Nightmare

Chapter One

Life had been going well. A little too well and at any moment I expected the World to come crashing down on me. For some reason since 2001, the first time my world changed, I had learned to always expected it.

I enjoyed my life now. A little too much so it was due time for it to change again,as always.

I'm a freelance journalist and photographer for Metal Hammer one of the best and World renowned metal and hard rock magazines. It was a dream job. I was grateful I had it. But I figured at some point it would probably end.

I enjoyed my work. It was amazing traveling around seeing bands, taking their photos, and interviewing them. Even better I was paid for it.

I had interviewed some of my favorite bands like Metallica, Korn and Slipknot. It was almost criminal I was paid to meet my idols and question them.

But like I said before I was waiting for the bad news. In my life I had learned at a young age that good things don't last forever. It had been proven to me time and time again.

So I knew when my editor called me on a Sunday afternoon asking me please to come in the office the bad news would soon follow.

The dream had to end and truth be told I had been expecting it.

So here I am waiting for him twirling my thumbs trying to think of where I could find work.

The mall was always hiring in the photography studies for family portraits.  Maybe I could luck out and find a newspaper hiring.

"Dez thanks for coming in." Jerry,my editor,  says bursting in.

"Look let's cut the chit chat and get to the point. When's my last day?" I ask him as he sits down.

"One thing I've always loved about you Dezzy." He smiles looking at me.

"I always expect the bullshit?" I half laugh

"No you're to the point." Jerry huffs

"Well get to it." I sigh "no sense in dragging it out."

"I hate to do this but you're being let go as you've guessed. I've tried to hold on to you as long as I could but honestly there's just not a way. It's not something you did it's just sales are shit. Our readership is strong but it's mostly internet and well as the big wigs pointed out we can get anyone to do that." Jerry sighs

"I understand. Well thanks for everything. But if you excuse me I need to figure out a way to eat." I smile rising to my feet.

"Wait that's why I called you in." Jerry laughs grabbing my arm. "Quit being in a rush sit down."

"Alright I'm listening." I reply intrigued sitting back down.

"So my friend he manages a band. They're pretty popular and successful. Anyhow they are looking for a photographer to follow them on their mini tour to take photos during the show back stage with the fans and write their tour blog. My friend asked me if I knew anyone who was good and available. You came to mind." He smiles.

"Really? How's the pay?" I ask

"Well he took a look at your portfolio and was impressed. They're offering you ten grand as a sign on bonus, five hundred a photo, plus all copyrights to photos they do not use, and a hundred an article. It's a small tour but if they're happy with your work you could follow them to Europe and when their album drops it could be full time." Jerry explains.

"Oh wow. That's a hell of an offer. Actually a bit high. Who's the band?" I ask noticing Jerry never mentioned their name or the manager's name.

They have to be more than mildly successful to be able to afford that much for a photographer.