Runaway Mate

Chapter 17

Raine

Raine groaned as she rolled over in her cocoon of blankets, using her forearm to cover her heavy eyes. She peaked beyond her arm and stared daggers at the rays of sunshine escaping through the gaps of her curtains. No matter which way she turned and moved, she couldn’t escape the evil sun's wrath.

With a defeated sigh, she unravelled herself from her blankets and kicked them away. She glanced over at her digital clock and groaned when she noticed the time on it.

‘It’s only three o’clock.’ She thought irritatingly.

Raine threw her legs over the side of the bed and got up begrudgingly. Despite having woken up at three in the afternoon, she didn’t feel well rested at all. All night she tossed and turned and even when sleep had eventually claimed her, she felt like her mind had been awake despite her body sleeping. Her mind was full of worry and an uncertain feeling had gripped her and she didn’t even know why she felt like that.

She racked her brain to think of what could be affecting her so much, but nothing came to her. She couldn’t shake the feeling and she awoke feeling just as exhausted as when she had gone to bed. Her eyes felt itchy and her throat was dry.

“I need sugar.” She whispered to herself, forcing herself to walk to her bedroom door and start the day.

The moment she entered the living room she noticed Sylvia on the couch again watching the television in the exact same spot as last night, as though she had never left it. But Raine was far too exhausted and tired to say anything and made her way to the kitchen. She reached into the fridge and took out the one thing she knew would make her feel better.

She slowly held the tin can up to her eye level and grinned.

“Oh sweet sugary goodness.” She said in a dreamy voice, pulling the metal tab and hearing the hiss of the gas escaping the can.

She pulled a glass out from the cupboard and poured the contents of the tin into the glass, watching as the bright orange liquid fizzed and made loads of foamy bubbles, before settling.

Raine took a sip and sighed in delight as the sweet and tangy juice danced across her taste buds. She hadn’t bothered with any food just yet and was more than happy with her juice, which was helping to cure her dry throat.

As she walked into the living room and sat down beside Sylvia on the couch, she noticed Sylvia looking at the contents of her glass and raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

“What? You’ve got a problem with my Irn Bru?” She questioned the Were-Cat, who glowered in return.

“I don’t know how you can drink that stuff! Especially right when you wake up! It’s too fizzy!” Sylvia said in a disgusted tone as she eyed the orange liquid.

“I will not take this abuse from the weirdo who drinks glasses of cream!” Raine laughed. “Besides, Irn Bru cures everything; tiredness, hangovers, you name it and it’ll always make me feel better.” She grinned, taking another swig.

“I’ll take your word for it…” Sylvia rolled her eyes before turning back to the television.

Raine turned to watch too, though she found she couldn’t concentrate on whatever it was Sylvia was watching. Her thoughts were still busy wondering what the strange sensation and feeling she had been feeling, which had kept her half awake all night, was. It felt like she was scared and terrified but excited at the same time? It made no sense!

She glanced over at Sylvia, who was laughing at whatever was going on in her programme, before taking a deep breath and talking.

“Have you had any of your dreams lately?” She asked, trying to keep her tone as casual as possible.

“Nope!” Sylvia instantly replied, popping on the ‘p.’

“Are you sure? Nothing that would indicate anything bad was coming or anything exciting?” She pushed.

“None.” Sylvia looked over at her suspiciously. “Why?”

“It’s nothing, I was just wondering...” Raine sighed, feeling the relief wash over her. If Sylvia hadn’t seen anything coming for them, then they were safe. Anytime anything that would harm them was heading their way, Sylvia would usually get a very complicated and metaphorical dream that warned them to haul ass and get out of wherever they were.

Raine decided her heart was just a little over excited, perhaps thinking about her performance with Joe later on that evening or even from recalling their performance from last night. Or maybe she was still a bit high from the applause and cheers from the audience and she hadn’t left herself enough time to chill and come down from the excitement before she had gone to bed. Whatever it was, she decided it was nothing to worry about.

Just as she started to relax and actually pay attention to the comedy that was playing on the TV, there was a knock at the door. As soon as she heard it Raine got up to answer. From her years of being with Sylvia she knew that there was no way that she was going to answer the door.

She pulled open the door to reveal one of her favourite people dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

“Joe!” She squealed excitedly and gestured for him to come inside.

“Hey Raine!” He grinned, walking inside towards the living room, while she closed the door behind him. “Welcome back Syl….ahhhhh! What is with you and clothes! Cover up!” He suddenly yelled, slapping a hand over his eyes.

Raine ran in behind him confused before she turned and really looked over at Sylvia. She was sitting on the couch naked.

‘Huh, I hadn’t even noticed.’ Raine realised, maybe she was getting a bit too used to being around Sylvia.

“Ugh!” Sylvia groaned, jumping to her feet. “Nice to see you too, dog!” She spat before sauntering away casually and slamming her bedroom door shut.

As soon as he heard the door close, Joe's hand dropped from his face and he slumped down on to their couch, making sure to avoid the spot Sylvia had sat on.

“Why the heck does that cat have a problem with clothes?” He moaned. “I swear she does it to annoy me!” He complained, making Raine giggle.

“I don’t think it’s to annoy you.” She laughed. “She’s been like that since I met her, she just doesn’t like having to wear clothes.” She shrugged.

“I don’t know how you managed to make it here without getting arrested with her like that!” He pointed at Sylvia’s door dramatically.

“We nearly did a few times!” Raine laughed, recalling the times Sylvia ‘forgot’ to wear clothes before going outside and the number of close calls they encountered with law enforcement following her forgetful moments.

“I honestly don’t know how you deal with it.” He sighed, shaking his head.

Raine laughed and was about to reply when she spotted something Joe was holding. A large rectangular box, with a recognisable logo on the top.

“Is that what I think it is!?” She asked, eyeing the box and feeling her mouth water with anticipation.

Joe looked down at the box he was holding and then grinned back at her.

“One twelve inch pizza with cheese, pepperoni, spicy mince and jalapenos. Still hot!” He tempted her, opening the lid and letting the smell drift tantalisingly towards her.

If Raine was a cartoon she would have drifted hungrily in the air towards the pizza. But something stopped her. She hungrily eyed the delicious cheesy goodness before eyeing Joe suspiciously.

“Who bought it?” She asked, narrowing her eyes.

“It’s a gift from Sigi…” Joe replied.

“Uh-huh, and why is Sigmund treating me not only to a free pizza, but a pizza with my favourite toppings?” She asked, her eyes narrowing even further.

“Well…because he just wants to show you how much he appreciates you and show what a great job your doing and he…kinda needs you to do vocals for the Basement tomorrow night…” He added the last part as quickly as he could, placing the pizza open on the coffee table so the smell wafted closer to her.

“What!?” She screeched. “Nu-uh! Nope! I did vocals last Saturday! It’s supposed to be Boa this week!” She complained loudly at the injustice.

“I know…” Joe sighed. “But Boa got called on assignment and you’re the only one available to do the vocals, plus you’re one of the few that Ziggy actually likes working with.” He batted his eyelashes and pouted.

Raine crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips together. It was sneaky of Sigmund to not only send her favourite food but he also got Joe to ask her, knowing that it was near impossible for her to say no to her partner. But she tried to stay strong and not fall for his pleading looks.

“Where is Sigmund?” She asked. “Why isn’t he here?”

“He’s getting ready for a meeting tonight with some wolves or something…I don’t know, it’s for the Master and he wouldn’t tell me all the details.” Joe shrugged. “But he did ask me to tempt a certain beauty to help us out.” He pouted again, making Raine crack and smile at him.

“There better be more to his offer than pizza.” She finally broke down and he grinned in response.

“There is! He said Boa will cover your next Basement shift as well as her own.” Joe smiled. “And he said something about letting you buy a new wardrobe for our performances.” He winked, knowing how much Raine loved dressing up for their duets.

“Fine! I’ll do it, for the costumes!” She laughed, leaning over and grabbing a slice of the steaming hot pizza which had been calling to her.

“Yes!” Joe fist bumped the air, knowing that he was going to benefit from her deal.

“But if I get spiked again, I’m coming for him!” She warned, taking a bite of pizza and groaning with pleasure as the melted cheese and spice hit her taste buds.

“Urgh, I hate that you girls have to worry about that! I swear I’ll rip the animal who keeps doing it to shreds when we catch him!” Joe growled.

“Get in line!” Raine added, recalling her last shift in the Basement.

Doing a shift in the Basement should be fun, it only ever opened on Saturday nights between 11pm – 4am and they were only required to do the vocals for their DJ, Ziggy. But for some reason, someone kept spiking the girls on shift when they got drinks, making them worse than drunk and incredibly hyper active and uncontrollable! Just last Saturday, Sigmund had come to the rescue when Raine had been spiked by Witch-Hazel and had nearly blown the entire club up. They had no idea who it was or how they were getting the girls drinks, but they were working on catching them fast!

What scared Raine was that they knew how to use different substances depending on who was assisting Ziggy. Witch-hazel had been used on her, which caused her to become hyperactive and lose control over her own abilities. Sylvia got dosed with catnip, which turned the already crazy cat even more insane and feral.

“Sigmund said he was going to come and watch tomorrow night, he wants to catch the bastard just as much as we do, before they try anything else!” He gritted his teeth. “I’ll try and come as well.”

“Thanks.” Raine smiled up at her partner, with a mouth full of pizza. “But we should really concentrate on tonight.”

“You’re right.” Joe sighed. “I just hate the idea of whoever that evil bastard attacking you girls is, out there still breathing!” He growled.

“We’ll catch him!” She assured Joe. “But we won’t have a chance until tomorrow, so concentrate on today!” She attempted to change the topic again.

“You’re right!” Joe repeated again, taking a deep breath. “What time do you want to head for the club?” He asked.

“I think about 5ish?” She mumbled through more pizza.

“Sounds good.” He laughed at her, relaxing more on the couch. “We’re trying that new song tonight too, I think we should open with it.” He grinned.

“Why?”

“Don’t know…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I just have a funny feeling we should use it first…like something good and exciting is going to happen tonight…” He continued grinning.

Raine just shook her head at him and continued eating, choosing to ignore his weirdness.

Completely unaware of what was coming and how right Joe was, something very exciting was heading her way and she’d have to face it soon.