Chapter 10: A Peaceful Moment
Chapter 10: A Peaceful Moment
As they were shown their quarters, Ben had a room to himself, he was thankful for that, he grabbed his duffel bag from the lift after the people who gathered everyone's stuff and brought it down, so he collected his IPod and found his old music dock in his bag, he kept it on the off chance in case he found some place with electricity to charge it, he put down the station, plugged it into the wall, scrolled through the music, glanced to make sure it was charging and selected a song called 'Prayers of the Refugee' by a band called Rise Against and listened until there was a knock on his door as Amy popped her head in to say dinner was being served, Ben thanked her as he got up and turned off his music and followed her to the dining hall where people greeted him as they sat down. Ben looked around, everyone looked ecstatic at this stroke of good fortune, even he had to admit, this was good.
Curiously there was Glenn's guitar resting on Ben's piano.
"Umm guys, why is my piano there?" Asked Ben
"We were hoping you would play us a song later, you said you could play" said Rick
"Oh, of course, but I may be a bit rusty, I haven't played in a while" said Ben almost apologetically, as if he had made a few mistakes already.
"I am sure you will do well" said Rick "If not then we have Glenn as backup"
Glenn's face was priceless as he turned and saw his guitar there next to Ben's piano, his mouth dropped in an o and his face turned white as a sheet of paper.
"Alright, but only after I finish eating, I don't want to embarrass myself on an empty stomach" said Ben as he chowed on the powdered eggs, mash and cold sausages that were laid out for the group by the doctor.
After he finished, Ben got up and walked to the piano, he pressed a few keys to test the volume and voice, the piano voice was good but it was a bit too quiet so he turned up the volume with one hand while the other tapped a key until he got thumbs up from the others saying it was just right.
"Now, there are a few songs I know, but in honour of our host and his sanctuary I am going to play a song called 'Not Tomorrow' by Japanese composer Akira Yamaoka, it is from a video game called Silent Hill, enjoy" said Ben as the room quietened for him. ( watch?v=-uOju-VyM_8&feature=plcp)
After the song, there was applause as the group enjoyed the song; there was a shout of "Encore!" From Dale
"Alright then, you want another do you"? Ben asked to a few scattered cheers "Alright, alright, this next one is called 'Mad World' by Tears for Fears. ( watch?v=H5XojQonMzM&feature=plcp)
This song was even more enjoyed by the group, Dale, Carl and Glenn called Encore this time.
"Fine, this is my last one before Glenn kicks my arse with his guitar skills; this last song is called Lux Aeterna which means Eternal Light, by the composer Clint Mansell. ( watch?v=CjxJhzqR3MI&feature=plcp)
After this song, there are a few standing ovations and cheers as Ben gets ups and sits down at the table, even the doctor is smiling, which is something because he has just been sitting there moodily for the past ten minutes. Glenn got up and played the guitar, there was cheers and applause as he sat down. The rest of the meal passed by in a blur, not helped by Daryl constantly proposing drinking games. Ben and the others who participated staggered out of the room and to their respective rooms. Later on, Ben got up to use the toilet when he heard a furious, hushed conversation in the recreation room, he peeked in and saw Lori and Shane arguing when Shane attempted to advance on Lori which was foiled when she cut him. Ben just walked on, pegging it down to Shane being drunk as a skunk. He eventually meandered back into his room and collapsed, thinking to himself, I am SO not going to enjoy this bloody hangover as he fell asleep.