Chapter 7 - Strange blue screen

Zephyr was a mythical figure in the music industry. Starting out as a small indie singer, he eventually became the hottest thing in the late 70s. His voice was so enthralling that people couldn't resist becoming his fans after hearing him once. Be in country, pop, rock or even blues, Zephyr was a true jack of all trades and he made the entire music industry dance to his tunes.

But fame does tend to mess with even the most humble of people. In the early 1980s, Zephyr reportedly resorted to hard dr**s to cope with the stress of being a superstar. He reportedly fell into some very bad habits that eventually led to a drunken car crash in 1986 that killed his wife. 

In despair, Zephyr announced his retirement and was never publicly seen in the limelight. There were rumors that he was rejoined the industry back after a decade or so and was one of the founders of the third biggest record company in US i.e., Clean World Records (CWR). He also reportedly mentored some of the best artists in the world including Nathan Lyle, Andy Johnson, Olivia (Livie) Smith and many more. He never made any public appearance but was one of the best artists of his time.

Journalists and MeTubers still put him as one of the best musicians of all time and one of the (if not the most) tragic endings to their career.

Back to present 

"Zephyr" Kai repeated shell-shocked. Many MeTubers researched made documentary series of Zephyr. His rise, the problems he faced, his d**gs and drinking and ultimately his downfall. The masses suspected that the man left the country after what happened and that was the general consensus of the journalists as well. But Zephyr is in the US. Not just in US, he's also in LA. Living as a friendly neighborhood grandpa right under everyone's nose. Kai wanted to laugh at the irony of the situation. But the next second he realized the gravity of the situation. 

'Zephyr is in front of me!! He wants me to live with him too!' Kai's mind was on the verge of breaking by this bombshell. He couldn't think straight.

"Easy there champ. I can hear your brain right now. That's how loud you're thinking." chuckled Jeffrey. He could hear the labored breath the boy took and understood how he must be feeling.

The boy cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment. "I do not want to ask what happened in your past as it isn't my place to ask these questions. But sincerely I love your music" "Thank you m'boy" The elderly man replied jovially.

After this the two continued to chat about Jeff's past as Zephyr and Kai also shared a story or two about his working days and some stories about his Nana. He also asked Jeff if he really mentored up and coming artists as the media speculated and the man just laughed but did not directly respond to the question.

Eventually Eliza August entered the room and smiled at the duo. Seeing them smiling after such a traumatic ordeal did put her mind at ease. She then cleared her throat to get the duo's attention.

"Dad, it's time to leave for the day." she intoned. She then smiled at the boy and spoke to him for the first time. "You too, you need a lot of rest. We've spoken to the doctors and according to Steve, they are talking about a surgery that can maybe help us" she said encouragingly "So we need you to get better as soon as possible"

Kai looked at her and smiled shyly. Hearing her words seemed to keep a small modicum of hope in his heart. He then bid goodbye to Jeffrey and Eliza as they left.

'I really hope things get better now' Kai hoped. Eliza's words did reassure him that people were trying their best to make him better but still worry seeped in his mind. "No, Nana always told me to think positive. Everything will be alright" he murmured.

Eventually the nurse came in and helped him with some dinner and refilled his meds. He then made small talk with the nurse as it was the same nurse who tried to comfort him in the afternoon. He felt guilty for speaking to her that way but he couldn't blame himself as all of his feelings were very raw during that time.

The nurse, Laura understood his intentions and they engaged in some small talk throughout the entire ordeal. Eventually exhaustion won out and Kai passed out in his bed.

10th July - LA Medical hospital - 2:25AM

Kai's room was eerily quiet as the patient was in deep sleep. Only the sound of the rustling of the curtains were blowing slightly due to the night chill. Suddenly for a split second, a blackness enveloped the room but as soon as it arrived, it receded as well. The only change in the room was a tall man standing right next to the bed where Kai was sleeping.

The man's facial features could only be described as exquisite. Electric blue eyes, straight blonde hair tied in a rough pony, high cheek bones, and a face that seemed to be carved by the best sculptors in the world. Standing roughly 6'3, he towered over the bed.

But unlike his stature, the man's facial features could only be described as melancholy. He stared at Kai's face with a multitude of emotions. Pride, anguish, rage and love could all be seen on his face. Pride on how the boy had grown, anguish on how he couldn't interact with him, rage at the unfairness of the entire situation and love for the boy.

Finally the man spoke "I know we never spoke before and I have hated to see you like this boy. I always wished if I could do something to help you. Seeing you like this breaks me so much and I am sure your mother would be heartbroken too. But I can't stand by and watch this anymore. Damn the rules." he spoke resolutely.

He then brought up his index and middle finger and a small bright light could be seen in the middle of the two. The light was blinding and encasing the light were random sparks of what could be best described as lightning.

The man then gently moved his fingers to Kai's forehead and once he touched it, the light seeped into Kai's skull and he began to shake slowly. The man stepped back as the shaking got heavier and all of Kai's body seemed to radiate a faint light for a few seconds before the shaking stopped and the light receded.

"I'm sorry son. I can't do more than this but this will give you the opportunity to not only get better but this might even help you to achieve your dreams." Saying this the man rubbed Kai's forehead for a second and just as he appeared, he disappeared with none being the wiser.

Inside the crevasses of Kai's mind, a robotic voice was heard

[INITIALISING......]

*DING*

[BASED ON THE USER'S GOAL, THE S.T.A.R SYSTEM IS BEING DOWNLOADED] 

[....]

[5]

[4]

[3]

[2]

[1]

*DING*

[S.T.A.R SYSTEM DOWNLOADED]

[WELCOME USER!]

10th July 2022 - LA Medical hospital - 8:49 AM

'What the h*ll???' was the first thought on Kai's mind as the moment he woke up from his dream, he felt different. His arms were much better than last night and while his legs still did not respond, he got the feeling that something was different about it from last night too.

And the moment he opened his eyes a strange screen was visible in front of him. And those 2 words changed not only his future but also the future of the entire Hollywood!

[WELCOME USER!]