Listen to YDG(OM&M), Ben Threw (OM&M), and Diamonds Aren't Forever (BMTH) for some music while reading!

Of Mice and Men had arrived in the late evening with a good crowd to back them up. People packed body to body in the large area. We had taken the bus to the back lot. We parked about ten feet between a fence that separated us from the fans, and between a back fence that faced a few buildings.I couldn't stop thinking about the letter that Austin had received only a few days before.

Where they really just empty words?

"Rae." A voice snapped me out of my attention. Overhead the stars seemed to twinkle mischievously. I focused back on the voice that called my name. Austin appeared, decked out in a leather jacket for the cool night and longer jeans. Alan was a ways away, talking to Tino.

"Hey Aus." I greeted. I couldn't believe it was Saturday and we would be traveling back tomorrow. School seemed to close in the future. At least it would distract me from the threats that seemed ever present.

"You have your pass?" He questioned. I tapped the laminated badge I was given as soon as I stepped outside the bus. It allowed me to watch from close by. I could see Alan, Tino, Aaron, and Phil all starting to get focused for the crowds that called their name. A few security guys came up to encourage them to get ready.

"Good luck of there. You'll do great, as always." I smiled and gave him a quick hug as security started towards us. He grinned, a sad glimmer in his eyes.

"You stay safe." He told me. I nodded and started to go off towards my selected spot, flashing my badge when needed. The clock rang eight, and the band jumped on stage. The crowd went into a frenzy.

"Hello California! It's good to be home! Are you ready?" He cheered to the crowds. They all screamed in response.

"AGGHH GRAH!" They screamed back. If I had been studying up on the mosh-speak, I think I could have translated it to, "YEAH!"

"Great!" He cheered. They started out with O.G. Loco, a great song that instantly started some mosh pits in scattered through the crowd, with a large one in the middle. I could just barely see some of the form.

About two hours later, they were finishing their last song, Ben Threw. Austin smiled down to me. I couldn't help but think back to Warped Tour last year, when he jumped off stage and kissed me. I think the security had to mop me up since I melted to a puddle.

I looked through the crowd, just on an instant, unconscious whim, thinking I had to look out for my little sister. No, she wasn't with me this time.

The Sea of Sweat, Blood, and Energy parted for a moment, just enough for me to be sent into panic attack mode and scream my lungs out, but not because of the song.

Out there in the middle, was my sister, right next to Ryker.

"Lily-Pearl!" I screamed above my vocal level. The sea of people came together for them to disappear. Was I really having hallucinations? No, that was real. To real.

"Thank you!" The band concluded.

"GRAAAHH!" The crowd yelled back. Translation: "We want more!"

I bolted out of the pits, scrambling around me and back to the gate. People were already pushing against it, waiting for Austin and Alan to come back out. I was held up behind a wall of meaty bodies and my anxiety only grew. The red welts on my arms throbbed under the pressure. I nearly collapsed.

By the time I got behind the gates and past the orange vested security guards, I had spotted Ryker walking away with LP. They had disappeared behind some people. I yelled my sister's name, but wasn't able to trail them.

"Austin, Alan!" I yelled their names. They were finishing signatures for fans, but everyone still hung around. They all talked to each other, feeling closer than ever although we were all strangers.

"What is it?" Alan asked me. I stopped, breathing heavy.

"Did you ever get a text back from LP?" I asked him hurriedly. He shook his head.

"Why?" He questioned. Austin threw me a funny look. I knew I had a red face from running and panicking, but I didn't care.

"I SAW HER!" I yelled to them. The fans stared oddly at us. Tino, Phil, and Aaron came in to fill their need as Alan and Austin backed away.

"Where?" Austin asked me, grasping my shoulders. I pointed in the direction of where I saw them go. It was along the gate, towards one of the edges. It would lead to a dead end.

"That way! She was with Ryker!" I yelled. Without warning, Alan and Austin took off. I tried to keep pace behind them. We ran and ran along the gate. The fans were left behind, screaming at us for more signatures.

Eventually we reached the dead end, where the back gate met the fence that other edge. The bus was about ten feet away. We could still hear the cheers.

"Where'd they go?" Austin asked. I looked around. A flash of blonde hair alerted me to their presence.

"There!" I pointed. They had rounded a corner. The fence backed up to a wall, an alley. There was a building on the other side that stretched from the long, wide, secluded back alley.

Austin led the way as we unlocked the door to the gate and went to the back. There other building was an office area. I knew from reading the signs. We were stuck with dim light, but I could see the door to the other building, and the fence that created part of the alley. We walked down part of it, but saw nothing. Now we're about ten feet from the door, when we see three figures blocking our way back.

LP stood there, eyes wide. Stryke stood next to her, but another man held the gun to her head.

"Dad." I whispered.

Notes

O.O What will happen?!?!?!?!?!?!

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