Famous (The Soul of the World Book 1) by David Skato (best book reader .txt) 📗

Dontae’ didn’t know what to expect when he arrived at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium downtown, but if there was anything he could have imagined, this wasn’t it. The place was bustling with the usual fans, but there was something so strange about how the people were bringing unusually small children to this type of show.  He knew that performers like Rochelle usually show up half-naked, and even though he wasn’t the one to call on if there was a quiz about pop culture, he was pretty sure that some of her lyrics were very vulgar.  Vendors were selling “Rochelle” T-Shirts with a beautiful image of her in the crucifixion pose. The crowd was thick, and Dontae’ could make out several conversations about the video challenge. Was this it? Was this the stupid thing that would end the world as we know it?

Dontae’ laughed at how silly it was and that people could be so oblivious of what’s going on around them.  But then reality struck. He was once one of those people. Before walking into the room and seeing the Carasaca, he was exactly like them. Calvin had said that these things had been around for years, and this type of manipulation tactic was a slow burn. He knew it was true. He knew how easily even the strongest of minds could be manipulated. You just needed the right motivation, and for these things, that motivation of choice was fame. Everyone wants to be famous in some form or fashion. As he walked through the crowd, he really put hard thought into this concept. A mother may not want fame for herself, but she will definitely feel some way if her baby's picture doesn’t get enough likes. He also thought about how amazing this plot was yet how simple it all seemed. Calvin called it conditioning.  The old man was wise, and Dontae’ knew that he had to hang on to every word he heard during their brief time together.

He wiggles his way through the crowd and then through the front gate. He finds his seat, which was in the nosebleed section. “I guess he really wasn’t a fan.’ He thought.  The woman at the will call had informed him that his ticket allowed him backstage when the show was over. For now, he could sit here and enjoy the show like the raging hormonal teens all around him. Probably not.

The opening acts were entertaining and some even funny. People didn’t seem to pay much attention to them as they meandered in and out of the stadium corridors. This was the scene up until the DJ made an announcement.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you all been waiting for.” He screamed. The music stopped, and the room went dark. The “oohs” and “ahhs” started to fill the building, followed by the “what’s going on’s” after the silence and darkness lasted longer than expected. The place began to illuminate slowly by the lights of cell phones that impatient people started to hold in the air. Dontae’ looked towards the stage where he could vaguely make out a figure standing dead center. Suddenly, one spotlight shined from the back to the figure, and it was Rochelle gleaming with the very essence of glamor. Her flowing sparkly dress kind of reminded Dontae’ of a disco ball with the light of all colors bouncing in every direction. Her head hung low with her eyes closed. Her blazing red lipstick glowed, highlighting her luscious lips. The crowd goes berserk. Rochelle didn’t budge one inch as the people shouted, cried, and even passed out.  She stands silent and still until the crowd begins to calm.

Rochelle opens her mouth and the most beautiful sound echoes throughout the building.

“Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never come around. every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears.”

Dontae’ recognized the song lyrics, but she had somehow twisted the song into a spectacular R&B version.

Then, she sang lines of the song in a way that sent chills down Dontae’s spine.

“I really need you tonight Forever's gonna start tonight Forever's gonna start tonight Once upon a time I was falling in love now I'm only falling apart there's nothing I can do A total eclipse of the heart. Once upon a time there was light in my life now there's only love in the dark. Nothing I can say A total eclipse of the heart.”

Somehow, she was speaking to him. This wasn’t just a song choice; this was a cry for help, and Dontae’ was the only one who could hear it. He knew that something had to be done and fast.

The song ended, and Dontae found his face wet with tears.  He had been crying since the heartbreaking song started but didn’t notice until now. His heart was broken, and the spell in Rochelle’s voice was able to send his emotions to the surface. She was indeed powerful.

The crowd began to chant. “Give, Give, Give, Give.” And the lights changed to a dark purple. The song started, and screams filled the building. She finally arrived at the part of the enchantment. For a moment, the beat played while she prepped the audience.

“I hope you’ve been practicing because we are about to challenge you.” She said, walking back and forth across the stage. “You ready!?” She shouted. The crowd roared, and she made sure. “I can’t hear you!” They roared once more. “Here we go!”

The beat breaks, and she began the enchantment.

“Blets adjempt necroidcies blets blet beacties keils podlkid quibbit vicfoic adufjdfucl brapylphy…”

She continues chanting, and the crowd is with her every word. This was the scene worldwide as people watched online, on TV, and on Quest. People all over were repeating these lyrics, and the monster was growing bigger and bigger behind the scenes. Calvin had said that the greatest trick the devil had ever pulled was making people believe he didn’t exist. Dontae’ understood this.