Chapter One: Colette

The crowd erupts into thunderous claps and roars as I hold out the final note a little longer than I usually would. Sweat trickles down my brow as tears well on the lower lids of my eyes, slowly bulging and rolling down my once pristine make up.

I did it. My final performance before I slip away from the pain and chaos being a worldwide musician has caused me. The love I felt for my loyal fans wasn't enough to continue the terrifying, controlling life I have lived since I was 18. I bend my aching body in half, bowing to my audience before slipping away behind the curtain. My personal assistant, Alison rushes to my side, batting out the way the staff applauding me as I wonder through, heavy with exhaustion.

"What a beautiful end to a magnificent tour," she says loud enough for the team surrounding us to hear. This is it. My escape plan is moving into action. Her words were a signal to let me know everything was ready for me to disappear from the world that knows me as Colette Mcmannon.

"Let her through. I'm sure Mrs Mcmannon would like a shower before the celebrations begin."

"Mr McMannon said he expects her to be ready in 15."

"Well tell him it'll be more like 30," Ali answers back warranting a glare from my manager.

She leads me through the flocking bodies and down a hallway towards the big blue door that holds my name in Golden letters. We don't stop at said door though. Glancing behind me to check none of my body guards are following, we slip into what appears to be a ganitors closet.

"Here. I thought this would be the last place anyone would look for your stuff. Or you," Ali pulls out a brunette Bob cut wig, a face mask, a small plastic box that contains green contact lenses and plain jeans with a black t-shirt that reads staff in yellow writing on the back.

"Thank you," I whisper, dropping the extravagant Royal Blue dress adorned with Swarovski crystals from my battered and bruised body.

"Theres an Uber waiting. A white prius. I've already told him where to take you. There's red Mitsubishi for you."

She hands me a small set of keys. One to a car, the other a bronze key to my new life. She stuffs the dress into the spare bag hidden behind cleaning supplies before sorting my wig while I button my jeans.

"Everything is in this bag, including your new phone. Don't lose it. I'll call you in a week."

I'm overwhelmed, full of anxiety.

"What if he catches me?"

"He won't. I won t let him."

My lip quivers. My beautiful friend has put herself at risk for my own sake. I'm sure she will be blacklisted from the entertainment industry when they find out that she "didn't notice" me leaving the venue. Her supposed incompetence will cost her the job she's worked so hard for for the last decade.

"Go," she orders quietly, opening the door a crack before shoving it open and directing me to the emergency exit.

"Be safe," I mouth before running towards my freedom. The sound of my sneakers squeaking echoes as I jog to my freedom. The winter breeze whips around my body, sending a shiver up my spine and promoting my skin. This is it. I'm finally out. I'm free.