Prologue

"But Mom I like the school I'm at! People actually talk to me! I don't want to move again!" Nick said to his mom with desperation in his voice.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, young man! You will do as I say! Besides, this is a music school. You should love it, you ungrateful little shit!" Nick's mother screamed in anger

16 year old Nick stood there in a silent shock, quivering like a lone leaf in a slight breeze. He was scared. His mother wheeled out of the kitchen and went back the T.V. in the living room, muttering crude language under her breath she thought Nick couldn't hear.

Nick tip-toed to his room, locked the door and laid on his back on his bed. He stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours until he fell asleep, his cheeks tear stricken, eyelashes stuck together damply from the tears that fell from his eyes that shone like crystals in a cave from the sliver of moonlight that slid into his room through his slightly ajar curtain.

He dreamed that night of a world of black and white, like the piano keys that have haunted him throughout his life. The keys he never wanted to see again, but against his own will, faced them everyday for hours on end.