Chapter 3

Backstage was dark and damp. Many entertainment organises were bustling around, too busy to notice the family walk in. Michael's mum led the way over to the small band who were talking, laughing and congratulating each other. The lead singing was sitting on a pile of boxes, talking to the drummer.

"Excuse me?" asked Michael's mum, nervously. "Are you the band that just played?"

The band looked rather surprised but smiled at her.

"Yeah, we just played, whatsup?" asked the lead guitarist, who had been adjusting the strings on his mahogany guitar.

"I was just wondering if we could have a copy of your song? You see, I really loved it!"

The band looked flattered and the lead singer got up. He rummaged around in his suitcase until he pulled out a cassette. He then walked over and handed it to Michael's mum. He was just a little bit taller then she was.

"What's your name?" she asked, looking at the blank cover of the cassette.

"Our band hasn't really got a name!" admitted the lead singer. His voice was sweet sounding, not mocking our nasty, sort of innocent.

"Well, we'll settle for your name…" smiled Star, looking shyly at the lead. Michael cursed under his breath so that no one could hear him.

"Its Gabriel." Smiled the boy. "And this is Matt…" he pointed to the guitarist, who nodded, "Devon…" he moved his finger to the drummer who gave them a cheeky grin, " and Hogan." Lastly pointing to the rather quiet bass guitarist.

Star smiled. "What nice names," she tilted her head slightly, "especially yours!"

Michael glared at Star, trying to catch her eyes. But they were too busy looking at Gabriel.

"So, you guys got names?" asked Devon, drumming a beat on his legs with his drumsticks.

"Well, I'm Lucy. This are my sons, Sam and Michael, Michael's girlfriend, Star and my father." Smiled Michael's mum, naming them in turn.

"Michael Emerson? I've heard that name somewhere before…" Gabriel eyed Michael up and down. His eyes weren't black, as Michael had first thought; it was just some dark eyeliner or eyeshadow. His eyes were a golden orange, a bit like the colour of honey. They seemed to glow with an Inner Light.

"That's right, Emerson! How did you know?" asked Lucy curiously.

"I have friends from around here who know a lot of things…"

Gabriel smiled at Michael, but Michael did not smile back. He didn't like the look of Gabriel. He seemed inhuman. Weird. Plus he had been flirting with Star!

****

"Well, it was nice meeting you!" smiled Lucy, "but we really must be going!"

"Treasure the tape," smiled Devon, "it's the only one we have!"

"We will!" smiled Star.

The band began to carry all their stuff to the staff exit at the back. Michael's family headed back through the restaurant. Michael trailed along behind. Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around to see Gabriel standing behind him. He was carrying a large suitcase and a dufflebag. He smiled that innocent smile and said, "Are you Michael Emerson?"

"Yes" Sighed Michael.

"Good, I have a message for you." Gabriel smiled sweetly, "from an old friend of yours!"

"Get lost!" Snarled Michael evilly. He was already annoyed that another guy had been flirting with his girlfriend, but now this guy wanted a friendly chat?

Michael turned to leave and Gabriel shouted after him, "David says hi!"

Michael stopped, stone dead. It couldn't be, could it? This couldn't be the David Michael was thinking of! That David was long dead, Michael had made sure of that…

Michael quickly spun round to ask Gabriel, but he was gone.