Through the Glass

Chapter 10

Eliza found herself seated once again in the group circle, but this time the atmosphere was much more relaxed. The earlier intensity of the emotional object-sharing session had given way to a quieter, reflective mood. In the center of the room, a stack of blank paper, colored pencils, and various mandala designs were neatly arranged. Tori stood in front of the group, her voice calm and encouraging.

"We've processed a lot today," Tori said gently. "Now it's time to slow down and find a little calm. Mandala drawing is a meditative practice, a way to focus the mind and let go of the tension. There's no pressure here—just choose a design that speaks to you and take your time coloring it in."

Eliza's fingers hovered over the stack of paper for a moment before she finally reached for one. She selected a mandala with intricate, swirling patterns, the shapes resembling the delicate veins of a leaf or the smooth curves of a river. The colors were vibrant and seemed to pulse with energy, drawing her in like a magnet. As her hand traced the lines of the design, she felt a sense of calm and connection, as if the paper was an extension of herself reaching out to something greater.

Connor, sitting beside her, had already picked his design—a simple pattern of concentric circles—and was quietly gathering colored pencils. Eliza followed suit, choosing a palette of soft, calming colors. She wasn't used to this kind of mindfulness exercise, but there was something appealing about letting herself get lost in the simplicity of it.

The room settled into a peaceful quiet, the only sounds the soft scratching of pencils on paper. Eliza found herself sinking into the task, the tension in her body gradually easing as she filled in each section of the mandala. The swirling patterns began to take shape under her hand, the colors blending together in a soothing rhythm. It was the first time all day that her mind felt still.

She glanced over at Connor. The man sat focused on his work, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. The weight of his presence beside her was a comforting anchor, even in the stillness that surrounded them. They didn't feel the need to fill the space with idle chatter. The silence between them felt effortless, like two puzzle pieces perfectly fitting together. Each moment spent in this peaceful quietude only served to strengthen their bond and understanding of each other.

As the session progressed, Eliza's thoughts began to drift. She replayed moments from earlier in the day—the intense object-sharing exercise, her emotional breakdown, Connor's comforting presence afterward. She wasn't sure what to make of the connection she felt with him, but she couldn't deny that it was there. It felt... safe.

Tori's voice eventually broke the peaceful silence. "Alright, everyone, we'll wrap up here. Thank you for participating. I hope this exercise gave you some peace. We'll meet again tomorrow morning, but until then, take time for yourselves."

Eliza looked down at her nearly finished mandala. She hadn't realized how absorbed she had become in the simple act of coloring. She folded the paper carefully and tucked it into her notebook. The mandala wasn't complete, but it felt like it had served its purpose.

Dinner was quieter than lunch had been, with the golden light of the setting sun casting a warm glow through the dining hall windows. Eliza and Connor sat at a small table near the corner, the soft murmur of conversations filling the space around them.

They ate in silence at first, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The quiet felt natural after such an emotional day. Eliza picked at her food, her thoughts lingering on the events of the afternoon. The mandala session had helped, but there was still a lingering heaviness in her chest.

Connor eventually broke the silence, his voice soft. "How are you feeling after today?"

Eliza took a moment to gather her thoughts. "It was... a lot," she admitted, her voice low. "But I'm glad for the quiet time with the mandalas. It helped me calm down."