Circle in the Mall Elaine Belen
Awake as the rising sun, Sekari lays dumbfounded on the glossy ceramic tiles in the midst of a lavishing ritzy mall. She catches sight of an exquisite cave with waterfalls surrounded by shoulder-level metal railings. Dainty flowers bloom from its natural spring waters as they fall down the cave as bright-colored butterflies roam around the circle. Sekari stands up in awe, mesmerized by the “circle”. She tip-toes toward it, unable to tear her eyes away from the sight. As soon as she extends her arms to reach the circle’s balconylike railings, a soft resounding voice behind her ears swiftly passes by saying, “Do not go there, my child.” Sekari’s hands halt at the words, a sudden sense of foreboding filling her bones. The way the voice phrases it makes it seem like she might get in trouble. “I am your guardian.” A seraphic, middle-aged woman stands behind her, glowing like the gates of New Jerusalem. “It is my duty to protect you from the circle, Sekari.” If she’s a guardian, Sekari thought, what is it that they would need guarding from? But most of all— “Where am I? How do you know my name?!” Sekari asks. She had never seen this woman before. The guardian simply flashes a delicate smile, unperturbed. “Look around, my child. Your eyes are now open to the striking reality of your fantasy and finally found the way to fill into your existence. I have been within you all your life, fostering dreams you thought were unreal. I must know who you are by now.” Unsurprisingly, her words only caused Sekari further confusion. As if sensing her disorientation, the “guardian” then offers her hand to Sekari, which Sekari takes almost willingly. Almost. “Let me take you somewhere you love to stand by,” the guardian insists. She leads Sekari to both roam around the mall, away from the circle.
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