shadows // zerrie au

6

Different people came inside and out of the building Perrie would help Lou and Gemma in, and stop and talk to every single one of them. It was such fun and she loved seeing how people lived on earth. There would be the occasional child who would throw a fit, but she would use the charm she used to use on the angels when she saw they were sad when they came. There were rare ones sometimes, who would occasionally seek her when they felt nostalgic and sad. The mother's would give Perrie surprised looks when the children calmed, but never looked into it.

But all the children coming in and out got her thinking and suddenly remembering what she promised Greg. He told him she would check on her and never did.

"Lou?" Perrie called out.

Lou stopped her conversation and glanced at Perrie. "Yeah?"

"I'm going to be right back, l'right? Bye, Lou!" Perrie said, dropping her broom and skipping out the door, vaguely hearing Lou call after her.

She felt guilty walking out on her, but she felt more guilt remembering Greg's hopeful face when she gave him her word.

Perrie had her eyes behind her back, mindlessly walking ahead. She had no idea where to find this woman on her own. She needed The Mirror. Sighing, she continued walking glancing around. Windows wouldn't work. She could go back to Lou's, but she was already walking on without her. Sighing, she glanced around and stopped a young man.

"Hello," She smiled.

He looked up from his phone and eyed her petite frame, a slight smile curving up. "Hi, babe. Who are you?"

"I'm Perrie," She said. "Listen, I'm looking for a mirror. It can be any size, I'm not bothered, but I need one now."

"You look quite lovely already. You look like you came straight out of a wedding magazine. You're not a runaway bride, are ya?" He chuckled.

"No, but thank you. You are very kind. Where can I find one though?"

"There's a shop right over there," He pointed.

Perrie turned and followed his direction and glanced back at him, smiling. "Thank you! Have a wonderful day!"

She skipped in over to cross the street, yelping as cars honked at her and drivers cursed at her to get out of the way. She apologized out loud and continued on, rushing into the store. It was quite big so she had to ask for more help, but was eventually led into an isle full of them.

"Wow," She gasped. Her fingertips brushed along their frames until she spotted a tall one. She glanced at a small mirror and tucked it under arm. "Just to go back home," She said to herself.

Closing her eyes, she concentrated on Gerg's mother's image. "Show me," She whispered repeatedly.

Snapping her eyes open, she briefly was aware of her glowing icy blue eyes before she waved her hand over the mirror and was met with the new image of a small white house. Her bare foot stepped into the mirror, her white dress material lifting off the floor with her.

She opened her eyes and gasped, the new feeling of grass under her toes taking over. She blinked and glanced down, feeling the grass consciously. Another new texture she's never felt.

"Excuse me?" A soft, feminine voice called. "What are you doing?"

Perrie looked up and immediately smiled. It was her. "Hello, Miss!"

"Do I know you?" She asked, slowly approaching her. "Are you another reporter because I told you all last night I didn't want to talk about it, so please leave before I call the police!"

"Oh no, no, no! I am none of that. Please, let me introduce myself. My name is Perrie."

"Perrie?"

"Yes," She smiled, her small dimples popping.

"Why are you here?" The woman asked, her arms hugging her chest.

"I'm here to help you," She smiled proudly.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but--"

"Is this your home?" Perrie walked passed her, hopping up the stairs and welcoming herself inside.

"Excuse me!" The woman caught up to her. "You can't just barge inside!"

Perrie ignored her protests and continued on looking, eyeing her fireplace full of pictures, most of them being her son. Perrie smiled softly and held one capturing him mid-laugh. "He looks young. How old is he here?"

The woman swallowed. "4 years old."

"He's a beautiful child."

"He was," She let out a shaky breath, seating herself on to the couch. "Please, let me be. It's hard already and I just need to breathe and forget."

Perrie chuckled and sat next to her, placing the frame on her lap. "You're wrong, Miss."

Her sad eyes looked up at her and frowned. "You know nothing of losing a child! You don't understand the pain."

"Let me," Perrie said in a gentle voice. Closing her eyes, she opened them and stared into the mother's own. The woman stared in awe, hypnotized by her glowing eyes. Perrie placed her hands on her hands and closed them, focusing energy on to her. They sat in pure silence monetarily, until the mother's eyes fluttered open, tears escaping.

"How did you do that?" She laughed quietly in disbelief.

"Did you see him?" Perrie asked.

"Yes," The mother nodded vigorously. "He's.."

"He's here. Always with you. You don't just forget someone, Miss. You accept and you carry on with their memory, but you never forget."

"My son was in your eyes," She choked out.

"He's an angel now," Perrie smiled softly. She glanced down at her watch quickly and quickly patted the woman's shoulder. "Well, it was lovely speaking but I've got to go. But," She paused and closed her eyes once again, this time a yellow hue overtaking them. "Please, allow happiness back into your life. Carry on, but have him in your heart. Forget what you saw me do. I simply came to bring closure. Goodbye."

Pulling out the small mirror, Perrie waved a hand over it, Lou's salon appearing. She jumped right in, disappearing from the mother's sight.

The woman snapped out of her trance, dazed and confused at her surroundings.

"Janice?" Her husband called out, rushing downstairs. "I thought I heard something down here. Everything alright?"

She blinked, glancing at the photograph of her son neatly placed next to her. A small smile tugged at her lips, joy washing over her. "I think I am."