LP’s POV

The boys were about to go on right now and I was sitting side stage. I found myself having minor panic attacks anyone came to come and speak to me. There were at least five police officers standing around me in the evening light.

I heard throughout whispers in the crowd that were overpowered by the scream for the band. I heard that they wondered why there were at least twenty cops around the perimeter.

Only we knew.

I held the clipboard with the set list against my side, watching Alan, Austin, Tino, Phil, and Aaron start bouncing onto the stage. This was the first stop of the tour, so I hoped all would go well.

Their first song was The Flood that started mosh pits and got the crowd pumped up. I watched Austin, then went to Alan. Both boys glanced over to me occasionally, making sure I was okay.

Even from here, Austin didn’t seem into it as usual. The crowd didn’t detect it, but I read his body movements closely. He always stayed on the left stage, the side where I was. Alan followed and stayed close to Tino’s set, always looking towards me.

Three songs into it, I got a phone call.

My phone vibrated. If I had put it on anything but vibration, I wouldn’t be able to detect the call since the amps were so loud.

The name on the screen was Rae. My heart leaped into my throat. This could only be bad. Rae knew that Austin was going on at this time and she only called when they were all done.

I could feel my husband watch me leave as I turned and walked to find a quiet spot. A security guard followed me, just to be sure.

“Hello?” I asked as soon as I got a decent distance away.

“LP!” The name answered back. It must’ve been late at night there. Why the midnight call?

“What’s up?” I asked curiously. The Great Hendowski started behind me and I covered one ear to hear clearly.

“Ryker came by the house and said we were in danger.” Rae gasped. Some shuffling came through the phone. What would Ryker be doing with my sister?

“Ryker, the guy who shot Dad?”

“Yeah! Well, long story short, James is coming after you and will try to get past the perimeter. Ryker says that James won’t get past the security, but I’m warning you that he’s nearby and going to try to enter at some point during the show.” Rae panicked and rushed through the words. I had to take a moment to process them.

James was here and he was going to kill me. At least, he would try.

“What else did Ryker tell you?” I asked her quickly. Some other security guards came up.

“If he doesn’t get to you, he’s going to turn around and come after me. The thing is, he’s got Hex on his side! LP, you have to get out of there as soon as the concert ends. Tell the officers what I told you.” Rae bid me to do. I nodded, my throat choked up.

“Look, I have to go. Tell Austin I’m taking the kids and getting out of the house for a while. Ryker is taking us to a safer location where we’ll be for a few days until James and Hex lose interest. I got to go. Stay safe, Lily-Pearl.” Rae clicked off. I shut the phone down and slid it into my pocket.

My entire body went numb. No, this couldn’t be happening.

The security guards wondered what the matter was and I relayed what Rae told me. All I said that James was here or going to be here soon. The four guards surrounded me and chattered back and forth on their phones to the police around the perimeter.

We went back to the side stage, where Alan tilted his head while playing the guitar. It was a silent question to ask if I was okay. I didn’t respond, but the five guards around me were enough of an answer.

I could only hear the raging thuds of the drum that mingled with Austin’s vocals. I knew that this was the second to last song. As Austin and the band finished up this piece, they took a quick break. I checked the set list. This small break wasn’t on the program!

“Okay everyone, I have a small announcement to make. This is directed to a certain someone out there right now.” Austin started. The guards went into a frenzy as something went through a radio.

“Eastern gate! Spotting on the eastern gate!” The mic announced.

“Two adult males. One blonde hair silver eyes, the other black hair and a grey zip jacket.” Someone else’s voice crackled. I started to panic a little. I looked to Alan, who’s eyes just filled with worry.

“Miss Ashby, we need to get you to a safer location.” A police officer tapped me on the shoulder. I nodded, but a hand caught my shoulder.

It was Alan. He had run off stage in the middle of Austin’s announcement. I could still here the tall man’s voice trail to me.

“James, we know you’re out there and if you want her, you’ll have to go through us!” Austin’s voice boomed. The crowd both cheered and shuffled in confusion.

“Where are you going?” He asked quickly. They still had one more song to play. It was Feels like Forever.

“To a safer place. Get on the bus as soon as you’re done. We need to get out of here quickly. I’ll explain later.” I told him quickly. The ginger nodded, gave me a quick hug and kissed me softly, not willing to let me go.

“He’s going down the north edge! We had them cornered and now they’re moving away from the fence!” Someone called into the radio. I walked quickly with the guards to a room where it was closed and secluded.

I sure hoped the others were okay.

Notes

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, guys! I had to finish up some other stories and I'll now be posting more frequently!