Note: Allen uses concealer to hide his scar even in his sleep

Tale Two: Haunted

The ticking sound of the grandfather clock, which was located at the living room, was the only sound that can be heard in the house. The living room, dining room, kitchen, the front of the house and the backyard were all void of life as the wind came by even though the place was full of lively colors, but the stillness made it look like no one lives in the house. Soon, the ticking sound stopped and replaced by a very low and slow clang, signifying that it was four o'clock sharp. This goes on for five seconds and as soon as it stopped, the sound of key C5 of the piano was heard.

'Ting, ting, ting, ting, ting.!'

Then it shifted two notes to the left, and then six notes to the right. The player repeated on hitting random keys for a good three minutes before he got tired. The player inhaled deeply and sighed.

"Alright, time to get serious." he smiled. His gloved right hand reached out and pressed the key A5, which was the beginning of the score, next was the key G5, then back to A5 then D6 for three times. He then move to the left pressing the keys A5, G5, E5, and C5.

He was very absorbed in playing the score that saved his life that he did not hear the doorbell ringing impatiently.

The red head bunny named Lavi was the one pressing the doorbell like a madman. "A~llen!" he called, tired of playing the doorbell as his finger turned red for hitting it multiple times.

Lavi was wearing a navy blue shirt with silver '79 printed on it, a black and white chequered jacket with hood, a pair of dark green almost black trouser, and a pair of black snickers. He was not wearing his bandana and instead of his black eye patch over his right eye, he wore the white doctor's eye patch.

Lavi thought that this must be a good day and time to talk to the white haired lad as yesterday was something did not went good.

"Allen! Open the gate!" he yelled but no one answered, maybe nobody's home? Possible, seeing that he had been waiting for someone to welcome him in yet no one came out of the house no matter how many times he hit the doorbell and yelled the resident's name. Sighing in defeat, he gave up and spun around to walk away, but before he could step his right foot on the ground, he heard a sound. He heard the sound of piano being played gracefully and the vague and muffled noise singing some kind of lullaby. Enchanted, Lavi turned back to the gate, his only visible emerald eye widened out of amazement. He was stunned at how the melody matches the voice of the singer. It was perfect.

"Beautiful..." he breathed out the word.

True to his word, the song was indeed beautiful that no one could deny it. The melody held a very sad, yet strong emotion. It also makes a listener to be drawn by it as the song also carried hopes and dreams that make ones heart to be lifted up. The song was something you couldn't describe in words to make it clear as it held so much that a person could not deny, but if there was a word that would fit it maybe it is haunted. Haunted because it makes your heart beat in such a way like you are filled with love, it also soothes the soul of the listener, and makes you feel light inside out.

Lavi was so entranced that he didn't notice he opened the gate and went in until he reached the door. He held his fist to knock, but decided not to. Instead, he grabbed the knob of the door, which was luckily unlocked, opened it and went inside, closing the door from behind. It was his first time inside the house, so he did not know where to go to, but nonetheless he listened to the song which became louder and clearer now that he was inside and followed the source of the beautiful song. Surprisingly, his strides were silent as his feet tapped on the wooden floor. Probably it was because of the sound of the piano and the singing that drowned out all extra noises. It was not that long before he came to a room which door was slightly open. He could see the teen from yesterday playing the white grand piano; his back facing him. Contented at where he was, Lavi smiled warmly and leaned back to the wall, silently savouring the beautiful song which he had never heard before.

"My prayers will never cease to go on. Promise to show our child how to love with the kiss sealed the hand, which you hold~." Allen sang, ending the song with a few notes fading into the air.

"That was really beautiful."

Shocked at the sudden compliment, Allen spun around and saw Lavi leaning on the door frame with that smile of his. His sudden appearance made Allen to bolt up and stumbled on the stool he sat on which resulted in him to fall on his back. "Ow..." he muttered.

"Let me help you." Lavi offered a hand which Allen took and said, "Thanks."

"What are you doing here? Or better yet, how did you get here?" he asked frantically.

"Well, I'm here to talk with you since yesterday was not good because you were busy and would not let us help you. I just wanted to make friends with you. And as to how I got here is a mystery."

"...really..."

"What's up with that dejected look?"

"Nothing."

"...Oh. Uhmm... So-"

"Please, kindly get out of my house, sir? As far as I am concern you trespassed and you don't like to end up in cold rods lined vertically, do you?"

"Ah-. I know. It's just that I kept calling you from the outside, but no one came out so I thought you were out somewhere until I heard that song and the next thing I knew I was here."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Hm. I apologize for not coming out when you called. If you like, let's have some tea."

"Sure! Thanks."

"Where are your friends anyway?" Allen asked as he made his way out followed by Lavi.

"They are at their homes, doing whatever they were up to." Lavi replied his voice fading as he went farther.

+++oOo+++

Lavi sat on the comfy chair, waiting for Allen who was preparing the tea. While waiting, he took the time to feel the chair's arm under his palms and marvel the interior design of the living room. Everything was bathed in cream with the touch of wooden brown that outlined the house. The floor was made of wood from oak so also as the ceiling. To say the least, everything in the house was ordinary, but there was something else he could not put into words.

"Sorry for the wait, Bookman." Allen appeared from the kitchen with a tray of two tea cups and a kettle. He placed it on the table and sat on the couch.

"Thank you. And, just call me Lavi." he said as he took his tea. Lavi stared on his tea that was served for him and wondered why would this teen had a very expensive brand of tea. He knew it just by its color and aroma. He looked at Allen, who sipped his tea elegantly, who seemed to be just like your daily teen. He did not look poor or rich, just an average resident who was able to sustain his daily needs.

"Mind if I ask?"

"Hm. What is it?"

"Uhmm...this tea...how come do you have this tea? It is pretty expensive."

"Is that so?"

"You should have prepared coffee for me instead."

"But I don't have it."

"Oh." and with that, the conversation ended with Lavi sipping his tea. He avoided my question. He muttered inwardly as he glared at Allen's direction behind the rim of tea cup.

Lavi's purpose in coming was to make friends with Allen and surprise his other friends who were oblivious of his plan. All he had in mind was to come at Allen's house, talk some things like their hobbies, favourite movies, and the likes, and be friends. But, his simple plan was useless as they were engulfed in an awkward silence though Allen seemed unaffected by that fact. Lavi was the type who can easily get attention from anyone, but this guy with him was something else. He felt like there was something in him that gave off that feeling of dismissal.

"So...that song was wonderful." Lavi complimented, trying his best to make a descent conversation.

Allen put his cup on the saucer that was on the table. He then leaned back as he picked the magazine that was on the table and said, "Thanks."

Lavi cringed on his seat when he heard his reply that sounded so dejectedly.

"Anyways..." he started once again, placing his empty cup on the saucer. "Did you composed it?" he asked.

"...Probably." Allen replied without sparing a glance.

Lavi blinked and said, "Probably? What do you mean?"

"...I mean... I don't remember."

"You're vague."

"Yeah, sorry. You see...I got into an accident and I hit my head pretty bad. Because of it, I was in coma for six months and when I woke up I couldn't remember anything except the song."

"...Oh. I'm sorry."

Allen closed the magazine and put it back on the table. He then looked at Lavi in the eye.

"There is nothing to say sorry about. It all happen five years ago." he smiled with his eyes closed.

+++oOo+++

The sun already set and was replaced by a starry night sky when Lavi walked down the pavement with his casted down. He wanted to make friends with Allen, but no matter how much he approached the teen seemed to have a very thick wall around him that prevented anyone to get closer to him. Allen appeared to be fine surrounded by other people, in fact he was good in conversation though it was not that easy to talk to him at first, but nonetheless, he was a good listener. Despite of it, he knew that Allen liked to be all by himself.

Lavi stopped at the junction, waiting for the green light before crossing as there were lots of vehicles passing by. He looked ahead; his only eye seemed to see nothing when someone bumped on him. It wasn't crowded, so he thought the man did it on purpose. He looked over his shoulder and saw a suspicious man cloaked in dark and a black cap covered his face.

"Sorry." adjusting his cap, the man said.

"It's okay." he turned back, dismissing the thought but did not let his guard down. Well, if he is a thief then sorry for I don't have a penny.

Finally, the light turned green making all the vehicles to pull to a stop and the people to cross the road safely.

+++oOo+++

Allen squirmed in his sleep, he was sweating cold, and his face contorted in pain. One could tell that he was having a nightmare, but no one was with him who could make it stop, and so his predicament continued for a while.

"Allen." In his dream he saw a man towering him; his face could not be seen as the light from his back prevented it to. "Come" he offered a hand with a smile.

"… who…are you…?" Allen grumbled in his sleep.

"Allen…" he heard the man's voice once again calling his name. The scene change drastically and now the boy in his dream which he assumed it was him stood in the middle of the endless darkness. Where was he, he don't know.

"Go away!"

The boy spun around, searching for the source of the voice.

"Get out of here!" there it goes again.

While he was deep in his nightmare, the window to his room slid open, allowing the cool breeze to enter his bedroom and made the curtains swayed inward. Then, a shadow stood by the frame of the window and hopped in as silent as a cat. He walked over to the bed where the sleeping head, Allen, was having a nightmare.

"Wake up, Allen Walker."

Allen snapped his eyes open, heaving. He was so sure he heard someone just now, but he was alone in his dark room with…

"My window's open." He said as if it did not bother him. "Maybe that's why I had that dream…or was it a nightmare?" he asked himself as he could not remember it.

Allen dismissed the thought and walked up to the window to close it. He sighed, his right hand made its way to his face. Allen retreated back to his bed and was about to lay down when he noticed a white envelope lying innocently on the night stand.

"Where did this came from?"