Mirror

There cannot be a time when I did not hold him as dearly as I do now.  His smile stolen from me and shining in another's eyes, only to reflect on her cold features.  No it could never be. 1

It all started on January first last year when the snow was yet to stick.  We were all drawn indoors and Emma was down with a fever.  "Emma you can't just lay there all day." I pronounced looking at her pale face as I paced around the room.  "You shall catch a death of boredom." I sat on her bed in dismay, handing her my favorite book of poems. 2

"Not all children are like you." my mother chided from the hearth. 3

"But Mama!" I whined. 4

"Go now Kate or I shall grow wearier..." Mamma's eyes blazed passionately by the firelight, I sighed and kissed my sister's hand before tip-toeing out the room, and dashing out the door. 5

Clouds screened the sun, allowing only gray light to illuminate and warm my cheeks.  I ran down to the creek, passing the mushroom circle, and took my place on the largest rock.  My mother had always said I would catch my death down here, splashing in the water. I could hear her now chiding me as I waded deeper into the freezing water. 6

I laughed aloud, pleased with the goose bumps forming on my skin as I splashed around.  To my delight I saw something shimmering by my foot in the stream.  "A Mermaid!" I breathlessly whispered before reaching down to grasp hold of a small mirror.  I looked into it curiously and saw a beautiful maiden.  "well that's strange... I think it's broken." I wiped it of its droplets and looked again, seeing wild gray eyes staring back at me, and water pouring down my face.  "Much better." 7

"That’s mine." A deep voice said.  I looked up to see a man's vest in front of my nose; I leapt back falling into the water.  "Bloody hell!!" I yowled shivering now. 8

"I'd like that back." the voice said again.  I glared up into a face of a man not two years older than I.  "I beg your pardon, if you please" he held out his hand.  He looked no older than 17.  "The mirror" he urged. 9

"No." I whispered. 10

"What?" his eyes flashed under his dark brow. 11

"No." I tucked the small item into my blouse.  "Not even for the king's fortune." 12

"What?!" he chuckled and stepped closer to me, thus becoming stuck in the mushroom circle. 13

"They have gotten you...” I looked wildly at his feet then at his surprised face.  "Quickly move" I cried out desperately. 14

"Only if you give it to me."  He stamped his foot. "And who the devil are you talking about?" 15

"Please sir, you must leave now" I growled, trying to use another angle I added, "I am not decent." My eyes widened in fake mortification. 16

He looked down now, for the first time I collect, for he blushed from ear to ear.  "No" he then had the nerve to smirk at me. 17

"You dare to...to..." I stammered. 18

"Call upon your pixies My Lady, for nothing shall make me move, and break me from this spell you have put me under." he laughed. 19

"Do not insult me now."  I crossed my arms and stared back at him.  He looked tall and quite thin still, his trousers too short for him.  "They will pierce your bony ankles till you bleed to death." I smirked devilishly. 20

"Oh shall they?" he now sat in the mushroom circle. 21

"Sir, are you aware of where your bunny is placed?"  I demanded hotly. 22

"Nay, nor where I am for I believe I am dreaming."  With that he picked up one of the mushrooms and looked at me quizzically. 23

"Avert your gaze!" I demanded, growing aware of how my wet clothing draped about me. 24

"What is your name?" he ignored my request and put the mushroom into his pocket. 25

"I shall not tell you."  I spat at him. 26

"For a name is sacred to ones self and you are afraid I shall cast a spell on you, am I right?"  He laughed. 27

My face went hot.  "How dare you!" I walked up and slapped him hard across the cheek.  He did not avert his gaze from my face for a second. 28

"So you are no spirit?  No imp?" his eyebrows were drawn in a serious furrow, but a smirk played at the corners of his mouth. 29

"KATE COME INSIDE!!!" Momma hollered from the house. 30

"Kate?  I should have known." The man smiled coyly and bowed.  I span around and stomped up the worn bath and went into the drawing room. 31

"We need to fetch a doctor."  Mamma's face held sullenness, as she stood unmoving by the foot of the stairs.  She then took in my full appearance, "after you change." 32

With that she left to Emmie's room, not the usual scolding to bear.  It hit me then, the seriousness of my sister's condition.  I ran upstairs to change then stumbled out the front door.  Before running down the lane I looked at the mushroom circle and no figure was in sight.  Good.33

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I was pressed against the wall opposite my sister’s closed door when the doctor came out.  I looked up at him only to see cold disappointed eyes.  “The bleeding did not work.” His jaw set in a firm line.  This man had been our family doctor for years, always smiling and mending our injuries.  I had thought he was in a sense magical, but this new expression across his face was like a smack across my face.  “Your…” he need not finish his sentence I pushed past him and ran to my sister’s side.35

“Emma?” I whispered.  No response.  “Emma!” I screamed going into hysteria.  No longer would my sister smile at me, court boys, chide me for my childish ramblings.  I began to choke on my tears as a buried my face into her chest.  “Please, Emma.” I felt a hand on my shoulder firmly pulling me away.36

“Kate, come now let her be.” My mother whispered and left.37

I hushed my cries and bit my lip.  “Goodnight Emma, see you in the morning.” Only I did not see her in the morning.  Her bed was empty and made, the curtains drawn making her room shine with an unearthly brightness.38

Mother was dressed in black and she scowled at my green dress.  It was my sisters before I tore it while climbing one of the trees; it was her favorite dress.  I walked out the kitchen door without a word and ran to the creek.39

There was that boy from the day before.  I stopped abruptly and groaned.  Before he even turned he did his irritating chuckle, “Kate.” He said as if we had known each other for years.40

“You have no right to address my so.” I growled eyeing him as he stood up and turned towards me.41

“What no hello?  No, I missed you? How peculiar.” He whistled.42

“You are not fit for a Hello, for you are disgusting.” I spat.  “Showing up at the worst times… I don’t even know who you are.”  This makes him break a grin, angering me further.  “Not to mention you saw me…” I blushed angrily.43

“Wet?” he cocked and eyebrow.  “I came with my uncle last night, and this morning.  I’m sorry.”44

This threw me.  “You know nothing.” I choked on my breath.45

“My Uncle is Dr. Charles.” His eyes turned warm but that devilish grin still shown on his face.  I stood before him refusing to allow any emotion to my face.  “He took her to the church.”  He said awkwardly, as if attempting to cheer me, but babbling because he received none of my acknowledgment.  “My name is Nathaneal Charleston.”  He said at last.46

At his name I looked up into his eyes and stepped closer.  He stared at me and moved away.  I stepped so that he was within breathing distance and looked up at him wildly.  “Nat” I smiled slightly at the sound of my mocking voice.  “Prepare yourself.” I cooed.  He looked down at me blushing madly.  And with that I pushed him hard, making him fly into the creek.47

He sputtered out cold water and looked at me disbelieving.  “You wretch!  And here I was to comfort you.” At this I cackled, furthering his belief that I was indeed insane.48

“Comfort me?  I need no comforting.” At this my breath drew short in my chest.49

“Kate your sister is dead.” He yelled, climbing out onto the bank.50

“She is not!  You said It yourself she went with your uncle to church!” I cried in desperation, lying to myself.51

“IN A BLOODY COFFIN!” now inches away from my face he grabs my shoulders and fiercely kisses my lips.  This threw me over the edge.  I slapped him and burst into tears, and slapped him again, and again.  He never flinched nor moved.  At last my breathing was in control and I stood in front of him barely standing.  “Are you finished?” he calmly asked before offering his hand.52