Page 110 of Conquest

“Surprise,” Julian chuckled as he trotted by.

“Surprise?” Jesse said, his eyes back on Kenny.

Kenny flicked his head toward the stage. “Get ready.”

Through the darkness Evan’s voice rose pure and celestial with no instruments to interfere,

“I yelled for you as you walked away,

My voice a whisper…in the crowd…

And I watched our memories fall with the rain,

Breaking…on the ground…

I want to take it all away,

And believe the truths in the dark.

I want to live the fantasy,

The sweet delusion,

And keep you in my arms...”

Jesse gasped at Evan singing “Shattered.” He stood motionless, listening and watching as the piano added its voice to Evan’s after the fourth line and the stage lights turned to a soft golden glow with a single spotlight illuminating Evan. The crowd had exploded at the first line, but now sat silent, mesmerized.

“Alright, go.” Kenny poked Jesse on the back with the head of his guitar.

Jesse stumbled forward, clueless as to what to do. This wasn’t what they had rehearsed. He and Evan were supposed to duet on “Addiction.” There was never any mention of “Shattered.” He took a breath and walked on stage, hoping he didn’t look completely confused. Another spotlight shone down on him, and for a second time, the crowd erupted with a deafening roar.

Evan turned toward him as he came to the end of the chorus,

“Take my hand,

Pull me out,

Please save me.

I’m shattering,

Breaking…”

Evan wrapped his arm around Jesse’s shoulders as the piano interlude took over. He put his lips to his ear. “You’ve got the next verse, and I’ll join you on the chorus.”

Jesse nodded and slipped his arm around him. Kenny and JJ joined their guitars with the piano. Jesse took a breath and lifted his tenor,

“Now I’m sitting all alone in the darkness.

Listening for your voice in the silence.

All I have left are illusions and dreams.

Your phantom body lying next to me.

Another memory trickles down my cheek,

And I slip a little bit more…”