Red Lilies

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

The world of the living always confused him, staring into people's lives as they go by through the years, forever changing.

Too fast at times and too slow for her own sanity if she ever wanted to find who she was looking for.

Many doors to choose from and more windows to peek at.

Her intuition was set on that one burned orange and decaying wooden door. Deep in the forest, a faded path she could not help but ignore.

Angels walked these paths at some point, cared for each and every soul from the new worlds gifted to them by their creators.

New and exciting lives grew and evolved as the Originals set the tone for their success...

...

... and they cause their own demise.

It angered her. Greatly.

Centuries have gone by since any had reached the door, greenery clouded the splints and chips of colour from the sun.

But she could see it, she could feel it... and she could hear it.

Yes, the Gods had abandoned this one long ago after it was set for creation, not a single speck of trace could be seen on the stones she stepped on to reach the handle.

Before her hand could feel the cold coppery metal, that voice kept ringing over and over.

A prayer.

Not just any prayer, she noted, the language was old and almost forced. Whoever was reciting those words was not a native speaker.

But that never stopped an Angel from answering the enchanting call for help.

They all yearned for those souls to need them, to want them back. But not after many attempts to "cleanse" the lands from "unholy" practices, they had to leave.

Those witch hunts forced them out, every single time. Memories from the last world she visited flashed like a warning, pulling her back a few steps to second guess her choices.

The wind sang to her, calming her nerves. It was her decision to make, no one could take it from her.

But it could be her last.

Here, she is safe.

Here, she is loved.

Here, she is protected.

Strong and free. Free to leave or come back when she wanted. "it's up to you" they told her when she barged into her mothers chambers at dawn many days ago. Her mind was racing as she spilled everything she could remember after waking up in her room, agitated as she just lived an entire life in the blink of her sleep.

Her dreams pushed her to be here, all those visions of the world that had a timer on it. It had been a long time since they saw one.

The palm size sand clock was turned over. There was no time set, only the sand that would eventually run low until it dwindled completely.

Until the door disappears... along with every soul behind it.

She could ignore it, turn around and follow the tall trees towards smaller fruitful trees, softer grass and close the large curtains from her chambers into a slumber and just watch the lives of people go by as it ends.

From comfort and luxuries.

Waking up every morning to her own reality and trying to forget before going to sleep and repeat. Eventually, those dreams will become shorter, and end completely.