Karkat: End This Night

"Alright, that's it for us" I said in between breaths into the mic, hanging onto the stand for support "you guys have been quite a fucking great crowd, so thank you all and good night!" They all cheered to our surprise, and then were ushered into the house. We started packing up our things when a hand roughly jarred my left shoulder.

I jumped and my head flew over to face who it was, when I realized it was just the man who hired us. He had a big smile on his face and was chuckling, which I guess was because he scared me successfully. Asshole. "That was a great show you all performed out there! Really, bravo!" We all turned to him and nodded, saying our thanks and everything.

He looked around and wasted no time in asking "So, how long have you all been in the business?" Dave was the first to give a reply "Us? Well, actually a really long time. But this is our first time playing in public." His eyes widened almost instantly after he said that "You've got to be kidding. That was incredible for your first time, probably better than some of the other dimwits I gave record deals!" He then laughed a hearty laugh, which we all joined out of slight uncomfortability I assumed.

"Now, in all seriousness, I want to see you all go far because damn was my kid happy today, and even I enjoyed myself. A friend of mine is going to be at the Party Pub next Friday. I can land you a spot there, if you all feel that you're ready. If not, well, we'll just have to see! Singer" My head twitched up and I listened carefully "you have my number, so just call when you've all determined what you want. And with that, I'll let you all go! Great performance, once again." Now he was gone and we were all left looking at each other with blank expressions. I couldn't help but think that that man had a deeper mindset than just helping us out.

Either way, I was the first to talk about the night "So that was actually pretty enjoyable." "Seriously! I've never had so much fun!" Jade said, looking around with a huge smile, why I was even bothering to check if she was happy at this point was unknown to me. "Yeah it was, but I think we have something big to talk about right now. Two things actually" Dave said, pulling us back into the reality of things surprisingly fast. I wasn't sure what caused the change in heart, but he did have a point. "Right. Band meeting at the usual spot, right now. EVERYONE" I emphasized, looking at John "has to show. I'll see you all there." They all nodded, and I carried my mic/amp over to my car, throwing it in and closing the door.

I turned on the radio and began my small drive to the music store. I looked around at the almost barren town I was driving through, because at night it seemed like this place just stopped moving. All the lights and signs were always up and glowing, but the people just faded away until the next day really. It was actually kind of peaceful, driving through all the little patches of forest and stretches of buildings without everyone taking all the beauty.

But as I was thinking that, almost out of nowhere, my head had a flow of searing pain and I had to pull over halfway to the place. I groaned out in pain as I gripped my throbbing temples, trying to press the pain away. I started to see in almost double vision, and I curled my head under my arms. This wasn't good, I thought as my brain made the connection of my possible concussion to that. It probably didn't bother me because of adrenaline or something, but now it was a fucking bitch. It all just hurt so much, and during the entire thing I was getting flashbacks to each punch of that dreary night. It felt almost suffocating, and terrifying.

Fuck, fuck, fuck this is not good at all. Maybe if I just lay down or something I can…god damn it. Just relax, calm your breathing, fucking chill out, I kept thinking to myself, trying to get myself to listen. I had to wait this out, I was pretty sure it would fade away if I just sat long enough.

I stayed like that until it slowly decreased into just a whisper of pain, leaving me in a ball breathing heavily. I slowly brought my head up and looked around, and everything seemed to be fine now. I checked the time, and it was about 10 minutes. Someone's going to say something, I know it. I took a deep breath and put my head lightly on the wheel. "Alright, everything's fine now…it's all good" I said out loud, hitting the wheel softly and then continuing to drive, pushing what just happened as far away from conscious thought.

When I made it to the store, I walked in with a twist in my gut. Whoever leaked out all that stuff was going to be shown tonight, and I wasn't sure if I knew what to do after. I'd probably punch them. But within minutes of entering the practice room, I was instantly told off by whom other than John "I thought you said right then, Karkat!" I spun towards him and started yelling "I am in absolutely NO fucking mood for your shit, and if you want to talk about people being late, why don't you go ahead and look in a mirror at your fucking unreliable dumb worthless ass! If you think me being 15 minutes late because of my `probable concussion outweighs you being over 2 HOURS late, then you've got another fucking thing coming!" I obviously was not having whatever he was going on about, and he quickly shut up with a small apology. I opened my mouth to try and explain myself, but for some reason I figured he needed it.

Dave looked over at me "Wait, what about a concussion?" "Calm down there, oh loyal protector, it's nothing. Probably nothing," He crossed his arms and scoffed, causing me to just continue "You said we have two things to talk about, so you might want to get to it."

"Yeah, right. First up, we can get a gig at one of the best spots in the town, but only if we're ready. I'd rather stay where we are, rather than go there doubtful and ruin everything. So anyone who feels like we aren't ready for this, raise your hand now." Everyone looked around, and no one had a hand raised. Good, at least that wasn't going to turn into something.

"Alright, shorty here'll get the information later" Dave said as I huffed, continuing after taking a long sigh. "Now, I'm not one for sugar coating shit, so basically someone in this band has been leaking information out to someone else. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, but whoever they told definitely had it out for Vantas so this is really a big fucking deal, so whoever did it just come out and say it."

I waited for someone to at least say who they told, yet no one said anything. All that was known was that I didn't tell anyone anything, and it was safe to assume that Dave didn't either, but even he was subject for questioning. After a minute or two of this, I got irritated and lashed out "Alright, so that's how this is going to fucking be? Just gonna keep your mouths shut and protect whoever the hell did this? One of you is saying something to someone and it's not helping anyone, in fact quite the fucking opposite, so if you could just not be shits about it and speak up, that'd be fucking fantastic." Jade had a worried expression on her face, and she quickly said "Karkat, I wouldn't ever do that! I haven't told anyone anything, and I would bet my heart and soul on it!"

To be honest, I wasn't really sure if I should believe her yet out of fairness. But Dave decided to take it on to himself to free her of judgement "Alright, we believe you." Fucking idiot, when did he start being in control? And when was it a "we"? I was about to ask these things, but it came to me rather quickly that John hadn't said a single thing this entire time after his first comment. "Hey John" I said walking right in front of him and staring him down "what about you? Have you said anything to anyone?" He didn't answer, and instead turned his head away from me slightly.

Dave walked over now "John? You can't be serious…" He bit his lip and tapped his hand on his leg erratically. It was basically his way of admitting it, without actually saying anything. "Who did you tell" I asked, crossing my arms and glaring. "I-It doesn't matter, I won't do it again."

"No, who the FUCK did you tell?" I said, grabbing his shirt collar and making his eyes meet mine.

"It doesn't fucking matter!" He spat out, a face of guilt and regret on his face right after. I clenched my hands into fists, but then just scoffed and pushed away from him. It wasn't worth my time. "Karkat, I'm sorry, I just..." "Whatever. Just Don't tell whoever it was again, and don't be late to the next gig, because if anything happens. I'm personally going to beat the shit out of you. I'll send you all the time and place as soon as possible." I said with a large feeling of just pure anger towards John. How the hell could someone do something like that, and not even have the god damn courtesy to say who he told? But then again when was it such a crime to say "Oh our band's going to play here and we're good"? Never, until all this shit happened, making everything complicated.

I walked out in a huff, bursting out of the door and instantly going to where my car was. A feeling ripped through me like a hurricane, and to my dismay I pinned it as guilt. I felt bad for flipping out on John like that, but why? HE was the one that told someone about the gig and everything, he deserved it…didn't he?

I had no idea, and quite honestly I was done with all this stress. I got in my car and slammed the door with a grunt, putting my head down on the wheel for a little. The pure silence was soothing in a sense, but also kind of terrifying in another. Maddening, even. I turned the key when someone knocked on the passenger seat window. It was Dave, and he was saying something along the lines of "Hey, open up dumb ass,"

I rolled down the window and grumbled an angry "What the hell do you want?" He leaned on the door, sticking his head in and not answering for a few seconds. He always did that. "I'm making sure you're alright, you left that place pretty pissed man." "Well I'm sorry I didn't walk out there like I just found a fucking unicorn and a pot of gold, did I let you all down?" He bit his lip and started audibly tapping the tip of his shoe on the tire. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend y" "Yeah? Well, you did. Look, I'm in a fucking horrible mood, and I don't want to yell again right now. I'll talk to you later."

I pulled out of the parking spot and closed the window, not wanting to see his face when I was driving out into the street. In all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to being at my house. It would be the first time I was there after Dave stayed, whether that was a good or bad thing to me I never found out. But I needed to be alone…I didn't want to cause more problems. I was sick of problems.