Billy. Going where darkness fears to tread…. Colin David Palmer
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Название: Billy. Going where darkness fears to tread…
Автор: Colin David Palmer
Издательство: Издательские решения
Жанр: Ужасы и Мистика
isbn: 9788381044769
isbn:
“Is that you?” he screamed again.
The light moved toward him at incredible speed, and as it closed Peter prepared to duck. He could see now that it was many light sources, not just one, and as they ascended his eyes widened in fear. They tore into him like sharks, their fang like teeth and serrated claws removing immense chunks of his flesh with each pass. They tore around his body like mosquitoes. When he opened his mouth to scream some of them immediately dove into his mouth, removing his tongue and even consuming his teeth as they worked, eating their way into his body. Peter heard that voice, the smiley mans voice, just one last time.
“My name is Duran. Welcome!”
Chapter Six
“Rock ‘n Roll; and Death In The Family”
There they were, Saturday night, standing out in front of the Top Pub at Byron Bay. The music pounding out was great but it was the voice, that voice, which had had got Billy’s excitement going. He only just heard Tony calling over the noise.
“Billy! Wait!”
“What is it Man?”
“We, we can’t go in the front door.”
Billy shook his head. He couldn’t believe what Tony was saying. He’d dragged him all the way out to Byron to see the man, the one and only, Billy’s absolute favourite singer, and now he was telling him that they couldn’t go in? Billy considered hitting him.
“Do you know, who, that is in there?”
“‘Course I do.”
“Then why the fuck can’t we go in?”
“‘coz we’re fifteen.”
“Hasn’t stopped us before.”
“This is different Billy. He, he’s an international star, and they have security everywhere. Don’t worry, I’ve arranged something.”
“What? He gonna come out to us?” Usually, Tony didn’t take Billy’s sarcasm well, but tonight he was composed and grinning like a Cheshire cat. That was proof positive that he had something under his hat. “Spill the beans Tony? What are you up to?”
“You’ll see,” he kept grinning.
“Why can’t we go in now?”
“No! Just wait Billy, wait just ‘till the first break.”
Whatever it was he’d arranged, he had confidence that it was going to happen. Tony kept his ear to the ground. He was a pretty simple guy in some ways but in others he was unfathomable, and unflappable when everything was running to plan. Ah, the sweet brashness of youth. They sat on the grass and listened to the music and Billy thought of Jen. He almost got up to ring her but knew that would piss Tony off, enough maybe for him to change whatever arrangements he’d made. Billy watched a girl walk past laughing and chatting brightly with her friends, and it made him sad – she would die tonight. The sadness swept away immediately when the music ceased. He looked at Tony who was lying on his back looking up at the stars. That same Cheshire grin greeted Billy when he thumped him on the shoulder.
“Be patient Billy, be patient.”
“You said we had to wait for the break. So? They’re havin’ a break! What are we waiting for now?”
“You’ll see. Have faith my friend,” he kept grinning. Billy was almost at the point where he was going to smack him in the mouth again, but Tony sat up suddenly as the MCs’ voice came across the loudspeakers. Billy wasn’t listening but caught the end of the announcement … “home grown talent Billyyyyy Nelllsonnnnn!” He looked at Tony goggle eyed and slack jawed. “Go on man, that’s you,” Tony said quietly, the look of satisfaction making his face glow in his moment of triumph.
“But, but how?” was all Billy could stammer.
“Sent them a demo tape” Tony replied, as if that answered all the questions screaming around in Billy’s brain.
The MCs’ voice yelled for me again. “C’mon Billy, where are you? Get up here.”
Billy walked zombie like into the crowd and to him, it seemed to take forever to get through the throng nearest the stage. He was there standing beside the MC and both of them were looking at him. A huge cheer rose from the crowd as Billy mounted the stage and was introduced.
“Billy Nelson, this is Joe Cocker.”
“I know,” was all Billy could say.
Billy had no idea what was said to him at that moment – he was still in awe. This was one of his all time heroes standing there beside him, shaking his hand, talking to him in front of a crowd of yelling, boozed up and doped out head bangers. All of a sudden everything became clear and even more shocking.
“What song are we doin’?” said Mr Cocker.
Billy may call him Joe when he’s talking to anyone else but to his face? No Way! He deserved respect. But sing a song, was he kidding? Billy stood there looking like an idiot, shaking his head.
“You can sing can’t you? That was you I heard on the demo?”
Billy just nodded.
“You do know why you’re here, don’t you Billy?” asked the MC.
Billy shook his head.
“You won! We ran a competition for somebody to sing a song with a famous guest artist, and you won!”
If he could get them to say it all one more time Billy’s numb brain might have been able to absorb it! Now he was thinking of Jen and wishing she were here. She’d be very surprised. Billy could sing okay – the problem was he had never sung in public, in front of anybody, ever … except Tony and his band a few times but to Billy they didn’t count. Now here he was standing on a stage with Joe Cocker no less, and everybody was expecting him to sing. He didn’t know whether to faint or cheer. He thought about Jen again and knew the song he wanted. He nodded at the MC and turned to Joe, sorry, Mr Cocker. “When a Man Loves a Woman?”
He nodded but frowned a little as well. “You don’t want, want to start off a bit lighter do you? You know, something a little rock ‘n roll maybe?”
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