Catch ThirtyThree

Chapter Seven (Mind's Mirrors)

“The feeding frenzy of my starving soul,

                  Gnawing voraciously at the bones

                  The exo-skeletal patchwork protecting my own reflection within

                  The twin and same engaged in the mirrored act of chewing away

                  At the shell of my attacking self

                  The paradox unseen

                  Treacherous, this deceit to make no choice matter

                  To have and yet lose yourself

                  Until finally all reasons why are forgotten

                  To live through one’s own shadow

                  Mute and blinded, is to really see

                  Eclipse the golden mirror and the reflection is set free”

 

It was dark.

The darkness was overwhelming, and I did not know exactly where I was. I lay in a fetal position; the hands had robbed me of all my clothing but shreds of boxer briefs. The surface beneath me was cold and hard, yet incredibly smooth. My back hurt, all limbs hurt. I dared to lift my head, and above me I saw a mirror dome, stretching the whole spherical ceiling above, a solid fifty feet across. I could see myself just barely in the mirror, a small black blob against a pale blue floor. I lifted my head further, slowly looking around me. My head was in so much pain. A small glowing blue orb was floating in the air only a few steps from me, and I made my way to my feet. What was it? It was beautiful, pulsing.

It wasn’t as beautiful as I thought. Three snakes surrounded the orb of light, sliding around it, but it was even uglier when I realized that they were all eating each other, starting from the tails.

A vile stench came over me and I wretched, doubling over and grabbing my legs. As the snakes ate each other, the orb grew, as did they. A whispering noise started and became louder, and louder. I walked backwards, only to trip and fall as the orb rose and grew larger and larger. A pathway opened on the far side of the dome, a faint glow coming from its destination. I scrambled back to my feet, bolting for the door as the whispering rose to screaming, to something of a banshee shrieking, comparable to nails on a chalkboard, but with one’s ears directly next to it. I hurled myself through the gateway, and it slammed behind me.

Now before me was a rock tunnel, glowing orange from torches along the walls. It was at an incline, leading deep down, but I had decided that it was better than the snakes. It was so much warmer in here than in the chamber I was in before. The light was flickering faintly, similar to that of flames. I slowly walked down, deeper and deeper into the unknown. I knew not what lay before me; all I knew is that I had decidedly chosen my new fate to be whatever awaited me at the bottom of the tunnel.

The tunnel continued to twist and turn down, getting warmer with every step. It steepened until the floor had turned to stairs; old, cracked things that I barely managed to make my way down. I missed my notebook. Why had I forgotten it? It contained the answers, and I needed them now more than ever. I knew not where I was; this place was new and twisted to me.

I thought to myself as I continued on; There are so much better things in the world. Why was it to be me who entered this domain? Was it because I knew too much? Was there really a God, and he was upset with my progress? Have I betrayed Him?

No, old friend, that’s ridiculous.

But it’s so reasonable and, as is, the only solution.

You’re a fool sometimes you know, there’s not a single goddamned deity in existence that could put you here.

Then why am I here?

You know.

I don’t.

You do.

I shook my head and went from the crawling position I was in back up to standing. Before me was another door. Part of me saw it as an opportunity to explore something new; the other part of me saw it as another demon waiting to grab me.

My hand reached out and hesitantly opened the door. On the other side was my bedroom. I smiled with relief and walked in, touching the walls, ensuring they were real.

You’re such a fool.

The hands were back again, this time with long arms, they were reaching…

You goddamned fool you should’ve known it wasn’t your room you idiot you fool

They had a hold of me…

Now look what you got us into. Hahahahaha