Mara Ana and the Keys

A Story based on the song 'Keep Yourself Alive' by Queen

 

            The light dangling noise of the Orderly’s keys as he sacheted down the hall woke Mara Ana from a light slumber. Lifting her head slightly, she saw him pass her room without as much as a glance. Though she knew that this was going to be the day, and nothing would change that.

            Within that heartbeat, an irritating buzz sounded, and the doors swung open with great force.

            Mara Ana stood slowly and smoothed her white pants. Stretching slowly as well for now she had to run. Her one obstacle would be Guy, the Orderly whom had un-Orderly-like intentions, as noble as they may be. 

            “Good morning, Mara.” He stuck his head in, his slicked back black hair going unmoved as he pressed his head to the door frame, “Time for breakfast.”

            Mara only smiled, not making eye contact. She would eat, for her chance would be afterward, when they would be taken outside. But first she had to bribe Guy into getting her something, her most prized possession – her keys.

            She took a deep breath and sauntered over to him. Mara Ana then looked up into his eyes and put her hand up to his face and through his thick hair, “I need you to do something for me,”

            He practically purred at her touch, “Will it make up for the atrocities I committed in my last life, as you have told me?” his tone was slightly joking.

            “Of course,” she lied. It would be many lifetimes before he made up for such atrocities. 

            “I will do anything for you, you know. What is it you want me to do?”

            “I want my keys. Can you bring them to me after breakfast?” She brought his face close to hers.

            Guy grabbed her face and kissed her all too passionately. “I will do this for you.” He then disappeared down the hall as some of the other women emerged from their rooms and began filing toward the cafeteria.

            Mara Ana didn’t even feel him leave for his kiss had been brutal. She too began to file down the hallway with the other crazies. Never did she like eating with them, for they actually were crazy, as opposed to Mara’s truths that she learned as a child: She was to open the door. So her whole life she had been obsessed with one thing, one thing alone.

            Keys.

            All sorts, but mostly ones shaped to be key chains. Those usually had the right shape.

            “It’s raining too hard! Please let us go back inside!” One girl screamed.

            “Apples!” Another cried.

            Mara Ana rolled her eyes and ate. The same girls got out of hand as they usually did and they were removed.

            Soon enough, she saw Guy return. He was out of breath and nodded to one of the other orderlies. Guy then glanced at her quickly and she knew he had succeeded.

            For that she smiled and finished her meal. The bell sounded for them and everyone stood as if they were soldiers in some army; some crazy army.

            Mara Ana got in line, to which Guy passed her a most prized possession. Seven keys she collected over the course of fifteen years.

            They were going to help her get out of here.

            “Thank you, Sir Owain.” She repeated as if reciting a poem. His previous incarnation was a far cry from this one, for that one he had power.

            Thankfully, he was entranced, and at the opportune moment, she ran to the entrance, cutting behind a visiting couple and squeezing through the gate. The narrow hallway had no obstacles and it was wholly meant to be.

            Everyone had a delayed reaction and it took them a moment before they went after her. Guy had a look of total horror and yelled after her, the Head Doctor yelling at him as he ran by.

            When she got outside, the alarm went off, which meant she just missed being locked in. Mara Ana did not stall outside either, for she immediately ran west, crossing the street without a hint of traffic.

            Mara Ana really didn’t know how far she ran, five blocks at least. She paused next to a phone booth to catch her breath when she heard the sirens. Looking up, she saw there were clouds beginning to form, dark clouds. She had to find shelter and fast, which is when she spotted a stadium about half a mile away. There was music coming from it, and she realized a crowd would be a great cover, at least until she found the right door.  As the sky darkened further, she knew it would be soon.

            The place pulsated, the music and bass leaving a painful numbing thudding in Mara Ana’s head. It was louder than anything she had ever heard. Entering, or more like being admitted to, the hospital at such a young age did shelter her from such experiences as concerts.

            But something had led them to her, the door opened and she knew she would need to run again. 

            Thunder sounded. Mara Ana quickened her pace.

            Then, a crowd bloomed before her, all hypnotized by the boisterous music. It was so loud Mara Ana had to hold her hands to her ears. This lapse made her stop and she felt a hand on her shoulder in that moment. She turned to the face of Guy; the face of evil from his previous incarnation came out. Mara Ana screamed and it caused the singer to stop and look on stage. People around Mara Ana noticed her distress and came to her aide. They pulled her from Guy and guided her toward the stage. 

            The singer grabbed her arm and hoisted her on stage. It all happened so fast, Mara Ana did not know what to say. A loud crash of thunder came as lightning split through the stadium. The music stopped and people screamed.

            “I’m Tom DiScali,” The singer said, taking her offstage.

            “Mara Ana,” She took the keys from under her shirt, “I’m looking for a door.”

            As if he knew, he nodded, “Come with me.”

            Leading her backstage, he made complicated twists and turns until they came to a small dressing room littered with all sorts of odds and ends. But in the back of the room was a rustic door. Mara Ana looked at Tom and back at the door.

            “For some reason, I knew when I saw you.” He said, as she went to the door. A loud crash of thunder came and the building shook.

            “A long time I’ve been waiting for this,” Mara fanned the seven keys in front of her, “Now let’s see if I have the right key.”