(A/N Fear not readers! The Gunman is in this chapter, as more than just a memory. But, you have to make a promise to me and to your computer that you'll keep reading. C'mon, this is my first story, please let me know how I'm doing and how I can improve! You can do that by clicking the review button... that wasn't a hint at all. -_-)

"Thank you Madrid!" The boys bowed. "Gracias, Amigos! Gracias por llegada! Thank you for coming!" They ran around the stage. Picking up gifts from the fans in the audience. The stage lights flashed all different colours, their logo flashing on the multiple screens around the arena. "Gracias, tanto!" Josh slipped on some of the confetti on the stage, sliding down the catwalk. The whole audience erupted into laughter and applause. As Josh strummed a chord on his guitar as he finished sliding. "Buenas noches Madrid! Thank you so much! Gracias! Goodnight!" And the lights flashed one more time before going out completely.

The boys came off on a high. They were instructed to leave their instruments on stage, for collection later. They buzzed all around Danielle, Ian and I. I couldn't believe we made it. But, there they are, the boys, coming off stage from their first concert on a yearlong tour. Wow, it sounded so momentous. But, really everyone was so laid back. They all knew what was happening where they were going and when, so essentially I just tagged along when I could. The boys joked about having to translate every sentence or so into Spanish for fear of offending any non-English speaking fans at that concert. I sat quietly in their dressing room, letting the buzz die down until instrument collection and the meet&greet.

Paul came and sat with me on the sofa, he stretched his legs over my lap. I normally would have protested, but seeing he had just done a two-and-a-half hour long concert, I let it slide with a wink. As Ian came in to congratulate the boys on a great show, my phone started ringing. I stood up quickly; letting Pauls feet slide onto the floor. I opened the door and headed to the girls bathroom.
"Hello?" I answered, a little breathless. Part of me was terrified to hear the answering voice.
"Hey!" I exhaled in relief. Oh good, it was James.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked, wondering what was the cause of the phone call; I'd been away all of three days? I'd stayed away longer at friends houses.
"Yeah, I'm good." I heard him cough. "We were a little scared though...." I alerted myself immediately.
"What? Why?" I asked, panic rising in my voice. I walked over to the sink. The pale pink-peachy colour of the counter looked cold. I placed a hand on it, and brought it up to my face. My face was warm, very warm. I looked up into the mirror. The person who met my eyes didn't look like me at all, they looked tired, sullen even.
"Some guy left a frightening message on our answering machine, asking after you. We thought it was one of your friends playing a prank." He sounded as if he didn't care. Or if he did in the past, he was way past that point now. I shuddered, the feeling draining out my face and eventually my body.
"What did it say?" I said slowly, over emphasizing every word.
"Oh, hold on, I'll play it for you." I could feel the strength leaving my legs as I told him to wait a minute before playing it. I ran back into the dressing room. The boys and their dad were messing around, joking and laughing but stopped when they saw my face. Dylan stood up when he saw the tears welling up in my eyes.
"Abi, Wha-" He stopped when I raised my hand. He stood in the middle of the room, looking around to his brothers, exchanging confused glances. I fumbled with my phone to put it on loud speaker.
"Okay James, play the message." I spoke into the phone. I meant it to sound confident, but I had lost all resilience and my throat burned.
"Kay, Abi. One sec." I heard him fumbling with the answering machine and then I heard the beep.

"Hello, Princess." A chill went down my spine, and back up again. Josh spluttered the water that he was drinking. The tape carried on...
"Did you miss me? Yeah, I thought you would. I mean who wouldn't? Well, I hope you thought twice about those wretched boys. Because if you didn't, I may have to change your change your mind for you. Have you had many conversations about me, sweetheart? I bet you've thought about me though, haven't you? Thought about what I'm capable of. Well, let me tell you one thing now, darling. Whatever you thought, whatever you dreamed I'll surpass it. Just remember, I am your worst nightmare, I am worse than broken bones, Hell! I'm worse than PMT. And just think, I have a few things up my sleeve so be careful. We wouldn't want you to get hurt. Love and kisses, The Gunman." I breathed, looking at the family surrounding me. They pushed me into a chair and took my phone off me, to talk to James.
"Wooh Abi! Freaky isn't it!" I heard him stammer when Ian bombarded him with questions. I turned my back to them and cried. I knew this was a bad idea. I knew he would be back to haunt me. Back to haunt us. But I refuse to cry in front of them.

Dylan must have seen my body shaking as he lifted my up and pulled me away. In the direction of the stage. He said we might as well collect the instruments. I wandered onto the stage and stopped in my tracks. It looked nothing like the stage of an hour ago. All the screens had gone, and they had just started taking away the catwalk. He led me into the middle of the stage and grabbed me by the waist. He started dancing with me.
"I knew this day would come, Dylan, there's no music babe." I said mock sarcasm in my voice. Although I placed my hands around his neck and swayed to the imaginary beat with him.
"What?" He questioned. "I need music to dance with my girlfriend, now?" he asked pretending to be outraged.
"Well, the music would help. We're not all rock stars." I said earnestly.
"Well, some of us are too smart to be rock stars." He said kissing my nose. I pouted at him, pretend sadness played across my face. He looked confused.
"What?" he asked. I said nothing just rolled my eyes. It took him longer than I thought it would. But, in the end he cottoned on. He leaned forward, his breathe tickling my lips, but he pulled away, teasing. I groaned and fisted his hair playfully. He laughed and hugged me.
"I can't remember the last time we were alone like this." He whispered in my ear.
"Well, I know you can't always be there, so that's why you gave me the ring, right?" I asked, hoping, if I got it right, my reward would be a good one...
"Yeah, sort of..." He trailed off, this confused me.
"What other reason is there?" I asked, looking deep into his eyes. Trying to read the unreadable face.
"Well, there's that and there's the fact that I love you." He kissed my cheek. "And that I wanted to show you how much I loved you." I giggled and removed one hand from his neck and fingered the ring.
"I wouldn't want to give you a ring." I said. He looked confused this time. "No" I said laughing. "I'd want to give you something permanent...like me or something." I looked up hopefully.
"Abigail, you are permanent." He said laughing. He leaned towards me, his soft lips just brushing mine when he pushed me away. He pushed me so hard that I flew a few feet across the floor, really hurting my stomach in the meantime.

"What the hell was that Dylan?" I demanded. He didn't say anything, in fact he shook his head. I saw him biting his lip as I saw what he was looking so intently at. What he pushed me away from.
There was one of the lights from the rafters smashed on the floor. Right where I was standing.
Dylan saved my life. I'd rather have a bruised stomach than death any day.

Dylan grabbed my hands and pulled me around the smashed glass. He asked me if I was hurt. I said no, but our attention was caught from something up in the top floor of the seats.

*Clap. Clap. Clap*

We both froze. Suddenly the temperature around us dropped, I began to shiver.

"I hate to ruin the moment..." It was him. He who left threatening messages on my phone. He who stalked Dylan. He who I hadn't been able to get off my mind for three weeks. "Actually, I love to ruin the moment." Dylan hissed. I nudged him in the ribs. He continued. I couldn't make out his features he was so far away. "Sorry about the light, I couldn't think of a better way to grab your attention. I thought a near death experience would do nicely." I just gawped at him. loosing all the strength in my body again, it was like he was draining me. "Anyway, I offer my congratulations to you, Dylan and your brothers. It was a very nice show. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. But, don't worry, no killing tonight. Just teasing." He started to walk away. "Oh and by the way, I'd watch what Paul eats for the next few hours, Okay?" he turned and walked towards the exit.

I can't believe I just met the Gunman. And he didn't hurt me. Well, technically Dylan hurt me...but it was the Gunman's fault. We stared at each other for a few moments. Processing the last conversation. That was before we came to our senses.
"Paul." We said together. We ran back to the dressing room, to prevent the omen that the Ginman had predicted.