A Journey To The Clouds, Escape From Cloud Castle - Book Two - ✓

Chapter Twenty-two

I slowly arose from where I sat, hopeful that Hera kept investigating the area and gave up. Ally gets the signal as well, because she gets up and moves a few other small pieces to keep weight on the door.

I look at Ally's soft, wondrous face full of emotions of what had just happened. It almost felt like everything was a blur. I take a deep breath and I start to walk around the small closet.

The chipped wooden flooring and stone walls are nothing but the ordinary, as we've learned, but the decor is just all over the place. Literally.

Knicknacks loot the flooring from small slabs and containers to big boxes and large wooden blocks and figures. All of them are in destructive condition, with broken pieces and shattered glass.

I unconsciously make my way towards the untouched piano. It almost feels like the piano was inserted here. Like it never belonged here. Well, of course it hasn't-It's a grand piano!

"I wonder how it plays." Ally says. I nod in agreement.

I lean against the wall and squeeze through it until I'm in front of the piano. I press a finger into one of the keys. A perfect C.

"It's in tune." I report to Ally. Her eyes glisten.

"It sounds beautiful." She says. "I wonder how it's been able to stay here, untouched, and in tune for so long." She adds.

"Same." I tell her.

"You play?" Ally asks. I shrug.

"I used to. I don't know if I'm any good now. Been a few years." I say. I feel my cheeks start to turn red.

"Why don't you give it a try?" Ally asks. I tip my head to the side, but sit down on the fabric bench.

"Which song?" I ask her.

"Any." She replies. She leans her head on the wall and presses a foot into it.

I begin to play. My hands move to the swerving beat of the music. Crescendos boom and soft diminuendos creep. My breathing slows and my heartbeat drops. I close my eyes and take in the sweet sound that comes into my ears.

"Wow, Connor. Has it really been a few years?" Ally asks as I finish the last few notes of the piece.

"Truly has." I reply. I clear my throat.

"You know what?" Ally says. She has a bright smile on her face.

"What?" I ask her.

"So, you know we're going to need to distract the Giants and Cyclops in order to get Lily and Hazel free, correct?" Ally asks.

"Yes."

"Well, I just thought of an idea."

"Alright, what is it then?"

"You'll see." She says, her smile warm.

"At least give me a hint?" I plea.

"Oh alright. It has to do with that piano." She says.