This must have been the cue the audience had been waiting for. A lethal silence blanketed the auditorium. A shrieking infant near the back split the silence. It was a good thing that the mother quickly excused herself and her baby for Mrs. Jones two rows ahead of her turned around and emitted a death stare that would end wars. Back on stage a short balding man crossed the stage to the platform in the middle of the violins. Applause erupted from the audience. The show was about to begin.
From the first downbeat, the orhcestra entranced the audience with the blazing brass sections, the bold percussions, the earthy woodwinds, and the sultry strings. The gentle swells of the melody captivated the audience and took them on a journey filled with throbbing bass lines, shrill highs, and clashing cymbals. After a couple collective pieces had been performed, the signal was given that it was to be Zander's turn to play. He rose from his chair and moved to the microphone at the front of the stage, making sure not to stand too close to it. Mr. Worthington's hearing aid had not recovered from the last time it was sent into hysterics. With a glance at the conductor, he brought his lips to the piccolo. The music that came forth could only be described as sonic gold. The purity with which he played the song left many patrons dabbing their eyes. The tones rose and fell like the gentle ebb of the tide, then changed to the shattering dynamics of lightning during a thunderstorm. He played three songs with the orchestra playing accompaniment.
"Zander Wraithborn, ladies and gentlemen!" the maestro announced to the crowd. With more thunderous applause Zander returned to his rehearsal room during the intermission.
"I can't believe I missed the fifth! And my arpeggios! Come on now. Get it together, Zander. You are a world renowned musician that is playing for extremely wealthy individuals with extremely generou-"
"You always did talk to yourself when you were nervous."
Zander froze mid-sentence. Cold sweat formed on his brow. His hands, so steady earlier in the morning, now shook with a violent tremor. "W-Who's there?" Fear rooted his feet firmly in place. He dared not turn around. The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't match a face to it. "Look. If it's money you want the-"
"Relax. I don't want your damn money. Would you just sit down? You're making me nervous," the feminine voice held an air of mockery. Where had he heard that voice before?!
"I am making you nervous? Gee, my sincerest apologies."
"Now now, your sarcasm isn't necessary. After five years this is how you plan on saying hello to your sister?"
"Des?" his voice dripped with disbelief but he relaxed a bit as relief slowly flooded his veins.
Sitting in the plush, velvet chair across from him, a slender figure stared at him. Whatever emotion might have once resided there had long been erased. Her scarlet hair hung in loose tendrils around her shoulders, creating a compelling contrast with her crystal blue eyes. She wore a flattering black dress with a long trench coat over it. An amused smile played across her lips."Well who else would it be?"
"Would you like for me to answer that or should I assume that you already know the answer? How did you get in here?"
"It was simple, really. You know, those poor guards are some simple-minded people. I didn't even have to use much Charm before they were like putty."
"You could have just asked nicely, you know. Told them you were my sister?"
"Ah, but where's the fun in that?" her laughter was childlike despite her aged figure.
Zander seated himself across from his sister. "So why are you here?"
"Can't a loving sister drop by to see her brother?" she said, feigning hurt.
"You never once contacted me in five years and you expect me to believe that?"
"Communication is a two-way street, but I'll let that slide. The Council has located you again. To be honest, I'm surprised it took them this long. It's not like they have anything better to do than sit on their overpaid asses and scorn the world for trying to live. There's also the fact that you don't try to hide yourself well."
"I'm defenseless to fame. Sue me," he took a minute to soak in what he had just heard. The last time the Council had intervened in the affairs of his family, Des and Zander had never seen their mother again. They were told that she had died in a car crash but that was absurd seeing as how, if the Council actually had some excuse for intelligence, they would have known that she was deathly afraid of cars. She had always preferred to walk or take a boat than to ride in a car. Since they lost their mother, Zander and Des have been fleeing the Council. Seven years ago the Council had almost gotten them, but with the help of some close family friends, they managed to escape once more. "This was really risky, you know. If the Council found out that you-"
"Then they just can't find out, now can they?" she shifted her weight and crossed her legs. "They are due to arrive in town tomorrow night. I would highly advise that you not be here when they do."
After all of his close calls with the Council, one would think that Zander would be accustomed to these quick exits. However, that would be what a perfect world would be like, and we live in a far from perfect world. Zander rested his head in his hands, formulating a plan. He couldn't go back to London just yet. The Council were sure to have placed someone around his old flat. Then a new terror struck him. A protective terror that made him question the safety of his sister. "Where will you go?"
"I have a flight to New York that leaves in an hour. Please don't be foolish and follow me. I can only keep the Council off your trail as long as you help me." She rose from her seat and began to walk to the door.
"Des..."
"Yes, Zander?"
He toyed with what to say. After five years without so much as a "Get Well Soon" card, how does one say goodbye to a sister? His shoulders fell as he gave up on something eloquent to say. Instead, he settled with, "Please be safe."
A small smile stretched across her lips, "I always am." With that she turned and exited the room just as quietly as she had entered.
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