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As I reach the end, I see the finish line. I know I’ll succeed.
Kaden interjects by throwing a wrench into the moment. “Again!”
I have almost no time to give it another thought. Striking the final key, I slip straight into an encore. I’m compelled to go faster. Play harder. My fingers speed across the keys as a blur even to my eyes. My eyes that barely even blink the longer I play.
An ache begins in both—my tired eyes and my begging fingers. But I keep playing. I don’t miss a single stroke. My right hand does double time keeping up with the changing notes required.
“Again!” Kaden yells when I reach the end a second time.
I roll into another encore. Sweat gathers on my brow. A shakiness develops throughout my body. I’m breathless as I push myself to play harder, stretch myself farther.
Grady yells something from behind his gag. He’s yelling at me.
Bad things. Angry things. Hateful things that sound like the many times before, where he’s told me he’s the only one who’ll ever tolerate me. No one else would put up with me. I’m an emotional mess. I’m all alone, and always have been, for a reason.
“AGAIN!” Kaden roars.
Tears spring to my eyes as I start over, barely able to play. Barely able to remember the next key I’m supposed to land.
My fingers do so out of muscle memory only.
Instead of losing myself to the music, I’ve become distracted by the circumstances. The terrible things Grady’s yelling from behind his gag and the fury that seems to be intensifying from Kaden too.
Both men pissed for a different reason.
And then it occurs to me—the epiphany comes on strong and makes me gasp out even while my busy hands continue on the piano keys.
I understand now. I get what’s happening and what I’m being tested on. Just why he’s doing this and seemingly growing angrier the longer I play.
This performance isn’t for Kaden. It’s not even for myself.
I throw a quick glance into the audience and realize the inevitable of what I have to do.
Stop playing.
Kaden’s standing behind where Grady sits thrashing in his seat. His arms are folded behind his back, holding onto something, with a face sharp and murderous.
He’s waiting for me. He’s demanding it of me. If I’m to pass the test…
I have to say goodbye.
It happens as I come up on the end of my fifth rendition. Tears flood my cheeks, and my aching fingers thank me. I let the last trilling note echo through the theater and speak for itself.
I’m done. I’m saying goodbye.
For real this time.
A flicker of delight passes in Kaden’s dark gaze as he reveals the blunt meat cleaver from behind his back. He raises it up and he brings it down.
Several times, into the base of Grady’s skull.
I burst into a mourning cry, rising from the piano bench, and dashing down the steps. Saying goodbye to Grady was a necessary evil to survive and prove myself—I’m aware of it in the back of my mind—but it doesn’t make it any easier.
It doesn’t make it any less difficult closing that chapter of my life.
I sink to my knees beside his dying body, and I say goodbye as the light leaves his eyes.
33Kaden
