Chapter 4: Trap in the Stadium Lights

Not far away, the city stadium was ablaze with lights, beams shooting into the sky. The city felt alive, humming with anticipation.

“Megan, remember our deal.”

I got out of the car with my bag. “I’ll go to the concert with you, and I’ll handle the J-Tech project.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll submit your proposal next week.”

As she spoke, Megan pulled out some concert merch from the trunk and shoved a glow stick into my hand.

I looked toward the entrance, the crowd surging. The air was thick with excitement, the sound of laughter and music echoing from the open doors.

It’s just a concert. So many people—what’s there to be scared of?

This was my first concert. Honestly, I’d never seen anything like it. The whole stadium was a sea of waving glow sticks. The energy was contagious, even for a skeptic like me.

The stage was massive, with two giant LED screens on either side counting down. The graphics were mesmerizing, a kaleidoscope of color and motion.

All sorts of lights flashed—probably final adjustments. The crew scurried around like ants, making sure every detail was perfect.

“Why are there girls in pink wigs and little wolf ears?”

I leaned in to Megan. “That whole front section is wolf pack fans.”

“This is Carter’s first U.S. tour. Fans from all over are here.”

“When New York was announced as the first stop...” Megan glanced around, then shot me a look.

“The international fans were furious. The overseas forums were full of complaints.”

No need to look—I knew the back section was for the international fans.

Compared to the other areas, the girls in the back were calmer—probably the international fans. They clapped politely, waving little flags from home.

“It’s starting! It’s starting!” Megan shook my arm.

As the numbers on the LED screen counted down to single digits, countdowns in various languages echoed through the stadium. The air buzzed with anticipation, everyone counting down in sync.

Megan joined in, counting down with the crowd.

“Five!”

“Four!”

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

Suddenly, someone yanked my hair from behind, making my head snap back.

“Ahhh! You pulled my hair!”

My voice was swallowed by the crowd’s roar. The only thing I could say was, “No way!”

Someone stepped on my foot. I winced, hopping in place, but no one noticed in the chaos.

“He’s out! He’s out!”

Megan didn’t care about my struggle for survival, still shaking me excitedly.

The screams reached a peak. It was deafening, a tidal wave of sound crashing over us.

Carter descended from above.

A close-up of his face appeared on the LED screen. I had to admit, this face was truly top-tier.

At this distance, anyone else would look weird on the big screen.

He raised his eyebrows, his gaze cutting through everything.

Some people are just born for the stage—he’s one of them.

The moment he landed, lights and fireworks went off together, sending the atmosphere soaring.

The screams around me nearly burst my eardrums.

He sang several songs in a row. Only then did I realize almost all the English hits I’d heard lately were his. His voice was even better live, raw and magnetic.

I got a little hungry—don’t judge me—so I pulled out a bag of barbecue wings I’d bought at noon.

Maybe I stood out a bit in this crowd.

When the camera swept over me, Carter spotted me right away. The calm person munching on wings on the big screen was me. People around me started to point and laugh, some even snapping photos.

Just then, the song ended. He walked to the edge of the stage, took a bottle of water from his assistant.

He unscrewed the cap, took a sip, then sneered into the mic: “Autumn Sullivan, are you walking right into my trap?”

My wing dropped to the ground. My heart stopped for a split second—there was no way I’d heard that right.

“Autumn, did I imagine that? Did Carter Reed just call your name?”

Megan snapped out of her frenzy, suddenly clear-headed. She stared at me like she’d seen a ghost.

I widened my eyes. “No way!”

Megan thought for a moment. “Impossible.”

The crowd went wild again as the stage shifted to a dance segment. The bass thumped so hard it rattled my bones.

I couldn’t stay here any longer—too risky.

“I’m going to the bathroom!” I shouted in Megan’s ear.

She nodded, probably not hearing me at all. Her eyes were glued to the stage.

I squeezed my way out to the side. The crowd was relentless. Still, I managed to break free, my heart racing.

Suddenly, all the lights went out.

Several blue beams from the stage swept across the audience.

The blue light mixed with green, falling like fireflies, transforming into an aurora. The effect was breathtaking, like we’d all been transported to a winter wonderland.

Then, under a single spotlight, Carter sat on a high stool.

“This song is called ‘Aurora,’ composed three years ago. It’s in English.”

He adjusted his headset. “First time performing it—hope you like it.”

I stood frozen in the crowd, staring at the stage, unable to move. My feet felt rooted to the spot, my breath caught in my throat.

“Crossing billions of light years, the endless night becomes faith.

I keep falling, falling.

Just to meet the aurora over Alaska...”

...

“The Milky Way releases brilliant stars.

I keep falling, falling.

Falling into ruins, holding soft light in my hand.

The endless Milky Way is behind me.

I leave my orbit, just to meet you.”

If this were a real concert, the lyrics would be in English or at least translated on the screen. Either way, the whole crowd was spellbound.

When the song ended, the stadium fell silent. Then, cheers erupted, snapping me back to reality.

I looked up—the aurora shattered into falling stars.

Carter was still lost in his music.

His English had gotten even smoother—his performance was flawless.

He must have worked his ass off these past three years.

“This is the most beautiful concert I’ve ever seen. So amazing.”

The girls next to me hugged each other, gazing up at the scattered stars. Their faces were wet with tears, their voices trembling with awe.

“I heard they invited the world’s top lighting and stage designers for this concert.”

“I didn’t expect the usually rebellious, dark-styled Carter Reed to sing love songs so well.”

“So affectionate—like a gentle confession.”

I turned and smiled at the girls behind me. “Excuse me, thank you.”

I finally squeezed through the stands to the exit. My hands shook as I texted Megan. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to explain what just happened.

Behind me, another wave of cheers surged.

“Are you Miss Autumn Sullivan?”

A tall, thin young man stepped out of the shadows—not very old. He wore a headset and an all-access pass around his neck.

“I am. Who are you?”

“I’m Tyler Evans, Mr. Reed’s assistant. He asked me to wait for you at the exit.”

I froze. Did he know I’d leave early? My pulse quickened.

“What’s up?”

“Mr. Reed asked me to take you backstage.”

I took a step back. “I’m not going.”

Tyler pursed his lips. “Mr. Reed said if you don’t cooperate... there will be serious consequences.”

I squinted at him. Was that a threat?

Does he think I’d be scared?

Yes, I’m scared.

“Fine. Let’s go. Where’s backstage?”

I sat in a corner, propping my head on my hand, watching staff bustle around. The smell of hairspray and coffee filled the air, makeup artists rushing past with trays of brushes.

I waited a long time before Carter came down. His assistant handed him water and wiped his sweat, saying something.

Carter took the water, shook the sweat from his hair, and glanced at me.

His expression didn’t change, as if I didn’t exist.

Then he sat at the makeup table, letting the stylist fix his look. He looked tired, but his posture was unyielding, every inch the superstar.

I checked the time. Still an hour to go—this was going to be tough.

Hopefully, we can talk everything out today.

Carter changed clothes and went back on stage.

I took out my phone and messaged Megan, telling her I had an emergency and had to leave early.

She never replied.

Probably too busy to check her phone. The concert was still going strong, the crowd’s energy refusing to die down.

Sitting there, I could feel the stage vibrating, waves of heat from the crowd surging through the walls.

My phone buzzed—it was my mom.

As soon as I answered, her voice drowned out everything: “Come get your daughter! She’s been crying, wants you, I can’t calm her down!”

I jumped up, grabbed my bag, and left. My heart raced, guilt gnawing at me as I hurried through the maze of backstage corridors.

“Miss Sullivan,” Tyler hurried over. “Where are you going?”

“I have an emergency. Tell Carter we’ll talk later!”

I left backstage and ran toward the parking lot. The night air hit me, cool and sharp, as I fumbled for my car keys.

Just as I was heading downstairs, footsteps caught up to me.

I was about to turn when a hand grabbed my arm, pinning me against the wall.

“Planning to leave without a word again?”

Carter lowered his head, getting closer. His breath was warm against my ear, his tone somewhere between accusation and plea.

I held my breath, my back pressed against the wall. “I have to pick up my child.”

Just then, Tyler caught up and said, “Mr. Reed, it’s time to go on stage.”

Carter took a step back, widening the distance, but still held my arm tight.

“Got it. Take her to my car.”

I tried to pry his hand off. “I need to pick up my child—what are you doing?”

He narrowed his eyes, then suddenly pulled me close. I fell into his arms.

He leaned into my ear, voice low. “Did you forget? She’s my kid too.”