Madness

chapter 19- ashes and time

Distance was all that mattered. When Elena began to cry tears of cobwebs that left frozen marks on her skin, she felt her knees give away. The snow became dense, fusing with her tears. Suddenly a strong yet unfocused sense took hole of her body. With the stealth that came like second nature, she felt herself grown much stronger. No longer was she clumsily struggling back up the twisting, gravel path but was running with a smooth elegance like that of a fleeting shadow. Much faster and much more shadow-like.

The path uneven by knotted roots and unbroken woodland became brick roads and slate grey shops. Just as she began to slow down, Elena focused onto the sound of hurried footsteps which barely grazed the snow. Instinctively, she turned around.

Nothing.

A snicker of words, hardly the sound of chattering leaves, passed through her mind and echoed throughout her skull, you heart reflects your soul but what happens when your heart becomes as black as coal? What happens when your soul is so inhumane not only does your heart reflect your madness, your darkness but your reflection? Then again, how do you reflect inhumanity?

You fall apart. No one can live without a reflection. You latched onto the only thing that your reflection didn't latch onto, madness.

Madness and insanity are two different words. You're mad. Your reflection is insane. Your father's soul latched onto your reflection and now there are two Elenas. Each soul has one purpose and that is to find a shell and they are attracted to loved ones. You know that but maybe you don't. It's feeding of your memory.

Your fathers latched onto the mirror and you were attracted to it. It would look over you, study you, learn every imperfection and every fear and every hope whilst taking over your reflection.

There's a rip in the magical world because you weren't strong enough to let go of the madness and now only one of you will live. There can't be two of the same people. That's wrong.

This isn't about living but a game of survival.

Ever wonder why it's snowing so early? Did you ever think about why the days seem endless? Didn't you even think to question why sometimes you'd see night during day? There's a rip in the world's balance because of you.

There was a brief pause. Staggering back into an unfamiliar alleyway, Elena felt her mind scream, why must I kill to live? It's not fair! It's nature to me but I'm still a monster!

Almost immediately the same male voice replied, clawing through the depths of her mind. It's insane. Your reflection is part of your soul and that part is gone. The rest is blackened to the point it's at the devil's comedy. When you kill you suck away their lives from their very throats. You suck away their souls. That's how you're managing to survive.

There was a darkness to her eyes, a silence to her mind. Realisation crept into her eyes, spider-like. I know why you're in my mind. You're the healer, aren't you? I don't have much time left, do I? There wouldn't be time to go back to No Name Lane. That place just makes me weaker, intense with fragility.

You can't go back! There is a rip between the magical and non-magical world. Every magical being hates you even if they know it's not your fault. If you return you will die a very painful death and the rip with only widen. There was a silence as sad as the last line of a dying man. You are dying, Elena Peirce. There is only one soul that will stable yours and I think you've just realised who.

Eat them. Eat them and you will live.

It robbed her of her senses but heightened one, fear. It was disorientating, almost blinding her. Staggering back against a worn, brick wall, Elena rubbed her temples.