Fly
Ryan Lewis picked up his guitar. Its red surface shone under the light. He looked behind him at the drummer and nodded his head. He smiled, letting his brown hair run over his eyes, raised his sticks and started beating the drum in the rhythm of the song. Ryan strummed his guitar shortly after. He lent closer to the mike and began to sing as he played. The other members of the band began playing their instruments whether it was the guitar or keyboard.

Ryan’s heart raced as he looked at the crowd clapping to the tune. He smiled, this is what he lived for. The crowd let out screams of joy as they clapped and danced with the song. Lights of all colours flew across the stage, giving it a rock concert affect. The music pumped through the room. Honestly, this was just another gig but this performance held in place the future of the band.

To the right of the stage stood a tall man wearing a sharp blue shirt and a black dress coat. This man was responsible for half the music in California. He was the head of the most popular radio station, Flip Records. Ryan’s manager, Seth Martin, had organised for the head of Flip Records to listen to the song so Ryan might be able to play live on the radio.

Ryan glanced over to the man. A wiry smile crept onto his face. Ryan returned it, as he kept singing. The music faded as Ryan played the last note. Seth Martin looked up at Ryan and turned his head to the edge of the stage, towards the man. Ryan placed his guitar on the ground, thanked his band and jumped of the side of the stage were Seth was talking to the head of Flip Records. Ryan ran his hands through his blond mop of hair and walked calmly over to the two men.

The manager of Flip Records stuck out his hand. Ryan shook it.
“Ryan Lewis,” he said.
“Jones Victor,” The man said, realising Ryan’s hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Jones.” Ryan smiled.
“Same, I’ll cut to the chase. I want you and your band to play on-”
“Flip Records!” Ryan exclaimed, interrupting. Jones smiled.
“Indeed, you up for it?” Jones pressed his hands together and looked Seth hopefully in the eyes.
“Of course he is!” Seth shouted. Seth looked at Ryan, who nodded approvingly.
“Fantastic! Let me just have a word with your manager, Ryan.” Jones said, glancing at Seth.
“Oh, sure.” Ryan turned and stepped back onstage to back away his guitar.

“So, you and Ryan can come around to Flip Records on Friday morning and we’ll talk then.” Jones said, shaking Seth’s hand. Seth thanked him and watched Jones walk into the crowd. Seth spotted Ryan on stage. They caught eyes. Seth leaped up the stairs to the platform and darted up to Ryan. Ryan held his hand in the air. Seth gave him an enthusiastic hi-5. Ryan threw his hands in the air, with Seth.

“Guess what band gets to play on Flip Records, Friday night?” Ryan yelled over the disorganized chatter of the crowd.
Faces turned to him before screaming in unison. “Ryan’s band!” Ryan and his band held up their hands in excitement. They were going to play for the best record company in California. Seth grinned at Ryan. They were best mates, always had, always would be. But to what extent were they going to have to go to to prove their friendship?

Shortly after the gig, Ryan and Seth headed out to a near by Chinese restaurant. They did this after every successful gig and today it was very successful . The place was almost empty and the lights had been dimmed as if the store was about to close. But it was open till ten pm and it was only nine. The two walked swiftly across the patterns carpet and past a bamboo screen. Chinese lamps hung from the ceiling but they weren’t lit.
After taking their seats they began to chat about the excitement of playing for Flip Records.
“I cant believe it!” Ryan exclaimed, pushing a plate of fried rice aside.
“Me neither, its like your band is starting to kick off.” Seth agreed. He looked at his watch and his eyes widened. “Dude, its almost ten! I gotta get home or my wife’s gonna kill me.” Seth stood and threw on his coat.

“Oh, yeah. Marissa. How is she doing?” Ryan asked, referring to Seth’s wife.
“Fine, you know. She is a little stressed about my daughter, Kate, going to school.” Seth replied, placing his cell in the pockets of his jeans. Ryan stood and pulled on his leather jacket.
“Yeah, my parents will kill me, too, if they new I wasn’t home.” He stated.
“Early curfew?”
“Yeah,” The seventeen year old musician sighed. Seth nodded. Even though he was six years older than Ryan he admired the kid. Ryan kind of reminded him of what he was like in high school, or what he wanted to be like.

The two only managed to take a few steps towards the door, when it crashed open. A man with a large build wearing a black hoddie, stood at the entrance. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a black object and pointed it at Ryan and Seth. The two gasped in fright. The black object was a gun.
“On the floor, or you’ll get a bullet to the head!” The hooded man screamed. Ryan and Seth dropped to the floor and covered their heads.

“What are you-” Ryan started but he was interrupted by the hooded man.
“Shut it, Ryan!” The man pointed the gun at the sixteen year old. Ryan felt like screaming, this man new his name! Of course he knows my name, I am a pop star. He erased the thought. He instantly forgot about the man’s instructions.

“How do you know my-” A thunderous bang erupted through the restaurant. Ryan heard the bullet escape from the gun, but he didn’t have enough time to react. The bullet dove into his lower leg. Pain shook through his entire body. Ryan wheezed but he didn’t remove his hands from his head. He felt like the pain was enough to kill him.

“I him am here for you, Ryan. Your little friend may be some fun, too.” The hooded man stood over Ryan. “The name’s Sinner.” He pointed the gun to the employee who had hidden himself behind the counter. The employee had lain on the floor, too. Sinner walked around to him.
“I am not here for your money. So once I have left, you can call the police or something. I don’t care.” Sinner said, looking through the ordering window. “You and your working friends are free to go. I am just here for the two idiots in the front.” Sinner gave them all a devious smile. He turned and walked back over to Seth and Ryan.

Sinner pulled out his cell and punched in a number.
“It’s Sinner and its time.” That was all he said before he flipped the phone shut. He let out a malevolent laugh. “Say goodbye to your career, Ryan Lewis.”

The door slammed open a second time. A similar looking person to Sinner stepped inside. He held a black gun in his hand and he also wore a black hood, keeping his face hidden, as Sinner had.
“Excellent work, Sinner.” He said. Sinner smiled.
“Easy done.”
“Lets get them.” The man strode towards the two bodies on the ground. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Kill.” He lent down over Ryan. “And I am your worst nightmare.” The two remained silent.