The sobriqet "The Four Horsemen" couldn't have suited any group better.Though they were four all the time, they weren't the same four all the time.The horsemen kept on changing except for one(Which one?).They had killed the dragons,then resurrected them,froze the sun,burned down whole cities,locked up the wolves,smelled the plastic flowers but their effect on humans was their greatest act.They stole their tomorrows and occupied their brains.They predicted our doom when we still thought we were in midst of boom.They were celebrities in their own way, the mask that they wore had worn had eaten into their faces.They no longer were the actors, they had become the acts themselves.But somewhere along the way they lost their souls or as they would proudly proclaim later"We sold Our souls for Rock N' Roll".
The problem for me was i was asked to replace one of them,well,atleast for sometime.I was the chosen one.The person who said"Gods are crazy" couldn't be more right.To me replacing one of the horsemen and then to lead the others was unthinkable.It's like making me the captain of a Nuclear submarine just because i made couple of paper boats in the rainwater that was left behind in my balcony.But i didn't refuse.No one does to the Horsemen.
I walked onto the stage.The crowd had already been forewarned that they'll be seeing only a replacement.But the hushed silence that greeted me made me feel like i was on moon.And alone on moon.I looked to the front row where i should havebeen.But she was there.We should have been there,together.No,it wasn't possible,we had broken up.Maybe if i had met her there now ,it still could have been possible.I saw the grin that lighted up on her face.Suddenly all the other facial features melted away,the crowd seemed miles away in my vision.Like a cheshire cat,the only thing that i could see on her face was her grin.And it said"I've come here to watch you fail". And i knew i was going to fail here.
Suddenly i felt a hand on my shoulder,the hand felt unreal;for three fingers felt flesh and bone and the other two, i believe were made up of plastic.He just nodded on.I caught the mike,wishing that it would be live,but it wasn't.
"This one's for the people who wanted to die young,but neverthless didn't and are now regretting it and..
also...
to those who...
did...
die young..."
That's where the other horsemen joined in.After that it went-
"Behind the smile, theres danger and a promise to be told:You never knew.
Life's fantasy - to be locked away and still to think youre freeYoure free, were free!
[Then in chorus]
So live for todayTomorrow never comes
Die...."
That's when i heard it.The voice-it started slowly but then it was rising,was reaching a high pitch.The horsemen too started playing according to that voice, abandoning me.It went on like
"There in the middle of the circle Lies heaven,Help me
Just with the touch of his trembling hand.The answer will be found
And then like the rush of a thousand wings,
It shines upon the one.And the day has just begun"
So the original man had returned.The guys behind me also started playing the tune to that song, leaving the original song.
I know falling down by itself never hurts,it's only when the fall is interrupted by ground that it hurts.It hurt me as i fell down, fell down from my bed.I got up, rubbed at the hurting place.My cellphone was still ringing at high pitch.I kept it on snooze and went to sleep only to be woken by the same song sung by same voice after 10 minutes.
"Sweet dreams are not made of these things
But who am i to disagree"
