Affairs of Death (PART III of Death)
Story by Daisy

Death is a shadow that veils you like a peaceful sleep...or a nightmare.

Chapter Two

          “Oh,” Brian sighed, and dropped onto the welcoming couch. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, his mind still racing from a full day at the library. His search had been tedious…and also seemed pointless. He had come up with nothing but numerous articles on Kevin’s and Howie’s deaths. And those had only brought more tears to his eyes and pain to his heart.

          A cool hand slid across Brian’s forehead. His shoulders relaxed as the long, smooth fingers began to gently massage his temples. He let Leighanne’s fingers work their magic before reaching up and grabbing her hand in his own. He opened his eyes and stared deeply into hers.

          “Baby,” was all that Leighanne said, pulling him to her and holding him close while he cried. She smoothed his hair and whispered into his ear, telling him that soon everything would be over and back to normal. And as much as Brian wanted to believe those wonderful words, he knew deep in the back of his mind that this would never end until the killer was caught.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

          Ebony flipped idly through a magazine, her mind elsewhere. Eventually she slammed it shut and smiled to herself, remembering the way that Kevin had died. Oh that was wonderful! She thought, clapping a few times in the silent room. She remembered just how stunning Howie had looked with the back of his throat pinned into the wall behind him.

          “Ah,” she sighed. “That was great.” She shook her head as if they were fond memories. She inhaled deeply. Her mind began to race with all of the ways that she could snuff Brian. Her stomach began to do small summersaults. She couldn’t wait.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

          “So how are you Brian?” Nick asked his friend, throwing his arm around his shoulders in a brotherly way. Brian sighed deeply and shook his head.

          “Not so good, I gotta say.” Brian’s face was slightly paled from sickness. His skin drooped as if he were an old man. His eyes were sunken into the purplish-blue bags that hung under them. He looked terrible. He ran a hand through his hair and turned towards Nick. “Do you think they’ll ever find who did this?”

          Nick looked down. Deep in his heart he didn’t think they could. But just by looking at the expression on his best friend’s face, he could tell that the time called for a little white lie.

          “Sure they will!” Nick said, sounding a little too confident. “Most cases are usually solved.”

          “But that’s just it.” Brian said. “I did my research and it says that most cases aren’t solved. You know, like Unsolved Mysteries on TV.” He shook his head sadly. “I hope they find the bastard that did this to Kevin and Howie.” Nick nodded in agreement.

          “Come on, Rok.” Nick said, leading Brian by the shoulders. “Let’s go get something to eat alright?”

          Brian allowed himself to be led out of the room and into Nick’s car. He strapped himself in the seat automatically and waited for Nick to take him away. Away from all of the pain. Away from all of the anger….Away from all of the fear.

          Brian had formed a small theory in his mind, but had no way to prove that it wasn’t just coincidence. Whoever had killed Kevin and Howie had started in the age of the Backstreet Boys, starting from oldest to youngest. And according to his theory, Brian was next on the list.

          The sudden thought made Brian’s entire body tense up with uncertainty. For all he knew, the murderer could be following behind him and Nick. Hell, it could even be Nick! Brian’s head swiveled in Nick’s direction. He stared hard at the profile of his long-time friend, searching for any kind of sign.

          “Why are you looking at me like that, Rok?” Nick asked, peering questioningly at Brian. Brian’s eyes went wide momentarily. He shook the crazy thought from his mind.

          “No reason,” he said, his voice slightly strained. He turned to look out the window, hoping to look nonchalant. The wheels in Brian’s mind were doing overtime.

          What if it is Nick? It could be AJ too! Or anyone in this world! He stared out the window at the woman in the car next to him. It could be her for all I know! When Brian’s eyes met the woman’s, he turned away nervously, suddenly paranoid of everybody.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

          What are Brian and Nick doing? Ebony wondered, staring at the car next to her. She was just about to switch into the lane behind them so she could follow them when Brian’s eyes suddenly met hers. She was instantly surprised by the direct eye contact. She stared deep into his deep blue eyes and saw something in them that she loved most in the world.

          Fear.

Chapter Three
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