After the concert, I made my way over to the signing area, smile wider than ever. I kept a watchful eye for Derek as I rummaged through my pockets and took out a VIP pass I secretly bought. I continued searching for a letter I wrote for Austin a few weeks ago. I began to panic when I couldn’t find it. I saw someone approach out of the corner of my eye and looked to see Derek walking up to me, a piece of paper in his hand. My heart dropped into my stomach.
“Oh no…” I whispered. It was the letter I wrote…I must have dropped it when I ran away. A girl my age was standing close to me, looking longingly at the signing area. I looked from the band, signing autographs and taking pictures, to the girl staring and sighed. I didn’t have much time.
“Here…” I said giving her my VIP pass.
“What’s this?!” she gasped.
“It’s a VIP pass to meet them. I only bought it to meet Austin and give him something I wrote,” I answered. “But I lost it so there’s no point. You have it.”
“But—” I ran away before she could argue. I looked over my shoulder to see Derek a few yards behind me, also running.
“Here we go…” I bit my lip and began weaving through people. I made my way to a side door.
The cold night air took my breath away as I burst through the door and into the alley outside. I looked around for an escape.
“You have got to be fucking KIDDING ME!” I cried out. The only outlet out of the alley was blocked by a chain linked fence. I ran up to the fence and looked around. It was a parking lot. Upon further inspection, I realized it was where the bands were parked. I was about to start climbing the fence but heard the door open behind me.
I frantically made my way up the fence but only made it halfway when a hand grabbed my ankle, pulling me to the ground. I hit the cement so hard, I became a little disoriented. Before I could get up and run, Derek picked me up and pushed me up against the fence. I couldn’t reach the ground; and I was helpless.
“Hello Haylee,” he growled. “I think you dropped something.”
“Derek I—”
“SHUT UP WHORE!” he yelled, slamming me against the fence, then threw me onto the ground.
“I didn’t do anything!” I pleaded, trying to regain my surroundings.
“The letter? I read it!” he replied, getting on top of me and grabbing my throat.
“It’s…just…a letter!” I choked out, gasping for air.
“Just a letter my ass!” he replied, lifting my head and slamming onto the pavement. “You’re nothing but a fucking whore!”
My heart and head were pounding. I could feel the cold pavement under me become warm with my blood. My lungs were on fire. This is it…I’m going to die here…well at least I got to see Austin…even if he did look disappointed in me. I just wish I could have talked to him…thank him…
“HEY! What do you think you’re doing?!” I heard a voice say.
“None of your business! Beat it!” Derek yelled back as his grip tightened. Everything was going black and cold.
I could hear a clinking noise as whoever it was climbed and jumped the fence. It sounded like more than one person.
“I’ll ask again…” said the voice. It sounded familiar now that it was closer. “What the FUCK do you think you’re doing?”
I felt cold air enter my lungs once again as Derek released me to stand up against my saviors.
“Five against one? That’s hardly fair,” he said.
“You have a chance to leave now,” the voice said. It was a man’s voice…young. “I suggest you fucking take it.”
I heard Derek swear under his breath, walk away, and slam the door to the venue.
“Fucking piece of shit…” a different voice said. I heard footsteps approach as I regained some feeling and consciousness. I could see slightly. I saw an outline of what seemed a familiar face. I felt a warm hand touch my face and I flinched.
“Shh…it’s okay,” the familiar voice whispered. “You’re safe now. Are you okay? Can you see me?”
“What is it?” another voice asked.
“It’s her…” the familiar voice said quietly. “Hey, hang in there okay? You’re gonna be alright.”
“I…who…” I began. Then, everything went black.