Part 5 (1/2)

”Yes, possibly, if it is in here.”

I nodded softly while soaking up the information, and then glanced back to the fox's reflection. ”And if I go into the mirror, would I be able to get out like him?”

”Yes, easy. You can't be held to the mirror unless I choose to keep you.” The copy fox explained while its nose twitched.

”Which you wouldn't do, since I am helping you get out of here.”

”Right.” It agreed.

I still wasn't feeling too great, agreeing to this, but I needed my cloak; my grandmamma gave me that cloak. And the mirror creature was more than helpful, and could be useful later on.

Hopefully.

”Okay, then we'll just come in there and help you get this done. So last thing, what's your name?” I asked bluntly.

”Kitoredilura” The mirror-fox nodded and grinned up at me. It was s.h.i.+vering with excitement. Or maybe it was just as cold on the other side of the looking-gla.s.s as it was on this side.

”Do all of you mirror things have ridiculous names?”

”I am not a thing! Or an it. I'm a person too. And what kind of name could you possibly have that would be better?” The copy fox exclaimed while standing up on its hind legs. I bet if it could have folded its arms it would have.

”Gnidori Hodder.” I said matter-of-factly and s.h.i.+fted all my weight to one hip.

”Ha! Your name isn't much better. At least mine rolls off the tongue smoother.”

”I am not going to argue over names with you. So let's just move on.” I threw up my hands at my side before letting them fall away and spewing a breath. ”Can I just call you Kit instead?”

”Kit.” It said the name a few times. Letting it linger in the air like a stink. ”I will accept that for a pseudo name.”

I rolled my eyes. ”So glad I could please you.”

”Oh goodie. You may please me all you want.” The fox in the mirror smiled and nodded. The fox on the floor looked up at me then looked away and flopped over onto his side to lie down again.

I just rolled my eyes at both of them.

After a pause of silence, I pushed a hand against the lengthy looking-gla.s.s and glanced down at the fox near my feet, then at the mirror-fox. ”So, Kit. Let me into your mirror that way we can all get out of this place, sound good?”

”Yay! I'm finally leaving!” Kit exclaimed, clearly not realizing the severity of what I was doing. Fey, I didn't even realize the severity of what I was doing.

The mirror s.h.i.+mmered as I reached down to scoop up the baby fox, whom looked annoyed at me for waking him so soon. Then I pressed my hand against the gla.s.s and watched it inch into the mirror, Stepping through a mirror is not a pretty sight. Nor is it comfortable in any possible way. My fingers felt like they igniting on fire yet at the same time were simmering in frigid ice. It was like jumping straight into frigid water that is sitting right above the sun, but one piece of my body at a time.

The sensations threw my head for a loop, feeling a tingling course through me, and worsen my headache as I just forced myself as quickly as possible past the looking-gla.s.s.

Once the icy burning pain was gone, my eyes popped open to take in the new mirror world around me. Goose b.u.mps were still trailing down my bare body and a s.h.i.+ver shook me up as well while Kit stared at me in the form of the hooded figure from before.

The eyes shook my nerves and I had to look away again.

”What happened to the fox form?” I had to ask while looking toward the area where the clothes were supposed to be. But the only thing in that direction was a large gaping hole like a ma.s.sive fire ball had exploded part of the tower away.

”I can't a.s.sume the forms of those who are in my mirror.” The figure explained as I turned to look back, before regretting that I had. The eyes under the hood were staring with spine-s.h.i.+vering intensity.

”Okay, so then what happens if every form you could use was in the mirror?”

The hooded figure turned its head inquisitively. ”I... do not know.”

I laughed softly as I stepped toward the exploded section of the room. ”At least that is something you don't know.”

”I do not think that is funny.”

”It is...” My entire train of thought completely crashed as I stood at the edge of the hole in the wall and looked out to see... I don't even know what.

Kit leaned over, next to me and I looked to the spirit. ”Is this... normal?”

The hooded spirit chuckled. ”That would depend upon your definition of normal.”

Five.

Distorted Images ”Nothing is ever simple when magic is involved.” I muttered while staring at the set of stairs hanging upside down, above Kit and me.

”You said it.” Kit mused before we both leaned away from the hole in front of us. Other than the stairs, which led further into a red sky, there was no ground, walls or anything to stand on or cling against except the tower we were in.

This was making less sense than the Wonderlands.

”I don't understand.” I shook my head in disbelief. ”How the flying fey did the little fox come from this direction?”

Both Kit and I looked down at the fluff-ball in my hands. He just yawned and moved his head around before staring back up at me with those silvery slit-eyes, as if nothing was wrong with the world.

Kit's shadowy figure shrugged. ”Maybe he can fly.”

I blink then turn a seriously skeptical look to the spirit. ”He's a fox. Not a dragon.”

”So? Dragons aren't the only ones who can fly.”

”When...” I began with annoyance, ”...have you ever heard of a flying fox? Ever? That's even more bizarre than flying pigs.”

”Well I don't see you offering an explanation.” Kit concluded firmly as the spirit's hand waved out in front of him, hanging over the ravine.

I watched the hooded figure's arm rise then steady, like Kit was straining against something. There wasn't any trace of a breeze from the gaping hole, but there was something else...

”Wait.” My hand reached out to pull the spirit back by the long sleeve of the hooded robe. Then I nodded and let the mirror creature go. ”Do that again.”

Kit hesitated, only briefly, before thrusting a hand back toward the hole in the wall. It rose in the air again before settling with a light shake.

”Are you pus.h.i.+ng against something with your arm?” I never thought a question of such obviousness would leave my lips.

I never heard Kit's answer though. The little fox decided it was time for action and not yawning. I had been so concerned with watching Kit, that I hadn't paid attention to the fox. He leapt from my hands before I could even realize he was doing it.