Of Downpours & Stormy Skies

Don't Pray On Me

Crooked Creek's Library

20th September 1905

Rain pelted the rooftops, leaving Mason grieving the loss of his parents. The day had been dark and overcast, droplets rolled on the window racing against each other. As the clouds continued to cry, he pressed his forehead on the window and he held his blurred vision to the splashing puddles.

The clouds grew darker and darker. Flash of lightning cast a silhouette to the grim statues behind him. He gave an exhausted sigh as he walked away from the cold window. Grief had consumed him entirely, tears began to spill from his helpless eyes. His shoulders jerked from the great heaving sob, he held onto the table and then his body would shake.

He cried until there was nothing left inside his hollow heart. When he cried, there was a rawness to it. Hot tears ran down his face, salting the fresh wound even deeper. He looked up to see the black-and-white photograph mocking him with their sincere smile. His breathing was ragged, struggling to stop the tears when his entire body seemed to sag with exhaustion and numbed agony.

With bleary eyes, Mason held the letters from his parents tightly. He refused to believe his parents had died. Thunder cackled in the background laughing at his stubbornness, face it, Mason, it is your fault they ended their life. Look at you, you are a failure. You never make them proud. Frustrated, he rubs his face to make the voices go away. Oh you are fun to play with, you are young, naive, hardheaded.. and lonely.

Mason sobbed into his hands, his knees grew weak and he slumped to the cold wood flooring. The rain trickle quietly, with lightning flashes and thunder, cracked the air making him flinched. A howl in the distance was returned by another. He hugs himself and let the nightmare slipped into his dream.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Mason woke up with the moon peering over the window. He stood up and wipe his tears, in the dimly light library, he moves through shelves full of yellowing books. He walks slowly, savoring the thumping in his head. The candle on his hand flickers softly, the stillness in the library sent chill down his spine.

Mason feels unsettled in the library this night, he couldn't figure why. At first the sound was no more than a hushed whisper of wind chimes. Then it became more louder, a haunting melody in the stillness. He walks down the spiraling stairs and follows the sad melody. Mason feels a hand brushed his arm and he stopped for a while to glance behind him. Nothing. The cherubs on the mural won't tear their gazes from Mason, leaving a hot burning sensation to his back.

Mason found himself standing before a big door, he could clearly hear the beautiful melody. It sounds sad, sorrowful yet peaceful. Open the door, what are you waiting for? He groggily reached for the handle. Come on, unlock the door. Mason hesitated for a moment before he hunched down and peered through the keyhole.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Guernica's residence, East Lane.

21st September 1905

"Mason," Ali nudged his foot gently making Mason stirred in his slumber. Warm sunlight peeked through the heavy curtain, dust swirled around the sunlight. He feels content and cuddle deeper to the comforter. Slowly and reluctantly, he opens his eyes and sees Ali worried face. "you fainted in your office.." Mason knitted his brows together, before realizing his parents' suicide note. He abruptly sat up and threw the comforter away, but Ali pushed him back down.

"I have heard the news, I'm sorry." Ali frowns and offers him a cup of warm tea, but Mason shook his head and stared at the bare wall on top of the fireplace. Oh, look now your friend pity you. You are so vulnerable, Mason. Mason tore his gaze away from the pale wallpaper, his heart ached so bad remembering what his parents had done. "Why are you here?" Mason asked quietly. He still remembers the sad melody he heard last night, "and what do you mean by, I fainted in my office? I remember going downstairs"

Ali shoots him a questioning glance, "downstairs? No, you must be dreaming. It's almost 1am and Esme told me, you are still at the office. I went to your office and well, I saw you on the floor" he gestured his hand toward the floor, almost spilling the now cold tea on his hand. Ali set aside the cup and patted Mason's shoulder making him flinched at the physical contact. He held his hands up and said apologies to Mason, "I should go now, goodbye Mason" fixing his bowtie, Ali briskly walked toward the door and gently closed the door.

"I'm sorry.." Mason whispered silently to Ali, doubting he could hear him. You are the one who pushed them away. Now, nobody cares about you, Mason.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

A fat tear rolled down her cheek, her shoulder shaking with grief. Esme slumped on the burgundy sofa with her husband, Richard, crouched in front of her. "Esme, it's okay hush. I'm still here with you dear," Richard wipes her tears and kissed her forehead as he stood up and sat next to her. Esme hiccuped slightly while studying the taxidermy butterflies inside a glass dome. Sunlight shine through the glass reflecting a small rainbow, Mason leaned on the desk unable to forms any words to comfort her. He could only watch his sister fell into another screaming sobs, only stopping to draw her breathe. The very sound which frequency can shatter his heart to million broken pieces. Richard looks up at Mason, giving him a knowing look. With that, Mason left the room cursing under his breathe.

Why? Why did they do that, Mason? They jumped into the raging waves, leaving no traces. The sea eat them alive, their bodies will soon be wash ashore, and eaten by wild animals. Or not at all? The Sea is enormous, Mason. Right now, they are stuck between reefs, swaying their lifeless bodies as if they are dancing with the fishes.

Why?