Manuscripts

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(Edited)

The smell of fresh coffee was the first thing that embraced her senses. She still hasn't turned on thinking mode... as if there's some kind of switch when she wants to wake up and start her day. But she couldn't control her mind this time. It was like floating in a wide, white space and nothing was around her. There were no people, no thoughts, no objects, just an endless luminous expanse. And the scent of coffee... mixed with something familiar.

Oh yes, she slowly recognized the smell of tobacco. She tried to inhale it, but it was too weak and distant. What she would give now to be able to light a cigarette, to hear the sound of the lighter when it clicks and to feel the caress of tobacco on her tongue in a few seconds! Then she would firmly inhale and fill her lungs with that greyish smoke and her brain would also be hit with a sweet blast. The smoke would improvise a subtle dance around her following the pace of Cantabile and gently dissolve after some moments.

The feeling of floating evaporated in the same instant when she opened her sleepy eyes. The obscurity of the room contrasted with her white vision and it brought some confusion. Usually, it happens in reverse when we open our eyes. Eventually, when her sight got used to the semi-darkness she could recognize a wooden chair with a wicker back, a simple wooden table, a closed door and a small opening in the wall, which should serve as a window. The stone walls were unpainted and on the uneven stone floor, she saw a towel and a bucket. She started to feel nausea, headache, and rapid heartbeat. Where is she? Fear took hold of her, and in addition to the nausea and headache, she began to sweat. Her breath became shallower. Somehow she dragged herself to the small window and saw almost nothing. Only stones, dry vegetation and the sea in the distance.

She was in a panic. The wooden table and chair were spinning around the room and made her sit on the floor, holding her head in her hands. The voice she heard from behind the door didn't help her to calm down. It was the voice of that middle-aged but strong man, with a beard and moustache talking with someone in Italian. Her heart started to beat even faster as she clearly remembered what happened. He was carrying her in his arms climbing the steep stone stairs and although she tried to scream and defend herself she was too weak to do anything. This was the last thing she saw before she lost consciousness.

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If she was kidnapped and kept in this prison, maybe her family can save her. They have to find her, wherever she is. They would do whatever is needed to liberate her, but what if they gave her to this man? It still exists, that parents give their daughters to an unknown man. She read about those pre-arranged marriages but would never imagine it could happen actually to her. Her parents were wealthy and respectable citizens although they lived as a normal, modern family on the outskirts of Sidney.

And what about her boyfriend, Michael? Why didn't he try to save her? They had a good time, she remembered all the concerts they visited together, the violin music he was composing and her performances of the same pieces at the University where she was doing her doctoral dissertation. He complained sometimes about why she works so many hours and focuses on projects that last for years. But it would not be a reason to let her down and leave this weird man to take her. He wouldn't let it happen.

If only she had her belongings with her and her cell phone, she would call him or her parents... or the police, just to find out what was happening. And a doctor as the nausea was still present, she felt again so dizzy...

...

Miss Smith, how do you feel? Are you better today? Can I come in?
First of all, we are so sorry for all the inconvenience you had to go through... and that we didn't inform you earlier about this little boat trip where you got seasick. You know how it is... this project has to remain secret. The media can't know about it, it would ruin our investigation. We hope you understand that this little Mediterranean island can't be in the media spotlight at the moment.

An island? A boat?

Yeah... Nobody knows about the existence of this place and the stone palace. If you remember we rented a small boat to get here. The manuscripts that were found in the basement - you have to see them right now, it will help you get better. Come on, the other researchers are waiting for you so we can start to investigate and prove it was Niccolò Paganini who wrote these unpublished pieces and hid them in this piece of land, surrounded just by the water. We need your knowledge, and this is your life chance to progress and launch yourself into the highest academic circles. By the way, your breakfast is waiting for you!

Oh... yes. Yes, I am coming, right now. Can you prepare my violin and my bag, please? I have my medication there... I will be down in one moment!

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38 comments
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Good story... Now we want to read the next installment....
Will she marry this man out of love for duty?

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Although he turned out to be kind and not a kidnapper, I think she will not marry him. I hope they will all collaborate and do a good research about the manuscripts ;)

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What a fantastic story, I love it! Paganini is great!❤️

Very very good story, I imagined every word you wrote, is there a continuation?

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I still don't know if there is a continuation, it depends. Maybe, if Miss Smith will feel better and the research team make progress on the manuscripts. I also want to know whether it was really Paganini who wrote them or not. :))

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It's true if it wasn't Paganini there is no interesting story... I hope if it was him!

Thanks @mipiano ❤️

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...and what if it was fake information and they all get trapped in the basement...? on the island where nobody knows they are there?

...or Paganini's ghost starts to chase them because they discovered the hidden gem, which was supposed never to be found...?

there are many possibilities for how this could continue 😁

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Good! So it's going to continue... I think it's more the gem thing, it has to be hahaha.

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I mostly like to drink tea and in winter I drink a lot of tea and this place is very beautiful. This story is very great and interesting.

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I am just passing by to return the love you have sent me all this time of absence through my son. A thousand thanks to you and to all of you in the community for so much help to this humble family, which today is broken but little by little is moving forward. I know you are coming back from your vacations, enjoy your family and love each other intensely, there is nothing more important than those who are close to us. God bless you @mipiano.

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Oh, @zorajr 🤗

I am glad to see you back. I know it was a very hard time for the whole family and many challenges you have faced. I wish you just all the best, strength, love and hope! Un abrazo!!

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Thank you very much, here I am trying to catch up and taking advantage of the August vacations in Venezuela. I receive your embrace with much affection.

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Congratulations @mipiano! You received a personal badge!

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Hola @mipiano! Te envie un mensaje por discord pero no me permite porque no somos amigos, podras aceptar mi solicitud de amistad?

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Mmm... Good story, I'm counting pianist, gardener , teacher, writer what else 😂😂.... I hope this story continues because now I'm intrigued with what will happen with her , in the secret island with the paganini's manuscript ....

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What else? Maybe it's a so secret job that even I don't know what it would be 😂

Secret customer and quality controller don't count 😁

I am also intrigued what would happen. Many options are possible but Miss Smith will tell me when she can reach me out and reveal the continuation of the story 😇

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(Edited)

I have to tell you that I loved the story and your references ;) You are a great writer mipiano. Paganini was considered the devil's musician hahaha. They say he had killed a woman and locked her in a violin (metaphors to say that the instrument is very sensual and devilish because it enchants and to point out the virtuosity of that Genoese musician. Women would swoon to hear him play).

So, your character is a great researcher who is on a boat and on a secret island. What a genius you are.

Aplausos, aplausos 😍

PS. Maybe you can continue this story.

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Yes, it was said he was the devil's violinist (or musician) and if Miss Smith decides to reveal me more about her adventure, this could be a dangerous story because of the devil part 😬
😂

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Ayyy dios 😅. The danger is tempting, but sometimes it's better to be safe. Well, we'll see. I'll keep an eye out for next events.

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I wonder what she's going to do about the marriage.
Hahaha
Well, this is a very interesting story

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It stays as mystery hahaha 😂

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Super nice story! At first I thought she partied mucho and got totally drunk 🙃
Smoking? 😂 Have you any experience with that? This story is from your own life inspiration? Must be 😂😂😂

Uhm, playing the violin. Perhaps your son provided the inspiration? Tell him to quit smoking! 😂😂😂

Wen Book?

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Hahaha, she didn't party, just seems that can't stand boats 😂

What inspiration? Miss Smith just came and told me about her adventures 🤷‍♀

🤣

Glad you liked (you really did?) the story for our little corner 😇

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Nope, I was lying. Of course, I didn't like the story 😆 😀 😂

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From the Begining Of the story, I was hooked and caught with the suspense you creatively inserted there in. As I continued reading, the mystery deepens and I had to read till the end with keen attention. only few writers have the ability to get my attention so much, given that I am not a heavy reader of literal works but when I find what I like, I don't let go! Apart from the Importance of mental health which is the meaning I read into this article, It is a great literary work and I commend the effort you must have put in creating it!

great work @mipiano !! please write more!

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I like suspense stories to read so I guess that it is what I would write regularly if I would be a writer. {but I am not hehehe) I am really glad you liked reading it with attention and thank you so much for your encouraging comment, @magicfingerz. About writing more, there are so many great writers here around so I feel I should learn a lot first... but I enjoyed a lot working on this post 😇

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Haha loved the story!

You should have written under the title though, in big bold letters:

NOT SUITABLE FOR FORMER SMOKERS

I quit smoking 10 years ago and a few hours after reading this I had the strongest urge to smoke ever since!

Bad girl :)

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Hahahaha

I am a former smoker too, so all fine 😂

Your comment made me laugh a lot, but seriously, I am sorry for not warning the readers about this paragraph. Please, don't start again with that habit! por favor 🤐

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Haha don't worry I will not and if I ever will start again it won't be because of your writing :)

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Good, thank you! 😇

I do feel better now 😀

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