Vermilion

Emily Harwood sat nervously on the plush neon green chair in Mr. Young’s office at 1834 W. Mill Street in Sunrise, Iowa. He was the CEO of Stardust Records, an up-and-coming recording studio in the middle of nowhere. Emily was a forty-one-year-old mother of two, recently divorced, wanting to restart her life with just her and her sons.

“I believe we have everything in place. Your old job gave you an outstanding recommendation,” Mr. Young said as he glanced over the paperwork again.

“Thank you, sir,” Emily replied with a nervous sigh.

“I know it’s odd to hire someone with your experience to babysit a group of misfit rock stars, but I need to make sure I am making the proper investments,” Mr. Yong mentioned with a sympathetic nod. “What do you know about Vermilion?”

“The color?” Emily asked innocently, and an amused smile spread over Mr. Young’s face.

“No, Ms. Harwood, the band.” Mr. Young looked at a golden record on the wall. “They came onto the scene out of nowhere and dominated the charts. I’m surprised someone with your background does not know who the band is.”

Emily blushed and pushed a strand of blonde hair from her face. “My sons listen to them, but I never sat down to assess their talent.”

Mr. Young nodded. “I understand. You are not the talent agent, just the person making sure my money is well spent.” He reached into his desk, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to Emily. “Here is a ticket to tonight’s show. I suggest you come and listen. Meet me backstage once the show has ended so you can meet the boys.”

“Thank you,” Emily stuttered as she took the paper from Mr. Young.

Looking at the sheet, she noticed it wasn’t an average ticket. It was a list of instructions of where she needed to go before the show, what she was to do to get in, and in bold letters at the bottom of the page, how she was to dress.

Arrive at Sunrise Theater at 7 o’clock.

Hand this paper to the gentlemen behind the glass. He will call for your escort, Nadia.

— Please arrive in jeans, tennis shoes, and a T-shirt. —

Be comfortable but do not try to stand out from the crowd.

Enjoy the show.

“Are the instructions easy to follow?” Mr. Young asked softly as he watched Emily’s blue eyes skim the page.

She nodded, agreeing. “I’m sure one of my boys has a t-shirt I can borrow for tonight.”

“Good, good. Because of what is required with this job, I will need you to dress the part. I suggest you speak with Nadia, our costume manager.” Mr. Young motioned to the pinstriped slacks and cream-colored silk blouse Emily was wearing for her entrance interview. “I’m not saying you don’t look nice, but we have a reputation to live up to, and even our roadies are put under a strict dress code.”

“Thank you, sir.” Emily stood from her chair and reached out her hand, hoping Mr. Young would be kind enough to seal their deal with a handshake. She heaved a heavy sigh as he stood and took her hand, firmly shaking it.

“Welcome to Stardust, kid,” Mr. Young said with a Cheshire grin.

Emily left Stardust Records with hurried steps, got behind the wheel of her rundown Ford Fiesta, and drove the three miles to the Manhattan Inn. The inn was only temporary housing. Two rooms with a kitchen and living space sounded ideal when she made the arrangements a week earlier. However, she quickly learned that the Manhattan Inn had two disturbing amenities upon arrival. One was the forest green shag carpeting, and the other was the stench of an open sewage system. However, it was all she could afford as money was thin, and she didn’t want to leave a trail.

“How did it go?” Todd, the oldest of her two teenage sons, asked as soon as she walked through the door and tossed her keys on the table next to the dirty window.

“Well, it’s all set. I will go on tour with Vermilion and assess the spending for the recording label.” Emily sighed as she took her shoes off and sat on the hard floor beside her son.

“Vermilion? Mom, you said it was for some new band, but you didn’t mention it was Vermilion. You will rub elbows with Chance Pennington and Justin Locke.” Todd’s eyes were the size of saucers, his hands clenching his gaming console.

“I have heard little from them, so I’m not as enamored as you are. However, I need to borrow one of your shirts. I have to go to the concert tonight.” Emily held up the letter with the instructions listed.

“Do we get to go?” Todd asked excitedly.

“Not this time, buddy, but I promise you will see them at least once on this tour.” Emily winked as she placed her arm over her son’s shoulder and pulled him in for a tight squeeze. “Where’s Andy?”

“Sleeping still,” Todd answered as he pulled away from his mother’s grasp.

“It’s noon. How can Andy still be sleeping?” Emily huffed as she pushed herself to her feet and walked the half-dozen steps across the living room to the boy’s room door.

She slowly opened the door and saw her son sprawled over the bed, his blonde hair sticking up in several places and a trail of drool running down the right side of his mouth. She let out an amused giggle and shut the door.

“He didn’t sleep well last night. I heard him whimpering again,” Todd said when Emily sat beside him.

“You think it was the nightmares?” Emily asked her son hesitantly. She didn’t want to mention the event that had led them to leave their home a week earlier.

“Mom, he saw what he said he saw. I know Andy. He doesn’t lie. Why didn’t we go to the police?” Todd narrowed his eyes at his mother, but his voice did not question her judgment.

“I know he doesn’t lie, but the police would have been no help. It was easier to leave,” Emily explained as logically as she could.

Leaving their home had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and what her son had witnessed was a horrific accident, but she couldn’t make up for it. Andy had only told Todd about the full extent of the situation. Knowing the parties involved, Emily knew the only way to keep the three of them safe was to leave.

“You say that, but I don’t think you believe it.” Todd pressed his lips together and returned his attention to the small gaming console in his hand.

Emily watched him briefly before starting lunch for her and the boys. While cooking on the tiny stove was not ideal, she knew it brought some of the warmth of their home into their lives. Todd was a junior in high school, while Andy was fourteen and starting his first year. She had called their grandparents on a burner phone from the road, asking if they could take them in until everything blew over. They had graciously agreed, excited to spend an extended vacation with the boys. Emily would be on the move with the band keeping her location secret, and even if the parties found out about it, she would be gone before they could step foot near her. She had complete faith in their grandparents. Edward would assume she was traveling with Andy and Todd, and as long as she kept moving, he would not learn otherwise.

“Mom?” Emily heard her son speaking but was still locked inside her memory. She shook her head a few times and glanced to her right to find a disheveled Andy beside her.

“Hey, honey.” Emily smiled and put the stirring spoon down on the counter. She reached to hug Andy, but he took two steps backward and placed both hands in front of him. The smile vanished from Emily’s face, and she returned to the food she was preparing. “How did you sleep?”

“I’m still here, so that’s a plus.” Andy’s voice was hollow.

Emily closed her eyes to stop the tears from coming.

“Hey, Andy, let’s play a game or something. Mom’s cooking, and if you distract her, she will burn it.” Todd’s voice was Emily’s saving grace as she heard Andy exiting the small kitchen to join his brother.

Andy quickly grabbed a matching handheld from the coffee table. They would be immobile for at least an hour, giving her time to finish lunch and begin prepping for the concert. She hated how horrible her youngest appeared, with his pale skin and dead eyes. Each day he would answer her with the same daunting response as if he was shocked he made it another night. Emily was sure Edward wouldn’t harm Andy. That didn’t mean one of Edward’s men wouldn’t take on the job.

Emily finished preparing the boy’s lunch and retired to the bedroom. She was used to plush fabrics and earth-tone colors. The green shag carpeting and wood-paneled walls were far from luxurious. She grabbed a pair of faded jeans from the dresser and tossed them on the bed. As grateful as she was to have the job, she didn’t know what to think of Mr. Young telling her she had to look the part.

She dug through the boy’s bags and found a t-shirt before dancing off to jump in the shower.

Emily looked in the bathroom mirror and nearly broke out laughing. She had never looked so ridiculous in her life. The black Vermilion band t-shirt clung to her chest, distorting the lettering. Then there was the black eyeliner she knew would smear with the first drop of sweat. She had arranged her blonde hair into a ponytail and removed all her fashion jewelry before replacing it with cheap imitations.

She left the bathroom, hoping her sons wouldn’t notice her appearance. Instead, she was treated with applause and a few giggles.

“Thank you, I look stupid,” Emily said as Todd stood to help her find her shoes.

“No, it’s about time you embraced today’s culture. All those suits and slacks back home are gone.” Todd handed her a pair of tennis shoes and winked. “Get with the times.”

Andy smiled but said nothing. It warmed her heart to see him try, but she wasn’t sure if it was genuine or if he was trying to give her false hope. She looked at her watch and sighed, it was already six, and she had to be at the ticket counter before seven.

“All right, I guess I am off to the concert. I’m supposed to check in at the front desk and ask for Nadia.” Emily let her eyes scan the instructional letter.

“Just have fun,” Todd said with another smile before sitting next to his brother again. “If anything happens, I’ll call. I promise.”

Those words should have sat well with Emily. However, they made her blood grow cold. This would be her first time leaving the boys alone since fleeing. The idea of anything happening made her feel instantly sick, and she had to fight the urge to go back into her room, change into her pajamas, and claim she wasn’t going. They needed the money, though, and the instructions were clear. She was to see the show and meet the band after.

“I won’t be too late. Keep the door locked, and if you see anything, call me.” Emily grabbed her phone and keys.

“I will, Mom. Please go before you change your mind,” Todd said jokingly as Emily opened the door.

She hesitated a moment too long. The anxiety was going to get the best of her. “Maybe,” she said.

“Go!” Todd exclaimed, pointing out the door.

Emily laughed and then exited, closing the door behind her.