Guide My Steps - A Zak Bagans Story

Trenches & Roadkill

A/N: For reference of the previous chapters, Laura is above!

Also, important note. It seems that I've been having trouble viewing this new part completely on my mobile app. It has cut out certain pieces of sentences and has basically butchered the quality of the chapter! :( Let me know how it looks on your mobile, and if you have any issues, pull it up in a web browser. It's completely fine on mine! Thank you again for reading!

"You say you never wanna be saved. Well, that's okay cause I wouldn't know how. Just know that the best that I'll ever be is whatever you make me and wherever you are. You're on my mind, and the things that you say hurt me most of the time. But I'm on your side, 'cause I know I'm not easy to deal with sometimes, but I'm sinking fast so it's alright..." - She's the Prettiest Girl at the Party and She Can Prove it With a Solid Right Hook by Frank Iero

*

"Order numbers?"

"Thirteen for the pink beanie, four kid size zip-up hoodies, seven regular black skeleton men's tees, and fifteen women's limited addition purple tees," I read off of my check list. Aaron nodded, confirming I had the correct amount via his laptop. Closing the lid with a firm hand, he leaned back into his rickety, wooden chair. He rubbed his hands down his face.

"That's not bad," he said, twisting the straggly ends of his dark goatee. "It's actually a rather low order rate than usual, but nonetheless, it's work."

I nodded, humming in agreement. "I can tackle the tees and hoodies tonight. Beanies I can get to in the morning."

Aaron rolled his eyes, smiling. "You're just going to do all of the work for me?"

"Well, no, but..." I paused, taking in his all-knowing smirk. Rolling my eyes, I let out a heavy sigh. "Work's a distraction is all." I mumbled quietly.

Truth be told, Aaron was the greatest best friend anyone could ever ask for. After that faithful day at the hotel about two months ago, he took the liberty to 'take me under his wing' as he put it. A friend helping another in need, and it was certainly appreciated. Not only did the camera tech - and loyal golden retriever as I deemed him - give me a place to crash, but he also gave me a job that I'll always be more than grateful for. It's not an every day luxury to acquire a place to live and a job within the same hour. Besides, I loved working for Aaron.

Little did everyone know, he worked full-time on his website and clothing orders when he wasn't working for Travel Channel.

He had purchased his own shirt print press, stamped, and mailed his products out - all on his own. Now that he had me in the picture working alongside of him, processing and taking care of every day orders, his life was less cluttered and not so focused around pressing, packaging and shipping. The man moved so quickly and efficiently that his house looked like some wicked scene from a World War I movie with all of the trenches he had nearly dug just by dragging his feet as he went about.

"Hey, have you spoken to you-know-who recently?" Aaron asked suddenly, breaking my line of thought. My stomach twisted. Speaking of trenches.

I shrugged.

"What does that mean? Yes or no?"

"The answer is that I simply haven't."

His eyes grew round and his lips tightened as he outstretched his hand to me. "Well, he's calling you now." Air leaked from my lungs in a sharp huff. I accepted the phone from his grasp with shaking hands.

I didn't want to think about him. I didn't want to dwell on the countless paparazzi attacks that I had faced since the whole scandal with Laura nor all of the trouble I have had with the media.