The Key Ver. 2
Prologue: The dream
It was cold. The black suit, it wasn't the right kind of clothing to wear in this kind of weather. He fidgeted, leaning his weight onto one foot while fussing with his sleeve. The setting sun's light shown down on him through the leaves of the tree branches above his head, making lace shadows dance across his face. He squinted one eye at the harsh glaring light, starting to raise his hand to block it from his eyes.
Silence. Such a thing had never been so loud. He'd never been around so many people with such a lack of sound coiling around him. It was deafening; his ears were ringing.
"We have gathered here today," The preacher began, his voice echoing and shattering the silence that enshrouded everyone. "to celebrate the life of our dear brother, Tomas Selan."
He stared at the dark-haired man, his holy clothes lightly bellowing in the wind as he read from the bible in his hands. It made him a tad uncomfortable; God and Holy things had never sat right in his stomach. But with a deep, calming breath, he reminded himself he wasn't here for himself.
He was here for her.
The little girl stood stone stiff and didn't let out a single tear, even as her mother bent over and sobbed to herself openly. She was still, and silent, simply staring out at the rolling hills as the green grass turned to gold in the sun.
"Earth, to earth," The preacher continued. "Ashes, to ashes, and dust to dust."
Her brother reached out, pressing his palm into the back of her head. She leaned toward him, listening as his lips moved. After a moment, she nodded and her brother dropped his hand.
He, himself, took another shuddering breath. As the preacher finished his sermon and closed the bible, she finally looked to take no more. The coroners stepped forward, lowering the darkwood casket into the ground. She broke out of her family's hold and pushed through the crowd. The people, all wearing differing shades of blacks, dark blues, and browns, parted for her then reformed again like a rock passing through a stream.
He opened his arms for her and she crashed into him, pressing her face deep into his chest. He held her tightly, stroking her dark hair as the tears stained his silk jacket.
Nobody said a word.
He felt her flinch as the men sank their shovels into the dirt. He tightened his hold on her, determined to shield and protect her from all the bad. All the pain.
She tilted her head up to him, the normally jade green orbs of her eyes pale and sickly-looking. "It hurts," The girl whispered.
He nodded. "I know. Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"I'll always protect you."