Chapter 33 - What's Normal

"Talia this is not ok," I murmured as I hesitantly took a peek from behind a red truck to the town that lay ahead. It was around 10 am in the morning and the place was bustling with activity. People walked to and fro their destinations, some carrying their shopping bags, others talking cheerfully with their companions.

Of all the days that we would be here, it had to fall on a weekend, I thought glumly as I studied a mother tending to her baby a few meters from us. But it could not be helped. A promise was a promise and the princess was too pushy for her own good. I tried persuading her to stay in our new hideout, about 30 minutes from here. However, she got her way in the end. When would I learn?

"You worry too much Cybele." Her breath tickled my ear. I had to lean away slightly in order to concentrate. "We'll blend in, grab some lunch, maybe shop for new clothes, and then go home. Quick and easy. No one would be the wiser."

I had to roll my eyes at that. She was too optimistic considering the circumstances. "Unless of course they recognize their princess. Then we wouldn't be shopping or giggling. You'd be brought to your mother and I'd be beheaded. Luckily for Van, she's not here to suffer from the consequences of our actions."

Talia snaked her arms around me. She was warm. And soft. And mmmm her scent. . . Wait. It was not the time to think about such things. We needed to be careful. "You're distracting me princess." I turned to look at her. Talia was wearing what I could only describe as something normal. Usually, she'd wear a dress or a gown because she was the princess. Today, she was wearing a simple blue t-shirt and shorts.

Heaven must have been looking down on us because we also found a black wig that now effectively covered her honey-colored hair, which was her trademark. When combined with the cat's eye glasses that were in one of the closet, she looked fit for normalcy. Well, she'd always be the most beautiful, but you know what I meant.

As for me, a simple jeans and white shirt did the trick. People around here didn't know me anyway. If they did, it would have to be my model persona, the one they would see in the magazines and billboards. Not the person who kidnapped the princess and definitely not their long lost queen.

Talia smiled naughtily. "I hope it's a welcomed distraction," she whispered, scanning my body with her eyes. "Anyway, can we eat now? My tummy is aching so much that I can eat a cow. Or you," she added meaningfully.

"Let's go for the cow," I smirked. "But before we go to the battle, remember that if there are any signs of distress, we run. No arguments okay?" Talia nodded. I took her hand in mine. "Alright, here goes." Together, the two of us stepped away from behind the truck which was positioned at the edge of the town and made our way in.

The first five minutes of walking was a nightmare. Every time anyone would so much as glance at Talia's direction, I tend to pull her closer to me. If I could, I would have already thrown her inside a sack, or covered her head for that matter. Sweat dripped all over my body, making me hyperaware of the whole surroundings.

"Cybele, chill." Talia squeezed my hand, giving me a concerned look. "See? No one recognized me. We're safe."

I swallowed hard. "But we're in broad daylight princess. I'm not comfortable with this. The palace guards may be waiting for us somewhere. I should never have agreed to do this."

"I'll protect you." She was so genuine that even if I was worried enough to piss myself, a smile still appeared on my face. "See? It's not so hard to smile Cybele."

"Don't push it princess" I joked. Looking around I said, "Found anywhere you want to eat?"

"Hmmm. Let's go there." Talia pointed to a diner near us. "It looks inviting enough, plus it's nearly empty so it's perfect."

Around two minutes later, the two of us were safely tucked in a corner booth inside the diner. My eyes scanned the area. There was the entrance on the far left, and judging from the layout of the place, there would be a back exit for the employees. When things hit the fan, we would have to escape from there. A waiter, a slender guy around middle thirties came to our table with menu in hand.

"So what's it going to be?" he asked after a while, staring straight at my face, paper and pen ready.

"I'll have a chicken sandwich," Talia said, handing him the menu.

"Same," I said, giving mine as well. The guy took the menu but didn't move away. I focused my eyes on him, telling him with a look that I wasn't pleased with his ogling. "Is there any problem?"

The waiter swallowed nervously. "Well uhm," he mumbled. "The two of you look very familiar. It's like I've seen you before but I don't know where."

"Oh yeah?" I said evenly. "Must be someone else." Though I gave him a nonchalant I don't care look, I discreetly moved closer to Talia so I was almost covering her body and face from his view.

The waiter stared at us curiously, his eyes trying to get past my cover so he could look at Talia and probably figure out who she was. "I really think I've seen you before," he said again, concentrating hard.

"No you haven't," I replied, my patience waning. If he continued like this, only two things would happen. I'd hurt him and then we'd escape. Both would merit suspicion from everyone.

The guy wasn't ready to give up though. Snapping his fingers, he smiled widely at us. "I know who you are!" My stomach did a 360 degree flip. Discreetly, I took the knife placed on the table, preparing to slash his throat if ever he decided to scream about me and the princess to alert the other customers and employees. Talia moved even closer to me, her hands squeezing my leg tightly.

I was expecting the guy to shout at any moment, but what he did elicited greater surprise from me. He shoved the paper and pen he was holding in front of my face. "Oh gosh," he said with obvious excitement. "You're totally her. You're Iris the supermodel. I should have recognized you early on. What's wrong with me?" He appeared embarrassed.

The breath I've been holding was instantly released. Talia removed her hands from my leg, which was a huge relief because she was almost cutting the circulation from it. "Is that so," I said calmly, my heart beginning to slow down to its normal rate.

"Yes. You're definitely her," the waiter said eagerly. He signaled to the pen and paper. "Can I have your autograph? I'm such a fan." He blushed profusely. "I have a huge crush on you."

Talia started to laugh. "Really?" she chuckled. "She's that famous?"

The waiter nodded sincerely, looking ready to lecture anyone who said otherwise. "Miss Iris here did a couple of shoots for designer brands together with that other model." He smiled widely. "You know, Brooke." His face turned curious again as he focused his attention on Talia. "And you're beautiful too miss. Are you Iris' sister?"

It was my turn to snicker at the princess. "What do you have to say about that?" I asked her. "The guy thinks you're my baby sister. Isn't that cute?"

"We're sisters alright," she replied mischievously. "Sisters that do this everyday." Talia surprised me by reaching for my chin and tilting my face so she could plant a very wet kiss on my lips. The audible gasp that the waiter gave off was barely recognized by my brain as I melted like a puddle there. When the princess released me, I was pretty sure that I still had stars in my eyes.

Talia licked her lips, satisfied with what she has done. "We're doing this whole incest thing," she said proudly. "Isn't it hot?" The waiter looked shocked and amazed at the same time. He was lost for words. "Now if you can please give us our order, then that will be great. Iris here." Talia's eyes flickered in my face. "Will give you the autograph later. Thank you." Hurrying to his feet, the waiter went on his way, his ears reddening in embarrassment.

"You are the biggest tease there is," I mumbled as soon as the waiter was out of earshot. "You'll give him a heart attack."

Talia smiled coyly. "I just don't get why people automatically assume that two girls together are relatives or best friends. Can't we be lovers?"

"We can't control what they think of us," I said as I took the paper that the waiter left and scrawled a signature of my other name on it. "We can only live the best way we know how. Speaking of that. What do you want to do after this?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Let's see what the town has in store for us."

After eating our ordered meal, paying, and giving the waiter -to his delight- the autograph, Talia and I went on our way. We went around the town, being careful to go in shops where we could blend in. When afternoon came, a lot of people began to gather outside, in the main plaza.

I turned to the shopkeeper who was behind the counter, staring wistfully at the darkening sky from outside the glass window. "Excuse me." Her eyes strayed to me. "What is going on outside?" I asked. "Why are people gathered there?"

The old lady smiled. "Have you forgotten? Today is the 31'st of October, the time when Dracula is out on the streets. You should go there and join the celebration." She pointed to the crowd, making me notice for the first time that almost everyone was dressed in costumes of ghost, ghouls, and vampires. "Are you a tourist? There's a costume shop around the corner."

"Barely," I murmured. "Thanks for the information. It's best if we go on our way." Taking Talia's hand, I began to drag her away from the shop.

"Wait Cybele," she said excitedly. I didn't like the tone of her voice.

"What?" I continued walking.

"Can we please go? I've never celebrated Halloween before."

I stopped and stared at her. "No. It's beginning to get dark and Van is probably at home waiting for us. What we should do is leave and contact Brooke."

Talia's smile disappeared. She looked down on the ground, appearing forlorn. "I've always been cooped up in the palace that I've never been to any of these celebrations." Her eyes rose to meet mine. "I'd really like to go with you. Even for just tonight. Please?"

Her stare tugged at my heart. This woman, I thought, knowing that I've already lost the battle. "You know that it's not safe Talia."

"But if we wear costumes, people will not recognize us. Please Cybele," she urged. "I want to feel free."

I let out a long breath and considered. It didn't take much to convince me. "Alright. But we have to blend in."

A change of outfits later, I waited patiently outside the costume store, leaning against the stone wall. The bell of the shop tinkled as the door opened, revealing Talia in her new garb. "Wow," I whispered to myself as she stepped closer to me. The princess wore a white billowy dress that ended on her knees. She looked like the Goddess of beauty herself, coming down from the heavens. I swallowed hard. "What are you supposed to be?"

"Can't you see the white makeup on my face?" she smirked. "I'm a ghost."

"Anyone in particular?" I asked as I took her arm in mine, the two of us proceeding to the plaza.

Talia grinned widely. "The ghost of Dracula's wife." She was probably referring to the costume I chose. "And you look sexy Cybele. Can you give me a bite?"

"Later," I said smoothly as we walked side by side, the huge crowd beginning to swallow us. I pulled her closer to me, taking care not to lose her by my side. The whole place was brimming with people who wore their own interpretations of scary creatures.

The sky was completely dark now, though torches were lit in every corner, lighting the area. Men, women, and children were everywhere. Some were out talking with friends, goofing around, having the time of their lives. Others were holding candles and chanting low in a language that has been lost to me. There were also street performers who danced and mingled with the crowd. It was rather entertaining to see a guy breathe out fire while his partner does his fire dancing routine.

"Beautiful!" Talia gushed as she stared mesmerized at the performers.

"Incomparable," I whispered, glancing at her face.

Like the booming of my heart, drums began to sound in the distance. Boom. Boom. Boom. It went. Until it formed a steady rhythm and people began to sing a song that I've never had the pleasure of hearing before.

I leaned close to her ear so she could hear me. "Dance with me princess."

Talia's eyes trained on me. "Yes my queen."

All around us, people began to move in position, as if having an unspoken agreement. Those who brought their wives and girls partnered up. Friends held each others hands, forming a small circle of their group. I faced Talia, bowing low in front of her. "Our first dance." I held out a hand.

She took it without hesitation, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "And definitely not the last."

Together, we swayed to the beat, our body moving in rhythm, as if we were always meant to dance. It was pure seduction, seeing Talia with her mouth opened slightly, her focus unwavering. Every time she moved near, I caught her lavender scent, making the small hair at my nape stand up and sweat trickle slowly down my neck.

Being the bold princess she was, Talia inched nearer, surprising me by licking my neck. "What are you doing?" I gasped, beginning to feel my passion igniting.

She twirled around, ending up facing me again. "Dancing," she giggled.

"More like seducing."

"That too."

After a while, the beating of the drum slowed to a tempo. The chanting returned and a lot of people who were dancing broke apart, happy smiles on their faces. "Want to grab something to eat Talia?"

"Sure."

We were about to step away from the crowd when people began to talk excitedly. I followed the hand of a small boy being carried by his father. The child pointed at the distance, towards the stage the people have set up earlier for the programs no doubt. Because it was rather far from us, I could barely make out the faces of the people who stood there, but somehow they were eerily familiar.

I tapped the shoulder of the father of the child. "What is going on?"

The guy barely paid any attention, but he answered me nonetheless. "I think they're going to present a play. They do this every year."

I strained my eyes to see the stage. In the middle was a high wooden pole. What were they going to do with that? I wondered. A few seconds later, a muscle bound guy and an even bigger man brought a struggling girl to the center of the stage. Concentrating hard, I noticed that the woman was gagged, with her hands tied behind her back. The two men, along with two women who wore masks pinned the girl to the pole securely using ropes.

Everyone clapped their hands, thinking the presentation was about to begin. Meanwhile, I stared wide-eyed at Talia, my jaw dropping. "What?!" she asked in panic upon seeing my reaction.

"They have Vanessa," I gasped, feeling like someone poured a bucket of ice all over my body.

Turning to the stage, I watched as the muscle bound guy placed a torch on the branches around the pole, igniting the circle around Van on fire. Shit.