Lost and Found

The crowd cheered as they finished an older song, [i]A Little piece of Heaven[/i]. I looked all around me at the screaming fans, covering my ears.

“Thank you Chicago!” M. Shadows yelled into the microphone. The five guys left, going backstage with their guitars..

“Let’s go!” Danny practically shouted, pulling Marianne and I along. One part of the crowd was going one way and we were going the other, thus, making the venture pretty difficult. Eventually, Danny found a security guard. “Excuse me, sir?“ he asked the man, tapping him on his yellow colored shoulder. The man turned around.

“Can I help you?” he asked. The man was nicer than he looked, that was for sure. Maybe he thought we lost someone. The look on Danny’s face could’ve pulled that off easily. I internally laughed at the notion. If we lost someone, Danny would more than likely forget about them if he got the chance to meet this band.

“We have these backstage passes, and we don’t know where to go,” Danny explained as we flashed them.

“Oh, okay. So you’re the three kids who got them?”

“Three kids? I thought they were a free for all as long as you could buy them,” Marianne asked.

“No, there was a radio contest,” the security guard told her. Our mouth’s made an ‘o’ shape. “Anyway, you can follow me.”

“Thank you!” Danny said, about to be bouncing off the walls again. Here we were, minutes from meeting the people plastered over his wall. He couldn’t be any happier, and Marianne and I holding him to the ground proved that.

The guard took us behind the stage and through various hallways that led the opposite way of the direction the band went. This worried me. What if the guard thought our passes were fake and he was going to kick us out? Danny and Marianne would be very upset, thus making me upset. Their happiness is essentially my happiness.

We came up to a room full of chairs and plush couches. A vending machine of snacks and one of drinks were on the side wall, and plastic plants were near them. The walls, carpet and couches were various shades of purple and red, and I immediately thought of it as a hospital waiting room. The walls were a dull grey and there was a glass door leading outside across from us.

“The guys usually wind down after concerts and help with some equipment. So I’ll tell them you’re waiting here, and they’ll meet you when they can.”

“Thank you, sir,” Marianne said politely, trying to sound adult. “Uhm, is there anywhere to smoke?”

“That door there,” he replied, pointing, “leads right outside. You can go ahead and smoke out there.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

The guard left and Marianne bolted for the door. I sat quietly while Danny was bouncing in his seat.

“It’s only a matter of minutes! We’re finally meeting them!” Danny said. I smiled at his excitement.

“At first I thought he was kicking us out for having fake passes.”

“Psh. I hope they aren’t fake, then I’d have to have a serious talk with my mother and father!” He was now standing up in the couch, bouncing lightly.

“Danny, get down! What if you break it?” I asked, standing up in attempt to help him down. “What if you break you?”

“Oh, calm down Mama Liz. I’ll be fine.”

“Danny, please?” I begged. He sighed, but jumped down. “Thank you."

“Yeah… I can’t be ninja anymore.”

I laughed. “Like you were ever ninja.”

“Psh. I so was and you know it.”

“How long does it take her?” I asked after a few minutes passed.

Danny sighed and looked to the door. “I don’t know. I’ll go check up on her.”

“Danny, don’t leave me!” I whined. "I wasn't telling you to go check on her!"

He laughed and walked backwards as he looked at me. “You’ll be fine.”

“What if I have an asthma attack?”

“You have your inhaler. You're a big girl.”

"What if they come in while you're out there?"

"I doubt they will."

I rolled my eyes and plopped down in a couch. I heard the heavy glass door open and close. A minute later, the door opened and closed again right as I picked at a loose string on my shirt.

“Danny, what’s taking her?”

“Who’s Danny?” I looked up, startled at the new voice. This caused me to stand up. The five men before me were the five that were on stage.

“What’re you doing here, Val? Thought this was where the three kids were to meet us,” the same voice, belonging to the man in aviators said. He took his sun glasses off and on to his head and looked at me with his hands on his hips.

“For the last fucking time!” I shouted and whined at the same time. “I’m not Val! I am not Val or Valary or Dibendetoto- whatever it is, I'm not her!”

“What?” the rhythm guitarist, Zacky V said with a laugh in his voice. Yes. I knew my members. I wasn’t as big of a fan as Danny, but I still knew who they were thanks to Danny, the fan boy still outside.

“I’m not Val,” I said softer, now feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Wow, you look like Matt and Val’s spawn!” the tall one, The Rev, said with a chuckle. He must've lost his shirt somewhere. “Hey, Shads, is there something you’re keeping from us?” he was now full out laughing, and M did the same, though looking down and shaking his head.

“Like I haven’t heard that one before,” I said with a small laugh. “Let me go tell my friends you’re here.”I opened the door and looked to one side of the building, then the other. Danny and Marianne were talking to the woman who people had constantly mistaken me as.

“Danny, Marianne!” I called, one foot keeping the door opened just in case it locked behind me. The three looked up, and Val’s eyes widened. Of course she recognized me. Apparently, she saw my face everyday. Like I’ve said before… I don’t see the resemblance. Her hair is usually blonde, but I see right now she has it darkened to just around the same shade as mine. I think our eyes are even different colors and our noses aren't even in the least bit simular. Nothing. Alike. “The band is here, ready to meet us officially.”

“Yes!” Danny screamed, running full power toward me. He went in the door quickly after I moved out of the way, followed by Marianne and Val lagging behind. They both stopped in front of me.

“Elizabeth, this is Valary Sanders, Val, this is my best friend Elizabeth Dean.” Val stuck her hand out and I took it.

“Nice to meet you,” Val said. I smiled.

“You too.”

“Marianne has been telling me about you.”

I blushed, dropping my hand from her gentle grip. “Yeah, she likes to brag about me.” Us three laughed as we went in the doors. Danny was on the floor, hailing the band before him. Literality. It was an interesting sight. First you need to picture Danny. He’s short and squishy, no muscle mass at all with his bright green hair and his dark blue eyes. Then there are his idols, all muscley and such. Danny’s torso made itself up and down with his arms sticking out in front of him. The band just laughed, smiled and shook their heads while some’s hands were in their pockets while other’s arms were crossed.

“Danny, get up. Stop,” Marianne said with a bit of a laugh of her own as she ‘nudged’ him in the side with her foot. It was a very harsh nudge, though.

Danny flipped her off, earning a howl of laughter as he just continued. “I hail your existence!” he said, stopping with his hands flat on the ground.

“He was dropped on his head a couple times,” I explained. "On his soft spot as a newborn quite often.'"

“And just last week,” Marianne finished.

The room laughed, and I couldn’t help but join. I felt appreciated. Maybe I could make a living out of making fun of Danny.

“So I take it this… ‘hailer,’ is Danny?” Synyster Gates asked, pointing. "Hail to the king, Danny... That's right..."

“He knows my name!” Danny exclaimed, rolling onto his back while he stared up to the five. “Please tell me I’m not dead.”

“You aren’t dead,” I assured.

“This is Marianne and Elizabeth,” Val said, pointing to the right person.

“Hey,” Marianne and I both said. I waved shyly. I felt so out of place.

“I’m totally loving my parents right now,” said none other than Danny.

“Danny, get up and stop staring at their balls,” Marianne bluntly said. Like I’ve said… outspoken. More laughter ensued and Danny quickly stood up.

“Way to ruin a moment,” Danny lightly seethed. He didn’t move at all though, he kept as close as he could without seeming too creepy…

I think he’s passed that line already.

“Well, I think it’s proper to introduce these people, as I’ve introduced you and myself outside. Uh, real or stage?”

“Doesn’t matter…,” M said with a pause. “This is still too freaky.”

“What?” Val and I asked at the same time.

“BRAIN TWINS!” Rev exploded, pointing at us and laughing. Yes. I laughed with them. Just because I didn't have a hard on for their music didn't mean I didn't like them.

“Anyway, this is Jimmy, Brian, Zacky, Matt, and Johnny,” Val said to the three of us newcomers as she pointed to the right person.

“I know. I know everything there is to know about you!” Danny exclaimed, now on his knees. He was never going to give up.

“It’s true. He’s like a fucking Avenged Sevenfold encyclopedia,” Marianne added.

“That’s… not creepy at all!” Johnny said with a weird smile.

“Ask him anything,” Marianne said with a laugh.

“Okay, um… shit. I can’t think of anything that wouldn’t be on the internet,” Matt said, rubbing his chin.

“And that’s how he knows everything,” I said with a laugh. I took the initiative to sit down.

"Oh, I know! .... Wait, I'm sure sites for that exist..."

“Why are you so obsessed?” Zacky asked with a laugh.

“We’ve asked that before,” Marianne said.

“Cause you guys are awesome!” Danny told them as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“And you wonder why I call you Stalker Danny,” Marianne said with a laugh, sitting down on the arm of the chair next to me.

“And you wonder why I call you mentally unstable,” Danny replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Hey, here’s our entertainment!” Zacky said with a laugh.

“Happy to oblige,” I replied.

“So… tell us about yourselves,” Val said, sitting down in a chair next to the standing Matt and across from me.

“Wanna go first?” I asked Marianne.

“Sure,” she replied with a shrug. “I’m 18, born in San Diego, but now live in the outskirts of Chicago. I was once a… quiet toddler… with… all sorts of… toys…,” she mentioned dramatically, like a storyteller. I chucked quietly and gently nudged her.

“We don’t need a novel, Marianne.”

“Liz, she asked for us to tell them about us… duh.”

“All sorts of toys, eh?” Jimmy said, an amused grin on his face.

“Yeah. I loved those slutty Bratz dolls. Gosh, just something about Angelina Jolie looking things that just made me want to decapitate them.”

“You decapitated my Barbie’s too…” I said sadly, trying to hide a laugh.

“And my GI Joes,” Danny added.

“Oh c’mon, the GI Joes had it coming to them! They had stupid little smirks that just needed a decapitation.”

“I love this group!” Brian said with a loud laugh. “You need to be around more often. Is this how you normally act?”

“Sadly, yes,” I told him.

“Awesome!” Brian replied.

“Guys, bus is loaded, time to go.” a man said abruptly, then left.

“That’s Jason Berry. He’s a douche,” Matt said with a laugh as he stood up. “Well, it was awesome meeting you guys. Maybe we’ll see you again in Chicago one day.”

“WAIT!” Danny screamed, halting all motion. “Can I… get an… autograph? And a picture?” he asked lightly. "Cause pics or it didn't happen, am I right?"

“Dear god, that was amazing!” Danny exclaimed as we exited the building and went toward his car.

Marianne laughed as she lit another cigarette. “True that.”

“I feel like I can die happily!” he said.

I laughed. “But Danny!” I exclaimed. “You have so much left in the world to accomplish!”

“Like getting kicked out of Wal-Mart!” he said in an over excited voice. I looked at him oddly while Marianne looked excited, mischief glimmering in her eyes.

“What’s with you and Wal-Mart?” I asked.

“It’s not Wal-Mart!” Marianne said. “It’s [i]The[/i] Wal-Mart.”

“Oh, I [i]apologize[/i].”

Danny unlocked the doors. “We should go and see how long it takes to get kicked out.”

I looked at my watch. It was nearing midnight. “Wouldn’t they be closed?”

“No. They’re open all night,” Marianne explained like it was a joke.

“Oh,” was all I said, plans foiled.

“Off to Wal-Mart!” Danny exclaimed, starting the car.

“The Wal-Mart,” Marianne corrected.

He drove to the nearest one, taking about a five minute drive. We exited the car, Marianne and I watching as Danny ran in. Any onlooker would think he was crazy. Hell, even I did. Danny waited patiently as we caught , bouncing on his toes.

“First things first,” he said after we were greeted by a tired old man. Danny moved a ‘Caution: Wet Floor’ sign to the clothing area where the floors were carpeted. Marianne and I just laughed. She was plotting other ways while I was the innocent onlooker. The things my friends do are the types of things you read on the internet that are just so boggling to the mind, you can't imagine one person actually doing it. We were going to get kicked out and banned from the rest of the Walmarts in the country.

Marianne says I’m too much of a goody. That’s just my nature. I don’t like to get into trouble because then things will only get difficult that way. I'm mature for my age and that is okay with me. I slowly followed Marianne around while Danny went off, doing God knows what.

“Score!” Marianne said. She led me to the isle where alarm clocks were. She started setting them at whatever time and then scurried off. Reluctantly, I followed her. I hope we’re not going to get the police involved. I mean, here we were, three teenagers reeking havoc in ‘The Wal-Mart.’

I don’t do well around police officers.

“Is the service desk open?” Marianne asked me.

“I don’t know. They have to be, I guess.”

“Brilliant.” Marianne grabbed a $1.99 bag of candy and took it up. I stayed behind this time.

“Can I put this on layaway?” she asked. “I have no money and I’m not one for stealing.” The employee gave her an odd look but did as asked anyway. Marianne became overly ecstatic and then skipped away toward me. I smiled and shook my head.

We now walked toward the women's clothing section, Marianne looking for another trick to pull. I watched around, making note of a woman browsing. But before the poor lady was warned, she was hit by Danny. He had been hidden in the clothing racks and when she looked through them, he screamed “Pick me! Pick me!”

“Your friend is a little weird, isn’t he?” the new, yet familiar voice startled me. I jumped, and turned around. There was Val, her arms crossed, smiling like she was about to laugh.

“We told you, he was dropped on his head,” Marianne explained.

Marianne and I turned to her. “What are you guys doing here?” she kindly asked, "Just out of curiosity. I find it a little funny."

“Danny and Marianne wanted to terrorize this place,” I explained. “Small world, huh?”

She smiled and nodded. “That’s what the guys wanted to do. Except I needed some shampoo and conditioner,” she explained, showing us her bag. “I told them I needed to go to Walmart and they jumped on the chance. They’re around somewhere, I've been looking for them," she told us as she looked around.

“I understand them doing it, but aren’t you guys a bit too old?” I asked, about to laugh.

“They’re kids at heart, really. It’s embarrassing sometimes. This is how they choose to relax I guess.”

“You can’t catch me! I’m the gingerbread man!” Danny said, zooming past us in a tiny plastic tricycle. Matt, Zacky and Jimmy followed him, doing the same.

“I can catch you!” Jimmy said. “I’m the muffin man!”

“The muffin man?” Zacky inquired. They were now past us as a slow pace but we could hear them, they were talking so loudly.

“The muffin man!” Jimmy said with a weird growl to his voice. Sounded like he needed to clear his throat to be honest.

“The one who lives on Druey Lane?” Matt asked.

“Yes!” Zacky and Jimmy said at the same time, giving fake but hearty laughs.

“They are so weird,” Val said, turning to look at them. An employee with a red, angry face started to follow them.

“And that is the end of them,” I said. “Huh, Marianne?” I looked around. “Marianne? Did you see where she went?” I asked Val.

Val shook her head. “Sorry.”

A scream was heard not too far off and I could hear Marianne laughing. Val and I looked at each other before quickly walking to where it happened.

“What happened?” I asked Marianne.

“Nothing! I swear! I just put that Elmo doll there, and when someone tried to pick it up, I said, ‘I will eat your soul.’ See? Nothing.” Changing her voice for the soul part, she sounded really creepy. I figured she was channeling the crypt keeper. "Where is everyone?"

I laughed. “I think everyone else got kicked out.”

“Awww… man. Danny must’ve beaten me to it.”

“Is there a competition?” Val asked.

“I have no clue,” I responded.

“Well, I have to go. It was nice seeing you girls again,” Val said. Marianne and I said our goodbyes and left.

“I can’t just leave, I have to get kicked out,” Marianne pouted.

“Okay…” I said, trailing off.

Marianne gasped and grabbed my shoulders.

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“The best idea ever!” I waited for her to continue.

“What?”

“Marco Polo.”

I shook my head. “You’re not getting me into this.”

“Please?” she begged.

I sighed and waited before replying. “Fine.”

“Yay!”

I closed my eyes as she went off.

“Marco,” I said, walking around after I counted to ten in my head.

“Polo!”

“Marco!”

“Polo!”

Notes