freeways.’
‘It’s not without its dangers,’ she said, pointed towards the centre of the park. ‘You see the elder tree over there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Never approach that tree. There’s an unmarked grave right in front of it.’
‘How do you know about it if it’s unmarked?’
‘The spirit that guided my guide knew about the burial - it was a long time and the body was to be hidden for some reason. Anyway, just steer clear of it. You don’t want to be sucked down there and get trapped in a dusty corpse for all eternity, do you?’
We stayed at the park for most of the afternoon and I would have gladly remained there longer. Emily insisted that we could not linger though, and that we had to make our way to the suburbs. We needed to be in the vicinity of my chosen when night world returned so that we could find the beacon.
I thought we were in for a long walk along the grey streets, but to my surprise, Emily suggested we take a bus. It had sure been a weird couple of days but the most surreal part of it all was riding on a bus. Here we were, two spirits of the mirror world sitting on a bus and staring out the window at the living world.
Emily sat silently watching the city fade into suburb. She didn’t say much as the day wore on and she looked truly dreadful. Her face was growing skeletal and her eyes were almost black. It was heartbreaking to watch her deteriorate so quickly. I could do little to comfort her. I had to be emotionless. I contained my compassion as best I could.
At one point she visible shrank and her skin was dyed dark grey. She leaned to one side and nestled her head against my shoulder. I couldn’t be cold towards her, despite her warnings. I cast my arm around her and held her tight, knowing that deep down she was frightened of the transformation she was undergoing.
‘How much longer will it take?’ I asked.
‘A cycle of the worlds at most.’
‘I want to stay with you tomorrow. I don’t think you should die alone.’
She placed her chilled hand on mine then looked up at me and tried to smile.
‘Thank you, Lucy. Some times you’re actually not so bad.’
- CHAPTER SIX -
The Chosen
It was a satellite town that was very different to the one I grew up in. I’d never been to Millbrook before, but was familiar with its name and reputation. It was often mentioned on the news for its level of poverty and anti-social behaviour. More crime took place there than in any other town in the state. It was a grim and dangerous area and I’d have been terrified to set foot in it if I was still alive.
Now there was no fear of such things. All I felt was anger because so many people could be forsaken to a life of poverty and fear. There was, of course, some locals who thrived in Millbrook because they were caught up in criminality. Most of the residents though, were simply victims of chance. They were born poor and had been discarded by the rest of society. They were now prey to the many predators of Millbrook.
Every corner of the suburb was swarming with youngsters who had nothing better to do with their time than to cause mayhem. I read their thoughts as we passed them. Some felt bitter towards the world. Some were frustrated by the lack of opportunity. Some were just afraid to go home. Others had only an empty home to return to and I felt very sad for them. I had been so blind in life. My eyes had been blinkered by the comfortable living my father’s job had provided my mother and I. How very lucky I had been.
The houses were small and cramped together. Many were in disrepair and looked ready to crumble. I certainly wasn’t happy with the prospect of spending months, years or even decades in such a depressing environment. Somewhere in this tempest of emotion was my chosen. This was their domain - or their prison. I was starting to realise that my time as a guide would not be an easy one.
‘It’s not without its dangers,’ she said, pointed towards the centre of the park. ‘You see the elder tree over there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Never approach that tree. There’s an unmarked grave right in front of it.’
‘How do you know about it if it’s unmarked?’
‘The spirit that guided my guide knew about the burial - it was a long time and the body was to be hidden for some reason. Anyway, just steer clear of it. You don’t want to be sucked down there and get trapped in a dusty corpse for all eternity, do you?’
We stayed at the park for most of the afternoon and I would have gladly remained there longer. Emily insisted that we could not linger though, and that we had to make our way to the suburbs. We needed to be in the vicinity of my chosen when night world returned so that we could find the beacon.
I thought we were in for a long walk along the grey streets, but to my surprise, Emily suggested we take a bus. It had sure been a weird couple of days but the most surreal part of it all was riding on a bus. Here we were, two spirits of the mirror world sitting on a bus and staring out the window at the living world.
Emily sat silently watching the city fade into suburb. She didn’t say much as the day wore on and she looked truly dreadful. Her face was growing skeletal and her eyes were almost black. It was heartbreaking to watch her deteriorate so quickly. I could do little to comfort her. I had to be emotionless. I contained my compassion as best I could.
At one point she visible shrank and her skin was dyed dark grey. She leaned to one side and nestled her head against my shoulder. I couldn’t be cold towards her, despite her warnings. I cast my arm around her and held her tight, knowing that deep down she was frightened of the transformation she was undergoing.
‘How much longer will it take?’ I asked.
‘A cycle of the worlds at most.’
‘I want to stay with you tomorrow. I don’t think you should die alone.’
She placed her chilled hand on mine then looked up at me and tried to smile.
‘Thank you, Lucy. Some times you’re actually not so bad.’
- CHAPTER SIX -
The Chosen
It was a satellite town that was very different to the one I grew up in. I’d never been to Millbrook before, but was familiar with its name and reputation. It was often mentioned on the news for its level of poverty and anti-social behaviour. More crime took place there than in any other town in the state. It was a grim and dangerous area and I’d have been terrified to set foot in it if I was still alive.
Now there was no fear of such things. All I felt was anger because so many people could be forsaken to a life of poverty and fear. There was, of course, some locals who thrived in Millbrook because they were caught up in criminality. Most of the residents though, were simply victims of chance. They were born poor and had been discarded by the rest of society. They were now prey to the many predators of Millbrook.
Every corner of the suburb was swarming with youngsters who had nothing better to do with their time than to cause mayhem. I read their thoughts as we passed them. Some felt bitter towards the world. Some were frustrated by the lack of opportunity. Some were just afraid to go home. Others had only an empty home to return to and I felt very sad for them. I had been so blind in life. My eyes had been blinkered by the comfortable living my father’s job had provided my mother and I. How very lucky I had been.
The houses were small and cramped together. Many were in disrepair and looked ready to crumble. I certainly wasn’t happy with the prospect of spending months, years or even decades in such a depressing environment. Somewhere in this tempest of emotion was my chosen. This was their domain - or their prison. I was starting to realise that my time as a guide would not be an easy one.
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