Stepping on the wooden stairs, all of a sudden, she sees Alderic storm by. Before she could say anything, the gloom on her brother’s face silenced her words. Something bad happened between them, she could definitely tell. Crossing through her sight, the sound of the closing door hid him from her questions. If things keep going on like this… When can they be saved? When can he be saved? A never-ending maze. When walking down the maze’s path leads to nowhere, then why not burn it all to reach the destination? Do whatever it takes to execute the plan, as Father has taught each one of Sylvester. So this time, before his helplessness, she will be the one holding the torch, lighting up the way to his awakening.
Opening the door, a low sigh escaped. Theodore lies silently on the bed, his dark navy eyes fixed on the ceiling. Now that his long, messy hair has been fixed neatly, his bright face can finally be seen clearly. Though covered in an emotionless expression hinting at dreary touches, he must have been once dazzling, she thought. An aura of confidence and charms, enough to change him. The brother, hidden behind his teasing mask, is a nonchalant soul whose heart has been locked away long ago. The rusty key of his heart he throws that day will, in the end, lie in those pale hands. From the newfound sense of love, a graceful flower rises and is nurtured by their embrace. And at this moment, halfway to uncovering that barren land, he chooses to destroy instead. Destroyed the only blooming flower with denial, and disappointment. For the first time in so long, the child learns how to love down to the depths of inadequacy. Though they couldn’t see her, she could effortlessly tell how stubborn they were. Blindly and stubbornly, they thought they were protecting each other.
“I’m Evelyn Sylvester,” she takes Theodore’s hand, covering her warmth on his “I know deep down, you still can hear us, see us.” The determined eyes are gold in color and fix on his figure. “Everything that's happened is our fault. Putting you in this, was never our will.” She was tired of running in circles, she sure was, and so did he. Enough of talking, now they need to do something to stir up the situation. “As much as I want to, the past can’t be undone." More than anyone, you must be the one who understands the most.” Gripping his hand lightly, the warmth, the bravery spread to him. “In this eternal alley of darkness, we yearn for your awakening, your brilliant mind. For you, the only one who could stop the root of all tragedy. For your forgiveness, you can revive our lost strength.” For a second, the ocean in those eyes oscillates. Even if it was just her imagination, there is no way to turn back now. “Taking this chance, we can still able to save the others,” firmly, she said, “ With your return, I await a united league.” It felt the whole time she was talking to herself, with Evelyn standing up. Just before getting out of the room, she whispers under her soft breath.
“When will you realize, dear doctor?” The answer you seek is right in front of your eyes.”
I will be disappointed if you can’t even see the real truth.
Standing at the doorway, a new day starts again. Though this time, the pretend smile can’t be forced onto his solemn lines. Waking him up, helping him put on fresh clothes, Alderic did his usual chores flawlessly. Sighing softly, the emerald eyes catch his own reflection in the mirror. The ethereal figure was covered in a frustrated aura. Then the eyesight stops at Theodore. He can no longer run. No, he doesn’t want to hide anymore. For Theodore, he is willing to bet. For Theodore, he is willing to face his own fear. For this time, he will see… The most sincere and honest person in him.
Hands in hands, the steady steps guide them up the stairs, to a strange room. No one besides Alderic could know this place. Turning the statue’s hand, a hidden door opened behind the bookshelves. Under the dedication of Alderic’s hands, he now resides peacefully on the old lounge seat, with the soul seemingly nowhere to be found as per usual. A dusty room that had been left untouched for ages welcomed the duo with the creaking sound of the worn-out hinges, Alderic, in contrast to the statues-like Theodore, yanked the curtains open. Indeed, the cold and dark place, once again breathed life into the warm rays of the sun, revealing centuries-old treasures. A piano is left at the center, covered in a grayish tone from dust, along with the chandelier that can no longer be lit. Evidence of time. Neither sound accompanied them this morning, except for the footsteps now taking a good look around the abandoned room. “How do you think of this hideout?” Casually glancing back to the unmoved man on that chair, silence. Of course, he knew nothing would come out, not even the smallest grunt.
To ease the lumps inside his heart, to calm the sea inside his mind, they said music was the key. The cold embraced his fingertips, finding its way through dirt and grime to the keys hidden underneath. “This used to be my favorite place,” he said, laughing faintly. One after another, their sound, was still lively in the film of memories as if it were only yesterday. To pull the wooden seat nearby, may the symphony of the wavering heart be heard. His hand is elegantly sliding across the keyboard is his hand. Sorrows, pains, and regrets, for the very first time, spoke for themselves through the notes. Emotions, fire with each press. It is no longer a familiar piece that those hands played countless times, for this time, everything came at once. “Can’t you see, Theodore?” “To see what I felt?” Pouring every drop of passion, to yearn for release from the cage he found himself in, to the man who stood as rocks there. Will he free himself from eternal sleep?
Coming from the void, the black figure floated teasingly around Theodore. Pocking his cheeks, it’s trying to catch his attention, just to be disappointed by his ignorance. A glimpse of surprise splashes the black figure as it notices the difference in Theodore. Though saying nothing, those eyes somehow glued themselves to the sight of that man, on the melodies from his dancing hands. Why is Theodore acting like that? The black figure tilts its head, then slowly, a playful smile appears. With those notes, he is telling the story of who he was. And he hopes Theodore, who has already given up on himself, understands and forgives? The black figure laughed to itself. Foolish. Leaning on Theodore, the black figure entices, “Are you curious?” Reaching out its hand to Theodore, the question surely catches his attention. “I could let you take a sneak peek.” Hesitating for a moment, he turns to Alderic. Passionate yet melancholy is the song of him. He wants to know… He wants to give him… And himself a chance.
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Taking the black figure’s hand, he sees him, sharing the same world. The tall figure turns his back to him, silently. Taking slow steps, he comes to his side. Seeing him from behind like this, he finally can see how bare and lonely his back was. Contrary to his usual teasing jokes and bright attitude, Feelings, and memories follow each other, diving him into the depths of complexity. With those newfound feelings, he fears, fears of what is to come. One step away from him, a thin red string tied to his finger appears. Tracing the string, the other side was tied to Alderic’s hand, just like his. Why are they tied together?
The moment he places his hand on Alderic’s shoulder, the void fills with white light, coming along with the strong wind. Dazzlingly, the lights were enough to force Theodore to shut tight. Then, opening his eyes, a peaceful field greets him. There was no oblivion or coldness, only the soothing sound of Alderic’s song dancing in the air. The soft breeze touched his skin, leaving warm kisses just like he used to. Tracing down, the red string was still there, leading him high up the field, to the ginkgo tree. The golden leaves light up the place with their warmth, easing away the coldness in his heart. Though strong, and powerful, he can feel the ginkgo dying slowly. The red string, the same tied to his hand, bound each of its branches, calling for him. Placing his hand on the tree, Theodore can feel its reassuring warmth… Just like his embrace, quietly he can hear the faint sound, just like his steady heartbeat. In the sea of golden leaves, stands out a crimson leaf is about to fall down.
The lights rest on the crimson leaf, and for a moment, he can see a glimpse of his story. 5… A child with night-like hair giggled in his mother’s arms, holding a storybook happily. The father came into the image, putting soft kisses on the child and the mother. Together, they were a perfect family. The song of the piano rings tenderly. 4… The crimson leaf leans on the wind, dancing in the air. The father was nowhere to be seen, and the child slept soundly in the mother’s soft lullaby, forgetting the tears quietly rolling down her cheeks. 3… The crimson leaf falls into mid-air to the sound of the flickering keyboard. Rains of yells and ignominy fell down on mother and father. No matter how hard Father tries, those screams will never stop. In her kind smile, the mother covered the child’s ears, and continued her lullaby. 2… Just a few steps to the ground, the crimson ginkgo leaf fell in the dreary symphony. The father was holding the sword. Losing himself in bitter tears, he yelled the poisonous words, shattering his mother’s heart. Striking down, the blade dyed in agony while cutting on the child’s flesh. Falling into his mother’s embrace, a blood rose began to bloom on his chest. 1... The song of the piano stops. Resting alas, the crimson fell down to a puddle. An instinct… No, a beg… To save the leaf. The moment the leaf turns, he sees… The last images of them. The child screamed his heart out, kneeled before his mother. Father, soon dried his tears, leaving his beloved child alone, forever. For mother's eyes could never see her loved one again, and this world could no longer hold her steps. The emerald eyes were stained with utter pain, one by one, sealing his loving heart.
The crimson leaf, dyed the color of the scar that day, the color of his past falling deeper in the embrace of the water. Before his hand could touch the leaf, Theodore reached deeper into the puddle, only to realize it had become an ocean. Yet, even though the fragile leaf, more and more, drowned deeper into the depths, even the sweeping water flows trampled with countless blooming scratches, somehow he still stubbornly reached the leaf. The red string once again bound him to the fragile ginkgo. In the darkness and the coldness of the ocean, the leaf is still glowing softly, lightening his way. Deeper they go, through the storms of agony and self-blame, to the vortex of pain and disappointment. Like a mirror, all of his feelings vividly appeared one by one in the ocean. One by one, he experienced them all. Every one of his actions, of his hesitations, of his sadness…finally he could understand. All of them tell the story of Alderic Livius Sylvester, a child who yearns for forgotten love. For the child, he met on that snowy day, he only wanted to have his family back.
Deeper and deeper, they reach the bottom of the ocean. A place with no sound or burdens. Bathing in a gentle light, the crimson leaf rests on a music box. A simple wooden music box, lying silently on the ground. Curiosity took the best of him, slowly picked it up. The music box was unlike any other he had seen before. Once thought the piece of decor, bears no living soul, yet this one is seemingly radiating… warmth. What’s more, are faint thumps, as if a beating heart lies inside the gift. From confusion to realization, it does not just exist out of nowhere, but why did Theodore felt if he let it go, shall the gift would never be returned? Theodore found himself holding on to the beating music box, close to his heart with all his might, to cherish every warmth, every beat. It felt like… Home. A moment to caress the box, he stumbled upon a lock, but perhaps its key will forever be gone.
In the end, his enormous efforts paid off, and a key landed soundly in his palm, demanding him to open. Unlocked, a soothing melody follows, filling this depth with warmth. A familiar melody. The same one, on that snowy day, tied them together in the flow of fate. The same one, sewing their wounds with the destined red string. A tear slowly fell down the sapphire eyes. Evelyn was right, the answer he seeks already lies in his heart. All of a sudden, rays of colorful lights escaped the music box, breaking the ocean into countless golden ginkgo leaves. A storm of mixed feelings and memories appears before his eyes. All of them are his, all of them bearing the image of Theodore. Theo…Theo… The image of him smiling brightly, reaching out his hand to him. The barren heart, bloomed with the depth of emotions, that surrounded him, Alderic. Taking his hand, Theodore steps into the light.