The Hidden World

Home Again

Christina walked down the stairs carefully. ''I've been gone a whole day, how will I explain that ?!'' She asked herself. She thought of telling Brianna and her mom about the mirror ,but decided against it . Without proof and she could never get them to even go in the attic . They were so realistic .Then she thought about the key as proof , but they would just dismiss that as part of her ''absent mindedness '', and would probably say she bought the key or found it somewhere . Besides it could be her own secret... a place she could go when no one was looking ... her hiding place , that will work for now anyway .

She walked down the hall quietly. Her mom was still sleeping . As she passed Brianna's room she glanced at the clock it was 2:30. She was asking herself'' Why aren't Brianna and mom running around and talking to the police, after all I've been gone a full 24 hours ''. A sudden pang of guilt surged through her then anger ''Do they not care about me at all?'' she thought to herself .Then it occurred to her that since the mirror was magical maybe the time was different in that world,she doubted it though. She walked to the fridge and looked at the calendar ''No way ! It's still my birthday and the same time as when I left !Then no time has passed at all ! '' she said out loud forgetting to be careful . '' What's so amazing and why are you gawking at the calendar?''asked Brianna who had walked up silently from behind .''What!''Christina jumped. '' Wow, you shoulda seen how you jumped!'' laughed Brianna. ''Sshh mom's sleeping '' . said Christina said trying to cover her evident embarrassment. '' Anyway , you haven't told me why you were gawking at the calendar like that.'' Brianna changed from laughing sister to serious boring sister ." I... forgot the date .'' she said pretending absent mindedness . '' Hmm'' said Brianna opening the fridge and looking for the leftover pizza . '' Dad called 5 mins ago to say he would be here for dinner, so I was wondering if we could whip something up ,something to go with pizza .Mom's too tired to cook'' . said Brianna . Christina was thinking of all the stuff she had eaten at Charles 's father's mansion, she was spoiled by the food .'' We have a whole chicken in the freezer right?'' she was thinking of the deliciously roasted chicken she had there .''That doesn't go with pizza ''said Brianna frowning .''I know . We have a cook book and you'r good cook , I'm thinking of roasted chicken and sautéd onions and peppers and stuff . she said . Brianna raised her eyebrows '' We have enough time , and it sounds good . Let's do it

It felt good to see their dad . To hear his deep voice and the comforting circle of his arms ,and his and their mom's approval of their meal they had so carefully prepared . She appreciated his cooing over them . He told them of his recent trip to California , how nice it was there and the people he had met . His job which was touring with his Christian band '' The Faithful Five'' led him all over the country . Best of all he had even led some people to Christ . He even brought them some jewelry from California. Christina got a necklace with a dolphin with all kinds of colors on it. Brianna got bracelet with pink shells on it , and her mom got a beautiful ring with the shape of a star fish. After receiving the gifts , Christina sat back and studied her father . He had been gone for over six months touring with his band in that time aunt Ruth became sick and they moved here for the time being . His hair was blond like her's but showing some white . His chest was broad and his arms strong . His smile was wide , his eyes were blue and kind . He was the most energetic and entertaining person she knew .When he was angry his face would change and a thundercloud would descend upon his face or a cold mask would come upon his face . The thing about him she most loved was his liking for fantasy books and stories liked she liked to read. When he came back he would always ask her things like have you finished The Knights Of Arrethrae by Chuck Black or Narnia by C.S Lewis . He didn't make fun of her absent mind, for which she was grateful. Maybe she could tell him about the mirror ...would he believe her? She wasn't sure. He seemed to avoid talking about their dead aunt , for which the funeral service was being held tomorrow. He asked them how school was going and his plans for his band , but abruptly he looked at Christina and said ''I went to our house to check on some things and the house next to us , you know the one for sale ? ''. Everyone nodded. ''Well , it sold and I met the people who just moved in, and you'll be glad to know Christina that they have a strong Christian 14 year old girl''. Just maybe , they could become best friends and she could show her the mirror! .Christina thought excitedly . Then suddenly she remembered that she needed to tell her parents what her aunt had given her .'' Hey, speaking of home , aunt Ruth gave me something out of the attic . It is rather large and ... well it's a mirror . '' she stopped talking from the look on Brianna's face. ''Is that where you have been getting this magical mirror stuff '' she asked scorn in her voice . their father raised his eyebrows and looked at her. Her mom also looked at her . "Well .. no and yes anyway ... ''You better start from the beginning Christina ''.said her father encouragingly .'' Okay, but you won't believe me''...