A quiet knock on the door.
Plato lifted his head and woofed quietly.
Adam slept.
A second quiet knock, and Adam stirred. Plato jumped off of the bed and ran to the door, waking Adam as he climbed over his sleeping owner. Adam yawned and slowly sat up. The door opened slowly and a woman’s head peeked through the crack. "Hello?" She said quietly.
Adam turned his head in the direction of the door. "I’m awake," he mumbled, feigning consciousness. Plato stuck his nose through the crack in the door and sniffed at the woman’s shoes. After a through investigation, during which he received a scritch from the woman, he returned back to Adam.
"I’m sorry to disturb you, but dinner will be served soon and I was told to come and help you get ready." She had a quiet, timid voice; very soft, but articulate. "That is a sweet dog you have."
"Come in." Adam said, trying to shake off sleep. "Thanks, his name is Plato." He yawned again, slowly waking up. His back, shoulders and neck were sore and stiff from riding in the carriage for so long. He stretched, hoping to work the soreness and stiffness out.
She cautiously stepped into the room, carefully carrying a pitcher with hot water in one hand, and a towel and soap in the other. She set the pitcher down on the dressing table. "Is there anything else you need?" She paused before she asked. Adam knew why, she was wondering why he wore a blindfold, most people did. But she didn’t say anything, didn’t ask. Adam appreciated that.
Adam sat on the edge of the bed, thinking. "In the leather bag is a silk shirt, I’ll need that one." He started to unbutton his vest and travel dirty shirt.
The maid looked around, but couldn’t find his leather bag among the other things that were unloaded from the carriage. "I don’t see it." She looked behind and between the two trunks that he brought with him, then on the floor around the door and bed. Adam chewed on his lower lip, thinking, the bag contained some things that he considered valuable, he hated the idea of possibly loosing it.
"Is there a closet?"
The maid stood and checked the closet, nothing. "Yes, but it’s empty." She shut the door. "Are you sure you brought it? Or maybe it wasn’t unloaded." She checked the wardrobe, and behind some furniture. "I’ll go ask the driver to check the carriage, maybe it got overlooked."
Adam shook his head. "Don’t worry about it, I’m sure it will turn up sooner or later." He stood and stretched again, feeling a little better. "What is your name?"
"I’m Annabelle." She said and smiled.
"Pretty name." He made his way to the trunks and opened one; clothes. He poked his hand through the clothes, looking for something. When his hand brushed velvet he knew he found what he was looking for. "You can call me Adam." He pulled out the velvet wrapped violin. It was his favorite, what he had first learned to play on.
"Yes Sir-. . .Adam." Annabelle was surprised. She knew he was a composer, and could play the piano beautifully; but she didn’t know he could play the violin. Then again, didn’t most musicians play more then one instrument? She didn’t know. She poured the hot water into a wash basin, and laid out the towel and soap where it would easily be found. "If you need anything, ring the bell." She wanted to ask him to play something, but didn’t dare.
"I will."
Adam carefully set the violin down on the night table and returned to the open trunk. He pulled out a random clean shirt. White, Annabelle noticed, all of the shirts in the trunk were white, it seemed a rather boring wardrobe, all one color.
"If you don’t need anything else, I’ll go now."
"That will be fine, thank you." Adam said. Annabelle quietly left the room, shutting the door behind her. Adam quickly freshened up and put on a clean shirt. He then dug through the second chest to find a vest and jacket. His whole life was in those two chests and the missing leather bag. He was amazed at how easily his life was just picked up and moved, as if he didn’t really belong anywhere.
He shook his head. Silly thoughts, he belonged somewhere, he just didn’t know where. He would find where soon, he hoped. While waiting for Annabelle, or somebody else, to come and escort him to dinner he started unpacking. The first chest (which was only half full) contained shirts, some dress shirts, but mostly his "dress down" stuff; two vests and slacks. There were two jackets, and an over coat. Not much else, it was a small chest. The second one contained his second violin (a long one that his uncle had specially made for him. He didn’t like it and never used it unless asked.), a cloak, a blanket, shoes, boots and a few other essentials.
The missing leather bag contained letters that were written to him, from his mother, and some from Lizabeth and his brother. He couldn’t read, but he kept them anyway, they had a certain sentimental value that he didn’t want to part with. There were also two carefully wrapped, wooden statues. One was a horse, the other a crow. He couldn’t remember where they came from, but he liked them. The bag also contained his favorite silk shirt and the one bow used with the two violins. He wouldn’t be playing them until he got a new bow, or found the missing one.
To pass the time, Adam started to unpack. He had put most of the stuff away and had gotten a good idea of the layout for the room when he realized that somebody else was in the room. Not Plato, somebody else. "Hello?"
His heart started beating faster. The door made no sound when it was opened, and he knew he didn’t hear any footsteps on the carpet or the stone floor outside the room. What alerted him to another presence was the intense feeling of being watched.
Nobody answered. Plato whimpered nervously and jumped off of the bed to join Adam by the chests. Adam reached down to pat the dog, and noticed the dog was extremely tense and trembling. "Is somebody there?"
Plato was a well trained dog, very intelligent, quiet, and hardly ever barked or got excited. He never jumped on people, and never chased deer or horses. Now Plato was whimpering and trembling. His anxiety was slowly rubbing off on Adam.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you." The voice belonged to Starsbruck. Adam was shocked, but did his best to cover it up. Adam put a reassuring hand on Plato. Good dog, he thought, very good dog, don’t trust this man; stay away from this man (if he is a man at all). Adam shuddered at that thought, and the dog looked up at him and whined.
"That’s all right, I didn’t hear you come in." Adam hoped his voice didn’t crack or waver and give away what he was feeling. Something told him not to let Starsbruck know what he felt or thought. If Starsbruck knew what he was thinking or feeling, then he could use that against Adam. Paranoid thought, Adam knew that, but paranoia often helps you live longer.
Starsbruck walked over to the bed and sat, this time Adam heard his movements. Plato moved a little behind Adam, licking his nose and watching Starsbruck. "I trust your trip went well, no mishaps?" Starsbruck’s flat voice sent shivers up Adam’s spine. He had no accent, no emotion, nothing to convey anything but the words he said.
"It went well, tiring, but well." Adam slipped a simple jacket on, not wanting to dress up too much, but wanting to look somewhat presentable. Plato stayed by Adam’s side, not wanting to leave him alone with the bad smelling man. "One of my bags is missing though."
Starsbruck smiled. "That is good, that your trip went well. I’m sure your bag will turn up, I’ll have the driver look for it." A pause. "Do you think you will be up to playing tomorrow night?" There was sincerity in his voice, but Adam didn’t trust it, not even a little. The sincerity sounded fake, like a put on, or an act. He didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that Starsbruck had something on his mind other then music, and Adam was sure he didn’t want to know what it was.
Adam nodded. "Yea, I’ll be able to play."
"That’s good, I look forward to hearing you play again." Starsbruck noticed the violin sitting on the night table. He picked it up and admired the finish and make of the instrument. He plucked a string. The violin was in perfect tune, Adam always made sure that any instrument he played was in tune; the music always sounded better on an instrument that was well taken care of. "You should play this for me sometime."
Adam wasn’t pleased that Starsbruck was messing with his favorite violin, but he bit his tongue and didn’t say anything. "After dinner, if my bag is found. The bow is in the bag." Plato licked Adam’s hand, looking for more reassurance. Adam rubbed the dog’s ears.
"Your day was tiring, you need rest. You can play for me another time. I will get you a new bow." In a matter-of-fact voice the Adam wasn’t too pleased with. He then remembered that it was his job to play for this man, he really had no say in when and how often he played. He was lucky to get the night to rest and recoup after the long trip.
Starsbruck set the violin aside and stood. "Are you ready for dinner?" Plato growled, barely audible, when Starsbruck stood.
"Yea, I guess so." Adam patted Plato. "Stay here boy, I’ll have Annabelle bring you some food." The dog didn’t sound to happy, nor assured that his master would return. Starsbruck gently took Adam’s arm, to guide him to the dining hall.
Adam didn’t like the man’s touch; it was cold. It made his skin crawl with revulsion and the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Adam had to brace himself to keep from pulling away, or screaming. Starsbruck’s hand seemed like it was attached to something living, but it didn’t feel like it.
Adam was dreading the next few years, or however long he was going to be staying here. He knew he was going to be here for awhile, just not how long.

Adam was led to a large room that made every step echo. He could hear the fire in the fire place, and feel the draft from the windows. The food that way laid out smelled exquisite, and Adam realized that he was hungry.
He couldn’t remember what the meal was, just that it was the best thing he had ever eaten, and that the meal went by fast. It was almost like a dream. He remembered drinking a lot of wine, maybe too much, that was probably why he couldn’t remember much; at least that’s what he told himself. He could also remember eating a lot of whatever the main dish was.
Upon returning to his room he found his leather bag sitting on his bed. He was too glad to have the bag returned to wonder where it had disappeared to or how it got returned. He dug through it to make sure everything was there, and it was.
He then practiced some violin, and Starsbruck listened. After playing, Adam checked out the piano that Starsbruck said was his. The piano was in tune, and sounded beautiful. He played some of the pieces he was working on, and Starsbruck said that he wanted to hear the pieces when they were completed. Adam didn’t want to, but he agreed any way. What reason could he give Starsbruck for not playing his composed pieces?
The music was important to Adam, in more ways then he knew how to express. There is no way to explain, not words to describe, how important music was to Adam. He loved to play, and loved to compose; he could play like a master, better even, and his compositions challenged the classics. Music was how he expressed what he felt, and people listened and were moved. He was more involved with the music then he was with the things around him. He could understand music; music didn’t hurt him, didn’t throw him out of the house or abandon him. Music was all he knew.
Later that night, somebody rode up in a large carriage. Adam heard the carriage pull up in front of the mansion. It was hard not to hear it; the horses’ harnesses had bells, and you could hear the carriage’s wheels against the dirt road. Adam vaguely wondered who it was that was arriving so late, but fell back asleep.

Adam had a headache when he woke up that morning, he figured it was from too much wine the other night. It took him awhile to get up the energy to get out of bed and to get moving. There was already hot water in the wash basin, and clothes were already laid out. Annabelle was already in and out of the room. Adam was surprised she didn’t wake him, but then again, he was tired and had slept pretty deeply that night.
He got breakfast then spent the rest of the day, with Plato by his side, at the piano. He wasn’t sure what to play that evening, and wanted to get an idea. He also wanted to practice what pieces he chose. He didn’t know how many people were going to be there, if any, he wished he knew. He also worked on a piece that he had been messing with for almost a month; he couldn’t get it to sound quite right.
When he spoke to Annabelle, he asked about the carriage that he had heard during the night. She said it belonged to a friend of the prince. The owner was going to be a guest for a few days. She didn’t know anything else about the guest, other then that she visited often (Annabelle was a recent addition to the staff, Adam found out later). Adam was curious about the guest, but not enough to ask anybody else, especially Coppersworth.
Annabelle kept checking on Adam through out the day; when she came by she praised his music, saying it was the prettiest she had ever heard. A few times she made requests, which Adam was happy to fulfill. She said she wished she could learn to play the piano, and Adam offered to teach, but she said she had no talent for it and quickly left.
It wasn’t until dinner that Starsbruck made an appearance, with the mysterious guest; a woman. She had a soft voice, but not soft like Annabelle’s voice; this woman sounded like she was hiding something, or speaking something she didn’t want you to know. She had an accent, but Adam couldn’t place it, French maybe, he wasn’t sure. She had a light step, and an air about her that Adam didn’t like. She reminded Adam, a lot, of Starsbruck. She had the same unnerving, unreal quality he did. She seems aloof, and cold. There was also something about her that seemed more appealing then Starsbruck, but Adam couldn’t put a finger on whatever it was.
"Jonathan says you play beautiful music." She said to Adam, in her secretive whispery, voice. She took Adam’s hand and gently shook it. Not an exactly lady-like thing to do, but she made it very feminine. Adam didn’t like her touch anymore then he liked Starsbruck’s.
"Adam," Starsbruck said. "This is Mademoiselle LeCoix, a very old, and very dear friend of mine." There was something in the way Starsbruck said that, that send chills down Adam’s neck and spine. The lilt in his voice, or the hint of amusement was what disturbed Adam. He made pleasantries, but couldn’t do much more then that for fear of giving away his unease. He felt like he was in a den with predators, and he was going to be the main course. It was a feeling that didn’t do much to calm his already frazzled nerves.
It was as if he were being inspected, sized up. Like they were considering if he were worth the effort or not. He didn’t like it. The Mademoiselle stood so close to Adam that he could smell her perfume, a light, flowery fragrance. "Why do you wear this blindfold?" She asked curiously, tracing an finger along the edge of the cloth.
"It hides something people don’t like to see." Was all that Adam would say. She made no other comment about it after that. Starsbruck told Mademoiselle about Adam’s music; talking as if he weren’t even there. He told her how he could play piano and the violin; and how he composed some brilliant music. She seemed genuinely interested in his playing, and expressed it.
"I can’t wait until you grace us with your beautiful sounds," was what she had said. Adam wasn’t sure if he felt pleased or frightened by the remark.
Dinner that night was a little more unnerving then it was the night before, even though it didn’t have the dreamy quality the first night had. The food was just as good, but Adam was sure that Starsbruck and Mademoiselle didn’t eat. He could hear Coppersworth, who was sitting right next to him; and he heard the occasional tink of glass on glass coming in the direction of Starsbruck or Mademoiselle, but that was it. He figured they ate earlier; but that seemed rather rude, to eat before the guest. They may not have been very hungry, but they did seem really thirsty for wine. Adam heard a servant refill Starsbruck’s glass many times.
Coppersworth spent the dinner and the rest of the evening kissing up to Mademoiselle, something that she seemed to find amusing and Adam found a little sickening. Coppersworth seemed to have no self respect, either that or he didn’t care what image he gave. Mademoiselle seemed to tolerate Coppersworth’s attentions, she humored him by making polite conversation but that was all. Adam just quietly ate his dinner, ignoring Coppersworth’s annoying talk.
After dinner all four went to the music room while the servants cleaned up the table. Adam ended up walking between Starsbruck and Mademoiselle, with her arm hooked through his. Adam wasn’t thrilled about being stuck between the two of them, but he couldn’t think of a way to get on the outside without seeming rude or impolite. He now knew what a trapped animal felt like. He bit his lip and tried to keep his heart and breathing rate down. Coppersworth walked a few steps behind the three, and if Adam knew what he was thinking he would have been frightened.
Once in the music room, Mademoiselle made Adam play some piano. She asked to hear some of his own music first, then some of the classics. She exclaimed over his music and playing, she was deeply moved. She said he was better then Herr Mozart. She loved his rendition of the classics, the masters couldn’t have played them better. Her exclamations seemed genuine, Adam sensed none of the haughtiness that she had had earlier.
Then she wanted to hear his violin playing. Starsbruck sent Coppersworth to get Adam’s instrument. Adam didn’t want Coppersworth touching his violin, didn’t want him anywhere near his room or any of his instruments. But he didn’t say anything, didn’t want Starsbruck to know his feelings. Starsbruck knowing his feelings still seemed like a really bad idea; Adam didn’t know why, but he always trusted his gut feelings and they were never wrong before.
Coppersworth returned a few minutes later with the violin; he brought the long one, the one Adam didn’t like. He played on that one anyway, not wanting to complain, or give Coppersworth another reason to go back to his room. Adam hadn’t composed any violin music of his own yet, but he knew a lot of music composed for that instrument by others, and he played all of it. He played to the brink of exhaustion, Mademoiselle couldn’t hear enough. She was enchanted by his playing, and pouted whenever he stopped.
"I think our young musician is tired." Starsbruck said. "It’s late, let him get some rest, I’m sure he will play more tomorrow night, if you wish." He sounded pleased. Adam resisted a shiver.
"His music is so beautiful. . .so alive and full of emotion and imagery. It sounds like you’ve had a hard life. . . ." Mademoiselle said in a whisper, sounding dazed and awed at the same time. Adam was surprised at how she sounded.
"I can play more tomorrow, if you would like. I am tired right now." Adam said, admitting to that much, since Starsbruck already knew he was tired. He also liked Mademoiselle’s reaction to his music, he felt as if he had accomplished something; it was an exhilarating feeling. She truly appreciated his music, and he knew she would listen for as long as he played, unmoving with rapt attention.
"Coppersworth, show Mr. Wood to his room." Starsbruck said. Coppersworth stood and walked across the room to Adam.
"That’s all right, I can find my own way." Adam said, standing. He didn’t want Coppersworth to walk him to his room, didn’t want anybody to walk him to his room; he could find his own way. He was blind, but it wasn’t an idiot who could easily get confused or lost, nor was he an invalid who couldn’t walk more then a few steps without exhaustion.
Coppersworth made a noise that vaguely resembled a laugh. Adam didn’t like it; the only person in the whole household he liked was Annabelle. She was open, and honest, and didn’t send chills up Adam’s back. Coppersworth stuck Adam as the type of person who would willingly kill a child as long as he knew he would get an appreciative gesture from his boss. He also seemed the person who would beg and grovel to get what he wanted.
Starsbruck chuckled a little, a sound Adam almost recoiled from. "Go ahead, I’ll see you tomorrow." Coppersworth returned to his seat with something that sounded like a sigh.
Adam left, making his way back to his room, glad to be away from Mademoiselle and Starsbruck. Glad to be back in something familiar, even if he was only there for a day. Pluto was there, and he could ring for Annabelle if he wanted to hear another voice. Mademoiselle’s reactions to his playing made him appreciate her more, but he still didn’t like being in the same room as her; because she reminded him of Starsbruck, and he didn’t like being near Starsbruck.
Once back in the room he realized exactly how tired he was. He got ready for bed and was barely underneath the covers when he was asleep. Plato curled up on the end of the bed once Adam was asleep.

Adam had a strange dream that night. At least he tried to tell himself it was a dream the next morning. It was a blur of feelings and actions; sounds and smells. It felt like a dream, but it also felt real.
There were two other people; Starsbruck and Mademoiselle he realized after a few minutes. Both were in the bed, with Adam, and he wasn’t too sure on weather they were dressed or not. Starsbruck was holding Adam down by the wrists, firmly but not painfully. Mademoiselle was running her nails, lightly, up and down Adam’s chest. He realized he wasn’t clothed. Part of Adam wanted to scream, to get away, part of him wanted it to continue, to do more. He tired to move away, to sit up, but Starsbruck held him down.
It was a dream, that’s what he told himself when he awoke.
It worked up to more, and Adam thought he was going to explode if it didn’t stop. Mademoiselle was kissing him all over; and caressing him. He could smell her flowery perfume, faint but unmistakable. She kissed his mouth, and bit so that blood was drawn. He was shaking.
Everything went so fast, all of the sensations and emotions and actions went by so quick he couldn’t register them all. He couldn’t tell who was doing what; somebody kissed him, somebody removed his blindfold, somebody bit him on the inside of his thigh. He gasped, struggled and tried to move, but he was held down firmly.
It hurt.
It felt good.
It was a dream.
That’s what he told himself. That’s what he wanted to believe. It was all a dream.
It wasn’t.

The next morning he felt drained yet somewhat energized at the same time. He was still buzzing from the dream that he had had that night. (was it a dream? Part of him was unsure.) He knew he would never do any of that, what he had done in the dream; but it was so real (it was sinful wasn’t it?).
He rubbed the inside of his thigh, where he was bitten; no mark, not even sore. His wrists hurt, and he could feel the bruises on them. Starsbruck, in his dream, held him down by the wrists.
Stop that, it was a dream.
But is was the best dream he had ever had.
He patted the bed next to him and called to Plato, but the dog didn’t answer. He sat up and called again. No dog. Plato never went anywhere without Adam, the dog was always by his side. He remembered the dog jumping onto the bed just before he was wholly asleep.
Adam reached over and rang the call bell for Annabelle, maybe she took him for a walk. It did seem pretty late in the morning, he could hear the other servants moving around the halls and feel the sun coming through the tall windows.
Annabelle knocked on the door a few minutes after he rang. "Come in." Adam said, slowly sitting up. He felt dizzy and lightheaded.
She quietly opened the door. "Yes?"
"Have you seen Plato? He disappeared."
"No, I haven’t." She sounded surprised and concerned. "Are you feeling Okay? You look pale." She stepped further into the room.
Adam nodded. "Yea, I’m fine. I’m just wondering where my dog went off to. He never leaves me, I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t always there."
"I’ll tell the grounds keepers that he is missing, maybe they’ve seen him." She stepped over by the bed. "Do you need anything else?"
He shook his head. "No, I’m fine." Pause. "I can use some water, or maybe some juice; something to drink." He rubbed his face and neck, and realized his blindfold was missing. He didn’t take it off before he went to bed the other night, the only time he ever took it off was to shave and to wash. . .where did it go? What happened the other night? He didn’t want to think about it.
"I’ll see what I can find." She hesitated before leaving, then was gone. Adam sat listening to his breathing for awhile, then tried to get out of bed. He didn’t make it too far before his head spun and his knees gave out. He then sat on the floor, clinging to the bed and listening to his breathing. He decided that waiting for Annabelle to return would be a good idea; she could help him get back up into the bed. He didn’t think he could make it on his own, he felt so weak.
Annabelle gasped when she opened the door and saw Adam sitting on the floor next to his bed. She put the pitcher of water on the dresser and quickly went to help him. "What happened?" She asked once he was re-situated in the bed.
"I guess I am a little out of it. I fainted a little while trying to get out of bed."
"’A little?’" She asked, unbelieving. "Well, stay in bed for now, I’ll call a doctor." She put pillows behind Adam, and made sure he was comfortably situated in the bed. Then she set a glass and the pitcher of water on the night table next to him.
"I don’t need a doctor, I’m just tired, it’s been a hectic week; moving here, playing almost all night. I’ll be fine once I get some rest." He said, attributing the dream, lack of sleep and anxiety to his being ill.
Annabelle seemed to believe him, she sounded a little reassured. "All right, I’ll bring you some broth in a little while, to help you regain your strength. Stay in bed and relax, ring if you need anything."
"Thank you." He said, leaning back against the pillows she had set up. "That would be nice." He was starting to really like Annabelle (maybe attracted to?), even though he only knew her for a few days now.
She giggled a little, a light hearted sound, a true laugh; not the fake sounding one of Mademoiselle. "You’re so kind. I’ll be right back." She slipped out and quietly closed the door behind her.
While she was gone Adam fell back asleep.
No dreams this time.

He awoke a few hours later, Annabelle was sitting next to the bed, holding a cool cloth to his forehead. "Good morning," she said when she realized he was awake.
"How long was I asleep?"
"A few hours. You’re running a fever." She removed the cloth and set it aside. "Feel up to drinking some broth?"
He nodded. He did feel a little better now that he got more rest, and he was a little hungry. "Sounds good." A pause. "Where is Starsbruck?" Adam thought that since his favored musician was ill, he would be checking up on him.
"I’ve never seen him before early evening, sometimes he never shows up before full dark. I left a message with Coppersworth to tell the Prince that you are ill." She picked up the large cup of broth. "I’m sure you’ll see him once he gets the message."
Adam didn’t like the idea of Coppersworth giving any messages, but there wasn’t much he could do about it now. He just drank the broth that Annabelle fed him and hoped that he wouldn’t be sick long.
A part of him wanted another dream, like the one he had the other night. The bite lingered on the back of his mind, he had never felt anything like that before. He shook his head. Annabelle thought he didn’t want any more broth; he just didn’t want to think anymore.
"I’ll leave the cup here, in case you want more. I have to go help in the kitchen, one of the cooks disappeared last night." She said standing. "If you need anything ring."
"Seems like last night was a night for disappearances." Adam said, wondering if Starsbruck or Coppersworth knew what was going on.
"Yea." Annabelle said and left. Adam sipped at the broth for a few minutes and he started to feel a bit better; a little stronger and more with it. He tried not to think about what was going on, but he couldn’t help it. Why was the prince never seen before dark? Who was the person who disappeared? Where did Plato and the missing person go? It was strange. He didn’t like it. He knew that the prince had something to do with the disappearances of the person and possibly the dog, but why? It didn’t make any sense.
It was entirely possible that the dog had wandered off on his own; he slipped out, went exploring and just got lost. But in order for him to get out he would have to have been let out by someone. The prince may not have wanted the dog around because the dog knew what he was. That reason and the fact that Plato was very protective of his master.
And the dream (if it was a dream, he was starting to doubt that it really was a dream; he was starting to think it was real.) with the prince and Mademoiselle, was she a part of it too? He didn’t know. It was possible she knew what was going on, she was like the prince in a lot of ways.
He pulled the blankets closer around himself, he suddenly felt cold.

Coppersworth came in to check on Adam shortly before dusk. Adam was up, moving about and dressed in his typical "do nothing" clothes. He wanted to get outside a little bit to get some air.
"I see somebody is feeling better?" Coppersworth said in a snide voice. Adam wanted to hit him.
"I didn’t want to stay in bed any longer. I wanted to go out and get some air." Adam said, putting on a light jacket, it was a little chilly out. "Have you seen Plato?" He knew Coppersworth didn’t care about the dog, and if he did see the dog or knew where it was, he wouldn’t say.
"Is your pooch missing?" Adam didn’t like the amused tone that Coppersworth used. He sounded like he was trying to humor Adam, or toy with him (or was hiding something). "I haven’t seen him, thought he was in here with you, he usually is."
"He isn’t, if he was I wouldn’t ask." Stop patronizing me, Adam wanted to say (yell), but he didn’t. He didn’t want Coppersworth to know that he was getting on his nerves; he might not stop or continue just to annoy Adam.
"I just thought I would stop in and see how you were feeling, but it’s obvious you’re feeling better. . .if you were even sick at all." He mumbled the last part, but Adam heard it.
"I was exhausted, that’s all. I just needed some rest, I got it, and now I fell fine. Now, if you will excuse me I would like to be alone." Adam snapped. He was blind, not deaf. He could hear better then most people; and he didn’t like it when people treated him like a child, or like he was an idiot.
Coppersworth turned to go, but stopped by the door. "So, how did you like your little tryst with Prince Starsbruck and Mademoiselle LeCoix? It sounded like you quite enjoyed yourself." He laughed, a haughty laugh.
Adam wished he could have dropped dead at that moment. How did Coppersworth know what he dreamt? (If it was a dream. . .it may not have been.) "How do you know about that?" He hoped he didn’t sound surprised or flustered, or mad. He didn’t like the idea of Coppersworth knowing that he had done something like that, Lord only knew what he would do with that information.
Coppersworth laughed again, he sounded amused at Adam’s confusion. "I was there, but you didn’t see me." He left, closing the door, a little softer then slamming it.
Adam barely made it to the bed before his knees gave out. Coppersworth was there!? Then it wasn’t a dream, it was real. The things that he had done. . . .
He shook all over and tried not to be ill. He groaned.
With a man . . .and a woman. . .the bite. . . .
"What did I do?" He asked himself. Then he felt embarrassed. If nobody else knew then he would have felt better, less flustered and guilty; could have convinced himself it was a dream and that it had never happened. But Coppersworth knew. Coppersworth of all people. Adam wished he never came here, never met the prince.
The past can’t be changed, he told himself. All you can do is be sure the past doesn’t happen again. But how do you do that? He didn’t know. Leaving would have been the best way to start, but where would he go and how would he get there? The prince wouldn’t let him use a carriage to leave, and he didn’t have the money to hire one. He could write Lizabeth, and have her come and get him, or send someone, but how would he get a letter out? He couldn’t write, and didn’t think Annabelle could either, and there was no way in hell was he going to ask Coppersworth to write something for him (he would probably write something completely different or not write at all). That idea was out.
Walking was always an idea, but he didn’t know the area, and he didn’t have Plato go guide him. If he walked the chances of him surviving were slim to none; highway bandits, wild animals, road hazards and the like would lower his chances of survival.
He was trapped, with seemingly no way out alive. He was also starting to panic. Panic was not good, panic would keep him from coming up with a reasonable way out. If he panicked he would most likely make some sort of mistake and end up in more trouble then he was already in.
Maybe it wasn’t as bad as he was making it out to be. Maybe Coppersworth didn’t mean what he had said, and he was reading more into then there was. Maybe Coppersworth was just trying to scare Adam away, that was possible. Maybe he really could see.
He listened to the goings on in the halls of the building, trying to figure out what people were doing and where they were going. There was something tapping on the back of his mind, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. It was as if he knew what was going on, but couldn’t (or wouldn’t) think of what it was.
"I’m sorry to intrude." Starsbruck said, seeming to come out of nowhere. Adam almost jumped out of his skin. He didn’t hear the door, didn’t hear any footsteps in the hall, Starsbruck just appeared out of nowhere. Adam was really starting to not like that. Starsbruck could be in the room, watching him, and he would never know any better.
"No, you’re not intruding, I was just thinking." Adam could feel a blush forming in his cheeks and ears. He tried to calm down, but it didn’t work. A part of his mind wondered what Starsbruck wanted from him, Adam knew he wanted something, but he didn’t know what.
"Annabelle told me you were ill, I was wondering how you were feeling." He stayed by the door.
"I’m fine, I was just tired, that’s all. I got a little rest and now I felt much better." He hoped his voice didn’t give away what he was feeling; mostly fear mixed with a little embarrassment. "I don’t think I’ll be up to playing for Mademoiselle LeCoix tonight, please give her my apologies."
Starsbruck moved across the room and sat on the bed, next to Adam. "You’re health is what is important, not her amusement. She’ll find something else to do tonight, you rest." He spoke with a genuine concern.
Adam was unnerved by the prince’s sincerity. There was something cold and hard underneath it, barely noticeable, but there nonetheless. It was as if the prince really didn’t care, but felt he had to look as if he did. "Thank you," was all he could manage to say.
"You look a little pale, you should get some air, if you feel up to it."
"I will, later, I still feel a little weak." Adam wanted out more then anything, but he wanted the prince out of his room more then anything.
"Very well." Starsbruck said and stood. "Mademoiselle and I will be on the patio having drinks, join us when you feel up to it."
"I will."
Starsbruck left. Not a word about the other night, not even a hint. Adam didn’t know whether or not to be relieved or worried. He wanted answers, but didn’t know who or how to ask. There seemed to be no way out and no answers to be found.

About an hour later, maybe a little less, Adam made his way to the patio, just to see if anybody was still out there. It was dark now, getting colder, and cloudy; the air had the feel of coming rain. Adam pulled his jacket around him tighter and went outside.
Starsbruck, to Adam’s surprise, was still out there, so was Mademoiselle, they were deep in conversation, and didn’t seem to notice Adam standing in the door. Adam heard a little of the conversation, and didn’t like it at all.
"He is quite a charming one, isn’t he?" Mademoiselle.
"Yes, very talented." Starsbruck.
"He will make a fine addition, very fine. He will do quite well, and give you a lot of honor. Marksen will be very jealous." She laughed, cold, almost ice. "I want to be there when you introduce him."
‘A fine addition,’ ‘lot of honor’? What was she talking about? Adam didn’t want to know; he stepped back from the door, being as stealthy as possible, and shut it cautiously, not wanting to draw any attention whatsoever. Starsbruck laughed heartily to something that Adam had missed hearing.
He turned to leave and almost knocked Coppersworth over. "Eavesdropping?" He asked with a laugh. "Was it interesting?"
"No, it was rather boring, not worth listening to at all." Adam said, voice a little shaky. You didn’t have to be a genius to know who they were talking about, but you had to be one to understand what they were talking about; and he didn’t want to know. "Excuse me." He went around Coppersworth, and quickly headed out of the room, bumping a chair and almost missing the door in his hurry to leave.

He wanted out, and away; to not know what Starsbruck and Mademoiselle were talking about. Just thinking about what he had heard made his stomach clench and his hands shake. What ever she was talking about he didn’t want a part of.
A fine addition to what? The household? He didn’t think so, she was talking about something else entirely.
He rang for Annabelle, but nobody answered. He wondered where she was, where anybody was, but then decided he didn’t want to know. After throwing another log on the fire he curled up in front of it. Lightening flashed and a few seconds later thunder followed, making the windows shake. Not too much later, rain beat heavily on the windows. Adam hoped Starsbruck and Mademoiselle got caught in the rain and were now drenched. He wanted his dog, or somebody else to talk to.
A quiet knock on the door.
He ignored it.
Another knock, louder this time. Again it was ignored.
This time the door opened, and Coppersworth entered. "The Prince wishes to see you." He said, haughtily. Adam thought he heard tones of jealously, but he wasn’t sure.
"I am starting to feel ill again, I don’t think I can make it to see him at this moment." A rather weak excuse, he hoped it would work.
"I have orders to bring you to the Prince, by your free will or by force. I wouldn’t mind force myself." Coppersworth sounded extremely amused, and a little annoyed. He also sounded a little jealous. Adam was sure he wouldn’t mind having to use a little force; he didn’t want to give Coppersworth the pleasure.
"I’m coming." He said and slowly stood. "Do you know what this pertains to?" He could feel anxiety slowly forming in his stomach.
"You know damn well what it ‘pertains’ to." Coppersworth growled and grabbed Adam’s arm roughly. "It’s what you’ve been begging for, isn’t it?" He practically dragged Adam to the prince’s quarters. Adam was confused; he hadn’t been begging for anything. The only thing he wanted at this point was to leave, to be anywhere but here.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Adam said, speaking the truth. "I’m being left in the dark here."
"I’ll believe that one when pigs sprout wings and fly." Coppersworth mumbled then rapped on a door. Adam sensed jealously that bordered on the edge of insanity; he was feeling vaguely frightened.
Before Adam could say anything, the door was opened and he was pulled into the prince’s chambers. His heart was beating fast, he could barely breath and his knees started to quiver. Starsbruck stopped Coppersworth from leaving, which seemed to put Coppersworth in a slightly better mood, slightly. Adam was told to sit, he did. He was glad to sit because he didn’t think he would have been able to stand for much longer.
Starsbruck stood directly in front of Adam then gently lifted his chin with one hand. He seemed to be studying Adam intently. "Don’t be frightened," he whispered. "It won’t hurt, much, I promise." Adam barely managed to swallow.
"What are you going to do?" Adam whispered, hardly audible; he managed to speak without stammering, which was surprising to Adam. He was shaking, barely managing to keep on his feet. He was terrified. He wanted to run, but he knew he wouldn’t get very far before he was caught and dragged back.
"I’m introducing you to a whole new life." Adam heard Coppersworth wince. Despite the situation Adam couldn’t resist a smile, even though he didn’t know what was going on. Whatever was going to happen, Coppersworth wanted to happen to him, and Adam was preventing that from happening to him.
Before Adam knew what was happening, Starsbruck lifted him out of the chair, and into a tight embrace. He didn’t even have a chance to speak, or even gasp before he felt a bite on the neck. Oh God, he thought.
It hurt. He managed to squeak out a ‘no’ before he felt the world start to slip away. He grabbed the back of Starsbruck’s shirt, and held tight, in hopes that the world wouldn’t go away. He heard a rip. He heard Coppersworth say something. He heard the blood rush in his ears; the crackle of the fire; the rain on the windows and the not too distant thunder. He felt Starsbruck tense against him; felt the muscles in his neck work; he couldn’t feel any breath against his ear or neck. Starsbruck didn’t breathe. He had time to be amazed at all of the things he noticed even though he was dying.
So, this is what it’s like to die, he thought. He felt his arms weaken and fall; his legs gave out and the outside world slipped away. He felt himself being slowly lowered to the floor, still in Starsbruck’s embrace.
A pause, that seemed like an eternity. Starsbruck let him go. The word vampire floated in Adam’s mind for a second, then disappear. It didn’t matter now, he was going to be dead soon.
Then a small amount of cool liquid was dropped on his lips. It was cold, and sweet, yet metallic tasting. He didn’t want any, tried to spit it out, but a little of it went down his throat. Then a little bit more was swallowed. He wanted more, as much as he could drink, and then some.
"That’s good, drink." A voice from somewhere. He thought he had heard the voice before, but he couldn’t place it.
He drank, like the voice said.
It was good.
He wanted more, but after a few more swallows it was taken away. He whimpered. A pain gripped his whole body, distant, then closer; a need filled his mind, but he didn’t know for what. Everything else seemed to fade away. Nothing mattered but the pain and the need.
What is happening to me, he thought, or said, he wasn’t sure which. All he knew was that what was happening wasn’t good, and there was nothing he could do about it.

An unknown time later a voice was telling Adam to drink, drink deep and as much as he needed. He could hear Coppersworth whimpering, whining, begging for his life. He knew that Coppersworth had what he needed, but he didn’t know how to get it. He thought he heard Coppersworth’s heart beat; it was fast, very fast, and it was all Adam could hear.
The pain increased, he couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, couldn’t hear because of it. All that was there was the need, and the need could be ended with what Coppersworth had, whatever that was. He reached out, grabbed Coppersworth bye the collar and pulled him close. Coppersworth cried, begged, pleaded, but Adam didn’t hear; Adam wasn’t there. Coppersworth was nothing, he wasn’t there; the need was there, and the need was important. He bit. He drank.
It was sweet, it made the pain go away, it made the need quiet. Shivers went down Adam’s spine. It was better then the dream, better then the music.
Somebody laughed.
He could hear a woman’s laughter too.

Later.
Much later.
It might have been night, or day, it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore, just the throbbing need in the back of his mind. He felt empty, different then before, but that didn’t really matter at that moment.
Nothing did.
Adam was curled up in his room, violin close at hand. He flinched at the noise of the fire. He couldn’t remember what had just happened. His body hurt. He couldn’t feel his breath, or his heart. He shook all over. He was cold, but he didn’t want to get close to the fire to warm himself. For some reason the fire scared him, terrified him. He pulled his jacket closer around him.
The need was still there, in the back of his mind, but lessened. He knew it would be back, soon. And he would have to drink again; he didn’t want to. He was afraid to.
He wanted it to be a dream, he wanted to wake up, back in his home, with Pluto and Lizabeth. He knew it would never happen. There was no going back now; nothing could take him back now.
He had indistinct memories of being pulled away from Coppersworth, whom he had just killed. He drank his life away, but that didn’t make the hunger to away. He vaguely remembered being carried back to his room. He also remembered the click of a lock.
It was going to be dawn soon, but he didn’t know how he knew that. He knew it mattered for some reason, but he didn’t care.

A few days later, maybe more or less, he didn’t know. He was told what happened, he was told what he had become. He was going to live forever, be young forever. He was told what he had to do to keep alive.
To live, but not live; forever. An eternity of the hunger, of pain. He didn’t know if he could do that. Was it possible?
A part of him died that night. A part that would never come back.
Live in darkness, never feel the sun again. Apart from everything that he had cared for.
Be blind forever.
He tried to find comfort in music, but the music changed. It didn’t feel the same anymore.