Shattered

Chapter 7

As soon as Emily went to bed and fell asleep, I jump back out of bed. I immediately get on my phone and start searching the web for answers. Throughout the day, I've been thinking about where to start. Eventually, I thought of the history of mirrors. Maybe if we find the history, we can find some sort of answer, right? Wrong. I scrolled through pages of history. Nothing stands out to me or gives me any sort of clue. Every source I find seems to be different as well. I couldn't find one I thought would be reliable enough. A part of me knew I wouldn't find anything here anyway. Not with mirrors anyway. Mirrors are only the portal or doorway. I won't find anything on the internet or history books about what we really need. This matter is entirely different from science or history.

"Mommy!" My attention suddenly snaps to Willow where I see her standing next to Connor. "Willow, did you open the front door?" Willow slowly nods, clearly knowing the rule of not opening it. "But I knew it was Connor. He knocked the secret code!" I raise a brow and turn to Connor. He shrugs with a shy smile. "She wanted to make one so we did." I sigh and try not to look amused. "And then that way we can know who it is!" She looks proud of herself for the idea and I smile. "Okay, but you still can't open the door." Her proud smile melts into a disappointed frown. She looks more frustrated than sad though and it forces a giggle from me. "It's a great idea though honey." I outstretch my arms to her and she grumpily approaches. She stops right in front of me as if she's only willing to tolerate a hug from me.

I pull her in and start to smother her with my love. "Aw, don't be so grumpy! That's supposed to be my job!" She tries to refrain from laughing but she eventually starts to giggle. "I am so proud of you honey. You are very smart and have brilliant ideas. Just be careful with how you use them, okay?" She smiles, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I'm proud of you too mommy." I smile at her as I feel joy fill my heart. I allow myself to drown in this feeling. I may not hear this when she reaches her teens.

I suddenly remember Connor's in the room with us and my attention snaps to him again. He's wearing a heartfelt smile on his face with no sign of trying to hide it. He seems really happy as well just by watching us. When he notices me staring, his eyes widen as his cheeks turn pink. "Ah, sorry! I'll go into the living room." I laugh, stopping him in his tracks. "Why? You're family too." He turns around to face me. His eyes flicker to Willow before stopping back at me. "Am I?"

I couldn't tell who he was asking. He was staring at me but his tone suggested he wasn't sure either. I answer for him either way. "Of course you are! You're the best." At least I planned to before Willow piped up. "I like when you're here. You make mommy feel better." I flinch in surprise and panic of her revealing something unnecessary. My heart skipped a beat as it rattled unsettlingly in my chest.

"What?" Connor turns to me and I kneel before her. "But honey, you make me feel better too, " I nervously reply with flushed cheeks in embarrassment. Willow smiles and wraps her arms around my neck. "I know, we both do." I smile in relief and scoop her into my arms. "Who's hungry?" Willow raises her hand into the air shouting "me" repeatedly and Connor joins her with the same child-like behavior.

I start making a sandwich for Willow and me while Connor makes his own. "Sorry for the sudden intrusion," Connor suddenly blurts. I sigh. "Seriously, you gotta stop saying sorry. You're welcome here anytime." I turn to him with what I hope is a reassuring smile to him. "We like you. You aren't a stranger or anything." He shrugs, finalizing his sandwich and taking a bite. I finish Willow's and start on mine. I called Willow to grab hers. "We're supposed to go back today, weren't we?" I nod, finishing my sandwich as well.

"Do you have any ideas?" I shake my head and turn to him. "No, you?" He shakes his head as well. A sense of hopelessness and loss starts to seep into my mind. If we don't even know where to start, how do we expect to make any progress? I immediately think back to being controlled every moment of every day. The devastation and emptiness I felt as my arms rose above me to reach something or my legs swung forward to walk. Is it truly a hopeless case after all?