Chapter 37: Bring Me to Life

We are currently watching the other bands’ performances and they are all really good. We’re trying to ease our nervousness by singing along to the songs. But damn, my palms are already sweating. It's almost our turn after all. The boys, Tyrone and Rain to be exact, have been consistently trying to boost the energy of the team.

It’s the fifth team’s turn to perform. They are announced under the name Fifth String and according to the information we gathered, they are said to have won the battle of the bands last year. There is no denying that this band is really good. Especially their singer which is a female as well. Her singing is clean and based on the audience impact, they are definitely on a whole new level than the previous ones.

And then finally, they’re done. It's now our turn.

"Good luck, guys!" Colleen said cheerfully as we exited the backstage.

I rubbed my palms together first because it was starting to get ice cold. I felt a hand on my shoulder so I looked behind me to see who it was.

"You'll do great. Now, get out there and show them what you're capable of." Vyl’s words brought me both comfort and warmth.

Somehow, the nervousness I feel now has lessened. I thankfully smiled at Vyl and continued walking in front. I saw the other members waiting for me while there are smiles etched on their lips.

I smiled back.

We'll get through this. Together.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may we present the sixth band who will perform this wonderful evening, let us welcome, PhantomDeck!"

The audience answered with deafening shouts and applause at what the host said. At the same time, we climbed on the stage one by one.

I'm getting cold feet again. Not to mention hands too.

The staff set up the microphone stand in the front based on our request. I picked up an electric guitar that Tyrone was currently handing me with cold hands. For our first song, I'll take his place as the other guitarist because he'll be playing the piano.

Besides singing, I also know how to play the guitar a little. I learned this all the way back from high school.

Everything is ready and we are all in place.

"Hello everyone! A pleasant evening to you all. Again, we are the PhantomDeck, your sixth performer for tonight," I greet the audience who are currently shouting and cheering for us. I waited for the crowd to calm down a bit before speaking again.

"May the melody we produce together reach the warmth in your hearts."

I gave the whole PhantomDeck one last glance as a signal for Chris to start counting.

"And one, two, three!"

The first beat of the piano already made the crowd scream in anticipation. It seems that they already know what we are going to play.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. Then I sang to my heart's content.

“How can you see into my eyes like open doors?”

I started strumming my guitar following Rain's lead just a few steps behind me. I'm glad we made a good start. All our instruments are in sync.

There's a slight pause, maybe just the speed of a heartbeat, enough for me to flash a fierce smile to the crowd before hitting the high chorus.

“Wake me up inside! Call my name and save me from the dark.”

I gave it my all. Rain is serving as our second voice because he can sing a little and he’s also responsible for the rap part of the song. Vyl's words suddenly popped up in my mind.

Show them what you're capable of.

I am Heavenly Salazar, and I will show all these people watching us that I too can shine. And I hope after this, it'll bring me back to life.

“Save me from the nothing I've become...”

After our second song which is I need you by LeAnn Rimes, we were breathless and also speechless by the loud cheering of our fans and audience. I felt very satisfied. It was as if something inside me had changed that really made me happy. I almost cried in front because of the overwhelming happiness.

We left the stage with a big smile on our faces, and we knew that we would never forget the pleasure we felt while playing together.

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We're now in a convention hall sponsored by the university to celebrate the success of this year's cultural festival. I'm in a cocktail dress as this event is a semi-formal one. I completely stood out with its red as a maple leaf in autumn season with a touch of dandelion color on the frills.

Of course, Vyl is here with me who is now wearing a white turtle neck shirt with a mint green coat. He really is a head-turner. Several women also greeted him and asked me what’s our relationship, which I always answered as a cousin.

A lot of people greeted us with ‘congratulations’ which we whole-heartedly thanked.

Yes, we won the battle of the bands for this year. They said our freshness as newbies and the gothicness of our aura captured both the audience and judges' attention. We also won as the performer with the best audience impact. They also praised our abilities with music.

It's now our time to celebrate so all night, I just smiled the whole time because of the genuine happiness I was feeling.

"Excuse me for a bit," Vyl suddenly said. He no longer waiting for my answer and walked straight away.

"Where are you going?"

I asked him through mind link but I got no response. I just stared at his back until he was completely out of my sight. Where is he going?

I was about to follow him but a group of men approached me to congratulate us which we immediately thanked. I recognized them as one of the contestants in the competition. They're an all-boys band whom are also pretty good. I was with the whole band as they talked and made friends with the others.

I noticed it was already an hour when Vyl left but he was still not back. I communicated with him through my mind but he’s not answering. I'm getting worried so I decided to look for him inside the convention hall. But I already looked everywhere but there was no sign of him inside the building. I was also becoming tired of searching so I thought of going out first to breathe some fresh air.

The cold air kissed my skin the moment I went out that brought me chills, making me shiver a little. I hugged myself as I walked slowly, still looking for Vyl.

As I strolled through a large garden overlooking the back of the convention hall, I saw him sitting on one of the benches lined up on the side as he was staring intently up at the sky.

His beautiful green hair that became slightly dark to look at because of the night is being blown away by the cold wind. I looked at his eyes staring at the sky and I saw sadness in it. For some reason, my heart ached at the sight of him being like this.

I carefully walked towards him and tried my best not to make any noise. But to no luck, the sound of the dry leaves that I stepped on gave me away. His head immediately snapped to my direction.

But the next thing that happened shook my system and made me stood frozen still in place. A small, transparent drop of liquid is currently streaming from his left eye all the way down to his left cheek.

He's... crying?