Diamond, NYC
23/01/2016 21:10pm
Abbie POV

I was hovering round outside, so much so that people walking by were staring. Should I walk inside and seal my fate? I had seen these people kill a man the other day, watched them take a life without a care in the world. I had gone home the other day and cried as quietly as possible so as not to alert Kellin or Vic.

Luckily or unluckily, Kellin had come down with the flu so he wouldn't be joining me tonight despite his best efforts. Vic was adamant that he stayed at home to get better. I still had the unfortunate luck of being here though.

"Hey, are you all right?" Someone asked.

I looked round to see a girl walking over. She must have noticed my blatant stalling. She was accompanied by three guys. Lucky girl. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a band t-shirt along with combat boots.

"Yeah, sorry, just zoning out. Nerves, I guess." I murmured.

"Oh, are you the new singer?" One of the guys asked. He was short with long, black hair and dressed in black jeans and a hoodie.

"Yeah, that's me. How can you tell?" I smiled.

"I'm distinctly good at these things. Call it a sixth sense, if you will." He grinned.

"She has guitar on her back. That seems more obvious, doesn't it." The guy next to him said. He was a little taller with brown hair that was swept to the side. He was wearing skinnie jeans and a jacket.

"Yeah, thanks for that." The other guy pouted.

"Listen to us rambling on," The girl laughed then. "I'm Annaliese. This is Dani, Nikki and Ringo."

"Nice to meet you all." I said, glancing at them all. They seemed nice enough. Did they know what was happening in this club?

I trailed in after them, listening to Dani chatter away. He was very enthusiastic. I glanced around, hoping I wouldn't see Andy. By this point, I was terrified of him. The others went to the bar and I was greeted by another guy. He was tall and thin with black hair that was slightly spiked at the back.

"You must Abbie," He held out a hand. "I'm Jinxx."

I smiled and accepted his hand. He motioned for me to follow and I got to look at the club properly for the first time. Without people in it had seemed a little dull, but there were groups of people filling up the tables. They all looked quite alternative. My stomach lurched when I thought of all these innocent people, not knowing what had transpired here the other day.

I got side-stage and saw another guy strumming a guitar and singing about his broken heart. I glanced at Jinxx and he grimaced. The guy finished his set and the audience politely clapped. Slow, indie music wasn't really my thing. The guy bowed and waved, then departed. Jinxx slid past me and onto the stage.

"That was Ed, give him a big round of applause," Jinxx said, and people clapped a little harder. "Anyway, we have a newbie tonight. Everyone go wild for Abbie."

I stepped into the bright lights, clutching Lucky and blinking against the glow. Jinxx stepped back, clapping. A few others did the same. I perched on the chair and for a moment I was numb with nerves.

"Yay, go Abbie." Annaliese had stood and was waving.

"Give this shit-hole a show." Dani cheered.

He was quickly reprimanded by Ashley, who was laughing. Nikki waved too and Ringo held up his drink to me. I nodded and started strumming, smiling as I did so. I played a couple of my own songs. They were quite lively and I nodded my head to the music. I finished my second song and people were clapping a bit and nodding, appreciatively. I must be doing something right.

I lifted my head to smile and my eyes widened. Andy was sitting next to Annaliese. He was watching me and I was suddenly numb with shock. How long had he been there? I shuffled, but carried on with my third song. My hands shook a little more than they should have done. As my set went on, I felt a bit more comfortable and my half hour sped by. Jinxx was next to me and was clapping.

"That was awesome. Give a big cheer for Abbie." He smiled, and I stood, bowing, rather clumsily.

The crowd cheered quite loudly, but I think that was Annaliese and her friends. Nikki had stood and was clapping too. I blushed and glanced over. Ashley was clapping and nudging Andy. Andy was clapping, but his eyes were trained on me. I rushed out a thanks and made a retreat from the stage.

I felt proud, if a little scared. CC rushed over and hugged me. He practically picked me up and spun me round.

"That was great, Abbie," He beamed. "Let me get you a celebratory drink."

Anything would do so long as I didn't have to deal with Andy. CC dragged me over. Annaliese was deep in conversation with Andy and her features were stern. They stopped talking when I appeared.

"Ashley, pour us your best sambuca." CC grinned.

"Me too. Can mine be on the house as well?" Dani grinned.

"No, you can pay like a normal person." Ashley shot back, pulling out two shot glasses.

He poured the drink and handed me a glass. I sighed and downed the drink, wincing as it burned the back of my throat. I really wanted to get out of here. CC slung his arm round Ringo and tried to force him to down a shot. Dani and Nikki watched, laughing.

Andy walked towards me and I prepared myself for the worst. He sighed and looked humble for once.

"That was a really good set." He said.

"Thanks. What did you do with the, um?" I couldn't say body.

"We disposed of him and that's all you need to know." He replied, stony exterior back up.

"Am I next to be disposed of?" I asked.

"No, just so long as you don't go to the cops then everything will be fine. Think about it, Abbie. You have friends here and everyone likes you." He said, locking eyes with me.

"Even you?" I whispered.

He smiled then and analysed me with those bright eyes. I suddenly felt so impulsive asking all these questions. I guessed the alcohol was starting to take effect.

"Yeah, I like you." He said.

"He's fucking in love with you." CC bounded over.

"CC, go away," Andy snapped, then his eyes went to CC's top. "You're covered in vodka."

"Some body didn't want my drink." He pouted, glaring at Ringo.

"No, I don't want you forcing things down my throat." He shot back.

"Ooh you dirty boy." CC laughed, hugging his friend.

Andy watched and shook his head, smiling. He glanced at me and walked by, patting my shoulder.

"Welcome to the family."

"Thanks." I murmured.


*********************

GreenView Heights
24/01/2016 09:35am
Kacee POV

I had decided to rise early this morning because last night I'd ate two tubs of Ben and Jerry's, then had a long, sorrowful bath. Kind of like a regular bath, only with more sorrow. I'd then dragged myself to bed and fallen asleep very quickly. I'd just left my bedroom and started picking up my empty tubs of ice-cream, lobbing them in the trash.

I wandered over to my phone and tapped the button when I noticed the flashing symbol indicating a new message. I debated on whether to hear it. Most likely it was Mum calling to apologise for Dad, like she always did and would continue to do. I pressed the button.

"Hello darling," Yep, it was Mum. "I'm so sorry about your father. You know how he gets. I would love if you came to the gala. Bring your new boy-um- friend with you if you like. If anything it'll wind your father up and shut him up."

The message finished and I was left staring at the phone, feeling like my heart was hurting. John had made it perfectly clear he didn't want to associate with a congressman's daughter last night. I got up and went to the kitchen and grabbed a bowl and poured a small helping of cereal. I sat and ate in silence. A noise made me stop chewing.

I could hear a door opening and then I was met with an unusual silence. Normally, if it was Terrance, I'd hear the faint squeak of his walker. I'd hear Jodie's shopping trolley if it were her. I'd normally hear the couple next door laughing and joking as they passed. Someone had gone by so quietly that it unnerved me.

I continued chewing, deciding that I was being paranoid. My mind went back to the guns in John's appartment. They had been sleek and stylish. They really didn't look like something you went to hunt deer or rabbit with. A shiver ran down my spine and for some reason I felt unsafe.

Pushing that feeling down, I finished my food and got up, setting my bowl in the sink. I trudged to the bedroom and put on some jeans and an old jumper. I brushed my teeth and combed out my hair. I found my glasses on the bedside table and shoved them on. Time ticked by and I decided I really wanted a Starbucks. That feeling was still ebbing at my mind, but I ignored it.

My converse were by the door so I slipped them on and grabbed my bag. I unlocked my door and peeked out into the hallway. I was met by silence and it still unnerved me. It felt like something was waiting in the shadows for me. I ignored the feeling and opened the door fully, shutting my door. It clicked shut and I locked it. I was suddenly struck by how loud those two sounds were.

Something was behind me. That feeling was a constant now and I bit my lip. Did I dare turn around to face the unimaginable horror that was behind me. I decided to scream and I parted my lips, sucking in air, but the scream never happened. A rag covered my mouth and I ended up inhaling that instead.

I fought and struggled against my assailant. The hand never moved and my body started to sway. My eyes began to close and I realised, with horror, that I'd just been drugged by someone. My vision blurred and I was slightly aware of my glasses sliding forward and landing on the floor.

In the seconds that followed, my entire world went black.

Notes