The Girl Next Door: Chapter 11

It took quite some time before Robert finally found the rest of them at a nearby pub.

"ROBEEERRRTT!" Bonzo slurred as he downed another shot. Jimmy and Jonesy laughing uncontrollably as they were the only regulars of the bar, despite only being around the area for a week.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" He shrieked when he realized how late they really were.

"What do you think?! You fucking stranded us at the beach last night, where else were we supposed to go?! We had to get a bite before..."

"WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET PETER TWO HOURS AGO!" They all froze in place, their faces a sickening pale.

"SHIT!" They chorused, bolting out the door and swerving trough traffic to get to the studio. They swung open the door and fall backwards as they run into Peter Grant.

"You're late." He mutters as they get themselves together and head into the studio.

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She wandered their room curiously, looking through awards, posters, magazines, shirts. Headlines that proved further how big this really was, how extravagant they really were. No other group could recreate that sound she heard that night, no other crowd has been more shaken to the point of disbelief, awe, amazement. The sheer power from those riffs that physically pushed her back. Explosive, thundering drum solos that echoed around the arena time after they ended. The keys, the synthesizers, the most fast, rapid bass lines she's ever heard. And that voice. This voice that molded all these unique instruments into their own melodies and songs. That shrilling voice belonged to the boy who once held her hand in the hallways, the boy who was there for her every day at school when she had no one. Robert's voice, there was no other that made her feel what she did. There must be another way to hear it, learn those songs he sung that night. She looked deeper in the box and found their albums. She counted up five. She popped the first one into the record player and heard the first song they've ever released. Good Times, Bad Times. She listened to that whole first album before listening to the second one. Songs like You Shook Me and The Lemon Song gave her images of what she swore she'd never see. Dazed and Confused left her in a trance like no other. Whole Lotta Love and Ramble On, Heartbreaker; the song that opened the concert she saw. Then was the third album. There were the hard, fast paced songs like The Immigrant Song and Celebration Day...then there was Tangerine. She fell in love with that song, an innocent one about love at it's most innocent stages. She imagined herself in high school holding that boy's hand, a boy she swore would forever be her own. But when That's The Way followed, that's when the tears came. Each one of them left her for another, they left emotional scars that would never heal. That's The Way it's always stayed...though it was a certain line that struck her the most.

"And yesterday I saw you kissing tiny flowers, But all that lives is born to die. And so I say to you that nothing really matters, And all you do is stand and cry."

These words had her on her knees sobbing, the memories racing back, playing out stories in her mind. As tortured as she was by them, she couldn't stop replaying the track. She convinced herself she couldn't live without hearing the sound, without hearing the words spoken by the man who promised her life. She heard that same song she played up there at the concert, the same one she heard on the radio. The exact studio recording of Since I've Been Loving You, she played along to it with one of Jonesy's recorders.

It took her awhile before she moved onto the fourth album. These songs gave more of a folk feel; songs like The Battle of Evermore which gave her imagery of knights on horses, slaying dragons and destroying castle walls. There was Going To California, Four Sticks, Misty Mountain Hop, Black Dog, When The Levee Breaks. Each song was a story...and then there was that riff. That magical riff that struck her the minute she heard it. The harmonic blend of the electric guitar and the recorder, which led up to the tale of a lady with so many riches and despite them all, wanting her way in the heavens. This sweet song that swept the nation, she never knew until she read the articles. Until she heard them play it for her in that room, or on stage when she stood next to Percy. Sweat beading his golden hair, the stage lights reflecting the bluest eyes. She never had deeper feelings for any friend then Robert and it had been only a few days. He gave her everything she could ever desire and so much more with it. He taught her how to break free, that's all he wanted for her. To be herself once more, so that's what she would give him. She popped in Houses of The Holy, falling asleep to The Rain Song outstretched on Roberts bed. It was late in the night she felt a tug on her arm and a familiar grin looking down at her.

"Come on! We don't have all night!" She heard a shout from outside the door.

"R...Robert?" She had so much she wanted to tell him, how she found out how much of a success they really were, how much their songs have impacted and moved her in ways she never understood...but not before Robert took her hand and led her out the door.

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to have some damn fun for once!" They didn't head into the limo this time. Right across from them were four striking motorcycles, the bodies a piercing blue that almost matched the color of Percy's eyes.

"Don't just stand there, darling! Get on!" Laughed Robert as she climbed on the seat behind her. The engined softly purred, then roared as the bike took off in full speed. Her hair got tangled into Robert's the wind blowing across her face, her body growing cold but relaxed as her arms hung over Percy's shoulders.

"THIS IS AMAZING!" She yelled as they sped across the highway. A ride she never taken before and enjoyed, as she did anything she did with the gang.

"Believe me, this isn't even the best of it!" Robert whispered in her ear as they sped into the gate of the city zoo.

"YOU DIDN'T TELL ME WE'RE GOING TO THE ZOO, ROB!"

"IT'S CLOSED!" Said Jonesy, the band all looked at him with a smirk on their faces. They observed the animals at peace, trapped in their cages.

"Wow...they're beautiful. I never took a moment to look at these creatures..." Said Dianne as she examined a golden lion, it's mane reminded her of Robert's delicate hair. Why couldn't she stop thinking about it...

"They deserve a break out of here. They've spent their whole lives trapped in these cages of theirs..." He said, a sinister grin on his face.

"Only if..." She thought but then she saw Robert heading towards the cage.

"ROBERT, YOU'RE CRAZY!" Screamed Jonesy, knowing he couldn't be fully sober to be pulling an act like this.

"Percy..." He leaped into the open cage and startled the beast awake. The creature was face to face with the front man, yet as close as he got, his expression never changed.

"THE HELL ARE YOU-" Page started but Jonesy covered his mouth.

"Shut the fuck up, Page! Unless you want that Poof to be lion meat, don't make any noises now..." He whispered as they watched in horror. Percy stood as still as ever, the creature not making any movement. His eyes staring into Percy's, Robert suddenly being startled as he started to sober up, realizing where he was, and what exactly was facing him.

"Shit..." He whispered as his body immensely tensed. His blue eyes got wider, his calm expression now one of alarm. Dianne knew to keep quiet for he would be torn to shreds the minute another sound was made.

Robert shut his eyes and imagined himself somewhere else. He would take the substances to go there when he wanted to be lost. He didn't have those now, he had to use imagination this time. He slowly met the eyes of the lion and climbed slowly and steadily above it. He had no idea what he was doing or what his intentions were, but his mind was so far out there now that nothing else seemed to matter. He was face to face with a creature that had the power to tear his limbs, gnaw at his hair, and now he was on top of him! He stroked it's mane as he gently purred and started to walk, then run faster in the massive cage.

"Oh Lord..." She murmured, she couldn't believe he wasn't mauled to death by now but actually taking the chance to have that ride. The rest of the band wondering where they were, how they got here, not knowing how high up there they really were. They departed to visit the other animals. Jimmy breaking into the penguins cage and talking to them. Offering them a drink of his Daniels bottle, getting mad when recieving no response. Bonzo found himself shutting a gate behind him, rows of apes stared into him. They were slinging grass and feces around, screeching all the way.

"DON'T YOU FLICK YOUR SHIT AT ME!" He yells, they approach him closer. He responds by breaking a bottle of beer onto the leader's head, climbing on top of it and punching its skull. Getting furious when he didn't give him a reaction, he kept at it, swinging his arms away at his hairy body. The ape stood up and started to run out of it's cage, into the zoo. The others following. Bonzo was shaken at first, but held onto it's fur and maintained on the creature to enjoy the ride. He was alongside Percy now, Jonesy was watching from the top of the roof. Slowly losing his own senses, he dived fifty feet up into a pool down below with the fish and penguins, though most of them were now following Jimmy. Dianne ventured off to look at exhibits when Robert and his lion steed approached him.

"Come on! Don't you see everyone here riding something? The water, the animals, the wind...we're having the time of our lives right now and we won't even remember this tomorrow! You can't just be standing off to the side...climb on and ride!"

There was nothing more to think about, they have lost their state of mind after all. So without a moment to spare she took his hand and climbed on behind him. The lion gave a menacing roar as it ran throughout the zoo, them howling with laughter as it tore through the booths, the stands, the exhibits, an army of animals charging after them. The elephants that broke out, which Jonesy now found himself on, the apes swinging on the trees, Bonzo laughing as he hung on one's neck. Page was the leader of the penguins, he tried to find another creature to ride upon, but where ever he would go, they followed.

"It's like I'm the fucking pied piper of penguins..." He shook his head and jumped high enough to meet Jonesy on the elephants. Robert and Dianne blazing through the zoo, the establishment crashing down on top of them.

"I AM A GOLDEN GOOOOODDDD!" Screamed Robert. Looking behind them, they had conquered the city zoo. What had been built before lied in ruins.

"I'VE NEVER FELT THIS RUSH BEFORE! THE BLOOD IS ACTUALLY RUNNING DOWN MY SKULL!" She yelled as the rest of the world was a racing blur.

"But it feels good, doesn't it?!" Robert yelled back, she laughed in response.

"THIS IS CRAZY...AND I LOVE IT!" She hugged Robert tight as his body was the only structure that saved her from flying off into God knows where by now. They went from riding motorcycles in the streets to riding a wild animal with the potential to eat a person alive...this was all insane, but she didn't regret this. Not now at least. Now was a sweet joy ride that she wished could last forever. That tingling in her spine, the chills that made the hairs on her arms stand up. Watching Robert's hair was a show in itself, his golden curls bouncing and dancing in the breeze. Them storming out the zoo, the zookeepers slowly coming in for their night shift carry on their conversation.

"Yep, I'm about to retire in a few days."

"That's great, Bill! Finally get out of this-" They hear a thundering crash feet behind them.

"Did...did you hear...?"

"They're fucking ANIMALS! Of course you're going to hear some sound here. That's why I can't wait to-"

They watch the exhibits fall to the ground, ruins of the stone walls behind them. When they feel the breath of the creatures, the deep growling purr of the tigers, the lions, they don't turn around.

"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck..."

"There goes my retirement..." He mutters as they run out the zoo, Percy and Dianne are the ones that bust out the gate as every animal once trapped in it's cage follows them home. Them wandering the streets, cars bolting to different directions to make way for the line of chaos. Robert motions his lion into the forests, and as he goes the others follow. Their cries fill the air; all animals of different kinds making their homes here. Helicopter lights were searching the fields, though action took over any conscious they had. They hid behind the trees and waited for the flashing lights to pass. Them all separated now, Percy and Dianne hiding behind a nearby bush.

"Dammit...it wasn't supposed to be like this..." He kept cramped inside while Dianne presses against him with the biggest smile he's ever seen on her.

"Are you kidding? That was the best time I've ever had! I'll never get that rush again...and I got to have it with you, Percy!"

"So you're not pissed that we've been hiding out in the forests for a half an hour now?"

"I would be if it were with anyone else..." She said with a smile.

"But-"

"You taught me how to live just now...and no matter what else happens, you gave me that and I can't thank anyone else but you for that." She was suddenly spilling out her emotions.

"Those songs...I listened to them this morning!" She sobbed. "Those memories came flooding back...I never had a boy that truly cared for me before. Not genuinely, not without wanting something else from me that I didn't want to give. Not without pulling out my heartstrings and stomping all over me like the easy child I was...still am...no one has ever treated me like I'm worth anything before. Not even my own PARENTS! They GAVE UP ON ME! I had to live by myself and heartbroken. I never felt more alone...I was going to kill myself before I heard your voice on the radio that night..."

Robert cradled her and didn't say another word.

"I never felt a greater joy than I did at the concert, this morning listening to those songs again...you're so incredible...I want this to last forever but I know that you're going to go back on your tour again...that's what kills me. You...this has been the best thing that's ever happened to me..." She fell to her knees and couldn't stop bawling. She attracted the attention of Roberts fellow band mates, who when they saw her left them at peace.

"God it's only been this time and...I'm sorry if this is too much..." She started to run back and Robert stopped her.

"It's okay...just come with us."

"I don't want to get so attached to you and have you leave me, please don't leave me!" She sobbed, Robert peered in her teary, sparkling eyes.

"I don't know what's going to happen either...I don't know how long the four of us will even continue at the rate we're going. But I do know that no matter what happens to us, you'll be fine. You can hear my voice no matter if you see me or not anyway! Remember..."

The record tapes. The songs that shifted her through waves of emotions, she could hear them again and again if she had them.

"You're the strongest person I've ever met, going through the things you did...believe me. You don't need me holding your hand..."

"I only feel that joy when I'm with you though. It was like that since childhood, Percy."

"Well since I won't remember I did it in the morning I might as well..."

"Might as well do what-" He leaned into her and kissed her, a move she was startled by, but surely enjoyed. That delicate, precious touch of his lips brushing hers, she opened her eyes and saw his golden mane in the moonlight, that sweet genuine smile that had stayed on his face upon meeting him as a child. It wasn't the first time she kissed a boy, but a man. Unlike the others, he gave her life. Whether she wanted it or not.

"See? I don't know what just happened there...but I liked it." He said smiling as she embraced him. Realizing the planes have long passed them, they found the rest of the band and took the walk back to their hotel.

"I'm starving...you ordering room service, Jonesy?"

"Room service?! It's two in the bleeding morning! Maybe I can call somewhere for pizza..." He picked up the phone as Jimmy and Bonzo grabbed the cases of beer. The starting of a long night was signified with the customary sound of the cans cracking open, the long waves of laughter before the pizza man came in, startled by four drunken band mates with a zoo in their hotel room, piles of cans littered the floor. Dianne took the pizza and gently shut the door. She turned on the TV to see animals roaming the streets.

"Oh my GOD! Guys look at this!" She was astonished to see news reporters at the ruins of the local zoo, animal control shooting darts into their bodies and bringing them back to their cages, some never made it back and left further into the wild. Yet in the midst of the chaos no one was injured, no casualties were made. They laughed as they saw the news footage of themselves riding elephants, apes, and lions. They were sure this didn't happen, it was just so strange...

The next morning is when Peter comes in and pounds loudly on the door. Jimmy answers the door as he looks around at the creatures that have followed them home.

"HOW did you manage to get PENGUINS to walk up the stairs...fuck it. We have a hectic schedule in front of us..." He dismisses as they follow him into the studio.

Because she had nowhere else to go and nobody else to follow, she went with them.