Nayara was praying in her room. She wasn’t a very religious person, but she didn’t know what else to do. Too many things in her life were wrong, and she needed all the help she could get.

Not long ago she heard of a place. A haven for all kinds of people. There were no wars in the safe zone; nor was there hunger and nobody judged you for who you were. It was like a promise land. Only problem though? Nobody knew for sure how to get there. Some people said you have to look for the secret signals painted on the streets. Others that you have to sacrifice a chicken and bath in their blood. Others assured her that the only way to get there was invoking a demon through a mirror. One person told her that she only needed to call the police and give them a secret Mormon password. And she had been told many stories like that , each crazier than the previous.

Nayara had tried everything (except the chicken part, she didn’t have the stomach and now she has a chicken pet). Praying was her last resource so she prayed day and night. Her parents were very happy with her change of attitude. If they only knew.

Everything changed when she accidentally bumped another person at the public library.

‘I know what are you trying to do and I would give up if I were you.’ He told Nayara before walking away.

She was so shocked by the comment she forgot she was at the library and chased after him.

“Wait!” She exclaimed. “How do you know? Who are you?”

The man ignored her, but she insisted until the librarian expelled both of them. The man was visibly deranged.

‘Didn’t I told you to give up? Why do you chase after me?’ He demanded.

“How did you know what I was doing?”

The man growls. “If I told you will you leave me alone?”

“Yes, if you answer my questions then I will leave you alone.”

“Fine. I knew because you were on a very specific corner looking for a very specific token. I have seen that look before; you are looking for a way in into the haven.”

Nayara jaw drops.

‘If you know what I was looking for why have you told me to stop? Don’t you want to go to? I mean, it's a dream come true. No hunger, no wars. No homophobic parents telling you that you are a sick person and you should beg for forgiveness just for existing.”

The man’s face softens a little.

“I’m Andreu.” He introduces himself.

“Nayara.”

“Okay. Listen Nayara, I know you are in a bad place right now but running away is not the solution.”

“Didn’t you hear what I just told you? I cannot live in that house and I have no where to go; no distant family to host me, no job to pay rent. Nothing.”

“Then find a job and save money.”

“My parents have forbidden me to get a job and it’s not like I can sneak out of the house because my mother is always watching. I’m only allowed to go the public library for an hour because the rest of the time I have to be cooped up in the house helping with my siblings. I have no options left; my family hates me and is making sure I have zero independence and zero chances to be free.”

Andreu covered his face like if he was having some kind of inner fight.

“I know how you can get there but I must warn you; getting in is easy, getting out? Not so much so you have to be one hundred percent sure.”

“I’m one thousand percent sure.”

“Fine, you will need a full body mirror.”

“Done. Anything else?”

“A magic candle, but I have those.”

A honk and a shout interrupted their conversation.

“Shit. My parents. I have to go”’ Complained Nayara

“Come tomorrow and I will give you the candle.”

She nodded her head and raced to the car. The trip was uncomfortable to say the less. Her parents were not happy to know she has been talking to a strange man. They were even less happy to know she had forgotten her jacket at the library, and she would have to go back.

When Nayara made it to the library Andreu was already there waiting for her with a red candle in his hands.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked.

“Yes.”

“Okay. Then, tonight, when you are alone lit the candle in front of the mirror and say 'let me in'.”

“That’s it? Just light a candle and you are in?”

“This is no regular candle so make sure nobody sees it before you lit it.”

“Understood.”

“And don’t bother to pack.”

“Why?”

But the question was left unanswered; Nayara parents were already there to pick her up.

Despite the advice Nayara prepared a backpack with several pieces of clothing, two of her favorite books, pocket money from her last birthday, a phone charger and a few snacks. When she felt ready, she lit the candle and said the words.

‘Let me in.’

For a second nothing happened and Nayara feared she has done something wrong. Before she could panic, a gigantic red hand came out of the mirror and pulled her inside.

**************************************************

When Nayara woke up she found herself on a strange dark place. Nobody was there and her backpack was missing.

‘Shit.’ She thought, looking everywhere. But no matter how much he walked the dark smoke didn’t fade; nor did she found a wall or a door. Not to mention one single person.

‘What the hell is this!’ Nayara yelled to the void after walking for hours.

“This is what you wanted.” Answered a cryptic voice that seemed to come from all the directions at once. “A safe place with no wars and no hunger. Nobody to judge you.”

“Wait!” She screamed “This is not what I meant. Let me out! Let me out!”

No one answered her pleas.