The Final Song

by Abigail, Grade 9

The gun was pressed firmly against the back of her head. Her once-best friend hesitated.

“Any final wishes, Alosa?” 

The question echoed inside the otherwise empty theater.

“I wish to play one last time.” Alosa answered, her voice a steady calm, like the waves before dawn. The gun didn’t move, but the pressure was relieved the slightest bit. Also took that as a sign that her request was granted. She straightened her back as she positioned her fingers above the grand piano. There was a silence in her mind that was usually full of loudness, realization that her best friend was going to kill her. The gun ticked slightly, a warning to get on with it. There was no sheet music in front of her; only her complete imagination and emotions. A thrill of excitement went through her at the thought of finally being able to create her own music, but it quickly faded to terror. This was her one chance to create a beautiful masterpiece…but it would also be the last piece she ever played. The gun clicked again, and out of fear, she flinched, her fingers descended onto the piano. Low notes echoed, and inspiration struck. She waited a few beats before playing again. A million wants and hopes filled Alosa’s mind. 

A life full of love and dreams, cheering crowds as the final note hung in the air. A life full of late-night dances, a comforting home. A life filled with ups and downs. As these images hung in her mind, she poured her emotions into the piano. Some notes were as delicate as raindrops, others held the heaviness of mountains. Some held joy as pure as sunshine, others held the rage like thunder. And in the middle of it all, the anger, fear, joy, freedom ….there was a calmness that floated through at the very end. A calmness that was the eye of the storm. She had barely removed her fingers when the bullet entered her head, the last note still ringing in the air as her body hit the floor.