Maiden of Roses

by H31R OF T1M3

When faced with a choice, Ib does the one thing nobody expects; she sacrifices herself. Now she's the painting, as Mary and Garry start to live their lives. But as years pass, and memories of Ib have faded, will Ib understand what it's like to live alone in a demented world? And what happens when Mary and Garry decide to go back to Guertena's exhibits?

3. Turn Your Petals Black

Ib looked out at the museum. The room was empty. "This is so boring," she murmured. "I wish there was somebody who I could talk to," she said. She touched the corner of the room, turning the wall opaque.

"I'm here!" a voice said from behind her. Ib turned around, her eyes wide.

"Who's there?" she asked. The wall glimmered, turning to glass before it disappeared.

"A friend," the voice said. A woman with black eyes and short brown hair was on the other side of the wall. "You can call me Iris," she said, smiling.

"Oh, hello," Ib said, mildly suspicious. She backed into the wall, reaching for a nonexistent corner.

"Oh," Iris said, looking mildly upset. "I thought I found someone who would like to talk…I've been here alone for so long…" Her eyes welled up with tears.

"I'm sorry Ms. Iris," Ib said, putting on a smile. "I feel bad for her," she thought, "I mean, she is in the same situation I am…" She walked over to Iris, and gave her a hug.

"Oh, thank you!" Iris said, "But you can just call me Iris." Ib nodded.

"So how long have you been here?" Ib asked. Iris looked at the wall, lost in thought.

"I…don't know…Time is different in this world," she said, walking over to the now conjoined wall, pressing the corner. The wall turned translucent, and showed the room. It was now dark, the lights were off.

The wall had a large curly M-5:51:32-11/4/10 on it.

"Is that the time?" Ib asked. Iris nodded, pressing the wall twice, turning it solid.

"It's only been a few seconds, right?" she asked.

"Yeah, why?" Ib asked. Iris pressed the wall, pointing at the place where the numbers were.

It now read, M-8:21:59-11/8/10.

"That's how fast the time passes?" Ib shouted. Iris nodded again. Ib stumbled over to the wall, pressing it twice, turning it back to normal. "Is that all it can do?" she asked. Iris shook her head.

"It can do a lot, but not everything," she said, as though she had tried something obscure. Ib looked down, thinking.

"Can it show me people I know?" she asked. Iris nodded.

"Walk up to the wall and whisper their names," Iris said. Ib looked at her confused, wondering how that would do anything.

"Show me…Garry," she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears, remembering him. Iris smiled, her black eyes glimmering.

"Now, my little rose," she said, "let me make your petals black."