Entrance to the Song (completed)

Chapter 12- Words that Sing

The ghosts of trees live through human hands

Flames shot up from the white truck which made my heart clench. The cold form lay on the floor in the other room. Tears wretched from me as I watched my parents suffer. I reached out to help but an invisible wall prevented me from breaking through. I screamed.

"Rise and shine," said a deep voice jarring me from my dream. I sat bolt upright and clutched my heart. My mind was foggy, and it took a second for me to realize where I was. The face belonging to the voice hovered into view. Concern showed on his face. A hint of red bounced through his iris. "Are you all right?" he asked touching my shoulder with a gentle hand.

"Do you ever knock?" I said much louder than necessary.

A slow grin spread across his face. "I knocked for several minutes with no answer, so I came in."

I glared at him and shook his hand off not wanting his sympathy. I wanted to ask about his search for Daddy, but the lump in my throat and said I wouldn't be able to control my emotions if I did. Later.

"I don't believe you." I threw back the cover and slid out of bed attempting to push him away, but moving him was like trying to move a wall of granite. The smell of cinnamon and herbs lingered on his skin–discomfort made me go around him.

His eyes sparkled seeming to enjoy my discomfort. He knew what he was doing with all his winks and smiles. I gritted my teeth.

"Believe it or not it's time to train."

"Do I have time to change clothes?" I said, and. "Or must I flounce out there at night clothes and wild hair?"

He chuckled. "Though the sight isn't bad, I guess I'll allow you to change." He bounced his eyebrows up and down.

"Ugh." I turned to enter the bathroom. "Sickening man."

"I'll be right out here if you need me," Sol said.

I rolled my eyes and took my time getting ready, but not too long or he may check on me. I chose the black uniform today to match my mood.

The dream still lingered in my mind not making my mood any better. Dragging my feet, I exited the bathroom.

Sol waited by the door with his shoulder against the wall whistling a merry tune. "Ah, there you are." He clapped his hands together. "I was just considering whether you needed any help in there."

I gave my braid a hard tug. "As you see, I'm perfectly able to dress." My stomach rumbled. "Will I be afforded the comfort of breakfast this morning?" I blinked my eyes several times and smiled up at him.

"Yikes," he said shaking himself. "Your smile is worst than Mistress Vega's."

I scowled.

"Yes, that's much better. Your face is much prettier when you scowl." He slid an arm over my shoulder. "I'll escort you to the kitchen."

Why did he have to be so full of charm? I almost laughed at his sarcasm–and his smiles proved relentless. My shoulders felt stiff and awkward with his arm draped over them, but I didn't shake it off. We walked in awkward silence; the soft soles of my black shoes scraped the plush hardened white floors.

My eyes glanced over the faces plastered on the wall panels. They changed every day. "How can you live in a beauty bar?" I asked. "It strips people of their humanity." Not that I expected him to understand.

"The same way you live in a house."

I crossed my arms. "It's not the same."

"Was the humanity, you claim beauty bars take, ever there? People do as they please."