Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 40: Near Slip

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Zak's Point of View

I woke with a slight jump when I felt something touch my knee.

I looked down and saw Billy had his arm resting on the console between our seats, and he had tapped my knee.

I looked up at him in frustration. I was still tired, why in the hell had he woken me up?

Before I could speak, he mouthed "listen".

I looked at him like he had two heads.

I realized first, that there was no music playing from the SUV's speakers, which was rare, then I heard it – Alicia's voice.

"You know it only breaks my heart
To see you standin' in the dark
Alone, waitin' there for me
To come back
I'm too afraid to show..."

Alicia was singing.

Her voice is beautiful...I thought.

I quickly, but quietly took my phone out of my hoodie pocket, not wanting to distract Alicia and cause her to stop.

I quickly brought up the camera option on my phone and lifted my right arm. There was less chance of her noticing the phone with how she was sitting - slightly to the left in her seat, with her head tilted down. I leaned my head back against the head rest of the seat and took my sunglasses off. I knew a small part of my face would be in the frame. I hit the record button and then slightly made a "shh" motion with my finger to my lips, as if an audience was watching.

"If it's comin' over you
Like it's comin' over me
Crashin' like a tidal wave
That drags me out to sea
I wanna be with you
If you wanna be with me
Crashin' like a tidal wave
I don't wanna be
Stranded...stranded...stranded
So baby come back to me
So baby come back to me"

I did my best to not let my emotions show on my face, my eyes however, were probably another story. But I ignored my thoughts and just listened to Alicia's beautiful, softly singing voice as I held the camera steady, watching her on the phone's screen.

"I can only take so much
These tears are turnin' me to rust
I know you're waitin' there for me
To come back
I'm too afraid to show"

As I listened closely to the lyrics as she sang the chorus again, I was surprised at how perfectly they fit our situation right now. I probably would of felt more sadness, if I wasn't so happy to see her having a moment without any of her fear, her pain, or her insecurities.

"I miss you
I need you
Without you
I'm stranded
I lo-"

She stopped suddenly when I had reached up with my left hand to take the phone, to give my right hand a break.

Had she been just about to sing-

"Oh my god! Zak!" Alicia shrieked.

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Alicia's Point of View

As I was focused on my drawing - and on the song - I suddenly noticed movement in my peripheral vision.

I looked up to see Zak holding his phone up - clearly aimed at me - I must have been singing out loud.

I immediately felt embarrassed beyond belief.

"Oh my god! Zak!" I shrieked. "How long were you recording me?!" I added in a demanding tone, leaning forward in my seat and making a grab for the phone.

"Since Billy woke me up, presumably, at the beginning of the song," Zak said, pulling the phone out of my reach.

I shot a look at Billy.