The Summoning

XXI - Descending

After eating and watching the general setup of the venue as it unfolded, the hours had counted down to minutes before doors opened. I went back to the dressing room to find III nervously pacing back and forth, jumping on his heels every once in a while as he shook his arms out. IV was lounged back in a chair in front of the mirror practicing some chords on an acoustic guitar. II and Vessel seemed to be absent until about a half hour before their set. 

When Vessel and II finally arrived, the other two stood. III reached for Vessel's hand and he took them, leading him out of the room as the others followed. III glanced back and snatched IV's hand in his, dragging him out with them. I took this as my que to follow, breathing out a shaky breath as I stood and trailed behind them to the backstage area. 

I could hear the crowd of people murmuring softly after the band before finished their set. I didn't even know who it was that opened for them. I was so focused on making sure my camera was ready that I didn't notice a group of people walking past. Someone bumped into me and I shot my eyes up. "Oh, I'm sorry!"

From the corner of my eye, I could see II holding Vessel's arm as he turned back. It seemed as if he were going to come over before deciding not to, freezing in place with a frown fixated over his lips. 

The other men stopped in their tracks as they passed the band and I realized who I had run into. 

Noah Sebastian gave a small smile, eyes and skin gleaming from the excitement of the stage as he spoke, "No worries!"

When I could only stare with my mouth agape, he had mercy on me and turned to IV as the other members of each band shook hands and murmured greetings. "That was a sick job in Brisbane, Dude. Big fan."

Noah offered a hand to IV and he took it as Noah clapped a hand onto IV's shoulder, smile spreading wider. 

At this point, Vessel was only able to nod and bow when Joakim complemented him on a song from one of their previous albums, but Vessel held a small, genuine smile as he listened and shook hands with the other members. 

Surprisingly, Noah took a step over and threw his arm around each members shoulders before shaking Vessel's hand. "Good luck out there, guys."

I blinked, stepping back as he turned back to me, offering a hand, "Good to meet you, have a good night."

My voice was barely audible when I murmured, "You too..."

I watched them go, the rest of the band either murmuring good luck to me or quickly shaking my hand.

III snickered, "A little starstruck there, Hayley Baby?" He teased, shoulders shaking with a laugh.

I rolled my eyes, walking ahead of them to escape the possibility of seeing my cheeks flushed, "Shut up." 

The other two chuckled behind me. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The light show was amazing. 

I was in awe of the capabilities these people had to make the show everything the team could imagine. I was stage right when the neon blue lights flashed over the darkness. III was pacing back and forth next to me with his bass slung around him.

I passed the security guards and made it to the barricade, still able to get a good shot of stage right, leveling my camera over my shoulder as the cacophony of  screams and cheers continued behind me.

Just after I began recording, the thrumming drone began for Chokehold and the crowd rose up in cheers. 

That's when I felt it again. The rising in my chest that made me feel like something else was in our presence.