Chapter 1

'It's so beautiful...' Bjørn Thomassen looked up above him to try and locate the piano currently being played on the next level. It wasn't a specific song, there were bits and pieces of some songs he could recognize from the radio, and some parts Bjørn would think were improvised. Nonetheless, he enjoyed the music that cut through the not-so-peaceful quiet, with the dinging of the elevators, and the television across the room, and the kids and parents mulling about the cafeteria floor.

He had finished his coffee a while ago, for now Bjørn was just taking a breather; knowing that his younger brother was probably still napping and his parents had gone out to most likely run some errands while they were still in the city, all he could do was wait.

Suddenly he could recognize a few of these songs - although this version was a bit slower, Bjørn could still tell it was The Entertainer. A couple times he could tell the pianist wasn't as familiar with this song, but he silently urged the person on with encouragement as he looked up.

Suddenly the music stopped, and changed to something sadder. It wasn't something that should be played in a hospital, but it was nice.

That was it. Bjørn stood up and pushed his chair in. Grabbing his empty coffee cup, he threw it out as he walked past the elevators. There were a handful of people waiting for the next one to come down to the basement level. The two elevators that worked went up and down, and then back up and then back down, day and night, carrying patients, doctors, and people alike; the other elevator needed a repairman, stat.

The blonde decided to use the stairs instead of the elevators, especially since the wheelchairs and strollers should have first priority over him. When Bjørn made it to the stairs, through the throngs of people waiting in line at the various eating establishments, the piano's tune got louder and then suddenly... stopped.

Strange.

He made his way up the small steps nonchalantly, his feet shuffling on the somewhat slippery tiles.

Maybe the mystery pianist had grown bored of playing.

But he had to meet them. Or even just a glance.

The man looked to where the piano should be as soon as his eyesight cleared the floor, but.

There was no one there.

Damn.

Bjørn stopped at the top of the stairs, standing there with a confused look on his face while quickly darting his gaze here and there, looking for the mystery pianist. How the hell was there nobody there?

He sighed, putting his hand to his forehead in exhaustion. Whatever, it doesn't really matter; Bjørn tried to talk himself out of it. He was starting to get a headache. It really didn't matter, he was just being over dramatic about it.

'I should probably go check in on Emil anyways...'

And with that, he found himself going down the hallway, to get to the flight of stairs leading up. God forbid the different flights of stairs should all be in the same general area of the hospital.

'Darnit, why can I never get this part right?'

The long, elegant fingers soon caught up to the beat, but then again forgot what they were doing.

He sighed. He decided to switch it up a bit.

The doctor knew this might not be the best choice for a hospital, however nobody was listening to care.

Well technically he wasn't a doctor. He was only learning right now. But it didn't really matter. He was still helping people, and that's all he cared about.

As he drifted between his own thoughts, his quick and nimble digits effortlessly danced across the piano. He had played Beethoven - more specifically his Moonlight Sonata - so many times he needn't pay attention anymore.

He was so caught up in his thoughts he jumped when he heard a shrill noise - an alarm of some sort - go off. His pager. The blonde quickly and quietly stood up, having stopped playing when he snapped out of his daydreams, and pushed in the bench stool for the piano.

Making sure he grabbed his coat, he dashed towards the elevators and pushed the button to go up. Fortunately the man didn't have to wait long, although it was a bit crowded from doctors and a patient in a wheelchair returning to their regular areas. He moved behind the chair, towards the back of the elevator where he could see out the glass walls. As the doors closed and they were lifted to the levels above, Mathias noticed a man on the stairs. He looked quite frantic, and he seemed to be looking for someone, or something.

'Strange... but aren't we all?'

Mathias lightly smiled down at him before his pager went off again, with a more urgent-sounding shrill this time. He decided to check it.

'ROOM 308: EMIL THOMASSEN'