Act 1 Chapter 2: The Reason for Her Melody

Two months had passed since the death of Ellen; and Chelinka had somehow recovered with Serdic's help.

And just like the old days, before sunset, she visited the Sekai tree. She would wait there not for the elderly woman in the house next to it but this time to hear his friend's voice. And each time they met, she would eagerly listen to his tales.

Serdic often did wondered how Chelinka could be so open-minded about things that didn't exist in her world, after all, in her world magic was just part of a fantasy.

"Grandma Ellen told me these things honestly, how could I not believe every word she said." She answered when Serdic questioned her one day. "And besides, if magic doesn't exist then I'm also denying the bond that we created… two people from different worlds becoming friends, right?"

Serdic gave Chelinka a phantom smile.

A friend.

It was something that Serdic found it hard to find; and to stumble on it in an unlikely place, it must have been fate.

"Linka, aren't you afraid?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aren't you afraid of… me?"

"Stupid." She said at once. "Why would I be afraid?"

"What if, behind this voice is a monster?"

"Then…" Chelinka faced the setting sun and said. "I would accept whoever is behind this voice. Because Serdic is Serdic no matter what he looks like!"

Chelinka suddenly heard a chuckle in wind that soon died out. That was her answer. She would accept him.

Since that day, her face, her voice and her smile haunted Serdic when he couldn't meet her. He was sure now that he had fallen in love with her.

"Serdic, are you there?" Linka called softly as she sat beneath the Sekai tree. In her hand, she gripped onto an umbrella. It was a dark dusk.

"That I am," he answered. "I looked at 'that' matter and I found something fascinating."

"Yes?"

"In the archives of lost magic there is an ability called Ark magic. This gift allows its caster to shift magic into other worlds. In other worlds, it allows one to travel through worlds."

Excitement travelled throughout Chelinka's whole body as she heard Serdic's words. Ark magic, it must have been the ability her grandma possessed.

For the last few days, they had been talking about Ellen's origin. They both believed that she was not from her world at all. After all, she knew too much about magic.

"Don't you think it would wonderful if you and I could finally meet?" Linka suddenly exclaimed.

"I suppose-" Serdic answered. His face was flushed with pink.

And then the clouds that lurked above the town started to rumble, startling Linka a bit.

"Are you okay?"

"Uh-huh, that just scared me."

"You go home now. I don't want you to wait here in the rain.

"It's all right! That's why I brought an umbrella, silly." She grinned as she raised her red umbrella. "And besides—this will be the first rain since summer started. I want to be the first to see it higher than any person. To see it bathe the town.

"You know what, grandma once told me that when it rains, even though most people don't notice it, the scenery changes. It's like seeing the usual place in another angle. That's why I love how the seasons change. And that's why I love the rain too! So you don't have worry, Serdic."

"Linka…"

The sky rumbled once again but along the roar of the sky, drops of rain began to fall from the sky. Linka opened her umbrella and cheerfully looked below the hill. The town was covered by a mysterious veil of white as the rain got stronger. It was almost like mist.

"I want to meet you too."

"Huh?"

"I want to meet you, Linka." Serdic repeated. "Not like this but—I want to hold you and feel your warmth."

"That'd be wonderful! If I could visit your world then you should show me around your home and I'll do the same if you visit mine!" Chelinka gently touched the trunk of the tree. Somehow it was warmer than it usually felt as if Serdic's warmth was added to it.

"Of course, I'll even show you my mother's garden."

"A promise it is then!"

"A promise."

Before long, Chelinka finally left as night started to befall the place. But as she made her way down the hill, she felt something cold on her chest. She clutched it and stopped for a while. It was the silver key given to her by Ellen. Until now, she never knew what it opened but she knew whatever this key is guarding is something important to Ellen.

The next day, she went up the hill earlier than she usually did. But instead of meeting Serdic, she made a detour to Ellen's house. She took another key from her pocket and inserted it at the front door. She had a duplicate of the house key.

As the door screeched open, many memories flooded her. It was more than she could handle. She began to cry without even noticing it.

She looked around the house. It was left untouched except for the new visitors that came during her absence. Just above, spiders have decided to build their own homes and dust had covered all furnishings. She reminded herself to clean the house soon.

One by one, she visited each room and place in house. The first meeting in the garden; the story telling in the living room; the cooking lessons in the kitchen; and the last place where Ellen lost her breath, her bedroom. She opened it last and felt a lump on her throat.

She dearly missed Ellen. Even how much she tried to hide this fact, it always found a way to reveal itself. Why did she have to die? Why?

She knelt down to her knees and wept. When her eyes could cry no more, that's when she saw a wooden case below the bed. Plated in silver letters were the words CHELINKA.

She carefully took the case and looked at it as if mesmerized. On it was a silver lock; she took out her silver key and inserted it in place. He turned the key and it clicked once. Inside was a violin. Her fingers followed the intricate carvings of the violin. It was so beautiful.

In a forest flourishing with life, the lady who once held this violin enthralled her audience. Animals gathered around her and so did her little brother who couldn't wait for another piece.

Chelinka, like the lady she just saw, began to play the same melody; an ave maria. It was her first time playing it. Her music filled the demesne.

She rushed outside the house, embracing the violin case, towards the Sekai tree to where Serdic awaited.

"Linka!"

She looked behind her, only to see her friend, Claire calling her. She returned a smile and walked towards her.

"What's wrong Claire? It's rare to see you here."

"Well, I came to pick you up!" She answered.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Haven't you heard? The phantom kidnapper has finally reached town! Sister Tessa told me to get you. We're not allowed to wander anywhere after school. "

"What?! But-"

"Come on."

She took Linka's hand and began to prance away. Chelinka looked back at the Sekai tree. She wanted to hear Serdic's voice but she was too far away. She wanted to tell him about the violin and she was able to play it. And of course she wanted to tell him about the vision she saw. But she couldn't. She slowly walked away, clutching the case on her right hand.

"Hey Linka, what's with that?" Claire pointed at the case.

"It's something Grandma left for me. It's something really important."

Many days passed, still many of the town folk began to disappear one by one. The Phantom Kidnapper is what they call the culprit of these strange kidnappings. The cases began in the cities that slowly spread to the towns and villages. Nobody could find out how these things were happening. It was like a disease that spread and everyone was affected.

Since that time, Chelinka couldn't meet Serdic at the tree anymore. That was when she began to play a melody each sunset hoping that he'll know that it was her music. Things continued until summer ended with their sad unsaid farewell.