Lone Survivors

I (Rash Decisions)

Twenty-Seven Years Later

"Ms. Porter, the president will see you now."

I jumped a clear foot in the air dropping my phone onto the coffee table with a loud THUD, the receptionist smiled apologetically. I knelt down grabbing it, slipping it back into my purse. I'd been working at Fearless Records for seven years as a merch girl being assigned to various tours. I was no stranger to traveling, with my Aunt Caroline in the military we never stayed in one place for too long.

Jenny Reader looked up from her mountain of paperwork, a warm smile spread across her face. I returned it cautiously, my trust with people still a work in progress. Having your parents brutally murdered by a serial killer would do that to you.

"Kaitie, I'm so sorry to call you in on your day off." She began. "You are my only hope."

"What's the word, Princess Leia?" I sat down on one of the chairs. She chuckled at my movie reference. A move that was not uncommon, movie and song references were how I survived.

"One of our merch guys canceled on us last minute, a family emergency. We need someone to replace him on the Trinity of Terror tour." She continued. "I understand you just came back from a tour last week, but we're desperate."

"Not a problem, I'll do it." I shrugged. "When do I ship out?"

"Tour starts tomorrow, I have tickets for you for your flight to Meza. We'll need you down there straight away." She handed me a file.

"Wow, you were not kidding when you said last minute." I put the file underneath my arm. "I'll head to the airport."

"You are a lifesaver Kaitie, thank you so much!" She exclaimed. I got up, making my way back to the receptionist desk. There was an envelope awaiting me, I grabbed it walking straight to the elevators. I pressed the button for the bottom floor, while waiting I began looking over the file. Inside sat a lanyard with the Trinity of Terror tour poster, the bands Black Veil Brides, Motionless In White, and Ice Nine Kills logos etched onto the tombstones. I smiled secretly excited I had been picked for this tour.

I waved to the receptionist at the front entrance walking briskly out the front doors turning left to get to the parking lots. My Volkswagen Microbus awaited me. Luck favored me I had just come from the laundromat my duffle bags packed and ready. I got in, putting my keys into the ignition heading to the airport. Upon arrival, I parked in the extended stay lot handing my keys over to the attendant. He nodded, waving me in since they already had my paperwork on file from my last tour. I checked over my luggage one more time, passing through security checkpoints boarding my flight with no issue.

Thanks to Detective Christian I was able to keep in touch with Spencer. At first, we were writing letters until my Aunt Caroline found out. She disliked him with a passion, calling him a bad influence. She said she could sense a darkness inside of him, a darkness she did not want corrupting her niece's soul. We switched to e-mail at the age of thirteen. With how frequently I moved e-mails were a lot easier. I opened the latest one and began to read.

Kaitie Koala,

How did you tour go? Did you have a good time? We just got the okay to head out on tour ourselves with the guys of Motionless In White and Black Veil Brides. We even got Andy's wife Lilith Czar to join us as an opener. The Trinity of Terror tour is going to rock!

I wish you were here, I think the guys are convinced you're a tall tale. Even with the pictures you've sent via e-mail. It's been way too long since I've seen your face Kaitie Koala.