Never Let Me Go

We loaded up my mother’s SUV with our gear. We managed to get a gig at TMA, it’s a popular underground venue near our town. It’s in the industrial area of the city in a converted warehouse. It is an awesome place for young and underground acts to get their feet wet. If we manage to play successfully there, then it can lead us to bigger and better things. The only thing I am telling myself today is, do not screw up. Not like I would screw up anyway. A good crowd energizes me and clears my mind to nothing but my music. Though of course, all our shows have been in our parents’ garages or our friends’ backyards to 10 other people. We were all loaded up and we went back into the house to finish getting ready. Matt was still in the bathroom even though he had been in there for a good fifteen to twenty minutes.

I knocked on the door. “Are you going to be done soon?” I was just expecting that bathroom to stink once he is done. I realized after I shouted that, that the water was running so that just answered my question. Since my sister was still at school and therefore can not yell at me. I sneaked into her bathroom to pee because I was not going to use mine till it was aired out. Once I walked back downstairs, Matt was finally out of the bathroom.

“Did you turn the fan on once you were done?” I said to him. “If I had known you were gonna take twenty years in the bathroom and stink it up I guess I should have sent you into Georgia’s bathroom instead.”

We jumped into the SUV squeezing ourselves between all the gear. There is no way this is legal, especially since I had just gotten my license a few months back. But, we’re going to do it. As long as I do not crash this SUV, I do not believe my parents will kill me. Maybe, I mean my dad threatens to sell my guitar on a regular basis. So, he might kill me if he saw the state of the SUV. Thankfully, he was not home when we left to scream at us for trying to get in a car accident.

The drive was only an hour away, but it felt like a lifetime. I was pretty sure Sawyer fell asleep in the vehicle while hugging one of his Tom-Toms. I fought traffic while hoping I did not have to slam the brakes or else since I can not guarantee what I would be hit with. When we got to the venue and managed to park this monstrosity of vehicle cargo. We got out, expecting all our gear to just fall out when we opened the doors. Surprisingly, it did not. We went on at 6:30 so we had to rush to get set up. We were the young newcomers to this venue, so we got forced into the opening shift.

We got set up with no time to lose. People were filing in midway through our setup. I believe we did great even though the audience was mostly empty. Well, at least the 30 people currently there did not pelt us with beer cans. We broke down while the next band began to set up. More people were still filing in. They just missed the greatest set of the night, so it was their fault for getting here too late.

Once we were finished breaking down, we went back inside. I lost everyone at that point because I need to stand up in front where all the action is. I think they were all standing in the back near where the second story overlooks the stage. The second support was just finishing up, which meant the headliner Wasted Youth was coming on stage soon. People started cheering when the lights dimmed. Suddenly, a flash of light and smoke started. Within thirty seconds, the opening chords to their song Never Gonna Die started getting belted out through the speakers. The crowd exploded into a fury of action. I was happily being pushed around by my fellow concertgoers. I had to duck a few times for crowd surfers. I was in my happy place, nothing could possibly bring this day down.

Suddenly, after Wasted Youth had been playing for about fifteen minutes. I heard a bunch of screams from behind and not happy screams, screams of fear. Wasted Youth stopped playing almost immediately after that. People continued to scream. I was still confused but being trampled on by people trying to move away from the screams. After what felt like an eternity, I slowly turned my head to figure out what just happened. Even with the lights still dimmed I could make out what happened. The balcony that looked crammed had collapsed, so many people on the ground. I would be shocked if no one was injured. People were freaking out all around me, I was just frozen in shock.

“Ok, Trent just stay calm.” I thought to myself. “In situations like these, there is no time to panic. Panicking gets us nowhere, just find an exit then worry about texting my friends to find them.”

People were running around shouting, the lights were still dim for some odd reason. Wouldn’t they have seen the accident by now and someone would have flicked the light switch on and told us what to do? I were pushed around while trying to see where the exit was. This crowd was not being orderly, more people were going to hurt. I just hope it won’t be me. I slowly walked trying to avoid getting hurt in the mob. I noticed that there was not a red emergency light that said “EXIT” anywhere on the walls. There is no way that is legal. How am I supposed to find the doors?

I saw a shadow push its way towards the abandoned microphone on the stage. So, there is where the venue personnel is, though it would have been helpful if they just turned the lights on. The figure reached the stage and just yelled through the microphone, “Everyone remain calm. Stop pushing and shoving. And for the love of God, stop screaming. If we move orderly, then we’ll get out of here much quicker than we would just running around like a chicken without a head. Make your way to the exits, quickly and orderly. I believe there’s an exit on both sides of the building along with the one in the back behind the stage that is a loading dock.”

Wait, he believes? How can someone who works here not know where the exits are? They are doors, even if they are built to be hidden doors you can typically figure out where the hidden doors are. I was not moving quick enough to where I kind of just got pushed to the right side of the venue, as I got closer to the right wall. I felt a draft there had to have been an open door over here. Sure, enough there was the door. I was suddenly outside. I could smell the crisp air, and I could hear sirens in the distance, getting increasingly closer.

There had to have been a hundred people standing or sitting out here. I do not think anyone knew what to do once we got out here. Or maybe they were separated from their friends like me. Wait, I can not see them. So, does that mean? No. It’s just due to the crowd and the moment we all got separated. I mean we were not together before that occurred. Everything had to have been all right. I just remembered I own a cellphone. They also own cellphones. They probably have their cellphones on them still. I fumbled around in my pocket. I felt my phone and grabbed it.

“Hey, guys where are you?” I looked at my surroundings, trying to pick something to describe. I noticed there was a broken bit of sidewalk. No, that is not good enough. I was leaning against a brick wall. I guess I could say that but there are like five other brick buildings in this immediate vicinity because we’re surrounded by warehouses. “I’m leaning on a brick wall.” Useful, Trenton, useful. I would have struck up a conversation with the people around me but I doubt they are in the mood to talk. So I just stood there waiting for a text. It must have been cold outside because I realized I am shivering and have goosebumps. I watched the bright red-blue lights continue to multiply as the sirens got louder. It felt like there were a million Police Officers, EMS, and Firemen at the venue. I think we are at ground zero. I hope everyone is alright and all these emergency services are here just because someone called 9-1-1. A few emergency personnel came into the crowd. Suddenly out of nowhere, I was grabbed.

“Hey watch it!” I yelped.

“Wait, are you hurt?” The person wearing a blue polo and navy pants asked.

“No, you just scared the crap out of me!” I said while he looked me down. He pulled out a green sticker and placed it on my shirt after a few minutes. He then wandered away to someone else. Huh? What is this for? I wanted to pull it off but I was afraid it was important. My phone vibrated. It was Matt.

He answered. “I’m somewhere outside.” Thanks, Matt, thanks.

“Have you found Sawyer or Nick yet?” I replied. I just continued to watch the light whiz by me. I noticed there were a few police officers blocking parts of the road off. There had to have been more of a crowd forming on the other side of the barriers. The police were not allowing anyone beyond the barriers. I think there were a few news cameras and reporters there. I really hoped no one would film me. I must look like a mess and not tv ready. Nor am I in the right frame of mind to be interviewed. My phone started vibrating again.

“No.” Matt replied, “Haven’t seen them since before everything happened.”

“Can you tell me where you are so we can regroup?” I texted back at him.

“Next to a bush. There are a few guys with their shirts off caring for a few girls.”

I slowly made my way off of the brick wall and slowly moved towards where Matt was. This crowd felt neverending, there were people scattered everywhere. I glanced at an ambulance that had its backdoors open but no one was nearby. I wondered who was being loaded up. I hoped it was not them. I found Matt a few minutes later.

“Hey, look you’ve gotten a green sticker too,” he mentioned pointing to the sticker on my shirt. So, someone must have marked him too.

“So you still hadn’t heard from them, I take it?” I said.

“No, I just tried to text Camila, but she never answered.” He said. Oh shit, Camila. She will be pissed at us if anything happened to them. “I was also about ready to text my parents before they get worried sick about me.” Oh yeah, the parents. Yeah. Maybe I should just keep quiet to them. I was still shaking. I did not know what to do or where to go. Could Matt and I just leave without them? Or should we wait for them? How long would I have to wait for them? They still have not answered their phones so I was worried sick. Maybe the phones got broken somehow and they are fine. Or maybe they and their phones are fine, but the signals are just being overloaded from everyone else here trying to contact their loved ones.

“My mom is panicking.” Matt said, “She wants to drive over here right now. I told her we’re fine plus you might not be able to get here anyway.” I wondered how Matt is appearing to keep calm. My stomach feels like it’s doing somersaults and I am going to puke any minute now. I am worried sick, I still have not gotten any news from Sawyer or Nick. I am now beginning to think the worst. I just want out of this nightmare.

There was a helicopter flying in the distance, it was growing louder by the second. I wondered if it was news getting a sick look at the situation for their tv views or a medical copter touching down. The answer should be known soon enough. There was a fairly empty parking lot nearby that the helicopter landed in. A stretcher was brought out and quickly rushed somewhere out of my view. Another helicopter was flying overhead that one must have belonged to one of the local news channels.

My feet were beginning to feel like they did not belong to me. I was also beginning to get dizzy. The somersaults in my stomach were getting faster by the minute. I barely knew what happened next because the next thing I realized. I’m on my knees and there’s puke rushing out of my mouth. Oh dear God, why did that just happen in front of all these people? I was so embarrassed. I hope no one saw me. If so, this will go down in history and now everyone will know Dead Prodigy’s bassist as the guy who puked on the sidewalk. I wanted to go hide in a cave and just live among the wolves after this embarrassing situation. Who pukes on the sidewalk in front of everyone? Apparently me. My limbs felt like jelly so I was not able to be removed from the situation, increasing my embarrassment. What made it worse was people started running towards me. Please do not give me any more attention. I just want to climb in a hole and die.

“Are you alright?” someone said who was near us and probably just witnessed me puking out of nowhere.

“Yeah.” I lied, there are hundreds of others who need medical assistance more than me. This strange shirtless guy just checked me out more. Please dude just put a shirt on. I do not want to see your abs. Matt just looked at the guy. Then, he quickly reverted his gaze back to his phone. He was probably wondering why he is even friends with a guy like me. “I’m just worried about my friends.” I lied.

“Wait, your friends are hurt?” the stranger asked

“No, I just haven’t found them yet,” I added on.

“Well, I hope they turn up soon.” The stranger replied.

Once he left the next fifteen minutes were a blur. You kept seeing more ambulances come and leave the scene. Matt and I continued to try and get a hold of them. Somehow, Matt’s mother showed up despite us telling her not to show up. She must have sped here since there is no way have we been standing here for an hour. Typical overprotective parents and their need to show up places to the embarrassment of their teenage children.

“Matt, I was hoping you were ok!” Mrs. Spencer pushed her tiny frame through the crowd that formed against the barriers. She quickly reached us and grabbed a hold of Matt before either of us knew she was there. Matt awkwardly looked at her while being pinned to her. Probably thinking, can someone save me from my embarrassment? When she finally let go, she said, “So where are Sawyer and Nick?” realizing I was there but just me, when there were originally four of us.

“We don’t know mom,” Matt said.

“Are they hurt? Are you hurt? Do I need to drag a doctor over here right now?”

“No, I’m fine and I dunno. Trent and I are here. But they haven’t been responding to their phones.” Matt started to tear up but hoped no one noticed. “We just hope they are alright.”

My phone rang again, this time it was an actual call. I was hoping it was finally one of them to tell us they are fine but nope, it was just mom. How did she know? I answered before I was murdered by my mother the next time I saw her.

“Hi M-” I was cut off.

“Trenton? Is that you? Thank goodness you’re alright. I just saw it on the news that there was a huge accident at the place you’re at.” She cut through not even giving me a hello.

“Yeah, mom I’m fine,” I said. I just wanted to be removed from my embarrassment. First I puked and now my mother is calling me? Well, at least my mother isn’t here, hugging me till my face turned blue like Matt’s over there.

“Do you need me to come to pick you up? How is everyone else? I’m hoping they are also fine.” She continued.

“No, I have the SUV and anyway if I need a ride Mrs. Spencer is here. I’m here with Matt. He’s fine. But-” I stopped to sigh, “We still haven’t found Sawyer and Nick. We don’t know if they’re fine or not.” I felt like I was going to be sick again.

“Oh, so Mrs. Ridley and Mr. Nicholson don’t know yet?” There was a change in her voice.

“I guess not unless Nick and Sawyer are ok and they just haven’t told Matt or me yet.” We continued talking, mom did not want me trying to drive the SUV home while under emotional stress as she puts it. I am not under any stress mom. So, I was forced to go home with Matt and his mom.

I reached the house and climbed out as quickly as possible. Mom was still up refusing to go to bed till I was safely back into her arms. Like I am a five year old. Jeeze, I am in high school. She held me tight, I thought I was going to pass out from a hug. Well, at least I am in the safety of the house instead of being hugged in front of news cameras. I then went up to my room to try and get some sleep, hoping to finally get a text message from Sawyer and Nick in the morning.