Ball of String Part One

A Chapter by Arsenic Nemesis

Bob-bee has a friend in need and so she will do what she can to help him...

The strums of the instrument rang through the house, rattling the windows and making the very walls quake. Soon he knew that he would be the best of the best! The next time he would hear something reverberate into his ear drums it would not be the waves of his music, ramming into his house, but the cheers and excited screams of his fans; the sound of money hitting the end of his bottomless wallet. An enthusiastic grin spread across his face �" of course he was the best, he couldn’t have it any other way!

His name would be yelled from the rooftops! “Justin Tearaway, let’s hear it for our new king of rock!” He held both hands in the air in a mock wave, swooning every invisible fan in his path and writing off new, wealthy record deals with just a glimpse of his wicked grin. His trademark grin; the one that earned him millions. Oh yes, he was most certainly going to best rich, famous and-

“Mmph!” he exclaimed as something slammed into his face, knocking him off balance. His body was forced backwards under the weight of his hefty guitar, and the amp in the way behind him was not at all helpful. A cry escaped from the instrument, resonating through the amplifier and shaking his cluttered room once more.

At just the age of nine, Justin was small and puny and often the handpick of the beefy bullies at school. That is, until his major horror and the one who he enjoyed to tease most came to his rescue. Bob-bee stood at his door, dark hair askewer and hands planted firmly on her hips, a look of exhausted rage spread across her face. She growled at him. “The next time you play that soddin’ piece of trash, I’m going to personally ram it down your throat,” she threatened darkly, tilting her chin down at him, “Now, is that clear?”

Justin groaned loudly and managed in pushing his body from its crumpled state on the floor. Panicked, he checked over his beloved guitar and exhaled in relief; it was totally unharmed. There was an electric pain shooting between his shoulder blades from where he rammed into the base of his bed; but his baby instrument was alright. His room was cramped, with his blue bed pressed against the window and desk opposite to the wall leading to his wardrobe. Numerous sporting equipment, awful paintings that, to Bob-bee, looked more like cat vomit and various magazines were thrown about everywhere, burying the ground.

Unlike Bob-bee, Justin was fair haired and had peachy skin, his eyes shining a vivid hazel. He shared more of their mam’s traits rather than their dad’s; who Bob-bee took more after.

“What was that for!?” Justin demanded in a squeaky voice, holding up the pillow recently chucked at him.

Bob-bee pointed at it. “Either you quieten down and let me sleep, or I’ll come back in here and smother you with that,” she barked, slamming the door shut behind her. With a yawn, she waded back down the corridor, nearly stumbling downstairs on route, and made it to her bedroom. She sighed lovingly at the sight of it, her secret chamber, her place of solitude; the place she could keel over at the faces on band posters and not feel guilty.

Her bedroom was smaller than Justin’s and just as chaotic. Random pieces of clothing were pressed into the carpet along with crumpled letters and various, broken, badges. That’s why she wore her chunky, black boots to bed most of the time; so she wouldn’t stab herself. Her walls were painted purple and white, but one wouldn’t know that now as posters, photographs and other pieces of junk were nailed, blue-tacked and glued in place.

The room stank, mostly of day old pizzas, cheap perfume and general teenage nastiness. Not that Justin’s room was any better, it was difficult for her to describe. It was just... kid’s smell, and not the good kind!

She sprawled out on her bed, amongst the tangled sheets and purred. Now that the miniature demon was silent, she could get the long sleep-in she deserved. It wasn’t easy doing A levels at college and take care of a younger sibling at the same time.

Briing~ Briing~

“Fwck oomph!” Bob-bee cursed at her alarm, pounding the beastly clock with her fist. The shaped plastic filled with cogs shuddered slightly and tipped backwards, landing on its spine on the bedside table. Alas, the noise did not silence. Lifting her head from her pillow, she narrowed her eyes in confusion, when she felt a vibration next to her. Making an ‘o’ shape with her mouth, she snagged her phone and flipped it up; her collection of charms rattling. “Keanna, baby. You know I love you, but can you let me share that feeling with you later on?” she grumbled, lifting her clock upright, “Say at a reasonable hour? Three in the afternoon sounds good”

A giggle came as a response, before the girl on the other end spoke. “G’morning, darl’, you busy today or out?”

“Yes, actually,” Bob-bee said as a matter-of-factly, “The Sandman and I have a very important appointment that I just can’t cancel”

Keanna snorted, and then a wail came from behind her, echoing down the phone. Bob-bee winced and pulled it from her ear, waiting a moment before setting it against it again. She knew that cry better than any other; and this meant that the poor, old Sandman would have to wait. “Where are ya’?” she asked with a sigh, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about... Oh? Sorry, babe, just trying to calm him down. We’re in the park, near Darkwood” she replied, a wary tone to her voice.

Bob-bee then groaned loudly. “But that’s where the vampires live!” she protested, stomping her feet childishly. It was only a couple of nights ago when she’d last sent her present off! She couldn’t risk going back so soon, even during the day. What if that creepy, perverted one was waiting for her? Well, at least she’d have a good excuse to knock one of his fangs right out.

“Miss. President!” Bob-bee announced in a dramatic voice.

“Yes, Agent Tearaway?” Keanna addressed in a professional tone.

Bob-bee made a gun with her fingers, winked an eye shut and fired at her bedroom door. At the same time, Justin strummed another bummed note on his instrument, causing the door to clatter and Bob-bee to very near roll backwards right across her bed. Luckily, she caught herself beforehand. “Forget it!” she yelled, “Moment’s gone” Her finger stabbed at her phone and cut off the conversation.

Bob-bee decided to wear her dress that day, it was reasonably warm and she hadn’t worn the old thing for a good while. It was black and blue with vertical strips, three baby-blue buttons close to the top and a small ribbon on the back. There were neither sleeves nor straps, and so Bob-bee decided to hide her bra-strap on show at the back with a hoodie. She left the zip open and let the huge, frumpy thing hang off her shoulders. Rolling on some deep red tights and a pair of green converse, Bob-bee was away, her hair freshly spiked, piercings in her ears and lip, and makeup applied to her eyes.

Now, no matter what the world would throw at her, she was ready! She firmly thumped Justin on the head on the way out and gave her mum a quick kiss. Catlin Tearaway, to Bob-bee, was the best mother in the world. She had the same fair hair as Justin and was small and frail, her skin slightly withered from smoking, making her appear older than she was; which was only thirty-seven. She was kind hearted and strong at the same time. Not only did she do a good job �" well, in Bob-bee’s opinion �" in raising them pretty much by herself, she was a boxer too! Down at the pub every other night, getting rounds and earning a fair amount of money; people from their town adored her. Not quite yet, but someday, she was going to be world famous �" Bob-bee knew this, as her daughter.

Bursting out of the front door, her feet slammed onto the street with a defiant echo that rang through the streets. She howled and rammed her fists against her chest. It was sunny, not an irritating cloud in the sky and certainly no troubles. Whatever was going on, she’d sort it out easily! Why? Well, that’s easy; because she’s Bob-bee Tearaway, that’s why.

She wove through a variety of streets, her red brick house being located slap bang in the middle of the Lakewood estate. However, at the speed she was going �" literally powered by rays of the sun �" she was going to get to the park that separated where she lived from the vampires’ dwelling very quickly.

The air was thick with fluid and she could feel beads of sweat develop on her forehead as she soared across the pavement, over roads and around old biddies out for a walk. All the houses in her estate looked exactly the same. Their lawns trimmed with the fresh scent of sliced and diced vegetation in the air. Windows morphing into mirrors as they reflected every insignificant thing in sight, including the seagull millions of miles above them. People greeted one another with friendly smiles and gestures. Generally, everyone got along and was well acquainted with one another. It was a nice neighbourhood; unlike Darkwood, apparently the vampires only talked to certain individuals, the rest they ignored.

Soon enough, the strangely dressed girl came up to the low, rusty fence that circled the park and hopped over it. She smirked and made her way towards the stretch of green.

There, stood a girl, shadowed by a gigantic beast. Her hair brushed her shoulders and was light brown in colour, a green cap nestled upon her crown. She wore a pair of baggy, grey jogging bottoms with trainers, a red t-shirt and apple green hoodie over the top. Keanna’s grey eyes darted back and forth and she pressed a button on her phone, bringing it to her ear. She bit her lip and patted the meaty arm of the beast beside her.

The monster was none other than the infamous Mitch the Minotaur. His horns were glossy and came to a curve and fur covered every inch of his half-man-half-bull body, some thick in places to hide certain parts. He was hunched over, tears rolling from his beady eyes as he sobbed miserably.

Bob-bee bellowed as she bounded into the clearing, kicking at the grass and taking chunks of it up. Keanna swore and placed a hand over her heart, snapping her phone shut. Mitch, on the air hand, screamed and then gave a grotesque yowl and cried into his fists.

Keanna tutted and rubbed Mitch’s back. “Well done,” she spat, “you’ve made ‘im worse!”

Bob-bee rolled her eyes and wondered over to him. “Nah, he’s fine, ain’t ‘cha?” she grinned and roughly slapped him on the shoulder. He choked and jerked forward slightly, glancing timidly at Bob-bee. If any creature had intimidated him most on this planet, it was her. Still, she was helpful.

Keanna aggressively approached Bob-bee, snatched her elbow and dragged her away, out of earshot. She then whirled her around and gripped onto each arm, tightly. “I need your help, Bob-bee. That wasn’t helpful”

Bob-bee smirked and pushed Keanna back with a swift sweep of her hands. Then, dusting them off, her tipped her chin down, green eyes shimmering. “Watch the master,” she rasped and then hopped on one leg over to Mitch.

The Minotaur whimpered, but succeeded in not shying away from the boisterous girl. She eyed him, fists on her hips as she began to circle him, surveying as though she were a superior officer, checking his uniform. Keanna made her way over to them, and when Mitch gave her a pleading glance, she held up her shoulders and shook her head; I don’t know how to get her off you, she mimed.

In the end, Bob-bee swerved around him, eyes closed and her hands clapped together. “Well...” she drawled; ready to make a big announcement, “What’s the problem?”

Keanna slapped herself in the face and Mitch glanced around, taken aback. “Bob-bee, darl’?” Keanna asked through gritted teeth. The girl turned to her, lip pouted and eyes riddled with puzzlement. “Why were you examining him if you didn’t know what was wrong? I thought you were coming up with some great conclusion or-“

“You’ve lost some weight since I’ve last seem you, eating healthier or something?” Bob-bee asked Mitch casually. Bashfully, the Minotaur rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks tinted slightly pink. “O-Oh? You noticed? Y-Yeah, I’ve been eating more vegetables and stuff, like you told me” he replied, a nervous twitch in his voice.

Bob-bee gave a cheer and slapped her hands happily. The last time she’d met up with him he’d been very near round and was very lethargic, at least he had slimmed up some now. He just wasn’t feeling good anymore and it was getting him down, so, with a good ol’ fashioned health lecture from Bob-bee, she got him sorted. Things like this came naturally to her, she was energetic and ate all the right things and then some; it came from having such a sporty parent.

Keanna watched in awe in the background as the two conversed indifferently, though Mitch did seem impossibly shy the entire time. Bob-bee folded her arms, smiling at the beast when she asked him the all important question. “So, how can I help you, my bull-faced friend?”

He glanced away for a moment, swallowed and then spoke again. “N-No one is scared of me anymore... I-I’m...” he trailed off. At Bob-bee’s arched brow, he bent down and whispered in her ear. Bit by bit, her eyes grew massive and lips parted slightly. She pulled back at looked at him. “Seriously?”

Mitch nodded slowly and backed off, hands clasped before his chest. Bob-bee growled and rolled up her sleeves. “Right!” she shouted, stomping across the field. Keanna was swift and caught up to her, hooking her arms under the teen’s as she struggled. She glanced at Mitch. “What did you tell her!?” she demanded. Mitch winced and looked down at the ground, ear flicking. “I-I only told her that I was being... b-b... bullied”

Bob-bee let out a frustrated snarl and swung her legs in the air, desperately trying to break free. How dare anyone make one of her friends upset! She would tear whoever it was limb from limb, stick those limbs in a blender, make a smoothie out of them and make them drink it!

Keanna shook her head vigorously. “That’s not the way we said we’d tell her! You’ve set her on search and obliterate mode!”

Mitch cried out and waved his arms in the air. It was true; she was on such a mode. Her eyes were red and fangs bared, spittle flying from her mouth. “Ah! What do we do!? What do we do!?” he exclaimed, running in a circle.

Bob-bee lunged forward, but with a startled gasp, Keanna managed to haul her back. “Don’t run in a circle, you lunatic, do something!” she yelled, grunting at Bob-bee tried desperately to make an escape once again. Mitch looked around helplessly, there was nothing in sight! On the spur of the moment, he grasped a handful of grass and stuffed it in the raging girl’s mouth. “What are you doing!?” Keanna barked.

“Helping!” Mitch replied in a panicked tone. Bob-bee growled and threw her head from side to side, flinging segments of grass from her mouth. Mitch gave a girly squeal. “She’s gone rabid!”

Suddenly, Bob-bee collapsed to her knees, panting. Keanna still held onto her arms but, when she felt safe enough, she gradually let them slip free. She wondered what could have calmed her so fast. Unless she needed new batteries of something.

Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Bob-bee gave Mitch the thumbs up. “Nice save there, the grass was a good idea,” she complimented. Keanna threw her arms up in the air. Honestly? She gave up.

“S-So,” she chipped in quickly, clearing her throat, “What are we going to do about this then, Bob-bee?”

Brushing at her dress and removing bits of grass from her mouth, Bob-bee got up to her feet. Then, she pointed at Keanna. “First, we need a ball of string, then we get Blonde Darren over and then we make a display in the streets of Lakewood!”

Keanna and Mitch shared a look as Bob-bee congratulated herself on her “most marvellous plan yet”. The pair swallowed. Whatever this plan was, it couldn’t be good.

To be continued....

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© 2010 Arsenic Nemesis

Author's Note

Very quick scan through this, mortals! Minotaurs are one of my favourite beasts and I think lately they are VERY unappreciated! So, let us join Bob-bee on her latest adventure, and pray we all come out of it alive...