"You're a new face." The lady at the café said to me. "What's your name, child?"

"Melody. I'm staying with Lambert and Naxben." I answered.

"Oh…" the lady said. The tone in her voice indicated that she knew something I didn't know.

I tried to ignore it.

"Uhh….Can I get a coffee?" I asked. The silence and tension in the air had to be broken.

"Yes, right away." The lady answered, turning her back to me. She walked back to the kitchen. She pushed the door so hard that it swung forward and back a few times. Then she came back. Sliding my mug across the counter, she looked at me with pity in her eyes.

Okay, enough. "I'm sorry….Alesha, is there something you need to tell me?" I asked, reading her name tag.

She sighed. "Mel, girl, if you don't know then it's not my place to tell you."

"Know WHAT?" I asked, impatiently.

"I'll just say that I've spent my fair share of time in NYC clubs." She said.

I felt anger boiling inside. Gulping the rest of my coffee, I stomped out of the café.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, child." Alesha yelled after me.

What was that all about? Why would I care if she had been to NYC clubs? Why would that concern me? The elevator stopped on my floor. I slowly walked down the hall, swiped the card key, and walked in the door to hear the shower running. Must be Adam.

Lying down on the bed, I look at the ceiling. Despite my caffeine intake, I fell asleep, Alesha's warning spiraling through my head.

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Why am I back at my house? Where's the hotel?

"It's not you, it's me." He replied hollowly.

Wait, I've been through this before…Have I? Oh, Adam. He's in so much pain.

"I'm sorry for prying. I'll just let you go."

What am I saying? I can change things. Get to know him quicker….Get there faster…

"The tour is done." He said.

I know, darling, I know.

"Monte and Tommy said they were done." He continued. "Said it's too much hype for them. They're sick of people seeing Citizen Vein as a one man show."

"Oh, Adam."

"They think fame has changed me." He said. "I'm still the same Adam, though…At least I think I am…I don't even know who I am anymore."
But I'm not crying. I'm not shaking his shoulders, snapping him out of his suicidal thoughts.

He reached into his pocket. "The stress is too much right now, Mel. Citizen Vein….going back…it was a last resort for me…Not being signed anywhere, falling off the radar…Nobody even came to Upright Cabaret to hear me…" He opened his pocket knife.

"Oh…" I said. OH? ADAM, NO! COME ON, TALK!

Recklessness filled his eyes. Pulling me into a kiss, he said. "Close your eyes. You don't need to see this."

I said nothing. NO! Adam, STOP! DON'T DO THIS! Screams filled my being, but were trapped inside. My mouth felt as if it was wired shut.

To my horror, he clenched his jaw together and put the pocket knife to his main vein. Taking a deep breath, he whispered, "I'm sorry.", and pushed the blade deep into his flesh. Dragging it slowly upward, he traced his vein. Grimacing, he closed his eyes, accepting the pain that will ultimately lead to his death.

All I could do was watch. I watched him tear his flesh, dangerously close to his bone. I watched his precious blood pour out onto his skinny jeans. I watched the struggle in his eyes- internal and external. I gave up trying to scream, because I knew there was no hope. Adam would be gone soon.

Growing dizzy, the last thing I could focus on was the Eye of Horus on Adam's un-mutilated wrist. It glared at me, taunting me with its inner meaning. All focus left me. Eyes blurred on the sight of Adam's blood, I was gone.

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Screaming. Shrill, high-pitched. Where are the police?! Will anybody help her? The screaming continued. Crying added to the screams. Somebody, please, help her! She could be in danger!

I shuddered at what had just happened to me. Adam….is he okay? Oh, dear Lord, Adam!

The screams continued, now shouting for someone. Shouting for Adam….Oh, it's me.

"Mel, baby, I'm right here. Can you hear me?" A voice said.

My sobs intensified. "Adam…Oh, Adam." was all I could manage to choke out.

"I'm here, love, it's okay." He said, cradling me as I sobbed into his chest.