The Lost Mirror

Chapter 4

Jade stormed through the castle halls, going as fast as her thin legs would carry her. She felt thankful that through all the confusion of the morning her brain had somehow memorized the way back to the bedroom, her safe haven. She passed a few guards on the way back they all said good morning and bowed but she didn't stop for them. If she had she was afraid she would break down in front of them and she would have no doubt got in bother with the Queen if she had done. Crying was not perfection. She burst into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her. The room was empty, Katie had clearly gone elsewhere to do who knows what. Her breaths were short and rapid as she stumbled towards the bed. She allowed herself to fall backwards on it, finding comfort in the silky sheets she let the tears she had been holding back fall down her pale face. She moved onto her side and curled up in a fetal position and muffled the sobs with the soft material of her green dress. Jade's heart felt heavy, her head was thumping and her stomach unsettled. She didn't know what was going on, she just wanted to go home. She was convinced now that this was not a dream. Everything felt too real but her conclusion on that fact only made her more confused. How was that even possible? The only thing she knew was that it all started with that damn mirror. Jade jumped as a loud knock echoed throughout the stone room. She held back her sobs, hoping that if she made no sound her visitor would leave...but no such thing happened. The knocks just got louder and more impatient but still Jade didn't move. She couldn't find the energy too.

"I know that you're in there." Jade's eyes widened as she recognized the smooth voice that floated into the room. It was the mysterious stranger from earlier that morning. Jade shot up, all her energy suddenly coming flooding back to her. She ran to the mirror above the dresser and rubbed her eyes dry. She smoothed her hair and straightened her dress before running to the door as another knock shook the room. She flung the door open and smiled, hoping that he wouldn't notice the slight puffiness around her eyes. Jade stood there, waiting for him to say something but he said another. He simply stood there, the same cold expression on his face as he looked her up and down just as he had done the first time they met. Jade began to feel uncomfortable and subconsciously began to fiddle with her dress. The silence compelling her say something.

"Can I help you?" She urged. There was no reply from beautiful man for a while. He eventually answered her in way she didn't expect.

"When did you get here?" Jade felt her heart skip a beat with pure fear. Her hands began to become sweaty as she stood there in silence, trying to find the right words to say. She was in trouble and she was alone. There was no escape route, no one to help her. She felt trapped. "There's no use trying to lie to me, many have tried and all have failed." He sighed. "Are you alone?" Jade simply nodded. "Good." He replied as he stepped into the room. "Shut the door." He ordered as he moved towards the rooms centre. Jade felt her body obeying his command without thinking about it. His voice was so forcefully it seemed to have a hold on her. She closed the door but stayed close to it, it was her only way of escape in a situation where she felt unsafe.

"I-I-I..."

"There's no need to be afraid." His words were intended to be comforting but Jade could clearly hear the annoyance in the man's voice. "I have every intention of helping you."

"I woke up in this room this morning." Jade explained.

"Right, good. That gives us plenty of time." He said thinking out loud as he began to pace back and forwards across the room. "Before you woke up here did you make contact with a large golden mirror with gems surrounding it?" He asked although he already knew the answer.

"Yes, yes I did. I fell threw it actually." Jade confirmed stepped further into the room, suddenly feeling less in danger.

"I see, I assume that you have no idea what is going on?"