KZ's and Dragoln's Short Stories [2022 EDITION]

Our Song

14.10.22

There was something not quite right about the window. Despite the microscopic slits of consuming, bitter frost licking at the double-glazed glass, there was a sort of mist swirling inside the gap. Nyx concluded that it was not constructed to contain a vacuum.

Windows were the only walls that assembled the conservatory of Moorfield House. Even the doors to the other rooms were made of glass. They were just heavily tinted - barricading the vision of the prisoners from the others. In the summer, the sweltering heat would prickle at their skin like hundreds of needles. When winter would introduce itself, it'd feel as if their flesh was tearing apart at the relentless icy whiplash.

Nyx wasn't alone. She was with Asher who grew up with her in her town. In fact, they were close friends, and currently, they were held captive in a peculiar cell, their inner enchantment deactivated. Many exceptions were made for the two since they were the youngest prisoners.

The girl slumped down on the floor, her gaze dribbling back to the suspicious free-flowing mist in the window.

"It's like they're trying to entertain us," she sighed.

"Very poorly, yes," replied Asher, who seemed unbothered for anything. He leaned on one of the windows, focusing rather on the outside world than whatever was trapped with them. "It's been forever since we've had proper entertainment though."

"I could sing a song if you like," Nyx joked.

"Don't even think about it." Asher's response brought out a belly laugh from the girl and it rebounded off the glass room.

Delight was absent in the boy, however.

Nyx had watched her once playful friend slowly turn to face the darkness as time went by. The experience was unpleasant and disheartened the jovial girl. He was so grave all the time, only the direst of thoughts on his mind being said aloud.

Moorfield House was plunged into inevitable silence for another few hours. Nyx wondered how she remained sane. Boredom was a tranquil yet untamed storm that awkwardly whirlpooled around them both.

This wasn't right. The two were exceptionally close. Asher was taking their time together for granted.

Recognition of what was inside the window caught Nyx's eyes before she tried to spark a conversation with her friend again, "remember that time when we shattered all the windows in one of the Kinetic's meeting rooms."

"Those days are behind us. We're here because of them."

Gosh. He didn't have to be so cynical.

"Do you still remember using the Sonic enchantment?" Nyx asked.

"I do. And I wish we still had that ability. We could smash down all these windows with just our voices. I bet they placed us here to taunt us." Something resembling a smile twitched across his mouth.

"Yes, the Kinetics think they're so much better than us," Nyx spluttered.

"I know! Thinking they're so special because they use their hands for enchanting." Now Asher started to make many more faces, his expression of stone coming to life.

"There's nothing wrong with the Sonics - or us - right?"

"There never was, Nyx."

Memories began to thrust into Asher's mind - memories of just him and her. Out of instinct, he managed to hum the tune of one of the songs they had written together.

That's how they became friends. Both thought that sound was a wonderful gift. And whenever they used it, it was powerful.

In realization, Nyx joined in the familiar chorus and their eyes lit up in contentment. Their humming quickly turned into the mumbling of the words. Once they were confident enough, the mumbling rapidly transformed into extraordinarily majestic dulcet tones. When Nyx took the harmony line, the splendor of the song multiplied.

Their mouths contained dying words as they reached the final chorus.

Then, stillness.

So the girl offered a grin and began to joke again, "oh so I can't start singing but you can?"

As if a miracle took place, the boy laughed for the first time in who knows how long. "It felt...good. That was a good song."

"It was."

Asher hesitated before saying what he had longed to say in a while. "I wasn't a fun person to be around. You've stayed optimistic all this time. How?"

Nyx's reply was simple, "I want you to be happy." Her expression twisted and her smile withered. "No matter what happens, promise you will stay happy?"

"From now on, I promise you I'll stay happy," Asher finished.

"I'm glad you caught on."

"Of course, I caught on. Thank you." Gratitude filled Asher's warm smile.

But it was the opposite for Nyx. Strangely, she was crying now, her tears being of genuine sorrow. "Today's the day."

The boy's face darkened and he rushed to her side. "Are you okay? What do you mean?"

One of the tinted windows flipped open as he uttered the last word.

Menacing Kinetic guards marched through the cell and harshly plucked Asher from the floor, forcing a departure from Nyx. He writhes about before unleashing a blood-curdling scream.

"What the heck is this!"

Nyx was the one to answer, "don't worry! They're saving you."

"From what?"

"The entire room is a vent and the windows carry poisonous gas," one of the guards snarled in a low voice.

"So?"

"Too many prisoners are being caught. The Kinetic chief wants to exterminate half of us. So he gave me a choice: my life or yours," her response was laced with a sad smile as she retreated from Asher's sight.

Asher was affirmative he knew where this was going.

"No! The second one, Nyx. The second one, please!"

But she had already chosen.

His screeching was half cut off because he was now pulled out of the room, blocked out of the conservatory cell. Blocked from ever seeing Nyx's face again.

The room hissed. A mighty cry of agony and defeat was heard from beyond the tinted window making Asher collapse onto his knees. His blood ran cold and his face scorched with tears.

He promised her happiness.

And that promise was broken in an instant. 

~