(PIC2016) The Dark One
Sophie stood at her mother's grave, solemnly staring at the granite head-stone. Her eyes fluttered, blinking away tears and the wet flakes of snow
that were sticking to her lashes. Bending ever so slightly she dropped a handful of blackened rose petals onto the frozen ground beneath.
"See you soon Mama," she whispered while straightening up and fidgeting with her veil. Her fingers worked through the sheer material, feeling for the
pins that were holding it in place. Slowly she removed one and then proceeded to stick it into the palm of her left hand. Letting three small drops
of blood fall onto the petals she then turned away murmuring, "It is done".
It was eerily quiet and Sophie tilted her head to look up at the tall bare trees. Not a bird in sight, no signs of life at all.
"You really did leave me all alone, didn't you?" she lashed out.
Lingering, waiting for an answer...but hearing none at all, she slowly made her way back towards the manor.
After pulling the heavy wooden door open she slipped inside and kicked her boots off. Inside the foyer was a huge photograph of Archangel Michael
perched in between a double staircase.
Sophie's mother had taken the picture herself while researching cathedrals in Europe. She had explained that the dual staircases represented the
'stairway to Heaven', and how she believed there was more than one way to get there.
"There's a left path and a right path, Sophie...but they both lead to the same destination."
The grieving girl smiled sadly to herself, picturing her mother gracefully ascending to her final resting place.
A thick layer of dust had collected on the furnishings, making the old house appear rather sad and forgotten. There were knick-knacks and treasures
from all over the world, and memories in every corner. Lifting her skirts, Sophie headed up the stairs towards her parents' chambers. As she entered
the room she lit a candle...the hydro and services having been cancelled months ago.
Her mother's belongings still sat in place as if waiting to be used. As the girl traced her fingers over figurines and little crystal decanters, her
eyes came to rest on an ornately carved mirror. Reaching towards it she let out a cry and recoiled, seeing a spiderweb criss-crossing the glass. On
closer inspection Sophie noticed that the spider's web was actually in the window, and she was seeing the reflection.
edit on 9-4-2016 by
jacygirl because: sp