Harper's Adventure

The Tour Bus

Harper found himself on a tour bus. He had no idea how that happened but he was on the tour bus for Taboo Origin. Their manager, Pierce, bought him a burner phone.

Harper called Zane and gave him all the information that he had and told Harper to be careful. No one would look at a receptionist. Harper knew Zane was safe, he hoped Zane was safe. Harper skipped telling him about the hotel being trashed and staying with the band. Harper didn't want to tell him any details. Zane was okay not knowing. He preferred it.

Harper had no idea what to expect on the bus with a hard rock band. Drugs and women were a reflex. Charlie was reading a book about politics and economics and Lee was reading a comic book. Clearly, they had a lot in common, Harper was a little sarcastic right now. Krista laid in a cot and put in earbuds. She was asleep.

"Come on." Anders pulled Harper to the back of the bus. There was a door. This was more of a RV. A really nice RV.

Harper looked around. "Oh. Wow." There were computer screens and guitars. Keyboards. Four chairs and a couch that probably turned into a bed. There were some black headphones hanging from a keyboard and two computer screens. "What is this?"

"This is where we write some of our music. If we get inspired on the road, we come back here. Charlie just started a piece for the next album." Anders smiled. "What?" Harper had a weird look.

"I didn't know what to expect. I guess I was thinking... drugs and women. Bondage or something." Harper blushed.

Anders laughed. "Really!"

Harper laughed and covered his face. "Sorry. I was judging you."

"Don't apologize. My bondage stuff is under that couch." He pointed to a couch along the wall.

Harper stared with wide eyes and Anders laughed. "I'm kidding. No bondage but I may put it on the list! We work while we're on the road. We have some free time but we write and practice. This is work for us. I know we look very..."

"Sketchy." Harper put in.

Anders glared. "I was going to say hard core."

Harper laughed. "Oh."

Anders shook his head. "I thought that you could use a private spot. Give you a minute to relax." He pulled a bottle of water from the small fridge. He opened it and took a drink. He handed it to Harper. He was still holding that envelope from Eve. He took the bottle and took a drink and a second deeper. He was thirsty and hadn't realized it.

"Thanks." Harper handed it back and Anders took another drink. He kind of enjoyed drinking after Harper. What was wrong with him? Harper turned the envelope over in his hands and looked at the handwriting as he touched the writing.

"Mom." Harper had tears.

"Hey. Easy. Try not to worry. I don't think they will kill her. I hope they don't kill her. If they are looking for this then they won't kill her. She knows where it is. She is the only one. That is good news. No one else knows." Anders found himself wrapping his arms around this guy again and he rubbed his back.

"I know. I'm so worried and I feel helpless and alone. She's my only family." Harper hated feeling like this and couldn't stop the tears.

"I understand that, I do. We are helping, Harper. I know it doesn't feel like it. I'm sorry we have to finish this tour. Four more concerts and we can talk to my dad. I know that sounds selfish and I'm sorry. We..." Anders wanted to explain this to Harper. Anders stopped talking because he felt Harper wrap his arms around him and Harper's hands were on his back. He almost sighed. He closed his eyes and smelled Harper hair.

"I know. You can't reschedule this stuff. I know. It was easy for me. I just canceled appointments and rescheduled. You can't do that because of ticket sales. I know. I canceled twenty meetings, twenty people and you would have to cancel on thousands of people. How long will it take?"

Anders was still holding him. "Uh, two weeks. Is that okay? More like eight days. Sorry."

Harper nodded. It felt so great to be in his arms. So great. Harper melted into Anders even though he shouldn't. There was a knock on the door. Anders slowly let go of Harper and he straightened up. "Yes." Anders looked at the door. He knew it was Charlie.

"Hey." Charlie said as he opened the door. "We are stopping for dinner."

"Oh. Right." Anders almost forgot he was hungry. They were hunting. "I'll be right there." Charlie nodded and closed the door. "Sorry. I forgot. We are hunting. Is that...."

"Oh. I almost forgot! Yes. Do what you have to do. Go. I don't want you to be hungry. I would hate for you to kill me." Harper smiled and looked in his eyes.

Anders smiled. "I would hate to kill you too." His eyes were black.

Harper blushed and looked at the floor. "Go!" He heard Anders growl and the door creaked open. Anders was gone.