The Fool

The room lay cloaked in shadows, the dim light struggling to penetrate the worn curtains that hung limply over the small, cracked window. A women stood before the cracked vanity mirror, the only source of reflection in her meager apartment. Her eyes, reflecting the weariness of countless struggles, stared back at her. 

With practiced hands, she meticulously applied makeup. Clutched in her hands were one weathered photo. The woman in the picture has an unblemished beauty, her features radiating warmth and happiness.

Layers of makeup concealed the scars that marred her face, transforming her into a stranger, a mask she wore to face the unforgiving world.

Determination etched across her face, she painstakingly mimicked the woman in the photo, layering makeup to hide the harsh reality beneath.

Threadbare curtains fluttered in the breeze as she forced open the creaking window, inviting the hesitant afternoon sunlight to pierce through the gloom. A dilapidated desk, cluttered with makeup, old tarot cards, and an ancient laptop, took center stage. Beside the laptop stood a framed picture of a smiling little boy, his innocent eyes a stark contrast to the hardships that surrounded them.

On youtube, She assumed the role of an experienced tarot reader, a persona she had fabricated to escape the shackles of her impoverished reality. The false identity she projected online, is a rich girl who is living in a grand house inherited from her grandmother. In truth, her dwelling was a meager room in a rundown apartment building.

The tarot cards was a pilfered treasure from a hasty shoplifting escapade with her drug-addicted boyfriend. 

That was her first time shoplifting.

Her trembling hands sifted through the contents of the plastic bag, feeling a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Her fingertips brushed against the edges of something unfamiliar, and as she pulled it out, a gasp caught in her throat. A set of tarot cards, neatly arranged in their protective packaging.

The cards seemed out of place, an unexpected intrusion into the realm of their petty theft for sustenance. In the dimly lit alley behind the convenience store, Tate's voice pierced through the air, a disapproving growl.

"What the hell is that, Lily? We needed food, not this woo-woo crap!"

Lily's heart sank, and the apprehension in her eyes intensified.Tate's anger, a storm brewing just beneath the surface, sent shivers down her spine.

"I-I didn't... I don't know where they came from, Tate. They were just there."

"Great. Just what we need. Magical cards instead of food. Real helpful, Lily Martinez."

Lily's eyes welled up with unshed tears, a silent plea for understanding. She feared Tate's reaction, the potential for his temper to escalate into violence. 

"Tate, please. I didn't choose this. Maybe they're worth something. We could sell them."

"Sell them? Who's gonna buy this crap? We need real money, Lily. Real food."

The stolen food lay scattered on the makeshift table, and as Tate greedily devoured his share, he carelessly left a sandwich behind for Lily. Her eyes followed him, a mixture of resentment and resignation clouding her gaze. Despite the meager offering, she forgave him, a silent acknowledgment of the twisted dynamic that governed their relationship.

"There you go, Lily. A little treat for my kitten. Eat up."

Lily's eyes flickered briefly with sadness, but she took a deep breath and forced a small smile. In Tate's distorted perception, her forgiveness translated into submission, and he reveled in the dominance he believed he had over her.

"That's my good girl. Just like my little cat, always coming back."

As Tate draped his arm possessively around her, he callously discarded the set of tarot cards into the trash can outside. The metal bin clanged, and the cards spilled onto the ground, revealing their intricate patterns on the back – a blend of dark and golden hues.

Lily, her heart sinking, couldn't bear to see the Fool card among the discarded deck. Memories of her aunt's teachings on tarot flickered in her mind, a distant echo from a time when life held more promise.

"The Fool is a symbol of new beginnings and the pursuit of the unknown." Aunt Selena's voice appear in her mind. All the memories of her teenage years flooded back into her mind—afternoons bathed in warm sunlight, the cozy embrace of family, and it seemed like she was always smiling.

As Lily picked up the fallen card, a determination settled in her gaze. She folded the Fool card into the palm of her hand. 

As the clock struck 2 pm, she turned towards the camera perched atop a precarious stack of books. With a deep breath, she pressed the record button. The lens stared back at her, capturing the facade she had crafted so meticulously. 

"Welcome to my channel, I'm Serpentine Selena."