The Portal

I discovered the mirror one dark, misty morning, in the alley behind the butchers. It looked so . . . ordinary, at first - until I touched the gilt frame. The glass sprang to life, emitting a blinding glow. I hid, terrified behind a large skip. Slowly, a hand slithered through the mirror, followed by a tall figure, it's face hidden beneath the hood of a long black cloak. I pressed myself back against the skip, holding my breath as he walked past. I glanced at his hand - it was dripping with blood!
'He's injured!' I thought.
Then, a small squeaky gasp escaping my mouth; I saw the blade. Slowly, he began to raise the knife.
'Oh no! He's seen me!'
Turning, he took a step towards me, his dark glare locking me, stiff against the wall.
Suddenly, booming voices emitted out from the mirror; the figures eyes overwhelmed by a look of sheer panic, as he turned tail and ran. Slowly the voices dimmed, and within a matter of minutes, had completely vanished.
'Phew! That was close!'
I crept up to the mirror, stretched out my arm and watched in amazement as my trembling hand disappeared into the glass. Preparing myself for the unknown, I stepped into the mirror . . . .

As I viewed my new surroundings a skinny lady dashed from her house, grabbed my arm and dragged me inside.
"What are you doing?!" she whispered, "You should not be out at this hour! 'They' always know when someone is out."
She insisted I stayed until dusk.
At sunset I left, intent on exploring this strange place I had discovered. After fighting my way to the centre of a small forest - consisting of all sorts of unusual trees and bugs, I found what seemed to be the town hall. Several cloaked figures - just like the one I had seen - were entering into the small building. As the last person entered and the heavy wooden door slammed shut, I stole up to a window and strained to hear everything, as a husky voice began to bark out orders.
"We will return through the portal at nightfall. We must finish them off - all of them! Mortimus, Sieffa and the little brats that they call their children; not one is to remain!"
'That's my family!'
Falling away from the window in shock, I fought back the cries that threatened to burst out and betray me.
'I must get back first; I must save them!'

~ Amaurea Uruviel © 27/05/2011