Even Lights Can Fade Away

Walking in the door of Skeleton Crew this morning I prepared for the shit storm that was about to happen. I had been out of work nearly a month and a half. Of course I had been doing my best by email, but I knew they still had every reason to be pissed.

I was actually quite nervous to be coming back. I wasn’t sure what kind of welcome back I would receive, and the fact that I was going behind Gerard’s back was still weighing heavily over me. By the time I had pulled into the parking lot I had been over the pros and cons multiple times and had almost turned around and gone home at least twice.

“C’mon Frank you can do this,” I mumbled to myself under my breath, resting my head on the steering wheel. “It’ll be fine. There’s nothing to worry about.” I laughed sharply at myself. I was slowly starting to learn that there was almost always going to be something to worry about. For example, right now I was worried about how my first day back to work after such a long time was going to be received. If this went well then I would worry about Gerard’s reaction when I get home. If for some reason that went well then I would have to worry about feeding, and not killing people, and making sure my relationship with Gerard stayed intact. The list went on and on, and it would probably never stop until the day I died. Which come to think of it, that already happened. So until the day I ceased to exist I guess.

I sat in the car for another five minutes, preparing myself before I opened the door and stepped out. I breathed deeply, a human habit of mine, trying to slow my nonexistent heart rate.

Twelve steps to reach the building I counted in my head to distract myself. Then there’s another twenty-three steps to reach the front door. I pushed the glass door open with only a slight moments hesitation. And finally seven more steps till I reach my fate, a.k.a. Ellie the receptionist.

She was busy at the computer when I approached the front desk. “I’ll just be a moment,” She told me, keeping her eyes on the screen and typing away furiously. “If you’re here for a meeting with Mr. Iero I’m afraid he’s not in. I can take a message if you want” Since the bands I signed had their own keycard to get in and around the studio, usually the only people that approached the front desk were walk-ins looking for a meeting with me in the chance of getting signed.

I grinned at the sight of Ellie. I really had missed her while I was gone. I had hired her years ago out of pity. When she came to me she was just a sixteen-year-old girl with electric blue hair who had just gotten kicked out of her house by her abusive parents. I felt bad for her so I hired her. I even helped her get an apartment under my name since she was still too young and helped her pay for it. It was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made. She was hardworking and paid me back in full for the apartment. By now she was like a little sister to me.

“Yeah, tell him he’s a lazy fuck who needs to get his midget ass back to work,” I grinned wide as she whipped around, fury on her face. It faded away though as soon as she saw who it was.

“Frank!” She cried out in glee. She reached over the desk and pulled me into a hug. I turned my head carefully away from the pulsing vein in her neck, restraining myself. See, I can do this… “It’s been like forever! Where the fuck have you been?” I shrugged sheepishly.

“Ah you know, me and my shitty immune system,” I laughed and shifted my feet nervously. “I got really sick for awhile, but when I did get better Gerard kept on insisting that I hadn’t.”

“Good for him!” She laughed. “You need someone to keep you in check.” I shoved her playfully and she shoved back. “Okay, right on down to business because you’ve missed a lot Mr.” I sighed.

“Yeah I know. But I’m back now.” If Gerard will let me come back tomorrow…

“Good. Now, Saving Angels and Storming the Academy are both back there right now, so you’ll want to check in with them.” Saving Angels and Storming the Academy were two bands that I signed, both about a year ago. From what I had seen they were making great progress so far. It probably wouldn’t be long until I was handing them off to a proper label.

“Yeah, I’ll do that. Anything else?” She laughed at my question and held up a giant stack of papers. My face fell as I looked at the pile, causing her to laugh even more.

“Welcome back Frankie!” She giggled shoving the papers into my tattooed hands. I shifted the weight around until I was comfortable and sure I wouldn’t drop the whole stack.

I said goodbye with a few minor complaints and proceeded to walk past the front desk to the actual recording area.

My first stop was to my office at the end of the hallway. This particular hallway was painted white, and I had meant to ask Gerard before everything happened to come in a do a mural of some sort sometime. With everything that had been going on though it had completely slipped my mind.

There were four doors down this corridor, three of them being recording studios, and the other being my office. Two of the three recording room doors were shut tightly, confirming what Ellie had said about the two bands being in today. I would definitely check in on them as soon as I dropped all this stuff off.

My office wasn’t anything spectacular. It basically consisted of a desk with a phone and a couple of pencils and pens. And of course a shit ton of papers scattered everywhere. I didn’t spend a lot of time in here though so it didn’t need to be perfect. The majority of my time was spent with my bands, helping with sound or tuning instruments or whatever else needed to be done. Every now and then I would throw out an opinion on what I thought about a certain part, but that was rare.

I was the kind of manager that pushed my bands to form their own sound, their own path. I didn’t want my opinions to keep them from making the kind of music they wanted to make. Too many record labels signed bands and then ruined them by having them make a more popular sound of music. I, being a musician myself, had never wanted that. I would coach them and give out suggestions, but at the end of the day it wasn’t me that was playing the game.

I let the papers slip out of my grip and hit the desk with a thud, causing a mini dust storm. I scrunched my nose, trying not to sneeze. It really had been awhile since I had been back.

I exited my office once more, leaving the papers for some other time. I glanced between the two doors. Eenie meenie miney moe… I walked towards the door on the far right and grabbed the handle, knocking as I twisted it and pushed forward.

“Come in!” A girls voice sounded even though I was already half way through the door. I was met by four pairs of eyes the second I stepped foot into the room.

“Frankie!” Ember cried out running forward much like Ellie had and hugging me.
“Miss me?” I asked with a chuckle. I hugged her quickly, still wary of biting her, before pulling away and glancing at the others.

Storming the Academy had probably been the band I was most excited for in a long time. They showed so much enthusiasm and talent that I knew someday they would make it big.

They consisted of Ember the lead singer, Ashlyn on guitar and backup vocals, Lucas, or Cas as he preferred, on bass, and Riley on drums and backup vocals. Another thing that I loved about them was that they looked like they belonged together.

Ember was more of the bubbly leader with bright purple hair that reached past her shoulders. She had a lip ring and small gages that fit in with her punk rock looking clothing that consisted mostly of the color black. Today she had on black Doc Martens with ripped up black tights. Over those she had black shorts. She also wore a fading black Green Day tank top with sleeveless vest unbuttoned over it. In my opinion though it was her tattoo sleeves that completed the picture.

Ashlyn was pretty much Ember’s non-blood related twin. They did everything together and practically spoke the others sentences. Ashlyn was slightly quieter than Ember though. She was still very bubbly and friendly, but was more chill and laid back than her twin. She had opted for a black lace dress today with combat boots, pulling her messy red hair back into a ponytail.

Cas was the flirt of the band. His dyed black hair mixed with the bit of eyeliner he applied everyday was enough to get anyone’s attention. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about how hot he was. I mean to be honest this entire band was really hot, but I’m gay. I don’t think quite the same about Ash and Em. Today he was wearing a tight Misfits t-shirt, which showed off his figure nicely matched with red skinny jeans. And yes, I was well aware of the fact that I had a boyfriend, one just as hot as Cas I might add. I was still allowed to look though.

And finally there was Riley. He was our comedian of the group. He was known for pulling practical jokes all the time. He was also the one who probably cared the least about his looks, keeping his hair its natural brunette and resisting eyeliner, much to Cas’s dismay. Like I said though, this was a good-looking band. And even though he had a bit of pudge sticking out from under his dark grey t-shirt, he still looked pretty good. Like ten out of ten would bang.

But besides my gay comments, they all looked good together. They looked like they were a band. Their styles matched one another’s, and they always seemed to be happy. They were a family for sure, and it was like I was the foster parent. I would guide them along until it was time for them to move onward. I would probably be sad when the time came, but at the same time, I don’t think it can come soon enough. This band’s big break was coming. I was sure of it.

“Okay, now that I’m finally back I want to hear what you guys have gotten done since I’ve been gone.” I told them with a grin. They were always eager to show me what they had been able to come up with. My absence of nearly a month and a half probably gave them time to produce a lot. My suspicions were confirmed when Ember shot me a wicked grin as the others began gathering their instruments.

“You got it!” She winked at me playfully and followed her band members into the sound booth. I positioned myself in the spinning chair by the soundboard, still smiling. It was good to be back. Now I just had to pray things would go over well with Gerard tonight.

I wasn’t sure how that was going to go. I could walk into a trashed apartment and a fuming Gerard. Or maybe with him crumpled on the floor in a crying heap. Or maybe he would have left, finally deciding he was sick and tired of my shit. Any which way I didn’t see it being a pretty scene whatsoever.

A guitar rift cut into my thoughts and I looked up through the window and saw Ash, rocking out to a solo guitar part, reminding me that I did indeed have a job. I sighed, the smile wiped off my face.

I hope this wasn’t a huge mistake.

Notes

Hehe I finally figured out a way to post more often. So yay

The bands are original characters. If they relate to someone else it is merely by coincidence. But new characters. What do we think?

Gerard's solo album came out! :) What do we think? I'm having trouble choosing between Brother and Drugstore Perfume for my favorite song.