"Master" The boy nudged the sleeping figure in the shadows, "Master" the boy persisted, looking as the man's chest fell with every breath, sleeping on oblivious to his calling.
Prince of peace, Son of God, Emanuel , he sang sweetly, practising his new assignment. "Drag out the last note longer, you're proclaiming your faith, you're singing His name, sing like you mean it not for the fun of it." He roared, frustrated with the little progress he made since last week. "Master, you've woken up!", the boy chirped happily.
"I only woke up as I heard the most unearthly sounds" the boy grinned happily, showering in the praise. "The unearthly sounds of a suffocating banshee" he continued, rubbing his temples as the boys shoulders slumped. "Oh why did I ever take on an apprentice, I have enough trouble finding a reason to wake up every day. He shuffled to his feet; walking at a snail's pace to the piano. "Now listen closely" the boy arrived at the man's feet, crossing his legs and listening intently. The man sang faultlessly, his voice growing riper with age, each time he sang, his voice bought forth the richest sounds ever heard by man; it was almost sinful to even resist against it, he showed no difficulty in conveying the emotions his face couldn't. Underneath the distorted flesh, there laid incredible and talents no man could ever understand. He was a man that Francis would have never thought to have encountered in his life time and incredibly chose him as an apprentice.
"Master, why did you choose me?" asked Francis. The man was too absorbed in his playing, each skeletal finger moved deftly over the keys like a brief breeze passing over the monochrome keys. The playing grew more and more intense till the boy found it unbearable, it was as if the notes were slicing into him ever so savagely; telling a story that needed no words. "STOP" he cried out throwing the composition off-balance. He breathed heavily awaiting his master's wrath. "I'm sorry…" ,said Francis meekly. "The scenes I saw were much too graphic."
"Now do you understand why I chose you?" muttered Erik, gathering the loose papers. "Fetch me more ink and be-gone, I must conjure more effort into this, I've terrorized you enough today." He chuckled darkly. This, Francis did not find amusing, how cruel must he be to purposely put those images in his head. He shuddered wondering how much longer Master Erik would have to play to drive him over the edge of insanity. I'll sing to put off the nightmares thought Francis.
"Prince of peace, Son of God, Emanuel" he sang, loud and clear.
"Do you never learn boy?" threatened Erik in the room below his voice sharp and warning. Francis scuttled underneath the sheets without another peep.
