Chapter 61: Deadly Encore

The sun is high in the sky as you pull the Love Fist limo up to Rock City, the location buzzing with excitement. Fans line up around the block, holding posters, albums, and memorabilia, chattering excitedly about meeting their favorite band. The air is thick with anticipation, and you can feel the tension radiating from the band members seated behind you.You park the limo and step out, scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. The band follows, trying to maintain their rock star cool despite the undercurrent of fear.Inside, the scene is chaotic with eager fans pushing towards the front, holding out posters and albums for autographs. The band members exchange nervous glances but try to maintain their cool rock star facades. Jezz steps forward, flashing his signature grin despite the unease in his eyes."Alright, everyone," Jezz says, his voice steady but his eyes betraying his anxiety. "Let's make this quick and smooth. Remember, we're here for the fans."The band members nod, putting on their best smiles as they step into the signing area. Tables are set up with stacks of albums and markers, ready for the event. Security guards flank the area, their eyes scanning the crowd for any suspicious behavior.You take a position nearby, blending in with the security, your eyes constantly moving. The fans surge forward, the excitement palpable. Cheers and screams fill the air as the band takes their seats."Percy! We love you!" a girl shouts, waving a handmade sign."Thanks, darling," Percy replies, flashing a charming smile as he signs her poster. "You all having a good time?"The fans respond with an enthusiastic cheer, and the band members engage in light banter with the crowd, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Despite their outward appearance of ease, you can see the tension in their movements, the quick glances they exchange with each other and the security guards."Hey, Jezz," you hear a fan say, leaning in. "Is it true you once trashed a hotel room with a motorcycle?"Jezz laughs, shaking his head. "Ah, those were the days, mate. We were young and wild."Another fan, a young boy, approaches Dick with wide eyes. "Dick, you're the best drummer ever!"Dick ruffles the boy's hair, grinning. "Thanks, kid. Keep rocking."As the event progresses, you remain vigilant, watching every face that approaches the band. Your mind races with potential scenarios, each one ending with you catching the psycho before he can strike."Everything okay?" Kent Paul asks, sidling up next to you.You nod, your eyes still scanning the crowd. "So far, so good. But stay alert.""Always, mate," Kent replies, his expression serious.The line moves steadily, fans coming and going, their excitement never waning. Despite the festive atmosphere, a sense of unease hangs in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the danger lurking nearby.A group of teenage girls approaches Willy, giggling and blushing as he signs their albums. "You're even hotter in person," one of them gushes."Flattery will get you everywhere, love," Willy replies with a wink.The band members continue to interact with the fans, signing autographs and sharing stories, but you can see the strain in their eyes, the way they tense at every unexpected movement."How much longer do you think this will go on?" Dick mutters under his breath as he signs another album."Just keep smiling and signing," Jezz replies quietly. "We'll get through this."The fans keep coming, each one more eager than the last. An older fan, dressed in a vintage Love Fist tour shirt, approaches. "You guys were legends back in the day," he says, his voice thick with nostalgia. "But, tell me, did you really have something to do with that guy who overdosed after one of your concerts?"The question hangs in the air, the band members stiffening noticeably. Jezz clears his throat, his smile faltering. "Nah, mate. We had nothing to do with that. Just a tragic accident."The fan seems unsatisfied but moves on, and the band members exchange uneasy glances. As the crowd begins to thin out, you spot a woman near the back of the line, her demeanor slightly off. She wears large sunglasses and a hat pulled low over her face, and she keeps glancing around nervously."Kent, see that woman?" you say, nodding in her direction. "Something's not right."Kent follows your gaze, his expression darkening. "Got it. I'll keep an eye on her."The woman approaches the table, her movements stiff and unnatural. You tense, ready to spring into action. She hands Jezz a poster, her hand shaking slightly."Big fan, aren't ya?" Jezz asks, forcing a smile as he takes the poster.She doesn't respond, her eyes darting around. You step closer, ready to intervene. Suddenly, she pulls out a knife, lunging towards Jezz."Watch out!" you shout, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back. The knife clatters to the ground, and security swarms in, dragging her away as she screams obscenities.The crowd gasps, and the band members jump back, their faces pale. "Bloody hell," Jezz mutters, running a hand through his hair. "That was too close."You take a deep breath, your heart pounding. "It's not over yet. I don't think she is alone. We need to keep our eyes open."The band members nod, their expressions grim. As the event continues, you remain on high alert, knowing that the real threat is still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike.The event presses on, each autograph signed and each photo taken only adding to the tension. The band members try to keep their spirits high, cracking jokes and flirting with fans, but the anxiety is palpable. You pace the perimeter, scanning each face in the crowd, each movement, looking for any sign of danger.As the line dwindles, you feel a sense of impending dread. The psycho hasn't made a move yet, and you know he's still out there. The woman with the knife was just a distraction, and you have a sinking feeling that the real threat is still lurking.Just as you're beginning to think he might not show, you hear a commotion near the back of the venue. Security is body-checking every fan entering the event, and you see a security guard patting down a tall, slender figure dressed in a flowing skirt and a wig. The guard looks suspicious, but before he can finish, the figure pulls out a gun and shoots the guard at point-blank range."Love Fist ruined my life!" the psycho screams, his voice echoing in the shocked silence that follows."Oh my God, he's got a gun!" a fan shouts, panic spreading through the crowd like wildfire."Someone's been shot!" another voice cries out, adding to the chaos.The psycho then makes a desperate dash toward the band members, his eyes wild with rage. But you react quickly, stepping in front of him to shield Love Fist, gun is already pointing at him."Not today," you growl, blocking his path.Realizing he can't get to the band, the killer turns and bolts through the crowd, knocking people aside in his bid for escape. You and the band's security team pursue him out into the street. He jumps into a black Sentinel, tires screeching as he speeds away."Don't let him get away!" one of the security guards shouts, pushing through the throng of people.You jump into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a roar. The tires squeal as you pull away, quickly closing the distance on the psycho's Sentinel.The killer swerves into a narrow alley, tires screeching. "He's trying to lose us in the backstreets," you mutter, keeping your focus sharp. As you enter the alley, you signal one of the truck drivers to block the exit. The driver reacts, but not quickly enough. The truck moves into position just as the psycho slips past, the truck blocking your path instead."Dammit!" you curse, slamming on the brakes. The psycho's car disappears around a corner. You glance at your HUD, watching the minimap track his position. "We haven't lost him yet."You reverse out of the alley, the engine growling as you speed down the main road, using the minimap to anticipate his next move. The psycho darts through traffic, but you're closing the gap. The chase spills onto a wide avenue, giving you room to maneuver.You signal two more truck drivers to move into position. They edge forward, ready to block the psycho's path. He sees the trap and veers off at the last second, turning into another street. "He's heading to the industrial area," you call out, swerving to follow him.The chase leads you into a semi-industrial zone filled with warehouses and heavy machinery, right into the trap location. The psycho's Sentinel weaves through the tight spaces, but you stay on his tail. The noise of the chase echoes off the buildings, adding to the chaos.As you navigate the narrow lanes, you signal the final truck driver. The truck rumbles into position, blocking the only exit. The psycho's car speeds toward it, too fast to stop. With a deafening crash, the Sentinel slams into the truck. The truck's container tilts, crashing down on the car, but the psycho scrambles out just in time, his eyes wild with desperation.You jump out of your car, moving toward him. "End of the line," you say, your voice steady.The psycho glares at you, breathing heavily. "You think you can stop me? Love Fist ruined my life, and now they'll pay."You draw your gun, keeping it trained on him. "I'm done talking. It's over."The psycho snarls, drawing his own weapon. "Not yet, it isn't."Gunfire erupts, bullets passing back and forth as you and the psycho engage in a deadly standoff. You take cover behind a nearby crate, returning fire. The night is filled with the sound of gunshots and the smell of gunpowder.