Rehearsal

Part III

Eddy had never heard the sound of a gun before. It was loud. It was demanding. It made him cringe. In the same moment, still in the movement towards the exit doors, Eddy stumbled over something and fell. Lying on the floor, Eddy looked back what he had stumbled over. It had been the conductor, who was looking back at Eddy. But his eyes were lifeless. As well as the rest of his body. A trickle of blood made its way from the conductors head towards the floor and spread from there.

Eddy felt cold instantly. He suppressed a scream but couldn't look away has a crawled backwards. His hands still tied together. This is not real! Eddy thought. This is not happening. But the victim's eyes told another story. His stomach turned. The man he had made fun of an hour ago was dead. Why was this happening? His breathing quickened. He shook his head a little to free himself of this trance. It was not working. In the distance, he heard a high pitch scream. But he couldn't turn his head to see who it was. He wanted to see if Brett was okay, but still, his eyes wouldn't obey.

Two men lifted him up and moved him in a corner with the few other musicians who hadn't make it out. But Eddy was still in shock and not aware of his environment. He was also not aware of how quickly he still breathed and that it caused his dizziness up to the point when he had to lean back at a wall. He felt another pair of hands reaching out to him. His legs began to shake, his view went black and his heart raced in his chest. In a faraway distance, he heard a voice speaking: "Eddy? Stay with me. Okay? You hear me?" I know this voice... Eddy thought. Brett?

Then he fainted and collapsed to the ground.

Brett had tried to catch his friend, but due to his trammels and clumsiness, he had fallen down with him. With the hands lying on his friend's chest, he let out his fear. His tears just couldn't be stopped anymore. Like a child, he rocked himself forth and back. He whispered: "Please Eddy, wake up. I need you. Please. I am afraid. Wake up!" But his friend wasn't moving. "Eddy! Please." The last part was only a whimper.

The leader of the kidnappers came forward and announced: "If anybody makes a stunt like this again, EVERYbody will end up like him" pointing towards the dead conductor a few meters away. Brett closed his eyes. He couldn't bear the sight. A few seconds of silence filled the room. " I mean...", the kidnapper became louder. "What were you thinking?", he almost screamed now. His grip around the gun tightened. "THIS!" pointing at the conductor again. "THIS is your fault!" Noone dared to question it. "You all killed him!" He stood before them like a wild animal ready to jump at another throat for another kill. His eyes wildly open and veins pounding around them. "He is dead because of you!" The words burned themselves into Brett heart, even though he knew it was not true.

"It will not happen again", the man got quiet again with these words, which scared Brett even more. The undertone made him shiver.

The man grabbed the woman next to Brett who gave out another high pitched scream. "Shut up!" He led her in another corner, made her kneel with her face towards the wall. "Stay!" he yelled at her like she were a dog. In this way, he spread everyone across the room.

Last was Brett who was still leaning over Eddy's unconscious body. "You too!", demanded the man. But Brett was not ready for it. "No! Please!" Brett reached out to Eddy's shirt and hold onto it. His eyes locked onto his friends face. "Please. I won't make any trouble! I promise. Please." – "No discussions!" The man grasped Brett from behind by his collar and dragged him away. Brett panicked. "NO! Please." He tried to flail around. His hands still tightened up, it was just a weak attempt. But Brett couldn't help it. He sobbed bitterly. "Don't please!" he begged. " I have to make sure he is okay when he wakes up!" – "You mean if he wakes up?"

In just a second the cold took over Brett's body and his mind was infiltered with hopelessness. He screamed. "NO!" He moved from one side to the other. The despair made him stronger and he nearly freed himself from the kidnapper. Nearly. The man used his second hand, took Brett at his throat and push him down. Brett felt his airways crushing under the pressure. He had the urge to cough but couldn't. Just obscure noises came out of this mouth. With his fingers he tried desperately to free himself from the grip. His legs trying to run away. His body braced itself against the forces pushing him down.

The barrel of a gun came in touch with his forehead and Brett closed his eyes. Thoughts racing through his head. Most of them regarding Eddy and the regret of not telling him the truth about his feelings. His body was not ready to die. But if he died now, Eddy should be his last thought. He owed him that.

A voice fulfilled the room that placed a spark of hope back inside his heart and made the man, who was still holding his life in one hand, hesitate.

"Police! Open the doors!"