by Erin Osborne
The crowd goes crazy and a smile breaks out on my face. Fans screaming and stomping vibrates through the stage and to the stairs I’m currently standing on. It draws me in even further and I let the feeling wash over me. They’re ready for us to help them escape reality for a little while and pour our heart and souls into every song for them.
Just before it’s time for me to start singing, I make my way on stage and stand front and center. I scan the crowd and make eye contact with the fans standing the closest to the stage. It’s all about a connection with me and I try to make that connection to as many fans as I can while we’re on stage.
We usually open every show with a ballad and close it out with another ballad. The songs in between are a mix of harder rock and ballads. As I walk the stage while singing, I spot Isabella off to the side where she usually catches every show. Afterwards, she’ll give us feedback and we’ll make the next show better.
I let myself be swept away as I sing song after song. Everything fades away as we play. No one can get to me while we’re in the middle of a show and I let that fuel me as we get to the halfway point of the set.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” I ask to the roar of every single fan in the packed venue. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight and continuing to support us. We love you all!”
Damon launches into the next song as the crowd quiets down. The rest of the guys join in and I wait for my cue to start singing. As I wait, I reach out and touch as many fans in the front row as possible. It’s something I started at our first show and I refuse to stop no matter how much Isabella bitches at me to stop doing it.
We finally finish the show and as we exit the stage, shouts for an encore greet our ears. Unfortunately, there will be no encore tonight. The guys and I are exhausted and have been on the road for almost nine months non-stop now.
We’re all flying high as we make our way back to the room our stuff is in. None of us hang out or get comfortable. We grab our bags and make our way out to the bus. The roadies will load up our equipment and make sure it gets put in the vans before they all follow us home.
Right now, all I want is a hot shower and to change into sweats before crawling in bed. I’ll sleep most of the way home after the tour. That still won’t be enough sleep for me. I’m that exhausted. Honestly, I just want a month off with no recording, meetings, tours, or anything else band related.
Chapter Three
Onyx
TODAY IS MY nineteenth birthday. My dad woke me up early so I could get ready to go see Mr. Jackson. There was no ‘Happy Birthday’ or anything from the man who’s DNA I share. Instead, it was slamming my door open and kicking my bed to wake me up. Then turning and slamming the door behind him as he leaves my room again.
Standing under the shower, I let the hot water rush over me and melt the tension that’s been holding my body down since the day I heard about the money. Even though I still have no clue how much money has been left to me, I’m more than ready to put my plan into effect.
Throughout the few days since my dad told me, I’ve been gathering everything I hold near and dear to my heart. It’s not much really. Just some things my grandparents gave me as I was growing up. Pictures of them and me, a few dragons and skulls that I’ve had to keep hidden from my dad, and any important paperwork I’ll need.
Today is the day I break the chains that hold me to my dad and the oppressive life he expects me to lead. I’m going to take the money and leave. I probably won’t leave Blue Springs, this is my home after all. The only thing I’m taking with me is the bag full of mementos I don’t want to leave behind. Everything else, including my phone, can all be destroyed by the man who owns this house.
Getting out of the shower, I get ready for the day and make my way downstairs. I should have enough time to get to the office, make it back here for my bag before heading to the bank to withdraw some money. By then, I’ll have to be careful so my dad doesn’t realize what I’m doing until I’m safe in a place of my own.
I’ve dressed in a beige colored dress paired with beige heels. Everything I own is in neutral colors and so boring. My long dark hair is brushed and left down and I don’t put an ounce of make-up on. It’s not proper to wear make-up when you’re as young as I am and not at a party or photo opportunity. At least according to the man downstairs.
I’ve been looking at the ads in the newspaper for vacant apartments. After making a few calls, I think I’ve found the perfect place. It’s an apartment in a building with security and I can pay in cash. I’ll have to get checks for the months after the initial payment, but that shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll talk to the bank when I’m there and open a checking account and put some money in it.
Then all that’s left is to buy what I’ll need to furnish the apartment and new clothes. For the first time in my life, I’ll be able to dress in what I want to. Everything won’t have to be proper and immaculate. If I want to dress in jeans and a tank top, I’ll be able to.
“Finally! Let’s go,” my dad says, marching out the front door as I grab my purse from the stand just inside the door and follow him outside.
We get in his BMW and make our way down to Mr. Jackson’s office. The ride is silent and tense as he drives the short distance to the office building. I can feel my body trembling as I think of all the ways this plan is going to backfire on me. Dread fills me that I won’t be able to get out of his house and on my own today.
“Remember what I said. You’re to fucking get the papers signed, change the money over to my account, and put the paperwork in the drawer in the living room. I expect you to be home when I get there. Is that fucking understood?” he asks, slamming the breaks to stop the car in front of the office building.
“Yes, father,” I answer as I grab my purse and get out of the car.
“No extra stops bitch,” he calls before taking off from the curb when the door is barely shut behind me.
Walking into Mr. Jackson’s office, I take a deep breath before telling his secretary why I’m there. She asks me to have a seat and says he’ll be out in just a minute to get me. He’s been waiting for me.
“Miss Carrington, please follow me,” Mr. Jackson says, walking into the front room of the building.
Following him into his office, I take a seat and wait for him to gather the necessary paperwork. For a minute, he sits and looks at me once he has what I need to sign in front of him. I’m not sure what the look he’s giving me means, but I can already tell this is not gonna be good.
“Miss Carrington, I have to tell you that your dad wants his hands on this money. Bad. He was livid when I called and talked to him about it. The only reason I didn’t call you is because I don’t have a number for you. I’m worried about what he’s going to do to get this,” he says.
“I’ve got a plan in place. I don’t want to divulge any information because if you don’t know anything, he can’t get it out of you,” I tell him, folding my hands in my lap.
“Okay. Now, your grandma has left you almost five million dollars. There’s more coming when you turn twenty-one, but you get the five now. I just need your signature on these two pieces of paper for the funds to be transferred into your name,” he says, dropping a bombshell on me.
For a minute I can do nothing but sit in the chair and blink my eyes. I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open right now. I finally get myself together enough to sign the papers Mr. Jackson slid in front of me. Once my signature is there, he puts the paperwork in a folder and sets it aside. A paper is slid in front of me and I see it has my account information on it. Sliding it in my wallet, I make sure it can’t fall out before I close my purse and set it back on my lap.
“If you need anything at all, please let me know,” he says, standing from his chair and coming around in front of the desk. “And please be extremely careful.”
“I will. Thank you, Mr. Jackson. I’ll make sure you have my number when I get a new phone,” I tell him, turning to head out of the office. “Oh,
is there a hold on the money or anything?”
“Nope. The money is yours as of now. You are free to spend it as of the second you signed the papers. The bank is expecting you.”
Nodding my head, a weight feels like it’s been lifted off of me. I still need to get the apartment and get things for it, but I feel lighter than I have in my entire life. I’m that much closer to my dad no longer being able to control me.
I practically run to the house and make sure my dad’s car isn’t back before making my way inside the house that’s been my prison for nineteen years. Running up to my room, I grab the bag I stashed in the very back of my closet and make my getaway.
It takes me almost fifteen minutes to get to the bank. Once again, I search the area to make sure my dad’s car isn’t anywhere near here. The last thing I need is to walk in and find him waiting on me because he thinks I’m too stupid complete the task he wants me to do. When I’m sure it’s not here, I walk in the bank and make my way to the tellers.
“Can I help you?” a young woman named Michelle asks.
“Yes. I’d like to make a withdrawal from my account,” I answer her. “I also need to start a checking account.”
Taking the paper out of my purse, I slide it on the counter so she can pull it up. She pulls up my information on the computer and I watch as her face changes with the amount of money in it. If I weren’t in such a hurry, I’d laugh, but I don’t have time for all that right now.
“How much would you like to pull out?” she asks, regaining her composure.
“I’d like a hundred thousand.”
She grabs a paper and fills it out, asking me to sign it and produce my identification. Once she’s done getting all of that taken care of, Michelle walks me over to another woman. Before leaving, she tells me she’ll help me open a checking account.
“Hello, Miss Carrington. You want to open a checking account today?” she asks, hitting some keys on her keyboard.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay. I’ll need your identification. What kind of account would you like?” she asks.
“Just a normal checking account. And I’ll need to order some checks once I have my new address.”
“Okay. Would you like internet banking? You can order checks right from there.”
“Yes, please.”
It takes longer than I’d like to get the account open and money switched over, but I’m ready to leave the bank and take care of the next item on my list of things to do today. I have an hour before I have to meet the manager of the apartment. Hopefully I can get to the car dealership and pick a car before then.
Walking two blocks to the dealership, I keep my eyes peeled at all times. I’m not taking any chances my dad will drive by. Once I’m safely in the parking lot surrounded by new cars, I take a breath. It’s not long before a salesman is making his way toward me.
“Hello. Can I help you?” he asks.
“Yes. I’d like to buy a car or SUV today,” I answer him.
“Okay. My name is Jeff and I’ll be happy to help you. Do you have a preference?” he asks, looking around at the SUVs I’m standing in front of.
“No. I should probably get an SUV though. I can come back for a car later on,” I respond, looking at the ones right in front of me.
There’s a dark blue and a black Dodge Durango sitting there and I like the looks of both of them. Jeff walks me to the dark blue one and opens the door for me. The interior is all leather and black. He goes into detail about the vehicle and I tune him out as I judge how much stuff I can load in here.
Before long, I’m pulling out into traffic as Jeff takes me on a test drive. The ride is smooth as I drive around the block and pull back into the parking lot. I want this SUV and I’m going to get it today.
“How long will it take to buy this? Right now, with cash?” I ask.
“Um, well, I can get the paperwork drawn up. Are you going to need new insurance?” he asks.
“Listen, I’m on a time crunch. I’ll give you an extra two thousand dollars to have me out of here in the next twenty minutes if possible. I don’t want to be difficult, but I can’t be caught here,” I tell him, hearing the pleading quality in my voice.
“Let’s go. I’ll make sure I do my best to get you out of here in your time requirement,” Jeff answers.
I sit in front of Jeff’s desk as he does all the paperwork, tells me where I need to sign, and calls an insurance company. I give them all of my necessary information. Including the address of the apartment building. I hope it’s enough to get the SUV insured and on the road.
“Miss Carrington, I’m going to get your new plates put on and then you’ll be ready to go,” Jeff assures me after I hand him over the cash and he counts it before handing me a receipt.
“Thank you so much Jeff. I look forward to doing business with you again in the near future.”
Following Jeff outside, I put my purse in the car and wait for him to put the plates on. As I’m watching the traffic fly by, I see my dad’s car drive by. Thankfully he doesn’t pay attention to anything around him other than the cars when he’s driving.
“You’re all set,” Jeff says as he backs away from the SUV.
Leaving the dealership, I make my way to the apartment building. As soon as I pull into the parking garage, I’m thankful I don’t have to walk from the sidewalk in. Who knows when my dad will come looking for me?
“Can I help you?” a man wearing a security shirt asks as I walk through the doors.
“Yes. I’m here to see the manager about renting an apartment,” I answer.
“Name?” he questions.
“Onyx Carrington.”
It doesn’t take long before I’m shown to the manager’s office. I walk in to see a woman not much older than me sitting behind a desk. We go over the monthly rent before she takes me up to see the apartment. As soon as I walk in, I’m in love.
We walk into a huge living room. Off to the left is a kitchen separated from the dining room by an island. There’s room for a small table right in front of the windows. All of the appliances in the kitchen are brand new and stainless steel. To the left of the living room is a hallway where the bedroom and bathroom are located. The bedroom is bigger than the one I had at my dad’s house with a huge closet. In the bathroom, there’s a his and hers vanity with a bigger than normal bathtub and shower combination.
“I’ll take it. Today. I’ll pay cash for the first month’s rent and deposit. After that I’ll pay by check,” I tell Darien.
“Okay. You’ll have to sign a lease. And I’ll show you where the laundry room is,” she tells me as we leave the apartment I’ll get to call home from now on.
Now all that’s left is to go shopping. I mentally make a list of everything I’ll need to get. I’ll be out most of the day once I sign the paperwork and get the keys to the apartment. As soon as that’s done, I thank Darien and make my way out of the building with keys in hand.
Knowing my dad is on the lookout for me by now, I go a few towns over to do most of my shopping. I’ll get the furniture and bigger things once I’m back in Blue Springs so I can hopefully have it all delivered today. I want to get my house set up as soon as possible.
When I got back from my day of shopping, I talk to the security guard on duty, Brent, and had my dad put on a list of people I don’t want allowed in the building. If he ever figures out where I live, he won’t be able to get to me while I’m home. I’ll only have to worry about him when I’m out and about. Something I plan on doing a lot of now that I have freedom.
Shopping took more out of me than I ever realized it would. It’s different when you can buy whatever you want and go through every aisle and rack there is in a store. I ended up having help from the associates in the store because I had over ten carts filled with everything from clothes, bedding, decorations, candles, bathroom essentials, and kitchen essentials. They helped me load up the SUV and thanked me before I left and went to the nearest mall for more clothing
and things to buy.
Once I was back in Blue Springs, I stopped at the furniture store, staying vigilant and looking for my dad the entire time I was shopping. They were here in an hour with everything I bought. And one of them hung my television for me. It helps when you have money and can slip them something extra for the help and their discretion.
As soon as they left, I looked up restaurants so I could order dinner to be delivered. I found a pizza place not far from me and ordered a cheeseburger sub with fries and a soda. Food I’ve never been allowed to eat before. I devoured the food as soon as I got it. Well, I couldn’t eat it all because the sub was the biggest sub I’ve seen in my life. It will be good for lunch tomorrow.
I’ve soaked in my tub and now I’m ready to hit my bed. I should wash my clothes and bedding before I use it, but right now I don’t have the energy. Tomorrow I’ll begin washing everything and making sure it’s all clean and ready to use. The same goes for my new kitchen items. I know I need more, and I’ll get that when I feel like going on a shopping spree again. For now, it’s bed and then focusing on getting my new home put together.
Chapter Four
Knight
AS SOON AS I got dropped off last night, I climbed into bed and promptly fell asleep. I think I had the best sleep of my life. No dreams, no interruptions, and no one trying to get my attention. I left my phone in my pants pocket in the bathroom so it wouldn’t wake me up if it went off.
Now it’s time to get my ass in gear and unpack my bag, catch up on laundry and other things around the house, and get some food in me. I’ll start with the laundry since I can leave it in the laundry room and go back down when it’s done. The only time I ever have help here is when I’m on the road. Then a housekeeper comes in to make sure the house is clean and no one is trying to mess with my stuff.
I grab the laundry from the road and throw it on top of the laundry basket already half full. Making my way down to the laundry room, I’m lost in thought. It’s not until I hear the voice of an angel singing one of my damn songs that I begin to pay attention again.