Mirror

“UGH!” I let out a loud sigh as I slumped down onto the mossy forest floor. I’ve been coming here for weeks to get away from the stress that is my life. These short outings have become my only sense of reprieve and I live for them. I tilt my head up to look through the tops of the trees swaying with the light fall breeze. It's going to be a beautiful day. I close my eyes and try to focus on my breath to calm my body down and relax. I don’t have a lot of time to myself, so I try to make the most of this. I briefly let myself go over what I should be doing for the rest of the day. Between housework and errands I will most likely be busy til the evening. “Maybe I can sneak away later…” That sounds wonderful. I am just starting to push up off the moss when something like a flash catches my eye. It seems to be coming from off to my left between the trees. “What is that?” I whispered out. Not sure why I'm being quiet. I am pretty sure I am the only one out here. I decide to try to find the cause of the light so I start my trek through the woods. Its not a constant light but its like a flicker every once in a while. I make my way further into the woods and I can start to make out a silhouette. As I get closer, it becomes clearer. I stop just at the edge of the treeline and see it sitting up, leaning on a stump. A mirror? What is a mirror doing all the way out here? I look side to side, searching for the owner of this mirror. It's kind of weird that someone would leave a mirror in the middle of the woods… I walk closer and try to figure out what I'm looking at exactly. It's not a large mirror; about the size of a large picture, oval-shaped, with an intricate spiral pattern along the brass and black border. It's very pretty in an antique-y way. I keep walking closer until I am right in front of it. I kneel down and study the spiral patterns along the frame. I look into the mirror and gasp at first, shocked by what I saw. The reflection seems to be brighter, with sharper colors. Even my green eyes seem to be more intense. I move my head from side to side, admiring my features. My high cheekbones look more defined, my raven black hair shimmers in the reflection, my full pink lips look more luscious. This mirror makes me look amazing! I quickly look around again and saw no one. “Guess you’re coming home with me!” I stated. I reached my hands to grab the mirror on either side. As my hands grip the mirror to lift, I feel a static feeling in my hands. Okay, that’s weird… I readjust my grip and my thumb touches the reflective glass. A jolt of electricity rushes through my body and my head flings backward. I shut my eyes tight and see flashes of light. it feels like I'm spinning and falling, but I know I am still standing holding this damned mirror. I can only hear my heavy breaths as I try to focus back into my body. I slowly start to open my eyes. I'm still in the woods but it looks different somehow. I look down at my hands and the mirror is gone. “What the f**k…” I muttered. I looked down at the forest floor and turn my head side to side. Where had it gone? Where could it have gone? I decide it’s time to go. I turn to head back the way I came and noticed that my trail is gone. There seemed to be only one trail leading through the treeline. Well, whatever, I'll see where it goes. I figure it should probably lead me to a clearing and I can navigate back towards the parkway I came from. I walk slowly and assess everything I see. Everything seems brighter, from the leaves on the trees, to the leaves that have fallen on to the forest floor. The vibrant oranges and reds have me in awe. I love fall. I quickly look away; I don’t have time to admire pretty leaves right now. The path takes me to a clearing and I notice smoke billowing from the other side of a small grassy hill. “Where am I?” I started to struggle to shake the feeling that I may have somehow been cursed when I touched the mirror. Is that even possible? No way. I am probably just over reacting… But why does everything look and feel different? Is this the same world? I manage to walk over the grassy hill and come up to a cottage. It's very small and looks very old. It has a thick looking wooden door, with a clunky knocker. The small windows look foggy. There is smoke coming from the chimney, so I know someone might be home. I work up the courage to walk to the door. I knock twice and wait. I hear rustling and some heavy footsteps stalk towards the door. I back up a step and wait. The door slides slowly along the stoned floor and I see a tall, stocky man standing on the other side of the doorway. “Can I help you?” he asks. His expression seems irritated. His dark brown hair is cut short and well kept. It curls a bit towards the front and lands lazily on his forehead. It must annoy him because, as I notice it, he takes a big hand and brushes his hair back. I look into his eyes and notice that his intense hazel eyes are fixed on my green ones. “Ummm..” I start. I am actually not sure what I want to ask or what I need help with. Why did I knock? Oh my god… “I feel like I might be lost.” I finally am able to get out. The man doesn’t move but he looks me up and down before he rests his gaze back on my face. “Where are you from? You don’t look like anyone I’ve seen from the village. Women don’t wear pants.” I look down and realize I'm wearing my yoga pants with a zip-up workout jacket. I look again towards the man and he is wearing a loose-fitting white shirt with hide brown tapered trousers held up by a pair of suspenders. “I am from here”, I managed to say, “I was walking in the woods and then I saw a mirror and everything was spinning and now I am here,” I realized after I had said all of that that I probably shouldn’t have. “A mirror?” was all he said. “You better come inside.” He motioned for me to step inside. I hesitated. I took another quick scan of my surroundings before I crossed the threshold. “I’m Sadie,” I said. He looked at me and nodded. “Mason.”