WTGC 17 : Level 2 (TW)

We've entered the gate to the next level. It's peaceful compared to Level 3. Less hotter but the atmosphere feels heavy and humid. The wind blowing towards us felt cool.

As minutes pass by, the gentle wind became louder. It was unnoticable at first but the wind sounds similar to whispers. It felt like it was talking directly at me using inaudible familiar voices. We just kept on walking.

"You'll never be enough." I looked at Damon thinking he was the one who whispered to me. But he was focused at the tracks ahead and didn't seem like he uttered a word.

I shooked my head to dismiss what I heard. It must've been my imagination or the heat from the previous level got into me. But the wind grew stronger.

"Why can't you be like them?"

"You're a disappointment."

The wind's voices seem like it's targeting my insecurities. Each words were harsher than before. I tried to ignore it but something else caught my attention.

There are presence of unknown figures. But all I could see are eyes. Eyes watching from the shadows. Their gazes are full of judgement and piercing me from afar. It's like they are dissecting every imperfection I could have and the winds are telling me what they found.

"You're a failure."

"You'll never be what they want."

"You are nothing but a duplicate."

The number of eyes seem to grew bigger as if they are curious onlookers. I tried to walk faster to escape the area. But the eyes just kept on following me.

I accidentally saw my reflection on a little shard at the side of the road. I saw a glimpse of myself wearing a beautiful long gown and my long brown hair. I remembered my dream before that I wanted to meet my prince just like those on fairy tales.

"She's not beautiful enough."

"She's not trying enough. It's useless. "

"She'll never be the one I wanted."

"You'll never be the daughter I dreamed of."

"You're starting to remind me of her but you're not her."

"You're so thin and fragile but you're my son."

"If you want to be loved, be the perfect daughter."

"Why do you look like her?"

"Look ... look.... she's pretending to be a girl."

"It's not a she.... it's he."

"Why is he dressed like that?"

"He's pretending to seduce the guys."

"He must be enjoying it."

"He' s using his looks to manipulate the people around him."

"He doesn't deserve his attenttion."

"He's too clingy to sir Damon."

"He thinks his girlish feature can seduce the leader of the Angels?"

"A natural born women is surely hundred times better than him."

I couldn't stand it any longer. I started running wanted to escape the endless whispers. My feet moved too quickly and so I tripped myself. But then, before I could hit the ground, A strong arm gripped me by my waist.

I could feel his close presence behind me. His breathing and heartbeat seems synchronized to mine. I knew it's Damon who caught me but I can't seem to turn around. We are frozen in our position for a few minutes trying to catch our breathe.

The gazes and wind of whispers stopped. All I can hear is his breathing and I can feel the warmth near my ears.

"Are you okay?" Damon asked but I can't answer him. The feeling inflicted by the judgements still lingers. Somehow I feel empty and hopeless. I sat down on the ground staring at a long distance.

I thought being part of the Gatori Cafe is a new start for me. I thought its time to move on and forget my past. But that's not how the purgatory works. It will keep on reminding me the things I would like to forget until I break.

Damon squatted in front of me. His mouth is moving but I can't seem to understand. Everything is muffled. He looks like he is in panic so I tried to understand what he is saying.

"Eugene!" He's shouting my name repeatedly. Damon's calling me desperately as if I'm trapped in a labyrinth. "Did you look at a mirror?" Seeing that I'm not responding, he clutched my face and rest his forehead on mine.

"Look at my eyes!" Damon shouted. I can see myself reflected on his deep blue eyes. It looks like I'm the only one he can see. "Eugene, can you hear me?" He asked. I do hear him but not clearly. "Listen to me."

"You're worth is not defined by someone else."

"You don't need to be perfect."

"You don't need to prove anything."

"You don't need to pretend to be someone else."

I think Damon is trying to counter the judgements. He is trying to comfort and reasure me.

"Please Eugene don't give up."

"Liam and Johan will be sad if you don't come back."

"Gatori Cafe wouldn't be the same."

"You're presence is important to us."

But I've only been here for a month. How can a mere soul be important? I'm sure I'm replaceable. They could hire a new cashier. Right. That Gael guy said he is supposed to be at my position. There's no need for me to come back.

Damon stopped talking as he noticed that I'm not responding. He gave up. See how easy it is. It just justifies how unimportant I am. He looks like he's deep in thought. He let out a deep sigh. He covered my eyes and leaned forward. His lips are now beside my ears.

"Eugene, listen. When the elevator door opened, I knew you were special, different. There's nothing wrong to be different. As a matter of fact, it captured my attention. It made me feel something I can't explain so until I figure it out , continue to be strong. Stay with me."

Damon's words feel sincere. His deep voice resonated and brought me back to my senses. Damon offered to carry me. He carried me princess style and asked me to rest my head on his shoulders to avoid looking around while he explains what to expect on this Level.

"The Gallery of Insecurities or Level 2 has three parts. "

Damon explained Level 2 is called the Gallery of Insecurities because the gazes make you feel that they are watching you like a display on a gallery. The first Part is Hall of Judgement, where the whispers and gazes are happening. They always anticipate the souls who come out of the gate and poke on their weakness.

And now, we are approaching the Maze of Mirrors. The main reason why Damon told me not to look. He said the mirrors are the strongest temptor in the purgatory. Not only for Level 2. They just differ on what they show you. In this case, the mirrors may show you your insecurities or show a perfect ideal you.

And lastly, The Sculptor's Chamber. After you've been presented on what you want to change or what do you want to be, this section will help you make it come true. You will be sculpted to perfection. Some souls don't leave this area as they became addicted to changing theirselves.

It just shows how someone will never satisfied with theirselves. Once they've compared theirselves to the presence of another soul, a new insecurity arise thus the need of another sculpting.

"Why are you okay and not affected by these?" I asked Damon.

"I was raised to never experience insecurities and any other temptations. "

"Must be nice to be perfect."

"I'm nowhere near perfection. It's just a requirement to be the lead of the Angels of Death. I can't be tempted. "

Yeah right. I bet Damon's one of the reasons why the souls even have insecurities. It's either they want to be like him or they want to capture his attention. They want to be Damon's ideal. To be worthy of standing beside him, to be his lover.

I suddenly remembered the whispers aimed at me earlier. There are few about Damon. If those were my insecurities, am I one of the souls who wants to be his ideal. After realizing that I am attracted to Damon romantically and one of the souls who wants to be his lover, my face became warm. I dugged my face deeper on Damon's shoulder.