Chapter Eleven: MY BEST BUDDY

Lesley's POV

Harley's already snoring but I'm still staring at the dark sky.

Since I've mentioned Granger, and Gusion referred him as a Death Chanter, I now can't help but to wonder where that man could be? We've met only twice yet we both considered each other as good friends.

Weirdest friendship. That's what Granger and I had.

I was 13 years old when the bloody incident happened to me. Harley's parents adopted me but I'm still wailing everytime my real family's death anniversary comes. And everytime I does, I'm not showing up in that state with anyone.

I was 16 years old, when I cried endlessly under a huge tree not too far from Vance' residence. I badly missed my parents back then when I heard a soft voice calling my name.

--Flashback--

"Lesley.."

"Huh?" I raised my teary face to find who was calling.

"Lesley.."

My eyes widened. In front of me was a floating and shining beautiful woman with long curly hair. A fairy?

I wasn't afraid. I was trained to be tough. "Who are you?"

"I am a Nymph who was sent for all orphans. I am here to help you, darling."

I got confused.

"I will give you a precious gift that you deserve but in condition that you must do the task that I would give."

I wiped my remaining tears using my palms. "That is--?"

She waved his wand in the air. A silver violin gradually shown.

Oh no. I immediately shook my head. "I don't know how to play any musical instrument."

"It wasn't for you, my dear."

I forced a laugh. "Okay?"

Once more, she used her wand. This time, a huge smoky-like circle created between two tall trees. "It is a magical portal. When you enter here, you will see an old monastery." She handed the violin to me. "Anywhere near that monastery, play that violin in any tune you want. Give that instrument to a young man who will approach you."

"I will play this?" I looked down with what was on my hand. "How can I be so sure if I can give this violin to a right man?"

"You can't go wrong, darling. Only him can hear the sound you will make."

"Okay?" What else should I say?

"Good luck." She waved her wand to herself. "I will be here when you come back."

She vanished just like that. What the heck. What now?

I looked at the portal. Confusion was written all over my face. I don't know what to do.

I looked at the violin I'm holding and grimace. What the heck will I do with this violin? Rifle is what rightfully mine.

Well, the nymph said it wasn't for me. It's for someone else. So he must have this.

After counting from one to ten, I finally stepped in through the portal. The nymph was right. Not too far I could see an old monastery.

So where will I sit to play this damn instrument?

I looked around. I sat when I saw an old concrete bench. I hesitantly swipe the violin stick to make sound then looked around. No one's coming. I played some more then stopped to search for the man again, but seen nothing. I sighed. Was there really a man who can hear the sound? I shrugged at last. Closed my eyes and played without certain tone. It was my first time to see and hold a violin. And I'm suck with this. I ended my ridiculous performance with a long last swipe. Even I couldn't take the sound of my music.

"Wow!"

I almost fell on the bench when I heard a voice together with a continous clap.

"What's the title of that song?" the man asked. I can't see his lips (his collar was until his nose) but through his eyes, I can see that he wasn't smiling. He must be 5 to 10 years older than me.

"I don't know."

"Odd title."

Jeez. "I don't know the title because it's not really a song. I just played it to caught your attention."

"Your violin looked great." He commented.

"This is yours." I stood up and gave to him the instrument.

He didn't took. He just stood and looked at me as if I was a two-headed alien. I gulped. His eyes. There was something in his eyes that I wanted to weep. "A nymph gave this to you as a gift."

"You are the nymph?"

"No. I'm an orphan, and she-- wait, the Nymph is helping you, too. So that means you're just like me."

"Orphan?" He smirked and sat down on the same bench. "Yeah." He lazily placed his hands at the back of his hand and looked at the sky. "No one could understand how hard to be alone in this unfair world."

I sighed and sat beside him. "I felt the same. My family tried to become a better person, but they were murdered in front of me." I looked above to stopped myself from crying.

"What's your name?"

"Lesley. And you?"

"Granger."

I handed again to him the violin. "Believe me, this is yours." I cracked a joke. "You enjoyed my piece. I'll teach you how to do it. Just close your eyes and do the headbang. It will surely be fun and crazy."

"You're weird."

"You're weirder. Imagine, you liked the sound of my music." I laughed heartily.

"I enjoyed it, no kidding."

"You're really weird. I will never hold any instrument again. I now know, I'm helpless with that field. I will just settle with a gun."

He smiled. Not reaching his eyes. "I have gun, too."

"Wow. We're really the same. I guess we're best buddies in our past life"

"You bet."

I stood up. "Gotta go now, Granger. I think this would be our last meeting so goodbye. Nice to meet you, buddy."

"I love traveling. So maybe one day I will just appear in your doorstep."

"I'll wait for that then." I waved my hand. "Bye."

I exited in the same portal. Like what the Nymph said, she was there waiting for me. "You did good. For that, you will receive the best gift of all."

She gave a something black to me. I opened it immediately. And what the hell. "An eyepatch?! You must be mistaken, Madame. I am not blind."

The Nymph laughs. "Not all who wore masks are ugly. Not all who wore hats and caps are balds."

That was.. deep. "Meaning..?"

"Just keep that. Someday you will need that I assure you."

"Ow.. kay. And that made me the luckiest among other orphans?"

"No, silly." The Nymph laughed. "Take one step backward."

I did. "And..?"

"Look at your hands."

Okay. I looked down. But what the heck. "Where's my hands?" I looked at my other body parts. "I have no legs." I touched my face. I still have it. "What did just happen?"

"You are invisible, my dear. That eyepatch added your skill."

"Whoah! Cool. Thank you."

"Welcome."

--End of flashback--

That's the story how I met my best buddy and how I got my skill.

Granger and I met again when he had 'something to finish' not too far from our town one year after that meeting. And now, I don't have any idea where on earth he might be. It's already been three years since I last saw him. I wish he still had his violin and he's using it for good reason.

I sighed.

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