Chapter 1. The first key
It had always been a part of him for as far into his earliest childhood days as he could remember. He always could see through people — their thoughts, their feelings, even things they'd done. He could see it all. At first, he believed that it was quite a normal thing and everybody could equally see through his (or anyone's) appearance and know exactly what's inside. It seemed natural and fair.
It was until one day when he asked his father:
"Father, what is lies?"
Father, who was reading a newspaper in his favourite chair, answered absent-mindedly after a pause, "Well, lies is something you should never tell."
"Yes, I know that. My governess said that I'm not to tell lies, but she didn't say what it was."
His father's frown appeared just above the title of the front page.
"Sure she could have explained that to you, dear boy! Lies is something which is not true. Now, please, be quiet, I'm trying to read."
Eric knew that it was best to leave Father alone, so next day he asked his governess again.
"Miss, can you explain to me how people tell lies?"
The sudden flash of anger and annoyance was so strong that Eric almost thought that his governess was going to slap him in his face, but she didn't. She remained seated stiffly on her stool with her needlework in her hands. He knew something was wrong and it wasn't wise to push his luck when she was like that, but his curiosity didn't let him stop.
"I mean, why would you say something that is not true if it is simply not true?"
"I'm afraid, I don't understand what you are talking about," was her answer. Her needle back to work, her eyes examining the pattern with the utmost care.
"For instance, why did you say to my father that you didn't see the key from the cellar, while, in fact, it was you who took it?"
She was scared, almost terrified.
"What made you think so?"
But before he could say anything, she forced a crooked smile onto her face.
"Now, you know I didn't mean any harm." She obviously thought he'd seen her take the key.
He remained silent, although he knew she stole two bottles of wine from the cellar and sold them to her sister's neighbour in the town.
"Why don't we forget all this nonsense and just go downstairs to have some tea with jam and biscuits? I know you love biscuits. You are allowed to have just two a day, but what if I let you have twice as much? Will you not say to anyone about the key?"
He knew she meant it, she would give him four biscuits a day. But this was the moment he realised she couldn't read what he felt or thought.
He loved jam much more than biscuits.
Author's note: I have to let Eric say more words then he said in the movie. :) But I try to keep it as close to the movie as possible.
The story will consist of 10 (probably short) chapters.
Feel free to review and correct my mistakes, but please don't be grumpy if the story is just not your type. Thank you.:)