Lone Survivors

XXIII (IT Is The End)

Time began to move at a painstakingly slow pace.

Lilith Czar's set concluded, the intermission had us all back at our stations nervous glances were beginning to be exchanged. We took our places backstage watching and cheering the members of Black Veil Brides as they took the stage. Milo and Nadine held onto each other the whole time, Toshi and Kambria did the same. Amias casted a sideways glance at Johnny who gave him a smile filled with secrets.

"This is some life you lead, Kaitlynn Porter." Josiah said. "Do you ever get tired of hearing the same set every night?"

"It may be the same set but the atmosphere is different every time." I looked out at the crowd. "Everyone here fell in love with their music at a time when they needed it most, they're the heart and soul of this tour."

"Wise words Cap." Amias smiled at me.

"What's the story there?" Josiah asked.

"First tour together I quoted Captain America anytime we were around each other." I replied. "The nickname grew on me and it stuck."

He nodded, turning his attention back to the set I snuck out towards the end feeling my crew following suit. Spencer waited for me at my station, his eyes lighting up they always did when they came to rest on me. Amias nodded, already knowing what I'd been about to ask. I walked more like ran over jumping into his arms. He caught me twirling me around until I got so dizzy, I had to beg him to stop.

"Don't you have a set to prepare for?" I raised an eyebrow.

"This is more important." He took my hands. "When this is over my deal with Dev is done, my body won't survive without my soul for long."

"You're going to tell me where you soul is?"

"I won't say exactly where it is on the off-chance Ricky is listening." He let out a shaky breath, which made me nervous. Out of the two of us he was always the strong and confident one, he always gave me strength.

"You and your admiration for being cryptic." I teased, seeing a weak smile spread across his face.

"I told you my soul went to someone I cared about and loved more than anything in this world. You can take a wild guess as to who that is?" His eyes met mine, my heat sped up as he rested his forehead against mine. He kissed me holding me tight against him. I kissed him back pouring as much love into it as I could.

"Me." I verbalized my answer.

"I left it within something you cherish despite it being broken." He kissed me again. "I love you Kaitlynn."

"I love you too Spencer." I gave him one last kiss savoring this memory not sure if this would be our last. He rested his forehead against mine staying there until Dan and Joe came running down the hall yelling at him to get his ass in gear. I went back to the merch table blushing heavily my brain working on debunking Spencer's mystery.

I made my way backstage to watch their set tucking my hair behind my ear. The signal we put in place to begin the preparations. My nerves desired to get the best of me especially since we were so close to the end. Kambria and Josiah were already within the crowd. Johnny waiting by the front entrance ready to offer his concern with a cool head in the face of tragedy. Amias stood by the fire alarm his dark eyes meeting mine from across the room. The players were in position, Ice Nine Kills were taking the stage the clock began to ticking the seconds away to the showdown.

"You seem nervous."

Ricky materialized out of the shadows, decked out in his stage outfit. I ignored him catching Spencer's eyes for a moment. His eyes flashed black, a warning to Ricky to watch himself. When I refused to take the bait, Ricky faded back into the shadows. Amias ran a hand through his dreads our coded message for "are we ready?". I took my hair out of its ponytail letting it cascade down my back Ice Nine Kills walked right off stage just as the fire alarms went off. Smoke could be seen in the hallways. Security began escorting people out. Toshi got to work using the holy oil around the perimeter of the stage.