Ladya and Flora: z + (i/z Transformation) by Enrique Castro-Cid
Monologue by Hannah Nolton '25
Fall 2021
Querido Diario, it is día uno in my new home. It is cozy here with a nice yellow color on the walls, it reminds of me of the sun. The wood could use some work, though, it does happen to be a little, (mutters) que es la palabra, oh…bent. I don’t know, maybe it’s that new “modern” look everyone is talking about. Either way, I’m happy to be here now. The trip from Chile was very long and now, I am very tired. I’m trying to keep up with all the new languages here. Where am I now you ask? I was told I was moving “muy lejos” that is, very far, to a place called Vir-gin-ia. Well, I’m going to get some sleep and settle in more tomorrow.
Día dos, today is the day I am going to explore, but there doesn’t seem to be much outside my home. The usual trees, grass, farmland, but I’ll go into town, maybe the post office or the, what do they call it here, oh a farmer’s market. There is something about this casa that isn’t right though. The walls, they make strange noises. A…a…and the floors, they sound like someone is walking on them even when no one is there. I swear I see shadows lurking around the corners. (sighs) It’s probably just my imagination, I must get used to being alone in this big house. I will continue to unpack my decorations and make my house more comfortable. Maybe then I will stop thinking that my house is haunted.
Día tres, I have barely gotten any sleep the past two nights. I have been too frightened to close my eyes. Something is in my home and I can’t ignore it any longer. Today, I’m going to find out what is happening. Today, I’m going to learn the truth. Instead of shying away from the dark, cold areas of my home, I will go towards it. (beat) ok, ok, I found something.
For the past couple days I’ve been trying to understand the shadow in my home. She is about the same size as me, with long flowing dark hair. I’ve attempted to communicate with this being, but all I’ve received so far are grunts and nods. Most of the time, she runs away. Today I’m going to try and make some progress. I’ll update you in a few moments when I get some answers. (beat) I started by asking her name. Flora, she told me, her name is Flora. Ok, now we are getting somewhere. This is what my conversation was like.
“Where are you from? What do you want? And why are you here, bothering me of all people?” I asked.
“So you can see me? Oh no, it has begun?”
“Perdon? Did you just say ‘begun?’ Is there something I need to be worried about?”
Ostras! She disappeared on me. I’m going to try and get some sleep after that.
Día seis, Flora has come back. I wonder if she’ll tell me more about her warning. This is what she told me.
“I am from a different dimension. I had some theories that we weren’t the only universe, but nobody believed me. I continued my work anyway and, eventually, I made it. The power hungry leaders of my world took my work and made it their own, now they are coming to conquer whole universes and create a multiverse unified under their corrupt rule.”
For two days I tried to understand how Flora moved from universe to universe while I prepared to fight for my dimension. Did I tell anyone you ask? Of course not, I don’t want to be seen as the town crazy lady quite yet.
Día ocho, no nueve, I don’t remember now. Lo siento. I’ve been MIA for a while. Things are only getting stranger. Now, when I look out the window, I see…well…I see people. But, not my kind of people. They have backpacks on and seem to maybe be in school? They are looking at something to the side of me, to the side of my house. I didn’t think anything was over there. Now that I’m looking, it looks to be a dramatic scene, maybe some sort of classic piece of art or theater? But in the middle of the farmland. Dios mio, now they are staring at me. What could they want? I don’t want…I won’t let them take Flora. In my state of shock I hear one say, “Now who has Ladya.” One raises her hand and says, “me.” How do they know me? Why aren’t they acknowledging my presence if they know I’m here? The first one says, “That’s my favorite.” I have to get out of here, I have to protect my universe, but how, I’m now stuck in this new dimension. Or are these the people who have come to destroy my home?