Unraveling the Alt Code

Chapter Three: Girl In the Mirror

The image of Que's beautiful pen dripping ink from its shattered carriage keeps turning over and over in my mind. That sound of tiny blue droplets hitting the floor like rain plays on a constant loop and it's driving me insane. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to shake the uneasy vibe the whole situation gave me. So, grabbing the clear wash bag from under my desk, I decide maybe a shower will wash the muddy feelings away. Or at the very least relax my shaking hands for a while. Quickly and quietly, I slip out of my cube, saying a silent prayer that there is enough hot water left for a good, long soak. Lord knows I need it.

I come to the big sliding doors of the shower block and stand back as the open to reveal the empty hall before me. Steam plumes out, carrying the smell of clean fresh towels and shampoo with it. I see the familiar frosted glass pods organized in two neat rows and the rectangular sinks with their thin mirrors, suspended seemingly by magic, floating above them. I make a quick scan to make sure that I really am alone, and then breath a heavy sigh of relief. The space feels peaceful. Quiet too. The showers are always abandoned at breakfast. Good for alone time - which is a valuable commodity in a place like this.

I pull off my trainers and change them for a pair of flip flops I have in my bag. They slap on the grey tiles, making an echo that bounces off empty walls as I approach the mirror. The glass has thin coating of steam clouding its surface so I can't see what's underneath. With one finger I draw a line in the fog and watch the droplets trickle down in tiny rivers. In the small gap that's left, I catch sight of thin sliver of my face, blurred ever so slightly by the water left behind.   My white ringlets bounce and sway across my freckled cheeks, in stark contrast to my dark skin. Hazel eyes stare back at me, reflecting the white glow of fluorescent lamps with all shades of glittering brown and green...and they look just like Que's. The unsteady feeling I came here to shake off is rising  up again- threatening to boil over as I stare closer and closer and closer til my nose is flat against the mirror and my frantic breath is fogging up the glass. These are my eyes. Mine. I know this. I'm okay, I tell myself over and over. I back away slowly, regulating my breathing with each step. I need that shower. Now.

I sit, rocking with my knees tucked under my chin on the shower floor just letting the hot water wash over my body. I'm still wearing half of my clothes so my trousers cling to my aching muscles like a soggy bandage. I realize now I'll need to change again in time for Isco, so I decide I should probably cut this little spa trip short. As I step out of my pod, I suddenly realize I'm not alone in this room anymore. There is someone else in here with me. There must be, because I can hear the shower jet and smell the soap, but then again, I definitely can't see another pod colored blue for 'in use'. Thinking maybe someone left the water going, I yell out.
"Hello? Anyone in here?" I wait in anticipating silence, but there is no response. I walk slowly towards the sinks, ready to grab my towel and go when abruptly, the water cuts off. From behind me in the mirror, I see a slender figure walk out of a pod she must have left unlocked by mistake. I don't recognize her at all so she must be fairly new. Her hair falls all the way down to her hips in loose orange waves that catch the light like soft spun gold. She's so incredibly pale her skin reflects the room's bright lights, giving her an iridescent glow, making her appear almost transparent, like tracing paper. She turns sharply to face the mirrors and I see her eyes are a piercing forest green. All together it is and incredibly striking combination. Finally, she catches sight of my reflection but instead of a smile or a wave, she looks shocked, as if she's completely taken aback to see another person out here. I was shouting only a few seconds ago. How could she have not heard me? She takes a few shaky steps backwards, pulling nervously on the sleeves of her jumper, before pacing quickly out of the door, almost crashing into Ren as she enters.
"What was all that about?" She says startled.
"I have no idea." I reply. Clearly she's just as confused as I am.