"NG...O...C... L...A...M…"
The head roars and rushes towards her. Its rear is long and slimy, slithering like a snake. Its mucus tightly wraps around Ngoc Lam's legs, making it impossible for her to run away.
Ngoc Lam struggles violently, trying to lean away from that disgusting monster.
The monster loses its momentum and crashes into a black wall behind her. Because it is so painful, it writhes and rolls. Taking advantage of the moment when the body that is binding her loosens, Ngoc Lam quickly runs away.
The monster sees Ngoc Lam running away, so it immediately and frantically chases after her. Ngoc Lam runs into the small alley, following her instinct. The monster stubbornly pursues her, crashing into one wall and the other. Piece by piece, the wall gradually collapses behind her heels.
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On stage, Van Thac is still playing his part. Ngoc Lam's part is about to come, but it seems like she has no reaction to M, just like she cannot hear the music in her ears. The audience is curious about Ngoc Lam's strange expression. It seems like she is locked in her own subconscious. Ngoc Lam's parents hold their breath while they are watching their daughter. Behind them, the smiles of Thanh and Mrs Phuong and her husband become more and more triumphant.
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Ngoc Lam continues to run. When the monster sees that he is close to catching her, he opens his hideous mouth wide. Ngoc Lam tilts her body to avoid it every time it is about to bite her. She does not know when this chase will end. However, just as she is thinking about it, Ngoc Lam crashes into the black wall in front of her. She uses her hands to feel around, but they are all walls. It turns out she has run herself into a dead end.
Ngoc Lam cannot find a way to escape, so she has to turn around and look towards the monster.
“Ngoc Lam… you monster… you murderer…” The monster screams and curses her.
Ngoc Lam takes a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Her hands are shaking. She waits for the monster to rush towards her, calculating in her head that she will avoid it as quickly as possible, hoping that it will destroy the walls behind her. But surprisingly, it doesn't move at all. It just stays there, blocking the exit, and its mouth constantly repeating the curses.
Its screams are similar to thousands of knives tearing through Ngoc Lam's eardrums. They are curses that banish her to the depths of suffering and deadlock. Ngoc Lam stands close to the black wall, trembling as she looks at Minh's face, which is tormenting her.
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With only a few more parts left, Ngoc Lam's immobility makes the audience stir more sounds. M feels uneasy when the words begin to reach her ears. Although she and the entire Orchestra are mentally prepared for the worst situations, and the backing orchestra below also includes Thuyen, who is ready to replace Ngoc Lam at any time, the whispers behind her back make M even more worried and scared. She cannot imagine how much pressure Ngoc Lam, a 10-year-old child, had to endure that day from the torture of Mrs Phuong and her husband.
M takes a deep breath to stay calm. She glances at Thac and Thuyen sitting behind her. Both are looking at M as a signal that they understand. They all maintain their composure, mentally starting the countdown to the decisive moment.
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Ngoc Lam leans close to the wall behind her. She feels like she has something that needs to be done, but she cannot remember. The curses make her mind chaotic and unable to concentrate. Ngoc Lam lowers her head. Suddenly, amidst the curses ringing in her ears, there is the sound of music. The sound is very quiet, and it has been obscured by the monster's screams, the sound of her footsteps running in panic, and her breathing heavily due to fear. Ngoc Lam regains consciousness so that she can listen to the music. It's a trumpet sound. Van Thac's words from earlier echo in Ngoc Lam's mind. She can't be stuck here. He is waiting for her. Mom and M both said it wasn't her fault. She needs to go.
Ngoc Lam tries to muster all her strength, and in response to the monster's harsh words, she screams.
"I AM NOT! STOP!"
Tears well up in her eyes, and her lips tremble as she looks at Minh's face. The cursing stops, but the monster doesn't move an inch.
“Everyone says I'm a monster. Everyone said they were afraid of my abilities. Minh, that day when you found me, did you ever think of me as a monster?
“...”
“People always say you have to try your best, but for someone like me, trying is wrong, right?”
“...”
“I used to believe that. I constantly torment myself. But… but… I want to play music. I only want to play music… with you… Minh, tell me, I was wrong, wasn't I?”
“...”
“There are always people telling me it's not my fault. Even so, how can I not be sad when you are not with me anymore?
“...”
“ Minh, he is waiting for me on stage. He... Van Thac... told me that I could play the music with all my ability. He said that I was his motivation. Minh, I'm not a monster."
“...”
“I also want to be like you, be someone's inspiration. His music is as beautiful as the sun. He said I was his motivation, but he was also my strength.”
“...”
"Minh,
Thank you."
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Ngoc Lam's stiff, motionless body suddenly moves. She looks like she has completely lost herself to her instincts. The violin is already on her shoulder, and the bow is on the string.
In the blink of an eye, the buzzing audience falls into silence. The sound of the violin soars in the air like thousands of wings reaching out, like withered flower petals being revived and blooming splendidly. The music replaces the cry of a child reborn from wounds that are still bleeding, replacing all the feelings that cannot find a place to be expressed.
Van Thac listens to the sound of the instrument he has been waiting for so long, straightens his chest, focuses on the music in his ears, and plays a duet with Ngoc Lam.
The two sounds that have just met blended. Every time the violin takes the lead, the trumpet follows. From the supportive sounds of the two people and the Orchestra, some people feel like seeing a sparkling fabric embroidered with intricate patterns by a delicate hand. Some people seem to see themselves lost in a maple forest before dawn. The dark and quiet space is gradually illuminated by the sun rising from the east. Some people have an illusion of two streams of white and black matter in the form of two swans flying around entwined together. They spread their wings to embrace, becoming one, then stretch themselves and fly higher and higher.
Ngoc Lam and Van Thac play the duet until the last notes. The music ends, and the conductor stops swinging her baton. The whole Orchestra sits holding their breath, looking at the silent stage.
Ngoc Lam looks like she is still lost after all the recent experiences. It's like a whole life has just happened in just a few short minutes. Her body falls into the same motionless state as before.
“BRAVO!”
From the stands, a man shouts and claps his hands. The entire theatre wakes up. Everyone consecutively stands up and applauds vigorously.
“BRAVO!!!”
Ngoc Lam also wakes up from her daze. She stares at the stands filled with cheers. The aura of the stage completely embraces her. In the blink of an eye, all of Ngoc Lam's feelings on stage return like a flood. Her tears flow down her cheeks.
In an emotional state, Ngoc Lam feels warmth on her hand. She looks around and sees Van Thac holding hers, with his affectionate eyes. M walks towards the audience with the whole Orchestra, and everyone bows together in endless applause.
The stage curtain slowly lowers. Ngoc Lam is on the stage to greet the audience, one of her hands is completely in Van Thac's hand.
Ngoc Lam
Van Thac
I like your music
And… you too.
[MAIN STORY: FINISH]