Lone Survivors

IV (Safe Is Just A Shadow)

Spencer definitely knew how to put on a show.

From my spot backstage I watched my best friend command the stage captivating the crowd with his horror themed theatrics. A small part of me wondered if that was how he coped with the loss of our parents. Submersing himself in a fictional world of his own making. I was joined by my fellow merch crew, exchanging small talk in between sets. It entailed a lot of back and forth, the exercise felt good. Another welcoming distraction to take my mind off of my paranoid thoughts. The concert ended, the bands heading in the direction of their tour buses while the crews began to pack up and load up the trailers.

"Before we head out, did anyone leave anything at the hotel?" I asked. One by one they shook their heads no. We piled into the SUV, turning on the ignition I followed the line of vehicles on their way to our next destination, the Hollywood Palladium.

I took the first shift driving until I could feel my eyes threatening to close. I saw a sign for the rest stop, taking the exit, and pulling into a stall. Amias took over swapping spots with me. I grabbed my head pillow, blanket, and Kurt falling fast asleep.

I woke up to familiar sights and sounds of the beautiful city of angels. Amias already had us parked in the back of the palladium catching a few last minute "z's" before we needed to start unloading. I leaned back preparing to close my eyes once more when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. I slowly brought it out internally groaning at the caller id. I opened the door stepping out into the LA sun hitting the accept button.

"You're retired, shouldn't you be sleeping in?" I greeted.

"Old habits die hard Kaitlynn. You sound exhausted, are you on the road again?" my Aunt Caroline's voice always held a hint of a judgmental tone.

"My boss recruited me last minute, I didn't mind." I shrugged, leaning back against the SUV. "Why did you call?"

"That good for nothing detective showed up on my front doorstep. Told me a coworker of yours got themselves killed. Says they believe he was murdered by your parents' killer. I told him instead of talking to me he should be doing his job."

I suppressed the irritated sigh that wanted to escape my lips. Aunt Caroline and Detective Christian Keller never saw eye to eye. My aunt would ask for results and answers that he did not have. As the case grew colder her anger grew hotter. She buried herself in her work, avoidance was an O'Callahan family trait. An unhealthy one at that.

"You did also mention to him to call or stop by with any updates." I reminded her.

"Don't get smart with me, girl." She snapped. Girl, never Kait, my mom had gotten the parenting gene. Caroline was pricklier than a cactus. "His visit prompted me to call and check up on you. Still living in that van of yours like a homeless bum?"

"Yes, I am, not that it's any of your business."

"Watch your tone with me, girl. I am not in the mood to deal with it. Just be careful."

She hung up; long conversations were never her thing. I put my phone back in my pocket heading to the back of the SUV to pack my things back up. I found Kambria sitting on the curb staring out at the horizon. I had been right about the rosary seeing her holding it in her hands her thumbs brushing over the beads.

"Everything okay?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, my aunt just wanted to check up on me." I shrugged.

"What about your parents?" She looked up, genuine curiosity in her eyes.

"They died when I was a kid."

It was the standard answer I gave and the one Detective Christian advised I give. The answer would have been totally different if we knew who the killer was. She stood up surprising me with a hug. I hesitantly hugged her back hearing Spencer's words from yesterday.