Ask the Sinners

In winter

  Tic-tac-tic

  "Play with me...."

  The shadows hum and sing, inviting me to join them. They take on child-like forms and hold out their hands at me. Blinding grins cut the darkness, and I accept someone's hand to dance. They pull me into their mass, and I feel myself falling.

  The familiar scent of poppies surrounds me, paired with a watch in front of my eyes. Its face shows me what can only be described as the human life. A giggle streams from my mouth, and I grasp it. It breaks apart and forms a shadowy collar to go around my neck.

  The neck of a bottle glares up at me, showing me the world of dreams and fantasy.

  When I land, I look around. The hall has a glass look to it though it's not translucent. It feels like a fairy terrarium and I'm the trapped fairy. However, it doesn't scare me. Between me and the hallway, I'm the scarier one. You don't make an airborne death and lose your spot to an odd dreamscape.

  My dress and hair float behind me when I walk, almost like fairy's wings. I lift up my hand, noting how it looks like clockwork. Every joint resembles mechanical parts.

  There's a pool of clown marionettes drowning in the thorny waters.

  I pass by a pot that chatters away to no one and see half-buried seeds with numbers. They must be the seeds of time. I scoop some up, and the pot continues its rant. Shrugging, I drop them back down.

  Even if they call me a bad girl, I want to sleep more.

  In one of the rooms, a weeping rabbit and a snickering bear give me a riddle. I shake my head, unable to solve it. The bear laughs and points to an Iron Maiden. The rabbit sighs and sobs more, so I leave.

  Down the hallway, I see a mirror and stop to stare. A girl with red hair, sheep ears, and horns is wearing a mask. I wave. She lifts her hand to wave at me, but someone calls to her. Her lips curve into a smile, and she flees, her dress swirling and blooming around her.

  This honeymoon vivarium can't surprise me with anything. Not in this wonderful dream.

  I pass by a room full of criminals, breakers of taboo, and they're all reaching up to the floating stars. Their éspoir remains out of their reach, unwillingly to go back to them.

  A clock appears before me, giving me a look at my lifetime. Annoyed, I push it away. It disappears, but I'm left without concern.

  "Rita," the shadows whispers. "Margarita, the dance floor....."

  I blink, and a skeleton is suddenly there. He holds out his arm and says, "Shall we dance?"

  He takes me, and we waltz around the ballroom. My shadow hides among the crowd, and I try to spot it. It always runs from me, not wanting to end this game of hide and seek.

  My dress spins out with the dancing, and I let myself go with the moment.

  The music sends me drifting around the ballroom on my own, and I catch a glimpse paintings consisting of angels falling down. They're paired with incubi searching for love.

  In the next room, it's filled with sinful silvery-white strings and gold-black chains.

  I won't forgive everyone's betrayal towards me.

  Tic-tac-tic

  "Play with me?"

  My arm is off the bed when I awaken, and I can't stop a yawn. Getting off, I go to get some water from the kitchen. Gallerian and Kayo are out there, just talking.

  Kayo sees me first, and she gets up to hug me. I smile, feeling her warmth. Gallerian nods at me when we're done.

  After getting the water, I head off back to bed. Maybe I can see that dream again.....