strawberries and champagne

Follow the sun. Invite the night. 

She stared at the words written on the card held tightly in her hands, and turned the card over to an image of a descending sun with three white stars arched above the ball of light. In front of her stood a door, the same sunset painted and peeling on the aged wood. In her pocket were the stars, dangling on a string tied to a skeleton key. 

The key fit snug in the lock. She twisted the key. The door clicked open. A narrow hallway stretched out before her. 

She walked down the midnight black carpet until it came to an end at the top of a stone staircase. They curled down, spiralling to a place she could not see. Small alcoves were carved into the wall of the stone staircase, each one displayed carvings of either books, magical objects, or hands. The hands held trays of champagne and port and tiny desserts. 

She accepted a candied strawberry and a glass of champagne, taking a bite and a sip. 

Deep red candles alternated between alcoves, dripping with wax and endlessly burning. The candle light dimmed once she reached the bottom of the stairs, and a final door opened. She walked into a dark room of hazy lights and rhythmic music. The door closed behind her. 

“Welcome to the world after dark. I’ve heard so much about you.”