Broken Mirror. 1. A meeting

"TALES OF GHOSTS"

about Love and Death from the Land of Mists
a collection of short stories
in the “Playing Another Reality” series

"BROKEN MIRROR"

1. A MEETING

In the depths of a dark park, an almost blind old man, resting on a bench, noticed a beautiful girl in white clothes. She walked towards the bridge, looking down at her feet. It seemed to the old man that he had already met that girl before.

“What is such a lovely creature doing here at such a late hour?” he called out to her.

“I’m looking for a man.”

“In this park?”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for a long time, but I can’t find him…”

“Did he leave you alone? What a bad boy! I would never hurt such a beauty!”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course! I’m awfully old. However, in my youth I had many girlfriends. Listen, if you don’t mind, I keep you company, walking together to that bridge. Once upon a time, I made appointments with girls over there. Meanwhile you can share your grief with me, and you will feel much better. You’ll see! Help me get up, please. Give me your hand!”

The girl hid her hands behind her back and shook her head negatively.

“Are you afraid of me?!” the old man was surprised.

The girl shrugged uncertainly.

“What harm can a decrepit stump like me do to you? Okay, I’ll get up myself. Let’s go!”

They were walking slowly towards the bridge.

“I think I’ve met you in my life! And I’m so old that I can remember neither when nor where it was… Tell me your story, maybe I can help you somehow… What did he do?”

“Nothing special. He just lied to me all the time. He always promised something, something very important, although I hadn’t asked him about it, and I believed him and waited. However, he never kept his words. Each time he came up with a reason why the next promise remained unfulfilled. He laughed and played, I loved. Besides, I had no one close to me, except for him. He caused me so much pain that I didn’t want to live. The light faded in my eyes…”

“That scoundrel isn’t worth your death!” exclaimed the old man, interrupting the girl. “Why does Earth still keep such beasts alive?! They deserve instant punishment!”

“Are you sure?”

“Undoubtedly! If you meet him, just say that I gave you permission to punish him! You’re still young, you will find someone else! You know, I keep wondering where I could see you before. I’m almost completely blind… Let’s stand here a little bit. I don’t feel good…”

They stopped in the middle of the bridge.

“Why do you keep looking down at your feet?” the old man asked sadly. “Life is so beautiful! Look at the world with your eyes wide open! Well, look at me! I want to know what color your eyes are!”

“That’s impossible,” the girl sighed.

“Why?” the old man inquired and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest.

“I have neither eyes nor body…”

The old man clutched at his heart, he was gasping and, writhing in pain, slowly sinking down.

“I was looking for the man,” the girl said in an icy voice, and when the old man breathed his last, she stated, “And I’ve found him, finally.”

July 10, 2000