Why don't you break me?

(Chapter 3)

Aiden sat in his desolate room biting his lip. For the past half hour, he had been thinking about what to do regarding the situation. He sat on his large bed hugging his knees to himself. The room was fairly tidy except for one part of it, which was his desk. It was made of black, polished wood that was home to his black HP notebook. Various notebooks with poems and lyrics lay open all through the desk. Necklaces and band bracelets made their homes on top of everything. There were many books about fictional vampires and horror tales also. The carpeting of the room was a creamy white. The curtains were black as well as the bed comforter. It was a very large and cold room. The walls were the only thing besides his desk filled to the brim. He had all different posters from all of his inspirations and favorite bands he toured with. Among them were Flyleaf, The Birthday Massacre, Evanescence, Silverstein, Hawthorne Heights, Paramore, Korn, Saliva, Three Days Grace, Seether, and many others. Most of the posters were black and red and hung with melancholy pictures. Aiden wouldn't have it any other way.

The lap top was turned on and suddenly made a beeping noise. Aiden was not surprised. He got up and sat down at his desk. On the screen was an IM from Adam Gontier, a good friend of his from 3DG, a band he was currently touring with.

Adam says: Hey, what's up? It's Adam.

Aiden says: Yea, nothing. Why the message all of a sudden. Aren't you extremely busy with your new CD?

Adam says: I was but the strangest thing happened.

Aiden says: What?

Adam says: This good friend of mine asked me for sold out tickets to our concert in Kyoto next week.

Aiden says: What so wrong with that?

Adam says: He asked me if he could meet you.

Aiden says: Me? Probably another crazed fan.

Adam says: Nah, I've known this guy for years now. He doesn't take interests in just anybody.

Aiden says: So, you have any clue why me?

Adam says: No, but he says he wants to meet with you, not the whole band.

Aiden says: That is strange. So what's this guy like?

Adam says: His name is Daisuke. Mysterious, the dude he is. Sort of strange, ya know? Always asking questions. Not the happy type of person, always sad. I understand, though, his family died. But trust me, when he takes interest in somebody, it's for good reasons.

Aiden says: Well, I hope your right. I always get really tired after a concert. The least I want to do is end up talking for hours with a person who's been listening to my music for weeks on end.

Adam says: I know. If you come to a concert it's 'cause you like the music. You don't need to say it to the guys face. Well anyways, I got to go. See you later man.

Aiden says: Yea, good luck.

Aiden looked at the screen with the words still sitting there, like smoke. They were foggy and hard to see through but once you got past it, you realize you've got a problem. Daisuke, huh? Ok, I'll meet with you. I've been looking for this chance 3 years now. The only thing is, someone's going to end up dead, Aiden thought as he took out a cigarette. He lit it and pressed it to his lips. Then he let out a purple smoke from his mouth and inhaled some more. Purple smoke, now how many people can do that?

Aiden smirked as he picked up the gun and pointed it at the wall that was connected to the other room. He pulled the trigger and a bullet penetrated the wall with a loud sound like mashing of bones. "There are other methods of waking people you idiot!" Yutaka screamed through the hole in the wall. He got up from his "nap" (which was actually a deep state of thinking for vampires did not sleep) and opened the door to Aiden's room.

"What do you want now?" he responded in an irritated voice.

"Come here, I need to tell you what I just discovered."

"This better be good."

"It is, trust me."

"Well?"

"Hold it." Aiden said as if it was an obvious fact that he was waiting for something. Hitomi and Takumi walked into the room smiling.

"I want a gun like that, that thing is loud man." Takumi said.

"Yea, later. Now then, let me tell you who is going to drop by to give us a visit."

( )

Daisuke flipped the ticket over and over again in his hands. It was only a piece of paper but it was going to change his life. The ticket was unique, like the whole Sayuri Theatre. It was a heart shape which slid open to reveal the date, time, bands and theatre name. So it was sort of like a broken heart. The color was a brownish peach. His eyes embraced the theatre. It was large, very large. If you looked at it you imagined it was a millionaire's mansion. It was cloaked with black roses and wild grasses on the outside. There was also a pond on one side of the theatre with a small platform on the other side. He took a step closer, willing his legs to move.

A muscular security guard met him at the door. The man smiled and asked for the ticket. Daisuke handed it over and he was given the chance to step inside. The corridor was well lit with blue lighting, fire. It was exaggeratingly large and long. It was also very cold, despite the fire. He took step after step. Each step he took seemed like clinging to a mother's hand. It won't let you go. The corridor wasn't what was doing that and he knew it. He broke his trance to run off ahead. He ran until the laughter behind him was too faint to hurt him further.

He had arrived at the auditorium. The seats were already filled to the very brim with people anxious for the show to begin. They were screaming and yelling for their favorite band. Everyone brought dark colors and was all unique with their own music and style. He took a seat in the 16th row. The lights grew dim. The stage lit up and a man stepped up. He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a ripped t- shirt. His hair was messy and wild. He held up the microphone and greeted everyone. "Hello all you rockers! You ready to rock?" the crowd responded with ear splitting shouts. "We're gonna start of with an intro from Seether!" People kept on screaming. Daisuke was getting irritated for he was used to quiet environments.

Seether stepped on stage and began with Breakdown. The song was sad, but it applied to so many people. It was true that things are more than what they appear. It was like removing stuffing from a couch and discovering there's no end. You can never empty it. 'So break me down if it makes you feel right and hate me now it if keeps you alright. You can break me down if it takes your entire mind 'cause I'm so much more than meets the eye." Their next few songs were Walk away from the sun, FMLYHM, and Fake It. If it were any other situation, Daisuke would be all over his favorite music, singing and dancing. After all, Seether was his favorite band. He wished things could be different but time does not change because you wish it so.

After the fourth song, the man announced that 3DG would be up next. Breaking Benjamin after that and then Break to the Skin would close the show. Great, Daisuke thought. He would have to keep his mind shut till the very end of the show, which was 3 hours. Adam Gontier, his good friend, appeared on stage with the rest of the band. They greeted their fans and wasted no time in beginning with Time of Dying. Now Daisuke realized what he had been missing.

He felt the little vibrations in his chair and on his skin. Those muscles weren't his anymore, they wanted to move and run away. He wanted to open his mouth and sing. Energy entered his body and made him get up, but his soul and mind were calm. Happiness filled him like a drug. He couldn't help but smile and move with the music. All worries and past preoccupations were lost. He actually knew what he wanted, he understood himself. So, this was music? It was not a wonder to him anymore why all these people were here or why they insisted on showing their emotions. Music was now his antidrug. He shut down his mind and eyes and sense of everything. He only listened to the thumping and the singing: "On this bed I lay, loosing everything. I can see my life passing me by. Was it all too much, or just not enough? Wake me up, I'm living a nightmare. I will not die, I will survive. I will not die; I'll wait here for you. I feel alive when you're beside me. I will not die; I'll wait here for you, in my time of dying." Pain, Never too late, Home, I Will Let You Down, and Riot continued after. And the whole while, Daisuke stopped thinking. He could only hear.

After about 2 and one half hours, the moment had finally come. Daisuke no longer smiled or sang. He sat down and looked at his pale hands, as if that would bring the color back. Even the feel of the chair became nails digging into his skin. The thumping of his heart suddenly became rocks being thrown at his chest. His breathing was quickening.

The curtains let go of the darkness and opened up for the 4th time. The last time. He peered at all the band members. They were all impeccably perfect. Aiden was wearing dark blue jeans and a studded belt hidden somewhat behind a dark green shirt. His black hair hung over one side and his snake bites never disobeyed looking beautiful on his mouth while he sung. Takumi took on such a sure face as always as his fingers skillfully ran over the guitar strings. Not a single bead of sweat. Hitomi was farther off the stage than anyone else but it seemed the light reached her blank skin even more. There was not a single blemish. It was like freshly fallen snow in the middle of summer. Yutaka used the drumsticks like weapons, destroying the drums with beautiful sounds. That nervous face of his looked almost angry.

All the time they played, he couldn't hear anything. His heartbeat wouldn't let him. He started digging into his legs with his nails to calm himself but he found they were numb. His whole body was. Without even knowing it, their time ended. People were getting up and heading to their safe homes. Daisuke couldn't move. He thought back to that day. He had been so scared and weak. Almost like an insect anyone can kill. A new anger shone in him. Fear subsided and he got up. He was walking toward the exit when he heard a voice, "Hey, you wanted to see me?" Daisuke turned around and saw Aiden leaning on a wall with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face, always so cool.

"Uh, yea but not here."

"Lead the way, 'Daisuke'." Daisuke walked quietly past Aiden, accidentally brushing past his skin. It was colder than ice, too cold for humans. Now it was evident why he never threw himself into the crowds. It would be almost immediate knowledge to know he wasn't human. His finger trembled a bit. Aiden chuckled at this. Daisuke lead him out of the building and into the garden behind the theatre. It was full or roses, paper ones. It was an odd sight but there grew paper roses here in fields shaped like Japanese characters. The garden touched the pond and they both stretched out for many miles. They took a seat on a bench entangled in purple paper roses.

"So, why is it you wanted to see me?" Aiden asked.

"My name is Daisuke."

"Yes, I know or is that memory of yours too short? I called you by your name only a few moments ago."

"Yes, well I wanted to speak to you over an incident that happened a couple of years ago. I was at a Seether concert featuring you when I happened to stumble into your room. I….saw…" He couldn't continue.

"I remember quiet well, what about it?"

"What do you mean what about it?! Those freaks of your band killed my parents!"

"You have no right to insult them. Besides, it wasn't like we could just let them go."

"But you let me go."

"I have my reasons."

"Why did you do it? You could have killed me." Aiden didn't respond. Tears had started forming in Daisuke's eyes. When he didn't respond, Daisuke said, "I'll kill you."

"Do you think I enjoy killing people?"

"But you…."

"I didn't kill your parents, I only could watch. I didn't do anything."

"That's exactly it, you didn't do anything. Why?"

"You wouldn't understand." Daisuke laughed at this.

"After all I've seen and been through, I wouldn't understand?! There are paper flowers growing under our feet!"

"That wasn't my doing."

"So what was?"

"Many things you will never know about."

"Why?"

"You can't kill me, only I can. You know all those deaths? They were all given a second chance, even your parents. But they failed. I will have to kill you, but you'll have a second chance too."

"I don't want to have a second chance. Just tell me the truth now." Aiden looked at the ground. He carefully picked up a flower and spun it around in his hands. Then he looked up at Daisuke with almost sorry eyes. He grabbed Daisuke's hands and with a thousand paper cuts, slit his wrists. Before everything faded from Daisuke, he heard Aiden whisper, "Don't lie".