Rehearsal

Part VIII

As the leader turned to him wondering about the silence Brett just continued staring at the ground. The man made a step towards Brett, slowly raising his gun, threatening him, but Brett couldn't hear him. It felt like his soul had already left his body.

A few moments passed until Brett saw the ringing phone that was handed to him. Brett looked up. "Answer it or you are the first to die". He felt numb to these words, but he took the phone and stop the ringing.

"Here is Mr Parker." – "Yeah", was the only thing Brett could say. His voice was much calmer than before. He could hear the hopelessness in his own voice. "I hope things have calmed down a bit. We are working hard at your commands." There was a small pause until Parker continued speaking. "But we won't give you any of these things if you are not willing to let at least one of the hostages go."

The tall man in front of Brett creased his face. He thought about it a moment and then gave Brett a light nod. He held one finger in the air and stared Brett in the eyes. He was filled with hate and anger.

"Yes. One.", whispered Brett. He could hear movement at the other line. "Good. Thank you." The kidnapper pointed at one of the doors. "At the east entrance," told Brett the police and continued "in 5 minutes" as the kidnapper hold 5 fingers in front of him and ended the call right afterwards.

"Okay. James" he pointed at one of his colleges. "You gonna take the nerve-racking lady to the doors." He turned to Brett. "And you will be my safety in case something doesn't go as planned. Door open, girl out, door close. Easy right?" Brett nodded. For some reason, he didn't felt sacred anymore. He just wanted to be over with it. He was ready for whatever outcome this might have.

He put his violin in his coffin next to him and said his goodbye to it in his thoughts. It was his favourite violin he had ever own. He could still remember the day he brought it. It was like love at first sight. Eddy had been there as well. He had shared his excitement even that he hadn't brought anything that day. They both had left the store with a bright smile on their faces that day. Would he ever see Eddy's smile again?

Eddy could see how Brett was dragged to the door where one of the kidnappers were already waiting with one of the hostages. Brett seemed unemotional. Lifeless. Like a robot. He couldn't hear what they were talking. But he could feel the tension that was in the room.

But he was not prepared for what followed.

As they opened the door to free the girl all doors were opened. The police stormed the hall from all directions they could enter. Flash grenades were thrown. Eddy tried to close his eyes but it was still bright behind his eyes. Loud noises filled the room and his ears ringed. He curved himself in a ball as loud voices screamed "Police! Drop your weapons."

Brett could not see or hear anything except a ringing. But he felt the grip from behind tightened. He was dragged from one direction in another. More undefined noises. Then the grip loosed. He felt a sharp pain in his stomach. With his hands, he searched for the wall to lean on. What had just happened? He managed to stay on his feet and after a lot of blinking, he could regain some blurred vision. He immediately looked for Eddy. But all he saw were some shadows.

Tears of relief left his eyes and a strange laugh came out of him. It was over. He coughed. His knees got weak. His eyes were still searching for Eddy. Was he okay?

His vision cleared a little and he could spot a lot of policemen. A few right next to him holding onto the man that had threatened to take his life just minutes ago. And finally, he could make out Eddy. He smiled as more tears fell from his face. But Eddy didn't seem quite relieved as he did.

Brett had to cough again. This time harder. As he looked down on his hands he saw something red. It took him a few seconds to realise the situation. It was blood. His blood.

His keens seemed to not be able to hold him anymore and he slid down to the ground.

"He is my friend." Explained Eddy to the policeman as he tried to approach Brett. "Please"

As he sat next to him Eddy took Brett's hand tightly. Tears filled his eyes as he saw his friends blood all over his shirt and filling his mouth. "Brett. Stay calm. The ambulance is on its way" He could see his friend smile. "Just stay awake okay?" – "Eddy..." – "Shut up okay?", whimpered Eddy. "You will be alright. It doesn't look so bad." It was a stupid lie but Eddy hoped it would be true. "You will be alright and go back to Teresa and move in together as you two planned. And then have kids and grow old together, okay?" – "Eddy..." – "Shh. You have to be alright. We still have to do this video about our new Ling Ling workout, remember?" – "Eddy. I left her."

There was a small pause. Brett had a hard time to make his voice sound steady and strong. Shivers of pain overcame his body and he could taste his blood in his mouth. "I left her because I wanted to be with you." He tried to smile. He had to tell him now before it was too late. "Because I am in love with you."