Chapter 10: Legacy

"I want to play the piano."

The nurse was surprised when she heard Alice speak. It was the first time in a while, and it was even more surprising that Alice had said she wanted something. It was only obvious that Alice was given what she wanted.

"Hello, Alice. It's nice to meet you," said Alice's new piano instructor. Alice blinked up at him from her wheelchair. He was young, only five years older than her, but already proclaimed a genius in the field.

"It's nice to meet you to," she returned pleasantly. She received a beam in return for her manners and her instructor came over to help her out of her wheelchair and onto the piano stool.

"So, Alice, what inspired you to become a pianist?" asked Alice's teacher.

"...My brother was a pianist," Alice said. "I want to follow his footsteps and fulfill his dream of becoming a world-class pianist."

Her teacher noticed how she had referred to her brother in past tense and the way in which she spoke of him, but he didn't comment on it. Alice was glad he didn't.

"Okay, shall we start?"

Alice nodded.

"Play it again."

Alice furrowed her brows as she did as instructed with much concentration. This time, she completed the song flawlessly. She looked up at her teacher to see his reaction.

"Good job, Alice," she praised her with a look of approval and pat on the head. Alice allowed a small grin of pride to infiltrate her face.

Gathering up the sheets of music, Alice's teacher hummed, "So is there any particular song you'll like to learn now? I think it'd be good to take a break from all these required pieces and learn something you want to once in a while."

Alice thought for a moment before reaching a conclusion. "'Legacy'," she said. "I want to learn 'Legacy'."

Her instructor gaze her a confused look to which Alice giggled at.

"It's a modern song composed by 'switchworks'," she informed him. "Not all of it is in piano, but I'm sure I can make do."

"Very well then," her teacher said in affirmation. "'Legacy' it is then."

Alice arrived earlier than her instructor that day.

Glancing around, she sat down on the piano stool and flexed her fingers, reveling in her freedom of movement. She still remembered the days she had been confined to her wheelchair, and that was years ago. Six years in fact; Alice was now sixteen.

'Time passes by so quickly,' Alice thought. It had already been six years since her brother died.

(And she would never forget, couldn't. Alice kept count after all.)

Brushing her fingers over the cover of the grand piano, Alice lifted it and experimentally pressed a single white key. Alice closed her eyes as she basked in the harmonious sound that the piano produced and emanated around the room and her being. Before she knew it, several other keys followed in succession and she was playing the song she had just finished composing the night before. The first song she had ever composed.

Upon ending, Alice's fingers lingered on the final note and she reluctantly lifted her finger, emotions over-riding her being. Playing the song brought back so many memories, both good and bad, and unforgettable. The song meant a lot to her. It told of all her experiences when the was ten-years-old. She'd put everything into it. Alice quickly wiped her eyes when wetness formed.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Alice glanced up sharply when the sound of applause penetrated the silence after the final note had disappeared.

"That was beautiful, Alice," said her teacher with a warm smile on his face.

Alice blushed. "Thank you."

"What is it called?"

"'Deemo'. It's my first composition."

"Oh? What inspired it?"

Alice smiled fondly.

"The lovely, lonely stranger; and my dearest brother, Hans."