Mirrored Shadows

Hide and Seek

(A week ago)

  In the shadow of a black hill stood a mansion; dark and tall, with cone roofs that aimed at the sky. Its windows of stained glass were without lights.

   An iron gate bears an inscription ''Monika's orphanage'', yet nothing about the institution nor its surroundings gave away any sign of children living inside. There were only naked trees and broken swings, still dangling in the wind.

  A thin figure, wrapped up in grey velvet, opens the gate. It stops for a moment to take a look at the mansion and its numerous windows. Then it moves on. Her footsteps are confident, as if she was there before. Yet if the trees could talk, they would confirm that many feet walked away from that place, but that it has been many years since any walked to it.

   Standing in front of the door, she grabbed the iron door knocker and banged with it three times. An echoing sound disturbed the silence, filling up the cold house long after the knocking. Soon, the sound of walking came from inside. Several padlocks were being unlocked before the door finally opened. It was opened by a girl with a beautiful, but cold face and long, red hair. Her dress was a waterfall of scarlet silk, spilled all the way to the floor like wine. She penetrated the visitor with suspicion.

- Can I help you? - she asked, clearly surprised by their visit.

- I heard you're looking for a nanny.

  After she spoke, it was finally possible to tell that there's a girl under all those velvet robes.

- And where did you hear that, if I may ask?

- Around... People talk about this orphanage.

- So you heard that from a gossip. I'm not surprised. Their mouths are full of me and my life.

- My pardon, madam, was the gossip incorrect?

- No... - she sighed. - I do need a nanny. I simply didn't believe that someone would actually consider the offer and come here.

  She glared at the visitor one more time.

- Alright, come inside.

  They entered the mansion and the door closed behind them. An enormous entrance hall stood ahead, with a tall ceiling that had barely recognizable paintings of baby angels. At the very center of the hall was a grand staircase. Everything around them was black: wall patterns, curtains, chairs, while the gentle light of the candles was reflecting on the black marble floor. Only the red hair of the beautiful headmistress stood out in its contrast. She was standing there, head held high, with a noble posture, drowned in all the blackness. The visitor noticed many empty frames and one large family portrait with scratched faces.

- Before we start, I need to know who you are.

  The girl bowed:

- My name is Zana, madam.

- Alright, Zana, I am Monika. Feel free to take the veil off your head. We are inside.

  It seemed like that request made the girl nervous, which Monika noticed. Still, she obeyed and pulled the veil off her face. Her mouth were a thin line under a sharp nose. She kept biting them in discomfort. The hair was still  wrapped in a dark blue cloth. She touched it, looking at Monika with a pleading expression. But the headmistress waited without changing her mind, so the girl finally pulled the cloth down. A pair of twisted horns peeked outside her curly hair.

- Twisted horns? Only noble demons have twisted horns. Why do you wish to be a nanny?

 The rain of doubt startled the girl.

- My father disinherited me because I didn't want to marry the man he chose for me. I didn't love him... Now I got no title anymore, nor money. I beg you, milady, I need this job... I... I am good with kids.

- You silly girl. You should have listened to your father. There is no such thing as true love.

 The girl looked down.

- My first and only encounter with your kind was not a pleasant one, so you will understand my caution and suspicion. Still, you could not have arrived at better time. I will hire you because I desperately need a nanny. This house... It's just too big for me to take care of everything there is to be taken care of. From paperwork, to cooking and taking care of the child.

- A child? - the girl was confused. - Isn't this an orphanage? Where are the other kids?

- Gone. Sent away.

- By whom?

- By me, of course. All the income we got from the charities was spent on sending all the kids anywhere that is safe.

- I'm sorry, I don't understand... Why?

- We'll get to that. First of all, the rules. There is a certain...system that works in this place and prevents it from falling into chaos. With that being said, I need you to obey my orders, as pretentious as that may sound. Know that I have no intention on playing an overlord. Your obedience is simply crucial until you... familiarize yourself with how the things work in here.

- Yes, madam.

  Monika took Zana up the stairs and through the several dark hallways.

- And now, the most important thing. - she spoke as they walked. - The boy... Know that he's not... Well, let's just say that he is odd. He is prone to strange ideas. He doesn't talk much, but I still must warn you not to believe anything he says. I should also warn you to try and adjust to his unusual habits as fast as possible. Do not be surprised if you wake up in the middle of the night and realize that he's standing next to your bed, watching you. He is shy. I like to believe that's his way of making a connection. Still, my recommendation to you is to lock your room. Sometimes it happens that he does something...

- Does what, madam?

  Monika said nothing. She took the nanny through five entirely empty rooms, until they found themselves in a circular salon with a gigantic window that stood three meters tall. Grey mountains could be seen from it, reaching up the cloudy sky.

- If you were under the illusion that this job is going to be easy, I would suggest to reconsider your decision to work here. As you can see, there are no servants here and, like I said before, no other kids. If you are unable to do your duty, I would appreciate if you tell me that right away, instead of leaving when I need you the most, like the others did.

- You may count on me, madam. I shall not fail you.

  Monika did not seem convinced.

- We shall see... Now, you'll meet Bruno. Wait here.

  She walked to the other side of the room where the doors were. Before opening them, she looked over her shoulder:

- One more thing. Try not to turn your back on him.

- Oh don't worry, I won't leave him out of my sight, he'll be safe.

- That's not what I meant...

  Again, the nanny got a look from her, a look that could be interpreted as pity. Almost as if she was telling her that she has no clue what she got herself into. She opened the door and peeked into the other room. It was completely dark in there.

- Bruno. - she whispered. - We have company.

  For a while, they stood in silence. Finally, a child appeared on the doorstep, not older than five. He rubbed his eyes.

- Bruno, don't do that. - Monika warned him.

- Is he sleepy?

- He doesn't sleep. Ever.

  The child lowered his hands and directed two unusual, purple eyes at Monika, remaining that way like he's hypnotized. 

- Bruno, this is Zana. Your new nanny.

  She pointed towards her to finally direct that gaze from herself onto Zana.

- Well hello, Bruno. I am so glad to meet you. And oh, just look what a handsome little man you are!

  The child briefly looked at his new nanny, without any sign of interest or care for her presence, as if her voice was nothing but a glass that fell on the floor and drew attention to itself. Then he looked back at Monika.

- Bruno, what do we say when someone comes to our home?

  The windows began to shake. Suddenly, the chandelier snapped and fell on the floor next to Zana, shattering into hundreds of pieces.

- Bruno! That's horrible! - Monika said. - Apologize immediately!

  Zana stood in shock, clutching her chest.

- Bruno, what did I just tell you?

  The boy looked at her indifferently. A red tear rolled down his cheek.

- Is he okay? - Zana gasped.

- Don't be alarmed, girl. - said Monika calmly, taking out a tissue and wiping the blood off the boy's cheek. - He does it on purpose... Because he knows I hate it.

  While Monika was cleaning his face, Bruno's glassy eyes were resting on the nanny. Without a blink, without emotions.

- Now go back to your room and this better not happen again. Understood?

  Bruno just stared at her silently, like he doesn't even understand what she's saying.

- I asked you something, Bruno!

  Those purple eyes looked at her endlessly. Monika always wondered about what this little creature thinks while it looks at her like that. She shivered upon thinking about the possible reasons.

- Madam, let me take the young gentleman to his room. - Zana suggested. - I'm sure tomorrow everything will be better after we all rest a bit.

- You want to take him to his room? - Monika was surprised, as her eyes jumped to the broken chandelier that almost fell on her head and killed her. - If you are sure... Alright then. But I'm warning you, as much as you are responsible for his life, you are also responsible for your own. I'm off to bed. I feel like I haven't slept in years...

  She picked up the folds of her dress and left the salon. Zana remained alone with the child.

- So, shall we go to bed?

 In the meantime, Monika closed herself in bedroom and laid down on the bed. It felt like it was the first break she got after two years. She couldn't remember the last time she had a proper rest. Will that foolish girl be able to keep him in his room for one night, let alone put him to sleep, remained to be seen.

  Just when she undressed herself, the door opened.

- Bruno, go back to your room.

  But instead of the boy, a tall, tanned man walked in. He had lots of messy hair and strikingly green eyes. A pair of short horns could easily be missed in the bushiness of hair.

- What are you doing here, Lazarus? - she sat in front of the vanity mirror and started to brush her hair.

  The man swayed from left and right, as the smell of alcohol slowly took over the room.

- Does a lover need a reason to come into the room of his woman?

- A lover doesn't, but an ex lover does.

- So that's how it is...

- That's how it is for two years now, darling. Had you less sucked on bottles, you wouldn't lose your memory.

- Goddamn it, Monika... What happened to us? We were never like this...

- What happened? You left me when I needed you the most!

-  I left because of that little monster... I wish he never came here...

- Are you going to blame this on a six year old?

- And you won't? Have you forgotten what he did to us? Look where you live, look at the life he forced you to live because you don't want to abandon him! He is the reason of all our misery!

- Miserable I may be, Lazarus, but unlike you, it did not make me drown myself in alcohol and cheat on you with some p********e. What was her name again? Elga, Helga? I don't know, it sounded like a genital disease. Blame it on that, not on Bruno.

- I couldn't remain here anymore, Monika. Not under the same roof with that... that little...

- And yet, here you are.

  He scoffed and slid behind her, watching her brushing. The edge of her dress rubbed against his nose and he took a deep breath.

- Who is that woman in the boy's room? - he asked.

- The nanny.

  The man laughed loudly.

- Which one? Third? Fourth? Let's hope she doesn't end up like the previous ones.

  Monika put away the brush and sighed in frustration.

- What do you want Lazarus? It's past midnight, go home.

  He lowered his nose on her neck. She turned around and pushed him away.

- Don't touch me. You smell like wine and cheap perfume.

- Don't be like that... - he walked back to her, only to be pushed harder this time and hit against the wardrobe and knock off a candle holder.

- Since I know the way wine hits that empty head of yours, let me repeat myself: there is nothing between us. Whatever you came for into my room, you can find in the Cradle of Moans. I heard the bloody place is re-opened. Helga will be more than happy to scrape my leftovers of you.

- Yeah, of course you'd know all about that place.

  She slapped him.

- Get out!

  Lazarus gnashed his teeth and stormed out, slamming the door.

                                                                                         ***

 The next morning, Monika went to the dining room, only to be surprised by what she saw. The long dining table was all set up, filled with delicious looking meals.

- Zana. - she called.

  The nanny came from the kitchen, wiping her hands.

- What is this Zana? You made all this?

- Yes, madam. You have no servants, so I thought... I hope I didn't do anything wrong?

- No, not at all. Quite the opposite, this is... - she sought words. - Well, this is really good. Thank you, Zana.

  She sat by the table, looking at all the dishes, stews, cakes...

- You made all this all by yourself? You must've cooked all night! It's too much, but I'm still impressed.

- In my house, madam, the table was always filled with food. We believed that a perfect meal brings family closer.

  Monika restrained herself not to laugh ironically to that naive belief.

- Where is my boy, Zana?

- In his room, madam. Reading.

- Reading? - she paused to look at her. - Bruno is reading?

- Yes madam. I managed to interest him in some book about sparrows. He did not drop it all night.

 It sounded like the craziest thing ever spoken. She took a sip of wine to hide the expression of complete surprise.

- Alright, Zana. I am very satisfied, thank you for the effort.

- Should I call the young gentleman to join you?

  Monika looked around.

- One moment.

  She got up and started removing knives and other sharp objects from the table.

- Okay, you may call him now.

- Should I also call the man that came here last night?

- The man that came here last night? Wait, Lazarus is here?

- He is in the living room, madam.

- Son of a... - she bit her tongue. - Don't call him. Lazarus is on a diet.

- As you wish, madam. - she bowed and turned around to leave, only to bump into Lazarus and awkwardly slide sideways to go around him.

- A meal. Now that's something new in this house. - he sat down on the other side of the table, so they were at least three meters apart.

- We both know that a meal for you is not a meal unless it is measured in liters.

- Ha! You know me so well, my dear! - he grinned and reached for the bottle.

- Why are you still here? I told you to leave and never come back here again.

  Before he said anything, Bruno appeared, escorted by the nanny. Monika and Lazarus immediately felt uneasy. It was like some kind of a cold shadow suddenly filled up the room. The boy paused next to the table and looked down, at the floor.

- Good morning, Bruno. - Monika smiled. - Have a seat, the breakfast is getting cold. You may sit as well Zana. You cooked too much anyway.

  The nanny thankfully nodded and sat down.

- Bruno? Come sit next to me sweetie. - Monika offered a chair. Bruno looked at her and took a seat next to Zana instead.

- Alright... Well, bon appetite.

  The breakfast commenced, but the boy only gazed down at his plate. It was the next interesting thing to stare at.

- Bruno, you won't eat? - Zana asked him kindly.

  He took a spoon and started pushing vegetables out of the plate with an unbearable creaking, observing the way it makes Monika and Lazarus frown and shiver. He then started cutting a piece of meat into equal pieces and arranging them on the side. Those which were too big or too small were thrown out the plate. Lazarus couldn't stand to watch him anymore. He picked up the bottle and left the room, mumbling to himself: ''Little freak...''

- Zana, take the boy back to his room. He is clearly not hungry...

  The nanny took him by the hand and escorted him out of the dining room. On the way out, the boy looked over his shoulder at Monika. She shivered.

   Later, that same day, Monika was amazed to see him actually playing outside with his new nanny. He almost looked like any other child, which only made her realize how much he's nothing like the others. That empty gaze and the marble expression were still there, no matter what he did.

- Zana, take Bruno back into the house, it's getting late.

  Bruno frowned.

- Me won't!

- No discussion, young man.

- Me won't! - the boy shouted again, pouting and crossing his arms in protest.

- Do not argue with me, get inside.

  Bruno stomped his foot.

- Won't! Won't! Won't!

- Zana, leave me alone with him for a moment.

- Madam...

- Do as I said.

  The nanny nodded and went inside. Monika knelt down to catch his gaze.

- Bruno. Go inside. Now.

  He brought his face closer to her.

- WON'T.

 Instead of yelling at him, her hand gently moved through the boy's disobedient curly hair.

- You made all the other kids to leave... But I stayed to take care of you... Closed myself into this... This black crypt. I forgot what the sun looks like. I thought you like it this way. What else can I do after I did everything, Bruno? Why are you like this? What do you want from me?

- Die.

                                                                                      ***

  That night, Monika did not sleep well. She was tossing and turning in bed, fighting nightmares. She dreamed about snakes, rot and a man with abnormally large eyes. There was Bruno as well, playing flute, calling forth the darkness. ''Stop it!'', Monika shouted, before she jumped out of the nightmare all sweaty, heavily breathing. She gasped in realization that Bruno is standing next to her bed.

- Bruno?

- Won't.

                                                                                     ***

  Monika was awake when the dawn arrived. After waking up from the nightmares, the thoughts about them gave her no rest. One specific thought troubled her the most. Could it be that her boy is responsible for those nightmares? She did not even question his desire to do something like that, only his ability. But she quickly discarded such thoughts and dressed up. Downstairs, she found him where he sits with Zana on the floor, touching a dead mouse with his finger.

- Zana! What is the meaning of this!? Bruno, leave that mouse immediately!

  Zana got up and bowed:

- Madam, I wanted to throw it away, but the young man insisted...

- The young man is too young to insist about things like this, Zana! That's why you are here! Take that thing out now!

- But madam...

  Monika whipped her with a glare.

- Are you going to argue with me about this, girl?

  The nanny bowed again and turned her back at Monika, rolling her eyes. She picked up the mouse by its tail and took it outside. Bruno was simply sitting in silence and looked at the dead animal being taken out.

- Where did you get that mouse?

- A pet. - he said.

- Dead mice are NOT pets! Go wash your hands this instant!

  To her surprise, the boy got up without discussion and went straight to the bathroom as he was told. She was unsure whether she should be glad or scared.

  Zana came back.

- I got rid of the mouse, madam. I'm going to wash my hands.

- One moment, Zana.

 She started walking around the nanny.

- You got close to Bruno. I can't say that any nanny so far was successful at that, including myself. Though I am glad that at least someone is reaching through him, keep in mind that I've got my eyes on you and that, in the future, I will hold you responsible for any similar events.

- I understand, madam.

- But do you really?

  The girl looked at her, saying nothing.

- You may leave now.

  She bowed and left.

  The rest of the day Monika spent closed in the library. Piles of dusty books kept her away from both of them. Finally, at evening, she called Zana to her salon. The nanny walked in on her toes, finding Monika standing calmly near the window, looking outside.

- There's no need to sneak in, Zana. I'm not sleeping. - she said without turning around.

  The girl properly bowed.

- You called me, madam?

- Yes. Tomorrow I'll have a guest over. I wish to ask you, if it's possible for you, to prepare a lunch and clean around.

- A guest? Who is coming...?

  Monika rashly turned around.

- Am I supposed to explain such things to you? What is the meaning of this impudence?

- I...

- Leave.

  The girl bowed again. This time, she sent Monika a clear glance of disagreement and left the salon.

- Will you look at her...

  That night, before going sleep, she went to Bruno's room to wish him a good night. She found him in bed, leaned against Zana's shoulder while she was reading to him. The moment Monika opened the door, the storytelling stopped, and both of them gave her the ''You've interrupted us'' look. So she closed the door and remained alone in the hallway. It was hard to tell whether the feeling inside her chest has anything to do with how much she dislikes Zana, or it comes out jealousy, perhaps? Bruno is closer to this girl more than he ever was to her, after everything she did for him. She quietly scolded herself for such thoughts. But she was changing her mind about keeping that girl here. Then again, Bruno... He is so attached to her. Shortly after, that made her wonder why and how he got so close to her in the first place. What is it that she has? The first day they met he almost killed her...

  With these thoughts, she went to her room. Upon entering, a sparrow slammed against her, then continued to fly wildly around the room, colliding with the furniture, trashing vases and paintings. Small feathers were falling around like snow. The bird was clearly frightened.

- Crumb! Crumb calm down!

  Crumb kept flying around until he tangled himself into the curtain. Monika quickly grabbed him to prevent him from damaging his wings.

- Crumb! Hey, hey. Calm down. What is it, little fellow?

- Eyes, teeth, crawling around,

through the windows, through the ground!

Rats in the walls, flies in the floor,

through the ceiling, through the door!

- What...? Crumb, what are you talking ab...

  Only then she noticed numerous bumps under her bed sheet. She approached the bed and pulled the cover. Lifeless bodies of several mice were lying on the silk.

- Monster, monster, monster!

  Monika sighed and called Zana over. She ran to her room, confused by the invitation at that hour.

- What is this, Zana?

  The girl leaned over her bed with a dull expression.

- Those are mice, madam.

- Really? Your skill to state the obvious is to be applauded. What are they doing in my bed, Zana? Bruno did this?

- He did not, madam.

- He didn't? If he didn't, then you did.

- I didn't either, madam.

- Oh, you didn't? Of course. - she smiled ironically. - What is going on in here Zana?

   Bruno stood at the doorstep, staring at both of them.

- Bruno go back to bed.

  The boy didn't move. Monika was not in the mood for another discussion.

- Zana, take him to bed. Then come back for the mice.

  Bruno approached the bed.

- Mice. - he said.

- Did you put them there, Bruno?

- Pet. Hungry.

- What's he talking about, Zana?

- I don't know, madam. He often mentions some kind of a pet.

- And just when were you planning to tell me this?

- I... I didn't know how to take that, I thought he's just playing...

- Bruno, until now I thought you consider dead mice as your pets. What exactly are you talking about?

  He looked at her silently.

- What kind of a pet do you have, Bruno?

  The boy remained silent.

- Bruno!

- You'll see. - he said. His cold glance fell upon poor, shivering Crumb. Then he turned around and left the room. Zana took the mice and left as well.

  That night, Monika fell asleep quite fast. Again, she had nightmares with her boy playing flute and luring all kind of horrible things. Crumb, on the other hand, has spent the night looking down at the shadows that moved on the floor from the other side of the door. The doorknob was turned several times during the night.