Life, Loss, and Forever (Part 3 of A GC Love Story) ~chapter 53~ <Tragedy>

~TWO DAYS LATER~
It seems to be a rather slow day, with the April tour off and Benji hospitalized. You honestly do worry about his condition, but you know he will be well-cared-for in the facility. Thus, you decide to occupy your mind-and your hands-by sketching out the design for a tattoo (remember, you promised Benji that you'd create one for him). Just then, you realize that Billy is also artistically talented, and decide to let him contribute an idea or two. However, as you approach him, he seems to flinch, guilt-ridden and sad.
(you)-What's wrong with you?
(Billy)-*mutters* God, I feel terrible...
(you)-For what, Billy?
(Billy)-It was my fault...
(you)-Your fault? What was your fault?
(Billy)-Everything. If not for me, Benji'd be here...he'd be okay.
(you)-Billy, don't blame yourself. I know you were a little insane at the moment, but I was also at fault and so was Benji.
(Billy)-So...does that mean that there's no love lost between you and I?
(you)-Damn straight. *Billy laughs a little, you smile*
(Billy)-So anyway, what did you want to talk to me about?
(you)-Well, I was wondering if you could help me design a tat. I know you're pretty skilled at that.
(Billy)-Okay. Who's it for?
Just then, Kiana comes running down the stairs, squealing in ecstasy. She jumps into the arms of a rather perplexed Joel and gives him a long kiss.
(Joel)-What's up, Kiana? You seem happy about something, if suddenly so.
(Kiana)-Didn't you know? "Northern Storm" went multi-platinum! Thank you SO much for helping me produce it, Tiger!
(Joel)-Hey, no problem, Kiana-nothing's too good for my girl!
(Paul)-Well THAT was unexpected.
(Chris)-Where'd you come from, Paul?
(you)-I was about to ask you both the same thing.
(Jacinda)-They were here and so was I.
(Joel)-You realize that this conversation is going nowhere fast, right?
(you)-Who cares? Conversations don't always have to make sense, Joel.
(Kiana)-Time for me to split *goes back upstairs*
(Joel)-You and my brother sound more similar every day. *to self* God, it seems so weird without him around...
(Chris)-Aw, I think Joely actually misses his twin!
(Billy)-Hey, no comments from the Peanut Gallery!
(Paul)-Whoa, shit, you got TOLD, New Guy!
(you)-That includes you, Paul.
(Chris)-Now who's BUSTED?
(Joel)-Oh, shut up, you two.
Suddenly, the phone rings, and when Joel picks it up, he flinches from the flurry of cries heard over it. When he asks the person on the other end to calm down, they quiet, yet when they do, Joel shows an upset expression. He then turns and looks at Billy.
(Joel)-Billy?
(Billy)-What?
(Joel)-It's Mia. She wants to talk to you.
When Joel hands the phone to Billy, billy takes it and, before long, hangs up to head out the door, hurried and distraught.
~MIA'S PLACE, BILLY'S POV~
Oh man...so this must be what Kiana prophesized-it wouldn't happen to me, but I'd be the one most affected. Mia must be in really bad shape...whoa...the place is totally surrounded by cops. Cops!? Jesus Christ! No one told me there'd be cops here! But...this isn't about me...I need to see Mia!
When I get out of the car and try to approach the house, an investigator stops me.
(investigator)-I'm sorry, sir, but no one is allowed to enter.
(me)-I need to talk to Nhien Mia Shaiming.
(investigator)-Sir, Miss Shaiming is in interrogation at the moment, but if you leave your name, we will let her know of your prescence.
(me)-Billy Martin. I'm her boyfriend.
(investigator)-That's nice, Mr. Martin. If you'll step aside, I have a job to do, but Miss Shaiming should be able to see you in about ten minutes.
Ten minutes...RIGHT. It's not until thirty minutes later that I'm able to see Mia. I know this because a cop emerges and comes to me. I shiver due to my currently nervous mood, but I try my best to remain calm.
(cop)-Are you Mr. Billy Martin?
(me)-Yes, officer.
(cop)-Would you come with me, please?
(me)-May I ask why?
(cop)-Miss Shaiming requests a word with you.
(me)-How is she doing, officer?
(cop)-She's in hysterics. All efforts to calm her down have failed.
It bothers me immensely how aloof he is in speaking of it, but I follow anyway as he escorts me to Mia's room-which doesn't help my unease. Upon entry, I see Mia alone on her spread. They weren't lying-Mia really is hysterical. She is slumped in a ball, her face buried in her sleeves. I hurry over and sit next to Mia as the cop closes the door and exits.
(me)-Mia?
(Mia)-*without lifting her head* Billy? Is that you?
(me)-Yes, it's me, Mia. You wanted to see me, remember?
(Mia)-*pauses* Are we alone?
(me)-Yes.
When Mia finally looks up, I see her beautiful eyes...but they are bloodshot and melancholy. Her cheeks shine, wet with trails of tears. It pains me to see her so bent out of shape. She uncurls, and I take her into my arms.
(Mia)-*mumbling* Poor Feng...why him?
(me)-What?
(Mia)-Feng...he was only twenty...had his whole life ahead of him...
(me)-What happened?
(Mia)-Billy, Feng was murdered! I found him hanging from the tree in the backyard, with his throat slit.
The description frightened the hell out of me. It was not so much the description itself, as the fact that this event was following Kiana's prophecy to the detail.
(Mia)-They think it might have been the work of the other members of the Ki'Rin gang. Feng only wanted to clean up his act, but they saw it as betrayal...oh god! *starts sobbing*
I feel helpless...I son't know what to do, what to say, even what to think. I simply let her cry on me, and I cradle her in my arms. I stay with her for around an hour before she falls asleep. It's not long before I start to drift off.
When I awaken, it is due to a detective's intervention. I yawn and take a quick look out the window. It's raining...like the weather changed to reflect our shared mood-grey and depressing.
(detective)-Our apologies, sir, but we must ask that you leave so that we can proceed with our investigation. I will escort you to your vehicle.
I quietly cooperate, but first I gently place Mia on the bed. Luckily, she does not stir. As I get up, I take one last look back at her...and know that-deep down in my heart-Mia will never be quite the same girl.
When I get to my car and out onto the Outer Loop of the Beltway, the traffic is backed up pretty far. Thus, I decide to pass the time by putting in my mix CD on shuffle. Wouldn't you know it, "American Idiot" by Green Day comes on. I couldn't possibly have picked a more random or out-of-place song. Suddenly, it hit me: *____* had told me that, in finishing the prophecy, Kiana had grabbed her own wrist-left-when mentioning "the sister"-Mia...what did that mean?
:'( That one was a sad one, wasn't it?

I know, this one was sad. And a bit long. Well, next one should be somewhat more fun, if extraordinarily long. Trust me, there'll be a lot of people making appearances in 54! Tell me if there's any musicians in particular you want me to put in, and I'll see what I can do. Don't forget to vote on the poll! Also, Benji will be back next chapter! Yayness!