CHAPTER 6

Burn

They arrived at rehearsal just in time to hear Aithine scream, "shish-ka-bob," at the top of his lungs and run to the kitchen.

"What was that about?" I asked Aqua as I put my things in my locker.

"The grill is broken again, and tonight is vegetarian shish-ka-bob night. Aithine loves to use his powers whenever he can." Aqua explained with a tiresome look on her pale face as she wiped down one of the tables.

"Nuff said…" Aithine coming over interrupted Tempeste.

"Yeah, Warren you want to help me fry the shish-ka-bobs tonight?" He looked expectedly at his new friend.

"That's okay man. I'll leave that to you." Warren said as he headed over to the bar to clock in.

"Okay." He just shrugged. "Well we should get started here."

"I agree." Dean spoke up as he entered the room. "Warren you're up first. Do you know Burn, Burn by the Lost Prophets?

"Yeah." Came the reply.

"Good, you'll be playing with Aithine, and Ricky tonight. And Tempeste, do you know the song?" She nodded yes. "Good, you'll be back up slash harmony."

"Oh, Dean? Do you still have that waitress position open?" Tempeste asked going over to her boss.

"Yeah, why?"

"I have a friend that would like the job."

"Well, she just got hired."

"Good, she'll be around tonight at 7." She then headed over to the stage where the boys were already rehearsing.

A half an hour later her and Warren rode home to catch some sleep before heading back to work, which started at 6:00. When they woke up they both grabbed a change of clothes for when they were on stage and headed out to the club.

"You guys are on in 1 hour. You'll have 15 minutes to get ready for performance." Dean instructed while preparing drinks. " Warren, you are on bar duty and Aithine duty. Just make sure the fire extinguisher is near at hand so he doesn't burn the place down. Tempeste and Aqua you're on table duty." Everyone went their separate ways and worked, what felt like non-stop.

"Tempeste!" Dean shouted over the bar.

"What?"

"You guys are on in 17 minutes. Warren and Aithine are already back there getting ready."

"Okay. Thanks" She headed to the rooms just behind the stage.

She put on her leather mini skirt, a red tank top with a black rose on it, and her knee high leather corset boots. She applied some heavy eyeliner to accent her icy blue eyes even more and some blood red lipstick.

"Damn! I look hot." She said to herself as an affirmation.

"We're on." Warren yelled through the door.

"Well, here goes nothing." She headed to the side of the stage. Aqua handed her a shot of Jack Daniels.

Everyone was a little on edge. Warren wouldn't admit it but he was scared out of his mind right now standing on the side of this stage, looking at all the people in front of it. He had fought in some pretty nasty battles and been as cool as ice. But now he was frightened.

"A little liquid courage." Aqua said handing one to Warren, Aithine, and Ricky. Ricky was the drummer. He worked mostly doing Deejaying when the band wasn't playing.

"Okay, Time to shine." Tempeste said with a sardonic smile. They took their places and the lights went on them.

Warren looked out into the audience. He ripped the mike as the music started behind him. He felt the energy of it and lost himself in the sound. He looked over at Tempeste as he started to sing. Aithine joined in the background.

"Where do I begin, with this life we're living in?

Market youth their uniform, make us all fit in

But do you think, that we're that blind?

That we can't see through all your lies?'"

'This is real.' Warren thought to himself. 'This is freedom.'

Tempeste started in with the chorus.

"Cause if it's no good

Burn burn the stations

We'll burn it down

Burn burn the truth"

'God she sounds ethereal' that was the only way to describe it. Her voice melding perfectly with his own. Just the two of them now.

"Enjoy the flames

In celebration

Enjoy the sound

For us, for them, for you"

They were rocking now. Warren took off his leather jacket to screams from the women in the crowd. He was left in a black muscle shirt and worn black pants, with his combat boots barely showing.

"I know that I've been told

My integrity was sold

Price and placed upon the shelf

It's worth its weight in gold

But do you think we've lost our minds?

Yeah we can see through all your lies?"

'Perfect' She thought to herself as she sang the chorus with him again. 'I can get used to this' and now her solo. Just her vocals above the hubbub of the club. 'Just me'

"Burn burn the truth the lies the news

Burn burn the life that you can't choose

Burn burn the hate that gets you through

Burn burn for us, for them, for you." x4

The music comes back slowly as she repeats the last line. Together they finish it off.

"Cause if it's no good

Burn burn the stations"

Tempeste gets an idea. She focused on controlling flames inches from the floor. They rised high, then died down to nothing within seconds.

"We'll burn it down

Burn burn the truth

Enjoy the flames

In celebration

Enjoy the sound

For us, for them, for you" x5

The music stops and they hear cheers. Warren leaned toward Tempeste and whispered; "Now that's what I call Pyrotechnics." He beamed a grin at her before switching places with her so she could take the lead on the next song.

They continued for another half an hour. After which they went back to work. Layla was hired as promised and Aqua and Tempeste were showing her the ropes.

Neither Tempeste nor Warren could let go of the rush they felt on the stage. Somehow during the course of the performance a bond was created. And it was clear that Warren was starting to lose the battle of keeping his permanent scowl on his face. It was being replaced by a mischievous grin and occasionally a smile. He had friends that accepted him. He was even feeling happy once in a while. 'Training tomorrow will ruin that quickly enough.' He thought to himself as he handed yet another drink to Tempeste.