Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(90)

We were the last ones to get to his house; Madison had passed us a few miles back. I recognized most of the cars around his house, except for one. As Draven let me out, he saw that the out of place car had caught my attention, and he said, “Wesley and Erica…I felt bad when I saw him tell you that he didn’t know anyone beyond her friends here. I told Austin I’d look out for him, and I’ve done a horrible job of it... so, I invited him over. Is that OK?”

“Yeah,” I said with a wide smile. “I’m eager to dance in his memories of Chara...it was so beautiful there.”

“Agreed” he said as he led me in.

When we opened the back door, the lights went out and a chorus of “Happy Birthdays” began as a huge birthday cake in the center of the counter glowed with eighteen candles across it. The one voice that touched my soul - the sweetest voice in the room - was singing in my ear as Draven swayed me back and forth. As the song ended, he gently urged me forward to blow out my candles.

My mother was at my side and pulled me into a deep hug. “You were brave tonight, baby. Stay that way for me.”

I squeezed her to tell her I would.

Then I hugged Kara and Nana. Evan cut the cake and helped pass it out to everyone. When I handed Wesley his piece, he smiled at me. “You remind me of a traveler I met once...you’re fearless, just like her.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” I said as I hugged him. “I’m ready to leave the second you see Austin.”

“I’ll tell him,” he promised.

I went back for more cake, then handed Winston his piece. “Thanks for helping me tonight.”

He smirked. “I’ll do anything you need me to in that world. It’s wicked - and I like wicked.”

I shook my head, slightly worried that he may like it too much – that when his time comes, he may not be strong enough.

Madison walked by me with her plate. “Hey, I need to sketch. I’m too wired; I have to get those images out of my head.”

“Are you leaving?”

“No, I’m just going to find a quiet spot upstairs – is that OK?”

I nodded to tell her yes.

Draven came to my side and took my hand. “Sit down. It’s your cake; you don’t need to pass it out.”

I sat down at the bar next to Monroe and ate my cake as I listened to my mom and Evan talk about the day I was born. In the middle of their story, an image of my father appeared behind my mom and one of Autumn, Draven’s mom, appeared next to Evan.

I smirked, thinking that to anyone else this may be odd, maybe terrifying - but not us; everyone here knew that life was eternal and that darkness was real, just as real as the light.

I noticed that Monroe was still, staring at her cake. When my mom finished her story and the laugher grew quiet,and random conversations started up, I leaned closer to Monroe.

“I love that purple lipstick.”

She smiled slightly.

“I love the color purple, too.” I said. “But I have to admit, you kind of confused me because I saw that color twice tonight.” The thought of seeing both Draven and Silas in that shade, how she always seemed to lead me to Silas – it bothered me a bit, but I didn’t know what she was trying to say, what she was hearing when she ‘listened’.

She looked up at me, and the room grew quiet, but I barely noticed; I was too focused on her. “Love,” she said in a whisper. “Love is meant to be felt for all souls - not just one. It is an emotion that is in the core of everything we are – both good and bad. It cannot be stronger or weaker from one to another for those who are truly at peace with who they are.”

The room was still. While I was paralyzed by the depths of her words, the others were astonished to hear her speak.

Grayson came to her side as Nana began a slow clap; the others soon joined in, which made Monroe blush.

“Brilliant...my baby sister is brilliant,” Grayson said over the clapping.

I halfway smiled to agree, still not quite understanding what she meant.

Wesley came over to me and Draven as the room grew quiet again. “Man, I would love to hear that song again. I mean, it’s already viral – but it can’t compare to how it sounds in person.”

Draven put his arm around me. “I’ll play for you, man, but not that song; that one needs lights and a crowd for impact.” He looked around the room. “Wesley wants us to play you guys up for that?!”

I heard roars and beating hands, and I took that as a yes.

“We’ll get set up. Give us a few minutes,” Draven said as he pushed back from the bar.

“Winston, Grayson, Aden - help me get chairs from the garage,” Evan said.

Draven took my hand and pulled me to the stairs that led to his studio.

“I guess we need another song…,” I said quietly when we reached the hall.

He pulled me closer to him. “We’ll find the right words – right when we’re meant to.”

I raised my eyebrows as we reached the stone steps that led to his studio. “You sound like that little boy…Preston.”

Draven’s eyes stared into his memories for a moment as he smiled. “He made quite an impact, that’s for sure…just like Monroe.”

“Yeah,” I said, trying to understand the hidden messages around those two’s words.