Chapter 5:

Mystical and Majesty

Kevin ran over to Howie, unsure of what to do.

"Howie..Howie man c'mon wake up," said Kevin softly, gently shaking his bandmate. He felt for a pulse...a faint one but still there.

Brian, Nick, and A.J. were all huddled in the corner of the bathroom.

Nick was staring at Kevin with wide eyes.

"Is...is he going to be ok Kevin?" he asked, his voice shaking.

Kevin turned around, his eyes full of unknowingness.

"I...I dont know Nicky."

A.J. let out a strangeld sob. Brian quickly pulled him into a strong embrace.

Howie's body began to shake, convulse. His eyes opened and rolled back into his head and he started gasping for air.

Kevin was scared now. He was doing his best to try and hold Howie in place and not run over to the others and cry. NO! He had to be strong!

"Howie! Howie! Cmon man, don't DO this!" Kevin shouted even though he knew it wouldn't work.

A.J. was now on the floor with his knees to his chin. "No no no no no this can't be happening...no no no no."

Between gasps for air, Howie managed to say something. His voice was cut off by struggling for breath.

"Kevin.....Kevin.....please help m..me....it hurts so....so mu..much...Oh my God." All of a sudden, he stopped shaking and was completely still.

As the words were spoken Kevin could only hold Howie down, letting the tears fall from his eyes, not making a sound, but inside he wanted to take all the pain away.

As Howie said those last three words a deathly cold came into the room. The last words he had spoken, "Oh My God" sounded different. Not in pain, but in fear...

A fear none in the room could even begin to imagine, For Howie knew… Howie knew the truth.