Piano Keys

In the half empty space of my room, my back was against the bed, and I was as comfy as anyone could ever be. In the background, classical piano music played; it soothed my growing nerves. I looked over at my calendar, and in big red letters I had circled today's event: 'Leo's grand ball.' Today, I would play the piano at our Mayor Leo's ball which he throws every year for his daughter.

He took orders from Leah, our head chief. Overall there are 10 provinces, which make up what we call Delta. Leah rules them all, and quite well I might add. Everyone is happy and generally lived well.

As my thoughts trailed on, the time slipped away up to the point when I knew I needed to dress and do my hair. Although I was not attending as a guest to the ball, I still had a standard as to which my attire must meet.

I pulled out my lovely floor length red gown which complimented my auburn hair quite well. I slipped it on over my head, sat down and began to work my hair. Two loose curls skirted the side of my face; my signature look when my hair was up. Next came the makeup. I placed shimmery browns and blacks on my eyes, the earthy tones complimented my chocolate eyes well.

"Mom, I'm heading off to the ball. I'll probably be back late, depending on how late they want me to stay." I strode into the living room to kiss her goodbye. She was asleep with an empty beer in hand, drunk.

At least I know where you'll be when I get home, I thought. She drank to drink away the pain of losing my father in war. I coped with it by playing piano, she coped by drinking, but hey, it could be worse. There had only be a few instances where her drinking had become dangerous. It could be far worse!

It was hard on the both of us, losing my dad, that is. He was such a splendid father and husband. He was drafted to go into battle only a few short months ago. One month after he was drafted, we received the word he had been killed in action.

I slipped into my car and began the 30-minute drive to the building the ball would be held at. The facility used to be a war museum before our own wars all started. I had only been in the building once before but it had such beauty to it. With arches cascading down from the ceiling and two grand staircases on either side of the building, I could see why Leo would choose this venue for his daughter's ball.

I finally arrived at the building, and pulled into the parking lot and was stopped because I had to go through security. They searched my car, my purse, my music bag, and me. It was an unusual amount of security for only a mayor's ball. I was quickly directed from security to the back of the building where I would park. I made my way through the back entrance and found Mr. Louis, my music teacher. He was always the one to arrange my playing at these sorts of events. I was then given a brief tour of the building and an instruction as to what I'd be playing and when.

Devine curtains caressed the sides of the huge front windows, drapes were elegantly placed on each columns and white twinkly lights were everywhere. Small white candles were placed on the side of the stairs and a burgundy carpet was sent rolling down the steps. There was a massive table filled with every delectable food you could imagine, and my personal favorite was the chocolate fountain.

"Beautiful, right?" Mr. Louis stood there, slightly amused at the sight of me gawking at the massive room.

I nodded.

"No expense was spared for the birthday girl. I take it this is your first time attending." A man in a fancy black and white suit approached us, champagne in hand.

"Working," I corrected him. "I'm the pianist for the night. And yes, this is our first time at the ball."
"Well, welcome. My name is Tyler, and I am the event coordinator." He flashed us a very forced smile, and reached out his hand.

I forced a smile on my face as well. "I'm Cali and this is my piano instructor, Louis." I shook his hand.

"Well, it was nice meeting both of you and I hope you are impressed. If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask." I couldn't put my finger on it, but this guy irritated me.
After Tyler's exit, I found my way to the piano bench and began to set up my music in the order it was to be played. Soon the sun found its way behind the horizon and guests started to trickle in. I played effortlessly and let the music soothe my nerves, but some nerves didn't appear to be soothed. The more people I saw entering, the more security guards I saw frantically running around. Nonetheless, I kept playing.

The night went on and people danced around, drank fancy drinks, and adored the mayor's daughter, Heather. I watched as she danced in her red dress with a few of her friends and laughed.

Suddenly, the scene changed.

A guard went sprinting for her, tugging her away. Confused glances swept all over the crowed. A man soon rushed up to me on the stage and rudely hushed my playing. He held a microphone to his lips as he wiped the sweat off his face. I stood from my bench. Something was very wrong.

"I need everyone to please exit the building quickly and calmly. We have received a bomb threat." Screams and cries of fear filled the room. I spotted one familiar face. Tyler. I charged for him and was separated by a massive crowd of five hundred people all trying to exit the building at once.

Suddenly everything slowed, the walls blew inward, fire and smoke along with pieces of wood flew everywhere. A noise 10x louder than thunder echoed inside the crumbling building.
One minute, the world was clear and I knew that I needed to leave the building as fast as possible, but the next minute I was on the ground and I knew nothing as to what I should do.
I was hit by a force, not of a person or a thing, but of air and fire. The threat was real. The bomb had gone off.

The world spun around me and was so blurry that I couldn't see a thing. I felt a hand grip my arm and tug me up. My ears rung but I could clearly hear men shouting. I was swung over a shoulder and carried to God knows where. I felt a rope tied around my wrists and that was when I realized this man was not my saviour from the burning smoulder of the blown building, but rather a captor. I was thrown into a van and then it all went black.

Notes