Chapter 2
The four members of Big Time Rush stood ready, mics in hand, waiting for their cue.
'Dogs,' Gustavo called. 'You're singing Til I Forget About You first, then The City is Ours, followed by your new song to promote the fourth album. You'll bow out to BTR. Got it?'
'Yep.'
'Good.' Gustavo inwardly smiled. Though he still wouldn't admit it to them, he loved the band. He was very proud of them and how much they had achieved in four years. Big Time Rush had become like sons to him. He nurtured them through their music and watched them grow from nobody's to somebody's to the famous young adults they were now. 'Now go rock this Rocktober fest.' He yelled pointing to the stairs that led to the stage.
The lads raced to the top of the stairs, pausing until they heard Jordin Sparks shout, 'Hear they are, Kendall, Logan, James and Carlos. It's Big Time Rush!'
The crowd went crazy as they ran onto the stage, waving back at their fans. Jordin tiptoed off the stage after getting a hug from each member of the band.
'Hey! How you doing LA?'
'We've got a treat for you today.'
'We will be performing three songs from our first album...'
'And we've got a brand new song for you to hear too.'
Big Time Rush smiled as the packed hall cheered. They couldn't believe how awesome their fans were, still dedicated to their music. The smiles got wider as they spotted their partners, giving them a small wave before blasting out Til I forget About You.
As they belted out the last note, everybody screamed and cheered. Pausing to re- hydrate, the guys asked if they were enjoying themselves, to which everybody cheered, arms waving in the air to get their attention.
The crowd suddenly went quiet as a tremor rippled through the small arena, shaking the terrified crowd.
'Earthquake!' Screamed people in horror as everybody proceeded to run to the nearest exit, away from the crumbling tiles that had started to fall from the ceiling. They were pushing and shoving each other, trampling on lost (and broken) belongings, breaking any and all barriers that stood in their way. The ten security guards between the V.I.P area and the crowd tried to calm everyone down, guiding them towards exits and stopping people getting trampled to death. But panic and the will to live had over-ridden all other senses.
Big Time Rush stood frozen as the terror unfolded before them. Their eyes widened as they saw Jo, Stephanie, Charlie and Camille dodging falling debris and desperately trying to get to the exit closest to them. All four of them gripping each other's hands, in fear of getting separated. Their two personal bodyguards stood in front of the lads before they could jump down to help them, hands at the ready.
'Guys, we have to get you out of here.' Said the tallest one, stopping James as he tried to side step around him. 'Before this place falls apart.' He added urgently as his partner narrowly missed being hit by one of the lights.
'But Freight Train,' Shouted Carlos, as they tried to get past him and his colleague. 'Our girlfriends are down there!'
Carlos pointed toward the raging sea of people still trying to claw their way out.
Larry was inching his way toward the girls, who hadn't been able to move very far. The chief shouted orders through his earpiece.
'Larry's got this,' Freight Train said turning back to the guys. 'Once Dom and I have got you out, I'll make sure Larry and the girls are safe okay?'
Reluctantly, the guys followed Dom down the stairs in single file, Logan, James, Kendall, Carlos and Freight Train bringing the rear. They had just passed the dressing room, when a huge crack echoed through the corridor.
'Run!' Yelled Freight Train as the ceiling started to collapse.
They burst through back door into the bright yellow glow. There weren't many buildings surrounding the small arena, only one storey shops that sold snacks, drinks and ice cream. There was lots of grass, plants and a few picnic tables. This park was mainly used for family days out and small concerts.
Dom started to lead James, Kendall and Logan to a picnic table when they realised Carlos and Freight Train weren't behind them.
'Where's Carlos?' Kendall asked Dom.
Before he could answer, the back door opened and Freight Train appeared with an unconscious Carlos slumped over his shoulder. The rest of the band stood shocked as he walked past them and lay Carlos down on the picnic table. Seeing the blood trickling down his forehead, Logan went into doctor mode. Grabbing the arm of James' shirt, he pulled the fabric away from its counterpart, wrapping it tightly around the wound to stop the bleeding.
'Your shirt was the easiest to rip.' Logan said gently before James could say anything.
After checking Carlos' pulse and opening each eye briefly, Logan breathed a sigh of relief, turning to face his confused friends.
'His pulse rate is normal and his pupils responded to the sun light. He's going to be okay.' He reassured them.
'I radioed for an ambulance,' Said Freight Train. 'But it will take awhile to get here. I'll go find the girls for you.' He added before heading towards the huge crowd at the front of the arena, talking on his radio.
Logan sat on the bench, keeping an eye Carlos. Kendall sat with his back resting against the table, his head in his hands. James was too worried to sit still, so he paced slowly toward a tree and back past the picnic bench toward Dom, who was listening intently to his earpiece.
The earthquake had lasted twenty seconds, but it caused a lot of damage.
Fifteen minutes had passed since Freight Train left to check on the girls and they still hadn't heard anything. Carlos had woken up five minutes ago, with a banging headache. He had tried to sit up but was pushed back down by Logan, who told him to stay put. Dom had stayed with them, stopping them when they tried to go look for their partners, telling them he was under orders to keep them were they were.
All four boys were getting increasingly worried. Kendall stood up for the tenth time to go look for Jo, when Dom blocked his path, fingers on his earpiece.
'We're on the North side of the building, near the back exit.' He said into the cuff of his suit, before looking at Kendall. James had stopped pacing behind and to the left of Dom, taking in Kendall's nervous expression. Logan and Carlos looked up at Dom, afraid of what they would hear.
'Larry's dead.' He announced solemnly. 'He and two of the girls got separated from the other two and another security officer.'
He was cut short by someone shouting Kendall's name. Jo and Stephanie ran towards them, their linked fingers breaking the moment the guys came into view. A security officer cautiously followed them.
'Jo!' Kendall shouted, meeting her halfway. Jo ran into his arms, hiding her tear stained face in his chest, her shoulders shuddering as she tried to control her sobs.
Stephanie ran straight to Carlos as Logan wouldn't let him get up of the table, noticing the blood stained shirt wrapped around his head.
'Carlos. Oh my God. Are you okay?' She asked, nervously touching his arm as the Latino winced, the pain getting to him.
'I'm better now I know your okay.' He replied giving her a kiss as she rested her hand on his knee.
Logan and James stared at the two couples that had been reunited as their hearts sunk.
'Where's Camille?' Logan asked.
'And Charlie?' Finished James, fear creeping into their voices.
'I... I don't know.' Sobbed Jo as she pulled her face from Kendall's chest. 'Larry reached us with Sam.' She paused as she nodded to the bodyguard a few yards back. 'We all followed Larry out, Sam was following behind us. But we got separated from him, Camille and Charlie when the ceiling gave out. They were closer to the door than us. We thought they'd be out by now.'
'Larry's dead,' Kendall said softly.
'Freight Train found him when he couldn't find you outside. A wall collapsed on him. Charlie and Camille weren't near him.' Added Dom.
'Well, where are they then?' James asked him, pulling Dom's arm to make him face him.
'Freight Train hasn't found them in the crowds yet. He thinks...' Dom hesitated.
'Thinks what?' Logan pressed getting up to stand next to James.
'He thinks they are still inside.'
AN - Please review. I've never been in an earthquake, so hopefully this chapter is realistic..ish -_-