Ok, I am going to count till three. One… your body is relaxed, your eyes closed… two… you feel warm and comfortable… three…

His voice was soft and deep, he knew what he was doing, or at least he gave that appearance. She looked peaceful, like a child; the tension left her exhausted face. She was ready.

I want you to go back to the castle and find the locked room. You have the right key in your pocket, – he looked at her face intensely trying to penetrate her sick mind, trying to imagine where she was and how she felt, - where are you now?

In front of the door… it is cold and really quiet, it smells of emptiness … as if no one ever been here for ages …it doesn’t feel good, I don’t like it… but there is some force that is pushing me to open the door, - her voice indicated no emotions, it was completely disengaged from her psychic reality.

Go on… open the door and step inside, - he looked at the watch. Half past four. They should be done in an hour, - what do you see?

It’s a strange place, it’s like a maze and I don’t know where to go; it does not look inviting, no light… the walls are black … somehow I know that there is something written on them… I can feel the paint... it’s warm and sick… I recognize the smell; it’s weirdly familiar… I should go away, I can’t just stand around in the dark, I need to find something… but I don’t know what it is … I feel so small. I think I can feel someone’s presence here but it’s dark. Too dark to see anything.

Try to find a way out; there might be another door. You have a lighter in your pocket. Use it…

He thought they weren’t moving fast enough, she had built up too many walls around herself and it was taking forever to get closer to her past self. Another hurt soul. She looked like an angel, so innocent with her eyes closed, but the illusion would go away once you look inside those eyes. Suddenly she screamed.

Oh, no… no no no no … you knew it, didn’t you? Not again … my hands, there is blood on them … I knew the smell was familiar … I should have known… Why was there blood on the walls... what’s going on… - her voice was changing, her body shaking.

You don’t understand – it is blood… but I should go on. I shouldn’t get stuck… the message… where is it … I can’t read it, it’s too distorted… I should go … I think I am going up, or it just feels that way … I hear some music in the distance; it is so sad but beautiful, - she was silent for a few minutes, her face expressionless.

Alice, what’s happening? Talk to me, - he looked at his watch again. Almost five.

I am in a room… so big… I can see the sky through the glass ceiling, it’s pitch dark and the stars are so far away, so cold, indifferent … I wish I were a star… there are broken mirrors all over the place… but I don’t see myself… there is no reflection of me, I am nonexistent … but there is a person in the center playing the piano … it is mad… and the candles, they are all over the floor … it’s like a burning carpet ... so many candles… and the shadows are dancing around them… so beautiful but it scares me…

Alice, look at the person. Go closer.

I have to walk through the candles… but it doesn’t hurt … I don’t feel anything… the music – I like it, it sounds as if someone was dying but had no fears because it far more painful to live… I am almost there... I can see the person in the mirror, the reflection, it is more focused now… but it can’t be… it doesn’t make any sense … she looks like me only different… long red hair but it so dirty it almost stinks and the way she is dressed…some old black dress; looks gothic… and the wooden boots … how can she wear those? – It’s impossible to walk probably; it’s like a prison … she doesn’t pay attention to me – just keeps playing … I am invisible… I don’t want to be here; it’s too scary … I want to go away…

You have to stay. Look at her face. But don’t touch her.

Her skin is so white, almost transparent … but her eyes … they are hollow … empty as if someone took them out … she probably can’t see a thing … how can one play so beautifully and not see? It’s so wrong … and her mouth is even creepier – it’s sealed with a black thread; it looks as if a twisted grin was sewed on her face… the expression doesn’t change – it’s like a weird mask only there is no carnival and the mask is impossible to take off … I don’t like her, she scares me but I like the music … it is dark and hypnotic in a way but also changes… wait a second, there is something shiny on the top of the piano…

What is it?

It’s a razor blade… so shiny, it must be brand new… the music has changed again… just one note way down… she stopped but it keeps ringing … the place is full of the sound … she is taking the razor in her hand …no no … don’t do it… she is not listening I am not there… I cannot touch anything … I am like a ghost … I must stop … no…

What is she doing? – He looked at the girl. Her face was pale and she was breathing fast as if she was suffocating. Quarter past five. Not much time left. But they were too close now. He must be careful.

She is cutting her finger. One deep cut. First the thumb. Blood is dripping on her dress. Bright red blood. There goes another… it’s so fast … and no emotions on her face… the note keeps ringing… she is done with the right hand… no… don’t … there goes another… more blood… there is a little poodle of blood around the chair… I must stop her, she needs help but I cannot do anything… I feel frozen… it’s so sick; I can smell the blood …she is done … there is a deep wound on the tip of each finger now… the razor is covered with blood; it is so red now… I am going to be sick…

Alice, you have to destroy her. She is dangerous. You must be strong and…

Oh… she is playing… so loud I can hardly hear you … it’s like a lot of hammers in my head … and the white of the keys … blood everywhere … they are turning red and the music is getting faster… the faster it goes the more blood comes out… it’s everywhere … how can there be so much blood… stop it!

I want you to take a candle and set her dress on fire... You have to do it, - she was breathing faster and tears were rolling down her face, her eyes shut. He knew it was risky but they were almost there. She has to kill to live. If they stop now they would have to start it all over again. Almost half past five.

Her dress is burning but too fast… it is soaked in blood … it is not easy and the music is unbearable … I am suffocating … the smoke … it is too much … I can’t do it… I want to get out … the fire is getting stronger… it caught on her hair… it burns fast… so bright! It is almost caressing her skin, licking it … destroying it. The grin on her face is burning. I cannot see the face anymore… the smell of burning skin… I am terrified… and there is hundreds of her – all over the walls, in every mirror … the room is expanding … burning flesh everywhere…

It’s ok. You will wake up now. I will count till three. One… two … three... Alice?… Alice!!!…