Listen With Your Heart Prologue
It was raining outside again. There were few days when it wasn't since now the fall season had finally set in. With such an intense downpour of rain originating from the present storm it was almost near impossible to go outside and play in this heinous weather. So any restless children would just have to make do with what was available to them inside of their own homes. Little Peter and Phoebe Parker were of no exception to this.
Peter Parker and his sister Phoebe may have been twins at birth, but their idea of fun was entirely different. The two couldn't be more opposite of each other. Peter was nearly bored out of his mind after being confined inside for so long. So this day he decided to play a game of hide and seek drawing their Father Richard Parker into it. With a bit of badgering he convinced Richard to play a round with him.
On the other hand Phoebe held absolutely no interest in joining in on the gam. She was more than content to sit quietly up in her room with a pile of her favorite picture books at her side which was exactly what she was doing right now at the time. She was sitting cross legged on her warm comfy bed surrounded by a variety of her cherished stuffed animals along with a little collection of picture books beside her with one in her lap currently. At one-point Phoebe caught the voice of her brother calling for Father downstairs. She didn't think anything further of it. Peter was probably already tired of the game and was calling for Dad in order to do something else.
After a few minutes behind the constant sound of heavy rain pounding against her window there were heavy loud footsteps roaring up the stairs. Seconds later Phoebe startled as her door slammed open with her father bursting into the bedroom.
Richard Parker was a man in his early thirties. He was a very calm collective man and to those who knew him would find it difficult for anything to unsettle him. But that was before and after he found his office ransacked this certainly wasn't the case. Upon entering his eyes had been frantic as he scanned the room for her fearing what he might find or in this situation wouldn't.
Seeing his daughter was unharmed Richard rushed over to Phoebe taking her into his arms embracing her tight extremely relieved. Little Phoebe may be only four years of age, but even she knew something seriously wasn't right.
Looking up at her father head tilted to the side, Phoebe asked "What's wrong, Daddy?"
Stroking her hair with an intense look in his eyes, decided, Richard stated "We're leaving."
Taking the suitcase, he'd placed in the hallway before his entrance, Richard started packing her clothes into the small bag. There already wasn't a lot of room inside as it was and they needed to travel light for what he was planning so he was trying to fit in as much as he could. Except for a few of his daughters most prized possessions like her precious picture book everything else would have to be left behind. There wasn't enough time to do another bag. He barely had room for the picture book afterwards. In the end it was a tight fit, but he managed to zip it all shut. During this time he was merely sitting quietly confused, but unwilling to say anything to her father.
When Richard was done he took the baggage he'd been able to gather making sure she was dressed properly for travel in the current weather. Afterwards he took her into his arms carrying her out in one while holding the suitcase in the other. Below in the mudroom near the front door Mary Parker was getting Peter situated into his coat with a similar suitcase similar to his twins next to him. Mary was doing her best to keep her emotions in check, but thinking and actually doing it was challenging. Tears were glistening at the corners of her eyes, but her strength of will keeping them at bay. As she was fussing with her son's hair she spotted her husband and daughter. She became somewhat relieved as if she'd expected something horrible to happen to them during the small window they'd been out of her sight.
Placing Phoebe on her feet beside Peter, taking his wife's hand, Richard said "Do we have everything?"
Running a trembling hand through her hair, Mary said "Yes, I think so."
Nodding, Richard said "Good we can't risk leaving anything behind."
As Richard was doing a quick double check the twins were huddled very close together. They could sense something important was occurring. Just staying together put them at ease to an extent.
After glancing at their kids, leaning in towards his wife, Richard whispered "Did you call the cab?"
Instantly Mary released a choked sob hand slapped to her mouth to stifle it and in the process causing the restrained tears to pour out.
"Mary," urged Richard, eager to know if she did or not.
Refusing to utter a single syllable for fear she'd begin crying in earnest Mary rapidly nodded in an extremely reluctant, yes.
"That's good," breathed Richard, relieved. "I want you to wait here with Peter for the taxi to arrive. The moment it's here take Peter and my briefcase over to Ben's. I'll join you there as soon as I can. I'll take the car over the bridge bringing Phoebe to Curt's."
"Richard, I know this plan is what we agree upon if it ever came to this, but they shouldn't be separated. It isn't right. They're twins they need to stay together," begged Mary, desperately. Leaving her only children behind was hard enough carrying the knowledge she'd probably never see them again, but thinking about them being raised separately from each other killed her inside.
Richard was sympathetic to the emotional state his was caught in, but refused to allow it to consume him as the grief was obviously doing to her. He knew what had to be done and nothing was going to stop him from finishing what he'd started.
Holding Mary to him as she buried her face in her hands shoulders trembling in an uncontrollable manner in order to reassure her everything was all right. Kissing her head, Richard whispered "I know this is hard for you, Mary, it is for me too, but this has to be done. Keeping them together is a dangerous risk tot heir own safety. At least this way they'll both have a chance."
Slowing her breathing to a point where she could keep it under control avoiding hyperventilation, Mary agreed, saying "Of course, Richard, you're right. I understand we need to do this."
Right then Mary felt a tug on her pants leg causing the two to look down finding while they'd been occupied with the issue at hand Phoebe approached them on silent feet Fortunately it didn't look like she'd heard anything they'd said especially judging by what she mentioned next.
Head tilted voice tiny, Phoebe asked "Mamma, why are you crying? Is something wrong?"
Cupping her daughter's cheek Mary knelt so she was eye level with the girl.
The second her Mother's upper half was within reach Phoebe leapt forward wrapping her arms as tight as she could around Mary's neck snuggling close. Content, Phoebe sighed "Don't cry, Mama. Everything's going to be all right. We're here together."
Instead of trying to make things better for her Mother Phoebe in reality only made things worst emotionally than they already were. Without restraint Mary pulled Phoebe to her almost crushing her in the embrace. Phoebe released a squeal of discomfort, but didn't attempt to break free too stunned to act. Stretching an arm Mary reached out toward Peter silently asking him to come to her. He obeyed, but not before casting an unsure glance at his father. Like his sister he was confused, but didn't question what was happening.
Unfortunately, there was still so very little time in the narrow window presented was rapidly shutting the longer they chose to remain together in one place.
Reluctantly Richard felt it was time to depart no matter how much it hurt. "Times up," he said.
Mary separated herself from her children not bearing to look at her daughter she turned her back on her.
"Mama," said Phoebe, starting to become frightened beyond belief. Same as before no response was provided to soothe her fears.
Wordlessly Richard took Phoebe in had moving to the door, saying "Come along, Phoebe."
Phoebe looked back to her Mother and brother thinking they were joining them, but instead saw them staying where they were with Mary keeping Peter in place preventing him from following. Peter was feeling the exact same confusion even stronger than before as he looked to his sister.
Tugging urgently on her Father's arm as he opened the door, Phoebe asked "Why aren't Mama and Peter coming with us? Aren't we going together?"
Shaking his head, Richard said "No, your Mother and brother are going somewhere else. They won't be following us."
Eyes widened, the twins screamed "No!"
"Phoebe, there's no time for this we have to leave now," said Richard, bending low to lift her into his arms as he took them out into the rain carrying her suitcase.
But with this new piece of gained knowledge Phoebe wasn't about to be taken away quietly not without her beloved sibling. Punching and kicking fighting with all her might to break free, Phoebe shrieked "No! I won't go! Peter! Peter!"
"Phoebe," screamed Peter, desperately trying to reach his sister.
This whole ordeal left the twins to fight unsuccessfully to reach the other arms moving further than closer their cries breaking the hearts of their parents. With the door now between them as a barrier it made things even more real.
After Richard put her in the backseat Phoebe was banging on the window calling for Peter trying to get out. Somehow Peter had escaped from their Mothers grip making it to the door where he too was banging on the glass unable to get it to budge open. As Richard was driving away Phoebe sobbed tears pouring from her eyes in streaming rivers of uncontrollable grief. Her and Peter's eyes were locked as one until the distance grew too far corners turned down alternate paths. Neither realized or were aware this was going to be absolutely the last time they would ever be united again for many years to come.
For most of the ride to where her Father was taking her Phoebe did nothing but cry. She did so without uttering a single word. Eventually the cries subsided leaving Phoebe tightly curled in the corner of the backseat.
Glancing at her through the rearview mirror, Richard murmured "Everything's going to be all right, Phoebe." Although he was attempting to keep her calm his words were more meant to reassure himself than her. Inside he hoped he was doing the right thing.
Soon after Richard reached their destination the home of his colleague and best long-term friend Curt Connors. With how fast he'd been driving the car skidded to a stop in the rain. He knocked on the front door and when no one came to the door fast enough he repeated the action more insistent. It brought the wanted reaction. Seconds after the door opened revealing Curt Connors.
Surprised to find his friend making a call to his home this late in the evening, Curt said "Richard?"
Immediately there were let into the house. After Richard sat Phoebe on the couch in the living room he and Curt went into the kitchen to talk. They spoke in whispers hushed tones making it difficult for Phoebe to hear. So she'd risen from the coach slowly making her way to the kitchen. Peeking inside Phoebe saw the two of them were arguing profusely about something while Curt was exhibiting anger along with a great deal of hesitance. Phoebe noticed her father's friend was missing an arm and she couldn't help but to stare intrigued by the sight.
Richard noticed his daughters wandering eyes and touching Curt's shoulder he drew him out of the argument. Gesturing with his head he made Curt aware if their little eavesdropper. They both looked at her.
When Phoebe saw the attention was now focused on her she retreated hiding behind the wall only part of her face visible. Upon looking at the little girl Curt sighed nodding his head finally agreeing to what Richard was asking of him despite fully disagreeing with it. Shaking his friends hand smiling Richard approached his daughter with a severe heavy heart.
Kneeling so he was near the same height as Phoebe, Richard said "You're going to stay with Daddy's friend Uncle Curt for a little while."
"I want to go with you," said Phoebe.
Stroking Phoebe's hair he brought her head closer to him kissing her forehead gently. She clutched both of his hands hanging on as if it would keep her father with her. After what seemed like an eternity Richard finally let go.
Finding Curt had joined them he provided him with a few necessary facts for her stay with him. "She doesn't like crusts on her sandwiches, she likes to sleep with a little light on at night, and read a book before bed. Be sure to stop her after one session or she'll read the same book over and over again until she passes out," informed Richard, shakily.
Wanting to ease his friend's worries, Curt promised "I will."
Knowing he'd lingered in one place for longer than he should've Richard wisely went for the front door. Right after he turned the knob pushing open the door he felt a tug on the rear of his jacket. Turns out Phoebe had followed him over sticking to his side like glue.
"Dad," said Phoebe, widened eyes begging him to stay.
Smiling sadly Richard gently dislodged his daughters hand from his jacket, he said "Be good." Those were the last words he was ever going to speak to her.
Phoebe ran to the nearest window since she was unable to see through the solid wood of the door. Standing on tiptoe stretching as high as she could Phoebe watched somber as her Daddy got in the car driving away into the pouring rain. That was the final time she was ever going to lay eyes on him again or anyone else for that matter.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder Phoebe looked up to find the so named Uncle Curt standing above her. He'd watched Richard drive off too until the last possible second. Eyes closed a heavy sigh passed through his lips. He then smiled softly at the tiny vulnerable little girl staring at him whose entire world had been uprooted for life.
Curt Connor's steered her away from the window to get some food in Phoebe and put her to bed. Though Phoebe was attempting to keep it concealed he could tell behind her timid demeanor she was exhausted. Soon enough the events of this day along with the passed four years of her early life would fade from her memory. They'd be transformed from memories into dreams, but even these dreams would nearly disappear from existence only the smallest traces remaining.
One door closes and another one opens leading her on a journey that would alter her life forever. Everyone has their own destiny. For better or worst…well that was purely up to her.
Please Review.