Welcome back to Random Fiction With Drew, where I share a rough, raw segment of story that is kicking around in my brain. Nothing complete, nothing polished, just a little snapshot. Here we go.
Henry looked around the concert hall, feeling uneasy. Once upon a time a place like this would have been his second home, as comfortable and familiar as his own bed, but that was many years ago, before his problems began.
He scanned the crowd, hoping to see some people older than he was. Of the thousands of people waiting for the show to begin, Henry was probably the oldest, except for a few parents scattered throughout the hall, escorting their underage kids to the all ages concert. The lights dimmed, and an excited murmur went through the crowd. This was it, the beginning of the show.
The curtains opened and the stage lights shot bright white beams into the audience. The murmur became a roar as the guitarist hit the first crashing chord, the bass player and drummer added their rhythm. Henry could feel it thudding in his chest, could feel the adrenaline surge though his body, filling him energy. He drank in in, the sights the sounds, everything, like a junkie getting a fix after a too long dry spell. It took him back twenty years, to university, his misspent youth filled with nights like this. The audience became Legion as they were connected by the music, throbbing and jumping as though one giant entity. Henry joined the dance, feeling the weight of the years slide off him as the music washed over him. The lights strobed, alternating darkness and light in a frenzied pulse.
From the back of the hall a lone figure moved forward, sidling up to a point just behind Henry. There was flash of steel, strobe lights reflecting off the blade of a thin knife as it slashed through the air towards henry’s back.
He spun, caught the arm of his assailant at the last second, and twisted, feeling the satisfying crack of bone under his hands.
It would appear that his problems were back again.
This one actually starts of as a true story. My wife and I won tickets to a concert at the Sound Academy here in Toronto a few weeks ago. While I spent a lot of time seeing shows when I was younger, it is harder these days, what with children and responsibilities. We felt a little bit awkward at the show, as the crowd was generally a lot younger than us, but we had a good time. No one tried to stab us, at least.
So, any clues as to the problems Henry faces? Share ideas in the comments if you want!
