Culture Shock

Chapter 14: Emergency

Sam's first reaction to seeing one of the Apollo5 members drop on stage was to try to push her way through the crowd. Maya grabbed hold of her to keep her in place and Sam snapped her head back to yell at her sister. Maya met Sam's eyes and shook her head firmly before widening her eyes at Sam to convey she needed to calm down and think.

It was hard to calm down. Before the sound techs cut the mics, the sickening thud and gasp of air as a body hit the stage echoed through the arena along with the surprised cries of the Apollo5 members. The audience was all in a din of panic as management and the band rushed around the downed member.

Sam and Maya held onto each other tightly, their breaths baited. Both of them completely focused on the stage despite the fact they couldn't make out anything happening.

What seemed like ages later, Dabin approached the front of the stage and the Megatrons turned on to show him. He raised his arms to quiet the crowd as they cheered at seeing him, and the silence that followed his movement struck Sam.

Dabin adjusted his mic and spoke, "We don't want you to worry, but as you all saw Jinki collapsed as we were finishing our show." Sam expected the crowd to make some kind of noise in response, but it stayed silent as Dabin continued. "He is getting the best care, and he will be all right. He gave his all tonight for you, and it exhausted him. He says for Ares to please not worry, and apologizes for any stress this might have caused you. We all want to give our best to you every show, and we never want to disappoint. We hope you all make it home safely tonight and take care of yourselves. We will update Jinki's condition for you via social media, and ask that you wish him well in whatever recovery he needs. Thank you." Dabin bowed deeply before leaving the stage and the screens went dark.

The arena lights went up and the crowd began to murmur and make their way out of the arena. Sam glanced at the stage where the staff had crowded around Jinki and saw it was empty.

Sam looked at Maya in disbelief. Not only had the man collapsed on stage in front of thousands of fans, but he was then apologized for in case it might have stressed the fans out.

"Un-freaking-believable!" Sam exclaimed and Maya pressed her lips together and nodded her agreement.

Maya leaned in and yelled to be heard over the crowd. "Let's go back to the hotel, there's no way we are getting backstage now." Sam agreed and they made their way out of the arena and back to the hotel.

The hotel was locked down when they got there. They were only allowing guests into the hotel and so Maya wasn't allowed in.

Sam tried to use her journalism credentials to get Maya in, but the security wasn't having it.

"I'm sorry Miss Ramirez, but your credentials don't carry over to your sister. You are welcome in as you're a guest here, but we cannot allow any extras right now." The big security guy said. He seemed genuinely apologetic, and that was the only reason Sam didn't rip him a new one.

"It's fine," Maya interjected, fearing her sister's temper would put the man doing his job in the line of fire. "I'll just get an Uber home," Maya added.

"That's fine, I do have to ask that you do it off the premises. We are trying to keep traffic low." The security dude said with more apology in his tone.

Sam shot the man a glare. "Fine, but I'll be back once she's gone."

The security guard cringed a smile at Sam's clear threat. "See you then." Sam's opinion of him ticked up a notch at his dry response.

Sam and Maya walked off and Sam glanced back at the large man standing once again in a commanding stance. "Jerk," Sam grumbled.

"It's not a big deal, Sameera," Maya said. "He's doing his job. He was nice even."