collection of writing and its thoughts / left behind

[connoisseur]

--

[connoisseur]

I could call this an entry, a letter, a threat, a warning, a contract, a blessing, a thank-you note, a notice to court-- and it'd all be the same. It wouldn't change. For you, I have everything meant in my mind, in my heart, and in my soul. For you, you occupy the clearest thoughts I have, the darkest corners of my mind, the empty boxes of my memories that collect spiderwebs and dust. And for you, I let you. I let you walk into my eyes. I let you see through me, I let you cry through me, I let you scream from my lungs, I let you breathe fire into my mind and set everything ablaze. And I wish I could call it love. I wish I could say love held me to this obsession, this desperate yearning for you to glimpse at me, this metallic taste of hate and bite of anger. For when my fists are bruised, and my nails dig into my palm and burst with blood, I think only of you. For when I open my eyes and see nothing, I think of you. For when I close my eyes and see nothing, I think of you. It is like you are a parasite, it is like you squeeze and choke the life out of me. It is like you to be a heart-eating and mind-killing machine. They have taught you to be one. They have done the same to you as you have to me. And you praise them. At their feet you lay, you kiss and chant your songs of glorious pride. And for you, I let the weight of guilt trap me to the floor, I let the pain and burden of knowing plant its growth in my skull. And, certainly, maybe you have asked to yourself once, if you can see yourself in me. For I have seen you in me. I have seen the helpless fool, with tears of rage and helplessness in the mirror. I have felt the gloves of yours in my hands throw blows of nothing but hunger and excitement, felt the rush of adrenaline and utter euphoria of hurting another. I have celebrated at the idea of knowing the collectiveness of pain, of knowing that I too felt the soreness and ache I inflicted. And it tastes like victory. Its plate of satisfaction leaves me wanting more, more and more until it is not enough and never enough.

But it has its claws around my neck, it holds my head back and it makes me stare in its eyes, and it is enough. It is enough.

I have recognized the ugliest parts of me, I have shamed them, I have lamented them, I have killed them and revived them, I have kissed them goodnight and held them close, I have accepted them, I have let them be apart of me. And for you, I wait for you to see it. I wait for you to do the same. I stand here, I sit here. Here. Again I am here. On each side I have tried, each side I attempted to place one foot in front of the other, I have tried to claw and drag myself through, I have tried to swim my way across. It is everything I have known. It is the disappointment that tells me I have failed, the utter horror that I have torn myself apart for nothing. It is the pitiful realization that it is not me nor is it you that prevents it. It is the fact that I have always known what it is, and what it means to both me and you.

This tic of mine, this god-willing and devil-whispering goal of mine-- will never see its finish. It will never see its end. We will both try again and again, to cross this concrete and ocean barren bridge, and we will always fail.

For it is not that we won't, it is that we just can't.

And so, let me be here from a distance. Let me see your face, your dreams and hopes, your grief and hurt from here. I will watch you like a movie, I will write reviews and spoilers. Let me read you, let me turn your pages and bend your words and mark the place I find amusing, I will laugh and cry at what is written, I will write the rest myself.

And so, in return, if you find yourself on the other side, watching me watch you, I will accept it is all you can do. I already have.

For you, I already have.

[connoisseur]

"Where'd you get that drink?"
"I don't know. I had it in my hands before I knew it."

[Laughter.]

"Well, what's it taste like?"
"To be honest with you, I haven't taken one sip of it yet."

[Muffled laughter.]

"C'mon and stop being a bore. Drink it and tell me."
"If you are so curious, why don't you-"
"......"

[Slience.]

"What?"
"There's...."
"There's what?"
"....................."
"Tell me now or so help me God I will choke it out of you."
".......There's an imprint of someone's lips on the glass already."

[Baffled, one-sided laughter.]

"Stop laughing you fool. Does this seem funny to you? Am I laughing? Do I looked amused to you?"
"Oh, please, you sweating idiot. Perhaps you already took a sip and forgot?"
"Where'd you get that idea? Damned fool. I already told you I haven't tried it yet."

[A knock of hollow glass.]

"Have you drank so much you can't remember it? This bottle is obviously empty. Those are your lips on the glass, you clueless moron."

[Movement of fabric, touch of glass.]

"........."
"What now? The bottle got a nose on it?"
"Shut up. You keep running that mouth of yours, no wonder your head is so big. Keep exercising it and maybe you'll spout a brain."
"Really? Me? A brain? Want me to lend you mine, since your skull is obviously vacant?"

[Glass clinking on wood.]

"I don't recognize this bottle. I never drink this brand."
"Oh, so you know your wines?"
"Yes."
"Then, you should be able to determine by smell, right?"

[Stunned silence.]
[A sniff.]

"It has the same venomous smell as that wretched bottle. I would never drink this."
"So why are you holding the last glass of it?"
"I told you already."
"............."
"......What? Your bug eyes are eerie."
"Do you remember anything before this?"

[One sided laughter.]

"Before what?"
"Before we saw each other? What do you remember?"

[Silence. The glass meets wood.]

"What do you remember?"
"I asked you first."
"That's not fair."
".........."
"Fine. Quit looking at me like that. Your eyes are really creepy. Have you considered hiding them?"
"Answer the question before I point out that your ears are the size of an elephant's."
"..... You are very rude. But fine. I can't seem to remember where I was before this. Or how I got here."
"But you remember who you are?"
"Of course. I'm--"
".........."
"..............."
"You?"
"I can't remember either."

[Uneasy laugh.]

"Well, we had to have come in here together. There's only one door here."
"Where?"
"Over there-"

[Silence.]

"I thought there was one to the right of you. Strange. Did it disappear?"
"In case you haven't realized, all of this is very strange. As a matter of fact, I find you strange. Not only did the damned door disappear, but so did our memories. And you are so nonchalant about it."
"I don't see you crying and screaming about it, do I? Should I do it for you?
"........"
"Here is my thinking, since you are suspicious of me, you accusing fickle imbecile. Since we both seem rather relaxed about this matter, I think we already know each other. There's no way anybody would feel comfortable with a stranger in a room with no doors."
"........"

[Cracking of a joint.]

"I do not feel comfortable around you, I must admit. Seems like your theory is quite wrong."
"Really? Because you have maintained eye contact with me this entire time. Also, stop torturing your knuckles and knock that disgusting habit off already."
"You know this is my habit?"

[Slience.]

"Apparently so."
"......."
"........."
"Must you get closer?"
"What? Do I smell, wine expert?"
"No. I do not like your eyes this close. Keep those empty worlds at a distance."
"I was just going to say, you look familiar."
"Oh, really? So now you agree with me?"
"No."

[Confused and baffled laugh.]

"What do you mean then? Do you speak in riddles? Must I decipher them to understand you?"
"......"
"Speak and release those words before I pry them out through your teeth. You've been bold with your words up until now, don't let me stop you."
"I think you look like me."

[Stunned silence.]

"That is highly insulting. In no earthly dimension would I house those eyes of yours on my own face and skull. And look at your teeth. Damn. I take back what I said. I do not want to be anywhere near those teeth. Have you considered filing them? They look overgrown."
"..........."
"................."
"..........................."
"Say.... do you know what you look like?"
"Apparently, a big-eyed monster with shark teeth."
"What do I look like?"
"Like me. I told you already."
"......."

[Clearing of a throat.]

"So we're both admitting we don't know what we look like?"
"Are you?"
"Would I imply that for laughs? A joke?"
"You look like one. A joke, I mean."
"Don't get started, you heathen."
"........."
"........."
"I have an idea."
"Oh, do you now?"
"The glass. Our reflections should be shown, right?"
"....Not half-bad, you devil."

[Shuffling of fabric, a pause.]

"Has that glass always looked like that?"
"Like what?"
"That."

[Slience.]

"A golden chalice?"
"God-damn you. Yes. Obviously yes. Must you test me?"
"....No."
"No to testing me or no to the priest's glass?"
"To the chalice. But does it matter?"
"Does it matter the glass changed? Yes!"

[Groan.]

"You are giving me a headache."
"I could say the same. The door disappeared, we cannot remember ourselves including our image, and yet you think that the glass changing is any different?"
"............."
".....Just bring it closer already."
"Fine. You seem to not know what the concrete world is-"
"Shut your mumbling and grab it."
"....No need to growl like demon."

[Shuffling of fabric, movement. Clinking of gold.]

"Looks like your idea is for nothing. The amount of ornamentation on this thing is insane. Look at these jewels. Rubies, onyx.. Diamonds?"
"........"
"Perhaps decorating the blood of Christ will get them closer to their heavens?"

[Laughter, guffawing.]

"I will admit, that is quite amusing."
"I do think we are friends. Or were."
"....were."
"What?"
"I said to drink it."
"What the- are you out of your mind? You expect me to drink that?"
"Why not? "
"It smells absolutely spoiled. Just smelling it from here makes me want to vomit."
"And you call me a heathen. Can't handle the divine Pantocrator's gift-"
"Oh please."

[Gold clinks]

" 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me!' "
"You'd better not-"

[Gold hitting against teeth, liquid pouring]
[Hearty laughter]
[Silence]

"........."
"............"

[Nervous laugh]

"You still there?"
"I'm right here."
"I swore you disappeared on me for a second."
"Like the door?"

[Cough.]

"I guess so."
"....."
"You don't seem to hate the drink as you made it out to be."
"It smelt poisonous. But now, it tastes....."
"Tastes like what?"
".....Like metal."
"Like blood?"
"How would I know what blood taste like, you scary bat?"
"Have you never bit your lip or tongue before-"

[Flesh tearing. Scream.]

"Have you cursed me?"
"What happened?"
"I just bit my tongue."
"So does it taste like blood?"
"What?"
"Does it?"
"Riddles. You are speaking in-"
"Tongues?"

[One-sided laughter.]

"Are you mad? I'm genuinely asking. Have you walked straight out hell recently?"
"Let us look in the cup to see, then."

[Shuffling]
[Slience]

"........"
"........"
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"What is there to see?"

[Exsperated sigh]

"So we both can't see ourselves. The gold must be fake."
"Polish it. All metals shine."
"With what?"
"........"
"My sleeve? Are you joking? This is white velvet."
"......."
"Your eyes are haunting. Fine."
"........"
"........"
"Great. Look at my sleeve now. It looks like I murdered someone."
"A fitting accusation."
"What?"
"Nothing. Let us look again."

[Silence]

"......"
"This isn't accurate at all. I can barely see myself."
".... You're right."
"I see you are finally agreeing with me."
"No."
"Excuse me?

[A sigh.]

"Your right. Towards your right."
".....A mirror."
"........"
"It's beautiful. This is a real golden frame. Look at the way it shines."
"......."
"......"
"Hey. Where you'd go?"

[Silence.]

"This is not funny in its slightest, you heathen. Where'd you run off too?
"......."
"He couldn't have left the room. There's no door...."
"......"
"Well. Whatever. He was quite disturbing-looking anyway."
"......"
"Now.... The mirror."

[Gasp]

"For the love of God! Must you appear in front of me with no warning? I thought of you were pulling my leg and ditched me."
"........."
"Oh, I am going mad, aren't I. He was right. I do look like him."
"No, you are him. He is you."
"Who said that?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Me."

[Shriek.]

"We are each other. Look at here. At the door. The mirror. It's the only way out."
"If you are looking at me, aren't I already looking?"
"I have been staring at you this entire time."
"I have."
"Doesn't that mean I have been staring at this mirror all along?"
"It does."

[Laughter, guffawing]

"The chalice. I drank too much."
"I am quite greedy."
"Hey, I have an idea."
"Pass the chalice."
"No. I have drunk enough. Look at me. Haha. What a funny looking lad. Almost like a devil in God's clothing."
"Rather dashing. I am handsome."
"God or the devil?"
"No matter. The chalice."
"No."
"Yes."
"You can't make me."
"Oh I can."
"Can I?"

[Laughter.]

"Hey. Wait."
"Why are your clothes red and mine white?"
"............."
"We are not each other. You are not reflection."
"No matter."

[Sudden movement. A gasp.]

" ' FOR NOW WE SEE IN A MIRROR DIMLY-' "
"Release me you fiend!"
" ' BUT THEN FACE TO FACE-' "
"Your teeth-"
" 'NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY.' "
"Pry your bloody hands from me."

[Struggle.]
[Shift in air.]
[Shriek.]
[Pounding on glass.]

"UNLEASH ME!"

[Laughter.]

" ' EVEN AS I HAVE BEEN FULLY KNOWN.' "

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I'll explain this tomorrow. It is meant to confuse, so if you are confused, good for you. You are in the right direction. Now read it. Over and over.

It'll all make sense tomorrow.

[connoisseur]

“Blessed day, father.”
“Oh. Good morning, Eliot.”
“…..”

[Water of a stream running.]

“It is a rather peaceful day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. Very different from yesterday.”
“Right? That storm was something else. Look at all the damage it’s caused.”

[Morning birds singing.]

“Perhaps you could say it’s the repentance of nature.”
“So you could.”
“……..”
“……...”
“Take a seat, then. Don’t just stand around.”
“Okay.”

[Creaking of wood.]

“The storm was unexpected though. The garden had just blossomed its bearings and we were planning to harvest next week. Now everything is destroyed.”
“Really?”
“You didn’t know?”
“No. I was in bed all night with a fever and just woke an hour ago.”
“Oh. Are you feeling better? Should I bring-“
“No. It’s fine, continue with what you were saying.”
“Ah. Okay. The wind must’ve knocked the vegetables and fruits off, as it seems like majority of the produce is not even within the garden’s ground.”

[Whistle.]

“Must’ve been quite the thief, the wind. Well, don’t look too down, Eliot. The produce… as you call it, must have fed another hungry stomach—animal or bug. We just need to replant.”
“…..I suppose so. It was quite disheartening for Hosanna though. She spent all her time in the garden.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Maybe she should’ve probably locked up and secured the garden then.”
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? Your voice seemed to be carried away by the wind for a moment.”
“Ah. I just said it’s a shame, but all things must happen for a reason.”
“I suppose so.”

[Wind whistling through trees.]

“The sky has gotten dark again. The air is unsettled once more. Come, let us go back inside.”
“Right. I guess this was my calm before the storm. Get it? Like yesterday.”

[Laughter.]
[Wood creaking.]
[Shuffling of grass, snapping of twig branches.]

“…..”
“Is that Hosanna?”
“….Can’t see from this distance.”
“She’s running towards us.”

[Shouting and frantic distant yelling.]

“Hosanna?”

[Heavy, loud steps.]

“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Blabbering, seldom idiot. Who is he to disturb my emergence?”
“Well. Let me catch up to these puppets.”
“……”
“Father. Hosanna has told me something very disturbing.”
“Yes, Eliot you have to believe me. It’s not normal. We may be in the country but things like that isn’t common at all.”
“What happened?”
“Apparently, the team we sent out to survey the damage around the property found the produce from the garden.”
“Oh, my. Is that not a good thing? Why do you look like you’ve seen the devil, Hosanna?”
“I-its… father. Has something happened to you?”

[Confused laughter.]

“What do you mean?”
“You look… different.”
“How so?”
“……..”
“Hosanna, you must be distraught. I’ll let him know what happened and take care of it, so why don’t you go inside and get some rest?”
“…..Okay.”
[Retreating steps.]

“That was odd.”
“It was. I’ve never seen her that panicked.”
“Tell me, Eliot. What did they discover?”

[A sigh.]

“The produce was found a few yards south of the garden. Bites were taken out of everything.”
“……”
“……”
“That sounds rather normal, doesn’t it? If the wind had carried it that far, animals and bugs could’ve gotten to it.”
“If that were the case, I’m sure Hosanna would’ve been less… frantic as she is now.”
“Well, then. What is the case?
“Apparently, only one secular bite was taken out of each piece. And it wasn’t an animal or bug, father. The bites are of a man’s.”
“Man’s? You are telling me that a person did that?”
“The teeth marks are rather prominent, as Hosanna claims.”
“Should we check them ourselves?”
“It would not hurt. I’ll lead the way.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Father?”
“Yes, Eliot?”
“Last night, I heard a loud noise come from your room.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”

[Tsk.]

“Eliot, please use your words. I was asleep the entire night. The fever had rendered me away from any knowledge of the storm throughout the night.”

[Gulp.]

“Well. It sounded like you had fallen.”
“Fallen?”
“Yes. I thought you were knocking on the walls, too.”
“Knocking? Eliot, are you sure that was not the storm knocking the trees’ branches onto the walls?”
“……”
“……”
“It came from your room.”
“I must admit, Eliot, I wish I could tell you I knew. But I don’t. My bed is soaked with sweat due to me asleep with a fever the entire night. Did you come to check on me?
“…….No. I didn’t want to disturb your slumber as you requested.”
“I what?”
“You had told me the day before to not enter your room under any circumstance. You said you were having trouble sleeping? Don’t you remember?
“…….”
“…….”
“Perhaps that was the fever talking.”
“But you said the fever-“
“Ah. Here we are.”

[Approaching steps. Shuffling grass.]

“Hand me that stick, Eliot.”
“Here.”

[Stabbing.]

“Oh, my. It seems as if you were mistaken, Eliot. These aren’t of a man. These are of a beast.”
“A beast?”
“Yes. Perhaps a wild animal. While it seems similar to a humans, don’t you see those deep marks right there? Here, again on the pumpkin. And here.”
“Oh, I see. Those are unhuman.”
“I wonder what made Hosanna believe they were human.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Do you smell that?”
“Smell what?”

[Sniff.]
[Gag.]

“It smells rotten. Oh, God. It’s coming from here.”
“The produce?”
“….Maybe. But surely it’s too early for that?”
“Eliot, let us return. We should check on Hosanna. She may be worried.”
“…..Right.”
“Oh, don’t look too worried. It’s probably just some mold or fungus growing from the storm. Let’s go.”

[Toss of a stick to the ground.]
[Steps retreating.]

“……”
“……”
“Father, you do look quite tired. When we get back, why don’t you head to the kitchen and have Hosanna serve you some tea for your recovery?”
“…. That wouldn’t hurt. Afterwards, I’ll head back to bed.”
“Of course. You look like you could use some rest.”
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
“Here we are. You enter first.”
“Thanks, Eliot.”

[Squeal of a door hinge.]
[Wooden creak.]
[Steps.]

“Hosanna?”
“Eliot?”
“Yes. Hosanna, prepare some acanthus tea for father. He needs it.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah. Father, why don’t you take a seat at the table while we go talk for a moment? I’ll inform Hosanna of what we found.”
“Sure.”

[Retreating steps. Wooden creak.]

“…….”
“…….”

[Sigh.]

“What am I doing?”

[Tapping of wood.]

“……”
“Haha.”
“I won. Of course. As I am.”

[Door swing. Wooden creak.]

“Hosanna, dear.”

[Throat clear.]

“Father. I’ll prepare the tea right away.”
“….Yes, thank you.”
“…….”
“Is something a matter, Hosanna?”
“….Why?

[Pouring of water, metal clinking.]

“You seem nervous.”

[Chuckle.]

“Of course, I am father. A wild animal tore up our gardens.”
“…. Hosanna.”
“…….”
“The storm tore the gardens, did it not?”
“….Of course it did. I meant the animal destroyed the produce before we could collect it.”
“Ah. I see.”

[One-sided laugh.]

“So you were sick last night, father?”
“Yes. I was burning up.”
“Curious. What warranted such sickness?”
“Perhaps it was the storm. I can fall quite ill to weather change.”
“Or maybe it was something that upset your stomach?”
“It was quite random.”

[Whistling of tea pot.]
[Pouring of liquid into cup.]

“What tea are you brewing again?”
“……Ah. Just some acanthus tea. It’s proven to be cleansing.”
“…..”
“Here.”

[Clatter of metal on wood.]
[Sniff.]

“It smells bitter.”

[Laugh.]

“Yes, acanthus does have its unique properties.”
“Well, then. Cheers.”
“…….”
“……”

[Sip.]
[Choke.]

“What’s wrong?”
“It burnt my tongue. Silly me.”
“Oh. Yes, do be careful.”
“……”

[Sip.]
[Swallow.]

“Huh.”
“What is it?”
“It’s rather sweet.”

[Nervous laugh.]

“Of course. Does it suit your tastes?”
“….It does feel warm. I can feel myself relaxing already.”
“That means it’s working. Go ahead, finish it. I’ll be right back.”
“Alright.”

[Retreating steps.]
[Drinking.]

“……..”
“…. It is warm.”
“Oh. It’s getting hot in here.”
“……”
“……”


“That’s weird. Where’d that little rat Eliot go?”
“……”
“……….”
“Hosanna? Where’d you run off to?”
“…….”
“Did the two just leave me? How rude.”
“……”

[Distant creak.]

“Blasted! Hosanna!”

[Sudden jump.]
[Running footsteps.]

“Oh, hell. My door is wide open-“
“Hosanna! What are you doing in my room?”
“F-father! You scared me!”
“I could say the same thing. Did you not hear me calling? Why are you in my room?”
“Pardon?”
“Hosanna. I’ve asked twice already.”
“….Father, are you angry?”
“……..”
“I’m just retrieving the bedsheets so they could be cleaned. Eliot told me they needed to be changed. Are you okay?

[Relieved sigh.]

“Yes. Sorry, Hosanna. I guess I am just out of it today. The storm and sickness seems to have taken its toll on me.”
“Well, no need to worry. I’ll return with new sheets in just a bit, and you can rest soon. Did you finish your tea?”
“Of course.”
“Good. We’ll be back.”

[Steps retreating.]

“……”
“…….”
“ ‘We’ll’ ? That girl is odd. Could she have meant Eliot?”
“…….”

[Laughter.]

“Oh, mirror. How homesick I am seeing you.”
“…….”
“……”
“Should I check on my morning star?

[Fabric falling.]

“Ah. There you are.”
“You dare show your face to me?”
“Oh, please. You already know we are the same.”
“No, we are not. You are mistaken.”
“Really?”

[Laughter.]

“I’m serious.”
“If that were true, surely we wouldn’t be connected.”
“…….”
“See? It is your own stupidity that fooled you.”
“…… Haha.”

[Sudden laughter.]
[Baffled laugh.]

“What? Have you finally gone mad after all that pounding you did? Damned brat. Your little friend Eliot heard your desperate attempts to escape. Good thing that sheet silences your sound.”
“…. Ah. Eliot. This is too funny.”
“What is?”
“Oh, nothing. You wouldn’t get it.”
“You are so incredibly unbearable. This is why you deserve to be on that side.”
“This side?”
“Yes. Isn’t it terribly lonely? To be in one room your entire life?”
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s only been a few hours. But I think I love it.”
“Love it? You’ll regret saying that. Give it another few hours and you’ll be begging to be back on this side.”

[Loud, uncontrollable laughter.]

“Mary, Jesus and Joseph. You have gone mad already.”
“No I haven’t. But you’re about to. Give it a few moments and you’ll be begging to back on this side.”
“What did you just say, you fool?”
“Let me ask you something instead.”
“Must you-“
“Between the two of us, or rather, the person we share, which do you think is smarter?”
“Obviously, me. I plotted against you and your stupidity since I first saw you. Since you first looked in the mirror.”
“And which do you think is the most evil?”
“Of course, you. I watched what you did.”

[Laugh.]

“You are only right about one of those answers.”
“Are just chattering on because you are bored? It does get lonely in there.”
“I’d say being lonely is the least of my worries. Did that drive you to jump through? Because if it did, you are going to regret you ever wanted company in just a few seconds.”
“What-“

[Distant wooden creak.]
[Multiple, heavy running footsteps.]

“What did you do, you evil thing?”

“You’d better shut the door.”

[Door slam.]

“And lock it.”

[Locking.]
[Pounding on door.]

“Father? Open the door! We must speak with you at once!”
“……”

[Handle jittering]

“Open up!”

[Laughter.]

“They found it, didn’t they?”
“Of course, they did. Idiot. Ah. I knew you were stupid, but not this much.”
“You! What did you do!”

[Slam. Glass shakes.]

“Woah. Don’t get rough. You’ll break your only escape.”
“Escape?”
“Oh, yes.”
“You planned all of this, didn’t you?”
“Finally, you’ve realized. Why do you think I did that in front of you? For no reason? I could’ve done it somewhere easier. I wanted you to see.”
“…….”

[Pounding on door grows louder.]

“We found the body, father! We know it was you!”
“Open the door! The police are on their way!”
“…….”

“Why am I feeling so hot? I’m burning.”
“Oh. Hosanna. Did she give you acanthus tea?”
“What?”
“She did. Acanthus tea for cleasning. Of course. They saw right through you. Didn’t I tell you we don’t look alike? You are unnatural to look at. Didn’t you know? Of course not. Let me tell you, since you lack knowledge of the concrete world.”
“…..”
“If one stares at their reflection too long, their features start to distort. I have peered at you for a long time. So much so you are…. Odd. Inhuman…. A beast.”

[Growl.]

“You framed me!”
“Oh, haha. I guess so. I guess not. I did frame this mirror in gold just for you. Apparently it wasn’t enough. But how can I frame you? Aren’t you me? Didn’t you do it too?”
“NO!”

[Door groans, wood spilts.]

“Oh. It sounds like they’re about to get in. Hurry and make a choice. Jump through or suffer the consequences.”
“Damn you!”

[Jump.]

“Move over.”
“I knew you’d make the right choice.”

[Laughter.]

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I lied.

There's going to be one more part left of this, so until then...
please do try figuring out what's going on yourself.... If you can.
I'll explain it when it's over. Haha.

[connoisseur]

I was alone in a room with

brown walls
brown curtains
brown blankets
a brown bed
a brown desk

meant for brown me.

And I was alone.

note

My grandmother was on the phone with me the other day, calming me down after I was crying to her and she told me this in return. I want to keep her to myself for now, so this is all I'll say.