Perfect Crescendo

A fan fiction story

By: Angela M.

Original works and characters by: V.C. Andrews

Prologue

Since Billy didn't want to go with her outside, for fear of being caught by one of the nurses, Laura stepped out alone. A soft breeze played a low strum of music above the treetops. The moon was high in the consuming blackness of the sky, shining exuberantly. She looked around slowly taking it all in, the breeze, the moon, the fireflies…

No one was outside, which wasn't discerning for it was midnight. Though she could not vacillate for the nurses made their rounds every two hours and if she was found not in her room they would come after her and then… She didn't want to think about having to go back to that room and to be strapped down again.

Laura looked behind her one last time and saw Billy's pale face pressed into the crack of the door. He looked smaller and sadder than she had ever seen him. There was something else in his eyes though, the fiery determination to leave that place forever and be free. But he couldn't for Billy couldn't make decisions.

Troubled Laura looked away. She knew he could come if he wanted to, but he was confused with emotions and trivial matters of his own. She felt for him but could do nothing. She had already tried to persuade him to come with her and it hadn't work.

Taking a deep breath of crisp night air she started across the manicured lawns toward the street. After about five minutes she stopped. If she were to walk along the street she would more than likely be found and brought back. With a slight nod of her head and soft whispered yes she turned towards the woods.

The walk through the woods was beautiful and serene. Besides the soft crunching of undergrowth as she walked all she could hear was the ocean… The ocean! Laura came to a halt once again and gazed through the gaps of trees to see the shore. The scant waves washed smoothly on the moist sandy bank.

A vision of Robert crossed her mind. She saw him standing in the ocean only about twenty feet off shore. A surge of warmth and blessedness warmed her heart. Her Robert had come back to her! She took a couple steps towards him when suddenly a bird let out a screech from right above her. Her gaze flicked away from her love for only a second but that was enough for the spell to be broken. When she looked again he wasn't there.

Laura's heart clenched in anguish. Why hadn't she persuaded Robert to turn the boat around that day of the storm. If she could have looked past her desire and passion she could have thought clearly and made a intelligent decision. But alas there was no time right then for hindsight. Gathering her wits about her set off through the woods again. Robert might be gone but she still had her loving brother who would never forget her.