Alan couldn't really see the audience from the stage, but he felt when Melpomene's presence receeded. He assumed that she had gone to get another drink or made a trip to the bathroom. It wasn't as though they were chained at the hip. (God, how wonderful to be chained to such a woman as Melpomene though.)
But when he finished the set, Melpomene didn't seem to be around. He cast his gaze across the bar as he walked through, and then he felt her. Felt her and something else, someone who felt like home. One of the boys?
No. He'd felt it wrong, he realised as he felt something tighten inside. It was his story that was singing in Alan's bones, but not a welcome part of it.
He moved more quickly now, shouting out Melpomene's name as he moved through people.
What Alan saw when he entered the alley made his heart feel as though it had been set aflame, and not in a beautifully poetic way. No, this was a terrifying inferno that would burn him alive with terror.
The sheriff had her pinned to the wall and the vision of blood spurred Alan on with fury and fear. He came running towards them both at top speed and didn't slow as he punched the side of the Sheriff's head with as much forced as his horror could muster. "Get the fuck off her!"