Lone Survivors

XIII (Yet Souls Have A Reason, And I Won't Let Go)

He felt a shift in the air the moment her soul shattered.

A smile spread across his face, staring out at the crowd their energy revitalizing him. He compared the feeling to the satisfaction he received when watching the light leave his prey's eyes. He glanced backstage, Amias grabbed Spencer's arm. He could read the boy's lips from his spot onstage. He was needed, Kaitlynn had collapsed on the merch floor.

It's almost time. He thought to himself letting the melodies consume him.

~***~

"Kaitlynn's collapsed."

Spencer practically sprinted to the merch tables security hot on his heels. Patrick and Ricky followed behind him. They arrived to Milo propping Kaitlynn up against the wall, a middle-aged woman dressed as a military chaplain knelt down placing a damp cloth on Kait's forehead. The beast inside stirred, there was something different about his friend now. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"You must be Spencer." The chaplain extended her hand. "Elaine O'Leary, I'm a friend of Caroline O'Callahan's."

"What brings you here, Chaplain?" He knelt down next to Kaitlynn picking her up, hoisting her onto his back.

"Is there someplace we can speak privately?" She stood at attention.

"Our dressing room, right this way ma'am." Ricky replied politely. The chaplain followed him, Spencer pulled out his earbud Patrick moved in front of him to place distance between his vocalist and the chaplain.

"I know you're eavesdropping. What's wrong with Kaitie?" He demanded.

Do you want the humane answer or the paranormal one?

"I am not in the mood for games, you fucking parasite! She's burning up!" He growled.

I would advise you mind your tone with me, Charnas. Have you forgotten exactly what's at stake here? What this can mean to the Slayer?

His blood ran cold, keep it together he scolded himself. They hadn't even been on the tour three weeks and it was already going to Hell. He laid Kait down on the couch, getting another damp cloth to replace the one on her forehead. Elaine stood at attention at the foot of the couch her eyes watching Kaitlynn with concern.

"What happened?" Spencer cut straight to the chase. "I thought Caroline retired from the military?"

"She was retired for a grand total of two weeks before she asked, more like begged to come back. We reinstated her at the rank she was at before she retired. She then asked if she could become a traveling recruiter. When we questioned her, she said she wanted to keep an eye on her niece."

"Keep an eye on her, how?" Patrick crossed his arms over his chest. Elaine withdrew her phone from the inside pocket of her jacket.

"I warn you; these images will be disturbing." She turned the screen of her phone towards them.

"Christ..." Ricky breathed.

The hotel wall was covered in pictures and news articles featuring their band alongside pictures of Kaitie and Spencer. Spencer's eyes had been scratched out of every one. Hanging on a fishing line right next to their most recent article confirming Spencer and Kaitie were together was a bullet with the initials S.C. engraved on it.

"Son of a bitch!" Patrick exclaimed. "She's insane!"

"I can assure you; Caroline wasn't always like this. She was found in her hotel room with a single stab would straight to the heart. Detective Keller is there processing the scene. Its safe to assume the Slayer is behind this." Elaine pulled an envelope out of her pocket. "I will be in contact to finalize the funeral arrangements. Caroline asked if anything happened to her to give this to Kait."