Mirror Mirror

Chapter 11

The woman turned around to stare angrily at the girl beside her.  “What did you do that for?”  Her question shook the entire place they were in, sending the illusion scattering away.  The girl shrugged her shoulders, not the least bit afraid of the woman.  “It’s not her time.”  She said simply.

The background changed rapidly to match the woman’s mood, sending rings of smoke and fire flying all around them. 

“You will pay for this you . . .”

“There is nothing you can do to me here.  I am not bound like you, to this mirror.  You do what you have to - and I’ll do what I must.  We’ll see who wins this one.”  The girl spoke calmly, confidently.

“I will!”  She screeched.  “I will get her - and the others too, like all the others before!  You could not stop me then, you won’t stop me now!”

But the girl was already gone.

Stephen turned slowly, realizing that Jarrod was standing beside him.

“What were you hoping to find, Stephen?”

“I don’t know, answers, perhaps.  It’s closed! I came all this way, and it’s closed.”  He sounded defeated, but only for a second.  His black eyes grew darker as the beginnings of an idea formulated in his mind.  He ran a hand through his hair in excitement, a sly little smile playing on his lips.  Jarrod caught the look.

“No! Oh no! If you’re thinking what I think you are, you’re nuts.”

Stephen was nodding his head, the look of pure devilment on his features. 

 “Yes I am!”  He declared.  “We’re breaking in!”

Jarrod listened, stupefied, while Stephen discussed his plan. 

“He was actually gonna go through with it!”  He couldn’t believe it. 

“Well you do know about breaking in don’t you?”

“Hacking, Stephen! Hacking!  It’s different.  I break into computers not houses!  You’re out of you mind!”  Jarrod wasn’t pleased.

Stephen could care less.  “Breaking and entering - this way or that - works out to the same thing. Come on - chameleon, let’s see your camouflage.”  He tried to keep his tone light. 

He finally gave in. “Okay, okay.  Start again from the top.  I’ll help you...but if you land me in trouble, I’m toast!  You got that?  I’m already on probation back home.”

“Just do as I say.  It’ll be fine.  Trust me.”  He winked.  He hoped it sounded convincing.  His voice sounded a whole lot more confident than he felt.  “I asked you along on an adventure, remember.  I’ll be damned if I send you back without one.”

Jarrod dropped his head in his hands in exasperation, while Stephen spoke, wondering when he was going to wake up from this bad dream.  Stephen had some nerve, he had to admit - but this was not the movies.  A lot was at stake here - but he’d go along with Stephen’s plans - at least for now.

The plan was to go back to town and get something to eat.  The sun was beginning to set.  They'd stop by the hardware shop that they passed by earlier, and get some supplies-first thing in the morning.  Their story, if anybody asked, was to be that they were going rock climbing.  Nobody would be the wiser.  They’d be in and out of the mansion in a flash, hang around till dark and then break into the house.  

Stephen didn’t tell him, but he sensed that the answers were there, waiting to be found.  He could feel her watching over him, but he didn’t know whom.