Fragile // Shinedown

02: Secrets + Escapes

<< We'll leave a sign so anyone can find us / a better place, a sweeter time / we won't need any wings to fly >>

I stepped around the remnants of drunk concertgoers, mostly vomit and crushed beer cans, on my way to the event center building. I had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do once I got there, but that wasn't a concern of mine.

"Excuse me?"

The security guard turned around, looking for who had called out to him. "Yes, miss?"

"I was told to come find the members of Shinedown after their set, but I wasn't actually told where I was supposed to go to do so," I shifted my weight nervously as I spoke. Those weren't words I ever thought would come out of my mouth someday.

He gives me a quizzical look, before tilting his head to speak into the mic attached to his shirt. Whatever was said on the other end of the line answered his questions enough for him to speak to me once again. "If you follow me, I can show you where they are."

"Okay, thank you." He pivoted on his heel and went through a hallway. I trailed behind him with my mother in tow.

We went through a series of tunnels and stairways until eventually coming out the back of the building.

"There you go, you two," the guard said as a few figures approached us. "Just so you know, my colleague is over there." He inclined his head towards a shadowy male figure outside a nearby bus.

"I see that you found us!" Brent's voice was easily recognizable.

"Not without some difficulty I might add," I retorted. "Someone," I gave Zach a pointed look, "Forgot to tell us where to find you after the show."

"Only Zach," Barry shook his head with a slight smile, "Only Zach."

"Well if you lovely ladies want to follow us, we were just about to head back to the bus," Brent drawled, his voice as thick and sweet as honey.

"Oh no, we can't be bothering you. It's getting much too late anyways," my mother said, gesturing as she spoke.

"You're no bother. Honestly, it'll just be for a few minutes. We musicians need our beauty sleep," Brent replied with a wink.

"Okay, a few minutes won't hurt."

We followed the four men back to their tour bus; I was right on their heels, my mom a little further behind.

"Well here it is, home sweet home," Zach did his best impression of Vanna White.

I stiffled a laugh, moving to enter the bus since Eric had opened the door for me.

"If it's okay with you," my mother spoke up, "I'll just wait outside for you. I wouldn't want to be acting like a mom while my teenager's trying to be cool with her favorite band." My mom had a warm smile on her face, but was clearly trying to hold back a knowing smirk.

We all climbed into the bus, leaving my mom outside. Zach led me on the tour while the rest of the guys sat down in the kitchen area.

"This," he waved his hand at where the three were sitting, "Is the place where Barry gives us food. It's also where we sit if we're feeling social."

I nodded and followed him down the narrow hallway.

"And this place is of limits to you." He leaned in to whisper the next sentence, "It's where we keep the booze."

I chuckled and he smiled with pride in himself.

"Lastly, we have the sleeping quarters. They never actually get used when they're meant to be occupied, because we either are strung out on post-performance adrenaline, or someone's girl is visiting."