Tricks of the room of mirrors; unedited Version. Check out page for edited vs.

Chapter 7: The plan

 

Jack knocked on the wooden door. He stood on the veranda of the dingy little cottage hidden away in the thick of the forest. Twigs and leaves coiled around the disproportionate pillars. Moss ran up the sides of the walls, the white paint, almost nearly all chipped off.

 

Nobody answered the door. Jack shuffled impatiently from one foot to the other. He knocked again, a little harder this time.

 

“Go away,” said an unexpected voice. It was feminine and shaky, “I said go away boy. You have no business here.”

 

“Excuse me; Are you the witch who can help me?”

 

There was silence. Jack spoke again, “Look, I don’t normally ask for help because I don’t normally need it and even if I do need it I’d never admit it but now I am so you must see how important it is that you ANSWER THE BLOODY DOOR!”

 

“Don’t you talk to me like that,” She said, “Go away. I cannot help you. I will not speak to you.”

 

“You know what, then don’t speak just hear me out. There’s this girl I know, well a lady, who could pass as a girl but is on the verge of becoming a-whatever. She was taken by this guy who’s not normal. He was fast and strong and even more than me, or anyone really, a spic I think. But he took her and he’s going to kill her unless I take him something called the Elixir of eternal youth, which I have no idea what it is. I need you to help me; I was told you could help me.” Jack breathed, surprised at how much he talked.

 

“Fine,” she said. The door creaked in protest and every hinge as it swung open.

 

“Thank you?” Jack shrugged and took a step into the musky room.

 

The only source of lights was the slices of sunlight that escaped through the slats in the windows and walls. “Uh, nice place you have.”

 

Jack jumped in shock as the door slammed behind him. “Can we turn a light on?”

 

“Give me a moment; you have awoken me mid-sleep. Sit down, I will be with you.” Said the voice and she moved as a shadow through a door. Jack used his shin as a guide as to where the solid objects was in the room. He found his way to a couch and sat himself on it.

 

In no more than 3 minutes the lady had returned again, flipping a switch on the wall. The light on the wall flickered for a moment before staying on its full brightness.  Jack caught sight of the lady he had spoken to. She was beautiful no doubt. She was tall with long slender limbs. She had snow white hair which hung all the way down her back to her thighs. She had huge green eyes, like Jacks. Her skin was a milky white but flawless except for a small scar on the top of her left eye. “I do not know how I can help you. But I can tell you something that might help you understand it.”

 

“I need to make sure she’s safe, please tell me anything.”

 

The lady sat down opposite Jack in a one man arm chair, “Firstly boy, tell me-”

 

“You gotta stop calling me boy. You’re no older than me.”

 

“Sorry,” she said dismissively, “but first I am curious. I know all about you Jack Bowen. You don’t love anyone Why her?”

 

“Why who?” Jack sat back in his seat.

 

“The girl who was taken away from you. Why do you care for her so much?”

 

“I don’t- I do- I do not know? Look, can you tell me or not?”

 

“Fine, there is something you need to know about your father, Richard.”

 

Jack cringed, “What about my father?” He gritted through my teeth.

 

“Jack,” She placed her slender hand on his leg, “He’s also my father.”

 

 

 

 

 

Emily slid into the bath. The cold water tickled her skin and stung her cuts. Emily cringed and shivered. Reluctantly she undid her hairband and shook her hair out. Holding her breath she sunk lower under the water so her head was completely concealed by the waters brim.  She felt like she could’ve stayed under there forever, as if she had no reason to get out of the water. She was in pain either way. Her head ached excruciatingly. She wondered would Jack come from her. Would he have a reason to? And if he didn’t would Azuel let her goes or just kill her because he can? He certainly looked like the sort of person who would.

 

Azuel had strangely suggested (forced) Emily to have a bath and clean up, giving her new clothes which she had not seen yet.

 

The room was dark and there was only one window but the curtains were drawn. 

 

She sat up, water rushing from her face. Hopping out of the bath, she shivered as the early night’s breeze ran over her feet.  She put the clothes on.

 

 It was time to go through with Azuel’s plan, a plan which she would probably end up dead in anyway.