Composer 4.17

~Berlin~

It had been over a year since Charity went missing. The police had all but given up their search, instead considering her a runaway. I knew better, yet no one would listen. Standing here on this important day, all I could think of was she's not here to share it with me. I'm getting married today. I thought back over the last year and how I had gotten here.

Not long after Charity went missing I found myself lost as well. I had retired from composing so that I could focus on Charity. I would check in with the police at least once a week, sometimes more. Well it was on one of these check ins that Michael, Detective 

Thompson, intercepted me before I even walked in the door. He invited me to go get a coffee which I accepted. While enjoying our drinks we got to talking, he was so easy to talk to. It was like talking to an old friend rather than someone I barely knew. He promised that he would personally keep me updated on Charity's case.

Michael and I met up every so often to go over any new information that came up. Over time our our meetups changed from talking over  a drink to talking over dinner. Somehow with out even realizing it we had gone from having a professional relationship to a more personal one. 

I realized I was in love with him the night my father called to tell me that mom had died. She died having never accepted Tanner's death or meeting her granddaughter. Dad was going to have her flown back to Starlight Shores to be buried behind her house. He wanted me to come, but I said no. I had lost my mom long ago. After hanging up with dad, I called Michael and asked him to come over, I didn't want to be alone. He was more than happy to come over and be with me. Once we sat down I told him all about mom's death, I started crying, and couldn't stop. He was so great, he just sat there and held me while I cried my eyes out. "I feel so alone, I've lost everyone." I said. "You're not alone. I'm here."  He answered. " Someday we will find Charity, I promise you. And whether it's good news or bad I will be right there by your side." I sat up and looked at him, he held my face in his hands and said " Berlin, I'm in love with you, I'm never leaving your side." Those words struck me to my very soul, they resonated within me with a truth that couldn't be denied. " I love you too." 

That night was six months ago. With Michael's help and support I went back to work, composing some of the most beautiful pieces. This whole experience had humbled me in a way I can't explain. Before her disappearance I took for granted my family. I thought I didn't need anyone, and I thought that just by providing Charity with the necessities that was enough. More and more I realized just how selfish I had been. If I could go back I would change so much. 

As I walk up to the doors of City Hall to meet Michael at the Justice of Peace, I'm filled with the sense that everything is going to be okay, I can't explain it but I know Charity is safe, and I can move on in my life.

Composer 4.16

~Malakai~

I had failed. Charity was being killed in front of me and there was nothing I could do to stop it, I prayed that the poison kicked in soon. Screams filled the room, first from charity then once she grew silent, from the vampires. Clawing at their throats the vampires let out the most horrid screams. James turned and looked at me, trying to say something in between his screams, I couldn't make out what was said, nor did I really care. With one last howl James and the rest of the vampires fell to the ground, and turned to ash. The single vampire left in the room released me from his power as he fled.
All was now quiet. I went over to where Charity lay, and pulled her into my lap."Please don't leave me. I need you, I love you" I begged cradling her lifeless body. She let out a small breath and I realized that she still clung to life. I didn't know what to do, then I remembered a potion that I had tried once before with disastrous results. Long ago I had tested my potions on the humans, one such potion changed the human into a Fae. The human didn't live long after, since James had found out and killed him, I knew it might be my only chance to save Charity. She would die if I did nothing.

I picked her up and carried her upstairs to my room. "Hold on Charity" I said laying her down on the bed.

 I shrunk down and flew out the window as fast as I could to gather the ingredients. As soon as I had everything, I raced back to the house, praying that Charity was still alive. She barely was.


I made the potion as fast as I could and got back upstairs.

 I tried to get her to drink the potion, but it was no use. I finally used a dropper to get the potion delivered. I sat by the bed holding her hands willing her to live. In a flash of light wings the most beautiful shade of blue sprung from her back, she breathed a deep breath and I knew the potion had worked.

It was nearly a week before she awoke. "Kai" she whispered waking me. "What happened?"  "The potion worked, James is dead." I said getting up to check on her. "Good" she said closing her eyes and drifting off again. When she woke up again she noticed she had wings, "Kai? What is this, how is this possible?"  "It was necessary to save your life, I hope your not mad." I said helping her up so she could see in the mirror.  "Of course I'm not mad, they're beautiful." She said admiring her new wings.

Just then we heard a knock on the door, "Stay here, I'll go see who it is." I said. Opening the front door, I saw something I never thought I'd see. Before me stood another Fae. "Hello there! The names Martin, mind if I come in?" He said as he stepped inside. "There aren't supposed to be any Fae this far out, are you a scout?" Martin asked. "Sorry, I don't know what you are talking about." I said confused. "Hmm, well that's odd. You are Fae, are you not?"  "Yes, but"- just at that moment Charity peeked around the corner. "It's alright, I think. Come here." I said holding my hand out. She came and stood by my side. "Well now! Who's this!" Martin asked. "This is Charity"  "Two Fae this far out? This is highly unusual." Martin said more to himself than to us. "Alright, what's going on here. You should not be here." Martin said suspiciously.  "You need to tell me why you're here."

I led everyone into the living room and sat down, Charity by my side. "What do you want to know?"  "Tell me everything." Martin said. "Before we do, tell us how you found us."  "you mean you don't know?"   "No"  "Oh well, that's easy. You see when we shrink down and fly we leave a trail of magic behind that other Fae can track. I was in the area and picked up on your trail and followed it here." We told him everything that happened, and he listened intently. When we had finished telling our story Martin stood up and said, "Well, you certainly can't stay here. You will come back with me to the land of the Fae."  "wait, what about my aunt? I can't leave with out saying goodbye." charity said. "That's possible, but we would need to leave tonight." Martin said. that was fine with us, we wanted to leave this place behind as fast as possible.