It was empty and echoed her every movement. Dark shadows were everywhere. She stood in the center aisle and gazed up towards the stage. It was so big, so spacious. And it seemed to be calling her. It was empty and it wanted to be full, with people performing.

She turned away. She checked her watch, and sighed. She still had a few minutes before everyone else got there. She had left the hotel early and made her way to the arena. The security guard, after checking her pass, let her in, even though she was alone.

And alone she was. Row after row of empty seat, the sound of her footsteps had echoed when she walked in. And now, the sound of her breathing was reverberating off the walls.

Why am I here, she asked herself. There has to be some reason you came here so early. Now did you feel so compelled to come here alone, before anyone else? It's just too much for you, you can't handle the temptation, she reminded herself. She turned back towards the stage, sound equipment set up, just waiting for it to be used.

And it started before she could stop it. From deep within herself, where she had locked it in with her intense guilt, her intense grief, it came, it resurfaced. The yearning, the need had returned, it was calling her, begging her to listen. Unable to repress the strongest compelling force she had ever encountered, with a trembling hands, she reached out and touched the stage.

The flood of memories was raging inside her mind, almost drowning her. She remembered it all so well, the feeling, the indescribable feeling of having all eyes on you, of bearing yourself out in front of all of them, for their scrutiny. The adrenaline rush that took over whenever she stepped on stage. The ability to express emotions that otherwise she was incapable of making known. The closeness she felt to the woman she had never known, who had not only given her the gift of life but the gift of her voice.

And it cried out to be used. The harder she tried to suppress it, the louder it became. Inside her, a struggle against her instincts and her emotions was waging a full blown war. Instinct won out.

A tiny hum started slowly in her throat. It was shaky, rusty from misuse. But it grew stronger, louder. With every deep breath she took, it followed, echoing out in the emptiness, coming back to her ears. The one note hum grew into a melody, note after note, instinct driving her. It had been sung so many times by her, it was an unconscious tendency. Just as her mouth was about to form the first word, she stopped cold.

Tears burning her eyes, she snapped her hands away from the stage as if it had burned her. Looking down at them, she noticed how they were shaking. The memory, the haunting nightmare, had returned, silencing the voice screaming inside her to be heard. The pain followed, slowly at first, a tiny trickle that grew until it was unbearable. Backing away from the stage, from temptation, her warm tears overflowing, she recalled her promise, her vow. Her fear.

Wishing she had never come here, she turned and ran away from it all. From the memories, the burning desire, the temptation that had grown to strong for her to control but most importantly from the pain. Running to the closest emergency door, she burst into the alley, flooded with sunlight. She fell on the warm pavement, gasping, crying, rocking herself to find any amount of comfort, anything to numb the pain.

He had watched the entire thing. He had seen her leave the hotel from his window, and he couldn't help himself from following her. He had stood watching her inner struggle, trying to understand her, trying some way to help her.

He heard the melody that had been forced out of her. It was hauntingly familiar but he couldn't quite place it. He was searching endlessly, trying to keep it in his head, when he heard the door slam shut. He found the arena empty once more. It wasn't inviting, the imprint of her sorrow lay in dark shadows all around him. He could hear her voice, so clear in his mind, and made his decision. An idea forming in his mind, he turned and walked away from the disturbing atmosphere, seeking out the sun, and a way to put his idea into action.