybe you needed to be grateful to have such a kind, funny, perfect girl as a friend, rather than acting as if you were above having just a friendship with her, as if you deserved more.

you were trying. trying to be happy with what you had, because you knew that having her in your life was more than most could dream of. that didn’t stop the yearning that took over whenever it was late at night and you were alone in your room. it didn’t make the countless songs you’d written about her any less soul crushing, any less meaningful. 

one evening, you were out for dinner with the tour group—you were an opener for billie’s europe leg of her tour, and you fit into the group as if you’d always been there. that made it worse, because why did you have to get along with her friends? with her mother? if nothing was to come of the two of you, if you were destined to remain simply friends, why did you fit so perfectly into her life? you’d entangled yourself in the spiderweb of billie’s life, you played karaoke with her friends and you traded recipes with maggie.

you would be perfect together, if only she could see it.

as you sat in the restaurant, in between billie and jane, billie leaned into you and whispered something in your ear with a soft and contagious giggle. your lips curled up into a smile, and you whispered back to her. it was moments like these that kept you on that high, that kept you hopeful despite it being truly hopeless. 

you were shaken out of your lovestruck trance by the voice of a waitress, “some wine for the cute couple? it’s on the house.” 

billie’s head snapped up, and an amused smile spread over her lips, “thank you.” she turned to you with that expression, the carefree smile that showed you that this was merely a source of entertainment—she didn’t think anything of the fact that everyone thought you were together, because why would she? she laughed softly when the waitress had left, “everyone thinks that, it’s so funny.” 

but it wasn’t funny, not to you. to you, the fact that everyone saw the two of you the way you wished you were was like twisting the knife. you were perfect together, you and billie. but she didn’t see it, so you’d never be the one, not in any lifetime. 

but you forced out the words, “yeah,” with a smile plastered on your face. “it’s hilarious.” it wasn’t hilarious. in fact, it made your stomach twist and your heart clench. the mere thought of the fact that she found this funny, and that you’d never be hers….well, it left a sour taste in your mouth. you’d lost your appetite, so the wine they had given the two of you wouldn’t be going to much use. billie poured you a glass, and you simply shook your head and passed it to jane instead. 

you were quiet for most of the dinner, and maggie had turned to you during a moment where billie was talking to ava, “you alright, dear?” 

with a heavy swallow and yet another smile plastered over your face, you nodded. “yeah, i’m okay.”

maggie knew you weren’t, she could see through that. she too was well aware of the feelings you were harbouring for her daughter, and you could feel the sympathy. part of you hated the sympathy, the fact that everyone pitied you. you weren’t the only one in love with billie, and surely you’d grow out of that adoration at some point. 

the dinner passed in a blur, and when you’re back to your hotel, billie tugged you into her room, flopping down on the bed and looking up at you from where she lay on her back. her lips were painted with a smile, one side pulled up ever so slightly more than the other as her eyes followed you around the room. she was talking about some movie she watched, her words falling from her lips and barely making their way to you. you were trying to listen, but her voice was soft and sweet, and her hair was splayed out on the bed underneath her… you were painfully aware of the things that you wanted so badly but could never have, so when she finished talking about the movie, you spoke. 

“did you enjoy tonight?” 

the question was simple, but you both knew what you meant. some wine for the cute couple. some wine for the cute couple. some—

“yeah! it was fun, the food was amazing.” she spoke with a slight grin on her lips, “the waitress was so sweet, it’s funny how everyone thinks that.” 

your eyes travelled to the floor near your feet and you exhaled softly, a barely noticeable reaction to her words. looking back at her, you spoke, “do you remember that one night a few months ago?” 

her brows furrowed, and you felt a pang of guilt for ever lying to her, even though it was undoubtedly for the better. “i thought you said—”

“i’m sorry, i do remember. but…”

“sweetheart…”

your heart twisted at the pet name, because it truly was like she held your heart in her hands. you could feel it breaking and she wasn’t even trying to break it. perhaps that was the worst part. billie loved you. billie was your best friend. but she didn’t—couldn’t—love you in the way you wanted. 

interrupting her words, you spoke softly. “i meant what i said that night.” 

“so you…”

“yeah…”

billie was sitting up now, her hands clasped loosely in her lap as she watched you—with that same sympathy in her eyes that maggie had shown earlier. 

“...i’m sorry.” 

“do…you think you’d ever… y’know…” you trailed off, but she knew what you meant.

“oh honey, i…” she sighed, “i love you so much. you know that. you’re my best friend. but i don’t think i could love you like that. i don’t want to make you think that it’ll happen. i’m sorry…”

you shook your head, “no, it’s okay. i get it. i shouldn’t have brought it up, i already knew the answer.”

“oh sweet girl, i really am sorry-”

“billie, stop. it's okay. i understand. just…” you trailed off once again before speaking softly, “just don’t forget me, yeah?”

and just like that, you left the room. all the lyrics you’d written for her, all the songs? well, they would remain a part of your heart forever. billie was permanently etched into your heart—a never ending love that you’d never truly be able to part from. billie was the one for you. but you weren’t the one for her, and that was the harsh truth of life.

 is it truly better to love and lose than never love at all? with how this was making you feel, you doubted it.

but it was okay, as long as you at least got a footnote in her life. as long as she didn’t forget you. 

so i'll just take a footnote in your life

and you could take my body

every line i would write for you

but a footnote will do

୨ৎ tags: @47lake @st0nerlesb0 @n0vabug @darkside-0f-the-sun @asterisk-eyes @amara-eilish @dragoneyelashart @greenbttrflyy @billiessillywife @tan1shere @asothinking @ilovealiceosemann

[snapscube]

ANOTHER ACE ATTORNEY RANKING UPDATE SO CLOSE AFTER THE LAST ONE WOWWWWW :) it's cause i BURNED through 3-3. and i had a good time!!!! im so excited to play the next two but i am in the middle of pulling a pretty big all-nighter so im gonna wait until all of my brain power is not compromised by lack of sleep before i do lmao

i don't have many thoughts on 3-3 at the moment to speak of except that it very much made me love maggie byrde and it delivered on basically the One Single Thing i wanted to see from it which was maya being a cute silly waitress. it even had some bonus fanservice for penny on top of that which was very appreciated thank u video game. also a super cool side character design w that tech lady that is just.... hardly used????? but she looks awesome??? the mystery was sufficiently compelling. the INTRO in particular was actually super cool i still maintain its a very gripping re-contextualization of the game's existing imagery.

good stuff! will likely be back with 3-4 liveblogging in a day or two!

[princessbrunette]

au’s 🍥🎀

for a more detailed description of each au, check out my au catalogue!

john b:

daddy!johnb , outlaw!johnb, dad!johnb, dbf!johnb stepbro!johnb, apocalypse!johnb, toxicex!johnb, firefighter!johnb, jedi!johnb

jj:

outlaw!jj, farmhand!jj, linecook!jj, campcounselor!jj, mascot!jj, bbf!jj, bsf!jj, dealer!jj, apocalypse!jj, dad!jj, spiderman!jj, piercer!jj, prisoner!jj, stepbro!jj, babydaddy!jj, toxic!jj, toxicex!jj. criminal!jj, shittysoundcloudrapper!jj, firefighter!jj, streamer!jj, onlyfans!jj, jedi!jj, bodyguard!jj, lifeguard!jj

rafe:

boxer!rafe, bountyhunter!rafe, prisoner!rafe, dad!rafe, babydaddy!rafe, dealer!rafe, olderbrother!rafe, stepbro!rafe, dbf!rafe, apocalypse!rafe, pervyneighbour!rafe, fratboy!rafe, gooner!rafe, pogue!rafe, harryosbourne!rafe, toxicex!rafe, lord!rafe, sleepover!rafe, starwars: bountyhunter!rafe, basketball!rafe, supe!rafe

pope:

kook!pope, tattooartist!pope, drummer!pope, dbf!pope, apocalypse!pope, hotpizzadeliveryboy!pope, drivinginstructor!pope, (star wars) captain!pope

reader:

bunny!reader, kitty!reader, puppy!reader, deer!reader, innocent!reader, shy!reader, bratty!reader, apocalypse!reader, cheerleader!reader, pinkpilatesprincess!reader, waitress!reader, pregnant!reader, kook!reader, pogue!reader, youngmilf!reader, spoiledexgf!reader, mouse!reader, lamb!reader receptionist!reader, limbreysdaughter!reader, sherrifsdaughter!reader, star wars princess!reader, pogue!bunny!reader

threeway ships:

jj x reader x john b • rafe x kook!reader x jj • jj x mouse!reader x pope • john b x reader x sarah • jj x reader x maggie • firefighter!john b x receptionist!reader x firefighter!jj • kitty x jj x mouse

[silentglassbreak]

I usually don't so this, but since you posted it not so long ago, are the requests still open? And if so, can I ask for meeting Noah after a show, talking about fantasies and maybe some vampire role-playing? But also lots of fluff after because he's a good top. My name's Maggie and my most prominent features are that I am short, I wear glasses and I have dark curly hair.

Alrighty, let's just get right into this one, because there is truly no time to waste.

After Writing Notes: Baby, I am so sorry. I have no clue how we got here...but here we are? Once again, we went a lil off prompt, so I apologize if it wasn't exactly what you were looking for? I hope you enjoy regardless! Just a heads up, this is -BY FAR- the darkest one I've written so far.

Rating: Explicit AF

Warnings: smut, kink, blood play, roleplay, blood...blood...blood, horror themes, light BDSM (choking and biting)

Die For You

February 14th, 2024.

Valentine’s Day is the bane of my existence. I was so tired of the patrons, the demanding orders, and - mostly - the couples. It was vomit-inducing. Did my recent breakup contribute to the way I was feeling?

Sure. Probably.

Did it change the fact that I was in the foulest mood imaginable?

Not in the slightest.

I leaned my head against the brick wall of the building, my break slowly waning, signaling I was due to go back in and finish the last two hours of this God forsaken shift. Being a waitress had no perks. None.

Instead, it came with cons that I had to endure in order to pay my bills.

“Hanging in there, Maggie?”

I sighed and turned to the door, hearing Alexa’s breathless voice. She was certainly struggling in there without me.

“Yeah, just getting some air. I’ll be in there in less than five.”

She nodded and stepped out into the cool evening air. She pulled a cigarette from her pack, lighting it between her lips.

“Have you seen the announcement on Insta?”

I rolled my head to the side to glance at her. “What announcement?”

She smirked, pulling her phone from her back pocket and opening the app, handing it to me.

The poster was on the Black Veil Brides page. It was blood red, with bright white font.

BLOOD BATH

October 31st, 2024

Kia Forum

BRING ME THE HORIZON

FALLING IN REVERSE

BLACK VEIL BRIDES

BAD OMENS

ICE NINE KILLS

THE FIVE BIGGEST BANDS OF METAL

ONE NIGHT ONLY

TICKETS SELLING FAST

My brain almost didn’t register what I was seeing.

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” My eyes were blown out as I looked up at Alex.

“Nope. Tickets are $850 a piece, I checked.”

I groaned, tossing my head back. “I could never afford that, let alone before it sells out.”

Alexa scoffed, sucking in the smoke of her cigarette. “You’re hilarious. I just wanted to make sure you’d want to go.” She snatched her phone back from me.

“What?” I quirked an eyebrow at her.

“I have two tickets.”

My heart fell into my stomach. “E-fucking-xcuse me?”

She cackled. “Who else would I take? I’ve got a savings for a reason, right?”

My jaw was hanging open. “Alex, that’s insane. That’s $1,700!”

“$1,896, actually. Including taxes and fees.”

“That’s insane!” I repeated.

“When are we ever going to get to see all of those bands at once? It’s obviously some kind of crazy event. Can you imagine the crossovers we’re going to see? The theatrics!” I couldn’t speak, I was too stunned. “Plus,” She dropped her spent smoke and stomped on it. “I figured you needed some cheering up today. I know Bad Omens is your favorite.”

I could not physically restrain myself any longer, throwing myself at her and wrapping my arms around her shoulders.

“You’re the best fucking human being alive, you know that?!” I peppered kisses on her cheeks, making her squirm.

“Yes, yes, I’m aware.” She wiped my smeared lip gloss off her face.

She stalked back to the door, pulling the handle. “Now let’s finish this bullshit, so we can go celebrate. You’re buying.”

October 31st, 2024

The line to get in was impossibly long, so Alex and I were sat on the ground, chatting about the songs we were excited to hear, and who we were most excited to see.

“Spencer is the actual love of my life, and I cannot wait to see his fucking face.” She gushed.

I smiled. “Oh, don’t I know. But Andy? Ugh, how fucking mouthwatering.”

The doors would open shortly, so we stood, and promptly filed our way in. The venue was huge. We both agreed we would not be drinking, figuring we had a long time to stand and would end up exhausted.

We opted to grab two water bottles from the bar and head to the GA floor. We were early, luckily, and managed to grab a spot up at the rails.

Waiting nearly an hour, the lights finally came down, and the crowd erupted. Alexa was absolutely feral, listening to the opening of Rainy Day playing. When Spencer bounded onstage, full suit attire, and blade in his hand, she nearly jumped the rails.

As he passed us near the stage, I noticed something. I tapped Alex’s arm and she leaned her head down to hear me.

“He’s wearing fangs!” I shouted. She glanced up and looked, seeing the same.

Her eyes rolled as she licked her bottom lip. “Fucking bite me, Daddy.” She groaned, and I bursted with laughter.

She was so unhinged.

Ice Nine Kills finished their set with Welcome to Horrorwood, sending blood red confetti into the air, before gracefully stepping off the stage. During the set I had noticed a few things that almost seemed…off?

First of all, it wasn’t just Spencer with fangs. It was the entire band. Being as close as we were, I could see the shiny white fangs exposed every so often when they’d open their mouths to sing. These weren’t cheap, Amazon pop-ins either. They were convincing. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have sworn that they were their actual teeth, filed down to sharp points. It was interesting.

As well, everyone in the band seemed to have a looming presence tonight. It was so difficult to explain, but it just as if they weren’t just looking at the crowd, but like they were searching it. Looking for something specific, with pointed stares and glaring smiles. It ran a chill up my spine when Spencer made direct eye contact with Alexa for a full minute while singing Hip To Be Scared. It was as if he was looking at a meal.

She ate it up, as expected.

The next set, however, was Bad Omens, and I could not have been more excited.

I had seen them twice before, and their Setlist didn’t stray much, so I was actually shocked when the usual Loading Screen didn’t show, and the opening to Artificial Suicide didn’t begin.

Instead, the opening song was Blood. That was so odd. I didn’t think they even performed this song. The crowd loved it, however.

They still started in all ski masks, and removed them for the next track - Like A Villain.

During the chorus, I was singing and swaying, giving my full attention, but stopped as soon as Noah moved close enough that I could see it.

He was also wearing fangs. My eyes darted to Jolly, who was easiest to see from where I stood. He licked his lips and, as I suspected, there they were - sharp and white.

Alexa seemed to also notice this, tapping me to lean in. “It’s called Blood Bath, so it must be a vampire themed show for Halloween.”

I nodded, because that seemed legitimate.

But still…

I expected that out of Ice Nine or Black Veil Brides. Hell, Oli Sykes actually had fangs.

But Bad Omens?

They weren’t as theatrical. I was surprised they had agreed.

However, I was pulled out of my thoughts when I felt eyes on me, and my attention was pulled back to the stage. A pair of deep, nearly black eyes were staring at me.

The song had changed, and we were on Nowhere To Go. And he was staring at me.

No, not at me. INTO me. Something in my soul felt exposed, as if I had shown up to this show nude.

I couldn’t break eye contact. I was caught between being starstruck, and immensely terrified. His lips were turned up in the slightest of smiles.

“Are you ready?”

I swallowed hard.

“I’m in the driver’s seat now.”

He finally broke his gaze, headbanging between screams.

Once I was released, I inhaled a sharp breath, turning my back to the stage. Alexa noticed as I crouched down, breathing hard.

“Babe?!” She bent down next to me. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head. “It’s too hot in this crowd, I’ve got to go.”

She got down to my eye level. “Maggie, you want to leave during Bad Omens?!”

I nodded feverishly, my dark curls sticking to my neck. Despite being sweaty, I had a cold chill climbing up my spine.

“I’m going to have a panic attack. I need a break.”

Maggie nodded, looking solemn. “Okay, let’s go.”

I stopped her, grabbing her arm. “No, you stay here. Save our spot. I’m going to go get some air, and I’ll be back.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You’re sure?”

I stood up, adjusting my shirt that had bunched up at my waist, and pulled my glasses on top of my head.

“Yeah, I’ll be back after their set.”

She sighed, but hugged me and told me to be careful.

I pressed my way through the crowd, not chancing another glance at the stage, despite feeling the eyes on my back.

-

The evening air was cool, in the fifty-degree range. I worried my sweatshirt with my fingers, feeling the air pull in and out of my lungs.

I had slipped out of the side entrance to the smoking area. I ducked under the ropes and to the back of the building to be alone. The tour buses were back in this area, but I paid it no attention, working hard at calming my nerves.

I had been out here for at least forty-five minutes. I could hear the music inside, and knew Bad Omens’ set had been over now for about five minutes. Figuring it was now a good time to make my way back to Alex, I pushed back into the building, seeing the crowd had not moved much.

I had tried to enter at several different points, but the bodies were condensed so tight, and unwilling to give up their spots. After fifteen minutes of trying, I growled and pulled my phone out, tapping Alexa’s name.

When she answered the phone, she shouted. “Hey! Where are you?”

“I can’t get back up there! No one is letting me through!”

She groaned. “Fuck! Okay, I’ll come out.”

“No! Don’t do that! Black Veil Brides is next! You cannot miss that!”

She went quiet for a second. “Maggie, I don’t want you to be alone.”

I stepped back outside so I could hear better. “I’ll be fine. I’ll watch the crowd to see if I can make it back in later.”

“You’re sure? Cause I will leave right fucking now. You know you’re more important.”

“Babe, you spent almost all of your savings on this. I’m not ruining it for you. I can see from back here.”

“Promise?”

I smiled. “I promise.”

Electing to stay outside a while, I sat on the curb behind the building, going through the photos and video I captured of Ice Nine Kills’ set. I managed to catch Spencer staring at Alex on camera, which I promptly sent her.

She responded quickly.

Alexa: OMFG HE’S IN LOVE WITH ME

I giggled, shaking my head at her response. Going back to my photo album, I sat watching the videos when I heard Black Veil Brides start.

Bleeders was the first song. Fitting.

Alexa: Dude…Andy’s wearing fangs too. It’s definitely a theme.

Me: Love it.

The music was so loud that I hadn’t heard the footsteps behind me.

“Excuse me?” Startled, I jumped up, turning around.

An impossibly tall, hooded man stood, hands in front of him, eyebrows raised.

It took me about three seconds to register who it was, and my mouth fell open.

“Are you okay?”

Noah fucking Sebastian.

I was caught between stunned, ecstatic, and horrified. He had such a soft look on his face. He looked immensely different than he did on stage. He wore black joggers with his own logo on them, a plain black hoodie, and a black baseball cap.

“Wh-“ My voice shorted, so I cleared my throat. “What?”

He smirked slightly. “Are you okay? I remember you from the crowd, and I saw you leave. I almost stopped the set when I saw you crouch down.”

I was floored. He noticed that? I knew he saw me, but Jesus Christ, I didn’t think he saw me?!

“Yeah, I, uh…” I stammered. “I just got really hot. The pyrotechnics and all.”

He nodded, chancing a step toward me. “You sure? You look pretty pale.”

Fantastic. Not only did I leave early during his performance - which he fucking saw - but I also looked fucking peaked at the same time.

I forced a calm smile. “Yeah, I’m good, promise.”

He seemed satisfied with that, putting his hands in his pockets. “Did I freak you out? When I stared at you?”

That was on purpose?!

I didn’t get a chance to answer. “I just perform better sometimes when I have something to focus on.”

I was bewildered, my eyebrows knitting together. “And that something was me?”

He smiled, a warm expression. “I guess so.”

“Why?” I couldn’t stop it from falling out of my mouth. Did it matter?

He shrugged his shoulders. “I liked your face.”

That’s a really strange answer.

“Okay?” I shifted one foot to another, not sure what to say or how to act.

“Why aren’t you watching the show?”

I sighed, moving back to the curb, deciding to sit back down. He made quick work of doing the same, sitting about a foot to my right.

“My best friend is up there. I couldn’t get back in to where she is. I tried.”

He nodded. “Ah.” His hands still in his pockets and knees bouncing rhythmically, he glanced around.

“Well, I’m going to watch from the balcony. Want to join?”

My heart rate sped up, screeching in my chest. His lip twitched at the same time, which was ironic.

“I,” My brain was misfiring, but I knew better. “I can’t.”

His eyes almost fell, his expression turning nearly…sad? “Oh?”

“I can’t leave Alex. I promised I’d make it back to her at some point.”

“You can bring her if you want.”

My mind was short circuiting. This couldn’t be fucking happening.

“I, uh, don’t know.” Something was too weird. This didn’t just happen. “I really shouldn’t.”

He nodded, pursing his lips. “No worries.” He stood up, stretching his arms over his head. “If you change your mind, I’m going up before Oli’s set. I’ll be around.”

With that, he turned around, and took a few steps. He spun back around and raised an eyebrow at me.

“I didn’t catch your name.”

“Maggie.”

He smiled. “See you later, Maggie.”

-

Me: I NEED TO FUCKING SPEAK TO YOU IMMEDIATELY.

Alexa: What level urgency? They’re playing In The End.

Me: B L A C K.

Alexa: OH FUCK IM ON MY WAY.

Alexa and I were regular show goers, so we had code we used.

Urgent situations were assigned a color.

Green: Good to go. Nothing to worry about.

Yellow: Shit’s getting weird. We need to keep eyes open.

Red: Urgent. Get to me ASAP. Serious situation.

Black: Get here now. Highest level priority.

Alexa came barreling out of the door and ran toward me, out of breath. “Are you okay? I got a knife in my boot that they didn’t take. I can stab someone!”

I grabbed her shoulders. “I’m fine!”

She stopped abruptly, narrowing her eyes. “What? Then why the urgency? I missed the end of the set!”

“I met Noah Sebastian.”

Her face deadpanned. “I beg your finest pardon?!”

I just nodded. “Out here. He remembered me from the crowd.”

“Are you fucking with me? Cause Maggie, I love you, but I’ll punch you right here, right now if you’re lying.”

“There’s no need for violence. She isn’t lying.”

Both of us snapped our necks to our left, the hooded figure stepping out from behind one of the buses. Noah came into view, hands still in his pockets.

“Nice to meet you, Alex.”

She visibly reeled, a shrill screech leaving her mouth.

“Holy fuck! It’s actually him!”

I giggled, glancing back at Noah, whose eyes were on me again. I straightened my spine, feeling that same fear sinking in from before.

“I was telling Maggie earlier that I planned to watch the rest of the show from the balcony with the guys. Wanted to invite you to join.”

Her mouth hung open, hand reaching for my arm and pulling me close. “We’d love to.” She answered for us.

I shot her a look. I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to do this. I still had the unnerved feeling that something wasn’t right.

She ignored my stare, smiling brightly at Noah.

He returned her grin with his own, which was oddly menacing. I noticed at that moment that he still had the fangs in.

“Awesome. Follow me.”

We did as we were told, following him into the back of the building, passing people who obviously were working on the show. We were far enough behind Noah that I pulled Alex in close, whispering to her.

“I feel weird about this, babe.”

She stared at me incredulously. “Why? Isn’t this your biggest fantasy?”

I rolled my eyes. “Of course it is, but it feels strange. Why us?”

She shrugged. “We manifested it? I don’t know. Shit like this happens all the time.”

I shook my head. “I don’t think it does.”

The balcony he lead us to was private. It was between sets, so the other members of the band were sat, relaxing, beers in hand. It was set up as a lounge, three couches lined up.

Noah graciously introduced us to the other band members, and we shook their hands feverishly, awestruck. It wasn’t lost on me that all of them still had the fangs in.

Alex had struck a conversation with Nick Folio, explaining how she played drums in high school. I sat slowly on the end couch, seeing the view of the stage that was incredible. The couch sunk next to me, and I glanced over to Noah, who was tapping a message into his phone.

“Aren’t those uncomfortable?”

He looked up at me, raising an eyebrow. “What?”

I pointed to my canines, and he snorted.

“Oh, right. Yeah, you get used to them.” He locked his phone and slipped it in his pocket.

I nodded. “You guys are dedicated to the theme, huh?”

He smiled, showing off the sharp points, and ran his tongue over one. “They’re not easy to take off.”

“Mm.” Must be glued on.

“Can I ask you something?”

He nodded, leaned back on the seat with his arm over the back.

“Do you do this all the time? Pick up random fans?”

He narrowed his eyes, grinning at me.

“Why do you ask?”

“Because it seems abnormal. What makes us so special?”

He sat up, leaning forward on his elbows so he was inches from my face, his breath cool. “What makes you think you’re just some random fan?”

I scoffed. “Because I am?” I leaned away from him, needing air. “I’m just a girl. Short. Glasses. Mop of hair. I didn’t even wear makeup tonight.”

He leaned back as well, keeping a distance between us. “So? Why does that mean you aren’t special?”

I rolled my eyes. “I think I’m not the first fan to be in a balcony with you.”

He nodded. “You’d be correct.” My heart sunk just slightly. “But you’re the first one I went looking for.”

My eyes popped open.

The fuck did that mean?

“Looking?”

He snickered, sighing loudly. “You got me. I thought you were attractive. Really attractive, okay? I figured I’d see if I could catch you.”

This caught me so far off guard, I nearly fell off of the couch.

“You think I’m attractive?”

This made him belly laugh, my disbelief.

“Maggie, can I let you in on a secret?” I just nodded. He leaned his head over, whispering. “I think you’re mouthwatering.”

A sharp tingle shot up my spine, and I wriggled next to him.

The lights went down, and the crowd cheered as Falling In Reverse began their set.

Popular Monster. This show was a trip.

We watched the show, Alex and I singing along to the lyrics of nearly every song. Every so often, Noah would lean over and tell me something about the song playing, complimenting Ronnie’s artistic ability or the instrumentals. The guys all seemed to be enjoying it as well, air-guitar and drumming. 

It was just far enough away that I couldn’t tell, so I leaned into Noah. “Is Ronnie wearing fangs too?”

He nodded, lips nearly touching my ear when he spoke. “It was Oli’s idea. We all have them.”

Made sense. I smiled at him, catching his eyes wandering my face. His arm was tucked neatly behind my back now, resting on my hip. Something about the encounter changed. I didn’t feel fear anymore, rather, Noah’s presence felt safe. It felt comfortable and I felt myself craving it. The air almost lightened, my shoulders relaxing as I exhaled a breath I had been holding.

“Can I tell you something?” I nodded, leaning back in to hear him. “I’d kiss you right now, if you’d let me.”

My eyebrows shot up. He pulled his face away, running his tongue over his bottom lip. A pit opened in my stomach, causing me to swallow harshly. 

“And what if I don’t?”

He smirked, his tattooed finger coming up to swipe across my bottom lip. “That, darling, would be a tragedy.”

It was involuntary, the way my body pressed closer to him, the soft skin of his lips brushing against mine. It wasn’t quite what we wanted, but it was so close.

My self control was fading, and he knew it, his hand tightening on my hip.

“If you’d let me?”

That was it. My lips were pressed against his, molding to his mouth, and breathing into his soul. I felt the sharp tooth scrape over my skin, which elicited a hard groan from me. His other hand came up to the side of my neck, and his fingers tangled in my curls.

We lasted this way for several minutes, finally pulling away with a sharp hiss from his mouth. His eyes were feral, wild. His grip on my hair was tight. He bored into my eyes, speaking something that I couldn’t read.

We were pulled from our moment when a hand tapped my shoulder. I whipped around quickly, and his hands released me.

Alex stood, eyes wide, and smiling. “I hate to interrupt, but I’m going to run to the restroom. Just wanted you to know.”

I wiped my lips with my thumb, feeling a sharp pain. I nodded at Alex, who furrowed her brows, bending down to speak directly at me.

“Watch the fangs, babe. You’re bleeding.”

I looked down at my thumb, the deep red filling the ridges of my print.

A hand came up to wrap around my wrist, staring at my finger. He swiftly and smoothly lifted it to his lips, sucking it into his mouth. When he released me, my finger was clean.

He smiled a sheepish grin at me in response to my shocked expression. “Too weird?”

I wanted to say yes, because that was the normal person thing to say. However, given the heat that had pooled in my stomach and the way my thighs clenched together, I just shook my head.

The music was loud, booming into my chest, and I leaned back onto the couch, staring at Noah.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked me.

“That there’s no way this is real.”

He smirked. “Sometimes, it’s better to believe it’s not.”

This confused me, but he was wrapping his arm around me again, pulling me into his side, and looking down at the stage. We tried to watch the performance, we really did. But within minutes, I was in his lap, straddling his hips, and our tongues were fighting for dominance while his hands roamed up and down my legs.

I sighed, closing my eyes as his lips trailed down my jaw to my neck, nipping gently at my pulse point. He licked a stripe up my windpipe, causing me to rut against him.

“Fucking hell, Maggie.” He leaned back, and I pulled back, hands on his shoulders. “You’re so fucking amazing.” 

I blushed, leaning back down to nibble on his ear. In my peripheral vision, I caught my phone on the couch lighting up. I had four missed texts from Alex.

“Shit!” I grabbed my phone and sat back on his legs.

“Everything okay?”

I shrugged. “Alexa isn’t back, and I haven’t checked my messages. I got distracted.” I said, eyeing him mischievously.

He responded by scratching his nails down the front of my leggings.

Alexa: BABE Spencer is out here talking to Andy!!!!

Alexa: OMFG he’s looking at me. I’m going to talk to him.

Alexa: HE REMEMBERS ME FROM THE CROWD.

Alexa: He asked me to go to his balcony. I have to. It’s the one next to Noah’s. I’ll be there if you need me.

I smiled at my phone. “Such a weird night.”

“Is she okay?”

I nodded, setting my phone back down. “Yeah, uh,” I shook my head, trying to understand how this had happened. “She met Spencer Charnas, and she’s in his balcony.”

He nodded, looking apprehensive. “She’s a fan of his?”

“The biggest. She’d die for that man.”

His eye twitched at that, almost a wince. “Mm. Maybe she should stick with you?”

My face fell, confused. “Why?”

He bit his lip, glancing over to where Folio sat, who was staring directly at him. “I don’t know. Just seemed like the kind of thing you guys do.”

I nodded, falling off of his lap. “Usually, but this is kind of once in a lifetime.”

He sighed hard, his eyes glancing back up to Folio. “I wish it wasn’t.”

This was confusing, his entire demeanor had shifted.

“Are you okay?”

He worried his bottom lip with the fangs, and nodded. “You, uh,” He looked at his bandmates, who were all giving him a look. “want to see the bus? I need to get something, but I don’t want to leave you alone.”

There was something under his tone that made me almost flinch. It was as if he wasn’t giving me a choice…

“Okay? I mean, or I could wait with Alex in the next balcony?”

“No!” Noah’s voice was harsh, causing me to wince. “I mean, let her have her time. Once in a lifetime, right?”

I nodded, unsure.

“You trust me?”

I sighed, suddenly wildly unsure. “Should I?”

He nodded fervently. “Yes. You should.”

-

The tour bus was enormous. It was also a total mess. It was as if it was more lived in than an actual home. I try not to judge, but there was stuff everywhere. Drink containers, beer bottles, random garbage, clothes. The shades were drawn, and you couldn’t see outside. 

Noah turned around with a look of embarrassment on his face, a hard contrast to the persona he had on all night. He scratched the back of his neck nervously.

“Sorry, the guys said they’d clean up…I guess they forgot.”

I shook my head, giving him a warm smile. “No worries. You guys have to live here, I get it.”

He sighed. “Can I be honest?”

“I’d hope so.” I giggled, hands in my sweater pockets.

“I didn’t need to grab anything, I was just hoping for some privacy.”

My eyes widened, and I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Oh…” Suddenly uncomfortable, I began scanning the bus for all of the exits, the closest being the door behind me.

“You don’t have to stay, it was just stuffy in there and the guys are kind of really fucking nosey.”

This made me smile. “I caught that.” I pursed my lips, looking around, trying to soothe the hammering in my chest. “I could stay.”

“You sure? Oli is going to go on soon.”

I nodded. “Once in a lifetime?”

This almost made his face fall, and he leaned against the counter of the kitchenette sink. “I wish it wasn’t.”

This gave me pause, and I moved to stand next to him.

“What do you mean?”

He pulled his hat off, revealing his mop of long dark hair that was overgrown. “I just…” He trailed off. “I don’t get to have normal relationships, yaknow? Date? See people more than once? It doesn’t really happen.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why not?”

He smirked at this, looking down at his shoes. “My lifestyle doesn’t really allow it.”

I nodded. Rockstar life had to be tough.

“Well, just because you can’t date someone, doesn’t mean you can’t be friends, right?” I won’t lie, I was slightly hopeful.

“It’s kind of more complicated than that.” 

I nodded, not wanting to press further, and an uneasy silence fell over us. After about three minutes, he finally spoke.

“I liked kissing you.”

I couldn’t prevent the grin that cracked on my lips. “I liked kissing you too.”

“I didn’t bring you back here for that. I just thought I’d mention it.”

This was one of the pivotal moments in life where you decide how it goes. Walk away? See what this is, and make the smart choice to end it? 

Or consider this the Gods giving you a gift? A one-time chance to fulfill a fantasy you would otherwise never get again?

I decided quickly that life was too fucking short, and moved to stand in front of him.

“Can we…just do what we want? Because this will never happen for me again, and I find it painfully difficult not to jump on you right now.”

He peered up at me through his lashes, his eyes pitch black. “Yeah? You’re sure? I don’t want to be a dick, but you know I can’t continue anything after tonight.”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes for a second, and opened them with no hesitation left, staring directly at him. 

This gave him the answer he was looking for, as it took less than a fraction of a second for him to have me pinned against the wall behind me, hand on my throat, lips attacking my mouth feverishly. A smooth growl rumbled from his throat, and something inside of me clenched. 

With the grip in my neck, he guided me to spin, lifting me up onto the countertop. My legs wrapped around him instinctively, and I breathed into him, feeling his hands smooth up my legs, and push them apart so he could press himself between them.

His mouth pulled at the skin of my jaw, surely leaving bruises I’d have to explain to Alex later. When I felt the sharp point of the fans against my skin, I placed a hand on his chest.

“Noah?” He didn’t pull back, but only hummed in response as he licked and sucked on my collarbone. “Maybe you should take the fangs out?”

He stilled, frozen. This caused me to do the same, waiting for his next move.

“I can’t.”

My brain didn’t register that. “Can’t?”

“They aren’t coming out.” He breathed again on my skin, making me shiver. “Is that a problem? If it is, tell me now.”

The idea of not going further made my body physically scream, so I just shook my head, signaling for him not to stop.

His arms, strong and solid, lifted me clean off of the counter and pulled me into the hallway, our lips reconnecting. In the back of the bus held a large bedroom area, and with one hand, he slid a door shut behind us. 

He lowered me onto the mattress and became so gentle, I almost couldn’t handle it. His hands reached to unzip my sweatshirt, pulling it open to reveal my crop top. I chose to go without a bra tonight, knowing I’d be keeping my sweater on. His eyes roamed to my hardened nipples pressing against the fabric, and he bit his lip in response.

“If at any point you want to stop, tell me, okay?”

I nodded.

“Say it. Say you understand.” His voice was callous, no playfulness left.

“I understand.”

This brought a wicked smile to his face, fangs pressing out and his tongue gliding over them. “Good girl.”

He was ruthless, his hands pulling my shirt up, exposing my bare breasts, hands grasping them with force, pinching each nipple between his fingers. I yelped at the sudden painful sensation, but pressed into his touch. His knee balanced him on the bed, pressing against my core. I writhed under him, begging for friction.

“So fucking needy, darling. All in good time.”

I sucked in a breath, nearly whining at his teasing. His right hand snaked up my chest, grasping at my throat. The pressure was so much, but I couldn’t ask him to stop because it was so good, I was okay with dying right here like this.

His other hand slid down my stomach, nails scratching into my flesh, before he gripped the waistband of my leggings and tugged them down.

“Tell me how bad you want it, baby.” His fingers loosened just enough for me to speak.

“So bad. Need it. Need you.”

His eyes were roaming my body, eyes settling on the jet black panties I wore. His hand pressed flat against the fabric, making me hiss at the sensation.

“You want me to eat you? Devour you?”

I nodded frantically.

“If I do, I’m going to bite you. You alright with that?”

I froze, staring up at him, tears running down the side of my face. 

“You can say no.” His voice was smooth as honey, dripping down his lips and right into my soul.

“Please.” It came out as a breath, just the ghost of a word.

A harsh snarl left his lips, and he dropped onto the floor with lightening speed, pulling my leggings off and gripping the waistband of my underwear, ripping them apart to show my already soaked pussy.

His fingers slid through my lips before coming up to his mouth, his eyes rolling back at the taste. “Fucking stunning.” He groaned.

His mouth attacked me, licking long, flat stripes up my core, causing my hips to buck. I whimpered, trying not to make too much noise.

His hands gripped my thighs and pulled me closer to the edge of the bed, bringing me right to his face.

“No one can hear us here, baby. Fucking scream for me.” 

I let go, letting all of the harsh, vile sounds leave my throat with no restraint. His mouth sucked hard on my clit, making my vision go stark white behind my eyelids.

“Oh my God, Noah, I’m going to come, please don’t stop.”

He latched harder, a finger penetrating into me, pressing against my sweet spot and smoothing circles into it, bringing me crashing over the edge of bliss. My back lifted off of the mattress, my entire body tingling.

At the exact second my orgasm slammed into me, I felt a stinging, slicing pain on the inside of my thigh, causing me to scream out and look down. Noah’s face was still buried between my legs, but his eyes were staring directly at me. His fingers continued to massage me through my euphoria while his lips pulled at the sore spot on my thigh. When he lifted his face, my body finally calming, a deep crimson fluid sat on his lip before his tongue came up and swiped it away. 

He rested a palm flat on my stomach as my breathing slowed. “Are you okay?”

I blinked back the tears and gasped in a breath. “More, please. I need more.”

It wasn’t even me speaking anymore. My body had transcended to another plane and I was watching from a different dimension at that point.

He smiled, his teeth tinged with blood - my blood. “What’s the magic word?”

“Jesus, fuck, Noah! Please!”

His hand snatched me by my waist, flipping me over and pulling me back up so my feet were on the floor. His arm held me up, as standing wasn’t an option with the way my legs felt like gelatin. I felt the warm fluid from the wound on my thigh dripping down my leg.

He paused, reaching for a drawer and grabbing, what I assumed to be, a condom. I heard the foil open and be discarded. He let go of me for ten seconds to put it on, and before I could think about anything else, he was pushing inside of me. The feeling was achingly delicious, the stretch and burn of it. Noah was exceptional. My body fell forward, hands reaching out balance. He thrusted mercilessly, pounding me harder into the mattress, his breathing loud and deep, guttural moans escaping him.

After a few moments, and my vision slowly blurring as I began climbing the hill once again, his hand wrapped around my neck and pulled me backward to stand straight up. I whined, leaning my head back on his chest.

It was without cause, but I still asked. “Bite me again? Please?”

I didn’t want it, I needed it. I was ravenous for the pain and the feeling of him being so connected with me. 

“Don’t say that.” His words were breathless, but I was persistent.

“Please, Noah. Please.”

“God damn it.” He tightened his grip on my neck and I felt his lips touch my skin before the fangs sung in deep, piercing the thin skin just above my clavicle.

A scream pierced through me as the pain sent white hot shock waves through my body, my vision cutting out and my orgasm tearing through me. I vibrated at the stimulation of it all, and began to feel by body going slack, my skin tingling with a numbing sensation. My eyelids began to feel heavy, Noah's lips still latched to my skin. I could swear I felt a sucking feeling. That would be one hell of a hickey later.

Noah's thrusts suddenly stilled, his throat growling against me, his fingers gripping my hip violently, surely leaving bruises.

I was still riding the high of my climax when I felt everything starting to go sideways as the room began to spin. His arm wrapped around me quickly as I felt my consciousness slipping.

"Easy, baby. Easy." I hadn't even noticed him slip out of me, or unlatch from my throat.

Suddenly, his hands were gentle, laying me down on the bed on my back. Through my hooded lids, I could see him standing, tall and muscular. I could see all of him, and as badly as I wanted to savor it, I was so sleepy.

His hands pulled a soft, red blanket over me, and he put a finger up. "One second, stay here."

He disappeared out of the door, and I felt my eyes threatening to close. My brain was shutting off quickly, and it wasn't going to be optional anymore.

He came back within a minute, now wearing shorts, with a large blue Powerade, and a pack of Reese's in his hands. He set them down on the mattress next to me and slid his arms under me, lifting me up onto the pillows of the bed.

"Maggie, you still with me?"

I could only mumble in response, the pull of sleep tugging me down.

"Don't fall asleep. You need to drink this." He opened the Powerade. My hand came up to take the drink, but my fingers had very little sensation. "Here." Noah used one arm to lift me partway, and held the bottle to my lips. "Just take sips."

Once I had sufficiently drank a quarter of the bottle, suddenly feeling parched, he recapped it and began tearing open the Reese's. "Eat this, you need to increase your blood sugar and carbohydrates."

Feeling slightly more coherent, I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Why? Did that orgasm almost kill me?" I snickered, taking a peanut butter cup and peeling the wrap off the bottom.

"No, the orgasm didn't." He said pointedly, but made work of getting up and heading for the door again. I laid, slowly munching the chocolate, eyes trailing after him. I pulled the blanket up to my chin, feeling strikingly cold suddenly. I felt a numbness in my toes and fingertips. Something about it bothered me, but also didn't?

He walked back in, a damp rag in his hand. What did he need that for? He used a condom, I thought?

Noah sat next to me on the bed, and ran a hand over my cheek gently, giving me a small, comforting smile. "You feel better?"

I nodded, still chewing the second peanut butter cup. "Much."

His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Good, I'm glad."

Smoothing his hand over to my hair, he pulled it away from my neck, and pressed the damp rag to it. I winced, pain shooting up into my face.

"Christ!" He pulled his hand back, and I noticed the rag was a deep red. "Am I bleeding?"

He shushed me, moving my face back over. "Not much anymore, it's mostly stopped. This is just a little alcohol to sterilize it." He sighed as he pressed the rag to my skin. "Next, I'll clean up your leg."

My mind, suddenly clear as day, began running through all of the most ridiculous scenarios possible. Regardless of how stupid it sounded, I still had to ask...

"Noah?"

"Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow, pulling out a large bandage and unpeeling it from the paper.

"Are you an actual vampire?"

His hands stopped, and his neck snapped up at me. His eyes were deadly serious, but his lips twisted in a sick smile. "Now, why would you say something silly like that? Of course not."

"But-"

He chuckled, his body shaking, and continued applying the bandage to my neck, hand lingering on my cheek as he looked in my eyes.

"No, I'm just a guy with kinks, that's all."

Did I want to press this further?

I looked back up at him, and he smiled brightly. That's when I noticed.

"You took the fangs off."

He peered up at me, running his tongue over his teeth. "Yeah, something like that."

Noah began pulling the blanket from my leg when he stopped abruptly, his eyes shifting to the door of the room. His hand gripped my leg, and he spoke under his breath.

"Fuck." His eyes looked back at me, a panic now rising. "You have to go. Now."

He grabbed my arm, and began pulling me off of the bed gently. "Can you stand?" I heard the door of the bus open, and people speaking at the front.

The urgency in his voice was frightening, so I swung my legs over and attempted to stand. The room swayed slightly, but I managed to stay upright. I nodded at him.

"Good, okay," He stood off the bed, and ran to the other side, picking my clothes up and tossing them at me, sans my torn panties. "get dressed. I'm going to open the window, there's a ladder just outside. Climb down it and go. Fast. Go to your car, and leave."

I was stepping into my leggings and looked up at him. "I have to find Alex, first."

He huffed, frustrated, and helped me put my shirt over my head. "Don't. Just go."

Noah pulled the window open silently, and pulled me over to him once I had zipped up my sweatshirt and slipped my shoes on. "Noah, what-"

He pressed a hand to my mouth. "Please, just listen to me. Leave. Don't look for her. Just go. Fast, okay?"

My eyes welled up. The terror was back. Why was he hiding me? Was he embarrassed? Did he not want anyone to know I was here? Why didn't he want me to look for Alex?

He hands hoisted me up effortlessly, he didn't even groan when he lifted me to the window. I slipped a leg out, and turned my head to him. "Noah?"

He looked at me, eyes sparkling bright, brighter than I had seen. "Yes?"

"I hope to see you again."

The smallest smile turned his lips up. "If you're lucky, you won't."

-

Alex's phone wasn't picking up and she hadn't responded to any of my messages. Bring Me The Horizon's set was about over, and she was nowhere. Ice Nine's balcony was empty - they all were. She wasn't in the venue. She wasn't outside. She was gone.

Her last text to me had me walking behind the building, looking through the busses.

Alexa: Spencer invited me back to his bus with him and Ronnie...I can't believe this is real life!! I will text you when I'm done! ;)

I only knew which bus was Noah's, but I felt like an absolute creep looking through the others, trying to see into the windows. I was standing next to one, on my tip-toes, trying to see through the tint, when my ears picked up on something...

It sounded suspiciously like screaming...but not the kind I would expect from someone having a good time. Not the kind I just made.

I rounded the corner, finding one last bus, and noticed it appeared to be moving. This had to be it. As I approached, figuring I would just wait until she was done, it stilled, and the night went eerily silent. Something about it made my stomach drop. I considered going back and getting Noah, asking him to check it out, but I had already come to terms with the fact that whatever that was, was over.

Instead, I made a soft wrap on the door, hoping someone would answer. Nothing came, no sound or motion. I sighed. Someone was definitely in there. Maybe they fell asleep? I almost did.

I knocked harder with the same result. Eventually, I pounded, hollering. "Hello?"

My fingers reached for the handle, and I noticed the door was unlocked, the door opening easily. I looked in, and noticed it was dark, only a neon blue light emanating from the back somewhere. I stepped up the staircase, peering my head around the corner.

"Alex?"

What my eyes saw, I was nowhere near prepared for. My eyes met hers, only hers were upside down, head hanging off of the edge of the bed, tears running down the sides of her face. They were also lifeless, and so was she. She was laid on the bed, fully dressed, and blood poured from her throat and pooled on the floor. There were two men on top of her, mouths latched to her chest and throat.

I couldn't help the gasp that came out, my eyes watering at the scene. I brought my hand up over my mouth and both men looked up at me. I couldn't register what I was seeing...

Spencer Charnas and Ronnie Radke were on top of my best friend, and their faces were absolutely covered in her blood.

Their fangs shined, covered in the red viscous liquid, and harsh growling hisses came out of their mouths.

Before I could scream, a hand had grabbed the back of my sweatshirt and pulled me down the stairs, and was dragging me away from the bus. I thrashed, screaming and fighting against the person pulling me away.

"No! No! Please! Stop, please!!" A hand came up over my mouth.

"Shut up!" My eyes looked down, and through my bleary tears, I saw the tattoos. The familiar tattoos.

Noah pulled me over to another bus and pressed me against the side. He loomed over me, his eyes dark again, all of the light gone.

"I told you to fucking leave!"

I couldn't speak. I was stunned. "I...they...Alex..."

"Alex is gone." He was so matter of fact. Stern, even. A choked sob broke out of my chest.

"No, no please, you have to help me."

"I am helping you! You have to leave! Before anyone realizes you did." His hands were against the bus on either side of me. "Please Maggie, please just leave."

"Noah..." I stared at the sharp fangs. "Your teeth..."

He hung his head. "Maggie, listen to me. You were never here. You lost Alex at the concert, and she went missing. They already reported her missing to security." My eyes went wide, tears streaming. "Now, go home. Stay there. And never speak about this again. Understood?"

I didn't respond, I just glared at him. He was one of them. A monster. He drank my blood. He tried to kill me. Him and his friends...they killed Alex.

When I didn't answer, he grew impatient, slamming his hands against the bus, making me flinch.

"God damn it Maggie, do you understand?!"

I just nodded, and he let one of his arms fall. I slipped by him, but his hand caught my arm. I stopped, staring up at him.

"I'm so sorry." His eyes were soft again, but I ripped my arm from him. He looked taken back by my sudden brazenness.

"No you're not..." I took several steps forward, but I took a deep breath and stopped, turning to see him still staring at me.

"But you fucking will be."

[inthedayswhenlandswerefew]

maggie any movie suggestions that give off vibes of your hotd stories? desperately need to fill the hole before you drop another banger!! 😤😤😤😤

Oh, interesting!!! I do actually have some movies/shows that I associate with my fics, I'll share them below 🥰

Martyrs: Civil War (2024), Dawn Of The Dead (2004), The Walking Dead (Seasons 1-3)

1968: Mad Men (Seasons 6-7), Rosemary's Baby (1968), Walk The Line (2005)

Napoleonville: Waitress (2007), The Crown (Season 4), You've Got Mail (1998), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

WTWICD: Seven Pounds (2008), The Dark Knight (2008), Gladiator (2000), Me Before You (2016)

Comet: One Direction: This Is Us (2013), Interstellar (2014)

NICIY: The Tudors (Season 1), The White Queen

NTTF: Good Will Hunting (1997), Snow Dogs (2002), I've been told that this fic is Grey's Anatomy coded and I guess I kind of see it?? (Seasons 1-2)

HYNITYID: I truly don't have any, I was possessed by a demon when I wrote this

And as a little bonus, here are some movies/shows I associate with my 💎 Mysterious New Fic 💎: The Knick (Season 1), Crimson Peak (2015), Titanic (1997), Sleeping With The Enemy (1991)

Thank you for already assuming it will be a banger 🥹🥰

[sarahowritesostucky]

Just a little preview of what I'm obsessing over today. Can't write any more right now 'cause I have to go to work. Let me know what y'all think!

Lee Bodecker x OFC : Sweet as Pie

The bell above the door ‘dings’ as Lee pushes inside that evening. His mouth thins as he glances around the length of the diner and thinks, Jesus, pink. It’s an old double railcar joint that’d gone to shit over the years, but somebody bought it last year and fixed it up, and it’s been open since the spring.

Lee squints at the teenagers that are there in a couple of weeknight gaggles, sipping their milkshakes on double dates. He's still in uniform from work, so he gets the usual avoidant glances as he ambles all the way to the back to a two-seater booth in the corner. He sits with his back to the wall and waits until the girl waiting tables pops out from the kitchen and notices him. She’s the whole reason he’s even there. 

“Margaret Laferty,” he drawls, grinning and eyeing her up as she walks over with a plastic menu in hand. “Christ, Miss Maggie, you look just the same.” She blushes and smiles, and Lee amends, “Naw, prettier. You grew up some since I saw you last.” He accepts the menu that she hands him and opens it to take a look, even though he’s not really there for the food. He lets his eyes drag over her body, admiring the way the cute waitress dress hugs her body. She’s a petite little thing, but a few years have given her some curves in all the right places. She’s developing a woman’s body now, no longer the stick-skinny schoolgirl Lee used to see in the front pew each Sunday. “How long’s it been, Darlin’? I thought you’d gone off to college?” 

Her smile wavers and she averts her eyes. “Oh. Yeah. Well, you know … That didn’t, uh, didn’t exactly pan out.”

“No?” 

She shrugs. “I’m back here for now. To help my mom.”

Lee sobers and nods in understanding. Roy Laferty’s locked up right now, serving two to ten out in Watoosa. Lee should know: he’s the one who was on-scene that night, slapped the cuffs on the sorry sonofabitch himself.

Still, it ain’t Maggie’s fault that her father’s a no-good town drunk whose number’s finally come up. “That’s real good of you, Mags,” he says solemnly. “You’re a good girl. Your momma’s lucky to have you.”

She nods politely, but it’s only manners. “Thanks, Sheriff.” 

Lee feigns displeasure. “Now how many times I gotta tell you to call me Lee?” he teases, pleased when it gets a little smile out of her. He grins and points at her warningly. “Don’t make me have to tell you again. That’s a ticketable offense.”

She titters shyly and fumbles to get out her notepad and pen. “Right. I’ll try to remember. … Lee.”

Boy, his name sure does sound good coming from her pretty mouth. Lee can’t help but imagine what it’d sound like riding the coattails of a sweet little moan. “Good girl,” he murmurs, well-aware of how she squirms in response to the praise. He sucks his teeth and takes another look down at the menu. “This is my first time in here. What’s good?”

“Oh! Um, well the milkshakes are popular,” Maggie says. “And the cheeseburger.”

“Hm. I guess that’s what I’ll have to get, then,” he decides, closing the menu and setting it down. “But say … You got any pie ‘round here?”

She nods brightly. “Oh sure! Peach and cherry pie. Just fresh today.”

Lee grins and leans forward with playfully narrowed eyes. “Did you make ‘em, by any chance?” She bites her lip and nods, and Lee slaps the Formica tabletop cheerfully. “Well there you have it. Gimme a slice of pie instead of the milkshake. I’ve had your pie at the county fair, young lady. I know you make ‘em better than any I ever had before.” She blushes beautifully and smiles, and Lee slides the menu over to her from across the table. “Cheeseburger and fries, sweet tea, and a slice of pie.”

“What kind do you want?” she asks.

“Hmm, if you made it? How about I try that peach pie?” He shoots her a wink. “Slice ‘a peach, from a peach.”

I'm mildly convinced that nobody's going to be interested in this pairing, so if you are and would like to be on the tag list, let me know!

tag list sign up here

Nonnie! - I've named her Margaret as requested, but will be heavily using the nicknames Mags, Maggie, and Magpie. Hope that still hits the spot!

[faghubby]

Over the road

"Those are some pretty undies you got there" Maggie whispered in Christian's ear. He turned a deep red. And quickly pulled down his shirt as he rushed off to the men's room. Maggie couldn't resist when she saw him lean forward she caught a flash of pink lace. As she told another waitress they both laughed outloud. By the time he returned she had calmed down having other costumers.

Chris debated of he should just remove the panties and go commando or just pull his pants up. He stood in the stall rock hard. Although he wanted to play with himself it was quite a busy at the truckstop and thought he better not. Instead he pulled up his pants and with his head hung low went back to his seat to at least pay the bill.

"Sorry if I embarrassed you" Maggie smiled. He couldn't even look up. Till he read the back of the bill. Said Maggie with a phone number. Chris was surprised, he instantly thought I can't he was married after all. He left in such a hurry he forgot his hat. As he was going back out to his truck.

"Hey sweety" he heard behind him as a hand slid across his ashe turned and Maggie put his hat on his head.

"You better call me" she smiled and went back to work. He went and sat in his truck. He couldn't get Maggie out of his head. She was properly late 30s maybe 40. Obviously a mom he thought. He found himself going back inside a few hours later and sitting in her section. He just ordered coffee. And sat quietly watching her.

"I get off in 30 minutes" Maggie told him. He just nodded shyly. She motioned for him to follow her as she left after clocking out. He caught up to her in the parking lot.

"So panty boy show me" Maggie smiled they where on the far side of the parking lot. Chris looking around undid his thick belt and big belt buckle and open his pants showing Maggie his pink panties with little hearts all over them and a delicate lace border. She had him get in her car. He pulled up his pants.

"I'm married" he spit out the first words he had said other then his order.

"Does your wife know you wear her panties?" Maggie asked. He mumbled no as he shock his head. Maggie reached into his pants. And grasped his dick.

"No wonder you wear panties, I bet my 12 year old has a bigger dick" Maggie laughed. This only made Chris harder. Maggie drove to secluded spot a few miles away. She got out of the car. It was a rather warm night. As Christian watched her hick up her dress and remove her panties. She laid across the hood of her car.

"Do you want to lick my pussy?" Maggie teased. Chris dropped to his knees.

"Wait strip, I want you in just your panties" Maggie smiled. As she watched him strip down to just his tiny panties. His dick struggling to escape. He knelt and went to lick her.

"Lick my ass, first" she ordered. He did just that he even drove his tounge into her hole. Maggie cooed as he did whatever she commanded. She loved having this power over a man. He didn't even try and stop licking her ass, pussy, thighs his tounge was magical Maggie thought. Until Maggie came loudly all over his face.

Chris thought now he could fuck her. Bit Maggie got up and pulled his panties down. She stroked him with two fingers.

"How do you even fuck your wife with this little thing?" Maggie teased. Chris just moaned. "I bet she has real men that please her when you are on the road" Maggie told him. He was gone for weeks at a time. He had never thought about his wife Kelly cheating on him. But now as he thought about it he came all over the front of Maggie's car.

"When are you getting back on the road?" Maggie asked.

"In the morning" Chris replied. Maggie returned him to her truck. And before she left added her number to his phone.

Chris woke early to a text from Maggie. /send me a pic of you wearing panties/ he did as she asked not even knowing why.

Maggie continued to text, call, even face time him several times a day. She would talk dirty to him, called him a sissy, encouraged him to buy panties. He only had two pairs he had stolen from his wife. It was two weeks when he came back thru town. He again met up with Maggie. But this time renting a motel room.

"I got you some things" Maggie told him. As she produced a variety of things. First woman's deodorant, body wash, body spray. Hand lotion.

"You need to smell like a sissy boi" she told him. Then pulled out a bottle of hair remover, pink razors and ladies shaving gel. "Litle bitch boys are always smooth as a baby ass" she told him. Producing hair products next, his hair was already long. Bit he needed to take better care of it. That night Maggie let him see her naked. But only after he had agreed to remove all his body hair. Maggie told him it would grow back in a few days. He would soon learn that wasn't true.

"Christine, you need to buy sexier panties" Maggie told him. She had said this when he had first bought some. Buying pastel colored cotton panties. Chris physically flinched hearing her call him Christine. Maggie had him orally please her again but as he did she got in a 69 position. But ignored his throbbing dick instead she applied lube to his smooth ass.

"What are you?" Chris gasped. As Maggie pushed two fingers into his hole.

"Do you think Kelly let's men fuck her ass?" Maggie asked as she finger fucked him. He moaned as he continued to lick her clit. Again he now thought of his wife getting fucked, over the last week he had pictured the farm hands, the neighbors, even thier pastor fucking Kelly. He couldn't shake the idea of her riding a big cock. Maggie spent the night with him cuddling in the motel room. In the morning Maggie woke him by pushing a vibrator up his ass.he woke with a start and first tried to stop her. Till Maggie turned it on. He fell silent.

"All the real men out there are going to smell how sexy you are and want to shove their big cocks in your ass" Maggie told him. Maggie didn't stop until his little dick stopped leaking all over his stomach.

She even had him paint his toe nails before he hit the road again. Again they spoke several times a day. Maggie now called him Christine exclusively. Encouraging him to buy a bra, and a nightie.

"It would be so hot if you got stopped by the police and they jumped up on the truck to see you just wearing your pretty panties." Maggie told him. The very next day she had convinced him to send her a pic of him driving wearing just a tiny thong and a tee shirt. Maggie continued touch his homosexual thoughts. And that he wasn't man enough for any woman. Especially his wife. She would FaceTime him as they both masterbated. But only if he used the vibrator she had given him.

By the time they met face to face again, he had been home and back on the road for week.

"I swear I didn't even try and have sex with my wife" Christina wimpered as Maggie squeezed his tballs lightly.

"Good, I have a surprise" Maggie pulled out a flower print sun dress. And made him put it on.

"I bet you been sucking cocks all across the country" Maggie said as she straightened his dress. "Are you some kind of faggot lot lizzard?" She teased. "Show me" she produced a black dildo and had him suck on it. She took his phone and took pics.

"Do you think Kelly likes big black cock? Or is that just you?" She asked as she played with his little dick. When he came she caught it a

In her hand and pulled the toy from his mouth coated it in his cum and had him lick it clean.

Maggie demanded more pics and images, more risqué acts. And made him tell her how he was a pretty sissy faggot that wanted to suck cock. And get fucked in the ass. It had been months and when he returned home again it was impossible to hide the changes. His hair rested on his shoulders now. But also had blonde highlights. He smelled like a woman, not to mention the thinned eyebrows or the manicured hands. He wore a bra and panties everyday. Yet when Kelly saw him she didn't seem shocked.

"Maggie was right you aren't a man anymore" Kelly told him. Christina looked surprised. "Maggie gives me daily updates" Kelly smiled.

"OH and no not big black cocks, well not black at least" she smiled and smacked Christina's ass. "I'm going to get fucked be a good girl and do the dishes" Kelly laughed as she grabbed her keys and left Christina standing alone in the kitchen.

Hope you like this Roaddawg. Maybe when the wife's comes back she bends that cute girlie ass over and shoves a nice big dildo in it for you.

[oatmilkovich]

i don’t go here much these days but i’ve had a headache since last night from crying over losing gavin creel. 

losing maggie smith earlier in the week sucked, but she lived a long and full life. her legacy is forever. 

gavin is a shock of ice to the system. he was so young. he had so much more to give. i thought we’d see him on stage for decades to come. his influence on my generation of theatre fans is immense. so many young people working in the industry right now owe him so much. he workshopped so many iconic shows like wicked, hamilton and spring awakening, these huge iconic male roles would be nothing without him. aaron tveit posted about how when he was studying musical theatre, he wanted to be gavin creel.

he is a true legend of contemporary broadway. 

personally, i first met him when i was about 10 years old. i saw mary poppins on the west end and was so taken by the american guy playing bert — which i discovered during the bows as he made a speech about donations on the way out. a couple years later, he opened the book of mormon in london and i went to one of the first previews — and the obsession flourished. i always thought the connection of seeing him so young and his performance being the one thing i remembered from that show was so special. like a classic teenage theatre fan, i’d stop by the stage door whenever i got the chance and every single time he treated me with such grace and generosity with his time, making me feel so incredibly important. out of my friends, he was my broadway favourite, my performer. if you dig deep enough on my blog, you’ll find our selfies i’d post, the keyboard smashing, the joy i felt because of his work.

later, i got to see him in waitress and into the woods — and despite both being stacked casts, he was always the standout. he was still always my favourite.

this loss is huge. how lucky teenage me was, how lucky we all were. 

[hold-fast-and-rise]

Lauren Cohan (born Lauren Storholm)

Born January 7, 1982 (43 years old in 2025) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, United States until her teens to an American father (Paul Storholm) and a British immigrant mother (Susan Cohan) from Scotland.

Best known for her role as Maggie Greene on The Walking Dead (2010)

Height: 1.73 m (5’8”)

Weight: 55kg (121 pounds)

Bra size: 34B

Shoe size: 8 (us)

Dress size: 4 (us)

Body measurements: 36-25-35

Eye color: green

Hair color: light brown

Spouse: Unmarried

Last relationship: Christian Carino - her previous agent (2014-2017)

Children: None

Some facts:

Lauren is a model, turned actress

Her favorite actor is Tom Hanks

She has 5 younger half siblings

- Alia Cohan-Finnerty (account supervisor)

- Daniel Cohan (chef)

- Sabrina Faith Cohan (product manager @ Expedia Group)

- unknown

- unknown

She moved to London when she was 14 and then to LA when she was 22.

Both her and her mother converted to Judaism, her stepfather’s (Matthew Cohan) religion.

She worked as a waitress when she was 21

[obsessedwithlarkin]

WELL-KNOWN DANCERS COMPETING AT RADIX ANAHIEM

4 PM:

• Adelynn Muesse - Witch

AVANTI:

• Rosie Zahoul - Grown Woman

• Presley Loomis - Stay

• Kalliope Lindstrom - Runnin Down

CANDANCE:

• Violet Rush - Bosorkanya

• Mila Hiatt - Finding My Melody

DANCE DELUXE:

• Remi Skidmore - The Raid

• Eva Gonzalez- Under My Skin

• Emily Collins- Asteria

• Brighton Taylor - Buisness Of Love

• Brielle Bailey- Miss Indipendent

• Breckyn Kawa - Fallen Angel

• Emily Kinion - Super

• Bradley Kawa- The Jester

• Colleen Heinze - Patènipat

• Vanessa Soto - Felt Like A Kiss

• Aracely Lee - Rise Warrior

• Junior Duo/Trio - Color Song

• Mini Duo/Trio - Rain

• Junior Duo/Trio - Slack Jaw

• Junior Line - My House

• Junior Group - House In Nebraska

• Junior Group - Movies

• Junior Line - Sweet Dreams

• Mini Group - Trapped

• Rookie Duo/Trio - End Of The Line

• Mini Line - How To Save A Life

• Rookie Group - Sugar Baby Bounce

• Haven Bryan- Say Something

• Rookie Group- Emotion

• Mini Extended Line- Sing Sing Sing

• Teen Line - Alchemy

• Teen Line - Precious Things

DANCEOLOGY:

•Aria McCrea - Shadow Journal

DOLCE:

•Brennyn Bishop- Snowing

EVOKE:

• Addy Paul - Funk

MATHER:

•Nyla McCarthy- Dreaming Awake

•Camilla Shuck - Roses

• Hadley Schulz- Dancing On The Waves

• Delaney McCarthy- Vow

• Helena Olaerts- New York, New York

• Sienna Morris - Mercy

OCPAA:

• Hadley Berokoff- The Dance

• Eden Roberts- All That Jazz

• Dylan Reuss - The Waitress

• Taylor Goldweski- We Clappin'

• Harlee Lozano - Broke

• Jillian Mahan- True Romance

• Alyssa Mastroianni- Hyperballad

• Brady Reuss- Stay Away

• Maggie Zhou - Only

• Grace Howerton- I'm Through

• Junior Group- Writers In The Dark

• Cerys Gogswell - My Darling

• Leighton Goldweski- Once Upon Another Time

• Charlotte Delong - Elegance

• Kailee Lozano- Halleluijah

• Makenzie Rowland- Elephants

• Kourtney Gampol- Snowing

• Charlotte Wolk - Too Darn Hot

• Jasmine Sison - The Flowers

• Lennox Silva- See Me Now

• Mini Group - And So It Is

PAVE:

• Dylan Gyger- Yet

• Delaney Blum - Trouble

• Bryn Zimmerman - Just Fine

• Harbor Pitkin - The Moon

• Wavy Hazen - One

• Joah Moore - Inhale Exhale

• Addison Sebellius- Just A Girl

• Kennady Peterson - Ain't No Other Man

• Junior Group- Purse First

• Junior Production - Time And A Half

• Junior Group - Hope

• JuniorGroup- Genetics

• Junior Extended Line- Woman In A Black Dress

• Mini Extended Line - Let Them Know

• Rookie Group- Country Girls

• Ava Muckley - Amazing Mayzie

• Sophia Smith - Let's Get Loud

• Kehlani Georgatos - Buisness Of Love

• Mini Group- Dreamgirls

• Teen Group - Body Language

• Teen Group - Corpse

• Teen Extended Line- Everyrhing Is Romantic

• Teen Line - Heroes

• Teen Line- Magazine

• Teen Extended Line - Wish You Were Here

• Teen Extended Line- Pose

• Teen Line - Diner

PROJECT 21:

•Cece Chung- Cuban Pete

• Liv Matson- Leaving

• Stella Fisk - Whole Lotta Shakin Going On

• Brooklyn Ladia - Everything Is Unreal

• Sara Von Rotz- So Long Dearie

• Regan Gerena - Work It

•Lexie Blanchard - An Urban Soundtrack

• Reese Arkin - Please Mr Postman

STUDIO 1:

• Kenly Carver - Daisies

STUDIO X:

• Braxy Montana - Motomami

• Emma Acosta - Red Football

• Baileigh McJimson- Hater

• Aliyah Almirez - I Love You

• Jordyn Rockett - Kinjabang

• Aubrey Horacek- Slow Me Down

• Jeanne Garcia - Wicked Games

• Bella Mendez - Mantra

• Emma Gerberding - My Mind

• Brielle Arias - Quitte Pas

• Kate Matthews - Do You Even Know

• Carter Walk. - Praying

• Hannah Martinez- Elephants

• Mini Duo/Trio - Dream

• Junior Group - Bad Girls

• Chloe Tyler - TBA

• Madison Luckman- Thule

• Juliana Markba- Blue Skies

• Cecily Renae- Wonder

• Teen Line - Capslock

THE ACADEMY:

• Patience Hughes - Poker Face

THE BASE DANCE CENTER:

• Roxie Onellion- Amor

THE COMPANY SPACE:

• Vivian Marcodes - Splintered

• Stella Marcodes - This Bitter Earth

• Taylor Smith - GT

MOXIE:

• Alexa Paul- Forever Young

THE SIX COMPOUND:

• Sophia Tooles - Over The Love

THE CREW:

• Starr Castro - TBD

[quadrantadvisor]

Monster of the Week Mystery: Shadows in Unity

(I didn't see a better place to post the custom MOTW mystery that I ran, so onto Tumblr it goes.)

In the small town of Unity, Iowa, two teens mysteriously disappeared. More than one person in town has been messing with forces they didn't understand, and now the local corn maze is home to a being of great and terrible power, a Shadowling. This mystery works best in a campaign dealing with eldritch beings and cults.

Hook

The sudden and unexplained disappearance of two teenagers, in a town with hardly any crime to speak of. Their identities were kept out of the news, but it's the talk of the town that young lovers Aimee Schaffer and Ben Torello have either skipped town together, or had something horrible happen to them.

[My version of this mystery started with a scripted scene of the hunters overhearing a conversation about this between waitresses Maggie and Sharon at the Sideswipe Diner.]

Countdown

Day: The Shadowling possesses Ben's corpse to lure in new victims. It is spotted in town overnight.

Shadows: Farmer Neadbaum enters the corn maze in an attempt to perform a ritual and trap the monster. He is killed.

Sunset: Masha Torello stays up overnight to keep an eye out for her son. She spots him and follows him back to the cornfield, becoming another trapped victim of the Shadowling.

Dusk: Aimee is drained of all life and dies.

Nightfall: Sharon Maat and three of her friends, other teens from the local high school, plan to hang out in the cornfield at night to drink without getting caught. Sharon is killed and her friends are captured.

Midnight: The Shadowling's activity has garnered the attention of Nelson Neadbaum's former cult, the followers of The One Who Waits in Shadows. They catch the creature for their nefarious purposes.

Threats

Shadowling

Monster: Parasite (motive: possess, control, devour)

The Shadowling is a being from somewhere beyond this world, and it should not be on this plane of existence. It's form cannot be easily seen nor comprehended, more of a silhouette of shifting tentacle-like shapes. It is not an especially intelligent being, operating largely on instinct to attract more prey. It claims a space as it's own, a den of sorts, and that space becomes warped by it's very presence. In this case, that space is the corn maze, where it fled to after being summoned in Neadbaum's barn. The Shadowling is a timid creature, and uses it's den and the forms of other creatures to hide itself away from possible threats. Above all, the Shadowling's presence is a herald of a much greater evil.

Powers:

Intangible: Cannot be harmed by attacks that don't involve magic or one of its weaknesses.

Taste of Madness: Can alter a victim's senses to induce disorientation or panic.

Possession: Can inhabit the form of a human, a corpse, or another humanoid shape.

Attacks:

Life drain: 3-harm, ignore armor, hand

Armor: none

Harm capacity: 11

Weaknesses:

Fire and bright light can be used to force it to leave a host, to corral it, or to contain it.

A magical ritual can be used to banish it from this realm

Takes two days to research

Takes three people to cast

Must be cast in the presence of the monster

Takes 10 minutes to perform

Scarecrow (Possessed)

Minion: Assassin (motive: to kill the hunters)

A scarecrow made of burlap and denim, with a wide brim straw hat and no face. It hangs limp in front of the entrance to the corn maze. It moves with an unnerving swiftness and smoothness. It can be destroyed by fire.

Attacks:

Shears: 2-harm, hand, quiet

Strike: 0-harm, intimate

Harm Capacity: 5

Ben and Aimee (Possessed)

Minion: Renfield (motive: to push victims towards the monster)

The shadowling is using Ben and Aimee to lure more victims to its lair. Ben is clearly already dead, with two large puncture wounds in his torso that were inflicted by the shears. Aimee is filthy and covered in blood, but has no visible injuries. She is wearing a leather jacket that's a bit too big for her, presumably given to her by Ben before his death.

Attacks:

Unarmed strike: 0-harm, intimate

Harm Capacity:

Ben's corpse: 6

Aimee: 7, but has already taken 3 harm

Nelson Neadbaum

Minion: Guardian (motive: to bar a way or protect something)

Farmer Neadbaum is an older gentleman, perhaps in his 60s, and his hair and long mustace are beginning to grey. He is gruff with the hunters, but not openly hostile until he feels they are coming to close to his secrets. He wants to keep the hunters away from the Shadowling and out of his barn. He summoned the Shadowling in an attempt to communicate with The One Who Waits in Shadows, not expecting an unintelligent beast. It quickly escaped his containment measures, and he lost any control of the situation he may have had.

Neadbaum was once a member of the cult of The One Who Waits in Shadows, but was excommunicated from their ranks for having lofty ideas about using the god's power for himself, rather than serving it. He has been studying on his own ever since, and stewed in his solitude and self-righteousness, until meeting a sympathetic ear in Aimee, to who he tried to teach his ways.

Neadbaum's farm is the location of an annual corn maze, and this year, Aimee was volunteering to help run it as an after school activity.

Attacks:

Hunting knife: 1-harm, hand

Shotgun: 3-harm, close, messy

Harm Capacity: 7

Locations

Corn maze

Location: Den (motive: to harbour monsters)

The maze was poorly constructed/cut, making it difficult to tell what is meant to be a path and what is poorly spaced and/or trampled corn. If the hunters approach during the day, the light that falls over the corn wavers like a heat mirage. During the night, the shifting of the corn creates strange figures in their shadows.

Move: Navigate the Maze

If a hunter/the hunters would like to navigate the maze and the Shadowling is present within it, it uses its Taste of Madness to confuse and disorient the hunter(s).

Have a hunter roll +Weird. On a 10+, hold 2. On a 7-9, hold 1. Use a hold to mitigate one of the following effects.

Lose track of the exit

Lose track of your companion(s)

Discover nothing of consequence

On a 6-, the hunter who rolled is fully controlled/taken by the Shadowling.

Sideswipe Diner

Location: Crossroads (motive: to bring people and things together)

(The following is the start of a scripted scene written for the beginning of my own session, and may not be entirely applicable to yours. I've kept it here, in case it helps inspire you as to the tone of the mystery.]

"You are in a roadside diner. The outside looked a little run down, but when you entered you were pleasantly surprised to find the interior clean and lively. Your party of 5 [the number of hunters in our session] were seated easily together in a booth, with an extra chair on the end, of course. You're now enjoying the hot, greasy flavors of hometown America. It's a nice respite after miles and miles of nothing but Iowa cornfields. It's around 11 AM, and the sunlight through the windows is bright. It doesn't fool you, though. It's October, and you know that the wind chill bites."

Unity Police Station

Location: Fortress (motive: to deny entry)

The station is on the small side, but it's also the most modern building in town. You get the feeling they may be compensating for something.

Unity Library

Location: Hub (motive: to reveal information

An old schoolhouse that's been converted. It's got old, cracking paint, but the windows are clean. The interior is cramped and stuffed with books.

Schaffer Home

Location: Hub (motive: to reveal information)

The lawn is trimmed and green. The house is older, and is one of the only ones on the block with a second story. The interior is open concept, with plain white walls and modern knick-knacks. Aimee's room is on the second floor. It looks like a mundane girl's room at first, but hunters may investigate hiding spots or check her computer to find out about her interest in the occult or her connection to Neadbaum.

Torello Home

Location: Crossroads (motive: bring people/things together)

A trailer home on the other side of town from the Schaffer home. It is propped up on cinder blocks. There's a small dog tied up out front, and a garden.

Neadbaum Barn

Type: Hellgate (motive: to create evil)

From the outside, this is a classic red barn. The inside is similarly unassuming. Light shines in from the wooden slats in day time. The floor is matted with hay, and there's a cot up in the loft.

Neadbaum's animals do not choose to stay in the barn if they are not penned in, and if they are penned in, they are agitated and uncomfortable.

There is a book in an unrecognizable language hidden beneath the cot, and if the hay is cleared away, the summoning sigil for the Shadowling can be found.

Bystanders

Aimee Schaffer (student)

Bystander: Witness (motive: to reveal information)

Aimee is a high school student with light skin and straight brown hair. She is pretty, chubby, short, and normally well put together. Aimee felt stifled by her parents, their expectations, and their rigorous schedule for her. She began acting out in subtle ways, such as by reading up on the occult at the library and becoming involved with Ben.

Working with Neadbaum on the corn maze was a way to talk to someone in town who shared her interests while working on community building, something her parents would approve of. Aimee's occult research is generally benign, and she did not know just what horrors Neadbaum would get her involved in.

Aimee had left Ben a note that told him to meet her in the cornfield after she and Neadbaum concluded their ritual, unfortunately bringing him into the situation as well.

Aiden and Maria Schaffer (Aimee's parents)

Bystander: Busybodies (motive: to interfere in other people's plans)

The Schaffers are community leaders in Unity, who want the best for their daughter. They are very proud of Aimee for taking an interest in community events. They believe that Ben has done something to her, and are extremely distraught that she is missing. They do not acknowledge that Aimee was seeing Ben of her own free will. The Schaffers are suspicious of outsiders, unless they're authority figures.

Carla Torello (Ben's mother)

Bystander: Victim (motive: to put herself in danger)

Carla is a tall, thin woman, with a large straight nose and black hair. She wears a long brown coat.

Carla doesn't like Aimee, because her parents are elitist. She is certain that Ben is in some sort of trouble, but doesn't trust the authorities to help her. She'll do anything to find her son, and is relatively open to strange explanations. If she hears something ridiculous, though, she'll think she's being made fun of, and shut it down.

Maggie Watterson (Waitress)

Bystander: Gossip (motive: to pass on rumours)

Maggie is a pale woman in her 50s, with curly red hair pull back into a bun.

She is very worried about Ben and Aimee, who frequented Sideswipe Diner on their dates.

Sharon Maat (Waitress)

Bystander: Skeptic (motive: to deny supernatural explanations)

A high schooler with brown skin and black hair. She's tall, and looks consistently bored. She thinks that Ben and Aimee ran off together, and that everyone is making a big fuss over nothing. She goes to the same school and Ben and Aimee, knows that Aimee was helping organize the corn maze, and knows where both Ben and Aimee live, if the hunters ask.

Gordon Deep (County Sheriff)

Bystander: Official (motive: to be suspicious)

Sheriff Deep is a large man, both in gut and in build. He's in his 40s, and has a trim moustace and salt and pepper hair.

He's very no nonsense, and doesn't care for children. When things start to go terribly wrong, he becomes desperate to find a culprit.

Hank Devon (Deputy)

Bystander: Innocent (motive: to do the right thing)

Deputy Devon is a young man of average build. He's dark skinned and bald.

He's incredibly concerned about the disappearances, and very eager to find solutions. If he thinks the hunters have any sort of lead, he'll want to talk with them.

Mikki Watterson (librarian)

Bystander: Gossip (motive: to pass on rumors)

Mikki is a young person with short curly red hair and freckles. They are wearing a they/them pronoun pin. Waitress Maggie is their mother.

Mikki is involved in the community, and is very familiar with the Schaffer family and their library habits (especially Aimee, who comes by herself looking for occult books).

Layout

Here is a very simple drawn layout of Unity, which was filled in as our hunters discovered locations.

Additional Notes

In our session, the hunters immediately clocked the scarecrow as a threat, and destroyed it before it could be used. It's up to your discretion if you want to leave it vulnerable outside the cornfield as a freebie for your hunters, or if you'd like to hold that idea back as a surprise while they're exploring.

Our party included an initiate, which allowed this mystery to have some very fun cult politics. I highly recommend it.

If you end up using any of these ideas, I'd love to hear about it! MOTW is a great game, and I want to know about other people's experiences.

@freemotwresources @tabletopmonsteroftheweek

[perllet]

A slight girl sat at the back of the cafe, a smudge against the white linoleum. She was examining a guide book intently, hair falling over her face as she bent over the table, a black apostrophe on a white page. Commander Graham Gore had been sat across the street, on the fading bench, for over ten minutes, watching her. Muscles tensing to stand, (to - what? Enter the cafe, or go home?), before they relaxed, and he continued to watch, letting the roach burn out between his scarred fingers before he tucked another cigarette between his teeth. She was poring over the old travel-book, with a photograph tucked between her fingers, her attention sliding between the two. The waitress had approached twice with the jug of filter coffee, before withdrawing, scowling at the lack of response.

He couldn’t tell what he felt exactly regarding the ferocity at which she was clearly trying to identify his whereabouts - that blasted photo, sent at a moment of weakness, or a moment of courage. She was a picture of everything that he adored and hated in her, a ferocious, calculating, clever little alley cat, who would find a way to track their exact footprints through the wilderness once she decided she would. She was also a woman who was, ultimately, ruled by her devotion, which meant that if she had followed him all the way to the small town they had chosen for its links to Anchorage and the fact that its people all seemed to be living in the past, then he was included within that small bubble of devotion. All her love and devotion, he still hadn’t decided what to make of it.

On Erebus, and before, at Navarino, even on the Beagle, he believed the decisions he made were a product of pure logic, boiled and skimmed of any foolish fear or apprehension. These last few months, however…He had begun to see the traces of feeling, of his heart, in every decision he made now. If he didn’t stop to listen to what that peculiar, disembodied voice advised him, he would never have left the safe house in London. It used to be that logic saved his life. Now, he wasn’t sure if it was working for or against him. Like now. The muscles of his legs pulled taut, again, as he considered his options. He could be back at the cabin, bags packed, Maggie roused from her appalling nap schedule, and into the wild of this sparse state before she had even taken the first sip of her cold coffee.

It was this image that made him stand. And all questions of logic and devotion drained away as he stepped into the cafe, moving towards the table at the far end of the window. Unlike the waitress, his presence made her shoulders come up to her ears, and she raised her head slowly, already knowing.

Their gazes caught on a live wire. His arms were crossed, his face void of emotion - it was his last defence. Her expression was the opposite, so many thoughts passing over the ghostly little face that he had equally no clue what she was imagining. She swallowed, and tucked the photograph into the Alaska: Lost Steps guide, folding her hands primly over them both. For a second, the roles were switched - she was the mouse pinned under his feline claw.

“Hello, little cat.”

[a/n: I am devastated at finishing ministry of time and I need something anything to fill this void. it was just perfect]

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Maggie being Chaotic?

"Maggie they're different sizes-"

"It looks better that way!"

Your wheezing giggle was cut off only when you sputtered hello and Jason had the distinct impression that something ridiculous was happening.

"Shh, you're gonna give us away-"

"Pretty sure you did that when you dropped googly eyes out of your purse by the check out, Mags."

"Googly eyes," Jason asked, "Y/N what the-"

"Shit there she goes. Call you later love you bye!"

And the line went dead leaving Jason to blink into empty space. That was an accident right? You just talked to family. Or the stripper you were friends with, right? The grown up version of calling the teacher 'mom'. Or like saying "you too" when the waitress told you to enjoy your meal.

It was an accident. But the warmth that spread through his chest wasn't. "Love you too," he muttered, shoving his phone back in his pocket before trudging up to the club house to fix something a party broke the night before.