How To Save Rock And Roll

Chapter 22 - Demonstration

After Patrick's discovery, you told the Blue Birds about the Syndicate's headquarters. They said they'll try to find a way to go there. Patrick still had visions, and they were always the same, with the person with the raven mask. However, now, he was able to sleep normally.

Patrick woke up with a start as his earpiece went off with a loud noise. "What the...? Dude, I was sleeping. What's going on?"
"In a demonstration, they started a riot. You guys need to go there. We already sent some of our guys," King explained in a hurry, "Our guys have a bird on the back of their jackets."
"Okay, I'm coming," He said and got out of bed. He picked up his clothes and starting putting them on. When he was about to leave the room, he stopped and looked back at you, sleeping. Even though you couldn't hear him, he said, "I'll be back soon." And with that, he left the apartment.

On the way to the demonstration, Patrick called Joe, Isaac, and Nick and told them to meet him there. He was waiting in an alley for his friends, the shouts and loud noises of the riot echoing through the streets of Chicago. After a few minutes, they arrived.

"So, what are we going to do?" Nick inquired.
"It's getting too dangerous out there. We gotta convince the guys of the Blue Birds to stop. The other people will follow the movement," Patrick answered.
"Okay, then let's go," Joe replied, and they started walking away.
"Wait," Isaac spoke up, "How are we supposed to find the Blue Birds? We only saw Joe, Ben and Dave."
"Look at their back. You'll know when you'll see them," Patrick assured him before leaving the alley with the guys.

They arrived in the main street where the Blue Birds and other people were fighting guards of the Syndicate. The guys started telling the Blue Birds to leave. As Nick was trying to convince someone to stop, one of the guards grabbed him by the arms, "Hey, let me go!" He cried, trying to get out the guard's grasp. Someone in the crowd threw a rock and it hit the helmet of the guard, breaking a piece of the dark glass. The guard stumbled back, falling on one knee and letting Nick go. Nick turned toward him and his eyes widened as he saw the familiar face behind the helmet. "Eli?" It was the guitarist of his old band. The guard looked up, his eyes were completely black. Nick took a few steps back as Eli got up and walked toward him, a weird gun in his right hand. He ran to him, grabbed him firmly and pressed the gun on the back of his neck. "No please. Don't do this!" He pleaded as he tried to wiggle out of his grasp, without success. Eli pressed the trigger and let Nick fell to his knees, his eyes becoming a glowing clear blue. His stared into space for a few seconds before collapsing on the ground. Eli picked Nick's body up and started walking toward a black van.

Patrick looked around the crowd and spotted the guard with Nick on his shoulder. His irises suddenly became yellow. He started pushing through the crowd, trying to go help his friend. Joe stopped him by putting his hand on his shoulder, turning him over to him, "No, let go. We can't do anything."
Patrick narrowed his eyes, his eyebrows knitted together, "I already let one of my friends die in front of me. This is not going to happen a second time." His voice was deep.
Joe looked at him, fear in his eyes and let him go. He thought for a few seconds then followed him.

Patrick pushed through the crowd and shoved a guard. This one grabbed Patrick by the collar of his jacket and put his arm over his chest. Patrick gritted his teeth and tried to free himself by shaking in the arms of the guard. Joe ran toward the guard and tried to help Patrick, but the guard pushed him, making him fall to the ground. The guard started walking toward the van, trying to keep Patrick still. "Stop moving so much!" He ordered.
Patrick gave him no answer.
The guard threw Patrick in the back of the van. "If you try to leave, I'll kill you," He threatened then climbed in the vehicle. Patrick stood up in a jump and tackled him, taking off the helmet of the guard and - without even looking at the person under him - started hitting him. Blood was now all over his hands. The guard managed to take something that was attached to his thigh - a syringe. He grabbed the object really tight in his hand and planted it in the neck of Patrick. His eyes became their normal color and it felt like all strength was sucked out of his body. He punched the guard one last time, this time more weakly and collapsed next to him.

Joe stood up and before he could do anything, another guard of the Syndicate tackled him to the ground. Joe's head hit the floor really hard, causing him to lose consciousness. He picked up his body and went to the black van.

"Isaac, we saw what happened. You need to leave right now. They're arresting the members of the Blue Birds."
"But the guys-" He objected.
"Just go. They'll be okay. We'll save them."
Isaac hesitated. He looked behind him then in front of him where the Syndicate were still fighting to arrest the Blue Birds.
"Isaac. Go!" Joe ordered.
Isaac turned around and ran to your apartment.

*****

You opened the door of your apartment after Isaac had knocked on it hurriedly, waking you up in the middle of night. He walked past you before you could say something and passed into the hallway, his head in his hands.
"What's going on? Where's Patrick?" You asked, worried.
He looked at you, "There was a demonstration. We thought they were just going to make them stop, and we were trying to do that too, but..." He stopped for a moment and added, "They arrested Nick, Joe and Patrick."