"What do you see over there? Outside the table."
"A bunch of sticks and stones."
"Good. Now put a stone on the right side of the first L, and another one above the T and W."
"Like this?"
"Yes. Now put a stick beneath each of the other two Ls. The N and the R too."
"Done."
"Good. Now slash the E."
"How?"
"Right diagonal."
"This is crazy."
"We're not done yet."
I listen as Suke calls out letter after letter, one row at a time, and then the sticks and stones that follow. When everything is in place, we stand above the drawing, me with even more questions in my mind. I finally bring myself to ask the most burning one.
"How does this help me unlock the other door?"
"Put the copper coin in the middle. The exact middle."
"There," I say pointing.
"Yes."
I tiptoe through the letters, careful not to push anything out of place, imagining myself to be a ballerina, pointing fingers and toes upwards, then toes downward in perfect balance, sailing through it all, and wishing this bout of madness can end so I can return to the reality of goodbye.
"What now?"
"Whatever you do, don't forget this when you wake up," she warns.
"What's to remember? It means nothing to me."
"It'll be the key to saving the lot of them."
"Who? Come on. At least tell me something more before you leave."
"More will only confuse you, Mary."
"At this point in the confusion department, I'm willing to upgrade to level two."
"Just don't forget what I said when you wake up." she repeats. "Now stamp!"
YOU ARE READING
NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?
FantasyThere is a war coming! In it, Lilith and the impostor God must battle for all human minds on earth. But one girl can stand in the gap for all humanity. However, to prove worthy for this feat, Mary must begin shadow work to take the mark upon herself...
