Mirror

May

It was pitch black outside. The digital clock by my bed read two o'clock, but I wasn't even tired. And how could I be? We were likely to leave Cantery behind in search of a charm as soon as I awoke in Mirror. It would be a journey that would take us to the very edge of the world.

"Kya, are you still awake?" I asked.

No response. I knew it too. I heard her quiet snoring. She was probably having sweet dreams or at least I hoped so. Then I remembered what Danny had told me. Was she really being affected by the amulet by sleeping so close to it? Just to be safe I slipped off my bed and headed downstairs.

I opened a window downstairs and let the gentle breeze cool me down. "Everything will be alright," I told myself. "Everything will be alright." The mantra was of little use to me. I had more than enough evidence to the contrary.

But delaying was useless. There was no chance of accomplishing anything on Mirror if I couldn't sleep. I picked up the phone and closed myself into the sun-room, which looked out toward the backyard.

"Hello?" Tyreek said. I almost hung up because I hadn't expected him to answer. I'd dialed his number not knowing who else I could talk to. Danny was likely already asleep.

"Hi," I replied hesitantly.

"Lithallia? What's wrong?"

"Um, nothing really. I just couldn't sleep."

"Is your hand hurting?"

"No," I answered quickly, "It's just- no, nothing."

For a moment Tyreek didn't say anything. There was a complete silence. Then he said, "You're stronger than you think, Litty. You'll be okay. I can't come with you to Mirror, not yet at least, but whatever it is you feel you need to do, you can do it. I know you can."

"Thanks," I said and then after a moments of pause, "Bye."

Tyreek chuckled. "Good night."

After I hung up I felt more relaxed even though I didn't really think I believed Tyreek's words completely. I stared out the window and could just barely make out the silhouette of the tree in my backyard against the night sky.

Something moved.. Something big. I slid the back door open. "Terr, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you."

"Why?"

"Because I thought you might need help. You've looked so scared these past couple of days."

"Terr, aw, you're like a big kitty. So cute."

Terr's ears pushed back and even in the dark I could see his face color, which only made him look more adorable. "You know I'm not actually a cat, right?"

"Could have fooled me," I joked, feeling blissfully happy for just a moment. "Would you mind staying here until I fall asleep?"

"Okay." Terr pet my head gently. He sat down by my tree and I leaned my head against his shoulder. After that, it didn't take long to fall asleep.

Kylee and Danny didn't waste time. While I had been on Earth, Kylee had managed to gather all of the necessary supplies to start a journey to the lake. Danny had skipped school and arranged to have four refugees from Wekimore stay in our house, which, as Den had predicted, would otherwise have been vacant for a substantial amount of time. I felt uneasy. Though I had already convinced myself that my role in the fight against shadows was to find the charms as only I could do, I didn't like the idea of leaving Cantery in its precarious state. Whenever I mentioned my concerns to Kylee or Danny they assured me, nonetheless, that I was of more use away from Cantery than in it. With that in mind, I paid a final visit to the market.