It starts a little slow paced, but it will pick up in the next chapters, please read and be patient! POV in both first and third person (I'll keep them marked) Enjoy! -
My life is nothing but music, a single song that glides slowly between different tunes, changing along as I do.
"Mommy, that girl's making music!" A little girl cried excitedly. I glanced up at her, seeking her out among the crowd that had gathered above me. She grinned hugely, bouncing like the energizer bunny. With a slight smile I shifted from where I sat on the ground, leaning back against the wall and casually nudging the cardboard box in front of me forward. It was getting late already, and as the sun slowly began to dip over the edge of the buildings I started to lose the crowd. Closing my eyes I carefully breathed in, listening to the bitter-sweet sound of a piano that glittered in the air. I kept time with my fingers as they played the non-existent instrument, nonchalantly tapping the air. The sound dripped out then floated around me like clouds, hanging delicately until each note faded. I scarcely breathed as I concentrated on creating each piece of the song, pulling the tune out into reality. There was a soft clink that startled me, my eyes flashing open just as another coin dropped into the box.
"That was a pretty neat trick." A man murmured to the woman beside him as they strolled away, "Probably has some sort of music player hidden near her. So young and already desperate for money, what a shame." Their giggling laughter faded away, but their actions left an impression. The crowd followed his example, breaking up and going back on their merry way, a few kind citizens pausing to drop their money into the box as well.
"Thank you very much." I said, trying hard to smile kindly. My legs wobbled stiffly as I stood up, aching from sitting down so long. I picked up my box and scooped out the coins and bills, jamming them into the pocket of my jeans. A tiny fist shot out, the little girl smiling shyly as I took the dollar bills from her hand, thanking her as she bounced away cheerfully. I yawned and rubbed my eyes tiredly, watching the cars go by on the busy road. I was glad I had set up shop here today, because the business area of this road isn't as busy as the shopping strip.
The sudden lack of music left a dull emptiness that ached to be filled, a hole that couldn't be filled by the sounds of the city.
"Excuse me?" My eyes darted up to a boy that stood alone before me, watching with a childlike curiosity. "You were making music in the air. How were you making music?" He stepped closer, tall and skinny, bony under his plaid dress shirt.
"You mean the piano sounds?" I clarified. It was hard to tell if he was a boy or a man.
"Yes-No. That wasn't piano. There is no piano, I saw. How did you make the sound?" I laughed, I couldn't help it. After all, he was acting like a child almost, his eyes wide under his short black hair.
"A secret of the trade." I replied, dodging the question further with, "It's a natural skill."
"Dr. Rosen would like you. You should come see Dr. Rosen. He's good, he gave me a badge." He paused and rummaged in the pockets of his jeans and came out with a leather wallet, flipping it open and holding it up with authority. "See, it says my name on it. My name's Gary." He pointed to where his name was printed in big bold letters.
"Er, hello Gary." I answered awkwardly, "I'm Sophie. Is Doctor Rosen a friend of yours?" Something about him made me afraid to let him wonder alone. Is this Doctor supposed to be taking care of him?
"He's not my friend. He's my boss. But my boss is my friend, he's good." I smiled and pretended that what he had said made sense.
"Let's get you to Doctor Rosen, then. Do you know where he is?"
"You lost Gary again, didn't you?" Nina demanded, glaring at her coworker.
"I did not!" Rachel growled, peeking her head down another hallway, "It wasn't my turn to watch him!" She nervously pushed a strand of dark hair out of her face, taking a deep breath as she turned back into the office area, Nina trailing after her. Cameron Hicks was sitting sideways in his chair, casually tossing a baseball around his office.
"Why not just wait for him to come back?" Cameron suggested, "He is an adult, ya know."
"You told Hicks?" Rachel hissed. Nina smiled innocently and escaped back to her own office. "What if something happens to him?" Rachel pressed, looking to both of them for any validation of her fears.
"Happens to who?" Doctor Rosen asked, coming out from the elevator. Rachel spun around guiltily, her hands fluttering at her side.
"We...can't seem to find Gary." She stammered.
"Ah, I'll see you later then, Gary" I said, staring in awe at the building that loomed before me. It was an office building, its gleaming windows sparkling on the black brick that disappeared into the clouds.
"No, it's okay, you can come in too, you can come say hello." I stared at the guards standing inside the doorway doubtfully.
"That's okay, I think I'll head home now."
"No, no. "He said turning back towards me and tugging on his dress shirt unhappily, "What about Doctor Rosen?" I sighed. His building had been just across the street, yet I was exhausted. He had stopped every few steps to look at something, occasionally flipping his hands through the air. Gary isn't normal, but I shouldn't be the one to talk about normal. I feel a bit like a babysitter, though.
"Fine, fine." I surrendered. I'm not even sure if he can get in the door, let alone up to the elevator. He led the way, glancing back every few seconds to make sure I was still there. He flashed that badge again at one of the guards, waving it at both of them.
"Gary," He said. "Gary Bell."
"Gary," one of the guards answered, "I've already told you, you don't need to show the badge when I'm on duty."
"But I don't know who you are." Gary told him.
"Gary," He sighed, "It's me, Mike. I've worked here for-ah, never mind." Gary passed through one of the three metal gates and pressed the button for the elevator, turning back to watch me.
"It's okay, she's with me, she's coming up to see Doctor Rosen. It's okay." I cautiously slid through after him just as the heavy metal doors slid open, following into the elevator. We went up in silence, Gary keeping a watchful eye on nothing at all, twittering his hand through the air again. I frowned.