C.T.W.N.D

Present Day.

The lights dimmed in the packed auditorium, casting a warm orange glow over the sea of expectant faces. The air was electric, buzzing with anticipation as 65,000 fans waited for the main event to begin. The venue, a massive indoor stadium in the heart of New York City, was transformed into a vibrant, pulsating entity, alive with the collective energy of the crowd.

As the roadies finished their final checks, the audience grew restless, chanting and cheering in anticipation. The smell of hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet scent of perfume and the musky smell of sweat. The sound system pulsed with a low, throbbing beat, teasing the crowd with snippets of Charlee Tyre's biggest hits.

Backstage, the opening act, a group of talented teenagers from a local Texas college, was preparing to take the stage. They were a last-minute addition to the lineup, handpicked by Mason Bridges, Charlee's manager, for their raw energy and infectious enthusiasm.

As the lights dimmed further, the crowd erupted into cheers, sensing that the show was about to begin. The opening act burst onto the stage, launching into their high-energy set with a infectious enthusiasm that quickly won over the crowd.

The teenagers played with a confidence and polish that belied their age, tearing through their set with a frenetic energy that left the crowd breathless. They were a bunch of talented kids, and they knew how to work a crowd.

As they finished their final song to thunderous applause, the crowd was electric, buzzing with anticipation for the main event. Mason Bridges had made an inspired choice in selecting the young band to warm up the audience.

And then, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. "New York City, make some noise for the one and only... Charlee ...Tyre!" The MC's voice boomed through the auditorium, echoing off the rafters. The crowd of 65,000 fans erupted into a frenzy of cheers and screams, their collective energy reaching a fever pitch. The stadium was a sea of flashing lights, waving arms, and adoring faces.

Suddenly, the stage lights flickered and died, plunging the auditorium into darkness. The crowd held its collective breath, sensing that something big was about to happen. And then, Charlee's powerful voice soared through the silence, belting out the iconic lyrics of her hit song. The stadium exploded into a cacophony of sound, the audience singing along to every word as Charlee Tyre took the stage.

—_—

Charlee's POV

I stepped onto the stage, the blinding lights and deafening roar of the crowd enveloping me like a tidal wave. I took a deep breath, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. This was what I lived for – the thrill of performing, the connection with my fans, and the sense of freedom that came with losing myself in the music.

As I began to sing, my voice soared through the auditorium, echoing off the rafters. The crowd was entranced, singing along to every word. I felt their energy, their passion, and their love. It was a two-way street – I gave them my music, and they gave me their hearts.

I danced, spun, and belted out the lyrics, feeling the music pulsing through every fiber of my being. This was my happy place – the stage, the spotlight, and the rush of performing. Nothing else mattered.

And then, in an instant, everything changed.

A deafening shot rang out, shattering the electric atmosphere of the stadium. Petrified cries echoed through the auditorium as chaos erupted. Panic-stricken fans sprinted for their lives, each person fighting for survival. I stood frozen, my mind struggling to comprehend the mayhem unfolding before me.

Suddenly, a piercing ringing noise assaulted my eardrums. The frantic crowd halted their frantic escape, their faces now unified in a mask of horror as they stared at me. I followed their gazes, my left palm tracing the contours of my face until it came to rest on my forehead. That's when I saw it – the blood trickling down my face like a macabre waterfall.

Reality hit me like a ton of bricks: I'd been shot.

As my legs buckled beneath me, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction wash over me. The family curse, which had haunted the women in my family for generations, had finally caught up with me. Yet, I'd outlived them all, celebrating my 24th birthday three months prior.

A darkly comedic thought flashed through my mind: cartoon characters often fly through the air, oblivious to their surroundings, until they realize their predicament and plummet to the ground. It seemed that phenomenon wasn't exclusive to animation.

With that absurd thought, I surrendered to the darkness beckoning me, letting its inky blackness envelop me like a shroud.