SECRETS | D.S

three

Dan had spent the morning writing out a set list.

While he'd usually come prepared for a festival like this, things had been so crazy lately that he just hadn't had time to think about songs or the order in which he'd be performing them, until now.

He'd been up at eight, him and Mark heading for breakfast at the resort cafe, treated to waffles and coffee, and had then hit one of the heated salt pools, doing a few laps. He'd made an effort to live healthier since no longer being part of a band, and he felt good, physically at least.

When 11am rolled around, Dan found himself assembled with the rest of the artist lineup, backpack on his back. Today, they would be making the three-hour hike up the mountain to get to the main stage and while this was optional - you could take the ski lifts and get there in triple the time - everyone seemed to be up for it.

Katie stood up front and and center while the event coordinator explained how the day would go, and Dan felt a smile pulling at his lips when she met his eyes. He wondered, for a minute, if she'd be joining them on the hike.

As announcements came to a close, Katie began handing out programs, boots leaving tracks in the powdered snow.

"Morning," she smiled as she handed one to Dan, "looks like you're up quite early in the lineup."

"Great," Dan laughed with a hint of anxiety, "though at least I'll be able to get it over with so people can enjoy real music after that."

"Oh come on, you're amazing," Katie rolled her eyes playfully, "I've heard your music."

"Oh, you have," Dan felt his face heating up at the thought, "well, it's not that good."

"A little self-confidence never hurt anyone," she smiled as she brushed past him, "you should try it sometime."

Dan's smile mirrored her own, cheeks burning, "see you on the hike?"

"Actually, she'll be taking the car," the man whom he'd seen her with yesterday, joined her side now, breath misting in the cool air. "Come on, Mum needs us to help the DJ with his gear."

"Oh, Dan, I don't think you've been formally introduced," Katie said, turning to the man, "this is James, my brother... James, this is Dan Smith."

"Good to meet you," Dan smiled, reaching forward to shake his hand, but his eyes settled into Dan's, his presence somewhat cold and unwelcoming.

"I know who you are," he said, shaking Dan's hand, "right, come on, Katie, we need to go."

Dan was left standing in the snow as Katie and James headed off and he pushed his glasses up his nose, eyes following them. Perhaps she couldn't hike because of her limp? Before he could stand and question it, the group was on the move and he caught up with Mark as they began the hike.

The snow gradually became thicker as they went and Dan could see how this might be difficult for someone with an injury, though Katie had been skiing yesterday without signs of a struggle. Perhaps he really had been the cause of it, as she'd had to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting him. He'd make a note to apologize later.

The sun warmed their skin as they trekked up the slopes, keeping an eye out for any wildlife said to be spotted on the resort grounds. The most Dan saw were a few swifts dipping down from the sky occasionally, and a lone Ibex that disappeared off the reserve when it saw the group making their way up.

Conversation revolved around everyday life and the festival lineup, and Dan smiled at a few faces he recognized, only sharing a brief exchange with Dan Reynolds, lead vocalist for Imagine Dragons, before he kept to himself again, enjoying the view.

By the time they reached the top, after many stops along the way, the sun was already making its descent as they'd taken most of the day to hike, needing to pause for water, lunch and rest before continuing.

The main stage was larger than anything he'd seen before, even giving festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella a run for their money. The arena itself was massive, nestled between the Alps, leading up to a huge main stage that loomed over the resort in all its glory. The pyro crew had set up, busy wiring the support beams with pyrotechnics, smoke and lights, and various stage crew had made an appearance, running to get last-minute things sorted.

Dan was in awe as they were welcomed with coffee and biscuits and would all be sharing a space for the next night with their own rooms before tomorrow's festival madness would begin. Tonight, they had a local band performing as an official opening act, but tomorrow, the real deal began.

He followed Mark to their shared room and dropped his bag down on his chosen bed. Down the hall, he could hear the Twenty-One Pilots guys getting settled in, and someone else was asking Marshmello if he showered with his helmet on as well. Dan laughed to himself and made his way into the hallway, eager to get a glimpse of the stage again.

He'd never been on a stage this big before, let alone been near one, and he realized, suddenly, why this had become one of the most talked-about festivals in recent years. Besides the fact that it was pretty much exclusive, by invitation only, and people would pay almost seventy percent more on tickets, not even front-row tickets, the venue and view of it all set it apart from the rest. And perhaps the fact that it was owned by a mega music producer - that played a part, for sure.

His fingers traced the metal of the barricades being set up around the perimeter to separate backstage from the main arena, watching stage crew scurry about to get things done. It wasn't long before Katie caught his eye, however, but his feet remained glued to the spot, not wanting to bother her while she was working. She had a festival jacket on, carrying boxes of water inside, and her limp was apparent now, making it hard to look away.

Dan walked over, despite telling himself not to.

"Need help with those?"

"Oh," she looked up, her smile returning, "no, it's alright, thank you, almost done."

"Nah, man, let me help," he took the box from her, "it's no problem, really."

"Well, thanks," she reached for the last one and Dan took it from her as well.

"Where to?"

"Kitchen," she told him, "through here."

Dan followed her, peering out from behind the boxes so that he could find a clear path through the guest lounge towards the kitchen. He set them down and turned to check out his surroundings. Even the kitchen was grand, fitted with rosewood shelving and cupboards, marble granite counter tops and rock ovens, black stoves and cooking areas, resembling something he'd only seen in films.

"Wow..."

"Yeah," she uttered a breathless laugh, "we get that a lot."

"This place must cost a fortune to keep up and running," he said, hands on his hips as he scoped out the place, "it's amazing."

"Well, the festivals do bring in a lot of income so," Katie shrugged, "we get that, paired with our resort income. Not doing too badly. Howard said he's thinking of dropping the festival side of things in a few years, but for now, we're still going."

"Howard? Your father?"

"Oh, yeah," she nodded, "yeah, guess he's growing tired of the music business."

"Don't blame him," Dan said as they made their way outside again.

"Thanks for your help, Dan, appreciate it. Work is the last thing you should be doing on your weekend off."

"I don't mind," Dan laughed, "just a few boxes."

She smiled at him and his stomach did a black-flip, making him bite his lip, trying to ignore it.

"See you at the bonfire later? We're roasting marshmallows... not the artist, just to be clear..."

"I should hope not," he grinned, "but yeah, see you then."

She threw a smile over her shoulder as she headed off to sort out final program arrangements and he stood there again, like he had before, hoping to shoot down the butterflies before they could take flight.

Before he lost himself in something that was out of his control.