Torn by Stefan Petrucha Read Free Book Online

natural energy. By the time she stopped coming closer, he had a good view of the faint freckles on her cheeks.
    What could it be? Had his encounter with the Slits magically matured him overnight? Was it finally writing a song he felt good about? Or both?
    Whatever it was, she scanned his face, brow furrowed. “You look more…rugged,” she finally said. Her eyes continued their investigation, questioning his features, focusing on his lips. “Reminds me of someone. Cody?”
    He frowned, so she went up on tiptoes to kiss him. “Mmm. Nice mix. Sexy.”
    He was going to grab and kiss her again when he caught a glimpse of Karston over her head. His eyes were hidden by dangling hair, but he waswatching. Remembering they weren’t quite alone, Devin stepped back and smiled. “Maybe I’m just excited about tonight,” he said.
    Cheryl shook her head slowly. “No. That’s not it. Did something happen?”
    â€œYeah,” he said in a low voice. “Tell you later.”
    â€œLet’s get this party started,” Cody howled as he and One Word Ben walked in. For a second, Devin hoped Cody had forgotten about Karston, or at least was willing to let it go for one night. But when Cody spotted Karston, he spun and glared at Devin with a malevolent twinkle in his eyes. His voice was flat and earnest as he said, “But first, Little Devin’s got something very special to say to K—”
    Before Cody could complete the name, Devin held up his hand. “Yeah. Yeah, I do have something to say.”
    And then Devin went silent.
    â€œWhat?” said One Word Ben.
    Good question, Devin thought. He turned to look at Karston. He was already bracing himself, already expecting something was up.
    â€œI…I’ve got a new song I want you all to hear,” Devin said. Now was as good a time as any, so hepulled up his acoustic Ovation, sat on a stool, checked the tuning, and started to play.
    Sun is low, the sky gray, gray, gray,
    All day’s colors gone,
    Your heart beats slowly, drowsy eyes,
    Soon your dreams will come.
    Don’t start, sweet child, lay still, still, still.
    Angels on their way
    Will ride the breeze tonight to ask
    If you were good today.
    And when they do, say yes, yes, yes,
    Even if you lie,
    Or else the wild will come for you
    And you will surely die.
    It won’t care how you cry, cry, cry,
    Or swear how much you’ll change.
    It hasn’t eaten for so long
    Its stomach aches with rage.
    No one’s pure, my love, love, love,
    But if you cross the line,
    Your deeds will call out to the wild,
    And there won’t be much time.
    So lay your head down, rest, rest, rest,
    And when the angels ask,
    Tell them just how good you’ve been
    As long as the darkness lasts.
    The last finger-picked notes from the guitar reverberated against the cinder-block walls of the two-car garage. As the echo melted away, Devin slipped the Ovation from his arms and leaned it against the stool. He cupped his hands in his lap and watched and waited. It was a risk playing anything on acoustic in front of Cody, but he wanted to sing it in a range his own voice could barely touch, and the softer guitar sound let his weaker vocal come through more clearly.
    The late afternoon sun was just above the tree line outside the open garage door, making Devin’s band-mates appear in silhouette. They just stood there a little while, looking at him, but he couldn’t see any expressions on their faces.
    Finally Cheryl held up her hand. “Wait,” she said, then ran out.
    In her absence, Cody twisted his head to the side in a kind of apelike way. “It’s a ballad,” he huffed.
    â€œSo?” said One Word Ben.
    Karston shifted his position so he was standing nearly behind Devin. It was as if he was aware something was up and sought protection. Cody looked like he was about to say something when Cheryl raced back in, her camcorder in