Tonight in the small town of Spencer's mill was extremely unpleasant. Rain was pouring down from the sky, and the rumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. From time to time, the gloomy alleys bathed in darkness were illuminated by blinding lightning.
A man in a black suit ran through the muddy streets and headed for a nearby hotel. The man quickly crossed the threshold of the boarding house, then wiped his wet round glasses. The gentleman had a weird mustache and old-fashioned clothes. He had a leather briefcase in his hand. He brushed the rain off his tuxedo and headed to the front desk to rent a room.
- What brings you here so late? asked the porter.
- I'm just passing through here.
- Last name?
- Miller. Malshall Miller
The receptionist raised his eyebrows.
- I think I've heard them somewhere before...
- It's possible, it's possible ... he replied with a lot of satisfaction on his face ... I'm a respected journalist, I deal with paranormal phenomena.
- It's an interesting coincidence... said the porter, looking closely at the newcomer... It just so happens that an interesting legend is associated with our city. Would you like to hear it?
- Gladly. replied the man, clearly intrigued.
- About a quarter of a century ago, there lived an outstanding pianist in this city named Lucas. He was one of the richest men in the city. It is safe to say that he had more money than all the people of the village put together. He lived in this neighborhood, just a few steps from here. From his house came the wonderful sounds of the piano every day, so beautiful that even the birds stopped singing so as not to disturb the harmony of this fabulous melody. Every noon, the townspeople would gather in the main square to hear another concert by Lucas. However, it is known that everyone's life comes to an end... The porter paused for a moment and sighed heavily, then continued... Nobody even noticed when Lucas left.
- How?... asked Malshall, clearly intrigued... Since he died, he couldn't play the piano anymore...
- And yet his songs resound in our village to this day ... whispered the receptionist ... every day, at the same time. Nobody knows where this music is coming from. Lucas's body was never found, and his piano also disappeared without a trace. No one can explain it, and yet... it's really happening.
Malshall opened his eyes wide. Without a word, he took the key to his room. He slowly climbed the stairs and reached his bedroom. He went inside and sat on the bed, lost in his own thoughts.
It was hard for him to believe what he had just heard. All he had to do was wait until tomorrow to see if the porter had been honest with him.
Malshall's eyes flew open and he looked fearfully around the room. The moon bathed the room in a faint, milky light, and dusty chairs and tables cast irregular shadows on the floor.
The man rubbed his eyes and stretched, ready to continue the sleep from which he had been so brutally awakened. He was torn from the embrace of Morpheus by a ghostly nightmare, from which he could only remember the disturbing sounds of the piano. He put his head on the pillow and closed his eyes.
Soon, however, the soft melody of the piano reached his ears again. Malshall quickly sat down and listened to the wonderful music. Quietly, he put on red slippers and got out of bed, then slipped out of the room to find the source of the mysterious sounds.
The melody was undoubtedly coming from the reception area. The man tried to descend the old stairs as quietly as possible, grimacing and slowing down every time some treacherous step made a nasty creak.
Eventually, however, he reached his destination. He discreetly walked between the coffee tables, occasionally glancing uncertainly from side to side. With each step, the music grew clearer and more beautiful.
Finally he noticed him. A mysterious man in an emerald jacket and a top hat played the piano so professionally that it took his breath away.
He listened to this eerie concert as if hypnotized. When the song ended, the young man mechanically began to applaud loudly.
And that was his biggest mistake.
At the sound of applause, the musician turned sharply. From the front, however, he did not look like an ordinary human, his skin was dry and peeling off his skull in several places, and his eyes glowed with a faint greenish glow.
The wraith opened its mouth wide, revealing a rotten tongue and decayed teeth, and let out a terrifying roar.
Malshall drew back instinctively. He decided to run back to his room, he couldn't think of any other idea. He ran up the stairs, taking the steps three at a time, before bursting into the bedroom. Suddenly, the whole world around him went dark, he thought he had lost his sight. His whole body refused to obey him.
He felt himself falling. All his senses were gone, and the last thing he remembered were the soft sounds of the piano.
Malshall opened his eyelid slightly. The whole room was bathed in bright sunlight. The man threw back the covers and got out of bed.
What a nightmarish night! He had never had such a realistic dream before. His head ached and he felt sleepy. He splashed his face with ice-cold water, hoping it would wake him up a bit. He changed into his old-fashioned tuxedo and headed to the hotel cafe.
- What can i get you? the bartender asked dryly.
- A small cappuccino, please. replied Malshall.
Moments later, the young man received the drink he had ordered. He drank his coffee halfheartedly, wandering in his own thoughts all the time.
Around eleven o'clock the man left the hotel and went to the main square. He remembered what the receptionist had told him, this was where the late pianist's daily concerts were supposed to take place.
Malshall sat down on the bench and listened carefully. For now, the town was bathed in absolute silence, broken only by the sweet singing of birds or the gentle rustle of leaves. However, the gentleman did not lose hope that he would hear an extraordinary musician, so he patiently waited for the beginning of this unusual performance.
After some time, a fairly large crowd appeared in the market. People were resting on benches, the pavement, the ground. In short, they sat wherever there was space. No one spoke a word, no one even opened his mouth. The silence grew denser, the chirping of birds died away, even the trees froze, the whole square was immersed in a tense atmosphere of anticipation.
Until finally it began, softly at first, like the rustling of leaves. Soft music flowed to the ears of the audience. The melody gradually grew stronger, hypnotizing the listeners more and more with its beauty.
Malshall had never heard anything so unusual. He couldn't tell where those wonderful sounds were coming from. He had the impression that they were coming from all over the world at the same time. However, he stopped thinking rationally, just sat and listened, greedily devouring every chord of the magical symphony, savoring every successive bar performed by the mysterious pianist.
The music gradually faded away until it finally fell silent. A murmur went through the square, there was a little commotion, people got up from their seats and went home.
Malshall was still sitting, unable even to blink. Only after a while did he realize that he was the only one left in the square with some wrinkled and twisted old woman.
- Did you like it? the woman asked in a screeching voice.
Malshall rubbed his eyes mechanically.
- Is that a rhetorical question?... he asked with a slight smirk... I've never heard anything so wonderful.
- Yes, my husband has always had a talent for the piano. whispered the old woman, looking blankly at the sky.
It didn't take long for the man to realize the meaning of those words.
- Husband?... he repeated in surprise... Were you married to Lucas?
- Yes... confirmed the woman... Please call me Carmen.
- Malshall, nice to meet you. the young man introduced himself.
- Why don't you invite me to tea?... suggested Carmen... I could tell you a little about Lucas.
- With pleasure. That's very nice of you.
The old woman got up from the bench and followed the worn, uneven path. Malshall followed her. The woman led him along field paths that were hidden between tall grasses and raspberry bushes. They crossed a somewhat dry meadow, occasionally passing weeping willows and tall apple trees. The man cursed as he accidentally stepped on a rotten apple lying on the path.
After five minutes, they reached a small wooden house with a garden. In the center of the yard there was an old wooden well. The plot was surrounded by beautiful apple trees and vegetable patches.
Carmen opened the door and gestured him inside. The young man entered the modest apartment. The woman led him to a small dining room connected to the kitchen. There was an old table with dusty plates and cups on it, two dilapidated chairs, and an old-fashioned stove.
Malshall carefully took his place at the table. The old woman took a baking sheet from the cupboard and cut two pieces of dough. She took the kettle off the stove and made coffee. She put everything on the table and sat across from Malshall.
The young man picked up his fork and tasted some apple pie. He swallowed the dessert made by the woman with difficulty, it was stale and sour. He wondered if Carmen had mistaken sugar for salt when she was kneading the dough. He put down the cutlery and took a small sip of coffee.
- So... he started hesitantly... What can you tell me about Lucas?
- My husband was a wonderful man ... stated the old woman with delight in her voice. She nibbled on some cake with a dreamy expression on her face... He was truly an amazing pianist. Every day he locked himself in his room, where he composed his works for hours. He often wrote them dedicated to me. I loved listening to them. Numerous concerts around the world brought us a considerable amount of money ... she sighed heavily ... I miss Lucas. I haven't been doing very well since his death. I had to sell our family home and move into this old shack... she said, then looked bitterly around the sparsely furnished room... Don't ask me how my husband died. I know practically nothing about it. One day he just went to rehearse his latest symphony. I just left the house for a while. When I came back, the lovely melody was still playing from outside the door. Only in the evening I discreetly looked into Lucas' room. Then, to my horror, I found the room empty. The most eerie thing was that the music was still on... Carmen sipped some coffee from her cup, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand... To this day, I don't know what to make of it.
- I'll help you solve the mystery of Lucas' death... Malshall promised... I'd like to see your old house. Would it be possible?
- Of course, I was going to take you there. Finish the apple pie calmly and we can go. Carmen said with a warm smile.
Malshall grimaced in disgust, then reluctantly picked up the fork.
The old house was a monumental building with an impressive garden. Everything was decorated in the Baroque style. The building was richly decorated, which made it possible to call it a palace. The garden was overgrown with weeds and tall grass, but all the statues and fountains were surprisingly well preserved. There was a rusty For Sale sign on the front door. The building was very dilapidated and old, but despite this, the manor made a great impression on the man.
- Nobody lives here? he asked in surprise.
- Few people could afford such a house... the old woman cackled... Those who decided to buy it, however, did not stay here for long. Piano sounds were also coming from inside, just like in the square. It must have been quite tiring for them after a while, don't you think?
- Yes, undoubtedly. Malshall lied. Personally, he had nothing against daily concerts performed by the legendary pianist.
- Shall we go inside? the woman asked uncertainly.
- If there is such a possibility, then why not? replied the young man, and walked briskly towards the main door.
They trekked across the uneven pavement. Dandelions and other weeds grew luxuriantly from between the cobblestones, and the whole garden could be called a veritable ocean of nettles and tall grasses. It was obvious that no one had taken care of the property for years, but in its heyday the residence must have looked amazing.
Malshall carefully opened the building's door, which creaked horribly. Carmen winced as she looked inside.
- That's not how I remembered it. she said, sighing sadly.
The inside of the house was also in a dilapidated state. The paint was peeling from the walls, there were cobwebs everywhere, the furniture was completely disintegrated, one could only guess whether the broken leg lying on the floor had belonged to a chair or a table. There was an unpleasant old and musty smell in the air.
Malshall was the first to enter the house. He stepped carefully on the dusty floor, careful not to step on anything. Behind him, he heard a soft clink, Carmen stepped on the broken fragments of old china. The man carefully looked around each room. He searched for anything that could tell him more about Lucas. He was rummaging through an old chest of drawers when sweet piano sounds floated to his ears, beautiful music without the slightest dissonance.
He was breathless for a moment, unable to move. He finally decided to look for the source of the sound. The melody was clearly coming from the next room. The man crept across the creaking floor, trying not to make a sound so as not to disturb the magical harmony.
He gently opened the door and peered into the room. He found Carmen there. The old woman stood in the middle of the room, her mouth slightly open, staring blankly into space. She looked hypnotized. But there was nothing else in the room that could make those wonderful sounds, no piano or radio.
- Carmen, come on, there's no point in being here any longer… Malshall took the woman's hand and pulled her towards the door.
Suddenly he felt very anxious. He had a feeling something bad was about to happen. But before he left the room, Carmen gripped his forearm tightly and pointed to something in the corner of the room.
The man looked that way. The woman was looking at some low point. As he followed her gaze, he saw a strange distortion on the floor. He moved closer and looked at the bumps. It looked like an old, worn hatch. He ran his hand over the dirty panels and found a short, thick cord.
He struggled with the rope for a long time, trying to unlock the secret door in the floor. After a few minutes, the man opened the flap with a bang, and the sounds of the piano hit his ears with double power, it was from there that an unusual melody came out.
Malshall jumped excitedly into the hidden room and looked around. It was very dark in here, the only source of light was the lamp from the room above, which illuminated only a small part of the basement.
- Carmen, do you have a flashlight? the man asked.
The old woman handed him an oblong device. He turned them on so that he could dispel the impenetrable blackness. He noticed an old, battered piano. The keys fell and rose again, as if they were played by an invisible person.
The man was fascinated by this unnatural phenomenon. The melody grew louder.
Suddenly, however, the whole harmony was disturbed by a terrifying screech, which turned into a desperate lament. Malshall looked at Carmen in surprise. The woman fell to her knees and burst into tears, screaming at the top of her voice. Only after a moment did the man notice what caused this reaction in the old woman
Above the piano hung the old, desiccated body of a gentleman in an emerald jacket. Around his neck was a thick rope, carefully tied to a steel hook in the ceiling. Malshall didn't know Carmen's husband personally, but he was sure he was staring at Lucas' corpse.
There were already several police cars parked in front of the old mansion. The fire brigade was already on its way to extricate and transport the found body.
Malshall just finished giving his statement to the police. Carmen, crying, was standing nearby. An officer tried to calm her down, but the old woman was sobbing more and more every moment. The man wasn't surprised by her, he understood her reaction.
It is true that she had known about her husband's death for several years, but the sight of his decomposing, hanging body must have caused her quite a shock. He decided it would be best if he let her think it over alone. He turned and headed towards the hotel, deep in thought.
Malshall stared wearily at his slightly distorted reflection in the dusty mirror. A lot of time has passed since the tragic events.
Today was the funeral of Lucas, or rather what was left of him. Even though he had seen the rotting corpse a good few days ago, the image of the man's terrifying, dead face haunted him to this day.
But he guessed it was very little compared to what Carmen was going through right now.
He hadn't seen the old woman since the body was found. He hoped the incident didn't shake her as much as he thought.
He splashed cold water on his face, then dried himself with a rough towel. He took a comb out of the cupboard and styled his hair as neatly as he could. He dug his best suit out of his suitcase and put it on. He looked at himself in the mirror one last time before leaving. He looked pretty good. It was important to him to come to Lucas's funeral neatly dressed and combed. He adjusted his tie and left the room.
The ceremony passed quite quickly. There were a lot of people in the church, everyone wanted to pay tribute to the legendary pianist for the last time. Carmen sat silent throughout the ceremony, occasionally wiping her slightly damp eyes with a handkerchief.
- It's nice that you came. she said to him.
The man shuddered violently. They were just sitting on a bench in front of the cemetery. The woman hadn't said a word since the funeral began. The young man didn't know what to say, so he just nodded and smiled slightly.
- Why did he do that?... she asked the old man in a broken voice... Why did he hang himself? Was I a bad wife?
- It's definitely not you... he assured her firmly... Maybe the stress of the gigs had worn him out and that's why we kept hearing him play the piano after he left... it must have something to do with it.
- Maybe you're right. Carmen admitted, then blew her nose noisily. She wiped her tears and looked warmly at Malshall.
- I'm glad I met you... she confessed... If it wasn't for you, I probably would never have been able to give Lucas a real funeral.
- Do you think his songs will still be heard? he considered.
- There's only one way to find out. Carmen got up from the bench and looked at him expectantly.
The man got up and followed the old woman who was slowly walking towards the main square. When they got there, they sat down on a low wooden bench. As soon as they rested, a soft, wonderful melody floated in the air.
- It's like he was waiting for us. whispered Carmen with delight, and tears of emotion appeared in her eyes.
She looked towards the setting sun. The sky took on beautiful, warm colors, from light yellow, through deep orange, to blood red. Listening to amazing music with such beautiful scenery was a truly wonderful, indescribable experience. The music, however, gradually faded away, setting like the evening sun, to finally end with a delicate, harmonious chord.
- I guess it was goodbye. Malshall said softly.
- He came to play for me one last time. whispered Carmen delightedly.
- And now he's gone... thought Malshall... gone and taken his passion to his grave.