Page 47 of Tracing Holland

I nod.“We signed it at our first show there.”

“Aw, damn, no.But that Coke fountain was…”

His response is cut off by the sudden shouts of Derrick, their bass player.

“It’s gone!”he cries, bursting into the room.

“What’s gone?”Jesse asks.

“The bus!”Derrick continues.

We all just stare at him.

“Huh?”Jesse says.“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s gone!I went to get something just now and it’s missing!The NSB bus is there.Tracing Holland, the crew bus, they’re all there, but ours is gone!”

“That doesn’t make sense.How could it be gone?”

“I don’t know!But I’m telling you it’s not there!”

They look to us, and we just shrug.

“Maybe Rob noticed an issue and took it in to get it checked out,” Eli suggests.

They consider that, but seem skeptical.“Wouldn’t they tell us they’re taking our bus?I mean, all our shit’s on there!”Parker argues.

Eli shakes his head.“I don’t know, dude.That’s weird.”

“This is…shit!What do we do?”Derrick cries, as the other three pale.

“I don’t know.I mean, are you absolutely sure it’s gone?It’s not just hidden behind a tree or something?”Eli asks, totally serious.At least, he looks totally serious.I’m about to lose it.

Just then, Sweeny comes racing in as well.

“Oh good!There you are!Guys, I don’t know how to tell you this, but did you leave your bus unlocked or something?”

They all shake their heads, eyes wide.Parker looks ready to pass out.

“Ok, because I just saw some dude pulling around the front of the building in your bus and it definitely was not your driver.You don’t leave the keys in the drawer, do you?”

“Wait, by the fridge?”Derrick asks, past pale and nearly transparent at this point.

Sweeny curses.“You idiots!”

I can’t move.I can’t speak.I can’t even look at Sweeny and Eli.Oh.My.God.I stare at my plate, focusing on taking deep breaths.In.Out.

“What are you still doing here?Go!”Sweeny cries.“Go chase that criminal down before he gets too far!”

“We need to call the cops!”Reece yells, bolting to his feet.“Our manager!”

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that.You just see if you can catch him.It’s probably just some superfan taking a joyride.I doubt they’ll even leave the parking lot.”

“That happens?”Derrick asks in horror.

Eli shrugs again.“Only if you leave your keys in the drawer.Hope you guys have insurance.”

The panic is all over their faces as they rush from the room in a flurry of frantic anger.