Bass Case

Chapter 2: An Unsettling Night

October 20, 2026. I sit in the orchestra room admiring the memorial that we have made for Anika. A clear picture rests against her viola. Her smile was bright and seemed to be what drew your eyes to the image. Her brown hair perfectly rested upon her shoulders, and her eyes shined like diamonds. She was so beautiful, and she is still beautiful even in death.

My mind flashes back to the image of her cold lifeless body sitting in her coffin at her funeral yesterday. Her hands were folded over her stomach and her eyes were shut as though she was sleeping in a peaceful dream. I wanted to believe that she was simply just sleeping. Sleeping in a flower bed. But I knew she wasn't. I would never see her smile again, only a memory of it.

Her death was caused by a direct stab to the heart. A knife wound. She had two other open wounds on her side. Those weren't fatal though. She must have fought back. I clench my fists until my knuckles turn white, and I grit my teeth hard until they hurt. Who could have possibly done this? Why didn't any of us hear? How could we have possibly missed her cries for help? I could have...I could have...saved her...

Anika was always a kind principle player. She got along fairy well with Dana despite her being a violist. They were on about the same level of skill. That's why they were both section leaders after all. I remember how Anika would always encourage us before a concert; she would assure us that everything would be fine, and we believed her with all our hearts. Things would always turn out just as she said. Things always turned out fine...always.

I feel somthing wet on my face, so I quickly wipe away the drop and close the leak. I'm the only one in the room. I could let the brave face fall if I so wish, but I must stay strong for her. She would want me to. I take in a deep breath and stand. As I leave the room I run into Mr. Forte. My eyes meet with his grey emotionless orbs. Not a hint of sorrow is visible on his expression. "You're here late, Daniel." he stated.

"Yes..." I reply in a low voice. "I...wanted to see Anika..."

Mr. Forte lets out a sigh, "So long as you keep up with your music you can come as many times as you want." Then he walks into his office.

A hint of anger sprouted in the core of my heart. Does he feel no sorrow for her at all?!

"Yes, sir." I say as I exit the room. I walk down the dark hallway with only the emergency lights to guide me. The school has a curfew now at nine o' clock. It's eight thirty according to my watch. I exit the hallway to be met with the cold nighttime air. I pull the zipper of my jacket up to my chin. My neck slowly starts to warm up while my face continues to pale.

"Hey! Daniel!" A voice calls.

I turn to see Josh and Derek running up to me. "What's up?" I say.

Josh places a hand on my shoulder while panting heavily. "H-hold on. G-give me a sec."

Derek just laughed at his pathetic state with a smirk. He had barely broken a swet. I managed to realease a small chuckle in response, though I really didn't feel like laughing at all.

Josh straightened his body while pulling in a sharp breath of cold air into his lungs. "How are you holding up Daniel?"

"Fine I guess..."

"I know how much you-" he started but was quickly cut off.

"Yeah..."

"It's alright to cry man." Derek added with sympathetic brown eyes.

"Shut up..." I coldly reply.

"I'm serious. It's not good to lock up everything inside..." Derek backs off, sensing the unsettling tension in the air. He sighs, "Well if you ever need anything Daniel, you can come to me. I just wanted you to know that alright?"

I forced a miniature smile onto my face, "Alright. Thanks." He'll be a good section leader. Just like Anika was.

He gave me a nod and then takes Josh's arm, "Now if you'll excuse us, we have some serious practicing to do."

Josh groans, "Ugh. I made one mistake..."

"A mistake that nearly put the whole section behind!" Derek scolds.

"But we only have a half hour. Even less actually since we need to be back at our dorms." Josh states in a failed attempt to get out of the lessons.

"Then we better get there fast!" Derek replies.

"Ugh, fine!" Josh growls and proceeds to run with Derek's arm still linked to his.

From behind they both look very similar. They both wore a dark grey sweatshirt and had short brown hair. They were also about the same height. Derek is the taller of the two, though Josh claims they are the same height. He couldn't stand being defeated in the challenge of height.

I walk to my room with fifteen minutes to spare. I lock the door and stand there in the darkness. I mindlessly approach my invisible bed and fall face flat onto the comforter. I can hear the remaining people saying their goodbye's through the thin walls. For being such a high status school they sure had a pretty crappy living quarters for the students. Yeah the rooms were actually pretty nice, but I can't stand being able to hear everyone else through the walls. Or maybe it was just my super sonic hearing. It's a curse and a blessing.

I hear the pitter patter of the footsteps from above me and the squeaking of the springs in the bed. I swear that person better not fall through the floor and smash me. Then it becomes silent as if everything has fallen dead in the night, welcoming them to their eternal sleep.