My mind travels back to four years ago. My dad was shot by a devil, a pure demon that walked this earth. Pain consumes me as my trauma unfolds again right before my eyes. I feel like I'm reliving the time we got that phone call, which made me drop down onto my knees and wish to never get back up.
My hands shake as I grip my chest. I’m not my dad. I will not die. I can’t break down here, not after everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’m in the same position as how my dad lost his life. The difference is, I know mine will be spared. My hair blows in my face as I cough. A wheeze escapes my throat as my chest burns.
The once-peaceful arena around me is now a zoo. I hear distinct wails from all directions that shake my bones. My cries squeeze my chest as I glance up at the stage and find the triplets gone. Worry fills the pit of my stomach. Whoever shot the gun was trying to kill them. I can clearly see the gunshot hole in Amelia’s drum.
Oh God, please no.
Hands grip both of my forearms roughly. I stiffen from the unknown body behind me. I’m too young to die. I beg God to spare me. I’ve finally found happiness. I beg him to understand that I no longer want to leave this world.
I know, God, you heard me beg you on my awful nights to take me, that I didn’t want to see the sunrise again. But I do now.
I’m almost truly healed. Please spare me.
“Ma’am, I need to get you to safety,” a male’s voice roars from above me.
From the darkness that surrounds us, I see his security badge on his chest. I let him pull my body up. He shields me as we run to the backstage door.
Thank God.
I can’t think about anything. The only thing I can concentrate on is the way the gun sounded before I lay on the cold, hard floor.
Once I enter the backstage area, I find Mom pacing with tears streaming down her face. My own watery gaze meets hers. Letting out a relieved cry, she runs up to me.
“Thank God you’re okay!” She pulls me into her body and cries into my shoulder hysterically. “I tried to wait for you out there, but they wouldn’t let me! I promise I didn’t leave you, sweetie.”
I’m shocked. All I can do is stare straight ahead of me. My body is stiff and feels unfamiliar. Pulling away, she assesses my body from head to toe.
“You’re okay, right? Do we need a doctor?” She cries. Her eyes wide with worry.
Not being able to form any words, I shake my head. Other than feeling absolutely terrified, I’m fine. I probably got some whiplash from the push and landing on the floor, but nothing too serious, so I don’t mention anything. Knowing she’s perfectly fine, I watch the team panic around me. People run around, yelling, while others carry supplies. People still scream outside as cops arrive. Several paramedics enter the arena as they take away the injured.
My heart speeds up at a concerning rate when I see Athena walking through the crowd. “Are Leonidas, Elijah, and Amelia okay?” I rasp when she walks over to me.
Are they hurt? God, I would be destroyed if anything happened to the three of them.
They don’t deserve this. First, a bad label, and now, a shooter at their first concert, which meant so much to them. Athena’s body looks weak. Tears still trail down her face as we stand off to the side.
“They’re not hurt, just shaken up.” Her wide eyes are nervously looking around the jam-packed backstage area.
“The police have the shooters arrested. They killed no one. We only have injuries, which aren’t life-threatening,” a police officer informs a worker beside me. He sticks his hands in his pockets. “The building is safe. Make sure you announce on the intercoms to all the remaining bystanders that care by the paramedics will be given out to people who are scared. Now, if you’ll direct me to the security cameras to gather evidence, that would be great.” His voice lowers, the farther he walks in the opposite direction.
The only thing I want right now is to see Leonidas. I need to know he’s all right. “Please take me to Leonidas,” I croak out and clasp Athena’s hand. “I need to see him.”
Understanding clouds her vision as she guides me away from this crowded mess that’s only causing me anxiety. The hallways that Athena first dropped me off at are dead quiet. Not a single soul is lingering in the halls. I walk toward the door I know he’s behind. I don’t glance if Athena and Mom are behind me as I open the door.
I need to be alone with him.
I nearly crumple at the sight of him in the corner of his room. He’s slouched on the floor with his head in his hands. His chest heaves from his short, panicked breaths. I step toward him slowly, not wanting to scare him. I look behind me and find the room empty with the door closed.
Amelia and Elijah aren’t in here. They must be okay, right?
“Leonidas?” I whisper, making sure my voice is soft.
I halt my steps when he glances up at me quickly. With a face full of distress, he jumps up. He strides over to me, and his sweaty body slams into mine. My body almost tumbles to the ground, but his arms around my waist prevent that.
“They wouldn’t let me see you. They said it was dangerous. I told them you weren’t a danger to me, but they didn’t care,” he stammers, pained.
His fingers dig into my hips painfully, yet I don’t admit that. Not when he looks so fragile.
