The burning question: what are those in fear and despair capable of? Destroying each other along with the planet? Living in a bunker with no hope of escape – is that our future? And most importantly, is there a force that can help us overcome our fears and alienation? Seek the answers in the mirror maze…
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Группа авторов. The Mirror Maze. Almost a chess novella
Debut
Pandora’s Box
Chapter One: Sunspots
Dream
Nightmare
Chapter Two: Der Maler. Die Malerei
Chapter three: Order versus Chaos
Chapter Four: Portrait of Little Sparrow
Scary Tales
Chapter Five: The Exit is Where the Entrance is
Chapter Six: Magic Ball
Chuchundra
Chapter Seven: For Who It Was All For…
Endgame
Backstage of an Almost Chess Novella
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Only the desperate can be worse than the frightened… The Caribbean crisis of 1962 kept the whole world tense and in fear for several months. It’s no wonder that the order to start the Project was given precisely at that time. Nuclear war stopped being an illusion or the plot of sci-fi novels. A decision was made to seriously begin developing a survival strategy. The order was formulated with special precision: select and make an inheritable tendency to solitude and sedentariness, which would combine with efficiency and work performance capability. An underground bunker was taken as a model for the ideal habitat. It was difficult. Many test subjects fell into depression. They started becoming lethargic and apathetic. Their performance dropped. Claustrophobia. Panic attacks. Numerous suicides. We did not find the correct approach right away.
Now, sixty years later, it became clear that the Experiment had succeeded, however, there was a moment when the whole project was hanging by a thread… 1999. Hikikomori.
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Now, in 2022, I can consider my project completed. It has become self-sustaining. Everything is moving in the right direction. I am not worried for my creation or humanity. We are ready for life in a bunker. Mission accomplished…
Okay, hurry before you change your mind. Mirror. Eyes: dumplings. Need sunglasses. Slippers will do. The main focus is not stopping. It’s so chilly on the stairwell. I hate the elevator. Jesus, how many steps are there!? It’s quiet outside. Too quiet. I need to cross the road and sit at that table in the shade. The sparrows are chirping so loudly here. Cappuccino, please. And something for the sparrows, or against sparrows?
