Chereads / The Archivist: Shattered Dreams / Chapter 2 - Silent Strings

Chapter 2 - Silent Strings

Keeper: Jenny Mcbowt

Date: Unknown

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The roaring of the audience sounded at his last vocal note, drowning out the finale of the cello. This left Janine silent, she abruptly stopped playing as the audience thundered. Vincent stood at center stage bowing after their performance.

The crowd loved him as did Janine

"Jenny." His white gloved hand was extended out to her for her to join him. The bow to her cello hung loosely between her fingers as she curtsied next to him. He grabbed her free hand as they bowed together. She flipped her dirty blonde hair behind her, pretending it was her thoughts.

Her selfish thoughts that echoed in her mind after every performance. She was right, after the show they were to meet and greet in the grand hall. Again all the visitors wanted to meet her husband Vincent. His voice was the strongest instrument here. He was born with the ability to perform Opera. She had to practice to learn how to play, since she was six. Yet no one wanted to meet her or congratulate her after the show, as far as they were concerned she was just part of the orchestra.

She sat off to The corner of the room, rimming her wine glass as she watched Vincent chat with people. His demeanor always assuring. His communication, as well as his body language was flawless. All the reasons she married him, were the same reasons she was jealous of him.

As she sipped on the red wine a figure walked up to her, Setting the glass down and looking up. A long black dress lead up to a very beautiful woman. Her eyes narrow and deep Brown. Earring shifted with her elegant movements as she took Jenny's hand in a shake.

"Jenny Mcbowt?" The woman asked with a smile. Jenny couldn't believe it, it was a former teacher of hers.

"Miss Xay?" She stood to get a better look at the woman. " Is that really you?"

" yes yes forget the formalities. I watched your performance. You were superb my dear. Quite the playing you did. How my walls and ears miss your practicing."

Janine was completely in awe. The first time anyone wanted to congratulate her and it was a former teacher. She was about to say thank you, but the woman cut her off.

"It's a shame you didn't get to finish the finale. It reminds me of when Ari would try to sing over you, when you two were competing for The Heirs program."

This song Jenny she tried to forget about that overbearingly sweet girl. Always treading on her performance, just as Vincent does. Miss Xay picked up Jenny's wine glass and handed it to her. " it was lovely hearing you play again. Hopefully I will be able to again soon." With that and she left as quickly as she came all energy leaving the room with her.

Jenny whispered "You will." to herself.

"She'll hear me. They all will."

At home muttering to herself she strung the cello strings through her new instrument. Tightening at the head, plucking into tune. "They will, they all will." She works meticulously through the night on her new cello. Ensuring that each chord played as flawless as she knew they would. As they did each performance before.

As the curtains dropped the audience gasp in horror. Janine held onto the shoulder of her new instrument tight as she started to play. The bowstring gently rubbing against the chords emitting the humming noise. Then at full force she played. It was magical how each operatic note fell in tune with each gesture. Every saw motion created more singing.

It began to get harder to play as the bow became soaked cutting further into the vocal chords. Vincent on his knees in front of her eyes open and pleading her not to do what she already did. She held the makeshift cello neck that protruded from his mouth. She continued to play for as long as his vocal chords held up for.

The audience and stage far behind her. All she had left was the Beautiful song she could hear her husband still singing. Still haunting her today.