Die In California

61

Rook's POV:

"Dev, you fed the fish?" I called out as I wandered downstairs, half-expecting to see a fish floating upside down at the top of the tank. We'd thankfully only lost two in the week that we'd had the tank, and it seemed to be one Devyn wasn't too in love with. 

"Yeah fucker!" She yelled back, making me quietly laugh as I sauntered into the kitchen, to find Kells sitting on the island and swinging his lanky legs as he smoked a joint. 
"Ay, party planning." He pointed at me. My steps faltered as I looked at him quizzically with a tilt of my head, before taking the joint from him.

"For the album release." He elaborated in a 'duh' tone, as if I should be a mind reader. Of course I should've known that he'd be thinking of the album - it's all we thought about these days. "Uh, yeah, sure. Now?" I mumbled around the joint balanced between my lips, whilst I rummaged through the cupboards and fridge for a snack.

Kells slapped the back of my head then grabbed the blunt from me, before shoving his hand in the bag of chips I'd chosen. I swatted his hand away, and teasingly shoved him, then followed him through to the back garden. "We're goin' down to the studio this afternoon with Ash, gonna talk to some people and get started on the plannin'." He nonchalantly shrugged as he bent to play with the dogs, playfully chasing Luna around as Chapo watched on. 

I ran upstairs to tell Devyn, and to say goodbye, then followed Kells out to an Uber he'd called. Slim and Baze were already climbing in the back, where I joined them, whilst Kells took the front passenger seat. We had music blasting loudly, the Uber driving cracking jokes, and Slim was live on Instagram to promote the album and document our journey. 

It was good vibes all round.
But, all good things must come to an end.

Our high spirits continued on into the late afternoon, as we played the album through whilst we planned one of the best parties we were ever going to host. We'd planned to have something big - and that was as far as we'd gotten. Where? We have no idea. All we know is it's going to be on the night of the album release, and it's going to be a party to remember. Like all EST parties are.

We'd worked (not really) late into the evening, letting time carry us away. But then I got a call. It was Devyn - nothing out of the ordinary - so answered it with a bright smile and a slightly dazed drawl. I think maybe we'd had a few too many blunts.

"Hey, babe. You good?" I smiled as I lightly twirled on the office chair I was curled up on, tilting my head to the side. 
"I- Johnny." 

I bolted upright at the sound of her voice. She sounded breathless, and I could hear the light tremors in her voice. I could pretty much see her body shaking as she curled up in the fetus position (much like myself), tears more than likely leaking down her cheeks. All the signs of an episode.

But what threw me off was the distant sound of screams - children's screams. And giggles. Why the fuck was there screams and giggles?! Maybe she had the tv on loud or something, who knows with Devyn. Especially when she wasn't truly thinking straight.

"Alright, my love." I stood up and began gathering my shit together, whilst the others looked up at me in alarm. "Kells, get me a cab. Now. I need'a go home." I rushed out, before walking out to the parking lot as I tried to get Devyn to keep talking to me.

I promised her that I was on my way home, and asked her to tell me what she was seeing and hearing. She was quickly losing her sense of awareness, and her speech was becoming more slurred by the minute, but she was still somewhat intelligible by the time the cab pulled up. I gave him the address, and anxiously sat back to listen to Devyn ramble.