Mirror, Mirror (Book 2)

Chapter 37: Doubt

Stepping out of the Banquet Hall, Oliver glanced up and notice the afternoon sky turning light blue.

The tall trees shivered as the cold wind rustled the fresh leaves off their elongated twigs. Like a carnivorous shark, clouds tread across the horizon, reminding Oliver that he is still in Chicago, one of the rainiest states in America.

Sighing to himself, Oliver walked out of the porch and headed over to the cabin,  to which they've remained intact regardless of the shitty weather.

A dead leaf brushed past his left ear as the boy made careful strides across the soft wet dirt. Clumps of it gathered under the soles of Oliver's sneakers, but the boy pretended not to notice.

Minutes after Oliver's departure, children stepped out of their cabins then head over to the Banquet Hall for lunch.

Girls waltz across the grass gossiping with their classmates, while the boys were rowdy, letting out burps and playfully wrestling with each other.

Silently, Oliver drifted past them and hurried over to the boys' cabin, where its honey brown door shut soundly in front of him.

Opening the door, he saw Jessica's mutilated ghost standing next to him. Charred red scars grazed across her arms, legs, and half of her face.

Her burnt clothes did little to cover them as the welts appeared underneath her t-shirt and pants.

Normally, most kids would shudder at the sight of her, but nice kids like Oliver would stare directly at Jessica's eyes than her bruises.

"Hey Jess," he said casually. "It's been a while since I talked with you. How are you doing?"

But the ghost didn't come for a friendly visit.

"Are you guys helping us or not?" she asked rudely.

Oliver sighed, "we are, it's just going to take some time—"

"Bullshit." Jessica spat. "I thought you were on our side."

"I am, but it takes patience," Oliver grunted, leaning against the door.

"If it makes it any better, Amelia, Mama Marie, and I are going to Mermaid Creek."

In fact, they are inside the dining hall looking for Mama Marie's cane.

Jessica's singed eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Mama Marie?" she asked. "You mean that blind bat who works in the kitchen?"

"You know her?"

Sadly, Jessica nodded. "Haley, Clarissa, and I weren't very nice to her: we would smoke in her kitchen, play loud music, and sometimes we call her 'The Blind Witch' behind her back."

"The Blind Witch?" Oliver repeats, feeling bad for the chef. "Well, it's no wonder she favors me more than anyone."

Jessica nodded again glumly. "I guess I felt bad doing that to her. Can you tell her that I am sorry?"

"Sure." Oliver smiled. "Wait for me while I go get my stuff."

Entering the boys' cabin, Oliver pressed his toe against the creaky, wooden floorboard. His knobby shoulders tenses for a moment then gradually declined.

Smells of damp towels, stale water, and dust soar through his nostrils as Oliver stealthily dodges the wandering eyes of his male peers.

Fortunately, Oliver notices a couple of boys sleeping in their own beds—either roughhousing with friends or reading porn magazines while munching on salty chips.