Hetalian Protectors

A Song in my Mind

(The song used is "A Twist in my Story" by Secondhand Serenade.)

As I listened to everyone laughing and talking together, one main thought stuck out from all the rest, filling me with uncertainty.

Why did seeing Aridan smile make me fear the future so much?

*****

Russia's POV: Pine needles and branches crunched beneath my feet as I walked, listening to the bird song overhead. I couldn't help but smile. Even though I was inside, it was almost impossible to tell. Aridan's house was quite impressive.

The trees were tall, foretelling that the roof was pretty far away, and occasionally I would spot a piece of moonlight filtering through the pine needles. Windows were left open, allowing animals such as birds and squirrels to make their homes here. Fortunately they never made their way downstairs, so we never ate with any of the animals, except for Aridan's dogs. I didn't really mind that though.

I placed my hand on a trunk, leaning on my shoulder and feeling the fabric of my night-shirt scratch against the rough bark. My gloves were off, revealing my pale, calloused skin, while on my feet were a pair of black slip on shoes. My clothes were composed of a cotton grey t-shirt and a soft pair of grey sweat pants. They didn't do much against the cold, but of course I was used to such things, so I wasn't really bothered. In fact, it made me feel more at home.

I started off walking again, heading towards the balcony. It was rather late, nearing two in the morning, but I couldn't sleep. Ever since Aridan returned home as injured as she was, I'd been having nightmares. Ones that were worst than normal. They were all about the same thing.

The girl from so long ago. The one who had died inside the mansion all those years ago, in the fires we had set. I shivered, recalling the last dream I had just a few minutes ago. There had been so much heat and debris. We were lucky to have found them at all. Thinking back though, I realized that there was one difference though. The girl's face in the dream had been replaced by Aridan's, and I was having a difficult time recalling what the girl had looked like. I didn't want to forget about her. She was the very first person I had ever come to-

Slow down, the world isn't watching us break down
It's safe to say we are alone now, we're alone now...

I froze, my heart skipping an extra beat. The sound of a voice carried through the air, soft but confident. Even though there was no wind, the tune flowed through the trees easily, notes tainted with a low tone of sadness, and I felt a pulling in my chest.

Where have I heard this before...?

Not a whisper, the only noise is the receiver
I'm counting the seconds until you break the silence
So please just break the silence...

Slowing down, my feet felt like stones, memories bubbling into my mind. A girl staring out one of many windows, her mouth open as she sung. Her eyes were usually closed, showing that she was lost in the moment. Her face had been etched with something close to happiness, despite the situation we were in. Something was very wrong though.

That girl was supposed to be dead.

So why was someone singing her song? I definitely hadn't heard that song in this century, meaning it must of been more than a couple hundred years old. I haven't even heard it since... she passed. None of my family knew that song. So that only left...

Aridan.

The whispers turn to shouting
The shouting turns to tears
Your tears turn into laughter
And it takes away our fears...