Mirror

Fillicco

When we found the carriage again the driver was ready to go so we all piled in again and we were on our way. May leaned against Danny and he leaned on me. Kylee decided to sit up with the driver so there was more room in the back.

I fell back and forth between both worlds. At times I could feel my head leaning against Terr's shoulder and at others the gentle pressure of Danny leaning against me. Asleep enough to be unable to move my own body, but awake enough to be aware of myself. It reminded me how defenseless a person is when they sleep and I began to feel afraid. What if a shadow came now? My thoughts sounded so distant, like someone else was talking at the end of a long tunnel in the back of my mind. I tried to move my fingers, but I couldn't. There were chains restraining me, I realized with alarm. I wanted to scream for help, I was screaming for help, but I couldn't open my mouth. I felt strangled and gasped for breath, but there was no air.

"Litty," Danny said, snapping me out of my dream-like state, "we're almost there." I opened my eyes and felt a flood of relief wash over me. I was back in control of my own body. The chains weren't there. They must have merely been a figment of my imagination.

"Oh really?" I asked.

"Again with the 'really.' Yeah, we're only about half an hour away."

"Okay, thanks. Fillicco, right? What's it like?"

Danny shrugged. Kylee said, "It's a small city. It's got some of the most recent technologies and more modern homes. It's probably a bit more like what you're used to according to how you described your home."

"It's terrible," May mumbled. "I hate it there."

"What's wrong with it?" I asked.

"It's lonely. You can't play outside because the police are scary. They're too jumpy, but mommy says you can't get rid of them because otherwise shadows might come in." She lowered her voice further and grumbled, "I always thought they were the shadows."

I chewed on my lip and rubbed her shoulder. She smiled weakly at my feeble attempts to comfort her.

"Hey," she said, brightening suddenly, "I never really said thank you. So thank you. I am forever grateful to you for saving my life."

I blushed. "It's not that big a deal."

"No, it is and I'm so glad I got to meet you all. It's not every day someone like me gets the chance to meet someone so kind and beautiful," May added with the cutest smile ever. Flustered, I looked at Danny, but he only shrugged and grinned to see me at a loss for words. "Are you okay?" May asked. Her big eyes were filled with gentle concern.

"She's fine," Danny said still stifling a laugh. "She's easily embarrassed."

"Thank you." I managed to stutter out the words. May was just so darn cute. She reminded me so much of little Kya.

"I'll share a secret with you," May whispered and leaned in closer.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"I want to," May said and she held up her wrist, "This bracelet has a charm I found that allows me to fly. My dad told me I shouldn't tell people because it's very rare and he was afraid others might try to steal it, but I think it's okay to tell you. Want to try?"