Title: Death’s Door
November 9, 2010
Posted by: Anak
Character: Reina Luna Castro
“Then it could only end in darkness.”
The words themselves were frightening enough, but to have John speak them with that deep voice of his added more than just a little impact. The way he had spoken sent chills down my spine. A sudden rush of apprehension came over me.
His plan sounded simple but sinister at the same time. Befriend and Backstab. I couldn’t imagine ever treating that Japanese jerk without hostility, so I was grateful for the fact that John was going to take care of the Befriend part by himself. I would step in when it came to the Backstab part.
As to where Aoi Kuromizu might be right now, I had only two places in mind – the university and of course, Daphne’s house. Since the latter was notably closer, I suggested we head there first. John agreed without a single protest.
The moment we were out of the mansion, I was very surprised to see John cringe. It seemed he was hesitant to leave. What happened to the burst of eagerness and confidence from earlier, new ally? I asked him what was wrong. He spent a brief moment staring up at the sky. Then, after mumbling a few things to himself, he said that we should just go on. Frowning, I decided to leave him be. If you don’t want me to help you, fine.
While we were walking the quiet afternoon streets, my eyes automatically darted towards a particular shop up ahead. This sinking feeling came over me as I read the shop’s signboard: The Unseen ~ Psychic Services: Fortunes and
Upon impulse, I quickened my pace, stopped in front of the shop and peered through the clear glass window. The lights were off. The shop was closed.
“Your interests fascinate me very much,” said John with an amused chuckle. “First, it was eradication. Now, it is fortune-telling.” He stood beside me and looked through the window as well. “The psychic doesn’t seem to be in, however. What a shame.”
Yes. What a shame indeed…
John may have said something else but whatever it was, I didn’t hear because I wasn’t paying attention to him anymore. Instead, I positioned myself in front of the locked door of the shop and went on tiptoe, trying to reach the top of the doorframe. But it seemed my height just wouldn’t allow it.
Probably seeing my difficulty, John appeared by my side and effortlessly got a hold of the top of the doorframe. “What exactly…?” His voice trailed as he withdrew his hand from the frame. He then held up a small silver key. “A key? But… How did you know it was there?”
Sighing, I snatched the key from John and used it to open the shop door.
“Because I live here.”
It’s been days since I’ve last been here. Yet it seemed like nothing had changed at all. Same reception room with its mystic displays and comfortable sofas covered in deep violet silk. Same main clairvoyance chamber with the round table and the crystal ball. Same secret doorway leading to a narrow hallway containing the doors to my parents’ bedroom, my bedroom and a bathroom.
I was well aware that we should be looking for Aoi Kuromizu, but I couldn’t help myself. Upon seeing the shop – regardless of whether my parents were here or not, it had to be done. Before officially putting the plan into action, it had to be done.
“You want to read my fortune?” John looked at me with an expression that seemed to be a mix of astonishment and disorientation.
“Yes. Now keep quiet and follow my instructions,” I snapped with a clear hint of impatience.
For the second time today, John and I were seated across each other. We were in the main clairvoyance chamber, where my mum dealt with her clients. After clearing the round table of the crystal ball, I had gone to my bedroom so as to fetch my deck of tarot cards. Alright, new ally… Let’s see what Fate has to say about you.
Closing my eyes, I pressed the tarot deck close to my heart, holding it tightly with both hands. I cleared my mind and asked the unseen forces for enlightenment and guidance. Then, I laid the cards facedown on the table with a quick sweep of my hand.
“Shuffle them as many times as you want,” I said, looking at John straight in the eyes. “Keep the present situation in your mind, the situation you and I are now facing. Center your thoughts on it.”
For a moment, he merely looked at me, his face now expressionless. He probably thinks this is all a big joke. Maybe, this was a bad idea after all…
But then, he did exactly as I told him. He began shuffling the cards, moving his hands around, keeping the cards facedown as he rearranged them.
When he finished, I asked him to choose one card, again while keeping his thoughts centered on nothing but the present situation. John examined the cards on the table for another brief moment and then finally settled on the one found on the center of the messy pile.
“Go ahead and turn it right side up,” I instructed. And John did.
My eyes widened upon seeing the face of the card that John had chosen.
“Time for you to interpret this, my young soothsayer,” he said, pushing the card closer to my side of the table.
I swallowed hard and stared at the card. My tarot deck was not the labeled one. The cards didn’t bear their names but only their illustrations. But, labeled or not, this card was impossible to misname.
The Death. It symbolized clearance, transformation, and sweeping change. It could also mark the loss of opportunity and stagnation. And indeed, it sometimes stood for a death. It was literally the card of darkness, representing an absolute end.
This is definitely not a good sign.
I was about to begin explaining this bad omen to John when the chimes sounded, signaling that someone had entered the shop.
Thinking of my parents, I immediately stood up and peeked through the velvet curtains separating the clairvoyance chamber and the reception area. But I saw not my parents.
My blood started to boil as recognition settled in.
Aoi Kuromizu had chosen to directly knock upon death’s door.