by Clara Gerl
The
water pounded heavily on her dark, thin clothes. Each drop stung her through
the fabric making her skin ripple from the cold. She’d been running from
the storm but no matter where she went, the dark weather found her; bringing
hopelessness and fear. her legs stiffened as she ran on, a sure sign rest
was needed.
A few more trees blocked
her newly made path. A bush here, branches there and wildlife in the distance
hissed and sneered at the rain. They found their refuge in trees and leaves.
She still sought shelter.
Then shelter sought her.
With a few more steps of her weary feet the young woman noted a clearing
in the distance. Wiping her wet eyelids dry she blinked to get a better
view. In the distance was a huge white house. Three stories tall it rose
high above the forest. The only foliage that dared to overpower its size
was the green ivy that climbed along the paneling and shutters and closed
tile windows from any view to the green world outside. With a deep breath
the woman walked closer. The ground was even here, not tull of bumps and
holes that restrained her in the forest. Now her journey was smooth.
She blinked again and sighed
with relief upon approaching the door. It was red, a bit pink in the areas
under where old ivy leaves clung. Brushing away some of the foliage, she
turned the brass doorknob and opened her eyes wide as her hand warmed itself
over the bright metal. She quickly turned it arid walked past the open
door. In moments she was inside.
The wind from the outside
slowly caused the door to close As it did she beheld a beautiful sight
in front of her. A hallway lit with red candles along rich, red walls flanked
her sides. She stepped forward and took note of green holly garlands and
mirrors that allowed her to examine her form. She sighed and focused on
her image. The water made her clothes cling to her skin. She shook her
arms but they still resisted her movements. With a sigh she took her hands
and wrung out her long hair that, once being golden, turned a darker brown
from the relentless rain.
And she still heard the storm outside—the rolling thunder made sure
of that. Sliding her wet locks of her hair away from her face she continued
to walk to the end of the hall. It was there she saw a series of warm,
flickering lights.
The bright fireplace greeted
her. Upon seeing the warm room she picked up her pace and ran to the hearth.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as warmth and security were finally a reality.
Still she began to bccorne a bit wary and started to look around asking,
“Is there anyone here?” in a loud, yet curious voice.
No one answered. This seemed
strange to her for the area was well furnished, not typical of any place
where no one would live. A variety of elegant cherry wood furniture surrounded
the heart source. Admiring the intricate design of the arms of one of the
chairs she began to ignore her thought that it was strange the owner of
the house didn’t show. Feeling it welcome her, she sat upon it after taking
note of its intricate, golden embroidered upholstery. The designs seemed
old, but she wasn’t sure where the style came from. It didn’t matter much,
and she chased away other negative thoughts as she smiled at the discovery
of a long red cloak on the chair next to her.
Slipping the cloak over
her wet shoulders she smiled and slid her hair over her face to dry by
the flames. The snapping of the wood brought more relief as her hair began
to turn back to its beautiful golden color again, in moments it would be
dry and she would dry her clothes as well.
Sure enough moments did
pass and she turned her head to move it back from the hearth. She stretched
out her legs in front of the fire this time and still held her cloak around
her shoulders. Her face dry, she wished to have a brief look around and
see what else this room had to offer.
Looking upward her eyes
beheld a strange sight. Directly above the fireplace was a huge canvas.
It was held tightly to the wall and surrounded by ail intricate, gold flame.
A beautiful panting would have fit perfectly in place but there was nothing
Just a white, blank space surrounded by a golden border. She stood there
and looked at it fbr a while, then something else got her attention.
Her ears perked up and in
the background a rhythmic tune was playing. Hearing high pitches to lower
sounds, she shifted her gaze to look upon a grand piano in a far corner
of the room. Its music was melodic, yet upbeat and growing faster by the
minute. She smiled as she stood up and began walking in its direction.
As she came closer she winced
her eyes to focus on the piano. She thought her eyes were playing tricks
on her for something was wrong. The ivory keys moved in perfect rhythm
but they were moving by themselves! She wrapped the cloak about her and
shuddered from fear knowing for sure no one was playing the piano. Yet
the harmony was perfect, as scared as she was she couldn’t deny it.
She took a step closer then
found herself taking a step back. She blinked then found her eyes closing
to savor the sweet sensation of the music It did not need her eyes but
needed her ears to percieve the melody as it commanded her body to sway
and swing as the tempo dropped in speed then rose again.
She smiled and found herself
lost in a dance. The cloak around her only enhanced her form as she used
it to twirl about her dark body. The clothes still clung to her skin, silouhetting
her form. She was a beauty to behold. Golden hair that waved in the light,
black clothes concealing her body as if to tease a lover and the red fabric
that flowed about her, inviting almost anyone into desire, welcoming almost
anyone into the dance.
And the piano played, its
rhythm faster, more passionate. She smiled and moved her feet faster to
the rhythm. A few glances of the room were evident though her eyes did
not linger. She couldn’t stop dancing, couldn’t stop dancing at all. Still
she did not feel weary, didn’t even feel wary until she looked at the blank
canvas and began to see something there.
*
It is raining again. A young
man opens the same door of the house and enters. He smiles thinking he
sees solace, indeed the house is beautiful.
The same hallway greets
him and he smiles looking into the mirrors, perhaps getting the last glimpse
of himselff But his eyes do not command him as do his tired feet. He treads
on to the same large room where he hears a piano playing. Indeed the scene
brings another smile to his face
He sits upon one of the cherry wood chairs and sighs of relief. The
thunder outside continues to roll but he is safe here. Just like she is
safe.
Certain things attract his
attention to the room before his gaze tums to the piano. He moves closer
to the fireplace and takes note of the gorgeous painting ora beautiful
woman. Her long golden hair waves about her face as her dark clothes enhance
her body partially concealed in a red cloak. He looks a bit more at her
face though. She is not happy, she looks frightened perhaps. He is not
sure as he shifts his gaze to another part of the room. "Hmmm," I mutter
silently as I watch, “I wonder what I shall do with this one.”
The End
