Page 201 of Pucking Them
It is decorated with cages and Gothic arches. Cauldrons spill dry ice in the corners and broomsticks are stuck to the walls.
A twisted metal perch, platforms of different heights, hanging chains, and aerial hoops are arranged over the stage.
The Wicked Witch of the West herself, Kay, stands in front of the stage with such unspoken dominance that she commands it.
Kay’s outfit is spectacular, created out of feathers and leather. It is Gothic like her makeup, sharp green nails, and the thin leather riding crop that she is tapping against her thigh.
She is also holding loosely in her hand the leashes to her two flying monkeys who are obediently (not at all like my own leashed pet), standing behind her.
Cassian and Everett wear matching feathered trousers, leather harnesses, which are attached to large feathered wings, and dramatic makeup. I grin at the sight of their long, swinging tails, which are made of rope.
“Am I sleeping? I’m having nightmares again.” D’Angelo stumbles to a stop in an impressive impression of the Cowardly Lion. “Ev and Cas as Flying Monkeys?Where’s Axel?”
D’Angelo spins on the spot, as if he’s terrified of being ambushed and expects Axel to fly out of the crowd and carry him away.
The Wizard of Ozhas traumatized too many kids.
Shay can’t hold back his laugh. “Sorry, this Puppy has to talk again. Toto is mischievous, right? You shouldn’t be kink shaming, darlin’.”
D’Angelo points at Cassian and Everett. “Those flying monkeys haunted my childhood.”
“They were the best bloody thing in the movie. Didn’t you want a flock of them at your command? You could set them on your enemies and… Just me then?” Shay ends, sheepishly.
“Your Eden is showing.” I pat him on the head. “Your brother said the same thing.”
“Sometimes twins do think the same.”
D’Angelo crosses his arms. “Trust my little horror fanatic to like the frightening part.”
“Don’t worry.” Shay cocks his head, deliberately making his leather ears flop over his eyes. “You’re with me, the cutest character in the movie, yeah? Why don’t we continue our adventure and find somewhere safer?”
D’Angelo glances down at the yellow brick road, following it away from the stage. But then, the lights lower, before the emerald spotlight illuminates the stage.
“What…?” I gasp.
Unexpectedly, an entire flock of flying monkeys sweep onto the stage led by Axel.
My breath catches.
Axel’s outfit matches the other subs’.
But he isn’t tamed.
Axel is the leader of an army of flying monkeys, who are swarming menacingly over the pulsing, eerie tribal house music. He dramatically extends his wings, balancing on a platform, while the dancers perform acrobatics on the hoops and chains daringly high over the stage.
“Shit,” Shay breathes. “I didn’t know that he was this good.”
When the music becomes darker and heavier, Kay raises her hands like she’s now part of the performance, commanding her army.
The speed of the flying monkeys’ acrobatics increases in a synchronized choreography.
Green silk tumbles from the ceiling. Axel grabs hold of it, swinging effortlessly onto it.
He’s beautiful.
When he climbs the silk, my heart is in my mouth.
He hangs upside down with his wings spread wide.
