Chapter 27:
Agony
It was the longest and
most painful two hours in Brian’s life and it was only through the expert and
caring help of everyone that he made it through. The pills gave him some
relief, enough to make it bearable through half of the show, but then the pain
returned with a vengeance. During the last hour the dancers surrounded him
during the active dance routines, blinding the audience from his non-existent
movements. The camera crew was given instructions to avoid closeups
of him on the big screen, lighting made sure to soften any glaring lights
pointed directly at him. AJ and Nick took over, exaggerating their dancing and
singing to pull attention towards them and away from Brian. But there was little
they could do when it was Brian’s turn to sing. From years of singing together
they understood the unspoken show must go on motto, but cringed inwardly for
their friend, aware of the pain he was enduring. Their concern turned to raw
admiration as he continued, not missing a beat, his voice ringing strong and
clear.
Howie heaved a sigh of
relief as the show ended, hurriedly leaving the stage, the screams and applause
ringing in his ears as all five exited through the open side door. He turned to
check on Brian, who was just behind him only to see Brian double over then sink
to his knees. Howie caught him before he hit the floor, yelling at Kevin for
help. The two helped carry Brian into the dressing room, followed by Nick, AJ,
and an assortment of concerned band and stage crew. As gently as they could,
Howie and Kevin laid Brian down on the ground, only to hear the cries of pain
as the injured Backstreet Boy coiled in agony.
Kevin swore in despair,
dropping down next to him. He tried to touch Brian, to help him, but his cousin
slapped his hand away, maddened by pain, even at the gentlest touch. Frantic,
Kevin looked at AJ who glanced about the room. He saw Sam, their stage manager
pushing his way into the room, followed by what looked like paramedics. Frustrated
by the swelling crowd, AJ exploded in anger.
"Get out! Everyone!
Anyone who isn’t a Backstreet Boy or a doctor, get out!" He began to shove
everyone towards the door, trying to make a path. The group took their cue, not
willing to deal with an irate AJ and left. The paramedics knelt down to examine
Brian, who was now curled into a fetal position. Unable to get a coherent
answer from Brian, one paramedic started to question Kevin, while the other
began to open a box of medical supplies, pulling out several items. Nick
dropped to his knees, trying to get eye level with Brian. "B-Rok! Hold on,
we’ve got the paramedics here. They’re gonna give you something for the pain,
okay?" He desperately wished Brian would look at him, but Brian moaned and
curled up even tighter. Nick glanced up to see Howie pacing the floor, AJ now
talking excitedly to the paramedic. Nick tentatively placed a hand on Brian’s
head to try and reassure him, feeling helpless.
"Nick!" said
Kevin. "Move! The paramedic is going to give Brian something for the
pain." Nick stood up and moved out of the way, standing next to AJ who was
fidgeting.
While the one paramedic
began to talk to Brian in a soothing, reassuring voice, the other filled a
syringe, holding it eye level to squirt some out. The paramedic nodded to the
other one for confirmation, then plunged the needle into Brian’s exposed left
arm. AJ, who was still fidgeting, kneeled down next to Brian.
"Bri, hang on. They
gave you something for the pain. It should be working soon." He turned to
the paramedic, his voice pleading. "Right?"
The medic smiled, nodding.
"I gave him morphine. He’ll be feeling no pain real soon."
AJ, relieved, turned back
to his friend, already noticing a change in Brian’s posture. The injured
singer’s body had relaxed, he was now lying on his side. Brian breathed
heavily, his face covered in sweat, his clothes soaked from perspiration. As
the pain wore off, his breathing became more regular, turning from his side
onto his back. He placed shaky hands over his eyes, to ward off the glare of
the ceiling lights and the worried stares of his friends.
"Now I know how an
addict feels after a rush. I love drugs. God bless drugs." Brian removed
his hands from his eyes, a tiny smile forming at the corner of his mouth. For a
moment no one spoke, astonished. Then the guys broke into relieved laughter,
amazed that Brian was able to joke.
Brian reached out and AJ
grabbed his hand, gripping it firmly. "You’re going to be okay, Rok."
Brian nodded, relaxing in
the comforting grasp of his friend. He watched quietly as the paramedics placed
him onto a gurney, strapping him down tightly. He closed his eyes as the medics
wheeled him out the room, AJ in front, the rest following behind. Feeling
embarrassed by his helplessness, he did the only thing he knew how to do,
tease.
"Hey, Nick, no
practicing on that Nintendo game until I get back."
Nick jogged up to catch
his friend. "I won’t."
Brian laughed a little.
"Yeah, sure. Twenty bucks says I’ll whip your ass next time."
Nick, never one to pass up
a bet, grinned. "You’re on, loser."
Howie shook his head, then
smiled at Kevin. "Looks like things are back to normal."
"I hope so," AJ
commented wearily. Stopping at the outside door AJ leaned against the inside
wall watching the paramedics prepare to transport Brian to the ambulance
waiting outside. Each Backstreet Boy came up briefly to give Brian words of
encouragement, AJ last of all.
"Thanks for saving my
sorry ass," AJ grinned, then quickly placed his sunglasses back on to hide
his burning eyes. Brian smiled at his feeble attempt, knowing AJ too well. He
looked at his friend, uncomfortable with AJ’s gratitude. He wanted to say
something, anything. But how could he say thank you when he knew that he was
the reason of AJ’s near death?
AJ waited for a reply,
watching Brian’s smiling face change to one of sorrow and regret? AJ couldn’t
be sure. Curious, AJ started to say something, only to stop as Brian’s
expression turn into something he could read. As Brian was wheeled into the back
of the ambulance AJ noted anger, pure hatred radiating from his eyes. Confused,
AJ turned around. The area was filled with all sorts of people, the curious
along with well-wishers.
AJ missed Xavier’s form
standing to one side, his arms crossed, his eyes
glittering back at Brian.
***
