Falling Capricorn Read online

  “Thank you Roxie. I think I will take you up on your offer.” He looked at the girls. Roxie looked down at his hand holding hers. She smiled softly, a warm feeling rolling through her very being. He didn't know… or rather, he didn’t let on that he knew how much she loved him.

  “Of course,” she nodded to him. Eric let her hand go as he stood up with her.

  “I have an announcement!” Eric called loudly. Slowly the woman all got back onto the stage. They all stood, staring at him with their beautiful eyes. “Roxie is going to be taking over as I have business elsewhere. You better behave and treat her well, or I’ll have you jobless in a flat three seconds,” he promised them. Roxie tried her best to hold back a smile for what he had said to them. She thought it was cute that he wouldn’t take them disrespecting her. “Tomorrow I want to see this perfect,” he added. He looked at Roxie and nodded to her before turning away and walking through the aisle.

  “You heard him girls!” Roxie's voice rang through the place, taking Eric’s spot. “Let’s start back at the top,” she tells them. With a nod, they all went to their starting positions. Eric looked back at Roxie once he made it to the door. She was so helpful and did so much for him, but he wondered, was she enough for him? Did he love her, or was she just too easy to have?

  The rehearsal dragged on, and by the end Roxie’s throat was extremely sore from yelling and giving out corrections. Some of the girls just wouldn’t admit there mistakes, and it drove her absolutely mad. She felt that even if she recorded those making mistakes, they would still deny that it happened. She rubbed her sore head. She was fighting with a growing headache from the day that was starting to hurt pretty bad. "How can Eric do this all the time?" she wondered to herself.

  It didn’t take her long to get home after she went shopping. That was one of Roxie's sure-fire cure for a long hard day. She reached the beautiful estate on the beach feeling accomplished when she stepped out of her car. She held her purse in one hand, her house key hanging from her middle finger. The other hand carried a small bag with a lace night gown.

  “Honey, I’m home," she called, but was not surprised that there was no response. She figured he was sleeping as she walked inside. Roxie peeked in his bedroom to see him sleeping. She put her purse and keys on the white wicker chair in the corner of the room, and sauntered into the bathroom with her bag. “He’s going to like this,” she smiled to herself, closing the door behind her.

  Eric woke up to someone giving him a kiss on the lips. He opened his eyes to see Roxie pulling her lips away from his.

  “Good morning, boss man,” she chuckled, amused with catching him slumbering so peacefully. “You looked like a baby sleeping,” She stared at him quizzically since he was still dressed in his work attire. “You’re still in your suit? That’s so very unlike you.” She sat up in her black, tiny, and revealing nightgown.

  “It was a very busy and draining day,” he sighs, sitting up next to her. He looked her up and down in her pleasing night gown. “When did you get that? And why are you just wearing it now?” he cooed.

  “Oh, don’t start with this now,” she chuckled. “Your friend’s funeral was yesterday.” She placed her hands in her lap, glancing at him.

  “Exactly, make me feel better," he winked at her, giving the back of her shoulder a light kiss. Roxie rolled her eyes, but she wasn’t about to run off.

  “Make you feel better? How about I make you a get well card? Would that be enough?” She raised an eye brow at him again. She waited for him to respond. He turned her face lightly with his hand, locking his lips onto hers.

  Roxie returned the kiss with an edge of passion behind it. Finally, a little loving for Roxie; she’ll take it any time she can get it. One of Eric’s hands held her face, kissing her rather deeply. His body craved her, like the howling wolf craves the moon. Eric’s fingers roamed behind her arm in a slow motion causing waves of chills to ebb and flow through her. Roxie made a small whine as Eric’s tongue entreated entry into her soft bow-shaped lips, exploring her mouth with a feverish curiosity. She returned the gesture wrapping their tongues together so they could slowly dance. Roxie got a firm grip in his hair, pulling just slightly. This caused Eric to kiss much more passionately and deeply. His hand moved from her arm and to her chest, caressing one of her perfectly round breasts. Roxie made a small gasp before crashing onto the bed with him.

  “Oh someone is getting a little frisky,” Eric teased as Roxie broke the kiss. She looked up at him as he held himself up with his hands. A tickle ran through her stomach like she had just remembered a funny forgotten joke, and was now laughing on the inside about it.

  “And you weren’t being frisky?” she questioned him. “Don’t make me laugh,” she added as she undid the buttons to the jacket. Eric shrugged it off his shoulders with ease. He went for her neck, licking it as she continued onto his vest. He moved his mouth away from her neck with a chuckle, pulling it off. Roxie watched Eric. He was moving so slowly, she nearly wanted to just rip the rest of the suit off. She started to ache for him.

  “You seem frustrated Roxie,” he pointed out, finally taking the vest off and tossing it to the side. He undid his red tie, and thrust his hips into hers.

  "Why must business suits have so many layers?" she stated, groaning as she pushed her body back against his. She didn’t wait any longer, pulling the shirt off as he threw his tie to the side. She desperately wanted to surrender under his sweet loving.

  He smirked to himself at how quickly her pace was moving. He returned her hasty actions by quietly whispering steamy words in her ear. She felt her breath quiver from his sultry tone, feeling his hot breath on her neck as he slipped off her night gown. Her naked flesh was met by a torrent of licks, nibbles, and bites. Each place attacked by Eric’s storm was pulsing with warm ripples. It was as though they were both under a sexual spell as they started to move in unison.

  Both found themselves in the natural appearance of humans, tender skin on tender skin. The heat rose from both of their bodies as he crashed down into her. Roxie nearly squealed with the penetration against her slick and smooth walls. Thrusting began gently before becoming forceful. Roxie groaned, and in return Eric let out a deep growl, clawing and ravaging her body.

  Like the mortar and pestle of a great alchemist, they mixed, pounded, ground and stirred until sweet nectar gushed from the petals being worked. This made a rhythmic sound to which the duet shivered and moaned. This grew in force and energy until the rough fusion created an explosion of silky rain leaving two chests rising and falling next to each other. The chalice was left to drain and the sword left to glimmer.

  “Feeling better?” Roxie asked breathlessly. She was exhausted now. All she wanted was to take a long nap, but she didn’t want this moment to end, either.

  “Of course, are you feeling good too?” he asked, also in a light pant. Roxie’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t sure if he was asking for ego reasons or asking because he actually cared. She wondered if she said no, would he actually try to please her, again?

  “Very good,” she purred. She went to cuddle with him but he got up, stretching his arms over his head.

  “Well then, I guess we did good,” he said casually. Roxie watched him with a slight disbelief. “I’m going to take a shower.” With that he headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

  “Seriously?” she grumbled quietly. She glared at the door after him, shaking her head. “Wow, guess I was played the fool this time.” She scoffed at his reaction. “Next time you want some, we’ll see if you get any,” she muttered to herself, getting up. She decided to check her emails since he walked away from her. She slipped the night gown back on and headed into the living room.

  She sat on the sofa, logging onto the laptop that sat on the side table. She sighed heavily as she typed in the password. She glanced to the side at the USB that sat next to the table. “Hey Eric, are the ideas for next show on this USB?” she called to him. It was silent for a moment befo
re Eric replied.

  “Yeah.”

  “Cool!” She replied back, plugging in the USB into the port of the computer. She waited as it loaded, glancing at her nails. Still perfect, she thought with a smile. The window popped up for the USB and she looked through it. She clicked to open the files, and then pressed one that was labeled "Showgirl." What popped up, though, was not what she expected.

  Roxie expected to find pictures of the showgirl outfits and documents with ideas, receipts of purchases, maybe even the character profiles. That’s not what she found. There was just a file that said "Work" while the rest of the USB was full of naked pictures. All of the pictures were of different woman, all very much naked and very attractive. Roxie stared with shocked eyes as she scrolled down, down, and down.

  “ERIC!!!!” she screamed, bolting up from the laptop and into the bathroom. “ERIC WHY ARE THERE NAKED WOMAN ON THAT FLASHDRIVE!?” She pulled the curtain of the shower open. She stared at him, and he stared right back. The water rolled down his body, washing away the soap. “WELL!?” she roared.

  “Why are you mad? Is it because you can’t appreciate the beauty of a woman’s naked body, or is it just because you aren’t on it?” he said smoothly. With that comment, Roxie exploded.

  “WHAT!?” She couldn’t keep calm about this now. It was so unnecessary, so gross, so rotten. “Beauty of a woman’s naked body? No Eric! I am glad to not be on that USB of whores! How can you not even understand why I am mad!?” she exclaimed. She wanted to punch him, or knee him right where it would hurt.

  “Whores?” Eric muses over it, gaining a smirk on his face. “Wow, Roxie you are jealous aren’t you?” Roxie eyes started to tear up at his comment.

  “Jealous?! No I’m stating it as it is!! Women don’t go giving naked pictures out to strangers...” Roxie eyes widened the moment she said it. “Those women aren’t even strangers, are they?” she murmured.

  “No, you are right about strangers. I haven’t slept with any one of them, if that is what you are implying. I met most of these women online, and they are all way too trusting, you know? Some were even showgirls who wanted to be romantically involved,” he stated, grabbing the shampoo bottle. Roxie didn’t know how to reply to that, so she decided to just leave.

  “Fuck you Eric, I’m going to my friend’s place,” she stated, turning her back on him and walking out the door. Tears started running down her face as she packed up a bag with only her important things before she stormed out of the house in her night gown. She sped off into the night leaving Eric all alone.

  Joey sat in the darkness for a few days since he had given Eric the ring back. Anger was starting to rise within him. He was starting to think Eric was being a s- called friend by not giving Christen the ring back. He was also starting to feel airy and light, as though he was fading away into nothing.

  "Why Christen, why are you trying to forget me?" he asked receiving no answer. "Why haven't you given her the ring!?" he exclaimed into the silence. "Damnnit," he sighed to himself. There would be no answers in this place. He sat alone among the black and purple trees. That fact brought tears to his eyes. He tried to wipe the tears away, but they continued incessantly. He lamented with loneliness . How would he ever get to touch his Christen again? How would he stop her from forgetting him when his 'best friend' wouldn't even help him do one little thing?

  "If he won't help you, then why don't you just make him help you?" A dark voice whispered suddenly. Joey lifted his head, listening to the dark voices murmuring around him.

  "Can I really do that?" he wondered out loud.

  He was met with the answer, "Well why not? Haven't you done everything in your power to help him and now suddenly he won't help you with one little thing? That is wrong. You can force people to help you without it being a bad thing, sweet Joey. Just let us help you. Then Eric's betrayal will be replaced with that loving and warm friendship feeling again. We promise you, just trust us. You will not be betrayed, Eric will surely understand this." Joey thought, ‘Weren’t the voices right?'

  And with that Joey agreed, "I will not be betrayed." He placed his hand into the darkness and the fangs sank deep into his hand as the dark voiced started crackling.

  "We will help." one of the dark voices said.

  "Yes, help!" the other dark voice said breaking into a laughing fit.

  Eric scrubbed the shampoo in his hair doing the same with the conditioner. What he said to Roxie was very insensitive, and he was well aware of that. He felt bad afterwards. Sometimes he wondered why it brought him such great pleasure to push her buttons.

  “Was I too harsh?” he asked to no one, drying off his hair. He stared into the foggy mirror as he toweled himself off. Roxie was being so sweet, taking care of him with all her heart. She was always putting him before anyone and anything; but still, she was just too easy to mess with. He shook it off, dismissing it. Why was it worth his time to ponder about it?

  He kept his stare in the mirror, fixing up his hair. He watched as his eye started to twitch slightly when the lights started flickering. "Stupid light. Going to need to get that fixed now," he sighed. He wasn't a very handy man to have. In fact, when it came to fixing things around the house, he was normally making things worse. He looked down to grab his boxers and put them on. In that short time of getting dressed, he found himself gasping out of surprise when he looked at the words, "Back Stabber" written in the wet smog.

  "Whose there!?" he exclaimed, but it was quiet. All seemed normal. He swallowed hard as a chill ran down his spine. It was suddenly a lot colder in the bathroom, somehow causing all the fog to disappear in a matter of seconds. Eric could see his breath. He jumped back to see Joey's reflection on the now cleared mirror. He was standing in his military outfit with the same scatterbrain look to him as there always was before. Suddenly everything became so familiar and normal again, but he couldn’t get over the fact Joey was inside the mirror.

  "What the fuck!?" he yelped. ‘Did Roxie drug me!?’ Eric asked in his thoughts and sat there in a moment of shock, he honestly didn’t know if he was sane or crazy.

  “I beg you Eric! Just one more time, that’s all I ask of you. I just need to see her just once and be able to touch her.” Joey's hand pressed against the mirror. Joey's eyes hardened as he waited for a response.

  Eric stood there for a moment before swallowing down some fear. Joey continued staring at him with a look that gave him chills down his spine. There was a deep loneliness he had never seen in that boy’s eyes before. The weirdness of everything finally became unbearable to Eric. He rushed out of the bathroom to his bedroom hoping it would be normal, and perhaps, safer there. He was soon proved wrong. The lights started to flicker in his room, seeming to be just as confused as the bathroom lights to stay on or off.

  "Roxie, you're mad, I got it. Now stop that!" Eric yelled, but she had already left and gone a while ago. His grimoire and book collection, on the other hand, did the replying instead. They flew at him violently. He managed to block some while others nailed him in the legs, arms, and torso. He rushed to the door to try and escape and get away, but the door would not budge. "Let me out," Eric demanded. In response to Eric's commands, the lights finally decided to stay off, and the bulbs exploded. The pieces flew at Eric. He defended his face with his forearms. The glass pieces jammed themselves into his arms. Blood rolled out of the wounds. A grimore in front of his feet fanned open, catching the drops of blood on a chosen page.

  Demonic voices surged forth suddenly, chanting some odd language along with the sound of a drum. The page absorbed the blood, the words glowed a deep red. They slowly peeled themselves off the pages, floating about in a red glow. They started zooming around the room, looking like red streaks to the human eye. They whisked about before slitting into two vectors. One circled around Eric while another group swirled in empty space. The empty space within the red glow's swirl was soon filled with a figure. The voices and drum faded out, leaving silence as the red light's circles slowed down, all
owing Eric to see the figure.

  "Joey," Eric whispered in surprise before Joey gave a nod and a smile. In an instant, Joey and the red lights disappeared. "What the fuck is going on!?" Eric yelled bewildered and angry. He trembled while the blood kept pouring out of his wounds. Suddenly, there was a burning sensation in his body. Agonizing pain sunk into his core; so painful he fell to his knees. He opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Another pain plunged through his chest and out his back. A heavy force pushed him backwards, but his body stayed where it was. He felt as though he was in an altered dimension; feeling light but still. Eric was well aware of his body and the things around him, but strangely disconnected. "What?" he gasped as his thoughts echoed out loud. He felt his body pull itself up. "I can hear my thoughts as though I am speaking, but I don't feel my mouth moving! I'm talking but my lips aren't moving! What? What? What is going on!?" He started to freak out.

  He tried to move, but his body refused as though he was paralyzed. After intense concentration, he managed to get his hand to start pulling out the glass shards, but he didn't want to. It hurt him, as the pieces were pulled out. He tried to speak but his lips were still. It was as though he was being controlled. He was both frozen and mute. His eyes looked around wildly.

  "I'm alive!" he felt his mouth finally exclaim. His voice was so happy, so unlike Eric. He rarely was that happy, but this tone was.

  "Who is it!? This is not me! That's not me! What the fuck?" Eric's scream echoed within his ears, but not to the outside world.

  "It's me, Eric," a voice spoke to Eric's ears. He then instantly knew who it was.

  "Joey? What is going on!? You are supposed to be dead!" Eric yelped, but Joey just laughed bitterly.

  "You betrayed me, so I am going to run around in your body. Now, shut up." Eric's fist slammed into his own stomach, and Eric coughed. As he reeled from the blow, he noticed a potion bottle materialize by the grimoire. He heard a malevolent voice come from the glass vessel.