• This is place is so loud I can barely hear myself think, I thought, as I followed my friend Jess through the crowd, just barely keeping sight of her long, platinum blonde hair. Normally I’m not the one to go to Seth’s, Jess’s boyfriend’s, concerts, but it was Jess’s birthday, and she’d practically begged on her hands and knees for me to come along, since her parent’s had finally, after persuading them for days straight that the concerts were totally not wild and out of control, failing the mention that this was a bit of a white lie, allowed her to go on one condition. She’d have to bring me, her responsible, quiet, and mature friend to the concert too. I was convinced that she wouldn’t be able to talk me into this one. This time, I would not be moved! However, the previous week’s conversation had gone a little something like this:

    “Hey, Blair, I need to ask you something.”
    Hesitantly, I replied, “Okay…” Jess was known for her ability to talk her way in and out of everything.
    “Okay, before you say no, let me just tell you that this would mean the world to me and I promise I’ll never ask you to do anything for me ever again.” She said, hurriedly, hope gleaming in her clear, blue eyes.
    “No.” It was always the same. Every single time.
    “Come on! Why not? You don‘t even know what it‘s for!”
    “You say that every time you want me to go to some party with you. Jess, you know I don’t do parties.”
    “But this isn’t a party!” She stated, matter-of-factly.
    “Then what is it?” I demanded.
    “It’s one of Seth’s band’s concerts. Please, Blair! It took me forever to convince my parents, and they said I could only go if I brought you along! Come on, for my birthday? Plus, Seth said Dylan thinks you’re cute. He totally wants you to go.” She said with a nudge and a smile.
    “Yeah, I’m sure he does.” I said sarcastically.
    “No, really!” She insisted. “When Seth and I went out last night, he kept complaining about how Dylan wouldn’t shut up about you during band practice last week. He said that Dylan had asked him to ask me to talk to you and see how you felt about him.”
    I blushed as I looked down at my Biology text book. “I don’t even know who Dylan is.” I said quietly, still not sure I should believe her. Even though Jess and I were best friends, and she wouldn’t lie to me about anything, no guy would ever like someone like me.
    “Well, not yet you don’t! Please, Blair? He’s pretty cute. If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I’d totally go for him.”
    “No.” I had to admit, I was doing pretty well, not giving in and all. Besides, this Dylan Jess was talking about probably forgot to mention to Seth that he was kidding. “Jess, you don’t want to bring me to a concert. I hate that kind of stuff and you’ll have no fun with me.”
    “Autumn, you are the best friend I don’t deserve. I don’t care if you’ll be no fun. Just spending my birthday with someone I truly care about, meaning you, is much more meaningful then some stupid concert of Seth’s. It would mean absolutely nothing if I were there alone.” Her eyes were sparkling with hope and I could feel my original intentions fading.
    I sighed and looked at her. Her eyes were tearing up, but she held my gaze. Jess wasn’t the one who cared if people saw her crying or not. In fact, it was her most effective weapon. However, I figured I wouldn’t be able to convince Jess to spend her birthday with me elsewhere, and I couldn’t let my best friend be miserable and alone on her birthday, especially when, for my birthday, Jess had spent the entire day doing the things that she hated, but that I loved.
    “Fine. I’ll go to the concert with you.” I mumbled, feeling defeated.
    She instantly smiled and let out a squeal of excitement as she hugged me tightly. “Oh thank you so much, Autumn! You won’t regret it, I promise!” She yelled at she bounded away and turned around the corner, heading for Mrs. Kyle’s English classroom.

    Finally, Jess and I made our way up to the front row. The curtains were closed, but it was already ten, so it wouldn’t be much of a wait. Okay. I told myself. You’re doing this for Jess’s birthday. It’ll be over before you know it. “Yeah, not over soon enough.” I mumbled.
    “Did you say something, Blair?” Jess asked innocently.
    “Oh, no, just talking to myself.” I said with a small laugh.
    “Relax a little. Everything will be fine! You might even have fun.” Jess had a gift for reading people’s thoughts and feelings.
    “Yeah, I guess you’re right. I’ll try to enjoy myself a little.” I reassured her.
    “Good.” She said. “Oh, look, it’s Seth! The concert must be starting!” She said, animatedly.
    Seth was alone on stage with a microphone, the curtain finally open, with the rest of the members waiting anxiously behind him. Suddenly, I felt Jess nudge me.
    “Hey.” She whispered to me. “You see that guitarist on the right? The one wearing the black and white shirt?”
    My eyes scanned across the stage until I found who she was talking about. He was a tall boy with messy darker blonde hair, slightly tanned skin, and light brown eyes. I blushed when he looked at me and smiled, nudging the drummer next to him and saying something I couldn’t hear over all the excited chatter, as I looked away. “Yeah,” I said, “I see him.”
    “That’s Dylan.” She said with a smile.
    “Oh.” I said. There didn’t seem to be anything else to say since the last of Seth’s introduction faded away, counting off as they dove into the first song. I’d never heard the band play before, but they were actually pretty good. In fact, I was almost glad I came. Almost. I glanced over at my best friend. Her eyes were glazed over and glued on Seth, the lead singer. I let out a small giggle and turned my attention back to the stage. Confused, my eyes locked with a guy’s who I hadn’t seen while Seth was introducing the band. He didn’t have an instrument. He was just standing there, staring at me. And, what confused me even more was the fact that I was really drawn to him. It seemed beyond the normal physical attraction. I felt like a puppet being pulled by strings, toward this mysterious stranger.
    “Jess.” I said as I shook her to get her attention.
    “What!” she yelled over the screaming crowd.
    “Was that guy there before?” I asked her.
    “Which one?” Her eyes scanning the stage.
    “The one with the messy black hair. The one standing there without an instrument.” I said, my heart racing as her expression slowly changed into a mixture of confusion and concern.
    “Autumn, there isn’t a guy with black hair standing on the stage without an instrument. Are you okay? Did someone give you something to drink?” She demanded.
    Jess‘s words were muted as my brain tried to process what exactly I was seeing. Was I hallucinating? No, I decided. It was hot in the warehouse with all these people, and I probably just needed some fresh air.
    “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just going to go out and get some fresh air real quick. I guess it was just my imagination.” I said breathlessly.
    She nodded as I turned away and made my way through the mass of sweaty bodies jumping up and down and swaying to the beat. I was almost in front of the double doors until I came into contact with something solid, and then proceeding to fall on my butt, rather inelegantly. I glanced up to see what I’d run into realizing that it wasn’t a “what” but a “who.” In fact, to my astonishment, it was the guy with the black hair who I’d seen on stage. He smiled a cocky grin as he helped me up with what seemed like super human speed and strength. Not saying a word he grabbed my wrist, and we were off. Panicked thoughts entered my mind. Did this guy intend to kill me? Rape me? Or perhaps even rape and then kill me? Not that I would actually mind being raped by him. He was incredibly and inhumanly beautiful… Before my eyes could glaze over, losing whatever mental stability I had managed to maintain, I mentally slapped myself. How could I be day dreaming about such ridiculous things at a time like this!
    Before I could resume my internal bickering with myself, I realized that I was being dragged through the crowd at a speed that was not humanly possible. I watched in amazement as all the people in the crowd were merely blurs of color. I was too stunned to even attempt to struggle. Before I knew it, we were outside. No, I decided as I glanced around, not we. The intoxicating stranger was no were to be seen. I looked around frantically, and, finally, practically screaming as I see him leaning against the cool hard brick of the outside of the warehouse, next to the doors, staring at me with an amused smile on his face. I looked back at him in a mix of confusion and amazement, and, suddenly, anger. Who the hell was this guy?
    “What?” I demanded, wondering why I had not asked, “um, excuse me, but, who the hell are you?”
    He laughed. Apparently, my bewildered expression seemed to amuse him. “I’ve really missed you. I must say though, I’m surprised to have found you here. You were never much of a “party animal”. But, never mind that. I’ve finally found you, after over one hundred years of searching, and we can finally go back to Bayku together.” He finished with a relived grin.
    Now it was my turn to laugh. “You’re hilarious. And to think I almost believed you for a second!”
    The carefree expression he wore moments before faltered, pulling himself from the wall, his face was no longer amused. “You don’t remember me.” he stated quietly. Suddenly, he was like a lost puppy. It took just about everything I had to stand my ground instead of closing the couple of feet between us and embrace him in a comforting hug. Realizing my thoughts, I mentally reminded myself that this guy was obviously insane, despite the fact that he sounded genuinely hurt. My thoughts were interrupted by a voice, his voice, filled with rage. “After nearly killing both of us, not to mention abandoning you here on Earth and muting my powers significantly, I hadn’t considered the fact that he might have wiped your memory. Damn it!” He yelled in frusteration, fists tightly clenched.
    Again, who the hell was this guy and what in the world is he talking about? Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer.
    “Who the hell are you!” I screamed. “Tell me what you’re getting so pissed off at! Tell me what’s going on!” Okay, so obviously I’m losing it.
    He took a step towards me. My gaze was unsure, but I didn’t step back. For some reason, I trusted this crazy guy. I’d even go far enough to say I feel safe around him, despite the fact that I had no idea who he is. For some reason, I’m drawn to him. Something about him makes me want to love and protect him. I met his eyes again, taking in his facial features. They were blood red, I realized. My heart beat slightly faster. For some reason, this fact, though it should have completely freaked me out, made me want to run to him. I felt so helpless, my own glaring gaze faltering under his sexy, alluring one. I continued examining him as he continued to approach me. From the bottom of his eyes, black, vertical lines were drawn down all the way down the sides of his face, stopping at both of his jaw lines. I noticed how the lines stood out against his flawless, porcelin skin. Suddenly he stopped, no more than half a foot away from me.
    “My name is Ryuk. I come from a place called Bayku, a place not found on any human map and certainly not able to be found by any insignificant human, either.” He said. Although his tone sounded mocking, his expression was determined and sad. “I know all of this is crazy and I don’t blame you for not remembering, but If you would please just come back with my to Bayku. Please, just trust that I’m telling you the truth! Although your memories will most likely be lost forever, we could start over. Please.” This ridiculous plea of his was obviously a last resort. His expression gave it away. Reluctant, but with a glimmer of pleading hope. Suddenly, I decided on the only theory that seemed to somewhat make sense; This guy was absolutely, undeniably crazy.
    “Yeah, um, Ryuk, was it? I think I’d better get back to my friend. I’m sure she’s wondering where I am by now and--” I started to say as I turned away, planning on making a run for it. Before I could take a step back I felt Ryuk’s firm cold grip on my wrist. He forced his gaze upon me, and I noticed the black marks on his face glowing a dull red. I held his gaze, unable to look away. He really is beautiful… was the last thought I had before my vision darkened and my legs gave way.