Though you know death is coming, you never fully expect it.Annaliese is a short-story based in the Victorian era; it's about love, tragedy, loss... and the beauty of life itself--how significant and precious it truly is.

Annaliese

Light gentle sounds of the piano echo throughout the halls of this old, rickety Victorian mansion. The hardwood floors are cold as ice as the heavy dark brown and red curtains flow like soft, silky hair in the breeze. The peeling floral wallpaper much resembles tears, as if the walls had been weeping. Never again are these windows going to be opened. Never again will this place be as great as it was before... her death.

The headmaster of the mansion, Doctor Isaac Branson, sits upon the piano bench with his eyes shut as he plays Pathetique Sonata -- 2nd Movement. That was his beloved wife Annaliese's favorite composition. He didn't realize just how powerful love was until she slipped away from him on this day ten years ago. So sudden it was--but, isn't all loss sudden?

They had known each other since childhood. When they met, he was twelve and she, ten. It was simple and sweet, how it happened. The two bumped into each other at a produce market, while going around a corner too fast. Their collision made her drop a bouquet of flowers and he, a bag of tomatoes. He stepped back and gasped as her large beautifully glistening green eyes met his stunned pale, icy blue ones. Her reddish heart-shaped lips parted in surprise. He blushed; never before had he seen such a pretty girl. He remembered stuttering the words to her; "M- my appol- I mean, I'm sorry miss, I didn't mean to-! Are uh, are you alright? Let me get that!" he picked the bouquet up and reached it out to her quickly. He was starting to tremble as she looked at him with such amusement. She thought he was the cutest thing.

Now, his fingers begin to hit the keys a little harder as he tries to drown out his sorrowed memory of her laughter with the music he plays. He sees her smile and remembers her great enthusiasm. Everyday, she was graceful... angelic. She was his angel. Oftentimes, he considered her his guardian angel. Oh, the pain... now.

Although she has been gone for ten years, the slightest thought of her stabs at him still; it feels like a hand reaching into his chest and squeezing the life from his heart. Why won't she go? What could he do? Tears are threatening to leave his eyes. He refuses to let it happen. But like an idiot, he shuts his eyes tighter and tighter and plays more intensely, using the tones to let out all his frustrations. Hopefully by the end, he would have a sense of release like any other time he has felt this way. These emotions, which he taught himself to think are petty, should fade to something more tolerable--casual, everyday emotions a normal person would have. His tears, however, begin to slip past his long lashes.

He remembers her saying, "She's beautiful... Oh look at her Isaac, look at her!" And how she petted their stillborn daughter's head and face. Angela... was going to be the sweet, beautiful baby girl's name. Annaliese was in complete denial. A sad day... A tragic day... That day that was the beginning of the end. He lets out a long dreaded sigh, almost a huff and slams his fingers down on the keys; his thin blonde hair falling into his eyes and the way the sound of the piano bouncing off the walls and floor, it shakes his soul and stirs his heart, teasing it with a false feeling nearly similar to fulfillment; as if he had gotten rid of the pain for a while and this was a spark of renewal.

He rests his aching head on his folded arms, sobbing into his long gray and white pinstriped sleeves.

It was but two months later he and Anna learned she had cancer. Being a doctor, he tried everything he could to prolong her life--just a bit longer, he hoped to god he could do it. He was certain he did too, because that beautiful smile never left her face, the inspiring enthusiasm in her voice and in her ideas never faltered, and her eyes never lost their heavenly glow. So much life... So much love... So much light and beauty...

Then that fateful day... came.

He went into their bedroom with a dancelike stroll, holding a platter in his hands, a great smile adorning his face. He said, "My dear, I've made this for you! Freshly steamed vegetables, pot roast and tea! I didn't let the maids take over and I didn't make a mess this time. Now you must promise me you will finish it all!" Her back was turned to him. Last he checked, the maids helped her turn over about an hour before. Maybe she was still satisfied.

Curious, he set the platter down on the table and walked carefully over to her. "Annaliese, sweetie?" His eyes widened shortly at her, then he looked closer as he noticed her eyes were open a little. He placed a hand on her cheek, "Anna?" His heart was beginning to race with worry. Quickly, he put his fingers against her neck. There wasn't a pulse. He gasped and shook his head quickly. No! Then he turned her over a little and laid his head on her chest. This couldn't be! It couldn't be! He wasn't hearing anything. Nothing at all. He moved back with a look of horror, tripping over himself. Then he hurried back over to her, flipped her and jumped on the bed to attempt resuscitating her. He screamed out for help many times; he was so devastated he wasn't even able to hear his own voice after a certain point as he tried nonstop to bring her back.

The butler, Gerald, raced in and found him hovering over her. The maids were behind the butler as he covered his mouth in utter disbelief. He knew this would happen, but death's arrival is always unexpected.

"Sir, sir!" He rushed to Isaac and took a hold of his arm and raised his voice saying something to him but Isaac never listened. It took a long time before Isaac could understand--she was gone-gone from this world. His face was wet with tears and sweat. He didn't want to leave her. Never, ever could he leave her. Gerald told him to come down, but he just sat there, just sat there with all kinds of questions racing through his mind. Unconsciously, he let the butler help him off the bed. At this point, everything and everyone was leaving his vision; the world was closing in on him like a box. His Guardian Angel was gone.

He collapsed there on the spot, bawling his eyes out as the maids drew the curtains closed. One placed a blanket over the clock and another stood by Anna trying to close her eyes. He held his face, weeping, unable to look up.

Ten years ago...

Now, his crying slows but the pain is never-ending; it's so similar to a villain sticking him in a fresh wound just to taunt him. However, as he quiets his voice, he hears a bird outside singing as if to get his attention. He slowly lifts his head and looks at the window. There, a beautiful white bird sits and tilts its head at him a few times. He flings his arm at it, "Go! Not now! Shoo!" It chirps at him a couple more times, then it turns around and flies from his sight. He wipes his eyes and stands up from the piano bench to go look outside.

Sliding his hands across the windowpane, he breathes in and out deeply to clear his head. A maid was down below speaking with the gardener. A peaceful day for them...

"Sir," Gerald says, coming into the room. Isaac blinks gently, tiredly. "Yes... what is it?"
"Your sister in-law has sent you a letter." Isaac's brows furrow. He faces him quizzically. Gerald walks closer, then bows as he hands the opened envelope to him. Taking it, Isaac says, "I haven't heard from her in about a month or so. Could this be yet another anniversary letter about Anna?" he sighs at the thought of that. Gerald replies; "Not quite, sir." Isaac hums, opening it and reading it. A few times, his features twitch with bafflement and curiosity.

It reads: 

My dear Isaac, I've written this because I haven't quite felt the same of late. I'm not sure what this is, as I am becoming more tired than usual but I am doing my best to overcome this. I know that with your work, you shouldn't worry much about me. Maybe I'm wrong... You know I can be paranoid at times. Sometimes I feel like I will fall, but I continue to stand, assist you in all things I can possibly do, and I think of us... When I do that, I become well again. I truly hope you're smiling and this is all for nothing. I'd like you to smile, darling. Maybe we're reading this together by the fireplace and laughing it off. I gave this to Mary a week ago when we visited her home in case I'm right that I'm falling ill. I couldn't tell you in person; it would break my heart too much to see you in such sorrow. My love, if I'm right about everything, then I want you to do something for me; I want you to be at peace with this and yourself too. I have... the strangest feeling I will not be on this earth much longer. If you felt what I do, you would understand. As I always say, you should always trust your instincts. Just... be at peace. Fall in love again. Start a family. Please do that for me. I want to see it when I'm gone. Remember me with a smile, not a frown.

I love you, always and forever...
Annaliese

Isaac doesn't realize he had stopped breathing and finally brings it all in. He can't cry anymore. He wants to, but he... just can't. Gerald knows this too, as he watches the man look up at him with dancing mournful eyes. "Gerald... I miss her so much... you know that?" Isaac swallows down the lump in his throat and walks past the butler out of the room. Gerald lowers his head for a moment before following him out. "Yes sir... I know. I do too."