Later that night, after the show, even though both Alex and Annabelle’s passion was running high, Annabelle hesitated after he eagerly removed his shirt.
“I-” She started, looking away from him.
“Its okay,” Alex said, laying next to her, and curling his arms around her, “I know.”
She smiled, loving Alex more every minute. Melting into his arms, she drifted off into a series of terrifying nightmares. Spiders filled her mouth and nose and scurried around inside of her, every time she spat webs caught hold of her teeth and the spiders returned again. Something perched on her back but she couldn’t reach it. It was growing heavier and heavier as she tried to reach a sanctuary in an ever-present mist. She collapsed, the spiders building web-tunnels throughout her intestines and her oesophagus. The thing on her back grew until it pinned her to the ground. It’s laughter was inhuman, it cackled madly as it slowly engulfed her, and they both became one with the earth. Still she didn’t die, throughout the spiders and the darkness surrounding her. All she could do was cry, but tears didn’t come. She woke up to Alex’s concerned face.
“Belle, Belle? Are you okay?!”
Annabelle’s eyes, wide with fear, darted around the tiny bunk, the fake wood, and the crumpled sheets. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Bad dream?” She offered, leaning up on one elbow.
“You sounded like you were choking.” Alex replied, biting his lip. “I thought you were going to vomit or something.”
“Sorry.” Annabelle scratched her head.
“No, no. Just as long as you’re okay.” Alex kissed her gently on her temple.
“What time is it?”
“Just gone 10.”
“Are we there yet?” Annabelle asked, excited. The next city was Washington. Alex shook his head.
“Come on, lazy.” He smiled and crawled out of the bed. Annabelle slapped his bum playfully as his jeans slipped down. He yelped and when she got out tickled her sides. She wriggled away from him, laughing.

In the lounge, Zack was watching Jack play guitar hero while holding a plank. Annabelle bent down to look at him.
“How long have you been holding it?”
“Couple of minutes.” He forced, adjusting his arms slightly. Annabelle smiled evilly. “What?” He asked.
Annabelle decided it would be funny to make him collapse so she sat on his back like a chair. He didn’t budge.
“Uh, Zack?” She asked, he wasn’t even quivering. She lifted her legs off the ground and sat cross-legged on his back. He didn’t move. “You’re kidding.”
Jack spared them a glance, and sputtered. “Annabelle, what are you doing?!”
“I thought it would be funny for him to fall on his stomach, but he didn’t…” Annabelle noticed Jack was trying to beat one of her hi-scores. “Good luck, there.” She indicated to the TV with a laugh. Jack grumbled at her, his attention returning to the game. Zack was breathing heavily.
“You okay there, Zacky boy?” Alex appeared with a bowl of cereal.
“How many minutes are we up to now?” Annabelle asked him, he was starting to quiver.
“Four.”
“You’re actually a machine.” Annabelle laughed.
“Okay, you can get off now.” Zack tried not to break.
“Nah, you’re quite comfortable, albeit shaky.”
“Annabelle…” Zack was trying very hard to stay up. “Alex! Help me!”
Alex put his cereal very deliberately on the counter, and strolled over to the pair on the floor. He circled them, as if finding the best way to extract Annabelle. He squatted, wrapped his arms around Annabelle’s waist, and then picked her up, still cross-legged, from Zack. Zack breathed a sigh of relief and re-adjusted himself.
“Ruin my fun!” Annabelle pouted, crossing her arms across her body.
“Play Guitar Hero with me!” Jack said, kicking a plastic guitar towards her. “I’ve definitely gotten better.”
Annabelle beat him easily as Alex laughed and Zack snickered on the floor.

***

The band was busy at an interview, so Kara and Annabelle went to look around Washington. Annabelle had been there once before on a roadtrip with her dad when she was young. They had visited the museums, Annabelle had especially liked the space and air one, and that was where she and Kara were heading. After spending an hour pretending they were astronauts, they walked to a modern art museum, taking the piss out of artistic sticks and canvases painted one shade of blue.
“Wanna get lunch?” Kara asked, when they had both collapsed after their third museum. Annabelle nodded, not out of hunger, but out of want for a cool glass of water. When they arrived at a café, Kara ordered generously for herself.
“Can I have a focaccia, with wedges, and a chocolate milkshake?”
Annabelle told the waiter that she would stick to her water. Kara stared at her.
“Why don’t you want to eat today, Annabelle?” Kara asked, exasperated. The girl opposite her looked washed out, her cheeks were hollow, and she wore dark circles under her eyes. Before Annabelle could answer, Kara reached out for her hand.
“You look tired.”
Annabelle nodded. “I’m okay.”
Kara smiled sympathetically. “Mm. I-if you ever need to talk to someone…I’m always here for you, okay?”
Annabelle smiled, “Thanks, Kara.”
Although she was smiling, inside she was fuming. She didn’t understand what Kara thought was wrong with her. She was fine. If she was referring to her eating habits, then it was solely because she didn’t get hungry like everyone else. She couldn’t remember the last time she was really, properly hungry. She knew what anorexia looked like, she had seen it enough, and it hadn’t manifested itself in her. Annabelle watched Kara, not understanding what she thought was wrong with her.
“Kara” Annabelle said, “I’m fine.”
The sincerity with which she said it made Kara pause in her munching. Annabelle smiled, and to prove it, she stole one of Kara’s wedges with a generous helping of sour cream and shoved it in her mouth. Kara grinned. A compromise had been made. The potato was difficult to swallow. It was like ash in her mouth. She could feel it in her oesophagus, as it was squeezed slowly into her stomach. It reminded her of the spiders and their webs. She quickly gulped down the rest of her water. Kara quietly ate, content with her food. She was wondering what Annabelle was going through, after her ordeal with Gavin. She wanted to ask, but it didn’t seem appropriate. Annabelle coughed, and looking down at the table said,
“I wanna get back to Alex.”
Kara nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, I’ll be two secs, kay?”