Arise: Chapter 11: All That Jazz

(Ana's POV, 2 years ago...)

Ana: Come on, babe
Why don't we paint the town?
And all that jazz

Ana: I'm gonna rouge my knees

And roll my stockings down
And all that jazz

Ana: Start the car
I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
But the piano's hot!

Ana: It's just a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that jazz

Marina: And all that jazz

Beau: And all that jazz

Ana: Slick your hair
and wear you buckle shoes
And all that jazz

 Ana: I hear that Father Dip
Is gonna blow the blues
And all that jazz,

Ana: Hold on, hon'

We're gonna bunny hug
I bought some aspirin
Down at United Drug

 Ana: In case you shake apart
And wanna brand new start
To do that- jazz!

Ana: Find a flask
We're playing fast and loose
And all that jazz

Katrina: Right up here
Is where I store the juice
And all that jazz

Ana: Come on, babe
We're gonna brush the sky
I betcha Lucky Lindy
never flew so high

Ana:'Cause in the stratosphere
How could he lend an ear
To all that jazz?

Ana: Oh, you're gonna see your
Sheba shimmy shake
And all that jazz

Ana: Oh, she's gonna shimmy
Till her garters break
And all that jazz

Show her where to park her girdle
Oh, her mother's blood would curdle
(If she'd hear her baby squeal)
For all that jazz

All that jazz

Mick: Come on, babe
Why don't we paint the town?
Ana: And all that jazz
(And all that jazz)

 Ana: I'm gonna rouge my knees
And roll my stockings down
And all that jazz
(And all that jazz)

Ana: Start the car
I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
But the piano's hot!

Ana: It's just a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that jazz

Ana: No, I'm no one's wife
But, oh, I love my life

Ana: And all that jazz

Ana: That jazz

(Present Day, 2 days after the Ball...)

Here I am. Safe. But I don't feel it. I almost feel as though I'm on the verge of dying, on the cusp of falling from the sky, collapsing into the seas below. 

But I'm not. I'm standing in this house, staring at the people who accepted me in, crazy or not. 

I can't believe the luck.

"Hey, I'm sorry if I came off the wrong way, Carl. Sorry we, you know, kissed." 

"No, it's fine. I actually, sorta liked it. But we don't need any more drama." 

I could already tell those two were in love, they just needed a little nudge. 

"Hey, Slyv, don't you think it was a bit odd that man died in the exact moment Ana arrived?" 

"She didn't kill him, Cody. Why would she?" 

I spotted Kriss across the lounge room, her hair pinned up in a little bow, blue sparking off her. 

Jeez, she just has to love blue that much, doesn't she? 

"Hey, Ana, come over here!" I nodded, heading towards a single seat beside her. 

No-one turns to stare or to question me. 

Great, they must be taking the silent approach. 

I reach the chair, slowly sitting down. 

"Ana, it's okay. They're not scared of you, just anxious of the situation."

Anxious of the situation? They won't be just anxious when they're nearly murdered in cold blood. 

"Maybe you should tell your story." 

"Fine. My name is Ana Quinn, and this is my story." 

(2 years ago, after the performance of All That Jazz.)

The misty air tingles my skin. That performance killed, to be honest, and if this ragged bar doesn't ask us for more, who are they kidding here. 

There's a fire pit out the back here, and whenever I'm here, I usually take a moment. 

I suppose tonight should be like any other. 

I light the fire, smiling down at the fire. 

Maybe I should call Mick over.

"Hello, Miss Quinn. May we talk?" Her voice scares me, not in the way it leaps you back, but in a shocking whisper. 

"Oh, you scared me. I suppose we can, but don't hold me up. I have another gig tomorrow and I'd like my sleep." 

I sit, smiling over at her. Her hair sat curled high, a single strand falling over her forehead. She wore a simple grey coat, a grey skirt and simple black heels. 

Just like any one of those business loving tycoons who want me for my voice. 

"Hello, my name is Mary Thunder. Now, please do not think of me as a business woman. Please, I am here to assist you." 

We sat in silence while I continued thinking it over. She wants to help, but help isn't something I need, right? I'm fine right now, right?

"Oh and my dear, I wanted to ask you one small thing. Will you perform for our charity event next week?" 

I stare down into the fire. A charity event? Me? 

"I suppose. I guess I could. Just ask me what you want me to perform and I'll pull it off." 

"My dear, the choice is all yours. Of course, please none of that hip hop nonsense or anything too risque." 

"Deal. I'll begin prep now. I'll call Mick over to let him know I'll be busy-wait you never said the date." 

She turned to look down at the fire pit. 

"Tuesday. I'll call you another day. I should let you get going." Her voice froze over, her eyes fixed to the burning fire. 

I turn to see Mick, smiling at me. 

"Baby, are you ready to go? I have the taxi ready and everything." 

"Can you please tell the others I have to tell them something important tomorrow." 

I stand to hug him, but he wraps his arms around me, surprising me with a kiss. 

It's magical, like paradise struck in one night. I wish I could live this night over for eternity. 

"Mick, I love you." 

"Love you too, my little Ana. I'll tell them, then meet me by the taxi, okay?" He is such a sweetie sometimes. Why can't we just leave old Bridgeport behind?

I sit back down, wishing to thank Mary first.

But she's staring deep into the fire, her eyes burning with it. 

"Thank you, Ms Thunder. I suppose I needed something to brighten my horrible life." 

"It was my honor. They suggested Mrs Hillgate to approach you, but I knew she would scare you off. She's rather...well, scary. I hope you continue on this deal." 

I smile, not really knowing if leaving is my best option. 

It looks as though I could finally escape these crummy bars and finally fit into the rich and famous. 

"Goodbye, Mary." 

Tonight couldn't have been better.

Tonight was more than all that jazz, it was the lead up to the main event.

The main event of my career. 

I run towards the taxi, the cold rain falling against my bare skin. 

I could only wish for one single umbrella. 

"Mick, we can leave now. I got just what I wanted." 

So did she. 

For all I didn't know, she wasn't really Mary Thunder.

There wasn't any Mary Thunder. 

(Present Day...)

"That day felt the happiest to me. But it turns out it will be the only happy day I'll have for a while now." 

This war was coming, after all. 

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Ana. We've been struck with sadness too." 

"But, you know, we'll help you through it, right Kriss?" 

"Yeah, but my real question is, why the hell are they coming after you? What the hell did you do to them?" 

"Kriss, what's wrong? Suddenly, you're just so angry. I promise you, they can't kill me."  

It was partially true, but I can't hurt her more. 

"Ana, you can sleep in the room just down the hall behind me whenever you want. Carl can sleep on the couch, won't you baby?" 

"Good lord, I'm off to bed. Night, see you all in the morning." 

Let's all hope they don't kill me in my sleep, shall we? 

No nightmares, Ana, no nightmares. 

I think seeing my own blood bleed is worse enough. 

This room is nice, though. 

Simple, yet still modern.

Oh and a whole wall of windows with no curtains. Great. 

Goodnight, Mick.

~~~~~

(Julia's POV)

Everything was silence. 

Perfect. 

No-one can stir. 

No-one can move from their beds. 

No-one is permitted to retreat.

Not even me. 

The glass door could shatter, but I don't want to wake them all, do I?

I'll just slip in the tumblers. Steal my way in. 

Ah, this house is a breath of fresh air compared to my...compound.

Let me see Ana again. 

Oh how I've missed the day we first met, sweetie. 

Now, I can't let you run away from me dearie. 

All you need is someone to guide you, watch you.

I slipped the camera under the TV and slipped into the couch. 

That day would have been enough. 

But she blew it up in my face. 

They all blew it up in my face. 

I guess I did what they wanted. 

That's all that matters.

~~~~~~

(Ana's POV)

This morning was pretty bland. I suggested we visit the park or the town festival, or even maybe the nearby pool. 

But nope, no-one wanted that. 

I suppose they were scared, like I was. 

"Sorry to put you in your misery, Ana. It's just..we don't really trust this town." Sylvia looked over at me, barely smiling. 

Something went down. Other than what happened to me.

"Hey, Carl, we should talk one day." 

"Why not here? You can say anything in front of Ayana, or the rest of the group, right?" 

"Uh, maybe in private." 

"I think I heard a car pull up, I might just go and check it out and then leave the premises." 

I lie, obviously. 

But that would be better than nothing.

I could hear their footsteps from a mile away. 

You could almost tell there was three of them. 

I jumped up to get to the door, but before I could Kriss was quick at yelling "Come in!' which seemed unusual, especially if it was some killer or mass murderer.

Luckily, it was just them. 

"Oh my god, Kylie! Lena! Meg! What are you doing here?" 

"Ana, it's so good to see you. I heard you were staying with Kriss and I had to see how you turned out!" I smiled, hugging her close. I missed Kylie the most, and I guess being out of prison changed my desire to see her each day. 

"So, I keep hearing that some blood-red version of myself keeps popping up. Heard of it?" 

I frown. If anyone tried to hurt Kylie, they better watch their back for a target. 

I saw Meg just beside Lena. Meg had a similar story to mine, so I suppose we bonded over our tragic life and  how much suffering we were put through. She was homeless, I led the life of one, even when I lived in an apartment in the city. 

"Please, come and sit down. I'm sure the others won't mind." 

I'm sure if they did, we could find somewhere else to be.

They all changed differently. I suppose Meg looks less homeless, Lena is more of a mother and well, now Kylie's distanced herself straight into the future. 

I wish I never had to kill him, but if I never did, I would have never met them. They were my rocks while I dealt with the suffering. I made a cover story thanks to them, to hide the real truth. 

Kriss can never know. She would kill me too, and we would never want that. 

No-one can know the truth. 

It will crush me.

"So, Kylie, any plans to jump the next train into the future?"

Small talk.

"I suppose, if the opportunity comes. Next up, I'm dyeing my hair pink though." 

Ooh, pink. "Can I be there to see the final product?" 

"Yeah, sure."

I know I'm safe here. 

I hope I'm safe here.

Am I safe here?

I just wish I knew. 

 (Talutah's POV)

As of now, I'm safe. But who's to say I will be after tomorrow. Or the next. 

That's why I put this plan in motion. 

I needed something that would lure the red target off my pale skin, and this plan was simply, perfect. 

I just hope they see this as it is.

I just hope they don't crush the plan at it's base. 

"Hello, my dear self. I hope you're ready for Stage A."

Creating a clone was simple. All I needed was a DNA sample, and with the raw powers of being a Blood-Red, creating another me was child's play.

"Oh, how pretty you are? You look so, elegant. Mind I ask you where you bought that dress? Oh wait, I did." 

Just as long as no-one interferes, I shall be fine. 

"One could say you'll be fine, but that's just a plain lie, Talutah." 

The Raven. 

Why the hell is she here?