Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(78)

“How?” I asked gently trying not to pry.

“Because my heart is still beating,” she answered as she gazed out the window.

I let the subject drop; I didn’t want to upset her. There were so many things going on at once, I didn’t want to make anything worse. Britain was making her happy; even if that was only temporary, it was worth it…yet, deep down I knew there was a connection between her and what I’d seen; there was something I was missing. I hated that feeling, but I knew it would pass soon. I just had to make sure Draven was safe, then I could figure out how to help Madison. Hopefully, by then she’d be ready to let me do just that.

When we reached my house, all the lights were off and Kara’s car was gone. I knew Monroe wouldn’t be in there alone. When Madison got out, I thought about texting Kara to make sure Monroe was OK, but I held back. I needed to get this sound down, to make sure Aden understood it enough to help Draven.

“Call me if you need me,” Madison said before she closed the passenger door. I waited for her to get in her car and turn it on before I pulled forward.

As I drove to Aden’s and Draven’s house, I focused on the sound that my father had shown me. I beat my hands against the steering wheel as I remembered the riff I’d written. Even though this song was still in pieces, I could feel the power behind it - which made me feel stronger.

Aden pulled in his driveway right behind me. His house was dark, too. I got out of my car and followed him into the garage

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

He smiled, revealing his dimples, the only trait that was different from Draven. “At the school,” he answered as he unlocked the door. “I wouldn’t call it a school anymore, though; it would blow your mind what they managed to do.”

“It was impressive last night,” I said as I followed him up the stairs to their studio.

“Dad spared no expense with the lighting and sound equipment. They’ll be there all night setting up. I’m excited for all the indie bands; they’ve never been on a stage like this.”

“Have you?” I asked when we reached his studio.

“Only in my dreams. The irony is that Dad had never wanted us to play on a stage that big because he thought it would attract too much attention – too many shadows...now, that’s our one goal: to bring them back.”

I walked over to one of Draven’s guitars; his favorite ones, the ones I knew how to play well, were all gone. I assumed they were at the school. “We wanted them to leave – the right way,” I said quietly as an undeniable fear for all of the dammed - both dead and alive - hit me like a ton of bricks.

“Right,” he said as he looked over me carefully. “Where were you today?” he asked as he came to my side and inspected my new tattoo. “How did you heal so fast?”

“Shhh,” I said as I pulled my hand back to me. “I have to show you this before I forget. Did Draven show you what he’d come up with? Or is he keeping it to himself?”

“He showed us all. He’s playing it tomorrow.”

“What do Winston and Grayson play?” I asked, knowing that Draven and Aden were both very versatile on stage.

“Grayson’s lead, Winston is base, Draven rhythm, and myself – DRUMS.”

“Draven is playing rhythm – and singing – something this complicated?” I asked.

Aden nodded. “He wants us to have control over the sound. He would trust Grayson with his life; Winston, he has his doubts.”

“Not a fan myself,” I mumbled as I began to play the riff I’d worked out.

“He’s alright; he just hasn’t fully committed to walking a straight line. He’s enticed by that realm.”

“Is Draven?” I asked as I stopped playing.

Aden’s eyes slowly moved across my concerned expression. “You’re the only thing that entices him…even music is shallow in comparison.”

I nodded as I began to play again. Aden rocked his head to the sound I was creating. When I finished, he smiled. “We worked on that today. He blows my mind sometimes, how well he remembered you playing that.”

I grinned as I anxiously put the guitar down and went to his drum set. I picked up the sticks and stared down and the monster of an instrument in front of me. “Oh wow, this is gonna sound bad. Where’s your acoustic?” I asked.

Aden walked around the drum set and took his sticks from my hand. “Charlie, just show me,” he said as he trapped my gaze.

“How can I show you that sound and nothing else?” I asked timidly.

“What are you trying to hide?” he asked as he furrowed his eyebrows.

“Nothing. Look, there’s a lot going on in my head right now, more than I can explain if you ever saw it. I need you right here,” I said, pointing to the drums. “I need you to have your brother’s back – my back.”

He let out a deep breath. “K. I trust you. Just remember the moment you thought of it – nothing else.”

I stared into his haunting green eyes and thought of the moment I’d returned from seeing my mom. I remembered the message in the rocks, the sound of the guitar and drums as they rose in mid-air, divided, then joined again. Then I closed my thoughts off to him. I didn’t want him to see Silas, Esterious, or anything else that was plaguing me.