the Sun is up, part II.

the bright vibrant sun as a cause for the serene and calm morning to feel welcoming, almost as if there was nothing dangerous out there.

Anton is on a room praying with Olga and Marcelo. someone knocks on the door. Beth opens the door and gets inside alongside Antonio. they come with strange news. Anton listens carefully and calmly thanks Olga for her time. he stands up from the ground. he fixes his collar before walking out of the room with Antonio at his side.

Anton grabs a crucifix from his pockets. he starts to pray. after a long silent walk all the way to the "mirror room." Catherynne was waiting for them. she tells them to look inside of the room as she opens the door slowly. there is a strange noise coming from the main mirror. it moves in ways a mirror is not supposed to move.

"Do something Padre." comments Catherynne trembling out of fear.

Anton doesn't know what to do. he looks around. his eyes are fixated on the bottle of wine that Antonio has been drinking by himself. Anton forcefully takes the bottle from Antonio's hands and throws it at the mirror. it causes a scratch. he then grabs a wooden chair lying on the floor and throws it with all his strength. it was enough to break the mirror. but what nobody expected was for Doctor Hall and Helen to come out of the mirror half naked.

"The Power of faith did compel you." said Antonio as a joke.

"This room is from now on off limits." comments Anton feeling disturbed.

they help Helen and Robert out of the room. both of them seem to be too disturbed to even make a single comment. Anton breaks the rest of the mirrors just to be sure. he then closes the door and walks away hoping that the others get back soon. 

Antonio follows him. Antonio is talking with excitement about different topics including the place where he grew up. Anton ignores him. he pulls a cigarette out of his pockets. he puts it between his lips and then stops. he hasn't smoke in a long while. he forgot how to smoke, until now that he is too nervous to think about his actions.

Anton turns around. he walks towards a window. he is sure he heard something. and then out in the distance he observes two people approaching the hotel. he tells Antonio to go out there with Marcelo to help the guests make it safely inside the hotel.

"It is so hard to be a leader. I already failed once as a religious leader. I failed to guide my congregation to the right path. a headless herd is not a proper herd. I need to become a proper shepherd. oh lord, what kind of ordeal did you place above my shoulders?" commented Anton as he throws the cigarette away, and steps on it.

"You don't need to torture yourself over responsibilities. my darling left me in charge of their safety and I won't let you deal with this by yourself." said Catherynne.

Anton relaxes accepting the help. he smiles allowing himself to breathe. he sighs as he gets ready to properly inspect every area on the hotel. he needs to make sure that it is safe for everyone inside and those to come.

as Anton was walking around the yellow corridor. Jessica steps in front of him. she is holding a plate with sushi and other snacks. Anton thanks her. he stops to get a bite. Anton asks Jessica if she has anything to share. he wants to know her story.

"I used to be no one, I had become nobody. and I came from nowhere to nothing. dust is my origin. and a filthy storm of dust has been my residence. my destination unknown. my only purpose is to welcome you with candor and warmth. so, you can embrace your destiny. your path is one of iron and blood. but your fate is one of perseverance. a man of faith who has faith in no one, not even on himself. that is who you are. but is that what you want? tell me tender boy of winter, what is the one thing you seek? tell me, now." 

"I want to be free of my chains." exclaims Anton with teary eyes.

"Louder. tell me boy, let the world know of your sorrows." screams Jessica.

"I lie here oppressed by my chains. chains of my struggle against the creed of the cloth and the order of men. I had failed as a believer. I had failed as a mortal. I had failed as a human. I can't bring myself to humor salvation." yells Anton on his knees.

"Stand up. follow me. my room isn't far from here. let it all out and then take rest. you seem to need a rest more than anyone. you had worked the hardest. a man with such responsibility shouldn't overwhelm himself." said Jessica with a serene tone of voice. 

Anton follows her quietly. he cleans the tears from his eyes. he smiles as he feels like some weight has fallen off his shoulders. Anton tries to find peace within himself. maybe this is the opportunity he has always seek, the opportunity to cleanse his conscience.

Anton stops in front of what seems to be a wall. Jessica pushes a button. a part of the wall in the shape of two gates opens by moving backwards. then it moves to the sides. it leaves an opening for them to get inside the room.

the room in question is small. there is a small dusty bed on the right corner. a fake window to the left with a fake view to a garden with wildlife and a blue sky. a little wooden table with a wooden chair by the feet of the bed. on the opposite side a little kitchen.

"It is warm, right?" said Jessica with a force smile.

the two of them walk towards the bed. they sit on top of the bed. Anton starts to talk about his mistakes and sins. he is crying for the most part. Jessica pats his back. she whispers on his ear letting him know that everything will be okay. Anton wants to believe her. Anton for the longest time had felt like sinking on misery.

"Do you feel better now?" asks Jessica feeling genuinely concern for him.

"Yes, I had talked about things I had never told others. all the talking is healing in a way. maybe is because you aren't judging me. or maybe I just needed to say it. to say it aloud. I no longer feel ashamed of being who I am." said Anton with teary eyes.

"Great. tell me more. let it all out." said Jessica.

"I, maybe. some other time. I think I had said more than enough. I don't want to bother you with my pain. but can I stay for some minutes? I just want to digest what I had let out. oh my, I can't believe how beautiful is the sky. it is almost real. has the real sky ever been that beautiful? I don't think so or maybe is just my perception of its beauty."