Mirror Me

17: Under the Lacquer Tree

I had finished crying. My exhausted eyes could produce no more tears. The dirt beneath me had magically started sprouting tiny saplings where my tears had fallen. It was beautiful magic and I wondered if it was me who had done such a thing.

By now it was difficult to know how much time had passed for it felt like hours. I sat silently staring into my small mirror wishing to be back at home away from all the troubles of this world. I knew that by going home people were still going to pick on me, I would still be unpopular, my mother would still hate me, and Marcus would still be leaving. At least with all these terrible things waiting for me, it was better than being hunted by monsters or causing innocent people pain. Thankfully bullies disappeared at the end of the day and friends no matter the distance were only a phone call away. Being partly responsible for ruining other people's lives was something I could not leave behind and no matter how hard I shut my eyes, I could still see the outlines in the dirt. Regardless of which world I found myself in, I was unpopular and people would get hurt.

My stomach grumbled for food, but I was not hungry. How could I consume any more of these people's resources when many had nothing left and treated me with such a feast last night. I wanted to hide under this tree forever; never show my face again. Perhaps then others might be freed of my cursed luck.

"There you are," came the deep voice of Daarith. The strong man approached hesitant to touch the tree branches. His dreadlocks flowed over his shoulders as he leaned over me. "We have been looking for you. Some villagers said they saw you running this way. Why are you hiding under a Lacquer tree? You know if you get its sap on you, you will itch for days. Makes good glue though."

"Oh," I said quickly getting up and stepping away from the tree. "I didn't know."

"It's no problem." Daarith looked puzzlingly at me. "You don't look so well."

"It's nothing. I am fine."

"If it is about our first meeting and me trying to kill you, I apologize. You can't fault a guy for protecting his home."

"That's just it," I cried as phantom tears pushed out of my eyes. "It is all my fault." Daarith stepped back afraid. He appeared to have no idea what to do.

"Dammit, girl. Stop your crying! Or you will make me cry. I can't bear seeing a little girl weep."

"What is the matter here," came the voice of Martha. She peeped her head passed the towering presence of Daarith. When she saw that I was in distress she jumped to my side. "My dear child, whatever is the matter now?"

"I am afraid, Martha."

"Afraid of what?" Martha pushed away the loose hairs that had fallen down out of my face.

"Afraid that I will never be the Mirrorbender this world needs," I sobbed into her hands. "Afraid I will never find my way home and I will only cause more pain."

"You poor dear. You've just arrived and already so much pressure." Martha shooed Daarith with her hand. He got the message and left. "Hope, I know it seems hard and feels impossible right now, but you need to believe in yourself. This is the first step to discovering your fate. The universe brought you here for a reason."

"I hate fate. I wish I never came to this world. Maybe then this town, those people would still be alive."

"Oh don't be so dramatic. There is nothing you could have done to change what has already happened. You need to keep your head up and be strong. You have a family at home right?"

"Yes," I said calming down. "My mother, my sister, and my abuelita."

"Well if they could see you now, I am sure they would be proud to see you taking the first step on this long journey. You have the ability to change an entire world. Not many people get that opportunity. And I promise by the time you see them again, you will have made a better world and these tears under the Lacquer tree will have been so meaningless. I am sure once the Council sees the same moving emotion as I do, they will be persuaded to help you find your way back."

"Really?" Martha nodded. I stopped sobbing and wiped my cheeks. "I'm okay. I feel better now. Thank you."

"Good," said Martha rubbing my back. "Because we are ready to go, and as much as I ask you to believe in yourself, I need a smiling face to give these people the hope they need to believe in you."