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Word Prompt: Barter

Audio-Visual Challenge—Musical Mastery: "Bugler's Dream And Olympic Fanfare Medley" by John Williams

Listen to the sample, then write whatever comes to you first.

Just add the standard YouTube address to the front of the partial link below if you'd like to hear the song. I can't figure how to post links properly anymore.

watch?v=MCqUESCoB1w

Not beta'd.

I descend the stairs in front of Sanborn Hall shortly after 6:00 PM. My first day at Dartmouth was a resounding success. I tracked down all of my professors, and figured out where my classrooms were without getting lost. I even met a nice girl named Angela who offered to be my study partner. Triumphant is how I'm feeling, so much so that the timpani and horns of Bugler's Dream, Leo Arnaud's Olympic theme, echo in my mind. I may not have a podium to stand on, or a medal to accept, but I'm on top of the world.

The tree at the edge of the sidewalk beckons me with its wide trunk and cool shade. I sit on the grass underneath it to wait for my ride. In my head, the music aggrandizes to include John Williams's Fanfare Medley part of the composition. I can see the conductor's swinging baton as he leads the full orchestra through the swells and diminutions of the song. Out of nowhere, the tune morphs into a strange mash-up with The Imperial March. For the life of me, I can't figure out why Darth Vader's theme would enter my thoughts. Aside from the commonality of the composer, the two pieces are a study in contrasts to me. One represents elation and victory, the anthem of a protagonist—the hero. The other is synonymous with evil and fear, the antagonist's descant—the villain. It isn't until Masen pulls up that I make the connection, comprehending that he's been in my awareness much more than I've realized.

I get to my feet and brush off my clothes, then make my way across the street. He's watching me, but not seeing me, too busy searching my surroundings for trouble, I suppose. The fact that he thinks I'm fragile irritates me. Even if I needed protection—which I don't—he isn't going to provide it. Way to expend a huge amount of wasted energy there, doc.

He says "hello," when I get in. I return the greeting, and focus on getting my things squared away so we can go. Just like this morning, he waits for me to look at him before he lifts a finger to shift the car out of park. The expression on his face is enough to make my stomach do flip-flops, but it's his speckled, bluish-green eyes that really pull the rug out from under me. The intensity in his stare makes me feel transparent, as if he can see straight through me and pluck every thought from my head.

"So did you find any miscreants in your search of the area?" I ask, hoping my sarcasm will make him stop looking at me like that. It doesn't.

"I see you still haven't let go of your anger from earlier."

It's crappy to feel so ineffective. My taunt bounces off of him, as though it was never spoken; his strikes me in the chest with crippling force. He sees me as weak, yet treats me as if I'm misguided for being hurt by it.

I drop the subject. I'm not angry, nor do I wish to argue. There is a beautiful world outside my window that actually deserves my attention.

He starts the journey home without another word.

As the countryside rolls by, I think about the world in terms of light and dark, trying to figure out which category the man beside me falls into. Is he a good man who makes bad choices, or is he inherently bad, disguising his sinister side with good manners, expensive possessions, and mesmeric good looks? Both verdicts seem possible; it's a mystery which option is more likely. Either way, he's the reason my mind can't separate the uplifting refrain of the white knight from the dismantling melody of the evildoer.

Maybe he's both: the hero and the bad guy.

If he is, does he barter his light to protect his dark? Or does he brandish his dark to shield his light?

Some day, I hope to figure that out.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for the reviews. I'll do my best to catch on them later or tomorrow, time permitting. Thanks in advance for your patience, and thank you to everyone who is reading and reviewing.

This chapter is dedicated to Ivygirl702. Happy birthday, darling. It's fitting that this chapter is posted on your day, because you make me feel worthy of a medal. I love you.

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