A Paradox Reality

Chapter 12: Run Like a Cat

Recently with Elyssa--

She missed Edmund. It was going to be a long year without him...

***

"YOUR UNIFORMS--" Ms. Rodriquez handed the sleek, black unitards over. "Every day, I expect them to be in perfect alignment, ironed, and washed. As for your shoes," she glanced down at the tall boots she put before them. "they must keep their well-formed shape, stay clean, and they will be polished every day.

"Do not shine them! Ever! Their glare will give away positions when we're on missions, and I will dock points from one who does."

She paced around the floor, her back rock-rod straight. "Girls, I expect your hair to be in a tight bun every day. As for the boys, your hair must be cut, military style." Then, she sighed. "I don't have time to explain all the functions of your uniform, so you'll have to figure out the secrets on your own. You need to get dressed now, so we can begin training," she told them, looking at her nails.

Seeing that they didn't move, she yelled, "What are you waiting for? We don't have all the time in the world! GO!"

The initiates scurried to the changing rooms, afraid to further anger their instructor. Clutched tightly onto her uniform, and quickly shut her stall's door.

The girl let her clothes drop to the floor, examining her unitard. It was a tight thing, with a zipper in the back.

Elyssa smoothed the uniform over her legs, and pulled it up onto her torso, squeezing her arms through the long sleeves. She turned around, grabbing for the zipper. Elyssa pulled on her boots, which rested on her shin. Looking up, she glared at herself in the mirror.

A short, young girl, with eyes cold and blue stared back at her. She had long legs that lacked muscle, but didn't lack fat. Her arms were thin and lanky, and her loose hair fell down to her collarbone, framing her face.

Elyssa turned away, eyes shut in disgust. Was that really what she looked like?

She clutched her previous clothes, trying to avoid her own gaze in the mirror. Elyssa began to step out of the room, but then looked back, making sure she didn't leave anything behind.

She stopped, frozen in motion. It was fine, she had gotten everything, but her eyes were glued to something else. Something far more haunting than even her looks; far more disturbing.

Her snow leopard. She glowed even in the corner of Elyssa's eyes; a golden aura so bright that she had them. How and why is she here?

Elyssa turned fully around, facing the cat lurked in her nightmares. The golden leopard was even more stunning in real life, and she proved around in front of the mirror as if to prove it. Elyssa started to smile, turning around to the mirror that the female feline felt it necessary to boast in front of.

But when Elyssa glanced at it, her starting smile froze in its tracks.

The snow leopard was gone.

Elyssa's hair whipped around, and she turned to find the leopard, still dancing. No matter how many times she looked, the feline was always missing in the mirror, but still there whenever Elyssa looked behind her.

Like a ghost. Elyssa shook her head at the unreasonable thought. The cat just moves out of the way when you try to look at it in the mirror. That's all.