~~~ 4 Years Earlier ~~~
Rose is here and Kevin too.
They sit by me in the hospital cafeteria eating their vegan lunches whilst I poke around my own fettucini alfredo. My fork prods at the squishy overcooked noodles. I can barely eat. I've managed to swallow down two bites, but that's about all I can muster.
All I can think of Mr. Maxwell dying so Harmony can live. Mr. Maxwell who is the only person who's ever been fatherly to me. The silent comfort when I needed it. The slowly-sinking madman. Harmony's only family left. What will she do now? I wonder. Mr. Maxwell had no plans to where we would go after here. Where do we go? I certainly am not going back to my real family. They're somewhere in Russia, doing who-knows-what. They were always neglectful parents; didn't give any affection or attention, just a meal when I needed it or a paper signed when the school organized a field trip. Yes, my parents are out of the question. So what now? Are we staying with Rose and Kevin? They were called not too long ago by Mr. Maxwell. Has he given them custody?
Rose clears her throat and sets down her fork. Her face is a pale when she looks up, apart from the rosy-redness on her cheeks where they have been stained by makeup. Her face is a little blotchy, maybe from crying and her thin, almond eyes peer from behind her glasses. "Toby," She says, clasping her hands together and resting them politely under her chin. "Are you alright?"
Am I alright? I don't know. I don't feel like lying to Rose, who is so sweet and young and caring. "No," I blurt out, dramatically dropping my fork and pushing my plate away from me.
Kevin sets his silverware down too and looks at me sympathetically. "Hey, it'll be okay, kid." He wraps his arm around my shoulders and gives them a squeeze.
"He's going to die." I whisper under my breath. "That doesn't seem okay."
"Aw, kid..." I feel his arm slip away. "I know it seems bad, but death is a part of life and sometimes we just have to accept it and move on. The fact that Mr. Mawell is willing to give up his life for Harmony is amazing. I'll miss him, you'll miss him, and so will Harmony. He won't be forgotten." Kevin turns to me and gives a half smile. Rose tips her head and nods. She looks like she's on the verge of tears again.
I remain silent as I pick up my food and dump it into the trash can walk out. There are people everywhere, smelling of Lysol and humans and sterile things. I don't know where I am going as I walk, but I need space from all this confusion and shame. I just keep walking and walking until I find myself in the gift shop. It's a dinky store, little, cheap gifts and cheesy cards and flowers that all smell the same. I pick out some tulips and pay for them at the counter.
Harmony's room is full of nurses when I walk in. Her eyes are closed blissfully and she lays silent and unmoving as they prepare her for surgery. The nurses don't notice me come in. I cradle the bouquet in my arms and wait at door frame until they are all distracted, which I then lay down the flowers at her feet and walk away.
Harmony's peaceful face lingers in my mind as I am caught in the conformed silence of the hospital. I think of the words, 'heaven sent' while I walk back to the cafeteria, but I try not to think of the memories that cling to those words. And I do try, yet they stay with an eerie echo. Faces of people and sadness and darkness are there in the back of my mind. They don't budge.
I sit back down next to Kevin and Rose, who haven't left. Both of them whisper to each other forlonly and barely notice me sit back down.
"Sorry, I just was feeling a little..." I pause, thinking of the right word. "-Confused. And I needed to get away for a bit."
Rose turns her face from Kevin. "Toby, it's okay. I understand. Do you want to go somewhere to get your mind off of everything with Harmony and her dad? We could go to the mall for a bit or get some real food at a restaurant? We'd be back in time for Harmony's surgery to be over-"
"Yeah, I'd like that." I interrupt.
~~~
We ride the speed train until we find ourselves at an art museum.
The museum is jam-packed full of people, squished together and curious. Rose happily pays for the tickets and we begin to tour on our own.
I begin find myself lost in the art. How beautiful the prints and actual paintings are, tediously made with stable, still hands. I adore the paintings of Picasso and the colors and style he uses. I think I could spend hours here among the smell of old art and classy women and men dressed for the fun of it.
There's one specific photograph that catches my eye though. It's modern and is a Movoe (moving photograph) that captures a boy in black clothes. His dreadlocks are wet and slicked across his head like a mop. He stands emotionless except for the faint look of confusion in his eyes. His back is adorned with wing implants, silvery white and black feathers. He wanders around the Movoe before he aproaches the front and mouths a word.
Just one.
"Toby."
~~~~~
I haven't written a new chapter in forever! I'm sorry guys. :c
So this is a small chapter, sorry about that too. I been a little busy. I will have the next one (Harmony PoV) soon.
Comments and votes will be payed back in imaginary cookies.
-PBP is OUT
