Element
Of Dark
Chapter Six
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the…BACKSTREET BOYS!"
Normally the cheers of the crowd lifted my spirits but today that was not
possible. I was numb, completely numb. The four of us walked out and sat in the
seats that had been assigned to us. The interviewer grinned a fake, phony grin.
"Well now, if everyone’s ready, let’s begin!" The crowd
erupted in screams. He looked at the four of us and gasped with mock surprise.
"Why boys, there seems to be something missing. Where’s your fifth
member?"
"Um, I’m afraid Nick won’t be joining us today. He’s not
feeling well at the moment but he sends his love to the fans," Kevin said
as he leaned into the mic. The interviewer wasn’t even listening. Anger raised
in my throat. How could he be so insensitive?
"Uh huh," he nodded. "All right. Well, we have here some
very lucky fans who have been chosen to ask you the question of their
choice." This time AJ leaned into his mic.
"And anyone who had a question for Kaos, we’ll try and answer it
the best we can." More cheers from the crowd. Again, my heart felt heavy. I
didn’t want to think of those yellow eyes.
"Okay then," the interviewer crowed, "first
question." He cleared his throat and winked at the audience. "This one
is for Kevin." A security guard handed a girl the microphone. She never did
get to ask the question. She did however manage to ask Kevin to divorce his wife
and marry her instead. Kevin kindly told the girl that he didn’t think that
was possible but it was still a nice offer. As hard as I tried I couldn’t
block my thoughts from drifting to Nick. In the backround I heard D and Bone
answer a slew of questions. I rested my head for a moment and closed my eyes.
When I opened them I was standing next to Nick. Images began to dance in front
of me. They would slowly morph into another as a gentle breeze pulled them
along. They were dark and empty images, each holding a fear of it's own. My mind
settled upon one particular scene. Frack and I were performing on stage when his
face started to blur and break into a million pieces. I clawed at them
feverishly trying to put them back together but it was no use. All that was left
was darkness. I stood all alone in this vast emptiness. I fell to my knees and
sobbed,desperately not wanting to be alone.
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"Frack," I shrieked. "Frack!" The darkness stung at
my eyes and filled my ears with it’s silent roar. Again I thought of Nick and
I screamed so hard that I screamed myself awake. I felt someone’s arms embrace
me and I sat there, unable to move.
"It’s okay. It’s okay now," Kevin whispered. My chest rose
and fell rapidly and he hugged me tighter. I opened my eyes half way and looked
across the sea of fans. Many of them stood frozen, stricken with fear. Others
laughed cruely as though they thought a joke was being played. Tears welled in
my eyes and Kevin hugged me tighter. The dream had been so real, so very real.
"C’mon Rok," AJ smiled sadly and pulled me off the stage. He
turned to me with an expression of concern. "What’s happening B? This
isn’t like you."
‘I..I don’t know..." I mumbled. Sleep still lingered on my eyes
and I attempted to rub it away. AJ gave me a wan smile and removed my arms from
my face.
"Careful Bri," he cautioned,"why don’t you take it easy
for awhile?" I nodded, unsure of my own actions and slumped against a
nearby wall. AJ left to finish the press conference and I found myself slowly
drowsing off.
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Howie pulled at his hair nervously. He was worried about his friend. He
had never seen Brian like that before and he didn’t know what to think of it.
He could see the same thoughts plaguing the others minds as well. When Brian had
first fallen asleep the interviewer had made a few jokes but they had just
dismissed it off as fatigue from the stress over Nicky. The interview was going
quite well until Howie heard a scream. At first he had thought it was one of the
fans who had made their way to the front and had gotten a closer view of them.
Then he realized the screams were in fact coming from Brian. Kevin had rushed
over to his cousin’s side and the fans became deathly quiet. Kevin shook Brian
pleading him to wake up but Brian just kept on shrieking. Howie shuddered at
remembering the noise. There was so much fear in Brian’s voice. Try as he
might Kevin couldn’t get Brian to wake up and his screams were beginning to
get louder until his whole body was writhing at each shout. The piercing sound
filled the entire room and Kevin grabbed Brian in a tight bear hug in an attempt
to console him. Meanwhile AJ tried to calm the crowd but it was just no use.
Howie had sat, shoked and unable to move. Finally Brian had woken up and Kevin
embraced him tearfully yet Bri’s fear continued to linger in the air.