Story of Brooke Evelyn //Alice in borderland//

THE FINAL DOOR

The glowing door loomed before me, pulsating with energy that seemed to sync with my racing heartbeat. Behind me the maze groaned and crumbled, its shifting walls collapsing under the weight of my hesitation. My wrist clock flash 1:30, the seconds ticking down like thunder in my ears.

I reached out my, hand trembling and gripped the cold metal handle. As I pulled the door open, light flooded the space blinding my momentarily. When my vision cleared, I wasn't in the maze anymore.

I was in my childhood bedroom.

The storm outside the window rattled the glass panes and I could hear faint yelling echoing from downstairs. The room was identical to how it would have been all them years ago: the stuffed animals lined neatly on my bed, the faded posters of my favourite cartoons on the wall, the tiny snow globe sitting on the nightstand.

"No." I whispered, backing away from the door. "Not here. Not this."

But the door slammed shut behind me.

The voice of the maze returned, smooth and mocking. "Face it Brooke. Or stay here as the walls slowly swallow you whole forever gone."

My chest tightened. The shouting grew louder, the words sharpening into my parents familiar argument. I felt the floor vibrate as heavy footsteps stomped up the stairs.

"No!" I screamed, my voice breaking "I don't want to be here!"

The door to my bedroom burst open, and there he was my father, red-faced, swaying slightly, the sour stench of alcohol clinging to him like a second skin. He pointed a shaking finger at me, just as he had that night.

"Why didn't you come downstairs?" He barked "we called you!"

My legs gave out and I sank to the floor, clutching my head. I remembered this moment too clearly, the helplessness, the sound of my mother's voice pleading in the background.

But this time, something was different.

My eight years old self was standing in the corner, clutching a stuffed rabbit to her chest. The child looked at me wide, tear-filled eyes filled with fear and confusion. "Why didn't you save me?"

My heart broke at the question. I reached out a trembling hand. "I-" little me flinched and cuddled her rabbit tighter.

Suddenly, the snow globe on the nightstand exploded, shards of glass flying everywhere. A jagged piece sliced across my arm, but I barely felt the pain. In the reflection of the shattered glass, I saw my now 19 year old self staring back, tears streaming down her face.

"No one saved me," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I was just a kid, I didn't know how."

The room began to warp, the walls melting into shadows that writhed and flickered like flames.  My father's figure loomed over me, but this time, I stood up.

"Not anymore," I said, my voice now stronger and independent.

I turned to my younger version of me, who was still clutching the stuffed rabbit. "You didn't deserve any of this. None of this is your fault."

The child's face softened, and she began to fade, her body dissolving into light. The storm outside the window quieted and the yelling downstairs silenced.

I faced the shadowy figure of my father one last time. It lunched at me, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I stepped forward, my hands slicing through the shadow like a knife. It dissolved into nothingness.

The glowing door reappeared, and this time, it stood open. I glanced at the clock on my wrist: 00:30.

Back in the maze

The maze walls stopped shifting. The taunting voices silenced. I stood in the centre of the maze, my locket glowing faintly in my palm. I felt lighter, as though the weight I had carried all my life had finally lessened.

5e boy I had left behind in the earlier puzzle appeared before me, a faint smile on his face. He handed me the last piece of the puzzle, a glowing key.

"You're stronger than you think," he remarked before vanishing.

As I placed the key in the final lock, the maze around crumpled around me and I was bathed in warm light.

For the first time in my life, I didn't feel trapped.

The light faded and revealed I was standing in the lobby with the 8 of hearts card placed on it. I looked about but there was nothing no maze no glowing locket, just the room and door back to the empty streets.

It was all an illusion.