DISCLAIMER: This story is fiction...I don't know Lance Bass or any of the other members of N'Sync, so don't read anything into it, okay? While most of the locations in the Maze of Moments series are real, some were created for the purposes of the story.
Well, it's that time once again friends and neighbors. I hope you're enjoying the story so far, and that you continue to give me your feedback and input. I greatly appreciate it! Forward any questions, comments, and/or vicious remarks to KandLStories@aol.com and let me know what you think! And if you have a minute, be sure to visit railwayshoes.net, the home of Maze and many more great stories.
Once again, Ye Writer needs to warn you that this chapter, and the next few to follow, will not be as lighthearted as some of the previous ones. The material to come will undoubtedly upset and shock some of you, so reader discretion is advised.
Thanks for reading....now, on with the show.
---Tony
The Maze of Moments - A Kevin and Lance Story
Chapter 20 - Dies Irae (Day of Wrath)
Part Two - A Church is Burning
"...you can burn down my churches, but I shall be free..."
--from "A Church is Burning" by Simon and Garfunkel
The concert had ended, and the cleaning crew was now in the process of tearing down the setup of the Auditorium. A large amount of money had been raised for a worthy cause, and a good time had been had by all. Fans walked away doubly satisfied - they had done their part to help, and had been entertained.
Kevin and Eric's friends in Dubious Distinction had said their goodbyes and left, heading back for home in Oxford, but not before receiving once more the appreciation and thanks from Lance and the others. As he watched them go, Lance thought to himself again how talented they were, and the potential they had. It was a longshot, true, but with a little work and determination, this group could just possibly hit the big time. Granted, they would need a songwriter, as cover songs would only go so far, but all of this was still in the realm of maybe and what if. Besides, he reasoned, he knew plenty of songwriters in the music industry should it come to that.
Lance's thoughts were rudely interrupted by the appearance of a wet towel landing on his head, coming from behind. And that old trick, of course, could only mean one culprit.
"You never do get tired of doing that, do you Chris?" Lance asked as he slowly turned around.
Chris desperately tried to look angelic as Lance pulled the towel off. "Why, whatever do you mean? Would I do such a thing? That would be downright cruel! Mean! Unnecessary, even!"
"Save it," Lance laughed as he threw the towel back.
He had already taken a shower and gotten dressed, and his friends were in various stages of doing the same. Chris and Joey were both done, and JC had just stepped out of the shower. Justin, however, had taken his time in getting undressed, as if he was waiting for something. When he saw Kevin and Eric step into the shower area, towels wrapped around their waists, only then did he begin to speed up his actions, taking off his clothes, grabbing his own towel and such, and making a beeline after them, nearly running down Lance in the process.
"Whoa, slow down there, Justin! What's taking you so long anyway? You're usually one of the first ones done."
"I know, but I wanna see for my....um...never mind."
Lance raised an eyebrow. "See what for yourself?"
"Nothing...." Justin replied, his voice trailing off as he walked past Lance and into the shower.
Shrugging in confusion, Lance turned around and began to walk back towards the others. Now, part of him wanted to know what it was that Justin wanted to see, and part of him didn't. He figured that when it came to his younger friend, erring on the side of caution was always a good defense. Besides, for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what could be so interesting in the shower for Justin to want to....
And then it hit him.
Kevin was in the shower.
Eric must have said something.
Lance's eyes opened wide, as if someone had just dropped a bucket full of lead on his foot. Quickly, he spun around and began to walk back towards the showers.
But he was too late.
"HOLY SHIT!!"
Chris, JC, and Joey all got quiet and looked up, seeing only Lance, his back to them.
"What the hell was that?" Joey asked.
Ever so slowly, Lance turned around, his face the shade of a can of Coca-Cola.
"Nothing. It. Was. Nothing. And you never....EVER....ask him either. Got it?"
"Ask him what?" JC said.
Just then, a very naked and very wet Justin leaned out, eyes wide in awe and wonder. "Wow! Lance, I'm impressed! How do you sit do...WHOA!"
Kevin, or possibly Eric pulled Justin back into the showers.
They continued to stare at Lance, who was now covering his face with one hand.
"Never ask him. Never ever."
JC and the others exchanged confused looks. "Um....okay. Sure."
"Why would Justin ask you how you sit down?" Chris asked. Then, the light dawned, and a huge grin came over his face. "I know! I know what it is!"
"What? Tell me?" JC asked.
"NO! You don't want to know, really! Trust me, Josh. Just....trust me. Okay?" Lance pleaded, a pained look on his face.
"Uh...sure, Lance. Whatever you say."
Chris turned to Joey. "I know what it is, I know what it is!" he repeated in a sing-song voice. Thankfully, though, Joey put his hand over Chris' mouth, silencing their friend.
"I figured it out, too...now, hush and finish getting dressed!"
Lance just walked back towards his things. "This is gonna be a long summer," he muttered to himself.
A few moments later, Eric, Kevin and Justin emerged from the shower. Justin, still amazed, made his way over to Lance.
"Dude! How the hell do you..."
"Ah!" Lance said, holding up his hand to interrupt. "Not a word more. None. Got it?"
"Yeah, but it's so bi..."
"Justin! No more!"
"Doesn't it hurt when...."
"JUSTIN!"
"Okay, okay!"
Meanwhile, Chris skipped past Lance and Justin. "I know what it is, I know what it is!"
Observing all of this, Eric grinned and walked around the corner to where he and Kevin had their things, and where his roommate was now getting dressed.
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone's eyes open that wide, that fast before."
"You just had to go ahead and tell him, didn't you?" Kevin said with a smirk.
"And just how was I supposed to know he wanted to see proof for himself? I mean, come on Kev, it's not every day someone stands in the presence of legend."
Kevin threw a sock at Eric, who stepped out of the way with a laugh. Lance, however, caught the sock just as he turned the corner.
"I hope this is clean," he said as he held it up with his index finger and thumb.
"I'll have you know, Mr. Bass, I have very clean feet. No worries. Not like you're gonna get cooties or anything like that."
"Whatever," he grinned as he threw the sock back. "Hey, the guys want to get something to eat, maybe hang out for a little while before we call it a night. That okay with you all?"
"Sounds good to me. E?"
"Yeah, cool."
"Great! I know this sports bar on the west side of town that's really cool...you guys will love it."
Lance went to walk back and let his friends get dressed, when he stopped and turned back.
"By the way, don't be surprised if Justin bows down and does the whole 'I'm not worthy' thing around you from now on."
Kevin simply threw the sock again, but Lance was already gone.
After saying good night to Terry, Lance led the way in the 4 Runner across town to the bar/restaurant he had mentioned. Justin rode with Eric, while JC, Chris, and Joey brought up the rear in one of the rentals. It wasn't a long drive, and they arrived at just before nine.
While the place was crowded, it wasn't overloaded with people. There were the usual incidents of fans asking for autographs and the like, but fortunately those were few and far between. The age bracket of patrons was slightly older than the typical N'Sync fan base, so the night promised to pass without any major problems.
Chris and Joey sat at a large table in a corner, where everyone else could come back when they wanted to sit for awhile, or eat. Justin and Eric went towards the bar, while Kevin, Lance and JC made their way to an open pool table.
"Hey, look Joe...they have hot wings!"
"Yeah? And?"
"Let's get a big ole plate!"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because the last time we got hot wings, you ate about three of them and left the other forty- seven for me to finish, that's why!"
"So? You ate them didn't you? Come on, I promise I'll eat more than three this time."
"Alright, alright....you better!"
Chris looked up at the waitress. "A pitcher of beer, and a plate of 75 wings, please...medium spicy."
"75?!"
Chris just grinned.
Meanwhile, Eric and Justin stood at the bar.
"What should I drink? I wanna get something different," Justin asked.
"Aren't they going to card you?"
"Nah. One of the byproducts of being famous. You rarely get carded. So, what should I have?"
"Well, I was just going to get a beer...."
"Aw, you're no fun! Come on, let's get something really wild!"
"Like what?"
"Hell, I don't know! That's why I'm asking you!"
The bartender came over to take their orders.
"I'll have a Bud Light...and my friend here will have a...have a....Mississippi River Water."
"A what?" Justin asked.
"Be right up with those," the bartender said as he laid down some napkins.
"What the hell did you just order me?"
"Hey, you said you wanted different, right?"
"Yeah...but I never heard of that before."
"Trust me, you'll love it."
The bartender returned with the beer and a glass filled with a bright green liquid. A tab had been started earlier, so neither one had to worry about paying right away.
Justin held up the glass and looked at it.
Then he looked at it again, tilting his head a little.
Then, he looked at Eric.
"It's green."
"Yeah, I know."
"Like....really green."
"Uh huh," Eric said as he took a sip of his beer.
Justin went to taste it, but stopped as the rim of the glass approached his mouth.
"This isn't like that crap you guys made Lance drink, is it?"
"No, not at all. Trust me."
Closing his eyes, and silently praying, Justin took a sip. Swallowing it down, he smacked his lips, trying to place the familiar taste. He looked back up when he had figured it out.
"This is just Green River!"
Kevin came over to order drinks for Lance, JC, and himself. "I see Eric played the old Mississippi River Water trick on you."
"There's no alcohol in this!"
"Wow, you don't miss a thing, do you?" Kevin winked. "Three beers, please," he said to the bartender.
"Make that four," Justin sighed in exasperation.
JC chalked up the end of his cue stick, while Lance racked the balls in the order for a game of nine ball.
"Is he going back to Oxford first?" JC asked.
"Kev?"
"Yeah."
"I think so, yeah. He needs to pack some things and finish taking care of his Jeep. Then, he'll drive back up here and we'll meet you guys in Orlando." Lance lifted the rack and placed it under the table. He then walked around to where JC stood. "Josh, why don't you like Kevin?"
"I never said that."
"You don't have to, it's pretty obvious. You've done a pretty good job of avoiding him the last couple of days."
"Lance, what are you talking about, we've been working together almost non-stop, I've talked with him...."
"Yeah, but I noticed you've never really talked to him, aside from the first day when we had our little argument." Lance took a cue stick and stood next to JC. "What's wrong, Josh? Why can't you be happy for me?"
JC sighed as he noticed the sad look come over his friends face. "Lance...I am happy for you, really. It's just....this is....it's so....fast. That's all."
"So?"
"So, I'm just a little confused, that's all. I didn't think he'd want to come with us right away on tour."
Lance took the chalk from JC, and looked over at the bar where Kevin stood with Eric and Justin.
"Josh, do you remember the first time we shared a room together after I came out to you guys?"
"Yeah?"
"And do you remember how I kept you up all night, talking about....well, everything, really?"
"Yeah....what about it?"
Lance turned back. "Do you remember what you said to me when I asked you if love at first sight was real, or something just in the movies?"
"Kinda...."
"You said, 'Lance, when you find the right guy, you'll know the first time you see him...you'll know it and feel it in your heart.' That's how I feel about Kevin, Josh. He makes me happy, the happiest I've been in a long, long time. And if he wants to come with us, then I say so be it. Don't worry about me, I'm a big boy. Okay?"
JC saw a smile return to Lance's face. "Okay," he agreed. For the time being.
Kevin returned with the beers. "Alright, who's up for an ass whuppin?"
Across town at the West Side Baptist Church, parents began to drive away after saying good night to their children. The churches Youth Ministry was sponsoring a lock-in that night, and several boys and girls, some as young as nine or ten, others in their teens, were ready to spend the night in retreat. They would sing, pray, eat snacks, participate in crafts, and enjoy each others fellowship until the next morning.
As the last car drove off, a figure stepped out from the shadows. He would give it time, wait a while longer, before he carried out his task for the night.
Walking back to his own car, he looked in the back seat at the tools needed for his job:
Old rags, matches, a can of kerosine.
In another hour, maybe two, the church would grow silent as the children and their chaperones went to sleep.
Then, he would strike.
"You've never played darts before?"
Justin finished his Mississip....Green River....and reached out for the beer he had ordered.
"Nope, never have."
"Aw, it's easy! Come on, I'll teach you," Eric said as he stood up from his stool.
"Guess it can't be that hard...just throwing a little pointy thing at a board, right?" Justin asked as he stood to join him.
"Right. Exactly. So...wanna play for money?"
Meanwhile, Chris finished off his fifth chicken wing, dropping the bones on the plate and wiping his mouth with a napkin from a large pile in front of them.
"So, what are we going to do about JC?" Joey asked as he chewed.
"In the matter of what?"
"In the matter of Kevin."
"Oh yeah, you mentioned something about that the other morning. Um...I dunno. Tie him up and make him sit in the same room with Kevin until he grows to like him?"
"Come on, Chris, be serious," Joey said, wiping his fingers.
"Okay, okay. Well, it seems to me that JC is a little worried about Kevin's true intentions, and feels like he's being replaced at the same time. Once we're on the road, I'm sure this will all go away."
"Leave it to you to bring out that psychology mumbo-jumbo."
"Hey, I'm being serious for once. Think about it. Who does Lance turn to when he needs something or when he feels bad? JC. Now that Kevin is in the picture, that's going to push him out of the way for a little while. He'll get over it, though. He just needs to realize that he's not being replaced entirely."
"So you think it's jealousy?"
"Probably. And JC just being over protective and cautious, just like he always is when it comes to our Scoop. Oh, and Joey?"
"Yeah?"
"Dude, I'm full....I couldn't eat another bite."
"Dammit!!"
"Seven ball, off the six....side pocket."
Lance leaned over, took aim, and made the shot.
"Wow. Who knew he was good at pool?" Kevin said. "He's kicking my ass."
"Uh-huh. Lance never was much for basketball, but this on the other hand?" JC said.
"So why aren't we playing for money?" Lance grinned as he leaned over and aimed again.
"Because we're not playing with Justin, that's why."
"Oh yeah, good point." Lance took his shot, and sunk the eight ball in the far corner. "Speaking of which, what is everyone's favorite curly haired singer doing anyway?"
"Looks like he's playing darts with Eric," JC answered.
"Darts? Justin knows how to play darts?"
"Guess so."
The trio watched as Justin held a dart, took aim and released....the dart hitting a poster of Michael Jordan in the crotch region.
"Or maybe not," Kevin laughed.
"Shit!"
"Your aim is all off, Justin."
"No kidding! I just neutered Mike!"
"You're doing it wrong. Here, watch me."
Eric took a dart, aimed, and hit the board in the bulls eye.
"See? Easy! Now, you try again."
Taking another dart, Justin aimed and released. Unfortunately, he released as his arm was rearing back, so the dart went behind them, landing in a table.
"Whoops!"
"You sure you don't want to play for money?"
"Yes! Positive!" Justin walked over to retrieve his dart from a young couple, who now looked fearful for their lives. "Um....sorry about that folks. Rookie at this and all you know."
Red faced, he walked back over to Eric. "Why don't I just watch you and leave it at that?"
"Aw, you're no fun," Eric said as he made another, rather accurate, hit.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. So...what are your plans for the summer?"
"Me? Guess I'll be working, mainly. I figure if you guys are going to be close enough at some point, I can come see you guys on the road."
"That would be cool! I could get you backstage and stuff!"
"Hey, works for me. But other than that, I don't have any real plans. Just gonna take things as they come I guess."
"Sometimes, that's the only thing you can do," Justin said. "Here, give me a dart. Lemme try again."
"Easy there, Justin...I don't think Johnny wants to pay anyone's medical bills," Lance said as he walked up.
"Yeah, yeah," Justin muttered. "Whatever. So why didn't you tell us Kevin was so...how do I put this.....blessed?" He then threw the dart, actually hitting the board. "Yes!"
Lance folded his arms. "Because it's none of your business, that's why."
"And here I thought we shared everything."
"Uh-huh. Like you'd want me to tell Kevin and Eric certain things about you."
"Like what?" Justin tossed another dart, hitting the wall. "Damn."
"I think I know," Eric said as he went to retrieve the dart. "In fact, I saw it first hand."
"Eric...."
Lance snickered. "You got a special performance, huh?"
"Oh yeah....he's quite talented."
"Eric!"
"I agree. He would have fit right in during the disco era. Don't you think?"
"Hey!"
Lance and Eric looked at each other and smiled, then turned to Justin, who was once again blushing.
"What?" he asked.
Eric started first: "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line..."
And then Lance finished: "...honey I'm still free, take a chance on me!"
Justin stared at the singing duo for a moment. "Y'all are dicks," he said as he walked over to Joey and Chris.
"You think we made him mad?" Eric laughed.
"Nah, just knocked him down a couple notches. But I doubt he'll say anything about Kevin anytime soon."
JC looked up towards Lance, Eric, and Justin.
"Are they singing ABBA?"
Kevin, who was about to take a shot, stood up and turned around, just in time to see Justin walk away. "Yeah, I guess they are. Huh. That's weird."
"Nothing in this group surprises me anymore," JC laughed. "Between Chris and Joey's antics, Justin's weirdness, and Lance's....um...."
"Getting a boyfriend at the drop of a hat?" Kevin made his shot, sinking the four ball.
"Well, I was going to say business sense, or maybe anal retentiveness, but okay."
Kevin stood up. "Have I done something to offend you? I mean, did I call your mother a dirty name, or hunt you down in a past life or something?"
"No....no, Kevin, you didn't. You just....came along kind of fast for me, that's all. When we broke for this vacation, I didn't think Lance would be getting a boyfriend. And now, here you are...and you're coming with us."
"Yeah, that I am. Eight ball, corner pocket." Kevin made his shot, sinking the ball. "Look....it doesn't really matter if you like me, or if I like you. I think it'd be in the best interest of everyone if you and I made an effort to get along."
"I agree."
"Good. Then why don't we cut the bullshit. I'm not out to rob Lance blind, or live off his celebrity, or anything like that. And while I appreciate you 'protecting' him, I think you owe it to him to back off just a little bit."
JC looked down at the floor.
"So," Kevin continued, "since we got off on the wrong foot...at least in my mind...why don't we try and start over when we hit the road in a couple of days. Okay?"
"Okay."
"And for what it's worth....I appreciate what you said to me before the concert. I don't think I could have gone out there if you didn't come in and ride my ass just a little. So....thanks."
"You're welcome."
Kevin extended his hand, which JC took.
"Truce?"
"Truce," Kevin agreed.
"You guys making a bet or something?" Chris said as he walked over.
"Not quite Peanut. Wanna play?"
"Find me a cue, young man! Minnesota Fats won't play me, so watch out!"
Back at the table, Justin took Chris' place next to Joey.
"Heya, Curly. Here, have a hot wing."
"Jesus....you guys order enough?"
"Trust me, it wasn't my idea."
"Chris strikes again, huh?"
"One day, I'll learn."
Justin took a wing and began to eat. "All set for the tour?"
"I think so, yeah. Gonna be hectic."
"When is it not?" Justin laughed. "Still, I wouldn't trade it in for the world."
"I know. So...what do you think of Kevin coming with us?"
"Hey, it's cool with me. I was the first person he asked. Well, after Lance that is."
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. Woke me up in the middle of the night and everything. Man, was he worried."
"What about?"
"He sort of shocked Lance by suggesting it, and thought he had screwed up."
"That's kind of....sweet, I guess."
"Yeah. Do you think this is going to be weird?"
"What?"
"Seeing Lance with someone all the time."
"Hmm. Maybe a little at first, but we'll get used to it. It's nice that he found his smile."
Lance took a seat at the bar next to Eric.
"I'm gonna miss you when we leave in a few days," he said.
"Geez, Lancelot, it's not like you'll never see me again."
"I know. It's just....it's hard to explain."
"Try me."
"Well, let's face it...you're the one who really got me and Kev together. And you've been such a good friend to me in the short time I've known you. Besides, anyone who can put up with Justin can't be all that bad."
Eric laughed. "Do I get the N'Sync medal for valor, or something like that?"
"Yeah, I think so. But anyway. You're a great guy, Eric. I owe you a lot."
"No you don't..."
"Yes, I do. If it wasn't for you telling me to go talk to Kevin that Saturday morning when you left for work, I probably wouldn't have. I needed that little push you gave me."
Eric smiled and looked down at the bar, as Lance wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Thank you, Eric. Not just from me, but from Kevin, too. Somehow I think he forgets to tell you that sometimes. He's lucky to have you as a friend. And so am I."
"You're welcome," he said as he looked back up.
They sat in silence for a few seconds, when Lance spoke up again.
"Did he dance in front of the mirror?"
"Naked."
Lance winced.
Another hour later, they left the bar.
It was decided to call it a night, and plans were made to meet once again the next morning at Lance's house, where final details and planning would be made for the upcoming tour.
They walked down the street, these seven young men, back to where they had parked. Two found happiness with one another; two more had forged a new friendship; one looked on with some apprehension, but he was slowly starting to accept the reality that was; and still two more joked and laughed with each other, just like they had been doing for some years now.
Seven young men whose lives were about to take a drastic turn.
Lance had parked some distance away, off on a side street, and the others pulled in behind him. He was the one who took notice first. Looking up as he took his keys out of his pocket, a quizzical look came over his face as he sniffed the air.
"Does anyone else smell that?" he asked.
"Smell what?" Joey said as he put a doggie bag of chicken wings in the car.
Lance sniffed again. "That....something burning."
"Probably from the restaurant, don't worry about it," JC said.
"No, wait...I smell it too," Chris said. "And it's not from the restaurant."
Justin turned his head, sniffing the air. As he turned to his left, he could just make out a red haze in the night sky, coming from about two blocks over.
"What the hell is that?" he asked.
The others looked in the same direction.
"It's a fire....something is on fire," Kevin said.
Seven young men looked at one another. They didn't say anything to one another in that brief instant, nor did they need to. In an instant, each knew what was the minds of the others.
Seven young men took off running down the street, towards the West Side Baptist Church.
They raced up the street towards the burning church. They could smell the smoke, and see the flames flickering up into the sky as they got near. As they ran, Lance pulled his cell phone out from his pocket, dialed 911, and was shouting information to the operator on the other end of the line.
"Damn, look at that!" Joey shouted as they stopped across the street, a safe distance away.
"You think it's another arson?" JC asked to no one in particular as he took in the sight before him.
Chris looked over his shoulder to see Lance, Kevin, and Justin pulling up the rear, so to speak. "If it isn't, then it's a pretty odd coincidence. Help on the way, Lance?"
"Yeah, they're coming." Lance put his hands on his knees and caught his breath. "I can't believe this is happening again" he said with a shake of his head.
Kevin walked over and joined Eric, JC, Joey and Chris, all staring at the burning building in awe.
"Pretty ironic. We finish a concert for one church, and another one's burning. Nice. Real nice."
Off to the side, they saw a number of children and a few adults, many dressed only in pajamas. Apparently, they had been inside the building, and had made it out in time. JC took notice of them first, and jogged over.
"Hey, is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?"
One of the parents came forward to speak to him, while another was taking a head count.
"We smelled the smoke and got out as quick as we could...we were having a youth retreat....I think it started in the main part of the building.....someone should call the fire department..."
"It's already been taken care of, sir," Lance said as he and the others walked over. "I just dialed 911, and they're sending help."
The other chaperone came over quickly, a panicked look on her face. "We're....we're two short..."
"WHAT?!" her companion said. "They're still inside!?!"
"Ma'am...sir....don't worry, help is coming, okay? Everything is going to be just fine..." JC said, trying to reassure them.
Justin, Chris and Joey went over to talk to and comfort the frightened children. Their star status came in handy at the perfect time, for although they were scared they were now somewhat in awe of the people in front of them.
As the five N'Sync members gathered around the kids and adults, doing their best to offer support and comfort, Kevin turned back to look at the church. Flames had broken through several windows on the left side, but the right seemed fine. The fire apparently hadn't spread there yet.
"We should get them," he said to himself, but it was loud enough for one other person to hear.
"Kevin...Kevin, don't be stupid. The fire department is on it's way, they'll take care of it," Eric said.
"By the time they get here, those kids could be dead." With that, Kevin broke out into a sprint towards the church, running in the direction of a side entrance.
"Fuck!" Eric muttered as he took off after him.
Justin, who had been in a crouched position talking to a little boy, stood up and turned just as Kevin and Eric disappeared around the corner, running to find another way inside.
"Hey...hey! Wait, come back!!"
The others got up and looked, just in time to see Eric round the corner, chasing after his roommate.
"Eric?! KEVIN!" Lance shouted. He started to run after them, but was held back by Joey and JC.
"Lance, no! Stay here!"
"But...but...Kevin..he's" Lance said as he struggled to break free.
"You'll just make it worse Lance! Come on, stay here!" JC said, pulling his friend back and off the street.
Turning the corner of the building, Kevin stopped and scanned the side, looking for another way in. As he spotted some steps leading into a basement entrance, Eric caught up to him.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he shouted.
"I'm going to get those kids out, that's what I'm doing..." He jumped the rail, landing on the third step, running down the last four, Eric right behind.
"If there were that many inside for a retreat, I bet some stayed up to play or whatever when everyone else went to bed...they're probably too scared to try and get out themselves." He grabbed the knob and turned, but the door was locked. Taking a step back, he measured up his target, counted to three, and ran his shoulder into the door, budging it only slightly. Stepping back again, he once more took aim, and this time kicked at it with a powerful right leg, knocking it open. Smoke began to billow out, but there were no flames.
They ran inside, crouching as low as they could while still being able to see, feeling along for a door, anything to indicate where, exactly, they were.
"Over here to the left...this has to be it!" Kevin shouted.
"You better be right about this!" Eric shouted back as they made their way towards a door.
Seven minutes had passed since Lance Bass called the fire department, and they could hear the wail of sirens getting closer. Soon, three trucks and a Chevy Blazer arrived on the scene. Men jumped out of their vehicles and began to put on equipment and unroll hoses.
Stepping out of the blazer and putting on a white helmet was apparently a fire chief of some kind. Lance took note of this and ran up to him, followed by his friends. The chief was already issuing orders through his walkie talkie.
"Engine 51, lay two duals around to the back of the building and start from there....Truck 17, get a ladder up on the north side...."
"Hey! Hey! There are people in there!" Lance shouted desperately.
"What's that?" the chief said.
"There are kids in there, and our friends went in to try and get them...you gotta help them!"
The chief keyed his walkie again. "Battalion 14 to main, structure at this location is pretty well involved...we have civilians trapped inside....start a second alarm and respond paramedics to this location."
Alert tones could be heard over the two way radio, followed by the dispatcher's voice: "Station 83, Engine 12, Truck 127, Truck 40, Squad 3, Rescue 2....respond with Battalion 14...."
"Don't worry, we'll get your friends out," the chief reassured Lance.
Inside the conflagration, Kevin and Eric, coughing from the smoke, finally made their way to what appeared to be a classroom.
"Anybody in here!" Kevin shouted.
Rather than an answer, they heard the desperate whimpers of two small children, who in fact had snuck back into a playroom after everyone had gone to sleep. They had no idea that their church had been set on fire, until the smoke and the noise and the heat started to surround them.
Seeing the children, a little boy and a little girl, huddled together in a corner, Kevin and Eric came towards them.
"It's okay, we're gonna get you out of here...don't be scared," he said.
"I want my mommy," the little girl cried.
"We're gonna take you to mommy, sweetheart, okay? Come on with us now." Eric reached down and scooped up the girl, while Kevin picked up the little boy.
"Are you a super hero?" the boy asked through his tears.
"Yeah...yeah, we both are, and we came to rescue you...let's go find mommy now, okay?"
The two men held the children close to their bodies and quickly exited the room. As they did, Kevin looked up, and saw part of the ceiling come down a few feet away from them, blocking the direction from which they had come.
"Damn! We need to go another way....down this hall...there's gotta be another way out of here!" he shouted.
"I thought a saw another stairwell on the far end before we came in....if we can make it to the other end of the hall, it's gotta be there. We can get out that way!"
Going as fast as they could, they made their way down the hall. The smoke and heat was getting more intense, and they could hear the flicker of the flames in the walls around them.
"This is getting worse!" Eric yelled.
"We're almost there...I think I see it...."
A loud crack filled the hall, as another chunk of the ceiling came down, and a support beam landed with a thud, separating Eric and Kevin. Eric shielded the little girl and turned away, taking a step back just in time.
Kevin turned back and stared at Eric. "Now what?!"
Eric looked behind and around him, trying to come up with a solution. In his heart, though, he knew there was only one option.
"You take them both! I'll find another way...I'll double back or something!"
Kevin put down the little boy. "Are you crazy! Eric, come on, jump over this thing, and let's get out of here!"
"I'd never make it...here!" He held out the girl high enough so she wouldn't be burned, and passed her to Kevin's waiting hands. "Go on! I'll meet you outside!"
"Eric, you can't...."
"Will you go, dammit! Go on! I'll be fine!"
The roommates looked at each other again in silence for a few seconds.
"Eric, I won't leave you here..." Kevin said, still loud but not a shout this time.
"I'll find a way back this way. I'll see you outside. Now go!"
Kevin scooped up both kids, one in each arm, looked back at his friend one last time, and then took off running again for the door. Eric watched him go, and then turned back to find another way out.
The door opened out, rather than in like the first one, and he ran up the steps that led to a grassy area.
'We're gonna make it...we're gonna make it....'
As his foot reached the last step, a loud crack could be heard behind him....
Lance began to bite at his fingernail as he watched the firefighters go about their work, starting to spray water onto the building and suiting up to begin a search for their friends. They still stood next to the chief, who would vocalize an order over his radio every so often.
"Battalion 14 to main, we'll need additional traffic control at this location....Assistant 7, Battalion 14..this is a church fire, well involved....search and rescue about to commence. Be advised that this will be a 1075..."
Code 1075. All hands working.
By now the fire had been burning for about fifteen or twenty minutes, eating its way through most of the structure. But the flames could not burn totally through the roof. They couldn't. Over the years, the church had gone through several hot tar roofings, creating an impermeable seal that now prevented the fire from burning through on its own. Consequently, flames, heat, and smoke were being held inside. Had the old tar been stripped after each new job, the fire could easily have burned through and vented itself, making conditions inside much more tenable.
Instead, the results would be disastrous.
"Lance, they're gonna be okay...don't worry, they'll get everybody out," JC said, putting an arm around his friend's shoulder in order to try and comfort him.
"God, I hope so Josh, I really hope...."
Suddenly, and without warning, a resounding crack could be heard. A large portion of the roof near the burning front and side of the church had been weakening for some time. Finally, it collapsed, sending the roof and portions of the ceiling crashing down into the burning structure. The rush of smoke and superheated air accompanying the collapse sent a shockwave throughout the structure. The blast knocked down firemen, and chased men to the ground who had been climbing ladders.
The fire chief and members of N'Sync flinched and crouched down when it happened. Then, reality set in.
"Oh, sweet Jesus!" Justin cried.
"No..oh God, no...." was all Chris could manage to say.
"KEVIN!!!" Lance shouted as he took off again, trying to make his way to the building. Again, JC and Joey had to hold him back.
The chief was instantly on his radio. "Battalion 14 to main! We've got a roof collapse! Occupants are trapped! Give me a five-eleven!"
"Battalion 14, come again?" was the dispatchers response.
The chief knew he was breaking protocol, and that he should call for a 3-11 or a 4-11 first. But this was quickly turning into a disaster, and thus put in the request for a 5-11.
A five-eleven, the fifth alarm. The most serious.
"You heard me! Give me a five-eleven at this location, and don't knock it down!"
A second passed, and the dispatcher could be heard again. "All units, a 5-11 working fire on the orders of Battalion 14...."
"KEVIN!!! NO!!" Lance shouted again, tears streaming down his face.
"Lance...Lance, come on, you can't go in there," Joey said as he struggled with his friend.
"Let go of me Joey!!"
"Lance, come on! You can't! They'll get them out!"
Lance dropped down to his knees, defeated. He stared at the burning church, feeling the intense heat on his face. Finally, his body heaved with a sob.
"No...oh no.....God, no...please God...no...NO!"
Joey and JC knelt on either side of Lance, doing what little they could to try and comfort their friend, and reassure him that everything was going to be alright.
Ashen, Chris turned to Justin, who also had tears streaking his cheeks. He could just barely make out what it was his young friend was saying:
"....on Earth as it is in heaven....give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..."
Chris reached out and took Justin's hand, finishing along with him.
"For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory...now and forever...Amen."
Kevin's foot reached the top step leading outside when he heard the crack.
The concussion of the blast was powerful enough that it sent him and the two children airborne. In a split second, he knew that if he came down on top of these kids, his nearly two hundred pound frame would injure them seriously. With supreme effort, he turned his body in mid-air, pulling them close to his torso like a football.
The trio landed hard, Kevin absorbing the blow of the fall, knocking the wind out of him. The back of his head also hit hard on the grass, which had little give to it. Weakly, his arms fell to his sides, allowing the crying children to free themselves and roll over.
He tried to sit up, but couldn't. Dizziness began to come over him. A sharp pain traveled up his back. He caught his breath, and even though he knew how to take a fall or a hit from playing a contact sport, he wasn't wearing padding this time.
He tried to sit up again, but the pain was too great. As blackness began to swirl around him, and he began to feel himself passing out, one word managed to leave his mouth before losing consciousness:
"Eric....."
Fifteen minutes had passed since Lance Bass called the fire department.
To be continued.