The Fall of Sky: Part One Read Online Free PDF Page A

grate on my nerves, the way he screeched his guitar every two seconds. I was pretty sure he didn’t know how to play a decent chord if his life depended on it.
    Lifting the digital usb midi pad and tucking one of the smaller keyboards under my arm, I began plugging in the necessary cords and untangling the mess. Finally, the screeching music ended, and I pulled the loops around my shoulder, letting the band step down off the stage, before taking the stairs two at a time to the table awaiting the equipment. It was easy work to set up. I’d done it so many times, I could do it asleep or blindfolded. Saul made his way to the stairs, carrying a small digital percussion pad set and a few more loops of cords around his arms.
    Watching him take the steps, slowly but still fast enough, no one would’ve noticed he was blind, except for the cane he carried along with all the stuff in his arms. With dexterous fingers, he swept the cane in front of him and made his way toward me.
    “Don’t trip. The snakes are all over the floor,” I told him, hoping he knew what I was talking about. I took the equipment from him before he could run into the table, which made him pause before throwing me a tiny nod and smile. It was brilliant and made me suck in my breath. “The table’s in front of you. There’s a chair behind it to get your stuff set up,” I added, darting my eyes away.
    “Thanks. It reminds me of the sound studios I work in, but quite a bit louder.” His fingers graced the edges of the table and followed it discretely around. It was impressive, the way he moved so gracefully, never running into anything or tripping. It was as if he could sense the surroundings, like they were an extension of him. Must be the years of practice , I quietly thought. I wouldn’t mind those fingers gracing my skin the way they caressed the edges of the table. I moved my eyes away from his yummy backside, feeling guilty for eyeing a man who couldn’t even see me do it.
    Audrey ran up the steps, leaning both our guitars against our chairs. Hers was a tall stool, stolen from the bar down below. I’m sure they didn’t mind it. She cradled her microphone and looped the excess cord near the table before plugging it in. Only one of the guitars was plugged in for an acoustic sound at its best. I took the instrument from her, and she arranged her variety of bells, tambourines, and jingles on the end of the table Saul occupied.
    Soon, the crowd quieted enough for Audrey to announce us. The Fall of Sky was the name of our duo, now trio. Though unofficial, it would do for now. I began strumming my guitar and waited for Saul to start the looping percussion as I picked at the strings, sending a haunting melody into the room.
    As the drums resonated, the music left my fingers, pouring out from my soul and into the chords as the pick clicked through the strings. The vibrating twang filled me up like a warm, soothing concoction, even in my half drunken state. I was oblivious to the crowd now−they didn’t exist when I was playing. In the background, I heard Audrey’s voice sounding out, softly at first, and then into the sway of the lyrics we’d both written and sung a thousand times before.
     
    “Nothing like the rain
    That amplifies the fear
    And nothing like this endless pain
    That wants to pull me near
     
    Like a poison to my soul
    A drizzle of your touch
    A fiery death in my veins
    Try not to taste too much
     
    But, for you, I might let this guard down
    For you, I might take a step around
    And it might be a mistake…
    Might be the last step I take
    Maybe the fall is worth the pain…”
     
    The melody continued in her soft, hypnotic voice. As the chorus sounded, I had joined her with my own voice, harmonizing and echoing in the room. The bar had stilled. Most were nodding their heads to the beats, which Saul was expertly looping and tapping out. I was definitely impressed, catching myself smiling through the words toward him. He sure could