Days later, the party began when the night fell. Tons of cars showed up near the parking lot with the crystal fountain in the display, and people arrived at the doorstep of the Dewberry Mansion, greeting and chatting the night away. Everyone there wore fancy dresses and suits as they did different activities. Some ate beside the trays and tables, some drank from the punch bowl, and others danced in the center of the ballroom.

Richard lied down on his bed, staring at the windows outside. He heard the muffled sounds of joyous laughter and classical music playing from downstairs. He placed the pillow above his head and clenched it tight, now feeling alone. The noise was more apparent and loud than before, but he couldn’t do anything about it, not this time anyway.

Richard got out of bed and sneaked toward the door, creaking it open to peek at the scenery from down below. A big chandelier hung from the ceiling; a red carpet rolled out on the floors and a platinum-colored piano rested near a stool and stood on the stage.

What caught his eye was Gerald, chatting with people that looked to be friends of his and smiling, laughing even. Seeing him like that made Richard’s heart sink into a bottomless pit.

Gerald’s not sad? Has he forgotten about me? He looked around. Nobody seems upset. So, why am I the only one suffering?

Richard’s father tapped on a glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention, filling the room with silence.

“Everyone, may I have your attention, please? Are you all having a good time so far?”

“Yeah!” Everyone else exclaimed, raising their glasses.

“Glad to hear. I have an announcement to make.” The father turned to Reginald with a warm smile. “My son Reginald is going to be performing a piano recital for you tonight.”

Reginald took a bow as everybody applauded. “I hope you all enjoy it.”

Before he sat on the stool to perform, Reginald’s father walked up to him and placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. He looked at him in the eyes and gave him a warm smile. “I want to let you know that I am proud of you, son.”

“Thank you, father.” Reginald chirped, his face lit up, but he did his best not to show too much of it. He made it, all he had to do, was make sure he played this part right.

As the lights died down, he played the piece on the piano, as everyone listened. Richard closed the door and turned to fall face-first onto the bed. His hands gripped the pillow as he sobbed quietly to himself throughout the night as the music played from downstairs.

“I... I...” Richard muttered under the pillow. “I hate this family!” He roared as he threw the pillow across the room, hitting the door.

Richard fell into a fetal position on the bed, his face red from all the crying. He looked over at the dresser and opened it, taking out clothes and putting them in a suitcase. He pulled the blankets from the mattresses and tied it around the bedpost.

Richard opened the window, threw the blanket out, and tugged at the sheets, making sure they didn't tear easily. He tossed the suitcase across as it hit the ground before starting the climb down safely to the field.

He picked up the suitcase and strolled along the soft wet grass with his head hung low. Richard could hear muffled laughter and chatter coming from the back of the mansion which continued to make his heart sink as more tears formed in his eyes. He shut his eyes tight and let the teardrops fall and trickle off his face.

The thunder boomed as he looked up at the skies. He clenched his fists as the grip on the handlebar tightened.

“How could you?” Richard questioned. “We had a plan, and you ruined it! Why couldn’t you have helped me back there?” The thunder roared, but was much louder this time. A stroke of lightning came down. “Yeah, now you come down and show yourself? Striking me now won’t help with anything anymore!” Richard shouted, not caring if anyone heard him. “Fine, you know what? Go right ahead, hit me! I don’t care anymore!”

More lightning struck down, but instead of it being yellow or white, it appeared to be a dark shade of red. Richard’s eyes widened, never seeing it in that color before. He didn’t look where he walked, as he tripped on grass and lost his balance. Unknown screaming filled his mind, and before he knew it, he blacked out.