The iridescent light from the moon shone through the small window of the obscure chamber. I reluctantly forced myself to enter, not knowing what I would encounter. My breath was shallow as I inhaled and exhaled abruptly, taken back by the chill of the air.
Raising my heavy shoes each time I took a protracted step, I made sure to place my foot back on the floor quietly enough so that it would be inaudible to those who lay below. However, it was unmanageable to preclude the tiny clang from the heel of my boot as it came into contact with the desiccated floor boards. I stood motionless for a moment to prevent myself from making any further sound that would alert people to my whereabouts. I tried to supress my breath, but it continued to escape my body sharply in diminutive squalls.
Once satisfied that no one had heard my actions, I continued further into the core of the room. Moving across, and under the insignificant window, the small beams of light shone down on me, illuminating the splits in my trousers. I kept moving until I stopped in front of the mirror that was highlighted also by the emissions of light. I gazed at the replication of myself that appeared in the mirror before me. My long dark hair that fell just past emaciated shoulders began to tie itself up, a handful of strands at a time until it was all deftly drawn back into a sinuous tress. My dusky eyes were lined with a contour of black eyeliner, and my long eyelashes were coated with a thick deposit of mascara.
Suddenly the background behind me went murky, and I could see but as far as my hands. Anxiety rose from the extremity of my abdomen and I retracted my step slightly. Unable to comprehend the event at hand, I held my breath as I delayed to see the dust resolve.
The mirror image remained black, although there was a certain background glow. I narrowed my eyes, unable to see anything but my fragile body. Becoming more cognisant of my surroundings, my ears were soon able to detect a slight buzz – an almost imperceptible sound – that seemed somewhat familiar; although it was too quiet to locate where I had heard it previously.
The lighting, although indistinct, began to glow. This permitted me to make out those by whom I was surrounded – my friends. The stood beside me, gaze casted forward and arms elevated. Although I was incapable of seeing in front of me – to see what I was supposed to be looking at – I became conscious of where I actually stood.
With that realisation, I watched the mirror attentively and enthusiastically, absorbed by the atmosphere that I had experienced many times and developed a robust taste for. It was truly addictive. The buzz of the amplifiers sounded through the room, resonating off everything within. My heart rate seemed to intensify as I observed myself and my friends as we began to scream and shout.
Those around me began to chant the name “Avenged Sevenfold” repeatedly in unison. I undeniably now knew where I was – a concert. Not just any concert, but the one I had been readily anticipating for months.
The band itself was something of prodigious significance for me. Subsequent to my mother’s passing three years prior, I had been sent to live with my Aunt and Uncle – who were far from pleasant. Through the hard times, I had turned to their music. It was the only thing that kept me sane.
And now, appearing before my Aunt’s old decrepit mirror was the thing that I wanted to experience more than anything. The desire of such was so durable that nothing could extinguish it. I had often imagined it in my cognizance.
I was looking upon the venue wherein I wanted to be more than anything. But it was not just the music; it was the fans - the community and the rapport that we would share under the performance of the band. I wanted to impression that strong connection with people, and make indissoluble bonds with others. I wanted a family – a family of fellow fans who understood me. And that could only be obtained through my love for music – the thing that I truly desired the most.
