Keri woke up early that morning, packing her stuff and getting ready to leave. She didn't know why exactly but she felt sad and depressed to know that she had to go back to New York... she didn't feel like it, even if it was home for her. Sometimes she had those kind of feelings...and it was getting on her nerves. When all her things were packed, she was dressed and ready to go, she went to the door and walked out to find Aj standing there, leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway.
"Hi!" he said.
"Hey...what are you doing here?" Keri said.
"I... I just wanted to see you before you leave.."
"How did you find out I am leaving?"
"Had a feeling.." he shrugged.
"O-kay.." she frowned. "For how long have you been standing there?" she asked, putting down her loggages and crossing her arms on her stomach.
"A couple of minutes.." he said, looking down at the floor.
"A couple of hours yeah." she laughed, seeing the bags under his eyes. He looked up but didn't reply. "Well...it's nice of you.."
"I just wanted to tell you that... that I'm sorry.."
"What for?"
"Lying... for the first time in my life I really feel guilty... I don't know why.. but I'm sorry.. it wasn't nice from me to do that.."
"It's okay Aj. You know I forgave you... you already apologized to me. And I have not been really fair with you either... We're okay now."
"I don't know. I keep thinking that you are leaving because of me.."
"I am not. Do not think that way. It's not your fault. " she told him sweetly.
"Ok... well I have something else to tell you.." he said, looking at her in the eyes. She waited for the rest of his words to come out, staring at him. Before they both could realized it, Aj was now a few inches from her. He leaned closer and pressed his lips sofly on hers. She didn't even pushed him away, not even felt a little shocked, she closed her eyes and let his tongue enter in her mouth as she kissed him back. Aj wrapped his arms around her waist and the two kissed for a while. Aj couldn't believe it was happening, his mind was all blurred; it was better than anything he had ever felt.
They finally broke away, their forehead touching as they stared at each other in silence.
"Do you really have to go?" Aj asked.
"I... I don't know... I don't know anymore..." Keri sighed, closing her eyes.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"Dude, I don't wanna get up.." Nick whined, shutting his eyes again. "I don't wanna leave."
"You have no choice I think.." Lexy smiled a little, shrugging.
"Yeah... or Kevin will kick my beautifull lil white ass.."
"Yeah right!" Lexy laughed out loud.
"What? You like it... don't deny it!" Nick sticked out his tongue.
"Yeah... I do. I wouldn't wanna see that cute lil white ass of yours getting
kicked... so... get up!" she giggled, pushing him and he fell from the bed.
"Hey!!!" he shouted. "Nasty girl! You'll regret that!!"
"Oh really?! And how will you do that?!" she asked, peeking from covers.
"Dunno... I'll have to think 'bout it!" he replied with a laugh, standing up and walking to the bathroom. "Oh I know.." he exclaimed with a cheesy grin. "I'll lock the door of the bathroom while I'm taking my shower..."
"Your loss.." she said, flashing him her sexy smile.
"Damn...that's right."
"Man, I have to go and see Keri... she said she was leaving today... Damn" she said standing up. She undressed fastly and Nick watched her with a smile as she put other clothes on. "What are you staring at?"
"Me?! Staring?! Never do that.." Nick faked a shocked face.
"See ya later!" Lexy laughed, blowing him a kiss and walked out of the room.
"Damn girl!" Nick snorted and walked in the bathroom.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * �~ * ~ *
*** During this time in San Diego ***
Ally layed uncouscious on the cold floor. Gaby glared at her for a moment, wishing she could do something but she had already tried everything she could. She knew Ally had been beaten up... the blood on her face had not appeared magically. Maybe even something worst had happened to her... things that Gaby had already lived... and Gaby couldn't bare with this horrible thoughts. She felt guilty, knowing that it was mostly her fault that things were this way right now; that Lylian was probably worried sick about her; that Ally was laying on floor, suffering; that her other friends on tour were maybe worried or angry.. or at least worried about Ally and angry at herself. She wipped off the tears from her face, stood up, and started banging loudly on the wooded door with all her strenght, screaming and yelling things. She knew that probably wasn't gonna change something... she knew she maybe was gonna get some bad consequences, but right now, that was all she could do.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Lylian stayed the whole a.m. in the police station, waiting for someone to tell her any news about what was going on. She was hearing people talking, but everything seemed blur... unreal... like no one was telling the same story. She kept asking question, but no one wanted to answer. She was now waiting in the office of Joshua Willington, alone, while Marcus was having lunch in a restaurant nearby. Lylian wasn't hungry, she couldn't even think about food, it was making her sick to her stomach. She started looking all around the room, since it was the only thing she could do right now. There were a couple of books on the little library behind the desk, some certificate hanging on the wall, some paper on the wooden desk... and a beige file on the side of it...written William Birk on it. Her attention immediatly caught by the name, Lylian extended her hands and took the file, after glancing at the door, making sure no one was coming in. She opened the file slowly and started reading the papers that it contained. The first ones were stuff that she already knew; her deposition and Marcus's... but after, something more interesting: place William had been see the last time, pictures, and evidence of an insider who had talked to him a few hours ago. Lylian stared at this sheet for a moment, reading everything carefully, and stormed out of the room, leaving the file opened on the desk.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** A while later ***
"Dude... I'm bored.." Nick moaned, leaning his head on the back on his seat.
"Nick, stop whining!" Kevin barked from the back of the bus. Lexy giggled, looking at Nick rolling his eyes.
"Yeah yeah...Yo dude..." Nick suddently turned around, looking at Deryck. "DUDE!!" he shouted, seeing that Deryck wasn't responding.
"What?" Deryck asked, jumping.
"Did you get any news from Lylian??"
"Yeah..she called yesterday.." he replied, not looking at Nick but at the landscape moving fastly through the window.
"And?!? What did she say?"
"Nothing.." he shrugged. "She talked with the cops and stuff... nothin new.."
"That sucks.." Nick groaned turning back around.
"Yeah.." he sighed.
"Where is Aj at?!" Brian asked, not speaking too loud 'cause Mary was sleeping beside him.
"Other bus.." Nick answered. "He was running late.."
"He was with Keri...that's why.." Lexy laughed.
"What do you mean he was with Keri? Didn't she leave?" Brian frowned.
"Well... she was suppose too... but I found the two wrapped in each other's arms in the hallways as I was going to her bedroom this morning..." Lexy grinned. "She's in the bus with Aj right now.."
"Oooh... that's why Kev is all grumpy..." Brian snorted.
"Or Vickie didn't give him some last night.." Nick said, cracking up at his own joke. Lexy smacked him lightly on the arm. "I'm a beaten up boy...help.." he joked.
"Well, well... Aj must be happy now.." Brian smiled.
"Yeah... you should have seen the smile he had on his face... it was huge!!" Lexy giggled.
"It was about time she realized how much he cared for her though... the boy was going totally insane, believe me!" Brian shook his head no.
"I believe you!" Lexy smiled. "Well, if it can work out... it'd be great. It's been a while Keri hasn't been with someone seriously..."
"I find it hard to believe.." Brian smirked.
"Yeah well, that's just the way she is!" Lexy shrugged.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"Aj finally made his move?!" Michelle grinned at Howie.
"I guess.." Howie smiled, watching the two others sleeping, Keri leaning on Aj's shoulder and Aj's head leaning on hers. "They're cute together.."
"Yeah... she's nice!" Michelle said, looking at the others in the bus. "You alright Amanda!?"
"Huh?!" this one replied turning around.
"You okay?" Michelle repeated, a look of concern on her face. Her usual coloured and happy face was now white and bags under her eyes showing her past nights with insomnia.
"Huh... yeah." she shrugged.
"You worried?!" Howie asked.
"How the hell can't you be?" she suddently bursted. "You're all acting as if nothing was going on.. Hello?!? Anybody a lil concerned about what is happening?" she shouted, waking up everyone that was sleeping. "I don't know if you realized but two of your friends might be lying dead somewhere around the country because of a damn freak and the cops can't do a fucking thing about it!!!" she exclaimed, tears falling down her cheeks slowly. The others all stared at her with sorry looks, not saying a thing.
"Don't get upset Amanda... as soon as they'll have news, they'll tell us.." Howie said, trying to calm her down.
"Yeah well it's been two hell of days now and they haven't made a damn move so they better hurry their asses 'cause I'll go down there and get them myself!!" she cried, crossing her arms on her stomach and looking back through the window.
Howie and Aj's eyes met, both with sorry and helpless look. They couldn't anything... they couldn't force things to happen. They were worried, but they were trying to forget a little about what was happening to they could go on without too much bad thoughts running through their heads. It was true Aj had forgotten during a while what was going on 'cause he was too high since that morning. He was feeling on cloud nine right now, feeling Keri's hair brushing softly his face. She had not been waken up by Amanda's shouts. Aj softly stroke her arm and took her hand into his. She had scared him... unsure of what she should do...follow him for a lil while or go back in New York. He had not pushed her to come with him... just told her how he felt and that he thought they could have something special together... she had agreed... and decided she would never know if she didn't give it a try... so there she was now, leaning against him, giving him his chance.
"Are we arrived yet?!" she mumbled, opening her eyes really slowly.
"Not yet... go back to sleep.." he smiled, kissing her on the forehead. She leaned her head back on him and shut her eyes again. Aj smiled to himself and watched the mountains passing by.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** A couple of minutes later ***
"You okay?" Mary asked, feeling Brian suddently tense beside her.
"Huh?"
"You okay baby??" she repeated.
"Huh... " he answered, looking straight in front of him.
"Hello??!?!?" she waved an hand in front of his eyes. "Are you alright? You're scaring me Brian.."
"Yo Rok!! What's wrong???" Nick turned to look at him. He stared at him for a moment, not used to see his friend in a transe like that. Brian was gazing straight in front of him, not an emotion showing on his face. He was just... lost somewhere in his head. "BRIAN LITTRELL!!" Nick shouted, but Brian didn't even moved.
"What the hell is wrong with him???" Mary asked, a worried look on her face.
"I have not a damn idea... it's really weird!!!" Nick exclaimed. "He's like... totally high or something.."
"He's not high! What the hell are you saying?"
"Well look at him! He looks high!!"
"He's not!! Brian?? Brian you okay????" Mary said, shaking him lightly. Brian suddently came back from whatever planet he was on, and turned slowly to look at his girlfriend. "What's wrong baby?? What was that?"
"Something happened.."
"What??? What happened?? What are you talking about??" Mary asked, starting to freak out.
"I dunno...but something happened.." Brian answered, slowly.
"Who?? What?? Damnit Brian you're scaring the shit out of me!" Mary exclaimed.
"Yo Rok... you sure you're okay?" Nick asked, feeling worried for his friend too, and starting to be scared.
"I'm alright... " he nodded, shaking his head. "That was weird.."
"What are you talking about? What happened? With who??? Are you talking about Gaby and Lylian??"
"I think... " Brian shrugged. "I'm mixed up... but I feel like something happened.."
"Like what?" Deryck suddently demanded. "They found them??"
"I... I think so... they found them and...I think they are okay..just something happened... but no one is dead or anything...just ... someone is hurt.." Brian frowned. "That's whack.."
"For real!" Nick nodded. "Did you smoke a tree before we leave or what?"
"Shut up Nick!" Mary snapped. "You okay baby?" she turned to Brian.
"Yeah...just...really tired suddently.." he yawned.
"Well sleep... we still have an hour or so to ride... take a nap.." she replied, motionning to him to lay his head on her shoulder.
"Okay.." he did that and fell asleep almost immediatly.
"What the hell was that about??" Deryck asked.
"I have no damn idea but it's fucking scary!" Nick replied. "I hope what he did was true...and that everyone is okay... "
"I hope Lylian is alright...and didn't do anything stupid.." Deryck sighed.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In San Diego ***
Lylian stared at the high old building standing up in front of her. She had been there for a debating whether to go or not.. Her heart was beanting fast, her mind was all blur; she was scared. She looked all around, only to realize that whatever would happen, no one would come to help her... 'cause there was just nothing around; couple of lost buildings. She wached the grey clouds moving slowly in the sky and took a deep breath. "I have nothing to lose..". With that, she started walking toward the half demolished building. Since it seemed abandoned, the doors and windows were all blocked with wood boards. She couldn't find a way to go inside from the front so she walked around the building, trying to find a space to get in. When she arrived at the backyard, she saw the entrance of a back door that was open so she almost ran to it and slid inside. It was really dark because of all the closed windows. She walked slowly, trying not to make too much noise. "Damn you are stupid.." she thought, suddently really scared. "Come here alone by yourself... damn you're stupid!"
The floor was cracking weakly under her weight as she made her way through a dark hallway. There wasn't any noise so she started to think she was alone and in the wrong building. She continued on her way, just to make sure she had not made the wrong choice. Everything was quiet and it really seemed abandoned... until a loud noise suddently exploded in the silent house. Surprised and scared, Lylian jumped and let out a little shried before to hide behind a sort of wooden library. She took deep breaths, her hand on her chest where her heart was ponding so hard she thought it might get out. She took some seconds to just realize what had happened and tried her best to focus on the noise. It was like a banging... someone was banging and screaming and it seemed to be on top of her...on the other floor. Without another thought, Lylian ran in the hallways and rooms, following the noise. She ended up on the second floor, in front of a large brown door. She hesitated for a moment, 'cause the banging stopped.
"Hello?" she asked softly, walking really slowly toward the door, unsure if she should open up or not. This was a lost building... maybe there was just some teenagers squatting the place.. "Someone in there??" .. since there was no response, Lylian walked closer. "Gaby??? Are you in there???" she asked, tears stinging her eyes.
"Who's there?" a weak voice replied.
"Gaby??? Is that you??? It's me ... Lylian!!" this one shouted, running to the door handful and doing all she could to turn it, but it was locked. "Gaby!!! Please answer me!!"
"Lily???" the weak voice asked again.
"Yes!!! The fucking door is locked!!!" she yelled, banging and pushing on it so it would open.
"Lily...you have to leave, he'll be there soon!!"
"I'm not leaving this damn building without you... get out of the way..." Lylian said, walking away from the door, staring at it.
"Lylian you'll hurt yourself..."
"I don't give a damn... get out of the way.." she repeated. She breathed in and out a couple of time and finally ran to the door, hitting it really hard with her left shoulder and then her whole body. Surprisingly, it broke the lock and the door opened fastly, revealing two fragile bodies; Gaby, leaning against the wall at her left, her face dirty and clothes ripped, bruises over her arm and her face; and Ally, lying on the floor, her eyes half opened, moaning because her whole body was hurting, tears running down her face. "Oh my God!!! You okay???" Lylian asked, running to her friend and hugging her tight. She was really hurt, she couldn't even feel her shoulder and arm, but with all the adrenaline, she wasn't feeling anything anyways.
"I'm so sorry.." Gaby cried, not wanting to let her friend go.
"It's okay... now we have to leave.." Lylian said, looking at Ally on the floor. "We have to find a way to get out fast.."
"Don't leave me here.." Ally whispered, half conscious of what was happening.
"We won't leave you here Ally... " Lylian replied, trying to think as fast as she could. "We need to take her out with us... help me.." she told Gaby. They both went on each sides of Ally and put and arm under her shoulders.
"Well look who joined us.." a voice suddently said.
The three girls all jumped and looked up to see William standing there, his usual evil smirk plastred on his face.
"Well well...ain't that cute... the little dancer coming all her way over here and try to save her friend... oouu... touching.." he faked wipping a tear from his eye. "You shouldn't have bother... anyways, you won't go anywhere.."
"Go to hell!" she snapped. "You sequestered them enough... let them go!!"
"Yeah right like I'm gonna let them go like that!" he laughed but his smile faded away after a few seconds. "Now you two... you let her on the floor!" he told Gaby and Lylian to release Ally.
"No... you get out and let us go!!!" Lylian yelled.
"Yeah yeah... heard that!" he rolled his eyes and took out the gun that was hiding under his coat. "Now... I repeat. you let her on the floor.." he said again, pointing the gun at Lylian, and then at Gaby.
He stared at them for what seemed hours and both didn't say anything, didn't move, didn't even breath, too scared to get shot; 'cause they knew he wouldn't mind using the gun.
"Oh I love so much to see that look on people's faces.." he sniggered. Seeing that they were not budging, he held the gun higher and shot one time, on Lylian's left, what made the two girl shriek. Next thing Lylian heard was another gun shot, and a few seconds later, passed out on the floor.
