Into The Unknown

Chapter 29

Abigail's POV

After reading through the script 4 times I had finally memorised my parts, Leroy had been helping me "You've got it honey" he grinned as he handed the thick wad of papers back to me. As I put them back in my bag I was surprised to hear my phone vibrate, it was Ryan 'About to go on stage baby, stay close to Leroy tonight. I love you xxx'

This struck me as a very odd text message, why would he sat stay close to Leroy "Hey Leroy, what's this all about?" I showed him my text and he frowned. I knew at that moment something was going on "Well?" I was growing impatient now.

"Some of the security have confiscated a couple of knives, from fans"

"OneRepublic fans?" The thought of this stunned me.

"No fans of the supporting band"

"Does Ryan know?" I wonder, then I realise. Well of course he does, why else would he be telling me to stay close to Leroy tonight? "Please tell me I am not stuck in here all night?" I look around the room in horror.

"No baby girl of course not, but I told Ryan I would take you on stage if you wanted to go and watch him, you can stand with Chris" I nod in agreement this doesn't sound like a terrible idea.

"Okay, come on let's go and watch my husband do his thing" nothing makes me prouder than seeing Ryan perform, he is a natural and usually has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. As I head towards the stage I am shocked by all the security that are around "Jesus" I exhale. We walk up the steps without any questions and I go and stand beside Chris. Leroy stands just behind us.

"I've never seen so many security guards" I frown when I see two men stood on every corner of the stage, there is also a wall of them down in between the stage and the crowd barriers. They are singing Marchin' On when I get there.

"It's crazy" Chris sighed "The guys are really pissed about it, they have limited the space Ryan can use, and have even blocked off the audience platform"

"Shit" I know how much Ryan loved to moved around all the crowd, Chris and I glanced at each other quickly when we saw Ryan pick up his guitar and start playing the first few chords of For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield "I thought he was doing Budapest by George Ezra, tonight?"

"So did I" Chris frowned "They must have decided to do this just before going on stage"

"It's not a bad song choice I suppose, Ry definitely couldn't get away with Wonderful World tonight" I joke causing Chris to laugh "Plus the heavy metal fans seem to appreciate it" I look to the back of all the crowd and realise the heavy metal fans are rocking along to it.

I am surprised when Ryan walks towards me smiling, he has a microphone in his hand. Just as he is about to speak, both of us are taken by surprise when a gun shot is fired. Ryan instinctively throws his body over mine, we are crouched down behind the sound desk at this point "GET OUT NOW" Leroy yells to us all, he comes for me and Ryan.

"Are you okay baby?" Ryan has his hands on my arms I look into his eyes, still not sure what has just happened. Leroy is leading us both backstage "What the fuck was that?" Brent, Zach, Eddie and Drew had also rushed off stage with us.

"We don't know yet?" Alice came from nowhere.

"It sounded like a gunshot" I frown, I can feel my whole body shaking, Ryan hasn't let me go since it happened.

"They think one of the speakers exploded" Alice frowned.

"Nah that wasn't a speaker" Zach replied quickly "Speakers squeal first then pop, that did sound like a gunshot"

"Hey guys we are really sorry about that, we have no idea what is going on right now. We think it might be a good idea for you guys to get out of here as soon as possible" one of the venue managers approached us, his name was Vincent "Before the crowds descend"

"What about our stuff?" Brent wondered "The shit we left in Our dressing rooms"

"Already packed it" Alice smiled "we have a black van waiting for you guys outside. Go and grab some food somewhere and we will pack all this away okay"

Ryan didn't need telling twice he led me straight outside "Come on let's get out of here" as we got closer to the van I stopped "What's wrong baby?" He wondered.

"My phone" I reply as I pull the vibrating phone out of my pocket, my Dad's name is flashing on the screen.

"Hey Dad" even my voice was shakey.

"Hello how are you feeling? I see the babies are common knowldge" he laughs, there is a nervous tone in his voice.

"I'm okay, is everything okay Dad?"

"I need to ask you a favour" I was just climbing up into the van with the help of Ryan pushing my waist, he climbed in behind me and sat beside me "Would you be able to make an appearance next month, for a charity event we are having at the resturant?"
"Yeah sure" I had never been sure why my dad was reluctant to ask me things like this. I felt Ryan's hand link with mine, as he brushed my knuckles against his lips. I hear the door slide shut as Brent climbs in and sits down. People are already flooding the streets outside. I say goodbye to my Dad and wait for the van to move.

"So much for a quick exit" Drew groans as he looks out of the window.

"I still can't believe a gun went off" Ryan finally broke the silence "It's crazy"

"Do they even know if it was a gun yet?" Eddie questioned.

"It was a gun" Leroy's voice came from behind us, he got in the van after me even though I didn't realise it at the time "I spoke to Vincent, he said apparently it was fired in the entrance way but echoed into the main buiding"

"Oh man, was anybody hurt?" Was my initial reaction, I couldn't bear to think of people suffering. Leroy shook his head and my heart relaxed.

"No, luckily" Leroy exhaled.

"I just hope the fans understand" Eddie speaks again "They are still pissed off about the concerts we cancelled while Ab's was sick" I felt my head turn towards Eddie, I also spotted Ryan throw him a glare.

"What are you shushing him for?" I can feel myself getting angry. Ryan just shakes his head.

"Ryan tell me" I snap a little causing everyone to look. I also see a regretful look on Eddie's face "What's Eddie talking about?"

"There has been some harsh messages from the fans recently about my lack of commitment to the band" Ryan explained, I felt his grip on my hand tighten.

"B...because of me?" I didn't mean for my voice to shake, Ryan nodded gently.

"We all think it's rubbish of course" Drew quickly spoke, trying to reassure me "We know Ryan's had his reasons for putting you first"

"We're hoping that now the fans know about the pregnancy they will understand too" Zach finally speaks. I notice Brent stays quiet.

"None of it matters though baby" Ryan looks into my eyes and speaks sincerely "I love you and nothing is more important than that"

"Yeah and we have all said if were in the same position our wife's or girlfriends would come first too" Brent finally voiced his opinion "Fans are fans they are always going to have an opinion whatever"

"Most of them are supportive though right?" I ask hopefully, I am relieved when they boys nod.

"Oh god yeah" Eddie spoke again when Ryan's death glare had been removed "Most of then have been great"

"Yeah and we have almost finished finalising details for extra dates on the tour for the concerts that were cancelled" Ryan added "So you see baby it's nothing to worry about"