The Seventh Gate

 Knocking After Midnight

A knock.

No answer.

She continued reading her book, which told the story of a man who entered an abandoned house, until she reached a strange sentence:

"Everything you search for is here, but every secret has its price."

She wondered about that sentence.

Indeed, secrets are never bought except at a high cost… Yet she paid it no attention. The whole world is full of secrets.

“Did you run away from me?” (a laughing voice)

“Who…? Answer…!”

No reply, as usual—only the knocking on the door. She thought she was hallucinating. As always, she imagined herself a queen seated upon the throne of the world. Of course, we all think of ourselves as kings.

She stood up from her wooden chair leaning against the wall and walked to her wardrobe to change her clothes. It was time for artificial dreams, to continue her dream of the final door to possessing the world.

“Here you are… come, and I will give you the keys to your world.”

She turned and saw a shadow in the shape of a man. Nothing about him attracted attention except his crimson eyes.

“Who are you?”

“Me? Your world.”

“My world…?”

(She laughed hysterically.)

“My world does not allow impostors like you to enter.”

“I am the real one. You have always dreamed of me and called me by many names, so I came to you. Here I am now. Ask for whatever you wish.”

“Even if you were an angel, my wishes are many.”

(He laughed loudly.)

“Your wishes? You own nothing but your grandfather’s book that you keep reading. Have you forgotten? You are the one who created me within you. You are the one who wanted this.”

She fell silent for a moment, then said:

“I ask you only for someone I can trust with my life.”

“No.”

“Why? Is that such a difficult request?”

“No. But you have not entrusted even your own soul. Should I send you someone you will torment and then leave?”

“Me? You do not know my soul.”

“Your soul is imprisoned. Set it free, and then I will bring you the one you desire.”

She cried until her body trembled, and she surrendered herself to fate, hoping that life might change for her… so that she might finally live for something.