The Last In Line
DISCLAIMER: All...You know what? Screw it, you know the drill.
(Thanks, Craine, for that style.)
As "Loopy" Lucas Lynch arose from his bed, the first thing he noticed was how beautiful the day was beginning. It was slightly cool, fully dry, very bright, and not a cloud could be seen in the sky. The sweet and innocent 12-year-old metalhead trapped in a 20 year-old body, slightly pudgy and pimply, but tall and outgoing, walked over to his closet and dressed quickly, and, grabbing a Pop-Tart from the kitchen, walked out into the open world, ready to face this perfect Sunday morning head-on.
He was about halfway to Middleton Park when a call came on his cell. Flipping it open and putting it to his ear, he said:
"Que tal, amiga? ...News? What news? ...OK, be over in a few. Much love." With that, he bypassed the park and headed straight for his new girlfriend's house. He arrived within 10 minutes and knocked on the front door. A slender, very attractive woman of 22 and with hair of a color that would make fire jealous answered the door.
"Got here as fast as I could, Kim," said Loopy. "What's wrong?" Her piercingly green eyes, normally bright, alive, and bubbly, had lost a decent amount of their energy. They were dull and sad, triggering a slight amount of apprehension in Loopy.
"Just plop down in front of the TV," was her response. "You'll see." Loopy didn't need telling twice. He took up his spot on the couch, that which used to have been Ron's, and fixed his chocolate-brown eyes upon the TV screen. What he saw next almost gave him a heart attack.
"...No...No..." was all he could manage. He got up from the couch and numbly walked up to outside Kim's room. Kim joined him a few minutes later.
"I didn't catch the details. What's wrong? Did someone join Ron?" she asked tenderly, for she could see that Loopy's eyes had become waterfalls.
"Yes, but not just anyone, Kim..." he started. "...The world of metal will never be the same. ...Dio is dead."
"Who?" she queried.
"Ronnie James Dio, frontman for about 4 different metal bands, including the legendary Black Sabbath," answered Loopy. "He died of stomach cancer at 7:45 this morning."
"...My God..." gasped Kim.
"I know," said Loopy. "Metal has lost its most recognizable voice. I just hope James Hetfield and Ozzy stay alive."
"Amen to that," agreed Kim. "Knowing you, you're going to be doing some sort of personal tribute to him."
"I am," said Loopy. "Come with me." With that, he went into Kim's room and plopped down at the computer. After a few seconds, a song came on that was vaguely familiar to Kim. Loopy then got up and went into Kim's changing room, coming out after 10 seconds looking exactly like the man himself, hunched back and all. Right on cue, Loopy started the song's lyrics:
We're the ship without a storm
The cold without the warm
Light inside the darkness that it needs, yeah
We're the laugh without a tear
The hope without the fear
We are coming...
...ho...me!
As Loopy started the note, the song got very heavy, very fast. Kim got up and started banging her head, assuming a classic rock guitarist's pose. After a few measures, Loopy started the main verse:
We're off to the witch
We may never, never, never come home
But the magic that we'll feel is worth a lifetime
We're all born upon the cross
We're the throw before the toss
You can release yourself, but the only way is down
We don't come alone
We are fire; we are stone
We're the hand that writes, then quickly moves away
The song now moved to the chorus:
We'll know for the first time
If we're evil or divine
We're the last in line
Yeah, yeah!
We're the last in line
Kim, still banging her head, joined in from this point on:
Two eyes from the east
It's the angel or the beast
And the answer lies between the good and bad
We search for the truth
We could die upon the tooth
But the thrill of just the chase is worth the pain
We'll know for the first time
If we're evil or divine
We're the last in line
Yeah, yeah!
We're the last in line
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...Oh!
Now Vivian Campbell led the song through a solo that lasted for four measures before Loopy let out a long "Yeah!" leading into the final verse:
We're off to the witch
We may never, never, never come home
But the magic that we'll feel is worth a lifetime
We're all born upon the cross
You know we're the throw before the toss
You can release yourself, but the only way to go is down
We'll know for the first time
If we're evil...or divine
We're the last in line
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...Oh-whoa!
(Kim)
See how we shine
(Loopy)
We're the last in...
(Kim)
We're the last in...
(Loopy)
We're the last in...
(Kim)
We're the last in...
(Loopy)
We're the last in...
(Both)
We're the last in line!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh...Oh-whoa!
We're the ship without a storm
We're the cold inside the warm
We're the laugh without a tear
We're the far without the near
We're the last in line (x3)
(Kim)
See how we shine
(Both)
We're the last in li...ne!
As the song faded out, Loopy reassumed his usual appearance.
"It's a shame I never got the chance to go see him live," said Loopy.
"I agree," replied Kim. "I'd have gone with you in a heartbeat."
"So would Ron-" At this, Loopy collapsed into Kim's shoulder and just let the tears flow. They sat like that on Kim's bed for the next 5 minutes or so, a solitary tear finding its way halfway down Kim's left cheek and getting stuck there. Eventually, Loopy was able to pull himself together and stop the waterfalls.
"Thanks for being there, Kim," said Loopy, still slightly damp-faced.
"I'm always here for you, Loopy," replied Kim, givng Loopy a quick kiss on the lips.
"Would love to spend the whole day with you, but I have some news to spread," noted Loopy.
"Go spread the news, Town Crier," teased Kim with a chuckle. Loopy got up with an "I love you; see you later on today." , and he walked out the door to spread the tragic news, thinking...
I'm going through changes...
A/N: I know it's a couple of weeks late, but I couldn't come up with the full story in time.
This story is dedicated to the memory of Ronald James Padavona (better known to the world as Ronnie James Dio), who passed away due to stomach cancer at 7:45 AM on Sunday, May 16, 2010. We miss you already, Ronnie. Say hi to everyone for us in heaven. Rest In Peace, my brother.
END