10All right, here we go: Chapter Three. Sadly, unlike some people we know *cough* Alyss *cough*, I'm not writing this from any place exotic. How tragic. =) But, be that as it may, I have managed to turn out another horribly sad chapter. Yep…that's me. So, here goes.
PLEASE comment! You guys have been great in that regard so far, but I can always use more!
More shameless advertising for me: 1) I have another Sky Dancers AMV on You Tube. This one is about Skyler and Skyla. Go watch it! 2) I'm starting a story on You Tube and need voice actors/actresses. If you're interested, go check it out! 3) I may (and that's a BIG may) be voicing over a few Sky Dancers episodes soon. I need everyone's opinion about this, so tell me what you think.
Keep checking our archives for new writers…they need our support as well.
Disclaimer: Don't own it…period.
Enough chitchat! Let's get to what you clicked on the link for!
"I think I need a little time to myself." Skyla and her Sky Dancers had arrived in the Wingdom. She'd been a little uneasy, flying here with them on a day like today, but she hadn't said anything.
Now, however, she really needed them to go away.
"Okay, Queen Skyla," Angelica responded softly, sympathy swelling in her voice. "We'll be here if you need us."
For a moment, Skyla felt the sudden urge to ask them to stay with her. She shook that away fast. It was a selfish thought. She couldn't ask that of them.
"Thank you," she whispered sadly, "but I really must be alone." With that she, Whirl, and Twirl left the group. She wandered a bit through the palace, taking in the place she had known for almost her whole life. Everywhere she turned, she saw him. He was everywhere. Occasionally she stopped in a room just so that she could feel his haunting presence.
One place she stopped was the parlor. In the parlor was the most beautiful and expensive piano in the whole Sky Realm. She had given it to Skyler as an anniversary present. Back then, she had only known how to play the harp. Since Skyler's…death, however, she had learned piano. It had been Skyler's favorite instrument.
She sat down in front of the piano and ran her hands over the ivory keys, inlaid with gold. Unbidden, her fingers started to move over the keys, and she began to play. She remembered the first time that she had seen "Les Miserables" on Broadway. When she'd heard Fantine's solo for the first time, she had burst out into tears so bitter that the entire audience in her section had turned around: half in annoyance and half in concern. It was that song that she played now:
I dreamed a dream in days gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made, and used
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voice as soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He spent a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he'll come to me
And that we'll live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life could be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream
I dreamed
She hadn't cried at the sound of that song since that day. Even now, she didn't shed a tear. She had none left to shed.
"Skyla…"
Startled at the voice, and a little annoyed that her Sky Dancers had bothered her when she'd wanted to be alone, Skyla turned around to face the intruder.
It wasn't whom she had expected. "April…"
The red-haired women stepped into the room. She was a few years Skyla's junior, but her brow was already creased with worry lines. She and Skyla had known each other for several years. April held a high position on the council. Skyla relied on her for advice…plus she was the Wingdom's 'techie'.
"I knew you'd come today."
"Of course I came!" Skyla snapped. "You KNOW that today is…"
Interrupting, April interjected, "Yes, I know what today is."
"If you know, then leave me ALONE!"
April blinked, startled. However, she knew that Skyla didn't mean the things she said. The strong, funny, smart woman that April admired died every September 17th and wasn't resurrected until the 18th. "I'll leave…I just came to see if you were okay."
"I'm fine. What did you expect?"
Now Skyla's attitude was starting to get to her, even though April had tried to keep her patience. "I'm worried about you because every September 17th I find you dangling over a balcony, inspecting medicines in the infirmary, or in a closet claiming that you got locked in and cut your wrists on the hangers trying to get out!"
Skyla's eyes were fuming now. "So you came to see if I was going to commit suicide? Is that it?"
Upset now, April stormed over to the piano and slammed it shut. "Skyla…you may have grown up as the king's ward. You may be the widow of our late king. You may be our queen, but you need to get over yourself!"
Skyla was shocked. "W-what?"
"The world doesn't revolve around you, Skyla! There are other people who are hurting." April's voice softened as she said, "…even on September 17th."
The tears almost came, but they didn't. Skyla got up from the piano and looked her friend in the eyes. "Forgive me, April. I've been selfish."
April tried to go to Skyla, to throw her arms around her and comfort her, but the queen brushed her away. April realized then, for the first time since Skyler's death, that Skyla wouldn't accept anyone's help or compassion. She couldn't.
She slumped into the nearest chair and started to cry for her dear friend.
"Skyler, I know that you can hear me! I only wish…that I could see you again! Just once! I need to hold you…to hold on to your memory."
Skyla cried this mournful speech out over the silent wind, knowing it would somehow reach her beloved. She realized how pitiful…how desperate her voice sounded. That was the problem, though. She was pitiful. She was desperate.
She flew for a while, finally stopping at the dais. When she landed, she felt a chilly breath of autumn air. Startled by the wind's coldness, she put her hands on her shoulders and arms to warm herself.
"Oh, Skyler…I need you more than ever. I remembered my promise…now you remember yours!" She pleaded.
It was only then, that she felt a presence behind her, and turned around to look…
