Up in the Stars

Cacophony

Hello dear friends!

Just a heads up- My updates will probably be a little scarce this week as I will be spending time with family.

We'll return to regular programming next week.

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Her hand was pressed against the frozen windowpane as she stared out at the garden.

The window seat in the library had been her location of choice once they returned to the estate.

Dante hadn't let go of her the entire way home from the campus.

Theodore and Alexander had arrived shortly after them, their faces tight with worry.

Not trusting her voice, she had simply handed them the flash drive.

And then she retreated to this spot, content to watch the trees in the distance dance in the chilly wind.

And not think.

Not think a single thought at all.

Well, she tried at least.

Tried to not think of videos or missing boys or grasping hands.

Of Dante's eyes, so worried.

So full of concern she nearly choked on it.

Her hazy eyes followed the path of a small bluebird, hopping along the branches with practiced ease.

Dropping her eyes back down to the book she was holding, she sighed softly.

She hadn't read a single word yet.

Neatly, she placed it back on its respective shelf and left the large room.

Padding down the hall, she entered Alexander's music room.

The gloomy sky did not provide much light through the high windows, so the room was dressed in shadows.

Still, she did not turn on the lights.

Her sock-clad feet silently stepped onto the raised platform where the Steinway piano sat.

Enid ran her fingers lightly across the cover before she opened it.

Spine straight and fingers yearning, she called back to the evenings Alexander had spent with her at the piano last week.

He was an excellent teacher and she was an eager student.

Thus, she learned quite quickly.

The memory of his fingers beside hers, his side warm and steady against her own.

She tilted her head up to look at the looming clouds.

Her fingers pressed down, hard and fast.

A cacophony of notes echoed throughout the room.

The sound angry and mournful and disruptive.

Good, she thought.

She did it again.

And again, and again.

Until finally her mind was quiet and all that was left was noise.

"I don't remember teaching you that." Alexander's voice came from the doorway behind her.

Her shaking hands came up to wipe at wet cheeks.

Turning toward him, she was startled by the darkness of his honey eyes.

Void of the light and joy that usually radiated out.

His face was apoplectic.

"I'm sorry." Her apology was soft and shaky.