Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, guys; they mean the world to me. More drabble-ish stuff coming up. Enjoy!^^

Disclaimer: Apply the usual here; copyright goes to Frictional Games.

VI

Of Pianos and Bittersweet Music

Music. Oh, wonderful music coming from the sitting room.

The piano we had belonged to our aunt before she gave it to our mother. She used to play for hours, and we listened to the melodies that had many times nursed us to sleep. I remember she taught me to play a section of Beethoven's 'Für Elise'. Day after day I practiced, but mother would always point something out.

She did, with a smile that was like music itself.

Since she passed away, it was different. Father was bitter towards the music mother used to play, and many had been the times when, after a beating, I would sit at the piano and play for myself, only to be taken and beat again. Music eventually became bitter for me, too, but I always regretted not having the courage to sit down and let my fingers play.

That's what Hazel did in my stead.

She was born to be a musician. She would always smile when playing. Hazel had a beautiful voice and skilled hands, so much she learnt to play the piano long before me. She used to tease me because of that, much to my dismay. I would often attempt to draw their hands while they played, and I would often succeed; drawing was always my forte. Then I would show them and some other time, along with our father, we would go and stroll around Regent's Park… my favourite place.

I returned to Canterbury for some time to visit what was left of my family. I brought Hazel home from the hospice with her doctor's permission. We were so glad to see each other we did not stop talking during the cab ride home. When we were there and stepped through our door, we were welcomed by the sound of mother's piano. It wasn't her who was playing, but father. I believed the bitterness had finally vanished from his heart.

Father had never known how to play. Had he set out to learn because of mother's memory? I wondered. I glanced down at Hazel, who smiled and patted my back so as to force me inside. I remained standing, hearing father play and humming along. Minutes later he stopped. I did not know how to react: should I call his name? Draw his attention to me? I was scared, to say the least.

But when he turned, the most joyful of mother's melodies played in my mind once more.

"Daniel?"

And I smiled. For the first time in months, I truly smiled.