"Trick or Treat!" "What?" "Ha-ha!!"
A girl wearing a black witch's hat popped out of nowhere, screeched in his face, and with a tinkling laugh, disappeared into a crowd of children, dragging behind herself a broom which was taller than her.
For a moment, Zelgadis stood still and watched them. The dusky street was littered with costumed children. Witches and goblins, not to mention homemade skeletons, were roaming the streets. All of them, despite their diversity, had three things in common. One, that they were all dressed up as a ghost, a devil or a monster, Two, that each carried a small pouch, And three, that each held a Jack-o-lantern in his or her hand.
Invitation: From Hallucination of Hallowe'en. written by 4bit Sigy-Cat inspired by Eugene Ch.'s note Translated by the Hermit
"Hey- over here." "Hey-" Zelgadis found his friend furiously waving his hand over a sea of customers. His voice was loud enough to be heard over the din of the crowded restaurant.
"How's your songwriting coming along, my oh-so-famous friend?" "You picked a great day, Gourry." "Huh? What's wrong with today? Today's..."
The phrase 'open mouth, insert foot' entered Gourry's brain. For, as soon as the words were out of his mouth, he realized what day today was. Gourry, with a look of apology on his face, smiled tentatively at his friend. Zelgadis, in return, gave him a weak smile. He had known Gourry for a long time- he was comfortable around him. Gourry was famous for his good personality. He would never have chosen this day on purpose. To a person like him, who rarely paid attention to his social relationships, a close friend like Gourry was hard to come by. So he didn't press the issue.
"What's up?" "..I just thought it'd be nice to have dinner together." "Just that...?" "Yeah. Excuse me, Miss?" Gourry once again raised his hand, this time, to flag down a waitress. "May I take your order?" The waitress, chewing her gum with a 'hurry up, I'm pooped' expression on her face paid no undue attention to the two. As soon as she took their orders, she left. And returned a moment later, her arms loaded with plates hot with food. Clunk. Setting down his desert of coffee, Zelgadis turned his gaze at his blond friend sitting across from him. Gourry was watching the children running around outside. He had been acting weird the last couple of minutes. As if he were hesitating.. This definitely wasn't your ordinary 'dinner together'. On a day like this, he must have been buried under invitations.
"So?" "So what?" "So you just called me up to have dinner together? When you know how busy I am with my new album?"
As he watched his friend lower his gaze to the floor, Zelgadis realized that what was bothering him was something... unusual. Now, what could that 'unusual' thing be... a chink in a personal relationship? Not likely, considering his usual self. Nor did he have any bad habits.. The answer was a totally unexpected one.
"Zelgadis.. I saw her.."
Staring into eyes with confusion written all over their blue surfaces, Gourry almost spat out the rest of the sentence, as if swallowing bitter medicine in one gulp.
"I saw HER."
All of a sudden, a wall of silence was erected between the two. And slowly, the wall became decorated with the noise floating around them.
Pat, pat. The sound of footsteps rang out over the stone sidewalk. Zelgadis stopped in his steps, and directed his eyes towards the children across the street. Four or five of them were turning away from the front door of a house, their pouches filled with sweets. An elderly couple waved the children away, their faces lighted up with huge smiles, and the children ran to their next target, laughing all the way. One child rummaged through his loot, stuffed a particularly pleasing booty into his mouth and followed his friends.
-Hey, look! Licorice- my favorite! A voice rang through his mind. -Wow, look at this pretty wrapping paper.
The feeling that someone was turning back Time. With a rustling noise, a small, white hand unwrapped the shiny rainbow colored paper and revealed the dark brown chocolate underneath. Zelgadis followed the hand with his eyes. And there, a twelve year old girl was grinning.
"Lina..." Zelgadis called out in a small voice.
Even in the dark he could see her smiling. The fiery red hair, burning like the setting sun disappeared in the wind. And Zelgadis resumed his walk. What had Gourry said?
-It was pure chance- seeing her, I mean.
Pure chance... I didn't even have that. Ever since that time, the only things that I had heard about her came from newspaper clippings. Very rarely, small and unfocused pictures of her would appear in the social news. No close-ups though. They were all group pictures. It was hard to distinguish her features in those pictures. The reason this difficulty was obvious. 'He' didn't want that. That was the reason.
Lina, are you smiling?
Zelgadis gazed up at the sky. The pitch black sky displayed no moon, no stars. Tonight was All Hallow's Eve. Tomorrow would be All Hallows. Because all saints go to heaven tonight, all the devils and monsters hiding in the world rush out and enjoy this one night.
He remembered Lina telling him about this.
-Some say that it was a Celtic Thanksgiving celebration. A festival of the Druids, of the pagans. They probably blessed the Mother Earth, as well as celebrating their harvest. For Druids placed a lot of importance on becoming one with Nature... so, what do you think?
Blinking those red eyes- eyes more lively than the sacred red robe consecrated to Baby Jesus's statue in the Cathedral, she conversed with her friends. Just to watch her surrounded by her friends, sitting on a window sill - there were times I thought that would be enough. A reminescence of the days before I realized how much I wanted you. Now, I regret that. -Come with me. Zelgadis paused and turned around. A red headed girl was running towards him, a smile plastered on her face. The bulging pouch hinted at the many sweets inside.
into their proper place, behind her ears. Underneath the faint lamplight her forehead shone white.
"Who are you?"
-It's me, Zel.
A nostalgic vibration. My heart ached with it. Hearing her exclusive nickname for me made my face break out into a smile. And she smiled back. I reached out and took hold of her tiny hand.
-Zel, your hand is awfully big.
I carefully clasped both her hands. Their warmth made its way into my hands. Lowering my head, I placed my forehead on that warmth. Was this really... her?
-What are you doing, Zel? A sudden voice made me turn my head. The rosy cheeks were the same, but in place of the child stood a sixteen year old girl.
I stood up and grabbed her shoulders.
"Lina? Is it really you?"
presented to my senses indicated a definite presence. The child of a moment ago now stood, ready to enter into the realm of womanhood.
with the first rays of the morning sun. A white blouse, a black blazer, and a short red skirt presented themselves to my view. On her head sat the black hairband that I had given her for her fourteenth birthday.
-You're acting funny. Who else would I be?"
Because I can't see my face. All I can see is you.
Yes, I probably am being weird. The woman whom I had lost years ago, returning to me in the shape of the girl she once was? Impulsively, I kissed her cheek.
I caressed her cheeks with my hands. Soft.. and sweet. Gently, I placed my lips on hers. The feeling of a snowflake melting on your fingertips. The scent of a fresh peach.
Is this a dream I'm having?
her fingers buried themselves in my hair. Both reaching for the other, not letting a moment of separation come between them. By the time her ragged breathing reached my ears, I had already buried my face in her neck and in her breasts. On that night- on our last halloween together, she'd been wearing a white dress. Wearing a pair of worn out sandals and a hemp belt, you had insisted.
-I'm a saint who's lost her way to Heaven... Hey, don't laugh.
You had said that you yourself were the wandering Saint, in a chagrined voice.
He passionate voice filled my ears.
a definite answer that day. I had been waiting nervously in front of the phone, and as I waited, I had repeatedly taken out the thing in my pocket and glanced at it. The call never came, and I was late for our date. Until then, those days hadn't been so bad. Lina, you know something?
Her lips, slightly open like a ripe pomegranate, was drawing near. Right now, you're my angel, right? So... please stay with me for a long time.
Halloween. On that night, children are allowed their evening out.
Led by their big brothers or sisters, they visit every house in their neighborhood. Everyone prepares a basket of treats for the children. And in return, the children try their best to look frightening and gloomy. Some of them, their heads held high the admiration they receive on their costumes, show off in front of their friends.
That night, I had wanted your admiration.
I saw 'him' for the very first time. Why hadn't I called out to you when I saw him steer you into his car? When you were looking around you with an uncomfortable expression on your face, why had I hidden myself into the crowd? With misty eyes, I gazed at her. were merely shards of my dream. Nothing remained in my empty hands.
-Yes.... this is reality.
I felt curiously tired and lethargic. Leaning against the nearest street lamp, I closed my eyes. The night air was chilly against my skin.
"Trick or Treat!" Without my noticing, a group of urchins had surrounded me. Another one, gripping onto his brother's hands, while waving his candy bag with the remaining hand. Yet another child, her face shinning with an irrepressible grin. I could only show them my empty pockets. "Sorry."
The youngest one stared up at me with blinking eyes. Unique amber color of those eyes drew my gaze. Not opaque, like top quality amber, but a young and transparent shade of amber. Transparent enough to show each and every grain of its essence.
"What's the matter?" "You ha' no canny?" Smiling, I answered to her lisping inquiry. "Nope." "You not gonna gimme?" This time the question was accompanied by saucer sized eyes. The expression of utter shock was adorable. "Nope."
Her little mouth fell open at my answer. Her confused expression proved her embarrassment. Then, as her brother whispered something into her ears, her face brightened up. She edged toward me.
Instead of answering me, she held out her hand. In her hand was her candy bag. "You're giving this to me?"
After nodding her head rapidly several times, she put the bag into my hands and ran to her brother. Because she turned her head as soon as she latched onto her brother's arm again, I could not see her expression. Her brother, while stroking her hair as if in praise, smiled at me. So did all the other kids.
Before I could say anything, the group had run off. Their frisky footsteps, their twinkling laughter echoed through the night streets. Yet, she had given it to me. For that's what children are like. A chocolate chip cookie caught my eye and I ventured a taste. Then, I tied up the sack neatly and put it into my jacket pocket. I had tasted the bittersweet flavor of chocolate chip cookies? I guess I hadn't forgotten the taste. The last winds of October teasingly floated past me.
'He' never shows you to me. Probably because he had seen my name on the list of guests. As always, weaving through the crowd with a small smile tracing his lips, and yet, managing to avoid running into me.
-Lina... are you okay?
As darkness hides the moon, he hides you from me. Tonight, a succubus might pay me a visit. The succubus- the dream monster. But no matter. I will lull myself to sleep caressing that slim hope.
All Hollow's Eve. I will not refuse invitations from a succubus.
On a night of no Saints,
<Invitation: From Hallucination of Hallowe'en.--End> |