FALTER

CHAPTER 7: In the dark, with me.

"Sorry I'm late!" Imti announced as he ran in. The echo of his shoes squeaking bounced off the walls of a surprisingly empty room where the only sign of life was a large mass of frizzy hair stirring in the corner.

Lisa squinted as she rose from her slumber over the drumset. When she realized who walked in, her confused expression transformed into one of slight annoyance. She began to worldlessly collect her things and packing it into a bag after wiping the drool from her mouth.

Imti, seemingly unaware of the situation, continued treading into the room. The dust clung to the air being illuminated by the single light bulb on the ceiling. Looking up at it, Imti was about to address Lisa but before he said anything, she answered.

"Gone. I told them to go."

Imti faced her with a raised eyebrow. All of a sudden, he could feel a pit of guilt opening up in his chest.

"It's alright. I know you're sorry." Lisa continued, still not making eye contact. Imti wondered how she knew what he was going to say.

"Lisa, I..." His voice trailed off, leaving an awkward pause that made the unventilated room feel even more stifling.

"It's fine, Imti," Lisa said shortly. Another pause, and then. "It's just that... well, we're already on hiatus for the time being, and now you don't show up to practice. Morale's pretty low and I didn't want them to sit here and stew."

The young man standing on the opposite side of the room from her looked down sadly.

"I'm sorry." Imti was only saying it to negate a bit of the guilt now fogging up his brain. It was the first time he had walked into an empty practice room, and he didn't need to check his watch to know it was his fault. Being the leader of a band was never easy, but Imti never let it slip his mind. He wasn't close with his bassist or second guitarist, but they still trusted each other enough to produce the best music possible. And now, he felt like he had let that trust down.

 Insecurity reared its ugly head in Imti's head as he immediately started wondering if this marked the end of their group.

Lisa interrupted his rapidly derailing train of thought with a click of her fingers, causing Imti to dart his eyes up to see her leaning back against the wall, arms crossed and head tilted curiously.

"We'll be fine, Imti. Now c'mere."

Imti sighed in response and walked closer. He pulled a plastic chair out from the shadows, which screeched against the hard granite floor, and planted himself on it, just under the stage where his friend sat. She continued speaking once Imti was properly situated to tell the story she was expecting to hear.

"So." She lunged forward in her seat. "How'd it go?"

Imti took a deep breath as he began his tale.