Page 40 of Ravaged From Fate

Sam the bartender has already set up a makeshift stage against the far wall for the band to perform on. As we drink, the band begins to set up. They bring on a drum kit and connect up the microphone.

“There’s Liam,” I say, pointing out the lead singer who’s bringing in guitars from his van outside. “We go way back. Let’s go and say hi.”

Caspian looks apprehensive.

“Come on, he’s not going to bite,” I encourage.

“Alright…”

I bring over the man to meet the band.

“Hello, Elsa.” Liam gives me a warm hug, but I can see he’s got something on his mind. He’s frowning and looking around at his bandmates.

“Hey. This is my friend, Caspian.”

The two boys shake hands. I can definitely tell that Liam is concerned about something. He seems absent-minded. The other band members seem to be in deep conversation on the other side of the stage.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You okay, Liam? Something wrong?”

“There’s a slight problem,” he admits. “Our drummer tripped and broke his wrist on the way here.”

I immediately go into nurse mode. “Show me where he is. I’ll have a look at it.”

Liam shakes his head. “He’s already gone to the hospital. Our friend drove him there.”

“Right,” I reply. “I guess that means you’re one man down tonight?”

Liam sighs and looks over at his bandmates. “Yep. It’s impossible to figure out what to do now, especially without a drummer. We’re probably going to have to cancel the show. Such a bummer.”

And I come up with a brilliant idea.

It’s perfect.

“Caspian here’s told me he’s a drummer. Played for years, haven’t you? Maybe he should play for you guys tonight.”

Caspian freezes. He looks at me with horror in his eyes.

“You can play?” Liam asks him. “Elsa isn’t pulling my leg?”

“I can’t,” he says, without any other explanation. I roll my eyes.

“You told me today you’ve been at a drum kit since you were a kid.”

“I really can’t, Elsa.”

“You heard what Liam said. They can’t play tonight without a drummer, and here you are. Look, you have to do it, otherwise I’ll spread a rumor in town that you actually are the muscle for the Mafia. How about that?”

“It’s still a no.”

“You really need a drummer?” I ask Liam. “Really?”

He shrugs. “Yeah, we do.”

I turn back to the immovable object. “Please, Caspian.”

“Elsa…”