It's October now. We've already finished the North American leg, and we were about a third of the way through the European leg.

I was worried I would have a flashback in the middle of the concert, but I've gotten through about 20 shows without incident.

Hopefully tonight I'll be able to keep my streak.

I never really got nervous for shows before, but ever since the flashbacks started I felt like I was gonna puke right there in front of everyone.

I'd hate to pass out on stage and make the fans worried. Scott, Kevin, and Avi would know what was going on, but everyone in the audience would be panicking and calling an ambulance.

And Mommy ain't about to get in no ambulance.

~

Tonight was our Paris show, and I tried all day to take my mind off my nerves and enjoy the scenery and fashion.

It worked... for a little.

I found an Acne Studios so I was happy. But as the show grew closer, the more nauseous I felt.

Just one more month, Mitch. Maybe Travis has found something and you won't have to be worried anymore.

Before I knew it, I was in hair and makeup, about an hour until the show started.

"Mitch..."

I tried to ignore the voice, but it was nearly impossible.

No one except Scott, Kevin, and Avi have noticed my recent behavior.

Jonathan was worried when he saw that I wasn't eating that much. Truth of it is, I was afraid the es cargo would come right back up.

The fandom was taking notice, too.

I knew I needed to be positive on stage. I needed to sing my little heart out and dance like a gerbil on a sugar high.

I could hear the crowd talking and singing.

Here goes nothing.

~

My nerves had reduced significantly as the concert went on. This was a good sign my streak would be kept.

But towards the end of the last song, I began to feel dizzy.

No, not now!

I was waiting for Scott to finish the last note.

Hurry, Scott...

He finally ended the song and the lights went out.

I couldn't see, but I could feel myself dropping to the ground.

~

I open my eyes only to find myself surrounded by strangers.

I sat up, panic setting in.

I could barely speak; my eyes were darting around like a frightened animal about to be killed by its predator.

I stood, still speechless, studying each person until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I scream and rely on my first instinct; to throw a punch.

A hand rises to stop my fist.

I cried out as the hand squeezed. I could hear my knuckles cracking. I sank to my knees.

"Relax," A soothing yet blood-curdling voice coos. "You're safe now, my son. You're home."

"H-home?" I echoed, massaging my tingling hand.

"Stand up," The voice commands.

I obeyed and saw the person to whom the voice belonged was shrouded in a black robe.

I couldn't see his face. The only thing I could see were his bony hands and part of his toes.

I swallowed hard.

"From now until you prove yourself worthy of a name, you will be called 24." The robed figure says.

It felt weird. I felt like I was once something important and significant...

Now I've been reduced to a mere number.

Despite my déjà vu, I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Good." He pats my shoulder and removes his hand. He then spreads out his arms. "We shall hold a banquet in your honor!"

The people around us cheered.

I looked around one more time and my eyes laid upon a man.

He had blood red hair and brown eyes that were almost black.

He smiled at me reassuringly.

I felt so much more relaxed as I saw his warm, friendly grin. I smiled back.

I suddenly found myself being swept off my feet.

Three people had lifted me into the air and started carrying me away.

Was everyone so excited about me?

If they were, it felt good.

The three people set me down at the head of a table and I blinked as I realized just how much people were here.

It was harder to tell when they were lined up in two individual lines, but seeing them in one table boggled my mind.

I counted 23.

Is that why I'm called 24? Because I'm the 24th?

Must be.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when some deformed person offered me food.

Their right arm was folded and squeezed together like an accordion.

"Salad?" Its voice was warbled and mechanic.

I shook my head. "N-no, thank you."

The creature nods and moves along the line.

Another creature with an owl-like neck sets a plate in front of me.

My mouth began to water as I beheld the spectacle of a feast before me.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I saw all the steaming vegetables, sizzling steak, and a light wine to wash it all down.

The creature from earlier--I'll call him Accordion Arm--came around with a basket of flaky, buttery rolls.

I sighed in my ecstasy.

I gladly took one, though Accordion Arm still frightened me.

But hey. They had rolls.

I stuffed the whole thing in my mouth. I nearly choked, but it was worth it.

By the time the feast was over, my stomach felt as if it would burst.

I stood as the robed figure, who introduced himself as 1 earlier, sent us to bed.

During that feast, everyone was talking to me and laughing at my crappy jokes.

But when I asked where I would be sleeping, they treated me as if I didn't even exist.

I bit my lip.

Then the man who gave me the reassuring smile earlier walks up to me.

"Hello!" He says brightly.

I muster a smile. "Hello. I am
not sure where I am to sleep."

He nods. "Of course. I will show you."

I beamed. "Oh, thank you..." I trailed off so I could show that I did not know his name.

"Oh, my name is 11."

I nodded. "So everyone here has a number instead of a name?"

11 shook his head. "We are given names once we complete our training, but people like me who are on The Council go by our numbers."

"The Council?"

11 nods. "The Council of 11. We are basically the governing body here."

I nodded. "That's nice." I replied, not sure how to respond.

"Not always. I wish everyone would still call me Travis and not be as tense around me." 11 says.

"The robed figure, 1." I said. "What is his name?"

11 opens his mouth.

His lips move, but his voice doesn't come out.

~

I awoke to screaming.

I groaned and opened my eyes.

I was blinded by the spotlight.

"Everyone, please calm down!" Scott says into the microphone. "Mitch is fine! He probably just got a little hot,"

The screaming went down to nervous murmuring.

I sat up.

"See? Mitchie's okay!" Kevin announces.

The audience sighs in relief.

"Good night everyone! Please stay safe!" Avi says.

I slowly got to my feet and followed the others out.

~

"You scared the living crap out of the fans, Mitch," Scott says tiredly, rubbing his eyes.

"I know," I mumbled.

"Good thing no one called ambulance," Avi adds.

I nodded. "I'm sorry, guys. I can't control when the flashbacks happen. If I could, I would make them stop. They're exhausting,"

I rubbed my eyes and put my face in my hands. I was so tired...

"Should we cancel the rest of the tour?" Kevin asks quietly.

Silence hung in the air.

"I hate to say it, but I think we should." I said, breaking the silence. "I'm exhausted and I don't know how much more I can take."

The others nod.

"I'll go talk to Esther." Avi says as he stood.

Scott sat beside me and began to hum.

I let my eyes close and I fall asleep on Scott's shoulder.