Dark Side Of The Mirror (Emily's War)

by R. L. Austin

  “I understand you’re pointing a gun at my daughter. There’s no possible excuse for that, so stop.”

  Mansel’s lip pulled back in a snarl. “Mother always protected you and kept you ignorant of the truth.” He waved the barrel at Emily. “And you would have stayed that way if it wasn’t for her.”

  “You’re making no sense. What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about the family gift. I have it, but you were born without it. Mother also had it, and she made me swear to keep our gifts a secret. You were never supposed to know the truth, but I suppose it doesn’t make much difference if I tell you now. Mother had special powers, and so do I.”

  Jean shook her head in disbelief. “You are insane.”

  “I knew you wouldn’t believe me, but I don’t care. In fact, I’ll even do you the favor of granting your request.” Mansel turned back to Emily, but he shifted the gun to point at her father. “Now give me what I want, or I swear I’ll shoot him.”

  The sight of the gun aimed at her father made Emily weak in the knees, but she refused to give in to panic. Her first instinct was to give the watch and triad to her uncle, but Tyler would have to come out of the mirror with them, which would put him in danger as well. She would also lose the only bargaining tools she had. Once Mansel had the triad and watch, he might shoot all of them, or worse, put them inside a mirror and leave them. Emily made up her mind that she wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

  She glanced at the mirror hanging on the closet door and hoped Tyler was on the other side and would know what to do when the time came. “They’re over there, behind the closet door.” She used a shrug to indicate the direction of the mirror.

  “Then get them and bring them to me.”

  Emily edged her way toward the closet, keeping a close eye on her uncle and the gun pointed at her father. Her mind was racing for an idea that would get her uncle closer to the mirror. She was taking another sideways step when her ankle curled under, causing her to fall with a scream of pain. She grabbed her ankle and rocked back and forth, howling in agony.

  “What now? Mansel glared at her. “Get up, damn it, and get my things. I’m not playing with you!”

  Emily squeezed her eyes as hard as she could, forcing a tear to run down her cheek. “I can’t,” she bawled, “I think I broke it.”

  Her uncle gave a snort of disgust, but he lowered the gun. “Damn you, girl, you’re more trouble than you’re worth.” He stomped past her and swung the closet door back to a position that would allow Tyler to see into the room. “Where did you put them? Tell me.”

  Emily was trying to decide what to do next when her father scrambled from the bed and rushed her uncle. He had almost reached Mansel when the room was rocked by the sound of another explosion.

  It seemed like slow motion as Emily watched her father’s upper body snap back and his feet go out from under him. Her mind also registered a bright fountain of red erupting from his right shoulder.

  Emily was about to scream in horror, but she froze when the barrel of the gun dropped to within an inch of her nose.

  Mansel leaned down to her eye level. “Now, where are they?”

  Emily, in shock, pointed to a nearby box that was a left-over from unpacking.

  Mansel hurried to the box and opened it, which put his back to the closet. Emily looked at the mirror and mouthed, “Now!” With any luck, Tyler would be there and understand what she wanted him to do.

  Emily was still watching the mirror and waiting for Tyler when her uncle threw the box aside and turned on her, his eyes full of rage. Emily couldn’t take her eyes off the gun he was pointing at her, so she was surprised when he used his other hand to slap her across the face. Pain exploded across her cheek and there was a loud ringing in her ears, but it didn’t prevent her from hearing her uncle’s angry bellow.

  “Damn it, there was nothing in the box. I’ve had enough of your games, little girl. Now tell me where they are, or so help me I’ll…” He lifted his hand for another blow.

  “Mansel, you bastard,” Jean shouted, “stop hitting my daughter. Do you hear me, you son of a bitch?”

  Despite the chaos around her, Emily was surprised to hear her mother cursing. In fifteen years she had never heard her mother swear.

  Emily was raising her arms to fend another blow when her uncle suddenly lurched forward and toppled over her. She screamed as her uncle collapsed over her and his head hit the hardwood floor with a crack. Emily was pinned to the floor by her uncle’s weight, but he wasn’t moving.

  “Now that’s payback.” Tyler stood where her uncle had been, waving his baseball bat with a satisfied smile.

  Emily was having a hard time catching her breath, so the only thing she was able to squeeze out was, “Thanks.”

  Tyler made a show of tipping an imaginary hat. “It was my pleasure.”

  Emily appreciated how he always found humor, even in bad times, but she was ready to get out from beneath her uncle. She tried to push him away, but he was too heavy. “Help.”

  Tyler obliged by grabbing Mansel’s limp form and rolling him off, allowing Emily to scramble to her feet and run to her father. He was sitting on the floor with his back to the wall and holding his shoulder. Emily saw blood seeping through his fingers, but he surprised her with a proud smile. “You are amazing!”

  Emily shook her head. “Huh?”

  “I said you are amazing,” he repeated. “I always knew you were a smart kid, but even I underestimated you.”

  Emily had no idea what he was talking about until he said, “Your ankle’s fine, isn’t it? You were using it as an excuse to get Mansel closer to the mirror. Go on, admit it.”

  Emily hadn’t thought about it like that. She was just doing what she needed to do, but her father’s praise settled over her with the comfort of a warm blanket. “It was the first thing I thought of.”

  “Well, it was brilliant. I’m very proud of you.”

  “Thanks, but are you okay?” A red stain was growing on her father’s shirt below his hand.

  “Don’t worry. It looks a lot worse than it feels. I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Her father flexed his arm. The movement brought a grunt of pain, but the shoulder worked. “It might need a couple of stitches, but I’ve had worse.”

  “Worse than being shot?”

  Paul gave a dry laugh. “Remind me to tell you about the first—and the last—time I went hunting with your Uncle Richard.”

  “But Uncle Richard’s blind.”

  Paul shrugged, which brought another grunt. “Yeah, well, we were young, and he thought he could do anything.”

  Emily tried to imagine her blind uncle attempting to aim and shoot a gun. “I can’t wait to hear the whole story.”

  Tyler knelt beside Emily and put his hand on her shoulder. “I hate to bother you, but do you have any duct tape?”

  Emily looked at him in confusion. “Duct tape?”

  “Yeah, I want to tape your uncle’s hands and feet before he wakes up.”

  Emily looked around her parents’ room. “There’s no tape in here.”

  Paul cleared his throat to get Tyler’s attention. “And who might you be?”

  “I’m Tyler. Emily brought me to help.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Tyler.” Paul gave him a respectful nod, and Emily realized he must not have seen how Tyler entered the room. “We don’t have any duct tape, but the rope Mansel used on me is still on the bed.”

  Tyler returned his nod. “Thanks.”

  Emily glanced at her mother, who was still tied up and lying on the bed. She was giving Tyler a wide-eyed stare. When he approached and reached for the rope, she pulled away with an expression of fear, confirming to Emily that she had seen Tyler come out of the mirror. “Mom, I know what you saw, and I can explain.”

  It took a while for Jean to quiet down enough for Emily to attempt to explain who Tyler was and where he came from. When words failed her
, Emily resorted to giving her perplexed parents a quick demonstration by stepping in and out of the mirror herself. Jean and Paul both stared at her, speechless with surprise.

  “Mom, Dad, I know you’re a little shocked, but I think it’s time we had a long talk.”

  Tyler was kind enough to step outside the room and wait for Emily to call him back in. When he reentered, Paul and Jean looked dazed.

  “Are they going to be okay?” He didn’t look hopeful.

  “Yeah, I think so, but they’re going to need some time to adjust.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Tyler held Mansel’s feet while Jean and Emily grabbed his arms and carried him to the first floor. When they reached the foyer, Jean unceremoniously dropped her brother. The unexpected release caused him to tumble out of Emily and Tyler’s hands and crash to the floor. Mansel rolled onto his back and gave her an angry scowl, but he didn’t say anything.

  “Mom!” Emily shouted in surprise of her mother’s behavior.

  “I’m sorry, dear, but I couldn’t stand to touch him any longer. That man hit my daughter and shot my husband. I no longer consider him to be my brother, and he’s going to get exactly what he deserves.” Jean looked down and wagged a finger. “I am very disappointed in you, Mansel, and I will never forgive the hurtful things you’ve done. Emily told us some of the bad things you did with this magic you have, but shooting Paul is all I need to send you to jail.”

  “Don’t lecture me, Jean,” Mansel grumbled back. “Your daughter has powers no different from mine. Our society has its own rules, and by those rules I was within my rights.”

  Jean glanced at Emily before she stiffened with anger. “You arrogant—I look forward to hearing you try to explain that in a court of law.”

  “Your laws mean nothing to me, and I’m not going to answer to them. This isn’t over, I promise you that.”

  “Shut up, Mansel.” Jean leaned over and stuffed a rag in her brother’s mouth before she pulled out her cell phone. “I don’t believe this; there’s no signal. Are either of you getting any reception?”

  Emily checked her phone, and Tyler proudly displayed the shiny new iPhone he’d gotten as a belated birthday present. Neither of them had a signal.

  Jean shook her head. “Of all times for this to happen.”

  Mansel was still glaring at her, so she glared back until she noticed how wrinkled her clothes were. “I hate to leave you kids, but I’ve been tied to that bed for two days. I’m going to check on your father and take care of some pressing needs, including a shower.”

  “Dad’s going to be okay, isn’t he?” Emily asked.

  “He keeps insisting that he’s fine, but I want to hear it from a medical professional. If either of you gets a signal before I get back, don’t hesitate to call 911. I want an ambulance for your father, and the sooner that psycho…” she paused to glare at Mansel, “is taken away, the better.”

  “Sure, Mom. And don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

  “Yes, I can see that. I love you, dear.” She gave Emily a kiss on the forehead and Tyler an appreciative nod before she climbed the marble staircase.

  When they were alone, Tyler gave Emily a twisted smile. “So, you really do have powers, huh?”

  “I guess I do.”

  “You’re not going to fly off on a broom or anything, are you?”

  “Funny, but I don’t think my powers work that way. By the way, I don’t think I’ve properly thanked you for saving me.” Emily leaned in and gave Tyler a kiss on the lips, like the one he had given her in the mirror. She closed her eyes, trying to memorize the way his lips felt. They were warm and softer than she expected.

  When she pulled back and opened her eyes, Tyler was grinning from ear to ear. “Wow!”

  “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Heck no. In fact, I hope I get to save you at least once a day.” They shared a laugh before Tyler asked, “By the way, did you see anything weird when I hit your uncle with the bat?”

  Emily thought back, but it had all happened quickly. “I didn’t see much of anything. Why, what did you see?”

  “This may sound crazy, but I’d swear the bat almost went right through him.”

  “Through him?”

  “Yeah, but I felt it hit, and then he fell.”

  Emily looked down at her uncle, who was watching her closely. “Will you tell us what happened?”

  He shook his head.

  “Then will you tell me about my powers?”

  He answered by turning away.

  “I didn’t think you would, so I guess I’ll have to learn by myself.”

  Emily had Tyler search his pockets. He found a few coins and a small plastic bag that was half-filled with white powder. When Tyler started to open the bag, Emily said, “Wait! You better leave it closed until I can figure out what it is.”

  Tyler looked at the bag again before he handed it over. “Good idea. I’d hate to be turned into a goat or something.”

  Emily raised and lowered her eyebrows, Groucho Marx style, and gave his chin a squeeze. “But you’d make a cute billy goat. I’d trim your beard and tie you in the back yard. And when you got hungry, I’d feed you frozen burritos.”

  “Ha, ha. If I was turned into a goat, I’d want to eat pizza.”

  “Okay, Billy Goat Gruff, pizza it is.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  Tyler rolled his eyes in comical fashion, but Emily knew he was enjoying it. She gave his chin another tweak before she turned and looked down the hallway that would take her to Mansel’s study. “I’ll be right back. There’s something I want to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  Emily nodded at Mansel. “I’m going to his study. If he won’t tell me anything about my powers, I’ll just have to look for my own answers.”

  “Cool. Can I come?”

  Emily liked the idea of spending more time with Tyler, but she shook her head. “I think it would be better if you stayed here.”

  “Why?”

  “Because one of us needs to watch him.”

  Tyler dropped into a nearby chair with a surly glance for their prisoner. “Great, you get to look for magic, and I get stuck with dork-face here.”

  “Sorry, Tyler, but he really should be watched.”

  Tyler sighed and slumped even lower in the chair. “I know.”

  “I won’t be long, and Mom should be back soon. And don’t forget to call the police if you get a signal.”

  “Okay, but I want to know if you find any shrunken heads. I’ve always wanted to see one of those.”

  Emily gave him a wink. “I promise you’ll be the first to know if I find any body parts.”

  The door to Mansel’s study was open when Emily arrived. She went directly to the chest where she had found the triad and rummaged through the contents. Everything looked like props for a second-rate magic act, but an intricately braded silver bracelet caught her attention. Emily liked it, so she set it to the side. When she got to the bottom of the chest, she found a neatly folded letter with a wax seal. It would not have interested her, except the word Will was written in her grandmother’s handwriting. She did not open the document, but decided to show it to her mother.

  A search of the book shelves revealed that most of the books were written in foreign languages. One large leather-bound book titled Dimensional Magic was sitting on her uncle’s desk, and it was in English. The first page explained that the magic of dimensions ran in bloodlines, and the spells in the book would work only for those who possessed the power. Emily wasn’t sure what power the book was talking about, but her uncle said she inherited the family gift. Maybe it was the same thing.

  The following pages were covered with drawings that showed many of the items she had seen in the chest. Each drawing was accompanied by a detailed explanation of the object’s uses. Most of them were not magical, but there were a few exceptions.

  The very first drawing was the triad, which was described as a key for accessing another rea
lm, an alternate dimension. The other realm was two-dimensional, not three, and time passed differently there. One day in the real world could equal a day, an hour, or a minute in the two-dimensional realm. There was no way to predict. Emily remembered Nick was confused about how long he’d been in the mirror, and now she knew why. The description ended by explaining that the only way to access the second dimension was through a mirror, but Emily already knew that.

  Emily could not find a drawing of the pocket watch, and the book had no information about it. It was disappointing, but she did find the bracelet. It was called a saffa, and it would double the strength of anyone wearing it. “Cool.”

  On impulse, Emily scanned the book for her amulet. It was the final drawing, and its description was written in her grandmother’s fine hand. It was a talisman, the rarest kind, because its creation required the power of its creator. Emily lifted the necklace, which she had gotten back from Tyler, and remembered her grandmother saying, “I made this for you.” I’ve got Grandma’s magic. It gave her a new appreciation for her favorite piece of jewelry.

  The final part of the description explained that the power in the amulet would transfer to anyone who wore it, but if the wearer already had magic, the amulet would cancel it out for as long as it was worn. The amulet would also protect the wearer from all spells, good or evil. “So that’s why the triad didn’t work when I was wearing the amulet, and why it freed me from Uncle Mansel’s trap. Thank you, Grandma, you saved me.”

  Emily was closing the book when Tyler appeared in the doorway. “Hey, you’ve been gone a long time. Is everything okay?”

  “I’m fine. Did you call the police?”

  “No, I still don’t have a signal. But your mom came back a couple of minutes ago and she’s already called 911.”

  “Did she say how Dad was doing?”

  “She said he’ll be fine. He’s resting.”

  “Great, I needed to hear that. I’ve been feeling bad because it was my fault he got shot.”

  “What? Don’t be silly. You saved them, and that makes you a hero.”

  Tyler’s comment helped ease a small but persistent pang of guilt that was bothering Emily.