The concert was over. The guys had just finished showering at the hotel,and
were changing clothes. They had been kind of edgy with each other all day,
especially Kevin and Nick.Being the oldest and the youngest,they did have
their bad days. But it wasn't normal for all the boys to be so moody with
each other."I think it's something in the air," Nick told Brian,as he combed his
hair in front of a mirror."The air?Get real,man.That's crazy talk," Brian
replied,adjusting his belt. Nick made a face,but didn't reply. He and Brian
really got along well,but it was getting hard for all of them that day. The
touring was really draining them all. AJ walked into the room, in sunglasses
and shorts. His hair was wild around his face,like he'd just ruffled it with a
towel. He was holding a book,and yawning."Aren't you gonna get dressed,Bone?
We gotta leave in a few minutes," Brian called. AJ didn't answer as he plopped
down on Nick's bed.Nick tossed the rest of his clothes into his suitcase.He didn't
have time to worry with the others.He met up with Howie in the hall. Howie,
who was usually the quiet peacemaker of the bunch,looking exhausted.He was
neatly dressed,with his hair pulled into a ponytail.He walked with Nick out
towards the bus,but didn't say a word.The bodyguards took their suitcases
downstairs,as they went back towards their rooms. "Time to go,guys," Kevin called.
Nick grabbed his Nike hat, and slipped it on backwards.He noticed that AJ was wearing a
Tommy Hilfiger shirt now,and Brian had changed into baggy shorts. They walked
down the hall with two bodyguards on each side. Somehow,they managed past the
crowd of girls in the front of the hotel, and straight into the bus. They took
their seats and Nick grabbed his Nintendo 64. AJ had his headphones on,and
Howie and Kevin were kicked back on the bunk beds and sleeping."Guys,we've got
a long ride ahead.Get some sleep,okay?," Johnny Wright called. They nodded,and
he left the bus. The boys got their own bus to themselves,while the management
and crew took other buses. Nick played a few games,and then just turned to
gaze out the window at the dark night. Brian was doing the same thing. Nick
turned and said something to him,and he didn't reply at first. "I feel kinda
creepy," Brian said. Nick gave him a funny look. "No,I mean it.Like something's
wrong," Brian whispered. AJ,who was sitting on the other side of Brian,didn't
budge as Brian leaned towards Nick."My stomach is all tied in knots," he said.
Nick told him to relax,and try and get some sleep.Brian nodded,and moved to
the seat in front of AJ. Nick was just dozing off when he heard the awful noise.
"Whoa!," the driver swerved off the road,and the bus began to tremble."What's
going on,Zeke?," Kevin called. All five boys were on their feet,moving to the
front."Sit down!Sit down!,"Zeke cried. They took seats right behind him.That's
when the bus died."No way," Nick heard Brian gasp. Their eyes met. This was what
Brian had been worrying about."Okay,maybe it's nothing,"Howie said.Zeke hopped
off the bus,with Kevin right behind him."What do you think happened?," Nick
asked Brian.He shrugged."I think we're stuck in the middle of nowhere,"AJ said,
standing at the door."And the other buses aren't within eye sight." Nick felt a
shiver run through him."So,we'll find someplace to sleep.No big deal," Brian said.
"Whoa!Check out this freaky looking house!," AJ called. Nick and Brian stood
behind him,as Howie leaned his head over the railing of the doorway."Cool!,"
AJ cried.Nick thought it looked spooky."That's it!We're sleeping there!," AJ
grabbed his walkman,and went to talk to Zeke and Kevin."So,that's the plan,"Zeke
said.Kevin and AJ nodded,but didn't look too thrilled."What's going on?,"Brian
called."Zeke is going to hit the highway,and flag down a ride.Then he's goinf
to come back for us,"Kevin said."We can stay at that house,"AJ told them."I don't
think it's safe to stay in that house,"Nick replied.AJ gave him a don't-be-a-baby
look at said,"The bus isn't any safer." "He's right,Nick,"Zeke said,"I'd rather
you guys stayed at the house while I went for help. Then we can have the bus
towed to a station,and come back for you." So they said goodbye to Zeke,and
then walked down the long dirt road to the mansion. Nick kept looking over his
shoulder. He was spooked by all of this. The boys were carrying their bags,
and AJ had his walkman around his neck. "I think we'll just get some sleep
while he's gone.This house looks abandoned," Kevin said. Howie reached the
door first. "I don't like the looks of this,I really don't," Nick said,staring
up at the house. "Just come on," AJ called. Kevin,Howie,and Brian managed to
shove the door open. The house inside was furnished,but dusty. They spent
a few minutes checking out the place. Nick stuck close by,not wanting to get
lost. Brian walked back into the main hall,and said,"Check out this living room!
A fireplace and everything!," Kevin and Howie followed him in,leaving Nick and
AJ in the hall. Nick turned to say something to AJ,but he was gone."AJ?AJ!," Nick
peeked into the library,but he wasn't there."Guys!Guys!," luckily,Howie,Kevin,
and Brian were in the livingroom."AJ is missing!," he cried."Stop playing around,
Nick.He's probably looking for the best room,"Kevin replied."No!I mean it!He
was here just a minute ago!," the guys searched the house,but AJ was gone.
"Wh-what do we do now?," Brian asked,nervously.Howie and Kevin looked extremely
worried."Maybe we should check the house again.Split up this time.But come right back
here," Kevin said.They agreed.Brian and Nick returned to find Kevin in the room.
"Where's Howie?," Brian asked."He's probably still looking," Kevin said.But
nearly ten minutes passed and Howie didn't come back.All three boys glanced
at each other,and then shouted for Howie as they searched the house.He was
gone."What is going on around here?," Brian cried. "I don't know," Kevin said,"
But I think we'll be sharing a room tonight.We'll look for Howie and AJ in
the morning.Maybe they walked back to the bus." "Shouldn't we check?," Nick
asked."When it's daylight.When we can get a good look around.Maybe they wandered
off,and they're on their way back," Kevin replied.They found a room and Brian
had a package of matches from the hotel as a souvenir. He lit two of the canndles
on the mantel, and they tossed pillows onto the beds.Kevin got a bed to
himself,while Nick and Brian took the one next to his."Do you think we'll be
okay in here?What if-," Nick started,but Kevin cut him off,"-Nick,we'll be fine.
As long as we stay together.So if somebody needs to go to the bathroom or
whatever, let us know.We'll follow you to the hallway,and make sure you get
there safe.I don't know why this house spooks me,but it does.I hope Zeke
gets here soon." "Me,too. This thing with AJ and Howie is scaring me.Do you
think they'll be okay until morning?," Brian asked. Kevin nodded in response.
"They may have gone back to the bus.I don't know.Just chill out until morning,"
Kevin answered."We have another concert tomorrow night.I hope we get there
on time," Nick mumbled,suddenly very sleepy.The last thing he remembered of
that night was closing his eyes,and drifted into a deep sleep.
Whoa! Talk about creepy....so the boys were stuck in this huge empty house.Wanna find out what happens next?Do you wanna know what really happened to AJ and Howie D?Then stay tuned for Chapter 2 of MISSING:A Fan's Worst Nightmare!
Get your own Free Home Page