Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(84)
“Wicked in a bad way, you mean?”
He titled his head slightly and tried to hide the grief I saw reflecting in his dark eyes. “That song is powerful – but it’s only epic when he puts anger behind the lyrics.”
“What? Like real anger? He can’t be angry...that world...that world -”
He raised his hand to stop me. “Yeah, that world comes to life when he finds the emotion that makes the words stronger…he’s spent more time there yesterday and today than he has here…I’m sure his test is close – really close – by now.”
“Is he OK?” I asked, horrified.
He nodded and glanced in Madison’s direction. “It’s not that bad anymore. I mean, it’s bad, but Britain isn’t showing up there anymore, and Draven already called Bianca on her twisted seduction.”
“What’s left then? How do we get those shadows out, stop Draven and all of you from begin haunted by it?”
“We have to face our demons, step back into our thoughts and witness the evil we’ve created – fight the pull of the power.”
“Have you done it before? It can be done, right?”
He shook his head no once. “Not my time – not yet.”
“But it’s his,” I mumbled as a sick feeling came to me. I didn’t want Draven to see any past deeds of this life or another – not after what Silas had shown me last night.
“It appears so. He’s been tempted by that place more than me and Winston combined, but he’s managed to fight it off for years without even knowing that that was what he was doing. I think tonight he’ll fight for his peace of mind, and I know he’ll pass the test – choose to stay in this world…then you’ll help him fight the urge to go back.”
“You keep him safe on that stage – all of you – do you hear me?”
Grayson titled his head, encouraging me to walk to the edge of the balcony. The old box that was used to hand direct the lights was in the middle of the balcony, making it impossible for me and Madison to stand side-by-side. Grayson walked up behind me and pointed to the stage. “We’re in a perfect circle,” he said as he pointed to where Aden’s drums would be, then to where the base would be, Winston – dark. Then he nodded to where Madison was standing - light – then center stage, Draven - dark, then to where we were standing – light – then finally passing to where Grayson would stand – dark – then back to Aden - light…we were standing in a perfect circle of light and darkness - in balance.
I looked down at the bracelet Monroe had just given me, staring at the six white and black stones around the leather cord. “Tell me you and your sister knows something I don’t – that this balance thing is gonna protect us.”
Grayson smirked. “My sister is entirely wiser than I am,” he said as he stepped away, then turned to go down the stairs.
I looked back at the bottom floor and saw my mother and Kara standing to the right of the packed auditorium. Nana, Wesley, and Erica were standing to the left across from them. It seemed that no matter which direction Draven or the others looked, they’d see one of us – a peaceful soul wanting nothing more than to support them. My eyes rose to the confetti that was hanging from ceiling. Now that I was closer, I focused on the paper outlines - gasping as I realized what they were: tiny butterflies. The irony couldn’t have been any more alarming. My father’s message in those rocks (‘the answers all around you’) was echoing in my memory.
Madison squeezed my shoulder, asking me to step back; it was the only thing that pulled me from my thoughts.
“Hey, Britain isn’t here – like, not in this ZIP code.”
“What? How do you know?” I thought, thinking I’d made this whole deal out to be more than it was. With Britain gone, there wasn’t much for Bianca to provoke Draven with – much for her to toy with us about.
A devious smile came to the corners of her lips. “When he told me he cared about me last night, wanted to build something real between us, I told him to prove it, to fly across the world - and he did.”
“What?”
She raised her phone and waved it slightly from side to side. “He just called me from a hotel in Japan and told me that he’d do anything to get over the addiction he had for you if I let him come into my life…at least as a friend.”
“What about Bianca? Is she gone, too? Like, moved on to her next victim?”
Anger came to Madison’s eyes. “I doubt it. That evil wench only knows how to live for revenge and power. She’s here...I can feel her.”
“I’m starting to think you hate her more than I do,” I said, feeling less anxious about this night.
“I do,” Madison said as the lights dimmed and the crowd roared. She went to her side of the balcony, and I went to mine.
Evan was on the stage in the spotlight. The crowd roared when they saw him, and the lights dimmed. He raised his hands to calm them down; when they wouldn’t comply, he just spoke over them.
“I want to thank all of you for coming out tonight and supporting just a few of the amazing young talented bands this town has.” The crowd roared in response. “And to help us celebrate the beginning stages of transforming this building into a beacon of light for creative sprits…,” he paused as he let the crowd cheer, “and to also celebrate my best friend’s beautiful daughter’s eighteenth birthday - Happy Birthday, Charlie Myers!” At that moment, one of the spotlights from the stage moved to where I was, and my cheeks flushed as my heart raced. As the crowd grew louder, I heard my name shouted from various directions, and I waved weakly at everyone below.