The Forests of Silence

He's still a child - Greig Butterfly

"And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings." - Meister Eckhart

'Man, that boy is mad... or lost.' Brett paced back and forth in his room as he recalled his last conversation with Eddy.

"So.. you don't know his name?"

"No."

"You don't remember his face or anything?"

"No."

"Approximately when did you hear him play exactly?"

"About 10 years ago..? I was six or seven. Not sure about that too."

'Why do I care anyway?' Brett thought. If Eddy can't find his special someone here, then he will probably leave Meldovern and be on his merry way to being a soloist. So why is Brett being so concerned?

'Well, I'm just trying to be nice to another human being. He's my...classmate.' Brett shook his head to clear his thought. It's completely normal to care about your fellow classmate, Brett supposed. He sat on his desk and began to write a letter to his secretary back home.

'Dear Sansha

Hope everything is well back home. I'm doing good and I have a favor to ask.

I want a record of people who stayed in Port Kaiim from 12 years ago to 8 years ago. Please send it to me as early as possible.

Thank you.'

Brett signed the letter. His family has managed Port Kaiim for decades and always kept a detailed list of people coming in and out of port. Hopefully, he will get a reply after a few days, a key to help Eddy.

.

.

Brett slept soundly the next day. Professor Claude's class was in the afternoon so Brett thought he might as well practice a little before then. He lazily picked up his violin bag and headed to the practice room at the library. The library assistant greeted Eddy as he came in.

"Hello, Mr. Yang. Going to the practice room?"

"Yes, any room available?"

"Sure, here is your key to the practice room 201. You can use the locker on the second floor for your instruments and other items if needed."

Brett climbed up the stairs to the second floor. Maybe it would be a good idea to store his bags with music theory books in the locker. He walked through the labyrinth of shelves and to the corner where a tall locker stood.

"Oh hey-" As he walked up closer, he spotted Eddy next to the locker for cello and contrabass.

"Shh!" Eddy gestured frantically to Brett for silence as Brett greeted Eddy. Brett, confused, looked up at Eddy.

"What? What's the matter?"

Eddy didn't respond as he concentrated on hearing something. Then the voice boomed from the shelves somewhere close - "I'm going to KILL him!" - Brett jumped from the noise. Then the sound of shuffling shoes moved closer to them.

Brett made an unintelligible sound of protest as Eddy quickly swapped Brett from behind and pulled them inside the cello locker. The door locked behind them with a click.

"What? Eddy??"

"Shhhh!!!" Eddy covered Brett's mouth with his hands. The locker was only large enough to fit an instrument so they were squashed together like a pancake, facing each other. Only a narrow light came from a slit above Brett's head. Eddy peeked cautiously outside through the slit from the darkness.

Brett tried to pull Eddy's hand away. Eddy's hand was a little moist with sweat and a smell of rosin... and maple??

"What the hell, Eddy Chen?" Brett whispered frantically in protest, squirming in a cramped space.

Then the angry voices outside - "Where are you, you bastard!" - shut Brett up as he flinched. There were several people outside the locker, all angry, looking for someone. Brett recognized their voices - it was Ray... and some students from the violin class...

"What did you do?" Brett hissed as the voices got a little further away, still searching.

"Well, I might have... switched their rosin with some maple candies today," Eddy confessed.

"What? Why would you do that?"

"Hey, it was a justifiable action. They were making fun of me being a commoner, ordering me to fetch them breakfast this morning."

Brett shook his head in disbelief and sighed. This boy was actually crazier than he thought.

"You can't just -" Brett stopped as he heard fast footsteps coming closer to them. Then as they passed the locker, Brett took a deep breath in relief.

"Nevermind. How long should we stay here?"

"Well, I know our violin class starts in 10 minutes so they will be gone by then. After that, we can head to Professor Claude's office together."

"10 minutes?? Are you freaking kidd-"

"WHERE ARE YOU EDDY CHEN!!!!!!! YOU DIRTY LITTLE RAT-"

Alright, 10 minutes it was. Brett sighed. The space was so confined that they were literally breathing into each other's neck. It was getting hot. Brett ruffled his shirt, sweating. Noticing Brett's discomfort, Eddy tried to shuffle more to his back to make more space but it wasn't possible.

"So, Brett Yang. How are you coping with being this close with a commoner?" Eddy whispered jokingly.

"Shut up, Eddy. I don't care if you're a homeless beggar or a pope at this point - I just want to get out." Brett muttered in distress.

"You know, I thought you will be the worst at admitting me as a musician in this class - coming from the Yang family and all that, but this is surprising." Eddy chuckled.

How could I not? Brett thought in exasperation. How could anyone not see you as a musician when you can play like that?

"Don't judge me by my family name. I'm more than that." Brett looked up at Eddy's eyes fiercely for the first time. Eddy fell silent at Brett's words, meeting Brett's eyes. After a few seconds, Eddy opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry. I should have known better to understand what it's like to be judged consistently based on one's background." Eddy apologized softly.

Brett dropped his gaze. Moments of silence followed and Eddy continued awkwardly.

"I think it's alright to go out now. Want to head to Professor Claude's class?"

"Yeah, let's." Brett hurriedly turned the inside of the locks and opened the door, to fresh air.

As they headed to the classroom, Brett couldn't help but smile a little. The prodigy was still a child after all.