#publishing assignment

Damian – After

She had it coming, it was something that had loomed over her like a grey shadow ever since she took the deal.

 She tried to reach out to me before she disappeared. She left 14 voicemails to be exact, along with a string of texts, but I lost count after 23. She must’ve been pretty desperate, but as much as it pained me, I couldn’t care. I had moved on from her and didn’t want to slip back into old habits. I couldn’t go back down that rabbit hole because I knew I wouldn’t be able to pull myself out.

 So I left her to deal with her own problems, and now she’s paying for her mistake. I hope she burns in Hell.

Catharina – now

I knew what I was getting myself into. I was prepared to do whatever it took to get the power the mirror had promised. Or at least I thought I knew what I was getting myself into and that I was prepared. Nothing could prepare me for what actually happened though.

 Even if I wanted to give up the power I had gotten, I could never go back to Damian. He would never take me back after what I did to him.

 The magic that follows the mirror is inside me, and I somehow know that I can no longer live without it. It has consumed me and just the thought of being without it fills me with a cold dread that chills me to the bone.

<- Part 4

Damian – Now

I don’t think she had any idea of the consequences she was going to face. Her whole personality changed after she got her hands on that mirror. The change was almost instant. She got arrogant, like she was above me in every other way than physical. Not even close to the shy girl standing behind the counter, blushing and speechless, the day I walked into the shop she was working at.

 The betrayal I felt when she chose the power over the love we had together was beyond words. Nothing could compare and no words could describe how crushed my heart was. I was going to propose to her that week, I even had it all planned out. We were going to her favourite coffee shop by the park, get coffees and sit in the park feeding the birds and squirrels. Then I would kneel down in front of her and ask her to marry me. Needless to say, there was a slight change of plans.

I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, I really did, but I just couldn’t deal with her anymore. I felt myself slipping more and more away from her, at the same time as our love slowly died at our feet. It was heartbreaking to end our relationship, even though it was short-lived. The things I felt for her had faded from vibrant colours to a mix of mute grey and muddy brown, and I had to get out before the same thing happened to me. It all just got too much and in the end, I think it was the best decision for both of us.

<- Part 3

Catharina – one year earlier.

I’m walking down the street, just doing some grocery shopping for the weekend when I bump into someone.

           “Oh sorry,” I say automatically and turn around to see who I bumped into. It’s a guy, no older than me. He sends me a smile and a wave, before walking off. I didn’t find anything strange about the meeting until I get back to Damian’s flat and feel in my pockets. In my hand is a scratched, grey pocket mirror and a corner of the piece of paper sticking out of the crack. I open the mirror and a note falls to the floor.

           This might seem strange, but meet me in the pub by the High Street by 8 p.m tonight. I’ll tell you everything you want to know about this mirror.

-E

 The handwriting is elegant, even a bit old-fashioned. I’m unable to connect the handwriting to the guy that bumped into me in the street earlier that day, it just doesn’t seem to fit him at all. But I didn’t bump into anyone else today, so who else could it be? The note intrigues me and I’m curious to know more about this mirror, I want to know what makes it special enough to only be passed through bumping into people.

<- Part 2

Damian - now

Catharina hasn’t always been like she is now. When I met her, she was sweet, innocent even. She was an angel, a pure white-winged angel. The problem was she was too perceptible to other influences. Bad influences. She was an angel, but she craved chaos around her. Even though I knew the pull I had to her was wrong, I just couldn’t help it. I couldn’t stop thinking about her after the day I met her in the bookshop. But deep down I always knew it would never end well, for either of us.

 After I met her, it had taken everything in me to not go to her right away. I couldn’t keep my mind off of her, her eyes. Man, her eyes. Pure, liquid gold is trapped in those eyes. I never should’ve approached her again, but I couldn’t help it. I had to know her.

 I still remember the day she changed, like it was yesterday, even though it’s almost a year ago. We had been dating for about six months and she was staying at my place for the weekend, but she wanted to go out to on that Saturday. That alone should’ve been a warning sign because she wasn’t one to drink, let alone volunteer to go to a pub. But we went, and that’s when things turned for the worse.

<- Part 1

Contents

Dancing In The Moonlight

Meeting Her

Life Together

'Hey Lissa!' 'Hey Sarah,' I hug her as she approaches. We're at pre-drinks at another flat, we'll be heading to the SU's Christmas Party soon. It's the last day of term, and whilst I'm looking forward to going home, I'm not looking forward to spending time away from Ava, nor hiding the fact that I'm in love with a girl from my parents. 'It's so good to see you, I feel like I haven't seen you outside of classes in ages.' I realise that no, we haven't seen each other in a while, and immediately feel guilty. I didn't mean to ditch her, it just sort of happened. 'Yeah, I'm sorry. Assignments have kept me confined-' 'And I bet the girlfriend wasn't really helping as you'd rather spend time with her.' She's teasing rather than angry, so I blush and shrug. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.' She chuckles and waves her hand. 'It's no biggie, just try to remember us as well next semester, please?' 'Sure, I can do that.' 'Good.' We share a grin. 'So...how is dating going?' 'It's going good, yeah, we're getting along really well, she's amazing.' 'Aw! I'm so happy for you!' 'Thanks. How are things going for you and Aaron?' 'Still in the friendzone.' 'Oh dear.' 'Yup. So, is Ava here tonight?' Sarah asks, changing the subject quickly, and scanning the crowd around us. It's a smallish gathering, but there's still a good few people crammed into the small dorm kitchen/living area. 'Yeah, she's over there.' I point to where she's getting drinks for us on the other side of the room. 'I'm sorry, but who am I looking for? I've never actually met her remember.' 'Oops, sorry about that.' I make a mental note to make sure they meet at some point during the next semester. 'Blonde, wearing the red lacy dress?' 'Lissa, I'm sorry, but I can't see her.' I laugh and try again. 'I know you wear glasses Sarah, but you can't seriously be that blind. She's right over there, look, she's chatting to Mike.' 'Lissa, she's not there. Mike's not talking to anyone.' 'You can't be serious, quit joking around. Are you sure your still sober?' I laugh, brushing her comment off. 'Of course I'm sober, I'm not wasting the evening by getting drunk this early. Whatever.' She smiles at me. 'You can introduce us next semester. But speaking of drunks, I'm going to make sure Emma doesn't drink too much.' 'Okay, see you soon. Have a great Christmas.' 'Yeah, you too.' We hug, and Sarah leaves to go take care of Emma, a notorious lightweight. 'Hey,' Ava says, suddenly appearing at my elbow. 'One malibu and coke.' 'Thanks love,' I reply, pulling her close and kissing her cheek softly.

Inspiration

Since then, life has been bliss. We met up daily for a week or so, before we agreed to take the next step. We began to spend time out in town on dates, and spend evenings curled up under blankets watching films and TV shows. We spend a lot of time just working next to each other. She's a sociology student, which can occasionally come in helpful with my English essays and critical readings. We have fun together, we're comfortable with each other. I'm starting to think that she's genuinely the other half of my soul. I stopped dreaming about her after that night. Why would I need to dream about her when I wake up with her in my arms most mornings? Being with her in real life, is far more wonderful than being with her in my dreams. We’ve rarely left each others company outside of classes recently, and are thinking about living together next year. We've fallen in love in a matter of months, and every day is better than the last. Today I had an early morning class, and she had a late afternoon one, giving us about three hours in between to get lunch at our favourite coffee shop, a sweet, little shop on the main road, with great coffees, teas, and a wide range of sandwiches. We sit outside as we eat, due to it being full inside. 'My secondary school had a corridor connecting two of the buildings, and the inside was exposed brick, painted yellow. Everyone would go down the corridor singing 'follow the yellow brick road,' until they repainted it white half way through year ten. We were all so upset, and it continued to be called the yellow brick corridor by everyone, right up until I left. It was amusing though, as none of the younger years had any idea what we were talking about!' She laughs at my story. We're just talking, when I notice some of the looks we're getting from passersby. Most aren't paying any attention to us, just going about their daily business, but some are looking. I see disgust, hatred, fear and discomfort written across those faces. I shrink into my seat a little. 'Hey.' Ava reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers. 'Don't pay any attention to them. It doesn't matter what they think.' 'I know.' I smile and roll my hand over to clasps hands with Ava, linking our fingers and squeezing her hand. 'I just don't like being made to feel like we're doing something wrong.' 'Do you think what we're doing is wrong?' She asks. 'No, of course not!' 'Then what does it matter? Let's just be ourselves, and not care about what anyone else thinks.' 'I know,' I sigh, playing with her fingers in mine. 'It's just, I know my parents won't like us being together. I keep seeing their faces whenever someone looks at us like that.' 'It'll be okay,' she smiles at me. 'It's not like you can change who you are, and if they can't accept that, then they don't deserve you. No matter what happens, I'll always be with you, so don't worry about it so much please?' 'Yeah, you're right.' I smile and lean over the table to kiss her.

Inspiration