The Cult of Silence (Complete)

Chapter Two: The Warnings

The dinner went great for the band. Feasting on tasty food in the Veg Cafe on 17th Ave, toasting to the good reception of AMERICA. Of course, Ryan was mostly interested to hear if Jared had a new idea. When Jared shared the title idea, Ryan's eye lit up with intense curiosity. However, Jared gave no more than that. Which was the same amount that Shannon and Tomo had Jared, knew what this album was going to hold.

The fear that Shannon experienced last night and Jared's dreamless sleepwalking faded to the back of their mind once Jared said the title. Easing the worry that Jared's creative flow might have dried up.

It was Tomo who first felt that something was wrong. Sitting at dinner he got the impression that he was being watched, sure, it was hard to go out in public and not come across fans. The difference with this impression was whatever it was, was angry. He did look around for the source, no matter where he looked it always seems to be behind him.

Nearing the end of the meal, Tomo is sweating, like he had just got done doing a show. The fact that the Leto brothers seem to be unaffected by this, worries him even more. This is not what they need right now something else on top of Jared sleepwalking.

"Yo, Tomo, are alright?" Ryan asks cheerily.

That, of course, draws the attention of Jared and Shannon.

"Tomo?" That is Jared. Tomo just drops his head.

"I'll be right back," Tomo says quickly and hurries to the bathroom.

Jared and Shannon watch him go in confusion and worry.

As Ryan chuckles heartedly, "The spicy salad was too much."

Jared and Shannon give a nervous chuckle in replay. When Ryan received only the chuckles in response to his comment he saw this a good time to call it a night, "Well, I believe that is a good end to a night. I guess it is back home for the lot of you tomorrow, after months of buses, hotels, and airplanes?"

Jared turns to face Ryan, "Shannon and I will head home in a few days. We want to enjoy The Big Apple for a while longer."

Shannon pips up, "Yeah, Tomo has a flight out tomorrow."

Ryan nods and when the next waiter passes he stopped him and asks for their bill.

Tomo reaches the bathroom, leans over the nearest sink. There is an old man washing his hands, he leaves without drying his hands. Air drying was the secret to smooth skin or so he was told, never too late he thinks.

When Tomo hears the door shut he lets out a gasp, leans on his elbows and turns on the water. He hair is hanging front of his face. He dips his hands under the water when he feels something all around. He froze, cold water running over his hands his long hair hiding his view of the mirror. He is grateful for that, he wasn't normally prone to being claustrophobic. This is like being wrapped in a heavy, wet blanket of anger. This put immense weight his back, putting uncomfortable pressure on his elbows and knees threatening to slam him against the countertop.

He let out a cry of great strain forcing himself to turn around, flinging water everywhere in the process. There is no one there. He runs his soaking and shaking hands through his hair and down his face hoping to pull himself together. He hears a collective whisper of many voices, all cold and shroud in anger. The words make him paler then sheet music, "Your frontman will meet his death or be silenced forever."

Tomo spins to his left and falls to the floor when his heel hit some water. Still, there is no one there, fortunately, the impression of being watched disappeared. He is staring wide-eyed at the door and on the floor when it opens. The man instantly backs out of the bathroom after catching a glimpse of a well-known guitarist on the floor looking scared out of his mind. On any other circumstance, Tomo would have found that funny as hell. On the other hand, he is struck with an odd realization. As the terror that clouded his mind lifts. Why didn't he see if he was okay, it isn't like they are in a run-down diner in the bad part of the city. He might have long hair but that doesn't...shouldn't translate to him being strung out on anything and maybe they did cause a small ruckus when they entered the restaurant. There were a couple of young people that were part of the cult, they screamed upon seeing them.