The Rainbow Bridge and the Shadow of the Serpent: The Rainbow Bridge and the Shadow of the Serpent by Sergio Pereira

Author:Sergio Pereira [Pereira, Sergio]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798648231528
Published: 2020-05-23T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XIII

The current of choices

- You need to be very smart to live in here. There are tunnels and caves that we must never set foot in. I’ve seen so many friends disappear that I’ve lost count.

Violet and Stefanie were listening to their new friend. The sparse light now gave them a sensation of protection. Since they couldn’t make out much in that environment, they intuitively judged that, in counterpart, they couldn’t be seen easily either.

- But what the de…I mean what the heck is this place? - snapped Stefanie.

- Why did you call us humans? Aren’t you one? - asked Violet.

The Girl of the Clouds was in doubt as to who to answer first. She thought and thought and finally said:

- You know, I have a corner hidden away. It’s almost a den. Let’s go there. It’s safer. They didn’t question her. They followed their recent acquaintance once more. Three ante-rooms later, they were in front of a gigantic stalagmite that had joined a stalactite. They went round them. There was a small tunnel behind. They crawled ahead for a further thirty metres until they reached a chamber of not more than ten square metres in area, and at the most two metres at its highest point.

The small stalactite on the ceiling shone like a restful lamp as soon as they entered. For its dimensions, the chamber was reasonably ventilated. A further two tunnels led to the chamber, which caused a weak air current.

- This has been my home for a long time.

- Thank you very much for bringing us to your home. And, not meaning to be rude, but how do you manage to live here? How do you get food and water?

The Girl of the Clouds looked at Stefanie and replied:

- You still haven’t realised that food is a human necessity. I live on the energy of those who listen to me. It’s the same with all music and operas. They need to be heard to be alive. I’m not entirely trapped. But, unfortunately, an increasingly large part of me remains condemned here.

Since Stefanie didn’t understand, Violet spoke again.

- So, you’re an opera? That’s not logical, is it? You’re a character, then?

- Spot on! I’m the spirit of a character. I’m the actual Girl of the Clouds by Heitor Villa-Lobos.

- But I didn’t know he’d written that opera!

- Do you see? That’s what happens here in the kingdom of the Forgotten Operas, which many call the Imprisoned Operas.

Stefanie saw the gleam in Violet’s eye and said:

- I can’t believe you can understand her. What part of this story did I miss or not understand?

Violet smiled and, not so certain, continued.

- Stefanie, I think our saviour is trying to say that many operas are made prisoners here. I just don’t know who would do such an evil thing, or why.

- Bravo! Bravo! How long I’ve been yearning to hear or say that word. Bravo! Bravo! Bravissimo!

- My God! – the Canadian exclaimed in a spasm of indignation.

- Stefanie. See how many things we’ve experienced.

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