Black Plague

Chapter 21

"No one?" Jessie asked looking into Akita's wooden eyes.

"You have no idea who Lucas Reed is, or what he's capable of. Just be glad he's on your side." Akita said as he rubbed his neck.

Lucas chuckled and gave a thumbs up.

"It's dead. I can't feel its body's electric current anymore." Luca said as he leaned against a column next to him.

"He can do that?" Jessie asked stunned.

"What did I just tell you? Kids these days man." Akita said letting out an audible sigh.

Feeling his face get warm, Jessie turned away and looked at what was left of their adversary. The raging flames burned around the body, burning it black. It smelled horrible.

A sudden crash brought everyone back to reality as they watched the stage catch fire and fall to the ground.

"We need to leave!" Toby yelled pulling Akita up and towards the back room.

"This whole place is gonna go down with us in it if we don't get out now! Or worse the cops will come!" Toby screamed as he grabbed onto Jessie's shoulders. "I'm not going back to jail man!"

"Toby you've never been to jail." Lucas said as he limped towards them.

Jessie looked to see him battered and bruised. His brown hair matted to his forehead with sweat and each corner of his mouth was complimented with a small stream of blood.

"Are you really gonna argue with me after all this. You literally almost died." Toby said upset.

"Toby we all almost died, your no exception." Akita said hands on hips.

"Guys please don't embarrass me with such blasphemy in front of our guest. Your gonna ruin my image."

"Toby I think your great, can we please get out of here now." Jessie said exasperated.

A sudden creaking brought their attention to the column where Lucas rested and watched as it crumpled and burned. The whole roof shook letting a shower of dust and embers fall all around them.

"Let's get the fuck out of here." Lucas said as he put his arm around Toby's shoulder.

"What about the bar?!" Akita pleaded.

"What about all these people?" Jessie asked turning back to see nothing but flames. The smell worsened.

"Kid there's no one left. I can only feel our heartbeats." Lucas said solemnly.

Watching the flames Jessie saw nothing but raw heat engulf the bar. From the flames a large cloud of smoke came barreling towards him catching him square in the chest knocking the wind out of him. He fell to his knees and was overcome by grief. A steady stream of tears poured from his eyes as Toby helped him up.

"What the hell was that!" Tony asked stunned.

"We have no time let's go!" Akita yelled from the exit. Jessie wiped his eyes as he turned and followed the group out the door.

Rushing through the door and down the hallway, Lucas stopped short.

"Wait a second, I left something behind. Head outside without me I'll catch up." He nodded towards his band mates and headed into their dressing room.

"What could possibly be worth risking his life for in there." Jessie asked as he ran out the back door and into the rain.

"Beer?" Akita said shrugging his shoulders.

"His guitar maybe. Lucas isn't a very materialistic guy." Toby said as he shivered from the rain.

"Does he always do things like this?" Jessie brushing sweat away from his brow.