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''Come buy, miss.''
Mia felt slightly squeasy entering the store.
Her shabby wardrobe, jeans with a flaunty shirt, and her hastily bound hair not so much testified as screamed of 'recent mother', very inexperienced, tired and an unexpected mess at baby caring.
''Good day.'' she replied prudently.
Because greeting a shopkeeping could prove dangerous? You are imagining things, Mia.
The darkness in this building rivaled that in all of the other buildings around here. Apart from its lugubrious disposition these Romanian parts were not that bad.
Seeing people around their business helped keep the lonelines away during their seclusion. The world went on, for once this was comforting. These people went on with their normal lives, and this quite dreary rural life.
This darker gradient is present where there is evil present. Mold particles in the air do that to a place, it keeps the light out. So the very air turns the world a darker hue. Just how much light it obstructs or how much it takes up into itself, is up for debate, it was one of the researches that they kept postponing in favour of more boldly interesting ones. It grows best on shadow sides of course.
Couldn't she go one day without thiking of bloody mold?
This was supposed to be a vacation ...evacuation. They were free from all of that from now on.
With how many times a day she chided Ethan for not letting go of the past, she really was not scoring that much better.
Or maybe the officials at Blue Umbrella should have thought of this mold is dark thing and sequestered them to a sunnier place.
She would distract herself by getting to know this new place of residence better.
''There are an awful lot of goats walking around in the streets'' she heard herself say idly.
''That is the countryside for you.''
Figures, she supposed.
Mia had been here before. It was a convenience store recommended for safe, inconspicuous use to them by Blue Umbrella. They had provided them with papers and maps but not much more. She had not gotten lost often so far. Most of her walks took place not far outside their frontdoor. Ethan had gotten them to wriggle a car available to them only recently.
They had not been here long and as long as she had her family she could not complain about life.
She wanted to venture deeper into the most nearby village at some point. A leaflet she had picked up described it as a charming and excentric one. Their consultants discouraged this outing. Crowds and contacts were to be kept limited. Still, she wanted to surprise Ethan with something nice to do.
She would inform and then they could see if it was possible to make a day outing of it. They so seldom do go anywhere.
Her family was worth the necessary inconveniences of not being allowed to risk modern technological devices. However handy a phone would be.
She stood in front of the spices rack. She selected some that she imagined to remember from the print-out pages of recipies she had been given. How much rather she would look some recipies up for herself on a phone, here, in the store, to guide her to take her pick.
More than anything she would like some more villages in the surroundings to divert her thoughts of keeping themselves hidden. There was so much more in the world than their past troubles.
She had not imagined their new house to be quite so secluded.
Villages were dotted all over the countryside, but not here, here there were only a few. They had only kept to a few shops for now for their ventures outside of the house, the nearest, for safety. She was hungry for social interactions. They had gotten the clear for a few small outings only.
Blue Umbrella had provided them with food and utilities for months. They not been allowed as much as going out of the house. At least this gave their Rose a very sheltered, very loved and pampered first months. What a beautiful start in life, just the three of them.
If only the bleakness of it all weighed not so much on her, Ethan had started to notice this. She would love to take Rose to a public swimmingpool some time, while she was still a baby.
And yet...yet...
she was not yet ready to forget the insanity of what had happened in years gone by. She can not let go of the trauma. There is something to be said about the way...how her mind does not want to.
The shop was peacefully quiet. Just her and the shopkeeper. An open opportunity to some much needed conversation.
''The crows are aggressive around here.'' The lady of the shop did not reply. ''Don't you say?'' Mia tried to press her into conversation. She badly needed to think of something trivial.
''You don't want to upset the crows. They can turn against you.''
End of that.
Hmm, not exceedingly talkative today.
Some candles would not stand amiss in the house. Everything is so sober here. She liked sober. She could live with sober for certain.
She inspected the fruits, each basket accompanied by a sign 'taste them and try'. It all felt achingly familiar and strange.
Mia walked past a storybook display. 'come buy' stickers plastered over the covers.
It was not so bad here, she could get anything she needed for a baby and that is what mattered. She could always ask to order some additional baby things if needed and a few more colourful picture books. These looked positively grim and outdated.
''Will you be getting that?'' The words did not register, for the voice turned Mia's blood to ice.
Miranda.
Should not, could not, be here. Was.
''What the hell?!''
Miranda's eyes narrowed, in enjoyment, most likely. Or hate.
It was her. In a long black dress, very neutral, a simple leather jacket over this. Mia had not seen her in a dress before.
She had changed her hair too.
She always stood straight and proud, this time so deceptively at ease.
Miranda put her hand forcefully over Mia's, holding them both to the book. She never was delicate of touch.
Mia's mind dove right back to her days when she cleaved close to a monster. How it still sticks to her. The sweetness of Miranda's rotten experiments. What horrible fruits that bore.
''It is a traditional story. A local tale.'' she said, the sentence sounded practiced.
It was a lie if ever she heard one.
Mia attempted to wriggle her enclosed hand from out of Miranda's grip.
Which did not aid her situation. It brought a small smile to Miranda's lips however.
Miranda turned the book over, with little regard for the strain she put on Mia's hand.
''A little girl getting lost in a forest, has strange encounters, gets eaten,'' her voice lingered a bit too long there. ''as in the best fairytales.
That is how I interpret the ending at least, it is left quite open. Share with me your thoughts.''
She released Mia's hand to let her leaf through the storybook.
Mia's hand had reddened, she almost made to rub it better, relinquishing the book.
''Mia, keep to the task at hand.'' Miranda snapped, holding the book open for her, like it was the most important piece of research works.
Monsters, beasts, dark woods, a helpless kid, it was all there. ''Just because those are the most common aspects to fairytales, does not mean they are what I like.''
Or what she wanted for her child.
The young hero appeared indeed very small and lighting up fairylike, putting her in mind of John Bauer illustrations.
She wasn't going to give Miranda what she wanted. She was not.
She was not going to anwer any more.
''You are not supposed to like it, Mia. It is insignificent whether you do.''
She was no longer holding her hand captive, she could go now. Walk out. Contact Blue Umbrella, relocate, never see her again.
Stupid, stupid, she is just a woman. Just some meddlesome medically unsafe woman who will hopefully not wipe out the world with her folly before her natural end comes. That could still be a few decades. If the bitch could but hurry some more.
Miranda shoved the book back into Mia's hands, not giving her any choice in the matter.
''Better? Now tell me what you see.''
It was better being deprived of her own decisions and Mia hated it.
Running away was out. It should not be out.
She was too used to being bossed around by this one.
''A warning to young Romanian girls to eat their vegetables.''
''Not amusing.''
''I don't have time to read an entire story I don't want to read in a convenience store.''
''I will make you read all of it out loud if you don't take a proper look.''
'’No wonder this town agrees with you, you can never tell a story with a happy ending either. Look at these dark beasts closing in on their victim.”
''They give her the world, before she betrays them, I would not call that an unhappy ending.’’
Yeah, most of the characters live happily ever after, sure, the evil ones.
’’I would.’’
’’Miranda, this really is written just like you. If you have written this ...”
Miranda gave her a small intense look. A pressuring one, obviously, that drew attention to her eyebrows. Mia zoned in on her winged eyeliner. So black and precise.
That was it then? She had pursued a dark evil writing career?
Mia sighed.
’’Okay, you said she gets eaten... eat or be eaten? Eat but not eat too much? Be bold, be bold, not too bold?
Ew okay she does eat parts of them so...eat a monster and you will become one?
’’
’’If only.’’
What was that supposed to mean?
’’Eat what you are given or you will be forced to? Fairy market? Goblin market?
’’ Okay, new idea:
"Some commentary on Romania? Is it a warning that these parts will eat you? Will become part of you?’’
Pitching theories to Miranda was an old habit to her, a bad one now, one she had had to perform on a regularly basis. It was painfully easy to get back into.
’’Try taking it a bit more...personal.’’ Miranda waited, nothing came. ''Which of these would you be in here?
Can you guess?’’ Her fingers dwelt over the creatures on the page.
''Because you know of course?'' Mia mocked.
’’The powerless girl, then correct. Or the absent mother.”
Her tone was near teasing. Was it teasing?
This made Mia frown.
''Take it, Mia.'' Look, it is beautiful.
Miranda's face had eased, something had lifted its weight from her mind. Mia would be damned if she knew what. She was damned any way as long as this woman had any hold on her.
Mia took a last unwilling look at the cover.
''There is no author.''
''Ofcourse not. It is a folktale and do not dare utter the phrase 'modern retelling', you absolute heathen!''
She overstressed the final word with much severity. They heard the shopkeeper shriek in response and drop something at that which clatteringon the floor. Miranda looked pleased.
Mia had not encountered Miranda before without her carrying some mold samples on a plattern to her to analyse, test on and give her opinion on. This was not that different.
Gifts, she used to call those too, on a good day, when she was in a good temper, which did not happen much.
They weren't gifts, Mia would say and accept them anyway. They should never be used on humans, but who would listen to Mia's verdict?
They were a job. Miranda had been her job.
There was a silence in which the shopkeeper was seen carrying a bucket of cleaning material, enough to clear up the stains of a dead body. She most carefully checked in on the isle they were in, then kept walking when she perceived they were both still there.
Where the heck had she expected them to go?
Miranda neared her old friend with a laugh so close to being mean. ''I've come to feed you knowledge, my Mia. Don't refuse me.''
Knowledge sure, she had gotten enough knowledge from her. And sadly it hadn't been a tasty apple.
She had that same gaze in her eyes now as then with the promising mold research, Mia did not like this.
Miranda made no excuses, no roundabout pretences to touch her, she took her arm this time.
Mia attempted to extract her hand, her effort was ignored. Miranda had the grip of a hawk, or a murderous immortal mummy hand.
''Can't let me escape?’’ Mia mocked.
’’What are you, Miranda?''
''In hinding, under Blue Umbrella’s protection, as you.''
''Impossible.''
Miranda cast her a closed off look. She could not abide the disbelief. Mia of all people, at one point her closest subordinate, would accuse her of sprouting fables? Scientists and their eternal doubt, their critical thinking, it was enough to turn her stomach. She prefered a good confrontation, to come to a quick satisfying end, being her opponent’s death, or blind loyalty which everyone else in the village was so laughably ready to provide her with. She should impress Mia just as such.
Miranda took a gander at Mia's purchases. ''Baby food, of course.''
''Of course?!''
''Defensive, Mia?''
Mia started taking steps away from her, the hand let her, slipped away, She would not be chained by civility /courtesy a moment longer.
Mia put down her things and ran straight for the exit.
''Yes,'' Miranda smiled ''for little Rose, your golden child, it was in your file, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme... caught in Winters in scary Romania, all alone in the woods. I am putting this clearly, am I not? It is time for your daughter to meet the beasts.''
That fucking witch. She informed after a child as Cruella de Vil would inquire after puppies.
And ...Miranda was standing in front of her again, stepping from behind shelves just before Mia could reach the door, as having timed this for dramatic effect.
Mia had mistaken the dress. It was longer than had been her impression. The sleeves were longer too. She had done away with the jacket. Mia couldn't quite recall those broad shoulder parts either.
She blocked the way entirely. Mia felt less sure about fighting her all of a sudden. She may as well give it a go. Miranda cut her off.
''How did it go? The pregnancy? The delivery? No complications?'' she asked as one who knew the answers. She could not have such information, surely. ''Your first preliminary test and already perfect.'' ’’Do not call my kid a fucking test!” ’’Ah Mia, always so quick to anger.” Mia couldn't look at her. Mia couldn't let herself look away from her. She tried to trace the outlines of her and calculate which row of shopwares to rush into to get anything that could serve as a weapon.
''Remember, I shared mine with you.'' She stalked forward, urging Mia back towards the counter.
''She,” Mia struggled with the memory, struggled to say the name of the child that had quite literally claimed her to be its mother before. ”Eveline was not the same. She was an experiment.''
''Isn't every life? A child, Mia, don't deny your involvement. Don't claim a superior morality. She was a child gone terribly, unbelievably wrong.
The pregnancy.. not too bad on you, your body? Your mental health? A little post natal depression, is that what this is? Or is it your marriage?''
''You bitch!''
Miranda cleared her throat. ''No trouble? No Allegeries? No, I should not think so.
This has gone on long enough.''
She had driven her to the till. The kind lady who Mia had seen hobble behing the counter several times, was hiding behind it now, frozen, curled up.
Miranda dangled her hand over the counter and rapped the wood there to bring her back up.
''Pay for the wares you have taken, Mia.''
Mia ignored Miranda standing next to her, hovering slightly.
Mia struggled with her lei.
Miranda was ticking metal on the till. The shopkeeper looked ready to bolt at every tap. Mia could only conclude that Miranda was somehow tormenting the shop lady.
Two could play that game.
Small talk, that was to be her way out.
''Do you have any tips on how to deal with the crows here?''
The lady was loading her purchases into a bag. For a moment it was silent, then she noticed there had been a question asked. ''you...you were saying about the crows?''
''Yes,'' Mia answered. ''they keep flitting around the house, I would not mind as much but you see I have a small child and they could scare her. They also throw stuff on the roof all the time. Nuts to break and all, but they make it feel malicious somehow. I mean...they've almost hit me several times.''
The shopkeeper gave noncommital sound, not a nod nor shake of the head to perceive. ''They have a strong mind of their own.'' she attempted.
And fortunately a bad aim.
''I know right!'' Mia had found her way out, just round this off smoothly as she walked to the door and her pesky old colleague would have to let her go. ''They remember faces too, don't they? They were picking at my garbage today. One gave me such a nasty look as I approached.''
Again the shoplady had gone very quiet, not giving a sign.
Bolting for the door may have been the better option afterall.
''You shouldn't have tried to hit them.'' Miranda joined in, oh joy. Her unwanted company. ''They hold grievances for a long time.'' she said. '' pass it on to their children even. They are viscious. And they will all hunt you.''
''Can you keep out of this?''
''You are not to worry. You've already upset them. There is nothing you can do now, Mia.''
''What the hell have I done to you?''
''You fed me now you have to accept what I give you. By partaking in my research, your fate is mine.''
''Is this about your discredited scientific work? Because I had no hand in you being put off that job. Once they saw what your research led to in Louisiana...''
''No.'' Miranda offered, that one word, and nothing more.
She passed something over the counter. That damned book.
The shop lady tried to serve with a smile, succesfully even.
''A gift.'' Miranda said.
She passed the till and Mia without paying and the woman from the shop just let it slide, not even looking up.
Miranda had always been a self-entitled, stuck-up pain in the ass, but she'd bothered to pay in the past.
The book was left by both for Mia to pick up.
''No thanks.'' Mia left it right there.
She waited for Miranda to take her exit before heading out herself. She counted the seconds, standing perfectly still.
To her misfortune 'her friend' leading the way had stopped. Black dress trailing behind her.
Now they were both not speaking and Mia was still trapped and the poor shop lady was still trapped and someone really should take this business out of the shop.
Fine, Mia would jump to the gun first.
If only she had brought a gun.
''I am not reading her that.''
''You shall.'' Miranda stated in an undeniably vindicating tone of voice.
''I most definitely shall not.''
''Then shall I.''
It was not a question. Oh of course Miranda loved to read aloud to people, she hadone so with test results as well, never leaving out the gory details.
''I am not letting you near her!'' ''She has everything to gain.'' Was it time for cryptic, low-spoken messages so soon?
Miranda turned, with a calculated slowness. Dark and regal.
Now Mia was positive her dress had not had that gold decoration on it before. It was extensive and intricate.
And that scarf, it was not a scarf. Was she wearing that back at the counter? She had not looked at her then. A stole, that is what it was.
''Don't forget the shopping. I'll need those.''
''What??!''
'We don't want your precious family to starve. I'll cook them dinner.''
''I told you, you are not coming over.''
''Who else is to teach you how to prepare local food? Who else will teach you this story?''
Pick up the book, Mia, that was the clear order behind her words. Mia fought not to look back to the counter, not to take the book and flee, thinking that would be the end of it, thinking that would be the payment due and Miranda would let her go.
''You shouldn't refuse a gift, Mia, it is impolite.
There will be consequences.''
More angry crows? Is that the true wrath of the gods?
This was still about that book? Naturally, it was.
Just a woman at the store picking a fight.
With stories like these, who knows what the children who hear this will grow up as? What their tastes will be like? Goblin children? From what stories they grow. She could practically hear Miranda’s voice argue, it is not that dark or gruesome a tale. The Romanian youth is in safe hands. If stories are what we raise our fruits, our crops, our children on... what story, whose mercy, is it we deliver them to? 'Who knows upon what soil they fed their thirsty roots?' What the heck are Miranda's roots anyway? Is this place where she came from? Is this story where she came from? Grew up on?
What are mothers and what are scientists? When we do not take responsible for what we make?
Miranda was a Dr Frankenstein, definitely. Making Evaline and who knows what more, not bothering to love them beyond their utility. The point where they failed her was inevitable.
Of course Eveline would have lashed out. Of course she would have latched onto Mia. Of course she would have destroyed Mia.
In Miranda’s place.
Mia would not hide from what fault she had in the entire proceedings. She should never have signed up.
And Dr Hyde, is Miranda that also? So purposefully succumbing to her darker side, she must be. But then was there some 'magic potion' involved in this?
Mia should have wondered about this when working for Miranda, in fact she vaguely recollected doing so, was Miranda insane enough to test those creepy substances upon herself?
Madness all of this.
''What fairytales have you been reading?!''
''The right ones.
Come on now,'' Miranda was holding the door open, this was beneath her, but she was a practical woman above all.
Begrudingly Mia leapt out, to get as far from her as possible.
but Miranda held her hand out again right outside the shop obstructing her way/flight. Mia crashed into her arm, it was like a stone.
She scrambled up, Miranda's hand was there for her to take, the palm turned upwards, bright gold now shoneflickered flashed from those fingertips. No way she was touching that.
''You are being very uncooperative.''
''Believe me, that is on purpose.''
The hand turned.
There was a manner of shackles and black lace that adorned the other side.
''Did you raid a gothic shop?''
''I will pretend you did not ask that.''
Mia took that for a yes.
Certainly Mia had seen that black necklace of lacy roses before in just such a shop. Roses...don't ...She is not taking her!
Too many have been destroyed by her experiments!
Get in the car and be safe.
She heard Miranda's heels follow her.
The street had changed. Not much, maybe it was the light, but also...the people in it. People who had said hello every time Mia passed them before. They had seemed unreserved, cordial.
The car was gone.
They were now walking withdrawn along the street. A nervousness to them. They bowed before reaching them, in passing, mutters drifted in her direction of ''Glory to you.''
Mia looked to see what had them act this way and there stood Miranda stiffly as usual, next to her once more.
A sparkling to her eyes, one she had never seen outside of the lab.
Oh, she was basking in whatever this way was that the people here showed her ... strange reverence.
She looked up gleefully, raising up her pale golden head and Mia followed the bright shine over her head to a sunray, no, a spike, a halo of them ... the sun.
How much jewellery had she yet to put on? Where did she keep it all? Bloody witch.
Miranda held her hand, as to ensure her safe passage. This was the part where she would rip it off, in vengeange, a payment which some fairytale rule supported her in. Mia's hand grew clammy and shook but Miranda did not let it go, nor did she rip it off. To Mia's cautious relief.
''You must miss them terribly. Ethan and Rose.''
''Must?''
''Will.''
''It is just a shop visit...'' but Mia felt again that cold travel up her spine even as she said it.
Miranda walked with her, her dress had changed, to the ruffle of many skirts.
''Yes, it is, to them.
To us it is a kidnapping.''
When you are with me,
a veritable fairytale abduction.
She had always led her into danger.
Poor girls went into the woods, accepted the wrong gifts, refused the right ones, took what was not hers, it all did not matter, good or right, what mattered is that people would hurt a girl, and ... she was never heard of again.
''I've tried to let you go, but you make this inevitable.
You are ready to go now.’’
Another, a final, rustle of skirts? Feathers stroke her legs, her feet, the pavement.
Miranda took her hold up to her arm. She pulled her along, forcing her to take steps.
The crows in the street had come to watch, walking stately and gossiping loudly for the occassion.
The people were gone, but for a few closing in as to, hesistantly, be of service if needed in some plot they knew nothing about. To aid in the kidnapping.
’’I shall show you around the village. It will be a long time without sunshine after that for you. Under the fairyhill for dancing and chess,'' she laughed. ''without any of that, but you will swore you did.’’
’’You are going to drug me.’’
Of course she was.
’’
’’ You will be sedated into half-dowsed illusion soon. it must be in illusion. All concept of time will leave you. you won't feel time.''
’’Hard pass.”
’’Mrs Winters... you will be wintering away in a hollow, until I let you out into the sunlight.
If you keep pulling so we won't reach the heart of the village at all.’’
Mia was swinging and launching a full-out fight but Miranda hardly seemed to notice. Her physical reactions so limited she hardly appeared human.
''I don't care about your blooming village!"
''Back to work then.''
Miranda had been keeping a firm grip on the back of her neck as she walked next to her, after a few 'peaceful paces' she picked Mia up by the scruff and kept her lifted her like this for a good score of paces more. Miranda turned Mia to face her. Her metal dug into Mia's face. A gold beak? A mask, why not. Was there no end to this? She was pretty sure the mask had cut her cheek to bleeding.
A whirl of feathers around her hit her.
Darkness spread and overtook her.
Mia woke up in darkness. The heavy musky scent all too familiar from research days left purposefuly behind. Mold.
She saw fairy fruit half eaten on Miranda's operating slab, she prayed it was a mere work table. She could pretend it was fairy fruit, but she knew the look all too well of something infected with mold.
''Their offers should not charm us, their evil gifts would harm us.'' Miranda, again. What is she on about?
’’Awake?’’
Mia had not thought to stand before her again. She had considered herself stored away in the dark recesses of Miranda's mind. Evidently these memories had not been stored as far away as Mia would have preferred. Here she was from being stored there to being stored in the dark recesses of Miranda's....lab? cave? It did not have a very auspicious look to it. It was not illustrous either. It was barely lit or cleaned at all.
Mia peered up through the bars of her cell, congealed blood upon them, she tried not to notice, and saw her reflection. Her reflection was wearing Miranda's self indulgent smile.
''You forfeited your first born to me, when you survived Louisiana by My Gift.''
''Evaline infected me.”
''Exactly! You still live because of me, Rose exists solely through me, you have been given so much. Your very life. Now Rose will pass through her own mirror.''
How Alice in Wonderland... ’’What do you mean, woman?!''
She was not going to tell, was she?
This was where she was left, staring at herself, or rather the image of herself, with no idea where this was to go except that all she loved was in extreme danger.
''What happened to us, it was a different story. Trust me, I have been in the cave, through the forests and back to life from death. She will step into glory. It is how all the best fairytales end, girl going into forest, through forest, through danger and death and being eaten, is passed on to the next girl, going beyond monsters, to devinity.''
How very scientific. Of course we should apply fairytale logic through science to matters of life and death. Undoubtably a good idea.
''Pleasure past and anguish past
Is it death or is it life?
Life out of death.''
Mia was watching herself go mad over poetry on life and death and...everything to be found inbetween and beyond.
Could philosophy not stay hypothetical?
And this is how the story ended, Mia recalled. How her story ended, trapped inside a mirror.