Oh. My. Moriya-sama.

I've just realized:

I'VE NEVER WRITTEN TOUHOU FANFICTION.

This must be corrected immediately. Such a travesty must not be allowed to stand for much longer!

Andante- Formatting problems.

Bear with me.
It seems the source I'm importing the original text from translates format oddly when I transfer it to a blog post.
I've noticed the more glaring ones, but I still need to fix the paragraph spacing and indentations.

...It's almost midnight, hence the reason I'm not doing it right now.
These formatting problems are starting to get on my nerves...

Andante- Chapter 3: Eve of Silence

*Currently being reformatted*

Andante- Chapter 2: Seeds of Beginnings

            Lilium Academy had been built in the early 20^th century, undergoing several additions of new buildings and renovations of the older ones. The oldest of the original buildings were abandoned as new construction shifted eastward, left for nature to reclaim them. The oldest of the buildings were dorm rooms and the old gymnasium. Once filled with sounds of vibrant life, only lonely echoes of the past remained now. Hardly anyone dared to roam Old Campus, as students began to call it, for it was slowly being consumed by the forest.

            Remiel continued to run, skipping over the upturned cobble stone pathways, careful not to trip on the overgrown tree roots. He soon reached what was the original Central Plaza, before it had be left to ruin. Where once a magnificent fountain stood, a large cherry blossom tree had overgrown it. Remiel did not pause to sightsee; however, but rather he veered a sharp left at the giant tree, ending right at the entrance of the old gymnasium. Remiel glanced at his cell phone. 3:28pm. He made it with only minutes to spare. For some reason, Remiel felt himself breathing a sigh of relief, although he could not understand why.

            Whatever, he thought, I should just get this over with already…Voices echoed from behind the old gym.

            Is she already here? He thought. But something wasn’t right. He could hear voices coming from three different people, and two were masculine voices. Remiel quickly headed towards the rear of the building, sticking to the shadows. Something didn’t feel right, and he wasn’t planning on taking any chances. Soon enough, Remiel found out who the voices belonged to. There were two guys and a girl behind the building. From the looks of things, the two guys were trying to seduce her, but the girl wasn’t interested. Just then, the blonde male grabbed onto the girl’s arm. It was then Remiel began to move.

            “Come on, you know you want to.” the guy holding her arm said cockily.

“Let go of me!” the girl yelled, the panic evident in her facial features. Her eyes were wide with fear. She tried pulling away, but it only caused the blonde to tighten his grip on her. She winced in pain, his grip evidently hurting her. “I love it when a girl plays hard to get.” He said in a way that made it painfully obvious that he wasn’t going to just let her go. The girl continued to struggle and try to pull away, but to no avail. His friend laughed, commenting “hey now, don’t be too rough with her. You know I don’t like my women roughed up.” The way he said it wasn’t one of compassion, but of someone merely looking out for his own interests. “Don’t worry, I won’t get rough with her…much.” he replied, and with his other hand, started to reach out for the hem of the girl’s skirt. He got no further than that.

            “Guh-!”

            The blonde coughed out, unable to speak. For him to make any audible sound at all was amazing, considering that his windpipe had just been chopped horizontally by an attack that appeared to come out of the shadows. His grip began to loosen on the poor girl’s arm, as his breathing grew weak. His windpipe had begun to swell, making breathing more laborious than need be. The lack of proper amounts of oxygen to his lungs made him collapse moments later, unconscious, but alive.
            “What in the f-!” the blonde’s friend called out, but was cut off when a strong blow to his abdomen brought him to his knees. Remiel pulled back his leg, removing his foot from the unfortunate youth’s stomach. A small amount of blood began to roll out of the corner of the stricken boy’s mouth.
            “Tch…just who the hell do you think you are!?” He cried out, angry and unaware that he was severely outmatched in fighting strength. Remiel didn’t respond. His body was shaking severely, his rage overflowing from the depths of his heart. The girl, who had been released from the biting grip that held her, looked strangely at Remiel, not sure if she should feel grateful, fearful, or both.
            “It’s scum like you…” he muttered darkly.

“What did you call me!?” the boy responded angrily. “Just who the hell do you think you are messing with!” He reached into his pocket as he began to stand back up again, his other arm grasping his injured stomach. When Remiel didn’t respond, the boy only became even more outraged.

“I’ll teach you how to respect those that are better than you!!” His hand came out of his pocket, holding a pocket knife. The serrated blade was folded out. Screaming wildly, he rushed Remiel head on.

            He didn’t stand a chance.

Remiel stood his ground, waiting for his chance. Just as the boy reached out to stab him, he moved to the side, grabbing hold of his arm, twisting it until the pain made the boy drop the knife. Once he disarmed him, Remiel swung around his left leg, his foot coming into contact with the side of the boy’s face and sending him plummeting to the ground, his head making contact with the solid concrete.

            “Wh….what are you….!?” the boy uttered fearfully, blood streaming from the open wound on the side of his head where it had come into contact with the ground. Within moments, he lost consciousness from the sheer amount of pain. His blonde friend lay only inches away from him.

            “People like you…” Remiel spat, his voice dripping with anger and hatred as he towered over their unconscious forms. He dusted himself off, and picked up the knife, folding it neatly and tossing it as hard as he could into the forest beyond.

            Remiel then turned to the girl, who unconsciously took a small step back from Remiel as he looked at her. Remiel realized that she was obviously still frightened by what just happened, and took a few steps back, to put some distance between them. Eventually the girl nodded. Remiel looked at her more closely. Her glasses were slightly askew, her brown eyes looking down at the ground, rather than into his eyes. Her light brown hair ended at her shoulders. Her bust was rather large for someone of her medium stature. Judging by her appearance, she kept her body in shape, as well as kept herself in good health. It made Remiel grow angry just at the thought of someone trying to take advantage of the girl. Although Remiel himself had little contact with girls, he would not condone someone trying to bring one harm.

            Remiel reached into his pocket for his cell phone, and began to dial a number. Soon enough, the call connected. “It is me.” he said into the phone. Someone on the other end began to speak for a while. Every now and then Remiel would reply.
            “Yes, behind the old gymnasium.  Only two this time.” More noise on the other end. “Yes, bye.”
            He hung up, and looked at the time on his phone. The display read 3:45pm. Remiel cursed under his breath, he was surely to be late now. He looked at the girl again, who was looking at his phone.

            “I just put in a call to the campus police,” he explained. “My father is friends with their chief.” He looked at the two unconscious youths, bloodied and bruised, but very much alive. “I asked them to dispatch someone to come pick up these two…would be criminals.”

            Remiel then looked at his watch again. It was time he got about going. He didn’t have time to answer any more questions. The girl appeared to be fine, and the security would deal with the thugs. He turned to leave, stating as he left “I will take my leave now, or else I will be late for practice.” Pausing in case she replied, and finding none, he started to walk off. As he began to grow further away, he called back “you should be more careful next time!” With that, he was gone.

            As if that last parting remark had broken the girl of her silence and made her realize that he was genuinely leaving, she cried out “Wait!”, but it was far too late for Remiel to be able to hear her. Realizing this, the girl looked down, twiddling her fingers. “Thank you…Remiel…” she whispered, barely audible. She looked around once more, grabbing her things. She then started off, careful to avoid stepping near the unconscious boys. Then, she set off at a brisk pace, heading in the same direction that Remiel had run off in.

            “Cutting it a little late there, hey Captain? A few more minutes and the Vice-Captain would have had another one of her fits again.” Remiel stumbled into the archery club’s practice field a few minute before the appointed time. He quickly dropped his bag and entered the changing room and started to don his gear.
            “I was held up by something urgent that had come up.” Remiel snapped back. “At least I made it on time, Marcus.” The boy who had helped Remiel sort his gear, Marcus, laughed. “Right you are, Captain.” He stood up. “I better go get lined up with everyone else, or the Vice-Captain will chew me out.” With that, he walked out of the room, closing the velvet blue curtain that served as a door behind him. Remiel sighed as he pulled a thick glove over his left hand. He pulled a white jacket on over his gray shirt, matching his white with gray striped pants, and his white shoes. As he continued to change, his thoughts wandered to the girl from before. He unconsciously clenched his right fist as he remembered the two guys who had been harassing her. It was then that it hit him. He hadn’t even done what he had gone there to do in the first place. He had run off before she could even speak. Assuming that that girl had been the one who had sent him the letter through Andrew in the first place. But then, who else could it have been? No one bothered hanging around the Old Campus, except delinquents and trouble makers up to no good.

            Well, whatever, he thought, I will probably never see her again, so what do I care? With that, he reached for his longbow, and headed out through the velvet curtain.

            Everyone was already lined up. Marie, the Vice-Captain, was walking up and down the rows, taking attendance to see if anyone was missing. Marie Tressell wore her long dark hair in a braided ponytail that barely missed the floor by a few inches. Her light gray eyes were sharp, and hardly anyone dared to cross her, due to her fiery temper. her somewhat tall stature-she was as tall as Remiel- only served to help her maintain an air of one not to be taken lightly, especially when it came to shooting her bow. Her skill was second only to Remiel’s, and only slightly at that, thus her Vice-Captain position. Often enough, Marie was more likely than not to back up her bark with her bite, not hesitating to put Remiel in his place when she felt he was incorrect or out of line. Yet despite her somewhat off-putting- if not overbearing- temperament, Marie was one of the few girls in Remiel’s life with whom he actually got along well with.

            Marie walked up to Remiel as he exited the changing room. The look in her eyes made it obvious she wasn’t in a pleasant mood.

“Remiel, where have you been?” Marie said irritably. “You’re the Captain! What kind of example are you trying to set for the other members!? If you, the Captain, are late, then not only does it make you look bad, it makes us all look bad!” Her eyes narrowed. “Are you even listening to me?”
            Remiel had been staring at his bow quite intently, seemingly ignoring everything Marie had just said. “Why, of course I am,” he said in a slightly mocking and very polite voice. “It would be rude of me, otherwise.”

“Then what did I just say?” Marie shot back, quite aware Remiel had indeed been listening, a small smile on her face. For some reason, even when he acted like a little smart ass, Marie could never stay mad at him for very long. Not that she would ever let him know that, however.

“As you wish, Milady,” he said, bowing at the waist, his left hand folded flat behind his back, his right hand grasping his bow firmly at his side. It was a personal joke between the two, where Remiel would always act exceedingly more gracious, the more it appeared that Marie was losing her temper, as if giving in to her flaring anger. Marie, not at all amused at this time, punched Remiel in the back of his lowered head.

            “Quit fooling around, you idiot.” she said tersely, but without really feeling it, ignoring Remiel’s outburst of pain. Although she would never outright admit it, she did find Remiel’s little acts of submission amusing at times. “While you were in the dressing room, our newest member arrived. On time, I might add. Perhaps you should introduce yourself and show her the basics.”

            Remiel winced as he stood up, rubbing the back of his head. Several people had been watching Remiel and Marie’s exchange, and had burst out in laughter the moment Remiel had been hit. Remiel heard them of course, and turned to look at them. But of course, as soon as he did, they all pretended to be occupied with stringing their bows or some other attempts at hiding their laughter. It was an almost daily routine in the archery club, so Remiel wasn’t at all offended, and no one held malice or hatred in their laughter. Only cheerful playfulness, enjoying the normally serious and stalwart Remiel knocked down a peg on occasion. Marie often overlooked the laughter as well, feeling that it was part of keeping Remiel from the possibility of his position as Captain from going to his head.

            Remiel turned back to Marie, asking “so where is this “new member” you have been telling me about?”

            “Hold on,” said Marie, “I’ll call her over.” Turning to the others, she called out “Meryl! Could you come over here please?” Her tone was soft, a surprising contrast to her normally sharp tongue. A girl soon separated herself from the rest of the group. Her face was a bit red as she walked, and her eyes diverted through her glasses towards the ground. Recognition began to dawn upon Remiel’s face.

            “Remiel, this is Meryl. While she’s nowhere near the level of you or myself, she isn’t what you would call a beginner.”
            “Nice to meet you, Meryl.” he said, but his mind was elsewhere. His grip on his bow tightened unconsciously. How…why? he thought. What in the world is she doing here!?
            “Umm…nice to meet you too, R-Remiel.” she was nervous, that much was obvious by her speech, as well as her face and the fact that her eyes continually darted left and right, never looking directly at Remiel’s face. Remiel, at the same time, wasn’t exactly looking in one direction either. Of course, Marie missed none of this.

            “In any case,” Marie continued, bringing Remiel and Meryl back to focus “Meryl has told me that while this isn’t the first time she’s ever held a bow, she hasn’t been at it very long. Therefore, I felt that you, as the Captain, should take Meryl over to the practice range and see just exactly what she is and isn’t capable of.”

            “That’s fine by me,” he responded indifferently.

“Good. Then please do.” Marie lowered her voice, and looked at Remiel out of the corner of her eyes, while still glancing towards Meryl to make sure she couldn’t hear. “And…I don’t know how you two know each other or what has or has not happened between you two, but knowing you…” she paused and glanced towards Meryl again, and reassured that she still could not hear, she sighed for a moment, sounding tired as she continued “…look, my point is, don’t end blaming her for what happened in the past, like you have done with so many others.”

            Instantly, it was as if everything had gone silent in the world. Remiel’s eyes grew wide, and his breath came in sharply. His heartbeat was the only sound he could hear as it echoed inside his skull, beating its monotonous tattoo upon his mind. As his mind flashed old memories before him, it was all he could do to keep himself from tearing at his hair and screaming in terror. Summoned by Marie’s words of warning, an intense and overwhelming state of chaos and despair washed over it. It was an intense, unforgettable feeling Remiel tried to bury deep within the confines of his mind.

To Remiel, it felt like an eternity before he opened his mouth to respond. In reality, his reaction lasted less than a second. No one could tell that Marie’s warning had destroyed his air of calm…except for Marie and Remiel himself.
            “I won’t.” was all that he said in reply, before turning down the pathway leading to the practice range. Meryl, with a slight bow to Marie, went tagging along after him, only a few paces behind him.

Marie watched the both of them go, a feeling of weariness overcoming her. “Meryl,” she sighed to herself, “you definitely picked the wrong guy to fall in love with…but I wish you the best of luck. Perhaps you’d be good for Remiel.” Marie then turned back to everyone else, her stern personality at the ready. “What are you all standing around for!? Quit fooling around and get to the shooting range!”
           

Remiel’s thoughts were racing as he continued down the path to the practice range. Just who is this girl, anyways? He thought. And why was she out there in the first place, being harassed by those two guys?

“Umm…Re- er, Captain?” Meryl asked hesitantly, interrupting his thoughts. Remiel turned around to face her, walking backwards as he did so. When he did so, she seemed to freeze up, her facing turning red. Christ, he thought. This girl is a nervous wreck. “Please, call me Remiel,” he said, trying to make his voice sound as pleasant as possible in order to avoid making her even more nervous. “Well, er…Cap- I mean Remiel,” she paused, at which point Remiel could have sworn Meryl’s face grew an even brighter shade of red. “I just wanted to thank you for before…” her voice trailed off into a whisper towards the end, but Remiel could still hear every word. Remiel faced forward as she finished speaking, avoiding her eyes. “Well…” he said slowly “it was not like I could stand by and watch those two…do as they pleased.” Remiel paused, and looked to his left. “Oh, here we are, the practice range.” he said, gesturing to his left.
            The entryway on his left opened into a large area without a roof. Several targets and dummies lay scattered across the field at various distances from the walkway from which arrows would be fired from. Lining the walkway was a wall that came to Remiel’s waist. Gaps every three feet where archers were to stand lined the wall.
            “So then…” Remiel said, and gestured to the bow Meryl held limp at her side. “Let us see just what it is you are capable of.”

An arrow whistled through the air and across the grassy field, missing one of the target board by a few inches.
            “Not bad, Meryl,” he said. “It is obvious you have some natural talent, but you lack the discipline to use it properly.” Remiel’s gazed out towards the range, surveying where Meryl’s arrow struck the ground. “Try again” he said, and raised his arm and pointed towards the missed target. “This time, take into account the speed and direction of the wind as you take aim.”

            Meryl nodded in response, her face a composition of concentration. Meryl took her stance and began to pull back the string-

“You are too tense,” Remiel instructed “relax your shoulders a bit. If you had let go of your arrow just now, your bow would have splintered in half, or the arrow would have gone erratically off-course.” Meryl obeyed, loosening the tension in her shoulders. She then began to take aim once more, careful to take into account the wind.

“Fire.” Remiel commanded.

            Instantly the arrow flew from Meryl’s bow across the field, straight and true. The arrow embedded itself into the target board, narrowly missing the bulls eye by less than 2 centimeters.

            Meryl smiled, her eyes glittering with excitement at her achievement, for only a few moments before, her bow was held in her trembling hands. Even Remiel had to suppress a smile, both surprised and unmistakably proud of her extremely quick progress.

            “That was really good, Meryl. At the pace you are progressing, you might even surpass me.” Remiel said. Meryl blushed and looked down, embarrassed.

            “Thank you…Remiel…” she managed to utter at last.

This girl…he thought is definitely a strange one. When Marie first introduced us, she would hardly speak without stuttering. But once she grabbed her bow and took to stance…it was like she was a completely different person. She had an air of both confidence and calm about her, and her movements were quick and fierce, albeit a little unstable. She has obviously been taught by someone before…but by whom? What’s more, once she was no longer concentrating on her archery, she immediately returned to her nervous self. Just what is exactly with this girl!?

            Just then, Remiel felt a bit of moisture strike his face…and then another, quickly followed by a third. Remiel looked up, as did Meryl. Large, dark clouds covered the sky, blocking the sun. When did those clouds roll in!? He thought.

            Almost instantly the light sprinkle transformed into a heavy  rain, soaking both Meryl and Remiel before they had time to react.

            “The wind must have pushed these clouds here early!” he yelled over the roaring rain. “It was not supposed to rain until tomorrow!” Without thinking, Remiel grabbed Meryl’s hand, and began to pull her towards cover from the downpour. Remiel ran past the open hallway, and ducked under an overhanging roof, where the water could not reach. There was an ornamentally carved wooden bench. The side rails were made to represent the elegant leaves of a blossoming lily, the bench seat itself made to represent the flowering lily.

            “We can wait out the rain here,” Remiel panted, slightly winded. When Meryl did not respond, he turned around to face her. Her face was a deep shade of crimson, and her eyes were trained on one spot. Remiel, confused,  followed her line of sight, directly to their still interlocked hands. Remiel withdrew his hand hastily, and started to apologize, but stopped as he watched Meryl’s reaction. She drew her hand slowly to her chest, her eyes closed softly, her cheeks a warm rosy tint. her fingers were clenched lightly, as if she were still holding onto Remiel’s hand. Unsure of what to do or say, Remiel stood in silence and waited. A few moments passed before Meryl opened her eyes and looked at Remiel. Once she realized what had just happened, she blushed deeply, acting very flustered. Soon enough Remiel calmed her down.

            “Perhaps we should sit down while we wait.” Remiel suggested, exasperated, and gestured towards the bench. “It doesn’t look like the rain is going to let up any time soon.”
            “Y-yes, you’re right.” agreed Meryl, timid as ever. Remiel sat upon the bench, and Meryl soon joined him. Both Remiel and Meryl sate in relative silence, gazing out at the unending rain. As the time slowly trickled past, Meryl’s eyes stole quick glances every now and then at the oblivious Remiel. Even so, only the sound of the heavy rain penetrated the silence. Suddenly, a streak of lightning crashed through the sky, followed by the deafening roar of thunder. A high pitched screamed rent the air, shaking Remiel out of his silence. Meryl was clinging heavily to Remiel’s arm, shaking with fear. Her eyes were clenched tightly shut.
            “No…no…” she sobbed. Tears were rolling down her pale cheeks.

Remiel looked at her softly, and asked her in a tenderly tone, “You are…afraid of lightning…are you not?”
            Lightning and thunder roared across the sky once more, and Meryl let out another frightened shriek.
            Poor thing…he thought. It does not look like the rain or the lightning is going to let up anytime soon…

            Remiel put his arm around Meryl, holding her softly to his chest. At first, she opened her eyes and started to pull away, but she stopped when she realized that it was a gesture of comfort than harm. She laid her head upon his shoulder, and closed her eyes…as Remiel began to sing.

           

                                                Go to sleep my angel child,

                                                Rest your weary wings awhile.

                                                Time for little angels to dream,

                                                Of tomorrow’s brand new day.

It was a soothing melody, soft and light. Meryl felt her shoulders relax as he sang, as his arm lay comfortably and protectively over her, his hand lightly stroking her hair. With Remiel by her side, she felt warm and safe…

                                   

                                                Worry not my angel child,

                                                Your beautiful wings are a gift.
                                                Given even to the smallest child,

                                                A gift to show how cherished you are.

                       

                                                Close your eyes my angel child,

                                                Dream of peace and happiness awhile.

                                                When you awake I will sing to you,

                                                A song of welcome back to me.

            Meryl slipped into Remiel’s lap, sleeping gently. Remiel continued to sing for a little while longer, repeating the first verse. “It is called ‘Loriel: Song of Slumber’,” he whispered at last, as the final note faded into the pouring rain, fully aware that Meryl had fallen asleep. He leaned forward, his hair falling limp over his eyes. “My mother used to sing it to me when I was young, to calm me down whenever I cried..” He bit his lip, in order to stop from crying then. “Meryl…” he said softly, a faint whisper. The image of a small boy crying in the rain huddled in a ball alone flashed through his mind.

 “I will not be going anywhere, so please…don’t cry anymore…”

Remiel stroked the hair from her face. He then began to sing Loriel once more. All the while Meryl slept contentedly, a small smile upon her face. Down and down the rain continued to pour, and Remiel continued to sing as long as the rain would fall.

The heavens eventually began to part, and the rain slowing down to a light sprinkle. Remiel, lost in his memories, continued to sing Loriel.

“Remiel!” a female voice shouted out. “Meryl! Can either of you hear me!?” Remiel, however, did not hear the voice calling out to him. “Remiel, Meryl, where are you!?” the voice sounded frantic now, worried. As the voice continued to ring out, its cries became louder…the figure was coming closer to their location. Sure enough, a frightened looking Marie appeared in the entryway to the practice range. “Remi-” she started to call out, but stopped when she laid eyes upon them both. it was then Remiel’s voice floated to Marie’s ears. The melody felt familiar to her, as if she had heard it before, in the distant past. But Marie was far more concerned with the sight that lay before her. Remiel, a usually cold shouldered and stubborn person when it came to strangers-especially girls- was serenading a girl whom he had just met that very afternoon, who lay asleep upon his lap!

            Marie paused for a second. To her, it had seemed that earlier when she had introduced Meryl to Remiel, they had met before, even if Remiel had tried to hide it. Just what is the relationship between those two…? she thought to herself.

           

            Remiel stopped singing, and looked up to see a rather mixed expression upon Marie’s face. As if not at all surprised at the fact that Marie had been standing there without him noticing, he peered calmly at Marie. his arm was still laying across Meryl protectively, his hand stroking her hair, almost absentmindedly.

            “Hello, Marie.” was all that he said.

            Speechless at Remiel’s nonchalance, she waved weakly at him. When she recovered her power of speech, all she could manage to ask was: “w-what…is going on here?” Remiel paused for a second before responding. “You said not to blame her for the past, did you not? Your wish is my command, Milady.” His tone had reverted back to its usual harsh and sarcastic manner as he finished speaking, no longer holding the soft and warm light that it had only moments before. “Besides…” he continued, his tone softening just a little bit. “She is afraid of lightning.” He looked at Meryl, a slight smile upon his face.

            Marie said nothing, and only stared at Remiel with her piercing eyes…and then, she smiled. Remiel…you truly are a soft hearted person still, after all this time. she thought. It is almost as if he’s the same boy that I met all those years ago…

            “Come on Remiel, lets get out of here, its getting late.” she said. It was indeed, the sun had already begin to set. Remiel nodded, and shifted his arms, reaching beneath Meryl’s upper back and lower legs. Standing slowly, as not to wake her, Remiel lifted Meryl into his arms. She shifted slightly.

            “Remiel…”she mumbled. Still asleep, she buried her face in his shirt, her hands grasping tightly onto his jacket. Her face was a rosy pink, a large smile etched across it.

            “My, my, she seems to be quite fond of you, Remiel.” Marie said teasingly.

“Shut it,” Remiel said uncharacteristically, razzled by her words…and embarrassed, too. “Let us just get out of here, shall we?”

            “Whatever you say, Mi’lord.” With that parting remark, Marie started back to the entrance of the practice compound. As Remiel followed after Marie, and as he looked at Meryl’s peaceful and dreaming face, he couldn’t but help but smile to himself.

Andante- Chapter 1: Ever The Same...

           The sunlight peered through he blinds, casting slim beams of light into the room. The repeated shrill whine of an alarm clock pierced the tranquil silence of the room. A computer sat in the corner away from the wall, across from the window. There lay a desk, with a small black lamp and an unopened book resting atop its surface. A body length mirror hung on the wall, a large oak dresser standing next to it. The alarm continued to cry, its call unheeded. Next to it lay a rather curious item, a small amethyst pendant dangling from a  long black cord. The alarm continued to whine for only a few seconds longer before it was cut off abruptly by a hand reaching out and turning it off. The owner of the hand shifted in his bed, before slowly sitting upright and rubbing his eyes with his hands. His eyes shifted around the room, becoming aware of his surroundings. His light brown eyes stopped moving, rather than focusing on everything and nothing at the same time. “It was only a dream...” he muttered, “and yet...it felt so real.” He looked at his hands, as if they were covered in stains he could not wash away. “...” he sat there silently, lost in thought.

            “Remiel!”, a voice called out, interrupting his thoughts, “I’m headed off to work now, lock the door when you leave.”
”I will,” Remiel called back, “take care of yourself, Father.” The sound of the front door closing echoed up the stairs through the hallway and into his room. Complete silence reigned throughout the house. Other than the sound of his breathing, Remiel could hear nothing throughout the household. Not the sound of creaking boards, the sound of running water... or the sounds of laughter, or even the joy of a new morning. Not even the sound of wind chimes hanging off of the roof could be heard. Only the irreplaceable, immovable silence remained to be heard.

            Remiel climbed out of his bed, careful not to drag his blanket with him, and opened the dresser door. He reached into the dresser, rummaging around a bit before pulling out a pair of khaki pants, a long sleeved shirt with buttons upon the front length, and a stiff collar. A tie hung from the collar, colored in stripes in golden yellow, ranging from calm and pale, to bold and bright. He quickly changed into the rather elaborate outfit, and reached once more into the dresser, pulling out a maroon suit jacket. Upon the right breast was a crest; the border a dazzling gold. Inside the border lay several overlapping thorn covered vines; in the center of it all was emblazoned a large golden capital “L”. He quickly pulled on the jacket, on pausing to grab a comb and tease his shoulder length auburn hair into place while in front of the mirror. Once finished with his hair, he sat upon his bed, pulling on long black socks, and slipping into a pair of hard soled black shoes. He then smoothed out his bed covers and stooped down next to his alarm clock, pocketing a small cell phone. He hesitated when his fingers hovered over the amethyst pendant.
            “Mother...” he whispered, as silent as the house he lived in. Quietly he slipped the pendant around his neck, hidden by the collar and tie of his shirt. Remiel took one last look around the room before he headed out the door. When everything was cleaned and put in its proper place, the room looked so...empty. It showed signs of that one lived there, but the room gave a feeling that something was missing...something essential.
            Remiel sighed, and closed the door; the sound of the door clicking shut resounding in the lifeless room.

“Look, there he is!”
”He looks so dreamy in the morning light…”
            “They say he’s the most handsome, not to mention popular, guy in the school.”
”Oh my god, he’s looking this way!”
            “You might as well give up on him, he’s way out of your league.”
”They say he has turned down every girl that has asked him out.”
             ”Really? Why!?”

“Some say he’s in love with a girl from another school. Others think that he isn’t interested in girls…No one really knows for sure.”
            ”It’s such a shame, letting such good looks go to waste.”
”Yeah…”
            “Oy, Remiel!” shouted a voice, sounding out of breath. “Wait for me!” A guy of the same age came running towards Remiel, who stopped walking and turned around to face him. He caught up to Remiel, bending halfway over; resting his hands on his knees, in an attempt to catch is breath. His outfit was identical to Remiel’s, and in his hands was a book bag similar to Remiel’s as well. “You’re…so cruel,” he panted between breaths. “Leaving me behind like that.” Remiel shrugged.
            “You were taking too long, flirting with that girl back there” he said indifferently, as if it were a day to day affair, “so I left. If I had stayed behind, then we both would have been late to class.” With that, he continued on, the boy walking hurriedly to catch up to him again. “That’s what you said yesterday,” he shot back as they continued to walk. “Besides, when have we ever, I mean ever, have we been late to class?”

            “We have never been late,” Remiel responded without a second’s passing, “and I do not intend to be so today, either. It is the first day back at school after winter break. It would not bode well if we were late on the first day back, would it, Andrew?”

            “Touché,” responded Andrew, grinning “but what better way to start the day than spending time with a girl?”

            “Perhaps I would agree with that, if it were any other day and place, and if it were anyone BUT you. Every day spent with you is started flirting with a different girl.” Which, as it turned out, was entirely true. With his silky blonde hair, deep blue eyes, genuine smile and altogether likable personality, Andrew’s popularity with the girls rivaled even that of Remiel’s. Unlike Remiel; however, Andrew took full advantage of that fact. Andrew laughed, his eyes twinkling. A few girls and guys nearby turned to look at the two of them. It was a mystery, how two very different people like Remiel and Andrew could be the best of friends. Truly a mystery…that is, to everyone but themselves, of whom neither felt compelled to give the reasons behind it. Andrew’s laughter soon died down, and he responded lightly “Well, enough about me, what about you, Remiel?”

            “Me? Why I never-“ Remiel started to retort indignantly,

“Exactly my point” Andrew cut in quickly. “You never spend time talking to girls-aside from Marie, that is-let alone flirt with one…and just how many girls have you reduced to tears? I believe that girl who confessed to you before the break, that was the…36^th one, I believe? Keep this up, and girls will start to avoid you, no matter how attractive you my look.” Andrew’s tone was serious, his words sincere. A very rare sight indeed. Remiel remained silent, unable to respond. It was rare indeed when Andrew had a point, let alone several points. After waiting for Remiel to respond, and finding none, he said “at least let them down easy from now on, eh? After all, a maiden’s heart is fragile, isn’t it?” Andrew grinned as he spoke, and lightly patted Remiel upon the shoulder. As he did so, he spotted a girl in the distance behind his friend, who had dropped her things upon the ground. In less than an instant, Andrew was back to his normal flirtatious self. An odd gleam appeared in his eyes. “Hmm…well, well, well. What lovely little flower do we have here?” He turned to his friend for a moment. “I must excuse myself, Remiel, it appears that girl is in need of my assistance…I’ll catch up with you in English class, alright?” And without another word, Andrew was off, faster than what might seem within human abilities, leaving Remiel shaking his head in disbelief. Remiel soon reached the marble steps leading into the illustrious Lilium Academy, famous for its records in academic achievement. Very few people who do not belong to well off families or have influences in the school’s administrative staff could ever hope to walk within its walls. Remiel himself earned a scholarship due to his outstanding grades. As he walked up the marble stairs through the double doors as the morning bell had begun to ring. Remiel cursed to himself silently, and hurried towards the nearest flight of stairs. Once on the second floor, he headed immediately to his left, and into Room 503: English 11 AP. Once he opened the door, he maintained an air of indifference, quite aware of the stares of all the girls were now focused on him. Remiel moved to his desk at the back of the room, next to the window. Remiel ignored the giggles as the girls continued to look his way, starting intently out the window, and continued to do so as the late bell rang and the teacher walked in.

            “Everyone, to your seats” the teacher said to the class as she walked elegantly to her desk. Her long, flowing black hair was tied back in a small bun behind her head, and her horn-rimmed glasses neatly perched upon her small nose. She was of medium height, five feet and nine inches in her heels. She wore black stockings with a matching mid-thigh length black skirt, with a maroon scarf and matching maroon blazer emblazoned with the Lilium crest upon the left breast of her blazer, with a white blouse barely visible beneath her blazer. Her long and shapely legs, luscious thighs and impressive rear, coupled with an hourglass waist and impressive bust size, many of the male students in her classes found themselves drooling and otherwise making fools of themselves, with the exception of Remiel, who viewed her no differently than the many other girls he saw in the academy each day. The teacher began to take attendance, while Remiel was still obliviously staring out the window.

            “Arleen?”, she called out.
”Present, Ma’m”.

            “Samuel?”
”Here.”

Down the list in alphabetical order the teacher continued, until a short while later…
             “Remiel.”

…No response.

Silence, and then…
”Remiel.” she repeated. “Remiel Carsen.”

            Remiel was still staring out the window, unaware of the teacher calling his name for roll. By this time, having realized by the murmurs that were beginning to roll throughout the class, that Remiel was indeed present; however, was simply not answering the teacher’s call. By the time that the murmurs had grown audible enough to be heard near the teacher’s desk, she had become quite annoyed. She walked towards Remiel’s desk, standing in front of it with a look of anger that marred her otherwise beautiful countenance.

“Remiel Carsen, when you are finished daydreaming, I would like you to answer me when I call your name during roll call, lest I mark you absent by mistake.” Her tone was even, and even sounded polite, but those that had the misfortune to see the instructor’s face say that it was like “glimpsing the face of hell staring you in the face.”

             Unaware of the fact that the teacher was right next to him, he turned around only to flinch in surprise. The class laughed, and Remiel looked down at his desk, embarrassed.

            “Yes, Miss Bremen.” he murmured.

Miss Bremen returned to her desk, continuing the roll from where she had left off. When she called off the last name on the roll sheet, she sat down in the revolving chair behind her desk. She continued to glance at the role sheet, her eyes narrowing as she focused on one name in particular. She glanced around the classroom, as if searching for someone.

            “Where is And-“ she began, but before she could finish, the classroom door swung open, and a rather out of breath Andrew stepped into the classroom, grinning as always.

“Andrew Ralston, at your service ma’m.” He said cheerfully, and the class chuckled.

“Just take your seat, Mr. Ralston.” Miss Bremen muttered, exasperated. Andrew walked lightly and quickly towards the back of the room, taking his seat at the vacant desk to the right of Remiel.
            “Alright class,” Miss Bremen’s voice echoed across the classroom, once Andrew had been seated “take out your textbooks and turn to page 357.” There was an unanimous sound throughout the classroom as books were taken out of bags and pages were turned. Amidst the noise, Andrew whispered to Remiel “same as always, no?” Miss Bremen stood up, carrying an open book in her arms as she walked around the classroom and began to lecture. “Throughout the Romantic Era, American literature has focused on….” Miss Bremen’s words seemed lost on Remiel as his thoughts focused on what Andrew had said. Yes, indeed… he thought, same as always, ever the same…

           

            As the bell rang and everyone gathered their belongings and headed out the door to their next class-

“Remiel, a moment please.” Miss Bremen asked Remiel to stay after class for a word.
”See ya later Rem, you dog you,” Andrew joked as he exited out the door. After everyone else had left, Remiel asked wearily, “You wanted to speak to me, ma’m?”

Miss Bremen walked over to the door without a word, closing it gently. “Well, for one, please stop with this ‘ma’m’ business. This is an academy, not the military. Miss Bremen will do just fine.”

“Yes ma-, er…Miss Bremen.” he said, startled. “That’s better,” she said, and smiled at Remiel. “Now I’ve noticed that your attention span during my class” she continued, “has been lacking today. Although you answered all questions during class today correctly when I called upon you, the majority of class time you spent either staring out the window or at nowhere in particular.”

Her tone softened then, as did her eyes. Looking Remiel directly in the eyes, she began to speak again. “I may be your teacher, Remiel, but if there is anything that is bothering you, let me know. You are among my best students, and I want you to know that you can come to me for help, at any time.”

Remiel almost answered immediately, but his mouth would not let him. He thought about his strange dream, the one that had been haunting his sleep for nearly a week now. He thought about what Andrew said to him this morning, and later at the start of class when he walked in late. But the longer he thought about all of it, the more he resolved not to say anything at all…so he lied.

“It’s nothing, Miss Bremen. I am just tired, that is all.”

“Hmm…is that so?” she asked, not at all convinced. Just then the sounds of students gathering outside the closed door began to come through, waiting and wondering why the door that was normally opened happened to be closed. “Well, Remiel, please do remember what I said.” her tone returning to its familiar sharpness. Remiel began to gather his things, and was halfway out the door when she called him back. “I’ll write you a pass.” she said simply.

“So, what did she want?” Andrew asked Remiel as he took a large bite from an apple.
”Why are you asking me?” Remiel answered smartly, taking a drink of water from his glass.
            It was lunchtime at Lilium Academy, and Remiel and Andrew were seated at one of the numerous tables that were situated throughout the cafeteria. On the opposite wall from the entrance doors lay the buffet table with food ranging from the most succulent roast bird to the most crisp and fresh salads one could ever ask for. The dining ware was nothing to sneeze at, either. Plates made of high quality china; forks, spoons, and knives of fine silver; to the crystal glass cups and flutes. The table themselves were clothed in the academy’s colors, maroon with a golden trim along the edges. Large chandeliers hung from the ceiling and spirited chatter could be heard over the clinking of utensils on plates, echoing off the arched ceiling. Remiel had boiled cod upon his plate with a side of baked potatoes and a tall glass of water to wash it down. Andrew had a salad topped with Italian dressing and an apple.

“You were present,” he continued, “It was not more than two minutes ago.” Remiel was referring to a girl who had walked up and asked Remiel a series of strange questions, more than likely another admirer of his.

“No, no, I don’t mean her.” Andrew responded, well aware his friend was giving him a hard time on purpose, “I meant Miss Bremen. Why did she keep you after class this morning?”

“No reason in particular,” Remiel responded in a dismissive manner. Andrew took the hint, and didn’t dig further into the matter, despite his burning curiosity.

“Hey, Remiel,” Andrew said, changing the subject almost immediately, “I almost forgot.” Andrew reached a hand into his blazer. “Here.” he said, pulling out a pink envelope from his inside pocket. He handed it to Remiel, who stared at it curiously. He turned the letter over to look at the back, searching for a name, or even an address. There was none. The only writing to be found was written neatly in precise and flowing cursive, and said “To Remiel”.

            “Just what is th-“
”Just open it,” Andrew said, cutting him off. “Some girl ran up to me after Physics last period, asked me ‘Are you Andrew Ralston?’ So I responded courteously ‘Why, that would be me. Now under what pretense do I have the pleasure of meeting such a-‘ and before I can finish, she shoves this letter in front of my face, saying ‘please give this to Remiel!’, and she’s bowing her head and her cheeks were flushed red!” Andrew laughed for a moment before continuing on. “She was really cute, but before I could ask her name, she ran off! I wonder what that was all about?” Andrew said with a knowing smile.

            While listening to his friend’s explanation, Remiel had begun to run his finger through the envelope where it was sealed, opening it deftly with one fluid movement. As Andrew finished his explanation, Remiel had already removed the contents of the envelope and had begun examining it. It was a short letter written on pink stationary in the same flowing cursive as on the back of the envelope. It simply read:

Dear Remiel,

            Please come behind the old gymnasium at 3:30pm today.

It was short and to the point, and it took Andrew even less time to grab the letter from Remiel’s hands than it took Remiel to read it himself.

“Sounds like you have another admirer, Remiel.” he frowned then, and looked at it again. “Hold up, the old gymnasium!? That’s way over by the Old Campus…” He set the letter down, thinking quietly to himself.
            “The old gymnasium?” Remiel asked as he started to look over the letter once more to check the letter to make sure. “And at 3:30pm too…class ends at 3:15pm today. I would have to run just to make it on time, and furthermore, archery practice begins at 4:00pm today. Remiel sounded weary by the time he finished talking.
            “So what are you planning to do?” Andrew asked.
”Simple. I’ll head towards practice immediately after class ends, as I always do.” he answered nonchalantly.

“But-“ Andrew started to say, but it was a futile attempt.

“But what?” Remiel shot back, his voice growing harsh. “Why should I waste my time with some love struck young girl, when I have a more important and previous engagement to attend to? I do not have time to waste trekking halfway across campus for some girl I do not even know.” With that, Remiel stood up, his tray at hand. Before Andrew could utter another word, he quickly left the cafeteria, dumping his food into the trash on the way out. As he walked towards the door, people at nearby tables watched him leave, wonder apparent in their eyes. Andrew watched him go, and once Remiel passed through the door, he sighed.

            “Remiel, Remiel, Remiel, when will you ever learn?” he muttered to himself. He looked won at the table, and noticed the letter that Remiel had left behind. He looked at the letter again and sighed once more, before folding it and carefully putting it into his pocket. After a while, Andrew slowly rose from his seat, and quietly exited out the door.

            The final bell of the day rang, signifying freedom for the majority of the students. For others, it merely meant a 45 minute break until 4 o’clock, when most of the after school clubs’ activities began. Remiel’s final class of the day, U.S. History, seemed to drag on forever. the teacher had been giving yet another boring lecture, this time almost causing Remiel to fall asleep in class. As Remiel headed towards the Central Plaza, Remiel could not help but feel a small amount of guilt. In less than twenty minutes he was supposed to meet that girl who wrote the letter behind the old gymnasium.
            It would serve her right if I did not show up; he thought angrily. Just as he thought those words, those that Andrew had spoken earlier drifted into his conscious. “You never spend time talking to girls.” The words echoed in his mind. “…how many girls have you reduced to tears?” As quickly as they had faded into his mind, no sooner had they faded back out again, like nothing more than a passing breeze. Remiel was about to start back towards the Central Plaza again when Andrew’s last words from earlier that morning crashed into his mind. “…at least let them down easy from now on, okay? A maiden’s heart is fragile, after all…” As the last of Andrew’s words faded from his mind, he heaved a great sigh, as if regretting what he was about to do. With a deep feeling of regret for his next actions, Remiel turned back, and at the previous intersection he passed on his way to the Central Plaza, he turned westward and broke into a fast sprint towards the Academy’s old campus. If he kept his current pace, he would just reach the old gymnasium in time to meet the girl who wrote to him with elegant cursive.

Andante- Prologue: Rain of Tears

            The rain fell heavily, the asphalt becoming slick with moisture. A small boy lay fallen in the street, slowly becoming soaked by the falling rain; his umbrella laying open a few inches from his outstretched hand. He groaned as he rose, a small testament to his pain.

            "Remiel, are you ok...?", came the sound of a woman's voice. Remiel looked at his hands. They were covered in blood, having stopped his face from having crashed into the pavement. He stood quietly, his body shaking as the freezing rain touched him. But he was unaware of the sense of cold, his mind paralyzed by the sight before him. Blood began to run at his feet, constantly being pushed away by the heavy rain. But the blood at his feet was not his own...
            "Remiel..." came the strained voice of the woman. The boy seemed to have been shaken from the shock he was in as he heard his name. His frightened eyes finally seemed to register the horror that lay before him. Remiel ran forward, the blood mixed with the freezing rain splashing as he went, stopping only when he reached the source of the voice.
            A young woman lay off to the side of the road. On any other day, her youthfulness and beauty would have turned many a guys' head. However; as she lay upon the road in her own pool of blood, few indeed would be admiring her looks now. Only words of sympathy, and perhaps disgust, could be uttered, other than words of grief and despair. A large gash across her forehead bled profusely, oozing over her face. One arm was grasping a gaping wound across her abdomen, the other laying limp beside her. Her legs were covered in wounds ranging in size and severity, blood flowing freely and unhindered from the larger ones.
            "Mother!" screamed the little boy when he laid eyes upon the woman before him. "Mother..." he repeated, quieter than before. He knelt next to her, his knees deep in her blood.

            "Remiel...is that you?" the woman breathed laboriously. Her pale eyes shifted towards his general direction. “Thank goodness..." she coughed then, and blood splattered across her blouse, further staining it an even deeper crimson. Remiel opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words managed to escape his lips. He sat there, motionless at his dying mother's side. To the passing observer, he would seem almost calm...but his eyes betrayed his true emotions.
            "Mother.." he said once more, after a long pause, as a lone tear rolled slowly down his cheek, “why..." he whispered, "why...!?"

            Despite the situation, she smiled then, with an intense effort on her part. She raised her hand to his cheek and wiped away the tear. As she pulled her hand away, she coughed again, this time even more blood spewing forth. Her eyes began to wander towards the sky, clouded and uncertain. The entire time Remiel knelt quietly, the day's events racing erratically through his mind. What started as any other day had turned into a nightmare...His mother lay in the street, bleeding to death, and there was nothing he could do about it. "R-Rem-mi...-el..." she gasped, her voice faint, "I will always be there when you need me...so please...don't cry, ok?" As she spoke her final words, the light faded from her eyes, and her chest stopped its laborious breathing.
            "M-mother...?" Remiel whispered. He shook her shoulder, but she did not respond. He repeated his words, bewilderment and anguish building in his voice. "Mother?" he whispered again, but this time he did not expect her to answer. Over the dull roar of the pouring rain, the wail of sirens could be heard in the distance. Remiel stayed by his mother's side, despite the pouring rain. He continued to do so, even as the ambulance came. Even as he sat in the back of the ambulance, his clothes soaking wet from the rain, he held onto his mother's cold hands. Not even once, since his mother's final wish, did he cry...

Crescendo-Chapter 1: Hospitalization

Chapter 1: Hospitalization

            "Hey, Penn! Are you alright!?" I heard her cry.
I...can't breathe...!! I thought to myself as I fell to the floor, gasping for air. I tried to speak, but only a rasping noise escaped my lips. Everything began fading to black, and I couldn't understand any single voice from amongst the throng of noise surrounding my collapsing frame. I could just make out the general frame of her just before I faded into unconsciousness.

I could hear the incessant and repeating noise of a machine nearby. Despite the noise, I didn't want to open my eyes, either. Something about the darkness that I was enveloped was...comforting. Even so, the noise of the machine wasn't going to let me have a say in the matter, apparently. The noise seemed to grow louder as my return to consciousness returned, despite my best efforts to stay aloft in the darkness. The constant beep, beep, beep, seemed to form into the shape of a drill, penetrating my mind. My thoughts were scattered, so only the arrogant noise remained, echoing in the vast cavity of my skull. It began to grow louder and louder, eventually driving me to the point that I felt I would have gone insane if I had to endure it any longer. I opened my eyes, only to be blinded by the immense amount of white that greeted them. As my eyes began to focus, I noticed someone sitting in a chair, sleeping.
            "Hey, can someone please turn off that annoying machine!?" I asked impatiently, speaking to no one in particular. My voice was raspy, weak. My eyes were still out of focus, but a quick look at my surroundings told me that I was in a hospital room. There was a blue vase next to my bed-grey covers, not exactly cheery- and in it were some fresh flowers. As my eyes began to adjust, I was able to identify the sleeping form in the chair.
            "Amy?" I called to her, "Amy, is that you?"
She stirred then, her eyes slowly fluttering open. I never noticed before, but her light brown eyes are really stunning. Though I have to admit, she seemed out of sorts. Her long flowing auburn hair was a bit frizzled, as if she hadn't been really paying much attention to it.
She stirred about, and then laid her eyes on me. "Penn...?" she whispered, as if she couldn't really believe that is was me sitting in the bed. "Penn!" she yelled, rather joyfully I might add, before flying up and grabbing me into a tight hug. "Penn..." she sobbed as she crushed me in her hug, "when you collapsed, I thought, I thought...." she let loose the tears then, and I could feel them running down her face and splashing onto my shoulder.
            I didn't know what to do then, but I did know that I didn't want Amy to cry anymore, especially on my behalf. I was fine, after all. So I did what felt right, and put my arms around her.
            "Hey, I'm not going to die, if that's what you meant," I said lightly. "After all, I wouldn't want to make you cry even more than you have already. I'd only feel guilty." I was trying to get her to stop crying long enough to smile, at the very least. I didn't think I'd get her to laugh, though. "You idiot," she said as she chuckled, and odd sight with tears still running down her face. "I was so worried about you..." she stopped and wiped at a tear, but I reached it first. It was an involuntary response, but a response that I started.
Amy looked at me as I drew the tear away, and for some reason I didn't want to look away from her, either. Whether by luck or a cruel twist drawn by the hands of fate, the doctor decided to walk in just then, saving me from an awkward explanation for my action. At the same time; however, I don't think the situation could have been interpreted any less painfully by the doctor.

            "Nice to see you so lively after being unconscious for two days, Mr. Elandis."
...smartass.
            "What!?!" Despite his smart remark, the rest of his statement was what shocked me. Two days...? Thankfully, Amy had moved herself away from me, and was standing by my bedside at this time. When I looked at her, her eyes seemed to have dulled. I didn't need a voice confirmation; her eyes told me everything I needed to know. I wanted to know if she had been here the entire time, but the doctor took precedence in my mind at the time. "What do you mean, two days!?"

            One of the machines-the one that measured my heartbeat- had begun to beep again, this time a bit faster than before.
"Mr. Elandis, you mustn’t get excited. Your heart is in a weak condition, thanks to your episode two days prior. If you get too excited, I might just have to cart you back into the emergency room again."
            ...Nice to know the guy at least had SOME sense of humor, though at the moment, I wasn't feeling very cheery. My mind was racing, thoughts flying about at will. I couldn't believe that my condition had caused me to collapse like that. I know that I've never been in the healthiest way of life, but I never thought I'd have to be hospitalized again...
            It was then I decided I wanted answers, and I wanted them two days ago.
"So what does this mean, exactly, doctor?" I tried to keep my voice even, but I could feel the anger and panic slip into my voice.
            "What it means, Mr. Elandis," God, that man was starting to drive me up the wall with the Mr. Elandis shtick. "Is that your condition must be monitored."
...I didn't like the sound of that one bit. Monitored? What was I, some kind of lab experiment? I've never hated hospitals more in my entire life than I did in that single moment.
            "Monitored, for what?" Amy asked. She didn't seem to like the sound of that as much as I liked being trapped like a rat in that hospital bed.
            "It means....Miss...?" he paused, waiting for him to give her name. She didn't.
"Means what, exactly?" I almost felt sorry for that doctor. However, “almost” doesn’t win you any carnival game prizes, I’m afraid.
            "It means Mr. Elandis here will have to remain in the hospital so that his condition may be kept under close watch, in case he should need immediate medical attention."
            Whoa there, doctor, hold your horses. I most definitely did NOT like the sound of that.
"You're kidding, right? I can't stay here in this hospital; I have a life to get on with."
            The doctor sighed, and removed his glasses before tucking them into his lab coat pocket. Judging by the looks of things, the news the doctor was about to dispense on me wasn't going to be anything I liked, that much was certain.

            "Mr. Elandis...." he paused, and began again, choosing his words slowly.” Penn,"

...nice time to remember my first name, apparently. "When you arrived in the emergency bay, you weren't breathing, moving, anything. Your brain showed no signs of activity whatsoever. By all rights, you should have been declared dead on arrival almost 48 hours ago."
            I looked at Amy, to see what she thought of this doctor's tall tales. What I saw is something I don't think I will ever forget. Her face was calm and serene. I could tell she was trying to keep on a brave face, but I could see her trembling inside, her eyes were shaking. I could see the fear, the horror reflected there. She was calm on the outside, but on the inside she was crumbling to pieces. Amy was a horrible liar herself, but she could tell when someone was lying. Something about her reaction told me this was no sick joke on the doctor's part.
            "So...how long will I be here?" I don't think I could have said anything else. Dead!? Just the thought of it made me sick to my stomach. There is much too much I have yet to do, yet to see. I wanted to wretch my guts out. The doctor merely picked up one of the charts hanging off of the front edge of my bed.
"Thirty days, at the least." he said nonchalantly.
            It made me want to strangle him. If Amy weren't made of stronger stuff, I'm sure she would have.
"Can I have a moment alone, doctor? That is a lot to digest in one sitting." Honestly, I wanted to get him away from Amy before she killed him and said “he tripped and fell”.
            "Of course." he said simply, and left. I really hoped that I wouldn't have to see him too often anymore, lest he drive me to drastic measures. Once he left, I looked at Amy. She didn't look too good. She was looking rather pale. Perhaps I should have asked the doctor to take a look at her as well.
            "Amy, are you alright?" I asked, although I already knew she wasn't. "You look really pale."
"What are you talking about Penn? I feel fine-" Of course she would lie. Surely she didn't expect me to believe that?
            "No, you don't." I said, cutting her off. "Look at you; you look like the one that should be in this hospital bed, not me." I sighed, and tried to calm down. The machine was starting to beep louder again, and I didn't want some crazy doctor coming in and telling me to calm down again. "Just how long have you been in here, anyways?
            Amy didn't respond, she only looked away from me. "Two days..." she eventually mumbled.

"..."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. I was touched that she was here for two days, waiting for me to wake up and all, but at the same time, I wasn't exactly thrilled that she was neglecting her own well being and wants by looking after me.

            "Amy...?" I said tentatively, hoping to get Amy's attention. She was fiddling with something in her hands, but I couldn't see what it was. She hid her hands behind her back before she looked at me, trying to act all innocent. Whatever she had; however, could wait until later. I sighed before continuing on. "I want you to go home and rest." She began to protest, but I held up a hand to ask for silence, and I got it. "It's not that I appreciate the fact that you were here the entire time I was unconscious, but you really need to take care of yourself right now. I'm fine, and with all these machines hooked up to me, the doctors will know if I so much as twitch the wrong way." I tried to smile, but I'm sure Amy could tell my heart wasn't in it. "I'll be fine. Go on, go home and get some rest."

            "Ah...you're right, Penn..." she said, and I felt as if I could hear a bit of sadness in her voice. "I am a bit tired," she said, obviously trying to put on a brave face. I guess she was still a little concerned about me, and felt hurt that I wanted her to go. It wasn't my intention to hurt her feelings, but Amy has a tendency to neglect herself when others are in need...or in my case, unconscious and in a hospital bed. I suppose that is what makes Amy, Amy, but even so, I still couldn't help but worry about her.
            Before she left the room, however, she came up to me and gave me a quick hug and headed out towards the door.
"Amy, wait." I called to her, stopping her at the door. "Once I've served out this prison sentence," I paused, trying to figure out exactly what it was I was trying to say. "I'll make it up to you, for making you worry so much." Amy smiled, which helped put the guilt I was feeling for making her worry, lessen. "It's a promise, then." she said, before wishing me well and walking out the doorway.
I listened for the sound of her footsteps, and once I was certain they had faded away, I fell back onto my pillow, already beginning to dread the next thirty days I was going to spend trapped in a bed.

Thirty long days....the thought of it disturbed me. Hospitals…to me meant only one thing: Death. I thought those next thirty days were going to be a living hell.

...How was I supposed to know that I could have been so wrong?

30 days left.