Chapter Three
Two fingers dipped into the holy water of the church. They quivered. Those fingers pressed to a pair of thin lips, striping the water down them. They quivered. Oh how those lips had sinned. For shame Jack! For shame! The walls seemed to cry to the stunned red head. It seemed he heard them, because his pace doubled in speed until he was out of their sight. I have sinned…
"You've returned Mr. Merridew! How is Mr. Kenrich?" Jack snapped to attention as the old pastor bent down to meet his gaze. "He's fine. Just shaken…I'm sure he'll be back soon," he mumbled, praying the opposite. I can't even look at that boy… "Well then, I'm sure you'd like to continue." He outstretched his hand to the boys choir, still standing even after Jack had left. "I told them to sit down, but they insisted on standing. Quite a respectable bunch you have on your hands, Mr. Merridew." "Yes. Very…"
The stage creaked when he took to it, looking directly at the boys, many wiping beads of sweat caused by the heavy lights above them. They stood at attention with the straightness of his hand, signaling them to be ready. "Oh! Mr. Merridew!" "Yes?" "What would the name of this piece be?" Jack turned, facing the audience. "It's called…" The doors were shut, a blonde boy rushing to sit among the crowd, a cup in his hand. As if speaking directly to that boy, Jack spoke. "It's called Song of the Fallen."
He turned only to gesture a beautiful stream of "ahs", and then reached for a black case on his right. First, he lifted a long bow from within it, reaching back down for a violin. The violin was positioned beneath his chin and the first chords were played. A breath and then…
Once upon a time, I lived in sin
Darkness fell upon me
The everlasting lord was far away
My eyes, they could not see
Blood seeped into my fingertips
How hard I wished to cry
I reached out for the hands I knew
But there came no reply
So I held my head
I held my head to the sand
Waiting for the blonde angel
My savior from this land
The pain is now a memory
That haunts me all over again
And all I have to sing for you
Is the song of the fallen
The waves they crash, the sky it shines
But never any peace
My mind is restless, my heart pounding
Where is my sweet release?
I walk among the graves by day
My tears drowned out by rain
Where is that light eyed boy I need
To hold me, keep me sane
So I hold my head
I hold my head to the ground
Praying for that one to hear me
To comfort with words so profound
Heartache is old but this is new
I'll bleed alone and then
I will sing the only song I know
I sing the song of the fallen
Please save me from who I have become…
So I held my head
I held my head to the sand
Waiting for the blonde angel
My savior from this land
The pain is now a memory
That haunts me all over again
And all I have to sing for you
Is the song of the fallen
Please take my back to the place, the place that I came from…
I hold my head
I hold my head to the ground
Praying for that one to hear me
To comfort with words so profound
Heartache is old but this is new
I'll bleed alone and then
I will sing the only song I know
I sing the song of the fallen
Please take me back into God's grace
I want that light upon my face
Help me be who I was then…
So I no longer have to sing…the song…of the fallen…
Amen…
The "ahs" died down to a lowly "ooh" with the deep notes coming from Jack's lips. A decrescendo in the violin ended the exquisite piece. All was silent. The blue eyes on the stage scanned the crowd anxiously, surprised to hear the sound of a single person clapping. A blonde in the back row. He stood, putting his palms together as if in prayer again and again, and soon enough, it caught on. In moments, the benches were empty, for all had risen from their seats to applaud the depressing song. Even the old fashioned pastor gave an approving round of applause. Jack exhaled only enough for himself to hear, his eyes looking above him to Jesus. They waited. The statue did nothing but look down on him. Talk to me…Tell me I'm back in his eyes…
"Mr. Merridew?" A young choir boy now stood before him. Jack had been too busy staring to even hear the movement of the risers as the others hopped off. "Mr. Merridew, we'd better return before we miss our morning classes." "Right. Of course…" He hurried to put away his instrument, slowly closing the buckles on the case. "How tiresome…" The two congregations mixed for a short period of compliments and excitement while moving towards the door. The tall nineteen year old made his way with ease. He'd never wanted to leave a holy place so badly in his life!
Halfway there, his voice was called in a rather improper fashion. Only one would do so. Ralph… In no time, the panting Ralph was behind him, dodging the crowd around them. "Jack…I…uh…Your…your song…" Lifting a red brow, Jack listened with intrigue. "What about my song?" Ralph's black shoes moved him closer. "It-" "RALPH!RALPH!" Two identical voices chirped. The next thing Ralph knew, he was being jerked in the opposite direction, the sea of boys growing more and more between himself and Jack. "JACK!" The red head only gave Ralph a smirk much like the one he used to wear, turning his back. "Until we meet again Mr. Kenrich."
Ralph shot forth a hand in desperation, losing sight of the fiery red hair that slid past the brown doors. "JACK!" Soon enough, the robes of choir boys had disappeared from the room and the bustle was over. Sam and Eric stood before Ralph with pure exhilaration. "THAT WAS JACK! CAN YOU-" "BELIEVE IT!" It would have been natural to slam his fists into their heads. Ralph was so close! SO CLOSE! His fists balled up but remained at his sides. So close… "Yeah. It's pretty amazing," he uttered. I don't feel like violence today…
Jack held the main door open for his choir as they piled out, rushing towards the yellow bus that awaited them. Once he was sure the boys were far enough away, he turned the corner to see a boy about Ralph's age waiting for him. His darkened skin was covered by a sleeveless black shirt and torn up blue jeans. Curly black locks hung around all sides of his head, showing only his twisted smile and dark eyes. "Did you see him?" The voice asked in a monotone manner, the teeth of the voice holding tight to a lit cigarette. "Yes." "And?" Jack rubbed the pale skin on the back of his neck while he answered. "He…remembered me." He paused to listen uncomfortably to a deep laugh from behind the dark hair. "Ha, ha, ha! I knew he would. Just as I wanted him to. Now we can go for it!"
The strange being pushed himself off the wall, sliding his boots to a stop. "I can finally get what I want." Jack's eyes narrowed a bit, his voice lowering. "Don't forget your deal to me. You said that if-" "That if you bring him close enough to you for me to finish him off, then I can get you back in the eyes of God. I remember Jack and it's true. Trust me." A tan arm slithered across Jack's robes, bringing him closer to the young man beside him. "It'll be just like old times." "R…Right."
The choir leader, glad for the end in conversation, began back towards his choir. "Hey," the strange one from behind him called. Jack spun to catch a bright red apple in his hands. "You looked hungry. Enjoy it Jack, and don't let me down." "…" Jack curved his fingers around the fruit, returning his walk. "I won't Roger…I promise…" With a final nod, the two old acquaintances went their opposite ways. Oh God…Ralph…Am I to sin again?
-------------
Author's Note: WOW! Chapter three is finished! Phew! I most likely won't update for awhile because I have a ton of really dumb projects for school. I'm very excited though! I have a plan for much later in the story. WOO!