Becky continued taking pictures of Jagger's workers as they placed cardboard tombstones against a wall. "You shouldn't do that - " I said to her as they winced from the flash of light.
"What's that?" Jagger asked, storming in the room. When he saw Becky taking pictures, he snapped. "You can't do that! Not here!"
Becky's cheery face turned sour. She was taken off guard, and I could tell she felt awful. "She didn't mean anything by it," I said, facing Jagger. Sebastian must have heard Jagger's harsh tone, as he and Luna came running into the room. "Becky was taking pictures of the workers!" Jagger said. "This is why - " "She didn't do anything wrong." I defended her. "I asked her to take those." I could see Becky's cheeks getting redder. I'd brought her here, and within five minutes she was being insulted. "What's the big deal?" she asked softly. "I don't allow cameras in the club," Jagger said.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I was just going to take some action shots," Becky said innocently. "Before and after pictures."
"I think that's a great idea," Sebastian said. Luna huffed. "You do?" She folded her arms defiantly, clearly miffed.
"Jagger is so secretive about this place because he has a lot invested in it, and he's afraid of people hearing about it before it's finished," I said.
"I'm not going to show the pictures to anyone," Becky whimpered. "I know," I said. "Jagger just overreacted."
Jagger sidled up to Becky. I was ready to pounce if he did anything nefarious to my best friend. By the look of it so were Alexander and Sebastian. They were suddenly at my best friend's side.
Jagger wasn't about to take us on and instead changed his tune. "How about you take a few of Raven by the tombstones?" he suggested. "I'd love to have some of them. And I think your idea about before and after shots is really creative."
We were impressed with Jagger's handling of the situation. Luna wasn't as much. She didn't like Sebastian's sudden defense of Becky and was obviously threatened. "I don't have to, really," Becky said. She began putting her phone in her pocket when Jagger stopped her.
"No, I think it's a great idea. I wish I'd thought of it myself. Besides, Raven loves to be photographed," Jagger said. "The others? Not so much. We aren't as photogenic."
"Thanks, Jagger," I said. "Yes, thanks!" Becky said. "I can be the official photographer of the Crypt." "Awesome!" Jagger said. "You'll have to send me the shots." "I'll make you a scrapbook." Jagger seemed genuinely pleased with Becky's enthusiasm and naivete.
Becky was so excited about her new role at the Crypt. She began staging and snapping pictures of me as furniture and fixtures were being loaded into the mill.
Sebastian, Luna, Alexander, and Jagger remained aloof so as not to be a part of any of the photos.
I'd never been so happy - save for being on the other end of Alexander's lips or cuddling together in his coffin. Here I was with my best friend and true love, surrounded by modern-day vampires and creating a haunting dance club.
Even Onyx and Scarlet were taking to my best friend. "Here," Onyx said, extending her hand. "I'll take some of you and Raven together." Becky and I posed by the tombstones while Onyx snapped pictures of us. As Onyx returned the phone to Becky, Scarlet was at the bar, pouring blood-red liquid into a cup. "What's that?" Becky asked. "Uh . . . Kool-Aid," Scarlet replied. "I love Kool-Aid." "I wish I had more," she said. "But we do. In back," Onyx said without thinking. Scarlet shot her an evil glare. Then Onyx realized her misstep and bit her burgundy-colored lip. "That's okay," I said. "We'll pick up something on the way home."
The last thing I needed was Becky putting a cup of blood to her mouth and taking a swig. She'd never recover. And neither would I.
Becky stood out like a daisy in a sea of dead roses in her cheery colors, while we were dark in our morbid outfits. "So where are you guys staying?" Becky asked. "Here," Scarlet said as if Becky already knew. "In this place?" Becky was as shocked as she was horrified. "Uh-huh." Scarlet grinned. "There's barely any electricity. And there's no furniture." "We know," Scarlet said. "Why don't you stay with one of the families in town? Or at least a hotel?" "It's free here, and besides, we like it," Onyx said.
"This place isn't acceptable for you guys to sleep in. We have some extra room at our house," Becky said. "I can check with my parents, but I'm sure you're more than welcome to stay - "
"That is so sweet of you," Scarlet said sincerely. "I hate to think of you sleeping here with the bugs and spiders," she said, shuddering. "We like it that way," Scarlet insisted. "I think they're lucky," I chimed in with a smile.
"Of course you would." Becky laughed. "It's like Camp Raven. You guys are so brave," Becky went on. "Where do you sleep?"
"Downstairs." "Ooh . . .," Becky said. "You must be scared to death - at night." "Actually it's during the day we are creeped out," Scarlet said. The two vampires giggled. "I can show you," Onyx said.
Scarlet cleared her throat. I imagined Onyx opening the door revealing five coffin beds. If Becky didn't faint, I would.
Onyx was a gothic version of Becky. She was as sincere as she was kind. At the end of the day, though she was a vampire, she didn't have bite.
Just then Alexander came and got us. "Jagger could use some help painting the entrance."
"Now, that's something I can do," Becky said eagerly. "Sleep in a factory's basement, no, but paint a factory wall, yes."
The following day Becky was a little preoccupied. I didn't get to the bottom of it until after school when I tried to make plans with her to go back to the factory.
"I need to do some homework," she said as we headed for her truck. "I can drop you off at home." "I thought you'd already finished it." "I did . . . but I think I should probably look it over again. Just to make sure." Becky was an amateur at lying and a novice at fibbing. Her excuses were transparent. "You don't want to go?" I fished. "Do I have to? I know I said I wanted to help, and I do. But do I have to go back into that place before it's finished?" "Of course not . . . I just thought - "
"I can shop for you guys. I can hand out flyers. And when it's finished, I'd love to go. But now? Without proper lighting and cleaning . . ."