Forever Silenced

Morning

Autumn was just around the corner when that day came.

For many a mornings, the streets had been piled up with golden fallen leaves. The most common sound you'll probably hear is the sound of rakes and brooms brushing against the pavement and the crusty leaves that had once adorned the trees during spring and summer. It was a small source of my enjoyment, seeing as how the leaves pile up messily but seemingly exactly beneath the branches. Playful colors of gold and oranges gave life to the dull gayness of the pavements. I remembered how I used to play on those heaps of leaves. Then mother would come running after me to get my hair fixed and my clothes replaced. Every day, whenever autumn was around, that scene would loop on. It was the best thing on Earth for me. It was my simplest yet greatest source of joy.

But such was the simple joy that I had lost.

The door on my room was knocked upon softly, just like any other day, and its soft creak would immediately follow. The sound of small wheels whistling softly as they trudged the thick carpet would then come, along with almost silent footsteps that died the instant they were created.

"Master Nate," a hand would gently shake my shoulders, forcing the stupor that blanketed me to be washed away with such gentleness. "Please awaken. Your schooling will begin in two hours." A firm voice would cover the entirety of the somber room. The heavy drapery on the two windows would be pulled to the side to allow the morning light in...

"Five minutes." I groaned and turned my back to the windows. "Master Nate, your father is waiting in the dining room." The voice answered…

Wait, what?

"Father's back?" I asked when I immediately sat up as if I saw a king cobra on the other side of the bed. Fredrick, the house's butler, nodded primly before pushing the little cart to my side. There was a bowl and a towel on top of it. There was also a small water pitcher beside the bowl. Expertly, Fredrick poured some mildly steaming water from pitcher to the bowl and handed the towel before he stepped back. "He returned five hours ago, Master Nate." He said as I sat at the edge of my bed and washed my face. Ah, nothing beats a warm splash of water. I grabbed the towel and wiped my face before looking at the man who stood before me. "Five hours? That's…" I said then glanced at the clock on the small desk beside my bed. "Two-twenty three, to be exact, Master Nate." He answered for me.

So…he's back huh?

Knowing full well my father, I quickly fixed myself and descended to the dining area. True enough, he was there, sipping his coffee as his eyes darted across the day's paper like a predator scanning for his prey in the dark woods. "You're back." I casually said as I slid to my seat. The man cleared his throat and set down his cup and folded the paper. A maid-in-waiting took it from him and exited. "Yes and good morning too." He replied as he sliced on to his meal. "I thought you were going to stay in Peru for until next week." I started. If there was one thing that would make my father talk, it was business. Even if I wasn't really much inclined in the subject, I had no choice but to talk about it with him since it was the only way that I could get him notice my presence.

"I got the deal closed faster so I headed back here to finish more of the contracts." He said. "By the way, Nate." His added then wiped the sides of his mouth. Oh boy, this tone and manner of speech…I know where this is headed to.

"How are your studies?"

Subtly taking a deep breath, I shrugged and acted normal. "They're fine. Don't worry. I'm…doing good." I replied then sipped on my own cup of coffee. "Good? I thought I told you good isn't enough?" his voice whipped. "I'm doing my best, father." I reasoned out. "This level of your best is not what I'm expecting of you, Nate. Remember what you must do." He said and resumed to his plate.

"Father, this…this coming Saturday, I have a competition to attend to." I braved. He looked at me briefly and nodded. "I didn't hear of a Math Quiz Bee coming." He commented. "A-Actually, father, it's an art competition I'm attending." I said.

"Art? Are you still in engaging yourself in those nonsense activities?" his words stung. Growing up alone, I found solace with painting and drawing. With it, all my imagination became reality. All my fantasies became truth. All the fairytales existed. It was all I had when nobody was there around me. "But I'm a finalist! I cant quit it." I defended. He sighed impatiently and stood, half-finishing his meal.

"It's not that you cant quit it but you don't want to quit it. Nate, I know you do very well in arts but sadly, you have to leave that behind. There are more important things that you need to fix and give priority. In a few more years, you'll be bearing the name of our company. It's not going to be an easy thing so I want you to be prepared for all the trials and difficulties. Quit your art competition and come with me to the Board Meeting on Saturday." He said in finality before walking out the room.

And just like any other day, I was left alone at the vast dining room.

Graying skies, graying hearts

Dullness ever stirring up

Paint it black, paint it white

Silence, coldness, never stop

A/N: I'm sorry if it was still a vague chapter. I've been thinking on, for a change, making this story's chapters' word count less than a thousand (excluding the author's note). It's a challenge that sounds pretty cool to accept and triumph over. Guess how the fairytale concept would pop out in this!