Don't Let Me Be Gone (Twenty One Pilots)

To Begin

Joshua Dun packed his drum kit into the trunk of Mark Eshleman's van and closed it shut. He looked back to the hou-

"Josh, come on! We have to leave now to get to the hotel!" Mark yelled from the driver's seat.

"Coming!"

Josh got into the car and strapped his seatbelt on.

"All set?" Tyler Joseph asked.

"All set. Let's go!" Josh exclaimed.

The three then set off for the seven hour drive to their destination of Chicago.

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The drive was pleasant. A beautiful forest view, with great rock music to drown out the sounds. It was nice. The three constantly switched between drivers throughout the way in order to make sure someone was decently awake and sane while driving.

Twenty One Pilots were on their way to the start of their Regional At Best tour and this show was the first of the little two week run.

"It's Friday, our show is tomorrow, Saturday. The reason why we're driving today is because we have an interview at noon tomorrow in Chicago. Really excited to start playing music for people who don't know us, um, there's nothing like it. There's nothing like going on stage and knowing that the people at the venue, um, don't care about you at all and uh, working your butt off for people like that is one of my favorite things to do." Tyler said to the camera.

Mark was still constantly filming for the Web Series for the album.

Tyler loved the whole concept of playing music for people he didn't know. It excited him. He didn't care if they hated it, liked it, or even loved it. Okay, maybe he did care, but, he was just excited to get his music out there. It was helping, this tour was going to help make this band, this local band... fairly local.

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It seemed like everything went by so fast... it feels like just yesterday when we were at our Regional At Best CD release show. Now, we're just getting started with our Regional At Best tour. I finally finished writing that song today. I think I'll call it "Semi-Automatic." Yeah, I like that. I'll have to see how Josh thinks too though. We're playing a hometown show at the end of this little tour. It'll be nice to be back home and to see Jenna and my family again. I miss them to say the least.

Do you miss me?

"How can I when you're constantly in my mind?" Tyler whispered.

He put his notebook by his side. He was in his hotel room, that of which he shared with the rest of the crew. It's cheaper that way.

His notebook was full. Full of lyrics, thoughts, drawings: everything and anything to get his mind to stop. He is constantly surprised with just how creative he is, whether he writes just one lyric or a whole song. It's amazing what comes from his twisted mind.

Tyler laid down on his bed, that of which he shared with Josh, and started counting. That seemed to help ease his mind.

One, two, three, four

Five,six,sdven,egoidht. We all can count, tyler.

Nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen

You forgot a number

Tyler shook his head.

"Fourteen, fifteen,sixteen, seventeen." He whispered.

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Josh heard a faint sound of counting coming from next to him.

Not again, he thought.

"Eighteen, nine-teen, twen-ty."

"TWENTY ONE!" Josh shouted.

"Josh!" Tyler shrieked.

Josh sat up and turned on the lamp on the nightstand next to him.

"Counting again?"

"You heard?"

"Not like I was asleep either, yah know."

"Now that we're all awake let's discuss some things." Mark said getting up from the couch and sitting on the bed.

"Were none of us sleeping?" Tyler laughed.

He was glad to have these two by his side and that they even bought a house to live together in.

"Nope, but let's talk about tomorrow. First off, you have a little radio interview and then the show is later at night." Mark said.

"And we're not advertising it." Tyler added in.

"Yes, we're not advertising it so big. I actually think that's it. Interview and then the show. Okay? Is that right?"

"Seems legit. How many people do you think will be there?" Josh asked.

"Josh, who knows and honestly I don't really care. As long as we get to play music." Tyler said.

"I know, I don't either. It's just that after our CD show, that crowd was so amazing and I want to have crowds like that again."

"And we may someday, but we're going to a place where NO ONE knows us. You can't expect a huge crowd to be there. This is just the beginning."

"I guess you're right but hey, I heard you writing earlier, how'd that go?"

"I finished a song. I think I want to call it 'Semi-Automatic.' Want to read it?"

Tyler reached for his notebook and handed it to Josh.

Night falls with gravity,
The earth turns from sanity,
Taking my only friend I know,
He leaves a lot, his name is "Hope".

I'm never what I like,
I'm double sided, and I just can't hide,
I kind of like it when I make you cry,
'Cause I'm twisted up, I'm twisted up inside.

The horrors of the night melt away,
Under the warm glow of survival of the day,
Then we move on,
My shadow grows taller, along with my fears,
And my frame shrinks smaller as night grows near.

When the sun is climbing window sills,
And the silver lining rides the hills,
I will be saved for one whole day,
Until the sun makes the hills it's grave.

I'm semi-automatic, my prayer's schizophrenic,
But I'll live on, yeah I'll live on, yeah I'll live on.

By the time the night wears off,
The dust is down and shadows burn,
I will rise and stand my ground,
Waiting for the night's return.

"I love it, the contrasting themes of night and day. The last part too. Wow." Josh said handing the notebook back to Tyler.

"You always say stuff like that." Tyler said taking the notebook back.

"It's good. I think it would be even better with a, uh, killer drum solo. Am I right?" Josh hinted.

"That'd be sick, let's work on it soon." Tyler said while yawning.

"I guess we should prepare for the day."

"G'Night." Josh said.

"Night." Mark and Tyler said.

Tyler laid down and held his breathe. When breathing out, he breathed out slowly and calmly.

Maybe this was it. Maybe this is what they were supposed to be doing. Playing music for others to hear. Maybe that's what was needed to happen. Maybe they were going to be known. And maybe just maybe, they'll make it this-