This Boy | j.l. [complete]

Chapter 8

    I walked back to the club and entered the room, Will was sitting alone on his bed and the others weren't anywhere to be seen. When I walked in Will didn't look up, he just sat their starring at the floor. I took off my coat, placing it on my bed and waited to see if Will would say anything, but the sound of my foot steps earned no reaction from him.

"Will?" I asked softly, walking a bit closer

"...He's dead." Will said bluntly

"Who is?" I questioned, my heart skipping a beat

"Denis," He instantly cupped his face in his hands and started to cry, I took a minute to process what he said. I walked over to him and brought him closer to me as he cried on my shoulder, I hadn't ever seen him in such a state.

"Will you need to tell me what happened, please," I sniffled, lifting his head with my index finger. Will paused for a second, composing himself in order to talk.

"He was on his way back here, he decided to take a short cut through an alley way, he got mugged and was stabbed in the stomach. He bled to death until someone found him... At least — that's what the cops say." Will held on to me tighter, still crying as hard as he could. I bit my lip, holding in tears of my own.

"I'm so sorry," I said hugging Will

"Don't be," Will sniffled, wiping his nose on his sleeve

"Where's Larry and Roger?" I asked

"They went to tell the manager we couldn't play tonight, we're cutting the tour short. We're going home Monday," Will explained

"Oh," I said softly

"I can't believe he's gone, it's not fucking fair." Will wiped his eyes and cleared his throat

"No, it's not," I sighed.

— The Next Day —

      I took a walk. I needed to figure out what was going on in my life right now, there was John, now Denis and the fact that we're leaving Hamburg. I couldn't come to a conclusion yet, but I was sure that this meant I was going to have to work even harder at this music stuff. I headed down to the train station remembering the day I saw John off on the train. When I was on my way down the stairs I saw Astrid standing on the steps and smiled.

"Astrid," I said warmly

"Ruth, nice to see you" Astrid nodded

"Whatcha doin' down here?" I asked

"Stu should be back soon, he said he plans on coming today," Astrid explained with a hint of excitement in her voice

"That's sounds lovely,"

"You seem to be thinking rather hard, something on your mind?" She asked intently

I cleared my throat, nodding slightly "Our bass player was sorta...killed last night."

"Really?" Astrid asked, her eyes looking back to mind

"Yeah. We're heading back to Liverpool Monday." I stated

"At least you'll be with John," Astrid smiled

"Let's hope, he lives up in wolton, and I'm down in Dingle. Plus Will is everywhere at once in Liverpool. I don't know how it's going to work," I said, I watched as a train pulled into the station and passengers get off, on of which was Stuart. "Maybe Stuart will have the answers I need" I chuckled, Stu ran up to Astrid and hugged her tightly, when they let go he looked to me.

"How are you Ruthy?" Stu asked

"Peachy" I spoke, sarcasm laced in my answer

"Her bass player died last night" Astrid added softly

"Denis?" Stuart asked, I just nodded in response

"I'm sorry Ruth, what are you guys gonna do now?" He questioned

"Head back to Liverpool, what else could we do?" I admitted

"I suppose you're right. What are you gonna do from there?"

"I don't know" I shrugged

"Let's hope all goes well," Stuart smiled

"Yeah, we'll be looking for a new bass player when we get back but until then it's  home for us. I better get off then, I'll see you guys later," I flashed a quick half smile as they said goodbye to me and I headed back to the club.