Out of Darkness

It had been six months since Tori was able to see Dir En Grey last. She would get at least one letter a month from one of the members as they took turns sending the brail typewriter here and there, thanks to Brandon having them send their letters to Yumiko. He would collect them when he went to visit and brought them home to her to read, so that their parents couldn’t throw them out.

The fighting between her parents hadn’t stopped, but it also hadn’t gotten worse. Because of that she hoped that things would work out in the end, and their lives could return to normal. Deep down though, she knew that “normal” didn’t exist anymore; she just refused to accept it.

For five months Brandon had been giving Tori guitar lessons. Her talent for the piano carried completely as he showed her chord after chord, and note after note, listening to her improvised rhythms and created songs. She had come so far in the last few months that he a few times wondered if she could actually see what he was trying to teach. It was amazing to him that his sister, who was unable to see anything that he taught her, had the entire lesson memorized by the next day.

After three months she was learning a full song to perform at an open mic night at his favorite bar. She picked out a song that made him laugh at first, but after hearing the lyrics and the way she put everything she had into them, he knew exactly why. The song was everything she felt inside, and she wanted to bring it out and show her strength.

Brandon had also introduced her to a new friend through Yumiko, who helped her greatly with music. Alex was half Japanese on his father’s side, and English on his mother’s. She knew that he had long stringy hair, and was a fit build, but that was the extent of her knowledge on his appearance. He played bass, and after hearing her playing and singing her song with Brandon on drums, he couldn’t help himself; he had to join their little band.

He was very nice to her, never once commenting on her being blind, or treating her like she was weaker than he was. There were times that she wondered if he forgot she even had a disability at all, and because of that she was very attached to him. He reminded her a lot of Shane. His voice, the way he talked about music, the jokes he would tell, the compliments he would give her, it was like having a part of her old life back; the most important part of her old life.

“Okay, so let’s do it again, but this time really let us have it! Dig deep, Tori!” Alex beamed, getting ready to rehearse her song again.

“I’m trying, Alex! How hard do you want me to sing?” she laughed while sipping her coffee.

“You’re telling the world that no matter what happens you won’t break! I want you to SCREAM it if you have to! You like that band, Dir En Grey, do that!”

“That’s not going to happen. What Kyo does is his thing, not mind. I just sound like someone is trying to kill me when I scream; believe me, we’ve tried.”

“Yeah, it was horrible!” Brandon chuckled, shaking his head at the memory of her trying her hand at screaming vocals.

“Okay, well sing it with like, a whole lot of feeling then. Like, like you really mean it. Like you’re pissed at the world for thinking you’re weak because you’re blind, and you like, really want them to know the truth!”

“Alex,”

“What?”

“You say ‘like’ like a teenage girl when you’re excited.” She laughed, and grabbed the microphone.

“I MAY CRACK, BUT I’LL NEVER SHATTER!” she sang, digging from her soul to create a sound that blew her brother and friend away.

“That’s it. That’s what I wanna hear! BEAUTIFUL!” he roared, running over and picking her up to hug her and making her laugh extremely hard.

When he put her down neither musician moved apart.

“Eh-hem, guys,” Brandon sighed, rolling his eyes as his sister started blushing and his friend backed away awkwardly, “Yeah, you two are soooo not into each other.” He smirked while shaking his head, and counted off their next round of the song.

After six more times perfecting the song, Tori caught a bus home and the guys went out to party. They invited her, but she turned them down and took her letter that Brandon had from Kaoru back to the house to read.

“So dude,” Alex nodded as he and Brandon drove to the party.

“Dude?”

“You care if I date your sister?”

“Nope.”

“Good.” He nodded and sat quietly for a while before laughing, “Why can’t chicks have conversations like that?!”

“What, easy ones?”

“Yeah! If I was a girl asking to date your brother, it would have taken an hour to get an answer!”

“I know. ‘Because he’s really nice, and I think we would be good together, but if you don’t want us to I totally understand, because like, I would rather be friends with you, even though I’ll still fuck him behind your back.’” He joked.

Alex roared in laughter as they drove out, agreeing completely with his friend.

While her brother and Alex partied the night away, Tori sat on her bed with Achilles’ head in her lap, reading her letter with a smile on her face.

“Tori, it is so good to hear that you are well. The weather is only getting warmer, and the sun seems to be getting brighter as the clouds fade away. I am concerned about you, still. You never answered Shinya’s question about eating. Have you been eating better? The last time I was able to see you, you had lost quite a bit of weight, and you didn’t seem healthy from it. I would like for you to stay in good health.

“We are all very excited to hear you play again! Die and Kyo still are at odds on what style of music you would write. The translated lyrics you sent with your last letter to Toshiya fit you very well, and I personally can’t wait to see how you perform them. Even if this isn’t an original song from you, I can tell from your enthusiasm that they are still close to your heart.

“Your new friend Alex seems nice as well. I am very happy that you are now making new friends, and leaving the house more. You deserve to live life. If anyone deserves this, you are the one.

“I apologize for writing you such a short letter. The ink strip is running out and I haven’t gotten a new one. They are difficult to find, but Kyo said he has one so I believe he will be taking the typewriter next to write to you. We also need to do something about the space key; it is getting harder and harder to press down. Eventually we may have to send you a letter that is all one extremely long word! Take care of yourself and say hello to your brother, and I will see you in a few days.

“Kaoru.”

Tori’s smile grew as she grabbed her laptop and began her reply, scratching Achilles behind the ears as she thought about what she should say to him.

“Dear Kaoru,

“The weather changes are wonderful! I can feel the sun against my skin when I occasionally go outside, and have taken to playing Brandon’s guitar on the back porch because of it. The sounds of the birds, and sweet scents of the flowers inspire me to play more. I have no luck at all writing lyrics, but playing improvisations is coming very naturally if I am in the mood to express it. The guitar is turning into a second voice! It is very exciting for me!

“I have been eating better. Please don’t worry so much about me! I’m just fine.

“I wish time would move faster, because I can’t wait much longer to visit you all again! I’m so nervous about performing though, that I am terrifying myself about making a mistake! What do I do if I hit a wrong string, or my fingers aren’t in the right place for the chord while I play for so many people? Just thinking about it, I want to cry!

“As far as changing the ink strip for the typewriter, Mr. Amagawa knows where to buy ink strips in stock. I can probably go and have him order them when Brandon and I go to Tokyo tomorrow. He is visiting a girl, and I am going to play my piano in Amagawa’s shop. Also, try oiling the space key. Sometimes they stick and you have to go through the keyboard and be sure that all the hinges and corners have enough lubricant to move properly without sticking. I will get some instructions from Mr. Amagawa for you to properly fix the keys. If you bring the typewriter with you when you come to see me play, I will help you. If you don’t have it fixed by then.

“Take care of yourself, and tell everyone I said hello! Be sure to scratch Miyu behind the ears for me!

“Tori!”

“I will have Brandon send this when he gets home.” She smiled to Achilles and fell asleep snuggled up to him as he hogged the bed.

Brandon and Alex left the party quite early. Alex was completely intoxicated beyond good decisions, and trying to get with anything that walked and had boobs, and Brandon didn’t drink if he had to drive. Most people his age would have one or two and still drive, but Brandon wouldn’t get behind the wheel if he even had one drop of alcohol. It was a promise to his sister, and she knew that he would never break it. It was too dangerous to even consider for him.

“Dude, if you hurl in my car, I will make you lick it up.” He muttered as Alex struggled to keep his cool as he was driven home. Not ten seconds after Brandon’s comment did Alex roll down the window, lean half of his body out, and blow chunks all over the road.

“HEY!” Brandon shouted, swerving the car as he reached over and grabbed Alex by the back pocket to pull him back in before he fell out of the car, “What the fuck you retarded idiot!? Do you WANT to die?!”

“I didn’t wanna eat the puke,” he groaned.

“You’re stupid.” Brandon sighed and locked his door and window to keep his friend safe until they got home.

He had to walk him to his door, and then help him to bed when they got to his place, before staying with him until he was sure that he would be all right. Once he was back on the road again, he called Tori to check on her.

“What?” she yawned after answering his extremely late night call.

“I just wanted to touch base before getting to Yumiko’s.” he answered.

“How’s Alex?”

“Plastered. He will be okay though, I think.”

“Good. You’re sober, right?”

“The only time I touched a drink was to hold it for Alex. I promised you ages ago that I wouldn’t drink and drive, and I’ve kept it.”

“Good. I love you Brandon.”

“I love you too, Tori. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”

“Bye.”

“Goodnight.” He smiled and hung up the phone to let her sleep.