Journey into the Looking Glass Self

Coming from inside the tall white building, Lia made a mad dash across the pavement in an attempt to outrun the rain. Limping from the weight of the full pail she carried in her arms, she dumped it over causing melted ice to rush forth, and spill over the dusty, litter-ridden pavement. Behind her there was a strident “wham”, and to her horror, the arch-structured, giant sized door had slammed shut by the force of the wind. She ran back to the door, the rain pelting against her back. “Somebody open the door! I’m locked outside!!” she shouted against the gale. The sound of loud music seeped through the door from inside. “This is just great! Perfect---I’m wearing white, and it’s raining.” she called out again, as the music from inside drowned out her voice. As she banged on the door she heard an inexplicable noise. Her heart nearly stopped, and then began to pound rapidly at her rising chest. “Oh, no---what now?” she whispered fearfully. A raspy panting sounded from somewhere and seemed to be coming her way. Footsteps crept towards her, scraping across the gravel. Lia banged again on the door. Even as rain poured down and the winds blew fiercely, a cold sweat dripped wildly from her face as she waited for the source of the footsteps to show its face. A dark figure approached, his face hidden in the blackness of night. As he loomed nearer, Lia held her breath. Only a moment earlier she’d been with her mother in a warm brightly lit building, where the booming soundings of drums and guitars echoed off the luminescent crimson tinged walls. Now here she stood, alone and afraid, in the presence of this menacing stranger. Had the people attending the concert even noticed she was missing? Were they all in panic? Lia pressed her ear to the cold, wet door but could hear nothing over the raucous of the music amplified from within the soaring building. As the mysterious stranger approached, a scream nearly erupted from Lia’s throat. Then, he suddenly walked away, taking no notice of her. Lia breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the rain and sweat from her face. Assuming he had no intention of harming her, and desperate for help, she called out to him. “Excuse me, the door is locked. Is there another entrance?” At that, the man turned and faced her, and Lia let go a strangled cry. The overhead street light revealed a face crowned with dark brows over piercing, sapphire blue eyes that stabbed at Lia. Rain dripped chillingly from his gothic black poncho hood and slid down his expressionless face. Suddenly, an angry grimace twisted his once bland features. The sheer size of this angry man sent a chill down Lia’s spine. Was he mad? Lia tried to contain her fear, while she thought of what to do next. “I--I have money.” She stammered. Her hands trembled as she fumbled with her gaudy, cheetah print purse. Silver coins slipped from her trembling hands and spilled out onto the ground. Suddenly, as she held out her hands, the man gave a low, cynical chuckle, and Lia wondered if he was insane. “You’re scared of me, aren’t you?” He asked, coolly, an intimidating expression planted on his face. The man tucked his icy hands into his oversized pockets. “What makes you think that?” She asked, still stuttering. Lia tried to put on a brave face. “Your hands are shaking.” He said, smirking. “When it’s raining and cold, it’s called shivering. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that.” She boldly retorted. A sudden spasm of regret struck her. Maybe I’ve gone too far. “You’ve got a lot of guts to speak to me like that.” He said, walking closer. Lia, determined to show him she was not afraid, did not budge. He reached toward her, staring her in the eyes, then twisted the knob and placed one foot on what looked like a small lever and pushed. The door opened a crack. “The way to open a door is turn the knob and remove the door stop. It doesn’t take a genius to understand that.” He said, repeating her taunt. With a sneering look, he turned his back and walked away, Lia staring after him. She was impressed. “What’s your name!” she yelled. He turned around, a perplexed look on his face, “Your name!” she yelled again, but her voice was overpowered by the racket that came from inside. Looking back at the man only twice, Lia went inside the building and joined the concert.