The day after tomorrow, Careless whispers spread across the school as the principal made her way. The fact that she completely ignored the mirror. Who could not turn their eyes? The tall oval mirror was wrapped around with 'Do not cross' tape, and several scientists were guarding and observing their reflection.
Two weeks went by without incident. The scientist did not continue observations, and the students believed the mirror was merely for decoration. Nevertheless, some scientists stayed at their posts, watching over the mirror.
One of them was rather optimistic about his looks. Zion, a young scientist in his twenties, couldn't help but gaze deeply in the mirror, confident about his appearance to attract people. He observed his jawbone and searched for freckles but was interrupted by his eyebrows.
"This face has so much potential, but it lacks attention," he says to himself but is ignored by his colleagues. Cora, another scientist in her twenties, was on a call with Ivan, informing him that there would be no further movements.
"Sir, nothing has been observed. Zion is keeping a close eye, but still, there are no movements, it's like she is not responding. Do you think it killed her?".
"That's hard to believe," Ivan responded as he checked his computer screen. Heartbeat, body heat rate, and Syrium rate were all monitored. "Something tells me she's doing this on purpose; still, we can't be sure. Her Syrium rate has not reached its limit."
"Understood, sir, we will wait for a few more days to see any changes."
And with that, Cora turned toward Zion, who had zero interest in his assignment. "You do realize that there is a living person inside that mirror, she might get sick from seeing your face."
"Oh, Buzz off, Miss Perfect, we don't even know if she's alive, and even if she is, she must be lucky to see this face."
Cora didn't have the energy to deal with her self-absorbed partner. She remembers the first time she felt overwhelmed when the ashes and the flames rose behind the unfortunate girl, how her blue eyes shined brighter than the damage she had done.
But now, she just wants the past to repeat itself, and for that, she needs patience. And just like that, another two days passes by.
Zion had grown tired because of the same schedule, if the days continued to grow like this, then he had no option but to quit. But Cora on the other hand was growing impatient, no matter how many times she tried to call Ivan, he wouldn't pick up. 'Has he given up?', she thought, 'No, he was more determined than any of us'.
Zion comes to her and pats her back, like comforting a kid who failed an exam. "There, there. Don't let the pressure tangle you like that. Ivan is an old Tarzan, he probably has an old meeting with some higher-ups, and just to be clear, we are not the only ones with no result. You know the team for portals?."
"The purple one?." Said Cora.
"Yeah, that one. His assigned team is always seen as stressed and, well, dreadful. Just looking at them shows the school is exhausted, I mean assigned to Scalpe Falcon High has its standards but nothing can be compared to what we are assigned to, and by that, I mean this".
Zion gestures toward the mirror, and at that very moment, a crack is heard. Both scientists reverted their attention towards the mirror, amazed and stunned that suddenly the crack spread across the mirror's surface.
"How the hell is that possible?", Zion asked without looking at Cora. Surprisingly she did answer him.
"What did I tell you? There is a living person inside the mirror who is sick of seeing your face".
While the crack increased in size, Zion pulled out a gun and Cora tried to contact someone. Her call reached the HQ but it was too late. The mirror shattered in an instant. Both scientists were stunned but maintained their composure. The phone signal began to destructure, and a fast volt was experienced that drained the battery of the phone in an instant.
"Shit", cursed Cora, "The phone is dead. I was this close to contacting HQ".
"What do we do now? I'm the one holding the gun but hell I'm scared".
The mirror shattered, displaying its glass as fallen crystals, there was nothing but darkness. No smell, no bundles of books, and not a person was seen.
"Is she_?".
Just when Zion doubted his words, pure blue illuminating eyes emerged from the darkness. Terror filled Cora's veins as she ordered Zion to stop trembling and stay alert. The shattered mirror glass slowly formed a small set of stairs, like magic, for the figure to take its first step.
A small-height girl, with a slim body and brown messy-braided hair. She looks normal at first glance. Her pale skin showed she was kept in darkness, and her clothes were rather elegant.
As she took her last step, she waited and stepped back a stair. Cora was mesmerized by this creature, as she wore black straight wit trousers, covered till her full white sleaved narrowing her neck by the collar, and a black tie which was held by her black vest.
Her hands were gloved and her heeled boots were constantly taped against the glassed stairs.
"Two weeks and two days, well that's a record". Orette inhaled the air as if being relieved from the compressed atmosphere, she stretched her fingers and legs and cracked her shoulder bones.
"Now that's better. So, what do we have here?", she faces Zion and Cora. "Ginger and blonde, what a combination, but I'm sad to see just two people."
"Stay back!", Zion ordered Orette with brave courage.
"So, where are the rest of your folks? Don't tell me they run away, God I haven't even started yet".
"I said stay back!", Zion was more eager this time, all his fear evaporated like a thin layer of water when he saw he was against a small girl.
"Stay back, I don't care if you're some sort of special kid, I don't care if you think you can outsmart us. Just so you know I have a gun so I'm not afraid to shoot, so don't let me_".
"Then shoot".
Chills began to spread, and a constant heartbeat rose from the chest. How can you watch a girl smiling telling them to shoot? As if she's already experienced this. Whatever the reason, both of them were memorized by this moment, yet Orette, arms at the back, smiling tells them to end her.
"Knew it. You guys are way too soft".
In a swift moment, Orette took the opportunity to kick Zion in the bottom, twisted his hand, and snatched the gun, pointing it at Cora. She pressed Zion to lay down by her leg and said, "Let's talk girl to girl".
"Please just let him go", Cora's voice trembled as she said.
"You know me. Don't you? I'm guessing you also know the old me, well it doesn't matter. I'm going to be frank with you, hand over the car keys".
"What?".
"Oh god, I thought you were quick-witted", Orette shoots near Cora's ear, the bullet dodges the skin but damages the hearing aid. "Don't make me repeat myself, Hand. Over. The. Car. Keys."
Without much thought, Cora handed the keys and trembled as she begged again to let Zion go. Orette let Zion go and Ignored him as she walked out from the hall to the school grounds.
Zion who was muttering in pain was glad to see Cora un-hurt. After patching up Zion, she requested to call someone by a teacher's phone, and in a few seconds, HQ was informed that 000 had finally escaped her premises.