Mirrored Shadows

  In a dark room, devoid of every color but black, magnified shadows of passing birds flew across the walls and the floor. That silent afternoon, the ticking of a clock never sounded so loud. A girl is sitting on the bed. Rays of the fading sun revealed her red hair, seemingly shaded by purple; the only color in the room. Her lethargic gaze is flying into the world beyond the window, falling over the distant treetops. The sky was much darker there. The occasional squeaking of the iron gate announced the approaching storm. She stood up with an effort that seemed more mental than physical, and left the room. Empty frames on the walls greeted her as she walked down the hallway. Nothing around her looked welcoming. There was a time when she felt at home in that place. But not anymore. With or without the portraits. Especially that day. The day she leaves for good. Solitude never bothered her. It was a life she knew before founding the orphanage. But the loneliness, the silence... Those were the products of this new, grey world that unwrapped itself before the eyes of humanity in a single, summer night. The silence of voices, of life. In one rounded room stood a lonely birdcage, and inside that lonely birdcage stood a lonely sparrow. Upon Monika's arrival, it started flapping its wings and jumping around, colliding with the cage's bars.   - Easy, Crumb. - she whispered. - You'll hurt your wings.   - Open the cage then. I wish to fly again. - the bird tweeted.     Monika opened the cage and the sparrow dived into the air, only to land on her shoulder.   - We are leaving this place, Crumb. Say your farewells.   - Goodbye memories, goodbye my warm cage, goodbye empty frames, goodbye dear orphanage.     When they left the house, neither of them bothered to look back. Not even to lock the door. It was just another shadow to leave behind. But the iron sign at the gate that says ''Monika's orphanage'' creaked after her, like saying goodbye. Ahead was a struggling sunset.   - Look Monika, the death of the Sun, soon we'll all follow, one by one.                                                                                      ***   A cold breath of the night was scratching Monika's face. She ran without slowing down, without stopping. Crumb flew behind her, using her body as a shield from the sharp wind. Sleeping trees emerged in front of them. Monika stopped shortly in order to grasp the size of those ancient giants.   - No matter where we go, no matter where we stride, they WILL find us, we cannot hide.     The wind swirled the fallen foliage around Monika's legs, climbing up and pushing her forward, almost like it was telling her to enter the forest.   - But we can try, Crumb.     She stepped inside, over the roots and cold rocks, followed by the gazes of owls. The dying light was slowly betraying her. In the kingdom of branches above her, she could hear the restless flapping of wings.   Only the wind knew how long those trees have slept on the face of the world and how many times they shed their leaves. Crumb merrily tweeted:   - Dead flowers, dead flowers, on the forest floor, when they die, when they die, do their souls soar? When they wither, colorless and dry, do other flowers and other bushes cry?      Monika looked down, noticing that the ground was indeed covered with wilted flowers.   - The war took its toll everywhere...     With the fading daylight, it was getting harder to make a path through the forest. She felt like every tweet, croak and murmur is an announcement of her presence. A presence of an intruder. Two deer jumped out of nowhere and rushed before her, disappearing into the dark. Monika's heart was pounding.   - Were they scared? Were they mad? The world became very, very sad...   - Let's move on...     Under the reign of the night, glowing mushrooms finally shared some of their crystal blue light. But that still didn't help Monika to spot a rock in front of her and prevent her from tripping over it. Soon, every such rock, or scratching of a thorny bush, made her avoid a wrong (or a less painful) path. Sometimes, obstacles and mistakes are the only guidelines in life.   - There's a light, shinning bright, over there, on the right.   At her right, Monika noticed something that looked like hundreds of stars.   - Fireflies.    They found themselves in a small, rounded clearing. Soft leaves of grass danced under Monika's fingertips as she made her way towards the center. The fireflies opened their curtain of light before her, only to reform the starry circle behind her.   - The beauty of this world persists. Even now.   - The stars are up, the night is deep, lay me on a branch, I wish to sleep.   - We cannot stay here, Crumb. They will find us.   - We could go back to mom and dad...   - No! - Monika jumped back on her feet, making the fireflies scatter around. -How can you even suggest that after everything...   - We had food...   - I won't be a grateful canary in a golden cage, Crumb. No offense...     A sudden rustle of surrounding bushes silenced them. The sparrow landed on Monika's head, feeling safer there.   - Who's there? - she asked, not knowing where exactly to look.     Finally, a middle-aged man emerged from the dark. His clothes were silky, but torn and dirty, while the face was covered in beard and hair. He looked at Monika with a mixture of confusion and relief:   - You're a human...   - I hope you are too...   - Ah, don't be alarmed lass... I couldn't hurt you even if I wanted to... I've been running for days.   - I'm running as well. Much like everyone, I suppose...   - Well... I would tell you that you are running in the wrong direction, alas... What direction is right these days?     The man made a painful effort to sit down on the grass.   - You are hurt. - she noticed. - Is there anything I can do?   - Empathy... - the man looked at her curiously. - Like a flower, growing on a battlefield... I thank you, young lady, but you cannot help me. Your kindness, on the other hand, serves better than a fresh water.   - My name is Monika. - she sat down as well.   - And I will remember that, young Monika. I am count Vöikfy, but since titles are no longer of importance, you may call me Christopher.   - Pleasure. If I may ask, Christopher, where are you heading? I am trying to find the last known sanctuary.    He frowned.   - There are no more sanctuaries. Only lost sheep like ourselves, running around, prolonging this so called ''freedom''...    Monika remained silent, looking at him.   - If someone had told me a month ago that the Veil between our world and the plain of Hell would no longer keep us apart, I would laugh at that person's face. Who is laughing now, eh...?     Shy face of the moon peeked through the cloudy night, bathing the treetops. One could be easily seduced by stolen moments of serenity like this.   - What happens once they catch you...? - Monika whispered. - What they do to people in the lower plain?   - That would depend on how you arrive there: as a tourist, or as a prisoner, which would be our case. I don't know what becomes of us once we are taken there...   - Monika, you were right, we shouldn't stay, they will find us, grab us, take us away.   - Well I'll be damned... - Christopher smiled looking at Crumb. - It must've been years since the last time I encountered one of the Familiars. Are you a witch, Monika?   - I used to follow the old ways. I don't think I can call myself that anymore.   - Well. A talking sparrow is a rare sight either way... What's his name?   - His name is Crumb. I got him when I was a kid. We are inseparable since then.     She couldn't help but notice that Christopher's face and gestures have changed from exhausted to lively.   - You seem to know a lot about these things, Christopher.      Monika didn't even get a chance to gasp, when a dark figure appeared behind her and knocked her out. Dark followed.                                                                                           ***       Soft shaking forced Monika to open her eyes. She was unable to figure out where she was immediately, except that she's in a cramped space with two small windows next to her head. Once her eyes got used to the half dark, she noticed three girls: one sitting next to her, and the other two across, on the opposite seat. All three were humans. It was clear now that they are sitting in a carriage. She could hear the cantering of the horses. When she raised the curtain on the window, a dark horizon yawned before her and thousands of black carriages, going in the same direction like a black tide.   - You are awake. - one of the girls noticed.   - I wasn't sleeping... - she said, rubbing the back of her head. - I was knocked out.     Now she was able to examine the girls around her more closely. The one that spoke to her had a forest of messy, blonde curls and a sooty face. The other two were black-haired twins with long noses and wide foreheads.   - My name is Stella. - said the blonde and extended her hand for a handshake.   - Where are they taking us...?   - Into the fifth plane of Hell. - whispered one of the twins ominously. - That's where our journey ends, if you know what I mean.     She made a gesture of decapitation, moving finger across her neck.   - Don't be so morbid, Alma! - Stella hissed. - It doesn't necessarily mean they'll kill us.   - No, they will welcome us with honey and wine. - said the other twin sarcastically.     Stella rolled her eyes. She was persistently trying to appear positive, but the twins were ruining the atmosphere she desperately wanted to create.   - They wouldn't take us to a prison just to kill us, you two! They would've done it immediately. Besides, this girl seems too beautiful to be killed. I'm sure they have better plans for her.     All three were staring at Monika after she said that, studying her. Typically, Monika would feel uncomfortable, but in that moment, she had much bigger concerns. Crumb wasn't there. She had no idea what could've happened to him. Nor what is about to happen to herself. Jumping out the carriage would be a suicide. Each carriage was accompanied by dark horsemen. They would've caught her before she hit the ground. If only she could find a way to wake up her old talents. It's been years. ''All is lost...'', she sighed and leaned back. Stella placed hand on top of hers:   - Love problems, am I right sweetheart?   - Excuse me?   - I know what troubles people when I see their expressions. It's like a gift of mine, you know? I used to make living out of it. And let me tell you this: don't let that guy get to you, whoever he is. He's not worth it.     Monika pulled her hand away.   - I take a lot of people wanted their money back?     The twins giggled as Stella pouted and turned her head away.   After an hour, the scenery became much darker, and the ground bumpier. Peeking through the window, Monika could see a black gate approaching.   - We are getting closer. - Stella clapped cheerfully. Monika couldn't understand why is she being so relaxed about that.     The carriage was sinking deeper into the belly of the Earth. The air became unbearably warm and thick.   - You've mentioned some kind of a jail. What do you know about that place? - Monika asked.   - The jail is called Hardcoat, so don't drop your soap. - one of the twins laughed, poking her with elbow. Once she realized that no one else is laughing, she bowed her head and stopped talking.   - Hardcoat is an impenetrable fortress. - her sister explained. - A complex of dungeons, torture chambers, arenas, but also rich ballrooms and fancy bathhouses for the queen Callisto and her noble guests.   - Callisto?   - She rules the fifth plain of Hell. Hardcoat is her palace and, from what I gathered, she's the coldest, cruelest and craziest b***h of the underworld.   - Oh for god's sake Alma, cease with those ominous speculations! - Stella insisted. - I'm sure she's not that scary! In fact, I can't wait to meet her.   - We are not going to a picnic you i***t, snap out of it!   - I am only being positive and see good in everything, while you complain like some old lady!   - You are not positive, honey. You are just an i***t who denies the truth out of fear.     Their argue only made Monika feel even worse. The anxiety felt like it was eating her from the inside.   - We are here. - one of the twins warned.    All four of them leaned against the windows to see the fortress. Its size was breathtaking. It looked like it was carved out of the mountain behind it. Dark walls rose above the carriage, covering it with a dense shadow. On top of those walls stood figures in black cloaks. They weren't moving, so it was impossible to tell whether they are living creatures or statues.   The carriage pulled over, and so did its escort. The coachman opened the door and ordered them to come out.   Their feet touched the hot, sandy ground. The warmth of the air made Monika nauseous. Other carriages were there too and soon she found herself in the crowd of long faces, depressed and scared.   - Tie their hands. - the coachman gave order to the escort. They pulled out long chains and tied them up.     Monika and the girls stood in a soft dark, waiting. The coachman lined them up one next to another.   The iron gate was being raised up. Its creaking was a torture on its own. Several guardsmen in black armor were first to come out. Right behind them appeared a skinny man who looked like a child from afar. Only once he got closer they could see a pair of curled mustache and a wrinkled face. He wore a strikingly yellow, silky outfit, contrasting the surrounding darkness. The man skipped towards them like some kind of a bird and Monika was convinced that he is either a jester, or completely insane.  He paused before them and arrogantly raised his lumpy nose.   - Chancellor Piri. - the coachman bowed. - The prisoners have arrived.   - Yes, yes, I can see that myself. - the tiny man said, checking out the prisoners. One of the guards handed over a parchment. Piri examined it, nodding. He cleared out his throat, raised the nose again and read a name: - Stella Hampspree? Which one of you is Stella Hempspree?     Stella stepped forward, smiling widely:   - I am Stella, nice to meet you sir!     The chancellor Piri looked back at the parchment and read:   - By the command of her Highness, Stella Hempspree, daughter of Bill Hempspree the priest, must be executed before the entrance of the Hardcoat.     The only thing Stella managed to do is to look at the chancellor in a complete confusion before a spear pierced through her forehead. The twins screamed. Monika looked away, clutching her heart in horror. She could feel some of Stella's blood cooling out on her skin where it fell.   One of the soldiers approached Stella's lifeless body and pulled out the spear from her head, then kicked her over the ground, all the way to the edge of the cliff on which the Hardcoat fortress resided. He gave her the final kick over the edge. All of them could hear her body breaking over the rocks on its way down.    The chancellor Piri relieved, as if he had completed a hard work.   - Take the rest of them to the dungeons. - he said and hopped back into the fortress.   The guards grabbed them and took them inside. The black gates closed behind.