Bios:

Nick…

Nick is the bass player for the legendary rock band Shades of Gray. The money, women and booze soon took its toll however and Nick became bitter. He tries for years to end his life, but to no avail, thus earning him the reputation as a self-destructive, lonely and angry man. But a new presence in his life would soon change that.

Claudia…

Claudia is a soon-to-be college graduate with her whole life ahead of her. She’s found Nick Severn’s story to be almost too good to be true and begins to dig deeper into his psyche. What she soon finds is a man who’s living a nightmare, one that he would need her help to end.

Two Excerpts:

Nick Severn stared bitterly at his reflection in the foggy mirror that hung in the small bathroom. Nothing about himself, his long black hair that he always kept in a tight ponytail, his unshaven face, his cool blue eyes, made him feel like he was anything more than what he was, a tormented individual with nothing left to live for. Behind him, perched in the corner, as in immeasurable days prior, was the blackbird. Always remaining out of the sight of the others, the bird simply exists, never speaking in protest; it sits perched like a black statue, a trophy of Nick’s immortal curse. His destiny, to spend eternity linked with it, with no end in sight.

In the silence of his dressing room, he could hear the laughter of his fellow band mates as they did their nightly meet and greet with fans after the show. Nick stopped that business a couple of years ago, nothing mattered anymore…the fans, the fame, money, music, happiness….all of it was pointless to a man who didn’t want to be a part of the human race. For years, he’d sit and think of nothing but new and horrible ways to die, feeling that one would finally end the wrath of the bird. But, each time, he’d awaken and there it was, perched over him, its expression never changing. Finally, he gave up and sunk into a horrible depression, turning his back on friends, the band, and even music.

*************

It didn’t take long for her to slip past the crew and fans long enough to make it to the door, where she stood for a moment, waiting, second thoughts flying through her brain. Somehow, all of a sudden, it seemed wrong to interfere. His world, after all, was private, no matter how bizarre it might be. But, she had come so far to know the truth and she couldn’t stop, so taking a deep breath, she summoned the strength to knock. There was no response. She scoffed at herself; maybe she’d been naïve enough to let the girl play a trick on her. But, before giving up, she tried one last time. This time, she could hear movement inside, and she felt certain that someone was waiting for her to leave. She knocked a third time, this time a bit longer and harder. I’m not giving up, she said to herself.

“Go away.” A voice said from behind the door. She was sure it was Nick. She knocked on the door again. This time the door flew open and a very angry looking man stood on the other side. “Fucking hell! I said go away!” his voice rang out with deep, resenting anger. When he looked at Claudia, he knew immediately that this was the woman Marilee had warned him about. That didn’t make him feel anymore congenial.

“I’m sorry to bother you.” She replied to him, her voice momentarily cracking with nervousness, although she couldn’t figure out why since she wasn’t particularly a fan and wasn’t easily intimidated. “I was hoping to talk to you. I’m…”

He immediately interrupted her. “I know who you are.” He looked her up and down. While a very attractive young woman, shapely build, soft green eyes…perhaps a woman he would have liked to have known any other time…. he was angry that she was trying to dig up something that was none of her business. “I have nothing to say to you. Go away, or I’ll have you removed.”

Claudia felt her spine stiffen, her nose twitch. His rudeness was met by her own. “I know your band mates and most of your road crew have gone, so if you wanna throw me out, you’ll have to do it yourself.”

That momentarily impressed him. He looked around the room quickly. Sure enough, in the corner, just out of view, was the bird. So she doesn’t wanna go away huh, well if she saw this stupid bird, she’d run like hell… He turned back to Claudia. “I have no problem throwing your ass out on the street.” He grumbled at her.

“I’m sure you don’t, but before you do, could I at least ask you a couple of questions?”

He gave her points for persistence. “It’s a free country, you can ask, no guarantee I’ll answer.”

“Fair enough. Can I come in?”

“I said you could speak, I wasn’t offering hospitality.”

She leaned against the doorframe and smiled at him. “Ok, fine with me. First question, I happen to know that your so-called sister isn’t really your sister, but an ex-girlfriend. Care to explain why you lied in your biography and on MusicStarTV?”

“Do you have proof I lied?” he asked.

“Nothing tangible, but I asked Marilee in person and she sure was nervous. Of course, she denied everything, but I’m pretty sure she called you. In fact, isn’t that why you asked Jonny to get rid of me?”