When I awoke the next morning, Paul was gone and Salem was nowhere to be seen. I sighed heavily with disappointment; I wouldn't be able to get up on my own and would have to wait for Salem to return from wherever he happened to be. As I thought this over, the front doors flew open, and he was walking gracefully through them. He came to my side at once and pulled me into his arms.

“Do you need anything?” he asked, staring at my injured leg remorsefully.

“I could use help getting to the bathroom,” I groaned, knowing this would include him carrying me upstairs. “What were you doing outside?”

“I was saying farewell to your father. He stayed throughout the night to ensure you were okay.” He smiled, lifted me into his arms and rushed me up the spiraling stairs. He helped me through the restroom door, and I insisted I could take care of the rest myself, although I wasn't completely sure of that. I could hear him shuffling around behind the door while he waited for me. I took care of the persistent nagging of my bladder, washed my hands, and then quickly brushed my teeth, leaning against the counter for support.

He was waiting with his arms outstretched and a wide smile when I opened the door. I allowed him to carry me down the stairs but was surprised when he didn't take me to the sofa. Instead, he swung my legs over the bench in front of the piano and sat beside me. I looked at him inquisitively as he placed his hands over mine and guided them to the keys.

“Play that tune for me, one more time,” he requested after kissing me softly.

“Okay.” I breathed and flexed my fingers. He kept his cold hands upon mine, following them as they sped along the ivory. The song felt somehow sadder to me now than I had ever realized. I don't think I had ever actually listened to the music as it pulsed through my fingers into the instrument. I was always too focused on playing the piece that I forgot to take the time to truly hear, and feel, the emotion behind it. I shut my eyes, allowing a warm drop of moisture to slip across my cheek as thoughts started welling inside my mind. It went unnoticed as Salem's eyes were focused on the movement of my hands.

Once the music faded, I collapsed into his arms. He didn't understand why I had begun bawling, and I didn't take the chance to explain it to him. He simply held me, which was all I wanted, all I needed at that moment. The realization of all that had happened within the last few months came back to me through the song all at once–losing my mother–twice–gaining a father, dropping out of school, nearly dying, falling in love... I wiped my eyes and looked into his piercing blue stare, which darted back and forth from my face to the piano.

“I had never noticed how beautiful it is,” I said between what was a mixture of a sob and a laugh.

Salem merely smiled and held my face in both hands, “Nor had I,” he said, but he wasn't talking about the music as he stared longingly at my face. He kissed me tenderly once more, and then pulled away. “What do you call that tune, anyway?”

I thought for a moment, and then my lips curved into a simple smile. “Nevermore.”