"Come out, I want to hear you play," a voice called to Eddy.

Eddy slowly walked barefoot toward a pale light coming from the window. He was called. He was wanted, for the first time in his life.

Like a duck imprinting on its mother, Eddy stepped out of the shadow, searching for the musician. Only a silver moon greeted him. The port was already empty.

.

.

'I was mad,' Eddy shook his head as he headed back to Meldovern after spring break.

He was passing by Candra. Even from a small window of the carriage, he could see which house Brett lived in. The most grandiose house on the top of the highest hill, looking over other stylish buildings of Candra.

After the reality check from Brett's family ring, Eddy knew exactly what he should do from now on.

Keep your distance. Do not wish for more. Any closer than this, both of them will only get hurt.

'I was just distracted...by that stupid contract,' Eddy sighed. He just wanted to find the musician he met at Port Kaiim - why did everything become so complicated?

Eddy returned to Meldovern. To his disappointment, he still hasn't gotten any reply from Darius.

Frustrated, Eddy threw his bag across the room.

.

.

The week following spring break went absolutely terribly for Brett. Eddy was cold, ignoring Brett for most of the time. Brett knew Eddy has changed a 180 degree after the date, but he couldn't figure out why.

The weather was also gray and cloudy, just like how Brett felt. Testing his patience for a week, he just couldn't stand it anymore. After class, Brett walked down the stairs to Eddy's dormitory room. He knocked on the door to talk.

"Hey, Eddy. Are you there?"

Silence followed.

"Can I come in?"

Brett hesitantly opened the door. Nobody was in the room.

The room was completely empty as well - no bags, no books, no clothes, nothing.

"...What?" Brett looked around, confused. There was only a torn-up letter in the trash can. Brett picked it up.

'Dear Mr. Chen

I'm Maria, a daughter of Darius Gavenii.

I'm sorry to inform you but my father took a ship for his concert tours five years ago and we never heard back from him since. Our family was told he got lost in the sea and his funeral was held just two years ago.

Sorry for the late reply.

Sincerely, Maria'

A crushing realization fell upon Brett.

Eddy left Meldovern. Eddy left him, after reading the letter.

Brett ran outside, his mind racing. The front gate was closed during the weekdays so Eddy must have taken the back route - a trail that leads to the forest and to the nearby village.

Brett sprinted toward the forest with a heavy cloud above him.

.

.

"Eddy!!"

His voice was already hoarse. The forest of silence, following its name, engulfed Brett's voice with its thick branches and leaves. It almost felt like shouting under the water.

After about an hour of running and walking, Brett could finally see Eddy from the distance. With his last strength, Brett ran to Eddy, shouting.

"Wait!"

Eddy stopped and looked back, startled.

"Why do you have to make this so fucking difficult?" Eddy swore under his breath.

"Where are you going?" Brett demanded, panting and sweating.

"Back to Shobaim." Eddy replied coldly.

"You are not keeping your promise. You said you will stay here for a year."

"That was on the assumption that the musician can be actually found with the list. I just heard back from his daughter. Darius is completely lost now and there's no reason for me to stay here."

Brett clenched his fist hard. This was unfair.

"Why does it have to be him? Why are you so obsessed with this one stupid person?"

Eddy started walking again, ignoring Brett. Brett grabbed Eddy's hand, stopping him.

"Look at me."

"For over ten years, the only reason why I played the violin was to share my music with him someday. Without him, there is no point in me playing anymore."

"I want to hear you play, everyone in Handorr will want to hear you play for god's sake. Don't you realize you are more than that?"

"You don't understand... and you probably never will," Eddy shook his head.

"Why, I don't even deserve to emphasize with you?"

"Of course, Yang. Growing up in that glass arboretum of yours, you will never know what it's like to ... what it's like to be the first time being called, and be wanted. That musician called me out from filth. You aristocrats will never understand."

Eddy's sharp words stung. Brett fought back tears. Brett knew Eddy was intentionally saying the most hurtful words to lash him out.

Brett closed his eyes and took a deep breath to recover his composure.

"I don't want to hear any more of this bullshit. But I'm not letting you...go like this."

"Well, I'm sorry but it's none of your business."

As Eddy turned his back again, Brett grabbed Eddy by the shoulder and slapped Eddy across the face. Eddy covered his cheek with his hand, his eyes wide. Brett shouted angrily -

"Yes, I'm a stupid aristocrat like you say. I didn't live in the street or grew up in poverty like you. But, at least-"

Brett stopped mid-sentence, his words suddenly lost in the air.

Moments of silence followed. A clap of thunder rumbled in a distance.

"...Eddy, give me a chance," Brett whispered.

Eddy stared at Brett intensely, still clutching his cheek.

"No."

"Please, Eddy. Let me in."

"Let you in?" Eddy shook his head, taking a step back.

The rain was starting to fall. Eddy shivered.

"Do you have any idea what it's going to be like... to be with me?"

"Tell me," Brett pressed on.

"It's a barren land full of thorns,"

"It's alright," Brett took a step toward Eddy.

"You will get hurt," Eddy's voice quivered.

"It's alright," Brett took another step toward Eddy.

"There will be no space for you to rest in there..." Eddy bit his lips, hard.

Brett gingerly took Eddy's face in his hand.

"And you will leave me, like everybody else," Eddy closed his eyes, letting hot tears fall. He crouched down, heaved, and began to cry uncontrollably. His whole body shook, gasping for air, in pain.

Brett crouched down next to Eddy, hugging him tightly.

"Let me in, Eddy," Brett whispered into Eddy's ear.

Eddy already knew it was not his choice whether or not to let Brett enter into his life anymore. Eddy knew, from the start, Brett shattered the door to his heart. For the past week, Eddy just wanted to deny it, too scared to be hurt or hurt Brett in the process after realizing a hard road in front of them.

The thorn trees in his heart screamed as Brett blew into him. And Eddy knew there was nothing he can do about it.

"Let's go back home," Brett spoke softly.