Approaching the sparkling retro building, he took a quick picture before handing over his phone to get his ticket scanned. He was already about an hour late, so security didn’t hassle him too much. The lobby was empty except for a few stragglers who probably drank too much too quickly and were dashing to the bathroom. The bass of the concert boomed in Elias’s chest as he reached his section on the loge level. When the usher drew back the thick red velvet curtain so that he could enter, the full force of the music hit him, and his eyes immediately widened as he realized he was going to have to cut through all this chaos to reach his seat. He looked to the usher for help, but they just gave a simple shrug that said,You’re on your own.
Using his phone as a flashlight, he shined it on the floor to find his row. He tried to be mindful of people’s feet and their belongings at first, but the number of dirty looks and shoves he got was starting to sour his mood. He barreled through, hoping that he could just get it over with and no one would retaliate against him later.
The numbers on the seats were no longer visible, but there was one open spot in the middle of the next row.
Once he reached the seat, he closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, the boy in the seat next to him was already looking at him.
Dakarai?
He racked his brain trying to make sense of the situation. He prepared to ask what the hell he was doing there, but a sudden bang startled him, and he stumbled over a purse on the ground. Dakarai reached out and grasped Elias around the elbow, stopping him from tumbling down the tiered rows of seats.
When he regained his footing, he quickly pushed Dakarai away,embarrassed. Aware that Dakarai still didn’t recognize him, he took off his hat and turned toward the light. A spark of recognition immediately lit up Dakarai’s features. All he said was “What the fuck?” before a sudden blackout enveloped the entire venue.
Elias was sure he screamed, and he was sure it was loud, yet his voice got lost in the instant panic of the thousands of other people filling the space. He squeezed his eyes shut tight, the familiar fear of darkness taking hold of him. He’d never felt as exposed as he did in that cold, echoing room. His eyes flew open again, and, for a split, frightful second, he forgot why he couldn’t see and panicked, clinging to the nearest thing to him, which happened to be Dakarai.
He immediately pulled away, but he felt a tug on his arm, and he stumbled forward, inhaling sharply as he found himself resting against Dakarai’s chest.
“Stop moving, or you’ll trip again,” Dakarai ordered, slightly annoyed, the bass of his voice ringing in Elias’s ear. Elias flinched, startled by how close Dakarai’s mouth was, goose bumps erupting all down his neck.
The room was so cold, but Dakarai’s body was so warm. Elias tried to breathe normally, but his chest heaved, and he was sure his heart was beating out of control as he felt Dakarai curling his fingers into his back through his shirt, pulling him even closer.
Elias’s body relaxed, and, at least for the moment, he wasn’t afraid of the dark.
13
Kai
8:04 p.m.
The sudden shift to complete darkness was disorienting, and the intensity of the stage lights was still imprinted on Kai’s retinas. He blinked hard. When the flashes finally faded, he became aware of just how tightly he’d been holding on to Elias. He loosened his grip slightly, but Elias didn’t budge, and his own fear ebbed away as he wrapped his arms around Elias again. He strained his eyes in the darkness for any clue about what was happening, when suddenly, the greenish-hued emergency lighting came on, casting eerie shadows throughout the audience.
An emergency announcement blared through old, crackling speakers:“Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently experiencing a temporary power outage. Unfortunately, tonight’s event is canceled, and your admission will be refunded.”There was a long, collective groan.“For your safety, we kindly ask you to follow the illuminated emergency exit signs and proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion. Do not use elevators during this time. Once outside, move away from the building and follow instructions from staff for further guidance. Thank you for your understanding.”
Kai faced Elias, holding the seat armrests to make a barricadearound him when people next to him started pushing past to exit the row and evacuate.My enemies are winning today,Kai thought to himself. His body became a buffer for Elias, their clothes shifting together as he absorbed the rush of the crowd. His shoulders and the backs of his heels took the brunt of it while Elias kept his head down.
When the row had mostly cleared, Elias finally looked up. Pressed against Kai’s chest, Elias suddenly seemed embarrassed by their proximity. He tried to pull back, but his earring snagged on Kai’s necklace, causing him to crash right back into him.
“Let go,” Elias said through gritted teeth, trying to forcibly yank his earring free.
“Stop moving so I can untangle it,” Kai hissed.
“You’re taking too long!”
Kai slapped Elias’s hand, and Elias looked shocked. “Just let me do it,” Kai insisted, taking a deep fortifying breath before easily unhooking Elias from his amethyst.
Elias brushed himself off, likely an attempt to wipe off the awkwardness that hung around them, while Kai stepped back to give them both space. But with so little room, he nearly tumbled to the bottom of the stadium. The fall would have been a welcome escape. At least he wouldn’t have Elias staring at him like he’d just touched down from another galaxy.
“What are you doing here?” Elias asked in an accusatory tone. His eyebrows drew together, wrinkling his forehead.
“Same as you, I suspect,” Kai replied, crossing his arms over his chest, suddenly feeling exposed under Elias’s gaze.
“Let’s just go,” Elias said, looking straight past Kai at the ushers who were waving their lightsaber-looking glow sticks, directing everyone toward the exits.
Kai watched the muscles in Elias’s back moving beneath his shirt, noting how tense he seemed and how focused he was on keeping his shoulders as squared as possible.
Definitely didn’t do his stretches,Kai thought. He snorted, earning a cutting glare from Elias.
Kai followed him toward the doors, down the stairs, and out the way they had come in. Hundreds of people stood outside—some with purple hair, accessories from wrist to elbow, piercings Kai had never seen before, and more than one person in black lipstick. They had all been there for the same purpose, and now their purpose had been taken from them. All they could do was stand on the street and stare at the venue, probably out of some false hope that the ushers would direct them back inside and the concert would go on like nothing ever happened.
