Bass Case

Chapter 19: Plans

"I'll call Forte out for an important meeting. One to discuss next months auditions." Says Mr. Vibrato, "He's a stickler about that stuff. I'm sure he will be delighted to see that I'm taking it seriously. I'll get the case from him then."

"Alright. Sounds like a plan." I reply, determined.

The tall band teacher stands before me, a slight smile curled at the edge of his lips. "You're a good guy, Daniel." Then he walks off into the crowd.

I look up at the dark grey sky. My fist crunches at my side as determination lifts my spirits. Sarah. I will stop this. That way you and no one else will have to go through this horror again. As I walk aimlessly down the grey path, I remember all of the fascination I had with this place. The giant buildings. The clean environment. The ambitious bunch of people all playing gracefully across their strings. All of them powerful and strong. I was strong. I was one of them, and I was proud. Now, I wish I had no association with this place ever. Its memories have cut so deep into my mind that I fear it will leave a scar forever to taunt me. If only I could...

Suddenly a dark figure slams into me, toppling over. A sharp pain rips through the back of my head. I reach for the injury defensively, placing pressure upon the area. I pull back my hand to see that there is no blood, and the pain slowly dwindles. I look up to see the source of my attack. I watch as Brenda shakily pushes herself off the ground beside me. She looks up at me apologetically, reaching a hand out to help me up. She wears a dark red shirt and jeans. Green smears from the grass dust her knees from the fall. "Sorry, Daniel. Are you okay?"

    "Yeah, yeah." I reply, feeling where the stinging sits on my head once again. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

    "Oh, uh, I was...running late for class! I got caught up in practicing!" Brenda replies.

    "I can't believe we're still having these auditions." I growl in annoyance.

    "Yeah,...I'm sorry about Sarah. How's she doing?" Brenda asks, full of sympathy in her brown eyes.

    "She's alive."

    Brenda sighs in relief as though she had been holding her breath for the entire time. A faint smile crosses her lips. "Good. I hope that she'll have a smooth recovery. What hospital is she at? I would like to visit her. That is if you don't mind."

    An alarm goes off in my mind, warning me to fend off anyone who tries to come near her during her recovery. It's like the protective instinct of a pet dog, loyally protecting their beloved companion. I take in a deep breath through my nose and subtly sigh. I don't want to, but I believe that I can trust Brenda. The hospital is heavily secured. No one will harm her there. "It's...Southern Hills Hospital." I reply, trying my best to conceal my skepticism.

    She cocks her head with an amused smirk. "I'll go with you if that makes you feel better."

    I can feel the blood drain from my cheeks as she calls out my fears. I scratch the back of my head in embarrassment. "Sorry. And thanks."

    "Don't worry. I get it. You care about her a lot after all." She swivels her head to shake some black strands of hair out of her face and takes a glance at the silver watch latched onto her wrist. "I should get going! See ya around Daniel!" She shouts, running off into the distance. A faint amused smile hangs on my face. I trust her. Besides, she was there when Angelica died, and she was there checking the memorial as well. She's a good person. I know she won't harm her.
***
    Later that day I met up once again with the Professor after my classes. He looks at me apologetically. "He's too keen. He wouldn't so much as let me touch the thing. Every attempt I made to have him put it down he refuted."

    I sigh in frustration, balling my fist on the table. "There has to be someway we can get him away from that thing..."

    "Something would have to go really bad. Something related to him."

    "Family emergency?"

    "He doesn't have any family."

    "Really? No family huh...destruction of instruments?"

    "Okay I'm not going to spend hundred of dollars replacing these things, Daniel." Mr. Vibrato retorts.

    "Why not? Aren't lives more important?" I question him.

    "Well yeah, but I know Forte. He isn't going to be phased in the moment by just a few broken instruments. He might get mad if I break his, but I doubt that he'd leave his case for it still. He'll probably just take it with him to yell at me."

    I rest my chin on my folded hands propped up by my elbows on the table. "Well there has to be something that we can do..."

    "Let's think on it first. Surely we'll come up with something. If not...then I guess I'm willing to make a few sacrifices..." Mr. Vibrato sighs, giving into the situation.

    My eyes brighten up a bit, but I know that there is still no guarantee. All that we can do is hope for the best. "Thank you, Mr. Vibrato."
***
    I walk to the prison through the fading glow of the sky. The murky grey sky smears the once beautiful saturated sky. The sunset hides behind. Hiding from this hideous world. I don't blame it. I wish I could, too. I make my way into the large grey prison. Hardly anyone is inside to visit today. I've noticed less and less people have been coming here. Almost like they had lost hope of their loved ones ever returning, casting them off into the void. I approach the old man at the counter behind the bullet proof glass. I clear my throat, ready to ask to see Josh, but the man shakes his head. "No one can see him."

    "Excuse me?" I reply.

    "Josh Deller. No one is allowed to see him now." The old man states stagnantly as though he didn't give a care in the world.

"What? But I've always been here. Ms. Goldean gave me special permission. I'm Daniel Mue, you can look it up."

    "I know Mr. Mue, but the rules have changed. More and more murders are taking place, and we just can't afford to risk him having accomplices seeing him."

    A ball of anger wells up inside of me, but I suppress the urge to yell deep inside my throat, resulting in a gravely assertive tone. "He doesn't have accomplices. He's not even the killer. It should be obvious to anyone!"

    "Obvious or not. He is still on trial, and he is still a prisoner." The old man looks at me with a hint of sympathy in his brown eyes. "I'm sorry. I really wish that I could do more."

    Then I leave. Leave the empty place. Followed by the silence.