Her Last Song

An icy wind blew from the North as Marianna drew her coat around her and trudged on. Marianna did not shiver; she was used to the cold. All her life she had grown up in the mountains. Every day she hiked to and from school and her music lessons. She loved the fresh air: the peaceful sound of the wind, the sight of the glistening snow but most of all she loved the walk between her house and school. She felt so free on top of the mountain; she was on top of the world.

The wind whipped through Marianna’s hair and she began composing a song which she would later play on her violin. The whistling wind was inspiring and the crisp air helped her to stay focused. To compose her music, Marianna drew inspiration from her surroundings.

"I can’t wait to get home and play the piece I learned today for my parents." Marianna said, unaware she had spoken out loud.

Marianna continued walking. Her violin was starting to get heavy but she was almost home. The setting sun illuminated the snow with a brilliant orange light as Marianna turned down a trail.

~*~

"Where am I?"

Marianna looked around; she didn’t recognize where she was.

"I can’t possibly be lost. I walk this way every day. But nothing looks familiar. I must have taken a wrong turn back there. I’ll just walk back the way I came. I’m overreacting that’s all."

Turning around Marianna trudged back the way she came. It was nearly dark before Marianna stopped.

I can’t be lost, Marianna thought, just calm down.

Taking a deep breath Marianna placed her violin case on the snow.

It’s getting late. I should be home by now. Mom will be worrying. I should rest awhile though.

Opening up her backpack Marianna pulled out some matches and put her backpack down. She cleared a spot in the snow and went in search of some kindling.

Stay warm, stay calm and stay in one place. That’s what we’re told to do if we ever get lost. I wish I had a blanket but the fire will have to do.

Before long a little fire was burning in front of her.

~*~

Hmm? What time is it?

Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes Marianna looked about. The sun was just peaking above the horizon.

It’s morning! I have to get back home! My family will be worried! But, where do I go? I can’t believe I’m lost. I thought that would never happen. I guess I should have paid more attention in class when we learned about what to do when you’re lost.

*grumble*

Gosh, I’m hungry. I don’t have much in the way of food. Only a few granola bars. Lovely.

*sigh*

I guess I’ll just wait here for someone to find me. If I remember correctly that is what you are supposed to do.

~*~

I’m so bored. No one is looking for me. If they were they would have found me by now! I’ve been deserted. I’m all alone, lost in some mountains. Doomed to die of hunger, hypothermia or boredom. Well, I guess I should make the most out of my last moments alive.

Marianna carefully opened her violin case and brought out her violin. Lifting the bow she began to play. Marianna closed her eyes and let her thoughts go as the music soared into the air.

~*~

"I want my daughter found you hear me! I want her found! She’s been out all night. Probably freezing."

"I’m sorry Mrs. Hilmarsson; we’re working as hard as we can."

"You are not working hard enough!"

"Calm down, dear. I’m sure Marianna will be found." Mr. Hilmarsson said.

"She better be! Why are you standing around? You should be out there looking for my daughter! You are rescue workers aren’t you?!"

"Sorry Mrs. Hilmarsson; we are leaving immediately."

With a nod, the five rescue workers left the room leaving Mr. and Mrs. Hilmarsson alone.

"Have a seat dear. They are going to find Marianna. Don’t worry." Mr. Hilmarsson said.

"Don’t worry! You expect me to not worry when my baby is out in the cold, all alone! Don’t tell me to not worry!" yelled Mrs. Hilmarsson.

~*~

"Sir, we’ve been walking for hours with no sign of the girl. I don’t think we are going to find her." A rescue worker said looking at his leader.

"We will find her I tell you. I’m not giving up yet. Only one night has passed since she disappeared. There is still hope," the leader replied.

"The sun is setting. It will be hard to find her when it is dark. I don’t think she will last another night. Her parents said that she didn’t have much in the way of food or warmth."

"We’ll look all night if we have to. You hear me? We will find the girl and return her to her parents. It’s our job and it will be done!" The leader said with determination in his eyes. "I don’t care if it’s dark. We will keep searching. We didn’t bring flashlights for nothing."

"I see smoke up ahead!" Cried a rescue worker farther along the path. "Maybe it’s her! She might have started a fire to keep warm. Come on guys, I think I found her."

With hope on the horizon, the rescue workers quickened their pace. As they rounded the last hill they stopped. For an instant no one moved.

"Is that…"

"It can’t be."

With shock reflected on their faces the rescue workers slowly made their way down the slope. As the land levelled out they came to what looked like a small camp. In the centre was a smouldering fire and beside that lay a girl with her violin in her hand. A single sheet of music lifted off the ground as a breeze began to pick up. A rescue worker quickly grabbed the paper before it could fly away and looked down on it.

~*~

"Marianna was a brilliant young lady with so many hopes and dreams. But her life was cut short. Marianna spent her last moments with only her music. Before she died she wrote a song; a tale of fear, hope and life."

A violinist stood and began to play the music Marianna wrote in her last moments. A girl stood and slowly began to sing. Soon others joined in. The music crescendoed and with it the cries of Marianna’s family.