Chapter 30

Dear Diary,

I have finally made it. In the end, as I always imagined it would be, night after night, for ten long years, I have escaped. I escaped from that horrible and abysmal void inside the mirror.

I have, unfortunately, the knowledge that my actions were not the most appropriate. I, Elena Miller, from the depths of my soul, regret having done what I did, but if I did not escape from that prison, my diary, no one would ever free me. And I would never see Mom again.

I also feel sorry for Matthew. He was only six years old when all this happened. Just as his life completely lost its meaning, so did his existence within the real world. Inside the world where my mother is. Matthew had a bright future ahead of him and he surely must be wondering right now where he is, however, I can no longer provide him any answer.

I would like to do it, being honest with myself. I want so much that my chest hurts. I want to hold him and explain what has suddenly happened in his life. Take him in my arms and let him know that it is only a stage that he must go through if he does not want to be another slave within that blackish void. Despite that, I know that they will help with any questions Matthew may have. I know my monsters will make him feel at home, just like they did with me.

Call me selfish if you like, my diary, but I couldn't do it differently. If Matthew hadn't been chosen, another child would have taken his place and the story would repeat itself, without stopping. Unstoppable, just like time. That infant would have to do things that children do not do, things that I did and they will be part of the many mistakes I have made in my life. It will be permanently marked on my body for the rest of my days.

However, I still remember why, in effect, I kidnapped a child and threw him into an abyss that he did not know. All the actions that I have committed so far have been by a single person, by that woman who gave me life and gave her unconditional love until I was dragged into the same mirror that started everything. My mother symbolized the daily motivation that I had to cling to as if my soul was leaving me in it so that in the end, I could free myself from the imposed chains and reconnect with the only human being that I truly love — and adore.

Mom could never be able to forget me, stop loving me, or even start another family. I know that mom is somewhere in the world, waiting for my arrival and, luckily for her, that day will soon come true.

Being out of the white-framed mirror again, everything is perceived as something new and strange to my eyes. Ten years does make a difference in the perspective I had on the world when I was just an eight-year-old girl. However, it continues to impress me, being entirely interesting. There is too much to discover that time flies so fast and I want to see it all that it is not enough for me at all.

The first destination that I have in mind to visit is a few blocks from the park where I have appeared, sitting and enraptured by everything that surrounds me. So I get up from my place and keep walking, calmly. After a few minutes, I can discover that the site I am going to is closer than I thought.

When I finally find myself in front of the completely polished and gleaming glass door, I put my hands on the railing and push, being welcomed by several pairs of eyes that look at me with great curiosity.

—Elena

[...]

—Good morning, miss. —The officer observed by Elena greeted. —How can I help you?

—Good morning. —The girl replied. —I need to know where Katherine Miller is currently living.

[...]

Fortunately, the police officer whom she inquired for valuable information did not ask the reasons that led the girl to ask for her mother's address.

The man fell effortlessly. He had been totally deceived, with no cheek at all, and the female made him believe in every word of her tearful story. She was playing, in those moments, the role of a kidnapped woman, but who managed to get out of the place where they had her locked up, which did not sound like a lie completely but, understand dear diary, no one would believe the truth that lived in the corners of her mind, because no one has ever had the experience that she has.

Now, she walks along the sidewalk after being guided by the words of some people who knew exactly where the street Elena was looking for was. Mom had moved out of her previous home in two years of her disappearance. However, although this city monopolized great territory, the young woman does not get lost. As she continues to move forward, she memorizes the names of the avenues and streets, she knows perfectly well that this will become her life for a long, long time.

In the distance is the last corner she must turn to reach the neighborhood where her mother settled almost a decade ago. Elena may feel a slight tingling in her stomach, she is anxious and nervous at the same time, but there is a greater feeling than those two and it is about happiness. Ten years have passed since she left her mother. She missed her so much since her arrival at the white-framed mirror in Matthew's —current— bathroom.

The tears begin to flow from her eyes at the moment in which she remains prostrate in front of the wooden door, however, she knows that their origin is not sad or melancholy, but rather they are from the happiness of knowing that she is one step away from experiencing true love again.

She was just one step away. Just one action. Just a knock on the doorbell. Just a breath and too many memories.

[...]

Ding dong. A fifty-year-old woman was preparing lunch when she heard someone knock on her door suddenly. She frowned at what happened a few seconds ago. She wasn't expecting anyone, really. She lived inside the four walls alone. In fact, that was what her house facade exclaimed every time she returned from the market or work. Loneliness at its best.

She had no friends and no couple. Let's not even start talking about her family. She never considered herself so close to other relatives for a long time. She had never considered herself close to someone. Well, she only considered herself close to one person, and yet that she disappeared without a trace. So since that fateful day, she is alone. Her only company is the shadow under her feet. It was very regrettable.

The woman finished cutting the vegetables and left the kitchen. Her steps were calm and slow, but the person standing outside on the side of the street didn't care.

The nearly elderly woman unlocked the door and opened it. The squeak of wood, expressing that it was just as old as the owner of the house, was caught unobstructed by her ears, but she did not care when she saw a young girl outside her home.

—How can I help you, miss? —The woman asked, examining the girl's face, thinking that she was somehow familiar to her, but she couldn't connect how or where she had seen her before.

Elena smiled and wiped her tear-soaked cheeks. Then she cleared her throat and said:

—Hi, Mom. I'm back.

And she hung on the neck of her mother, and she was not separated for the world. The woman who was being held by her daughter began to cry. Was it a reality that moment or was her brain playing with her again? She didn't know exactly, but she didn't care. Only the show of affection returned and she sighed. That was what she always waited for.

—Elena? —She asked. —Is it you?

They parted and the youngest watched her carefully, seeing through her crying.

—Yes, Mom. I'm your daughter. I'm Elena.

[...]

"Calling to..."

—Do you have the girl? —Asked the voice on the other line.

—I- I don't know if this is the right thing to do, I-

—We have a deal, Katherine. Tell me if you have her or not.

—...

—...

—Yes, she is here. She has returned. —Said Elena's mother.

—Excellent, I will go tomorrow and we will seal the contract.

—But- I really love her, you can't take her away from me. I am her mother!

—You are not and will never be her mother. You should have thought better of it, Katherine. You should have thought better of it eighteen years ago.

"The call has been finished".