The Door

by Nelly Asher

  ***

  ...Dim moonlight that was passing through the windows didn't make the room any more illuminated. Kevin knew that he's laying on a couch, and was able to feel his body, but couldn't understand if he's dressed or not. Unable to move for some reason, he looked around the room. Dark silhouettes were marking a table and a bookshelf. A girl walked up to him. Familiar face. Selena. But her hair is darker, and her voice is a bit different.

  “So, we finally meet on my side of the field,” she took a seat beside him. “It's a place where fantasies and nighmares come to life. I usually like fantasies better. What are you dreaming about?” the girl leaned towards him. “You don't have to answer. I know you have no desires. Because, for as long as you can remember yourself, you felt dead inside. When you were going to bed and waking up. When you were listening to the music, eating, or solving your equations... Dead, all along. Doesn't this bug you?”

  “Not any more,” Kevin rasped. Some heaviness was squeezing his chest more and more.

  “The one who was within a hair's breadth from death will tie himself to life with a rope,” their faces were so close that he could feel the girl's breath. “You'll get to feel the taste of life, I assure you. We'll be playing dirty,” she pressed her lips to his.