by Pearl Love
The piece went on, the music ebbing and flowing between them in peaceful waves. Yet, for all he thought he could float restfully on the notes without a care, at the same time he felt powerful, as if he could conquer the world. Eventually he realized what he was hearing wasn’t the instruments around him. Rather, the music had transformed into a glorious chorus where he and Jeremy were the only musicians. Even after Mr. Crabtree signaled for the ensemble to stop, the ethereal sound lingered in Tyrell’s ears.
“Not bad, everyone.” Mr. Crabtree looked quite pleased. “This one shouldn’t take too much work, so next time, we’ll go back to ‘Saturn’ and ‘Mars.’ In a few weeks, I’ll bring ‘Jupiter,’ and that’ll be the entirety of the Holst suite for our concert. See everyone on Thursday.”
Tyrell made a beeline for Jeremy after packing away his sticks. “What the heck was that? Please tell me you felt that too?”
“I did.” Jeremy looked askance toward Mr. Crabtree. “And you were right. He definitely knows something.”
Tyrell frowned. “How could you tell?”
“Because you were watching us, weren’t you, Mr. Crabtree?” Jeremy spoke aloud, getting the teacher’s attention. The rest of the band members had cleared out, and only the three of them and the two people assigned to clean the room remained. The two cleaners were fortunately too engrossed in their task to pay attention. “I saw you. You know what just happened with me and Tyrell.”
Mr. Crabtree stared at Jeremy for a long moment, and right when Tyrell was certain he was going to deny Jeremy’s accusation, he sighed.
“Yes, Jeremy. I know, and I have to say, it’s about time.” Mr. Crabtree smiled wryly. “I was getting worried about you two, but it seems you’ve finally pulled together.”
Tyrell exhaled in exasperation. “Dude, stop with all the cryptic crap. Tell us what you know.”
“About what?” Mr. Crabtree replied evasively.
Tyrell growled and clenched his hands into fists, but Jeremy placed a calming hand on his arm before he could resort to violence.
“About everything. The music, the deaths, the….”
“Monsters?” Mr. Crabtree said, finishing what Jeremy didn’t say.
Tyrell gasped. “You know about that too?”
“I think you boys should come with me.”
“Where to?” Tyrell asked suspiciously.
“To my office. We don’t want to be overheard.” Mr. Crabtree glanced pointedly at the two kids moving the music stands to the back of the room.
Tyrell could feel Jeremy’s matching anxiousness as they followed the teacher out of the band room and through the empty hallways. The teachers’ offices were crammed together in a single area on the first floor, and Mr. Crabtree headed directly for the room bearing his and Mr. Jenkins’s, one of the American history teachers, names.
Mr. Crabtree sat behind his desk while Tyrell and Jeremy claimed seats opposite him. Tyrell glanced around the cramped, unfamiliar space briefly, his curiosity mitigated by the urgency of the situation.
“I was hoping to explain things to you before you had any… unfortunate encounters,” Mr. Crabtree began, “but I have a feeling you already have. Am I right?”
“You could say that.” Jeremy sat forward in his seat and fixed their teacher with an urgent gaze. He quickly related each of his and Tyrell’s experiences where bodies were later found, though he was stingy with the details. “Your turn,” he said when he was finished. “Maybe you should start at the beginning, sir.”
Mr. Crabtree sighed. “That would take far too long. Suffice it to say, there’s a secret war brewing, and it has been for a long time.”
Tyrell shifted uneasily in his seat. “A war for what?”
“The world,” Mr. Crabtree replied bluntly.
Jeremy looked as confused as Tyrell felt. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t tell you everything, but there are some things you need to know if you’re going to be able to play your parts and survive.”
“That monster I saw the other night,” Jeremy said hesitantly. “You know what it was?”
Mr. Crabtree closed his eyes briefly, a pained expression crossing his face. “I’m sorry you had to see that, Jeremy. That creature is called an aluuku. It’s a demon of the underworld that has clawed its way into our own.”
Tyrell frowned in confusion at the improbable explanation, but assuming Mr. Crabtree hadn’t lost his mind, he had a more pressing concern. “Please tell me there’s only one of those things out there.”
“I wish I could, but that would be a lie.” Mr. Crabtree met their gazes one at a time. “There are hundreds of them on earth. Maybe thousands.”
“You’re not shitting us? Fuck,” Tyrell breathed, when Mr. Crabtree merely gazed at him with dead seriousness.
“But why are they here?” Jeremy asked. “And how are they tied to the rash of deaths happening in the city?”
Mr. Crabtree raised his eyebrows until they arched over the curve of his glasses. “I’m impressed, Jeremy. You boys have been far more vigilant than I suspected. You’re right, though this goes far beyond Chicago. The demons are responsible, and as you might have suspected, they don’t kill by slashing or biting, despite their grotesque appearances.”
Tyrell frowned. “Then how do they kill? None of the bodies were damaged, but that doesn’t make any sense.”
“They steal life force,” Mr. Crabtree explained, “preferably from the young as theirs is the most potent. The results present as though the victim died of a heart attack.”
Tyrell grimaced, almost certain Sam and Jerome had met just such a horrible fate. “Man, that’s messed-up.”
“Indeed,” Mr. Crabtree replied, his expression somber.
Jeremy shook his head in confusion. “But how are we involved?”
“You’ve both felt it, haven’t you?” Mr. Crabtree asked. “The nausea, the unbearable heat?”
“That godawful smell,” Tyrell added.
“Exactly. Each one of those times, you encountered an aluuku while it was feeding on a victim.”
Jeremy blanched. “That girl in the alley near school. You mean one of those things was killing her while I just stood there?” The pitch of his voice rose higher with every word.
Mr. Crabtree looked at him sympathetically. “There’s nothing you could have done to help her, Jeremy. You were lucky to escape yourself.”
Jeremy shook his head vehemently. “No, I could have done something. She died, and I let it happen!”
“Jeremy,” Tyrell said softly, though he completely understood how Jeremy felt. If he’d known what was going on, maybe he could have saved Jerome or that girl at Kendall, though he had no idea how.
“Listen to me. The fact that you’re sitting here with us means that you did something. You lived.” Mr. Crabtree stared at Jeremy intently. “That thing would have killed you too if it could have.”
“Then why didn’t it?” Jeremy asked. His despondent tone broke Tyrell’s heart. “That time near Halsted, and then again near my house.” He looked up suddenly. “Was it one of those things that chased me that day after school?”
“When we saw you at Carm’s?” Tyrell offered, hazarding a guess.
“Yeah.” Jeremy stared at Mr. Crabtree. “It was trying to kill me?”
“I can’t say for sure, Jeremy. I’ve never heard of one pursuing anyone in the open like that, let alone in broad daylight.” Mr. Crabtree’s expression grew thoughtful. “Could they know?”
“Know what?” Tyrell asked impatiently.
Mr. Crabtree sat back heavily in his chair. “What you two are. Unfortunately, it seems the aluuku have discovered the truth.”
Jeremy glared at him. “And what in the hell are we?”
“Singers, Jeremy,” Mr. Crabtree said bluntly. “You’re Singers.”
Tyrell scowled darkly. “What does that mean? I don’t sing,” he added before remembering how he’d done just that during practice.
“Neither do I,” Je
remy said.
Mr. Crabtree shook his head. “I don’t mean in the literal sense, though certainly your powers could have manifested that way. Rather, you have the power to produce a sort of psychic energy that you can use to destroy the demons. The energy usually presents as something akin to sound waves, hence the name.”
Jeremy shivered. “So that’s what that thing called me.”
Tyrell looked over at him sharply. “What do you mean?”
“The creature, it was saying something, but I couldn’t understand it at the time.” Jeremy took a deep breath as though to calm himself. “It was saying ‘Singer.’”
“Meaning it recognized the danger you presented.”
Jeremy frowned at the teacher. “Danger? How could I harm that thing?” In the next instant his expression cleared. “Oh, you mean my pendant!”
“No.” Mr. Crabtree’s tone was emphatic. “Let me guess, it glowed right before the aluuku vanished? And there was a sound like the most beautiful music you’ve ever heard?”
Jeremy blinked at him. “How did you know?”
“Because when a Singer destroys an aluuku, that’s what happens. But it wasn’t your pendant, Jeremy. You’re simply using that as a way to channel your own innate power.” Mr. Crabtree glanced at Tyrell. “It’s been helping you focus, which is why you were able to destroy the aluuku rather than merely drive it off as Tyrell has done.”
Tyrell thought for a moment. “So I can help stun the demons while Jeremy kills them? Sounds like a plan.”
Mr. Crabtree smiled. “Don’t sell yourself short, Tyrell. You can destroy the aluuku just as surely as Jeremy can. The only difference is you don’t have an artificial way to channel your powers. However, if you concentrate, you’re just as strong as he is.”
“So we just have to hope we’re in the right place at the right time?” Jeremy sighed. “That doesn’t seem very likely.”
“No,” Mr. Crabtree said, “it’s not. Unfortunately, finding the aluuku before they can attack isn’t your gift. While you will certainly sense them if you’re nearby, as you’ve discovered, you can’t seek them out, I’m afraid.”
“So what happens now?” Tyrell asked.
“You need to train and become stronger. Singers always work in pairs, but it’s been a long time since any as capable as you two have come along.” Mr. Crabtree shifted his gaze from Tyrell to Jeremy. “Apart, you stand a chance, but if you work together, you can be more powerful than you’ve ever imagined.”
“But why us?” Tyrell asked.
“And there have been others before us?”
Mr. Crabtree grinned. “Can’t slip anything past you, can I, Jeremy? Yes, but that’s a story for another time.” He glanced at his watch. “And why you? Because you were chosen,” Mr. Crabtree said. “I could go on about destiny and what have you, but it’s more important that we focus on preparing you for what’s to come. That’s all I can say for now. It’s time you boys got home, and I have papers to grade.”
Reluctantly, Tyrell accepted the dismissal for what it was. He had dozens more questions he wanted to ask, but he sensed Mr. Crabtree had shared all he intended to for the time being. Still, it was more than enough to give him a headache. Demons? Secret wars? He felt like he’d stumbled into one of those crazy graphic novels his little brother loved to read.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t that,” Jeremy said once they were outside and headed for his bus stop. “Do you believe him?”
Tyrell shrugged. “No reason not to. Not after everything we’ve both seen.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You know, it’s funny.”
“What is?” Jeremy asked.
Tyrell paused and turned to Jeremy. “Do you remember what my grandmother said, about us being stronger when we’re together?”
Jeremy’s eyes widened. “I’d almost forgotten about that! That’s the same thing Mr. Crabtree said.” He frowned. “Why, do you think your grandmother knows something about what’s going on?”
Tyrell considered that seriously for a second before dismissing the notion as ridiculous. “Nah. There’s no way, but at least now we aren’t swinging blindly anymore.” He stepped closer to Jeremy and bumped into him gently, nudging his shoulder. “Maybe you should stay out of alleys until this is over, hmmm?”
Jeremy didn’t smile in response. Instead, his expression was grim when he glanced at Tyrell. “Do you really think it will ever be over? Mr. Crabtree made it sound like this has been going on for a long time.” He sighed. “I can’t believe no one else has noticed.”
“Maybe it’s only because we’re Singers that we can sense those things.” Tyrell stared ahead, noticing for the first time the shadows that slowly crept along the sidewalk as the sun gradually slipped lower in the sky. “I want you to promise me you’ll be careful. No running in to save anyone unless I’m there with you. Like the man said, we’re stronger together.” He looked over at Jeremy when he remained silent. “Promise me.”
After a long moment, Jeremy nodded. “I promise.”
Chapter TWENTY-SEVEN
“GLAD YOU guys could make it. I’m sorry to drag you away from your weekend, but this is important.”
“That’s okay, Mr. Crabtree,” Jeremy replied. “I don’t want to run into any more of those aluuku things without being sure I can get rid of them.”
“What he said.” Tyrell stretched his arms over his head, his chest expanding as he breathed in the crisp, fall air. “This is a pretty nice park.”
Jeremy nodded before pointing with his thumb to the sign at the far side of the grassy expanse. “And I like the name.”
Mr. Crabtree chuckled. “Chopin Park may be small, but it is pretty.”
“I’ve never been this far west on Roscoe before,” Jeremy said. “It’s a lot quieter out here than on my end.”
“Which is why I chose it,” Mr. Crabtree explained. “Hopefully we won’t be disturbed. I need you boys to focus. Speaking of which, let’s get started.”
Tyrell straightened to his full height, and Jeremy could see the tense line of his shoulders. “So, what do we do first?”
“First, I need you both to relax. Your ability to draw on your power must become like second nature to you, as natural as breathing.” Mr. Crabtree smiled at them reassuringly. “Now, I want you both to close your eyes.”
Jeremy glanced over at Tyrell, who looked back at him with an eyebrow raised skeptically.
“Trust me,” Mr. Crabtree said, his expression slightly amused.
“If you say so,” Jeremy mumbled. He caught Tyrell’s gaze once more and saw they were in agreement. After closing his eyes—trusting that Tyrell had followed suit—he waited for further instruction.
“Good. Now, I want you to concentrate on your breathing. Feel your lungs fill on the inhalation and make every exhalation a deliberate act.”
He did as Mr. Crabtree suggested. Coming to the park had been a great idea. The quiet helped him turn his focus inward.
“Can you hear the rush of air into and out of your lungs? Can you hear the beating of your hearts?”
“Mmm-hmm,” Tyrell murmured softly as Jeremy nodded.
“Is that all you hear,” Mr. Crabtree asked, “or is there something else?”
Jeremy was confused at first, but he continued to listen. Soon, he heard it. “Music,” he whispered.
“I hear it too.” Tyrell’s voice was breathy with surprise.
“I want you to hum the note.”
Jeremy frowned. “But I can’t sing.”
Mr. Crabtree’s smile came through his tone. “Just try it.”
Tyrell took the plunge first, his pitch wobbly at first but growing in strength as he settled into the note. The middling baritone of his voice sounded like warm honey to Jeremy’s ears.
“Go on, Jeremy. Don’t worry about how you might sound. Just sing.”
Jeremy took a deep breath and opened his mouth. The note was clear in his head, but he could
n’t get it out. Frustrated with himself, he concentrated harder, trying to make his vocal chords cooperate. Suddenly, he felt a comforting warmth against his chest, and the note burst from his lips.
“No, Jeremy,” Mr. Crabtree said. “You’ve got to learn to do this on your own.”
Jeremy opened his eyes. “What do you mean? I thought I was.”
Mr. Crabtree shook his head. “You’re still using your pendant to channel your power. Why don’t you take it off and give it to me for safekeeping.”
Jeremy stared suspiciously at his outstretched hand. Mr. Crabtree had given him no reason for distrust, but he was highly reluctant to part with the pendant. “I’ll try not to use it.”
“No, your reliance is unconscious. As long as you have it on, you won’t be able to resist.” Mr. Crabtree’s expression was firm but kind. “You said it belonged to your brother, right?”
“Yeah,” Jeremy replied.
“And I take it you two were very close before he passed?”
“How did you know?” Tyrell asked. “That Jeremy’s brother had died?”
The corner of Mr. Crabtree’s lips curved upward as he glanced at Tyrell. “It was just a guess, and a correct one, I take it.”
Jeremy nodded.
“It’s your love for your brother that’s holding you back. Well, not exactly, but it’s preventing you from fully accessing your gift.”
Jeremy scrunched his face in confusion. “Why would my feelings for Chris be a hindrance?”
“You’ve always thought of your brother as your guardian angel. As your protector, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Since you’re accustomed to depending on him, your power has been using that feeling to its advantage. Your love for your brother has been a conduit for you to manifest your power. While there’s nothing wrong with that, because you’re not accessing your gift directly its strength has been muted.” Mr. Crabtree had dropped his hand, but now he held it out again. “Why don’t you try without the pendant?”
