Shadow & Flame - Part Two: The Collective - Season One, Episode 9

by Elias Raven

  “Ain’t no big thing, stick to your game. They ain’t better then you are Rhi and with us here you’re going to kick the guys in the balls and the women are going to go just as ape shit nuts. This is what’s coming for you.” he said smiling.

  Abel and Elias fist bumped. Roadies were running around as Blaze lifted his guitar up in the air then dropped it. The band joined arms on stage and took a bow as camera phones flashed and some of the ladies tossed flowers onto the stage. A man wearing a headset came over to us.

  “Beneath The Burn is next, then you’re up. It’ll only take a second to check the connections. Royston told us what you normally like to be dialed in at on the board. We can adjust accordingly once you’re onstage.” He said.

  We all nodded as Angel Fire came off the stage. It was like watching ants scurry as the stage was cleared of Angel Fire’s gear and Beneath The Burn was signaled to take the stage.

  With a roar the crowd went nuts as they plugged in and tore into their set with a vengeance. It was like being in the backwash of a jet engine as the band blended craft with haunting lyrics. The music was tight and new. I had heard their tracks on the radio. Seeing them live was a whole different matter. We waited patiently as they deftly wove through their set and finally encored. The guy with the headset was back and signaled to us letting us know it was time.

  With a roar the members of Beneath The Burn exited the stage and the roadies scurried out moving gear and cleaning up. It was amazing to watch. We got the signal and Jez and Ace stood up then nodded. The crowd was chanting wanting more; jumping up and down. You would swear it was a little mini earthquake as they banged the stage.

  Royston watched intently as Jez and Ace went out first with their fists raised. I could see the crowd pointing and the younger fans pushed against the front of the stage Elias and Abel went out next. Suddenly, people recognized Abel and started taking pictures. Both men plugged in and signaled the soundman they were ready even as they checked their boards and made sure everything was working. Misty kissed Rhianna and then went out with her blue hair flowing behind her and her red guitar around her shoulders reflecting the lighting. The crowd started chanting the band’s name as Rhianna came out onto the stage.

  Even for a dignified group everyone was whistling and clapping as Rhianna leaned back and straddled the microphone stand. Her hand went up and then dropped and Elias and Abel both stepped forward and started into one of Shadow and Flames most famous songs “The Lovers.” Listening to it in the car and seeing it live was a whole different world.

  The boys traded off lead and rhythm while Misty kept a constant pace on the song keeping the rhythm flowing as the boys worked over and under and around fleshing out the song. You would swear they were an orchestra it was just luscious. The women in the crowd were eating it up as Rhianna straightened leaning the stand forward her vocals low almost a growl then sliding into the verses one by one. It was almost poetry or prose, but way different.

  She had a command on the audience with the song. It was mesmerizing, painful, beautiful and aching all at the same time. I could see why the band had started picking up radio play with the track. It was that good. The more they got out there, the farther it was going to go. The women that were fans of the band were grabbing the edge of the stage taking pictures and some looked like they were in tears. She pulled back the stand pulling the microphone free prowling the edges and working the crowd.

  Rhianna poured her soul into the song and the fans felt and knew it singing along with her, holding their phones in the air. A few of the men pulled out lighters going full old school. We all watched from the sides taking it all in. I held hands with Gia and Chance singing along with everyone else.

  It was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Rhianna was on the floor of the stage on her back singing the final pieces her hips arched then falling, hand up pleading. It was intense. When she was done she rolled over and got on her knees. We all waited as she slowly stood up her fist pumped as the band tore into “Stop The Insanity.” The boys were right in their element tearing into the track with Misty. Jez was slamming the bass like she was going to kick the door in and Ace was pounding the skins hard. It was fucking awesome. Before we knew it the set was up and they linked up and bowed then headed off the stage waving to the fans.

  Abel was yelling like a madman.

  “I told you to own that shit Rhi and you did! Fuck they want us to come out for more! That is how you fucking do it and you kicked them right in the teeth!” He bellowed.

  It was a great set. I spoke with Elias later and they all decided to let Rhi and the band have the spotlight and just be a part of it, not stealing the thunder from Shadow and Flame. There wasn’t enough room in the set list to go full bore and besides, if Derek and Forest wanted they could come to the big show at the Fillmore and bring their girls with them.

  After the show we mingled with the guests and enjoyed the opulent food and wine. Forest invited us to partake of his private Cellar later, but both Abel and Elias passed and took a rain check. Rhi and Misty were talking animatedly with the band members from Hearts Insanity and Beneath The Burn. Looks like everyone got along ok. Royston was talking with all of them handing out cards and shaking hands.

  Rhianna and Misty came over to join us.

  “Hey Abel you were right. Own the place!” she said.

  “Yeah?” Abel growled.

  “They want us to tour with them as openers!” she replied excitedly.

  “They asked if Lethal Abel or Metal Insanity might want on the bill?” she said smiling.

  Abel fist bumped everyone!

  “Fuck this might work out. Those guys draw big fucking monster crowds. We could tour and seriously have big balls on the table kind of rock fest,” he said.

  We wound down with everyone else and before it got dark we made our escape. Rhianna and Misty were both still reeling with the news. Everyone was in the moment just savoring it. I hoped their managers could work out the details. It could be big for everyone.

  We rode back in the golf carts and Royston had Forest’s staff help load up the gear. We jumped into the Vette and waited while we all lined up and formed our caravan again. Before long Royston pulled in behind and with a flash of his headlights we all headed back to Sausalito. Elias loaded the Shadow and Flame CD, specifically the Lovers back on the stereo. Before I could say a word his hand was between my legs. This time I slid my panties down so he could finish what he had started. I don’t know who was screaming louder during the song Rhianna or me.

  Chapter 12

  ~Burnt Norton~

  The detail of the pattern is movement,

  As in the figure of the ten stairs.

  Desire itself is movement

  Not in itself desirable;

  Love is itself unmoving,

  Only the cause and end of movement,

  Timeless, and undesiring

  Except in the aspect of time

  Caught in the form of limitation

  Between un-being and being.

  Sudden in a shaft of sunlight

  Even while the dust moves

  There rises the hidden laughter

  Of children in the foliage

  Quick now, here, now, always-

  Ridiculous the waste sad time

  Stretching before and after.

  Excerpt from Four Quartets By T.S. Eliot

  Elias~ It was good to relax for a minute. After the back-to-back shows, we had a few days to chill and play tourist before the Fillmore gig. If it was even possible, I felt even closer to my friends but especially with Genevieve. This trip was what we needed, and being with friends again had really opened me back up to how I used to be. There was a freedom in not having any responsibility.

  My dad was the one who always carried the mantle of responsibility and I understood now what it was to bear that weight upon my shoulders. I was a Warrior now. Having that kind of power at my beck and call was fucking crazy. In the here and now, I just needed
to be one of many and not the one. I was just hanging out and not having to make world-changing decisions.

  I was grateful to Parker and Khyentse for managing things. Not once did I see our shadow detail. I knew they were in the shadows watching us, but they would only reveal themselves when they were needed and not before. I knew after the trip, G and I had to land and reappear again. Hopefully, the boys figured out what was next and what to do about my brother. I know I wanted to kill him for taking Genevieve, but more important I really wanted to know why. The answers were missing, all I had were questions. Maybe I would get some when I returned. And maybe I could illicit a little help from Royston, he was methodical and a little devious in the information he could obtain off the grid. Royston was away for a day handling the Fillmore gig with Abel’s manager. They had already sold out the venue, and after the show at Forest’s house, Rhianna’s band was on the rise. I didn’t know if I could break free from Cain Enterprises to sneak in some shows with Abel, but if Khyentse and Parker could find a way to pull it off, I was all in.

  We enjoyed the time off traveling the city, going up to Haight Ashbury and Alcatraz and Fisherman’s Wharf. We took the Bart and the cable cars everywhere we could. Mia had a blast. I got to be uncle to her and spoil her just a bit. Abel kept the spoilage to a minimum, but with me and G, he cut us a little slack. We didn’t have any kids yet, so Mia was the target.

  Gia stayed glued to his hip the whole time. We ate and drank ourselves stupid at times; there was so much to do. We drove down the world’s craziest, most crooked street on the planet and went to City Lights bookstore that was made famous by the Beat poets in the 1950’s. We even drove down to Monterey Bay and went to the aquarium and Cannery Row, where Steinbeck wrote the novel. We went to Half Moon Bay and just soaked it all in. Fuck, this was probably going to be the last break I had from Cain Enterprises for a while, so we made the most of it. Genevieve was glued to my side just like Gia was to Abel’s. I kept her close.

  I felt more at peace with myself over the last few days. It was like Tai Chi, I was in the moment flowing from each form. That was my life now, flowing from movement to movement. It was perfect and serene. I had a beauty on my arm in Genevieve, I had happiness in the friends I was surrounded with, and I had serenity. Whether real or imagined, the moment was perfect, and as an added bonus, our love was only growing deeper.

  We listened to the local classic rock radio station, and the airwaves were full of news about the Fillmore show; the excitement was building. I would be dishonest if I didn’t say I was just as jacked up. I hadn’t played in front of a large crowd in years. There was something about the give and take of thousands of voices screaming your name and yelling and singing to your songs that was otherworldly.

  Rhianna’s house had become like a second home to us. She had told us both that we could come stay anytime we wanted. Her house was our house and vice versa. She handed me a spare key and told me to keep it stashed. She didn’t even ask if I needed it; she just said if things went south to come stay at her place. I knew she was intuitive, and after our discussion the other night, I knew she was a dream walker. We sat at the bar, celebrating the night before the Fillmore gig, and I asked about her Uncle Tom and if she had any news.

  “No, my grandmother has been quiet. But you remember those dreams?” she said.

  “Yes, I remember. Did you have another one?” I inquired.

  “Yeah, I think it was my uncle telling me to come find him. It was really a freaky dream. I haven’t really talked to Misty about it, but after the Fillmore show, I’m going to grab Misty and Royston and go up to the reservation and see if I can get some answers. He has never been out of touch this long, and I am worried,” she said.

  I nodded my head in understanding.

  “If you need anything, I’m quite well connected.” I let the statement hang.

  “Yeah, Mr. Elias Cain – President of the Fortune 500,” she said laughing back at me.

  She saw my face and knew I wasn’t kidding.

  “Hey, I know you mean that. Seriously, if I need you, I know you have the hook ups. I’ll burn up your cell phone in a minute if I need the Calvary,” she said.

  I smiled and tipped my beer to her and we touched the bottles. It was our last night before the show. The TV was playing when Rhianna got a weird look on her face.

  “Turn it up! Please!” She yelled. We all stopped drinking and looked at the TV and watched the breaking news story.

  “Can you turn the TV up?” Rhianna asked the bartender.

  “We begin this evening with breaking news on the urgent manhunt currently underway for serial killer, Simple Simon. Yesterday, authorities confirmed four murders have now been connected with another possible victim just found early this morning. Let’s go to Paul Wesley on the scene where he’s waiting with the latest.”

  “Thanks, Gloria,” Paul said. “Paul Wesley and we are live on the scene of what appears to be another gruesome murder of the serial killer Simple Simon.” The murder victim was discovered this morning in the alleyway you see behind us, and so far the body has not been moved. The coroner’s office has been called in as well as forensic teams from the San Francisco Police Department.

  They have been scouring the crime scene gathering evidence according to one detective that we had spoken to but declined to be on camera with us. Your News 9 team has been bringing you live and up to the date coverage as events unfold with this case.”

  The camera angle widened to show the yellow crime scene tape blocking off a dark alley behind the newscaster. Fire and rescue trucks surrounded the area, flashing red and blue lights on the screen.

  “The police on scene have yet to officially answer any questions regarding the victim’s cause of death or if Simple Simon has left his calling card. We have received confirmation Simple Simon is indeed placing food items into the wounds of his victims. Police have not released what those food items are as of yet. News 9 will remain on the scene and bring you the latest when it becomes available…Simple Simon met a pie man,” Paul paused, a snarky smile crossing his face. “Is this an odd coincidence or a twisted take on a beloved toddler’s tale? Back to you, Gloria.”

  “That’s some fucked up shit! Who the fuck does that?” Abel said as the story continued.

  “Thank you, Paul. Now, for an update on the Swift Fleet employee who was struck by a car after receiving the call from the killer who dubbed himself Simple Simon. The dispatcher, who told detectives the caller whistled the children’s nursery rhyme, Ring around the Rosy, before laughing and confessing to having killed multiple people, has been released from the hospital. She is expected to make a full recovery.”

  Rhianna went absolutely rigid and so did Misty. Both women covered their mouths.

  “The police chief is urging the public to be vigilant about personal safety. A toll-free hotline has been set up if you have any information regarding the investigation please call, 1-888-99-simon. Stay safe Bay Area. And we’ll be back after these messages.”

  I glanced down at my beer but a loud thump caught my attention. I turned to find Abel glaring at Rhianna.

  “Didn’t you say there was whistling in your weird dreams?” he asked.

  Rhianna nodded.

  Misty shot into the conversation.

  “That weird fucker in the café!” she hissed.

  “Could be a coincidence, baby. Let's talk about it tonight when we get home,” she told her.

  Misty gave Rhi a weird look.

  “What, you know something new?” she asked.

  “Not new, just not sure if that’s the dude or not now,” she hesitated.

  Misty took a long pull on her beer and slid her arm around Rhianna. She whispered something too low for me to hear, but whatever it was, Rhi nodded and Misty kissed her cheek. Royston rubbed his chin thoughtfully at the interchange. He picked up his phone and started texting away. The last time we had heard anything about Rhianna and the dreams was a few days ago when she had her interv
iew with the police.

  Abel came over to us and leaned in.

  “Was that the weird shit you told us about before?” he asked, doing the chin nod at the TV.

  “Yeah, although I didn’t know it was all that and a bag of fucking monkeys, Abel. I’d been having those weird dreams and told Royston about them. We interviewed with Private Investigator Reid and Detective Logan from the San Francisco Police Department. I told them what I knew. We did run into a weird guy at Ava’s café the other day though that whistled that same song,” Rhianna explained.

  Both of us stared at each other.

  “Whoa, what the fuck did you just say?” Abel inquired.

  “I said there is a guy that goes to Ava’s place that loves to eat pumpkin pie and whistles that song.” There was exasperation in Rhianna voice.

  Abel stepped back.

  “Ok, this just went into the fucking twilight zone,” he grunted.

  I was feeling the same thing. Granted since my father was murdered I knew what the fucking twilight zone felt like. But why didn’t they say anything, if they had actually seen someone that was behaving strangely at the café.

  Royston looked up from his phone.

  “I sent a message to Mac and Reid and Detective Logan,” he said. “I’m sure there is nothing for us to be alarmed about. It could be a coincidence with that chap in the café.”

  Abel put his fist in his palm.

  “I hope so. I see some weird fuck come near the ladies and I am going to punch and break bones first then ask questions after the fucking facts,” he said.

  At that everyone smiled. Rhianna thanked everyone for their concern, but like Royston said, it could just be a coincidence.

  We finished our beers and caravanned back to Rhianna’s place. The news broadcast kind of put a damper on the celebration, but tomorrow was a new day and a big one at that. Royston spent the night at Rhianna’s, using the spare room above the garage, again. I didn’t know if he was being protective or lazy, but I had a feeling it was option one on the selection list and I couldn’t blame him. The newscast had brought reality back into the fold hard.