Tapping the Glass - Alainn MacPherson (reading eggs books .TXT) 📗

Tapping the glass, listening to the echo, Jalys waited for the last note to fad before trying the other panel on the wall. The hall of mirrors spoke to you of the path each could lead, should you enter. It was all about picking the right one. Choose the wrong one and you could die, the right, paradise and wonder. She only had a few hours before her father would come looking for her. Flicking her finger against the second one’s smooth surface, a thrill went through her as the exciting ting flowed along and under her skin, gooseflesh appearing on her arms. Doing a little jig and twirl, she turned back to the mirror, taking a deep breath to collect herself.
“Oscail an doras.”
The mirror shimmered and flowed like water, no longer sold, as the gold frame glowed. Hiking her skirt, she relished the cool breeze on her shins coming from the other side and stepped through the frame and into the new world.
Twilight sun gleamed in the horizon behind the trees, which made hovering shadows and her wish she’d brought her wrap. Shrugging at the brisk air, she moved farther away from the mirror. As she walked, the further away the door got, until it faded completely. Already forgotten, Jalys moved inspect an unfamiliar plant. Lightly touching the bush-like foliage with dark green leaves and sky blue flowers, she ran her fingers along a fragile looking stem.
“Ouch.” Snatching her hand back, she found a cut on her finger, crimson blood welling on snow-white skin. Putting her finger to her mouth, she nursed it to alleviate the sting and bleeding. Crouching low, she looked closely at the offending plant, finding tiny thorns riddling the stems and stalk of it. What once looked to be a beautiful and peaceful bit of nature, now seemed like something that belonged in a realm of hell. The flowers seemed to twist unnaturally, as if reaching out towards her, yearning to touch and possess.
Quickly stepping back, she looked around for other wonders. As she did, walking closer to a group of trees, the sun’s light continued to rapidly disappear, darkness becoming a cloak on the earth. Hearing a rustling in the trees, she crept closer, hoping to discover a new animal. Peering into the darkness, she tried to make out the shadows within. When the one shifted, her heart seized and then nearly pounded out of her chest with the realization that she had no idea what was in those trees, which was obviously aware of her, and from how big it’s inky, blurred shape was.
Slowly stepping back, she kept a focused eye on the woods. When her foot stepped on a rock, rolling her ankle and forced her to stumble, she lost sight of the trees and it. As soon as she righted herself, Jalys swung her head back towards the darkness. The cloudy moon her only light now.
She couldn’t see it anymore, though she could hear it breathing heavily to her right. Afraid to, but knowing she had to she moved her eyes first, slowly turning her head. All at once, before her vision could catch anything, a heavy weight slammed into and threw her to the ground, knocking the air from her lungs as it landed on her chest. Her arms, which immediately flew up in defense, grabbed something hot and rough. As she strained to hold it away from her neck, she turned her head, trying to see her attacker. Locking with glowing, red eyes, until its razor sharp fangs caught her attention. His mouth gaped, making a hissing sound that nearly pierced her eardrums. Cringing, she was able work a hand to press against his throat, hoping to cut off his air as she blindly flailed her hand out for purchase of any sort of weapon. Grasping a rock, she threw as much might into her hand as she could, ramming it into his skull.
Stunned, it fell to the side, cradling his temple, and, without taking time to look, she scrambled to her feet, grabbed up her skirts and ran. It wasn’t long before she heard his feet being to pound on the dirt, rocks and leaves crunching and crackling under with his ungraceful ness. Stealth was no longer a priority with his hunt. He was a predator and her his game.
Breathe bursting, she hollered, “Abrais doras.” The door, like a beacon of solace, appeared in the distance, too far to make it alive if his gaining steps were any indication. Seeing a pile of large rocks, a corpse of fallen tree limbs lying akimbo among them. Running towards them, she grabbed a large limb as she passed by the first boulder and around another. Leaping over a third, she hunkered down, waiting and knowing he’d follow. She saw the jointed tips of his wings first, creeping over the top of the rock, blocking out the moons drunken shine. Holding the base of the club like limb, her hands scaled off some of the old decaying bark, giving her a firmer grip and hope.
Gauging from his leathery black wings, she had to guess where his head stood in comparison, for she dare not peek over to confirm her target. When an appropriate amount wing had passed over, she sucked in a gasp of air, swallowed, swung blindly and took off, again, not looking. It relieved her beyond belief when she didn’t hear his following gait.
Reaching the gold frame she repeated the command, “Oscail an doras.” As the pane shimmered and shifted, she watched over her shoulder. Sure she was temporarily safe to enter, she stepped through…into the hall of her home within the fairy mounds once again. Taking a moment she sighed and gave thanks to the Goddess Danu for giving her strength. Combing her hair back from her face, brushing her hands along the front of her gown, she checked her reflection. Passing personal inspection, she turned and walked back down the hall, towards her rooms, bare feet giving her the silence necessary to keep her game secret…As her slim figure rounded the corner into another hallway, an arching wingtip broke through the calm of the glass.

Publication Date: 11-02-2010

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