Crystal Clear: The Other Sides of a Mirror

By David Romo

Pedro is the main character who finds new friends and enemies and discovers places he never imagined existed. Because of Pedros inexperience in dealing with different realms, he usually ends up in the middle of the worst situations. Things are not always the way they appear; he was warned and quickly learns just how true that statement is as he struggles to travel to new worlds, help his new friends, and try to stay alive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543452327

David Romo

The Author set out to create a special story the that would be unique, entertaining and enjoyable. In this trilogy, there are new creatures, worlds, challenges, and more friend’s as well as enemies along their way to discover where the clear crystals are located, and to learn what secrets they possess. In this third book, Pedro who is the main human character, with his alien friends Red Eyes, Chris, and Grey Skin are put to the test when it comes to their relationships. In addition, their enemies have begun attacking in new ways, forcing them all to make difficult decisions on what will be best solutions for them to pursue. They are all aware that with every choice they make, there will be a lot of things to consider that might affect their futures, as well as their families and friends.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Taking Charge

It was seven o’clock in the evening on a hot and muggy day in Los Angeles. The sun was still out and Pedro was at home trying to unwind after a long day at work. He had worked about two hour’s overtime and his feet were killing him. As he sat on the couch with his legs propped up on a pillow on top of the coffee table he was snacking on barbecue chips and drinking an ice tea. He was listening to Red Eyes and Chris who were discussing their strategies and trying to agree on what their next move should be. On the one hand, Chris wanted to attack Steven and the Blufirs as soon as they came out of the mirror world. She was hoping to catch them off their guard the moment they were out in the open.

Red Eyes on the other hand believed it would be best if they hunted them down inside of the mirror world to prevent unnecessary casualties and to avoid any public exposure. Pedro agreed with Red Eyes but didn’t want to take sides and kept his opinion to himself. However, as he continued listening to their conversation his eyes began to get very heavy. Before he even realized what was happening his eyes were closed and he dozed off for a minute and started dreaming. In his dream he was holding hands with Vickie as they strolled along a narrow stream enjoying each other’s company. They had stopped walking when they noticed there were several large silver fish jumping in and out of the water. As they both stood watching, Vickie turned to look at Pedro. When he noticed she was watching him, he turned to face her. It felt like magic, because suddenly the two of them were staring into each other’s eyes. Without any hesitation Vickie leaned in closer to Pedro and he puckered up his lip knowing what was coming next. A moment later Pedro was only an inch away from kissing Vickie’s lips when a voice startled him out of his sleep and he woke up to hear Chris who was yelling, `Pedro, did you hear what I said?`

`What, what’s going on, what happened,` Pedro asked her groggily?

Chris repeated her question and asked, `Do you know what is making that irritating rattling noise I keep hearing in your bedroom? There it goes again, did you hear it that time?` she questioned him. Pedro sat straight up for a moment to listen and let her know, `I’m sorry, but I don’t hear anything. Chris swiftly reminded Pedro about how her species are capable of hearing ten times better than any human can hear. Then she insisted he go into his room to find out what that annoying noise was because it was beginning to give her a terrible headache.` Pedro wasted no time getting up to find out for her. Soon after he emerged from his room with a look of embarrassment on his face as he held up his phone for Chris to see. Then admitted he had forgotten his phone was left on vibrate mode and changed it back to ring tone. As he did, Pedro noticed there were several missed messages. They were all from his mother and he quickly called her back. As soon as she answered he apologized for not getting back to her sooner and explained about leaving his phone on vibrate mode.

He followed by asking his mom if everything was all right. Maria stressed how hard she had been trying to reach him because she had bad news about his father. Pedro instantly went into panic mode and asked her nervously what was going on. Maria tried to stay calm and speak clearly but as she spoke Pedro heard her sniffling into the phone. That’s when he knew it had to be serious and he braced himself for the worst. As soon as his mother started talking Pedro noticed her voice was beginning to shake and he froze. But when he heard his mother say the words, Your father had a heart attack, Pedro felt as if his own heart was about to stop beating in his chest at any moment and he quickly asked, `Is Dad going to be all right?`

`We think so,` Maria answered nervously. `His doctors believe your father will make a full recovery, but it will be at least a year before we will know for sure. He also mentioned your father is going to be limited on what he can do and he will need a lot of therapy as well.`

`I’m curious. What was Pop’s doing when he had his heart attack?` he asked. Pedro couldn’t see his mother’s face over the phone, but at that moment it was turning a bright shade of red as she answered, `I am so embarrassed. We were in the middle of . . . but before she could finish her thought Pedro blurted out. `Stop right there, I changed my mind. I don’t think I want to know what the two of you were doing.`

Maria quickly complained, `For heaven’s sake Pedro, get your mind out of the gutter. I was going to tell you about a bet I made with your father. Then she explained, `Your father said I wouldn’t last three days before I started complaining about our neighbor’s new dog that barks all day and night. Naturally, I disagreed and we made the bet. So if your father won, I would have to cook him anything he wanted. If I won, he would have to allow me to paint his toenails. Of course I won and I had just finished painting his toe nails a bright pink color. It was our little secret and nobody else was ever supposed to know about it,` she said sadly. Pedro chuckled and assured her their secret would be safe with him. Maria swiftly let him know, `You don’t need worry about keeping it a secret because everybody already knows. I overheard some of the doctors and nurses in the emergency room laughing about your father’s pink toenails. I feel really bad,` Maria admitted. `Your father is going to be utterly humiliated and embarrassed when he realizes his doctor knows about his toe nails. `I can guarantee your father is never going to let me forget what happened,` his mother said as she hung her head down and sighed loudly.

Then her voice began to crack as she told Pedro about the onset of Jose’s heart attack. Describing how his father’s face turned very pale as she watched him struggling to catch his breath. How she could see the fear in his eyes as he looked back at her and knew it was serious. Then she confessed, `I never felt so helpless and afraid because I wasn’t sure if your father was going to make it to the hospital in time,` and Maria stopped talking. A moment later Pedro heard his mom sobbing loudly into the phone. Instantly his eyes began to tear up and he had to use the sleeve of the gray shirt he was wearing to wipe his tears. Next Pedro tried to comfort his mother and said, `Don’t worry mom, dad is going to be fine. He is strong and I am sure he will back to normal in no time,` but he was so worried he didn’t sound very convincing.

Maria knew Pedro was trying to comfort her and responded, `Thanks for your words of encouragement, I feel much better now.`

`Just give me a few minutes to get dressed,` and I can meet you at the hospital.`

`Hold on Pedro,` his mother answered back and explained, `Your father is heavily sedated so you won’t be able to talk to him tonight.`

`That’s all right, I want to see him and spend some time with you.`

`Thanks Mijo, I’ll see you when you get here,` Maria answered as she hung up the phone and waited for Pedro to arrive. As soon as Pedro set his phone down, Chris put her arms around his shoulders and tried to comfort him.

`I take it you heard what happened to my dad?

`Yes and we are all thankful Jose is going to be all right,` Chris answered him.

`Thanks,` Pedro answered, and then he broke down because he couldn’t bear the thought of losing his father again. Red Eyes waited a few minutes before reminding Pedro, `If anything should happen to your father, it will be your responsibility to carry on in his place. That is what Jose would expect you to do and we would all back you up one-hundred percent.`

Pedro quickly understood that Red Eyes was trying to let him know they might have to leave his father behind if he couldn’t keep up. Although he didn’t like that idea, he knew it was a possibility they would be moving on without him. So Pedro thanked everybody for their caring and understanding, and then he reminded everyone he needed to change so he could head down to the hospital to meet with his mom.

When Pedro walked into the emergency room there were at least a half dozen people waiting to be treated. He rushed over to the information desk to ask what room Jose Reeves was in and they directed him to the intensive care unit located on the third floor in room 325. When Pedro reached the third floor he found his mother and sister sitting in the ICU waiting room and he gave them both a big hug and asked, `Is everything all right?`

`Yes, the doctor is in with your father. As soon as he comes out we can go back in,’ Maria informed Pedro.

`The doctor just walked out of the room,` Lori announced.

`Let’s go,` Maria said as she took Pedro by the hand and they walked down the hall together. The moment he entered the room and noticed his father lying in bed with tubes and machines hooked up to him, Pedro sat down on the chair and began to sob uncontrollably. With his mother by his side, he couldn’t help but feeling completely helpless. Soon after, the nurse came into the room to remind them that visiting hours were almost over and they walked back to the waiting room. As soon as they got there, Lori let Pedro know she was going to take Maria home and bring her back in the morning. Pedro, are you ready to leave? Maria asked.

Not yet, I want to see dad one more time. You two go ahead. I will see you tomorrow morning,` Pedro told them and he kissed his mom goodnight and hurried back to his father’s room. Once inside the room, he walked over to his dad’s bedside, took him by the hand, leaned over and gave him a kiss on his forehead. Next he whispered into his ear, letting his father know just how much he loves him and how he could not bear the thought of losing him again. Then he said a quick prayer and he had just finished when the door opened up and the attending nurse walked in to inform Pedro that visiting hours were over and he needed to leave.

The following morning when Pedro walked into his father’s room, he couldn’t help hearing all the commotion and wondered what was going on. A moment later he realized it was his mom and sister. They were joking around with Jose who was wide awake and laughing with them as well. That’s odd, Pedro thought when he noticed Maria and Lori had both stopped laughing and things got serious the moment they noticed him walking in. With the feeling, he had just interrupted something important, Lori informed Pedro, `Mom and I are going to go down to the cafeteria for something to eat and a cup of coffee. Would you like us to bring you back anything?` she offered.

`Sure, I’ll take a large cup of coffee, with lots of cream and sugar.`

`You got it,` Lori replied and they both walked out of the room. Once they were gone, Pedro looked at Jose who motioned for him to have a seat in the chair next to his bed. As soon as he sat down, Pedro asked, `So what was that all about?`

`I asked your mother and sister to give us a little alone time when you got here. There is something I wanted to discuss with you in private.`

`Is something wrong?` Pedro quickly asked. `Are you feeling all right?`

`I’m, feeling fine and there is nothing wrong,` Jose assured him. `In fact, I feel very fortunate because it could have been a lot worse. Did you notice the blue carnations?`

`Yes I did. Where did they come from?`

`Our neighbor Mr. Tereno stopped by earlier and brought them.`

`Really, how is he doing lately?`

`He says he feels fine and he looks great for his age,` Jose mentioned.

`So what is it you wanted to discuss,` Pedro asked.

`Someone mentioned you didn’t know what you would do if something were to happen to me.`

`I can’t help it, just the thought of losing you again makes me want to give up,` Pedro admitted and he remarked cynically, `I take it Chris, Red Eyes and Grey Skin have already been in to see you today.`

`News travel’s fast,` Jose joked and he glimpsed over at the large mirror hanging on the door. Then he whispered, `They popped in a little while ago if you know what I mean,` and chuckled. But moments later his father became serious and asked, `Pedro, don’t you realize how important it is for you to continue on?`

`Yes, but I . . .` Jose interrupted, `Let me finish. I hope you understand that my heart attack is going to keep me from exerting myself or doing any traveling for at least the next six months. So it’s time for me to pass the baton.`

`What are you saying?`

`I am trying to let you know that I am counting on you to take my place. But don’t worry, you won’t be doing it alone. Chris, Red Eyes and Gray Skin are all willing to help back you up.`

`But I don’t know what to do.` Pedro objected.

`Pedro, first of all I want you to know how very proud I am of you. Secondly, I know that Lori and Mark have always overshadowed you, hindering you from excelling like I know you are capable of doing. So just do your best, that is all I am asking from you.`

`Really, how can you be so sure?`

Jose smiled at Pedro and let him know, `Don’t worry, it will all come together with time and experience.`

`He’s right you know,` Pedro heard someone say and when he turned around he noticed the mirror was opened. Red Eyes, Chris and Grey Skin were all watching from inside the mirror.

`How long have you been standing there listening?` Pedro asked surprised.

`The entire time,` Red Eyes admitted.

Next Chris spoke up and she informed Pedro, `We are going to be counting on you to help us plan our strategies.`

`Really,` he asked surprised to hear.

`Of course,` Red Eyes answered and then he explained. `First of all, we need you to understand that this war we are in is new to us as well. Sure, we are experts in the traveling through the mirror world, shooting at the Blufirs, and fighting against Steven Boyd. Even so, we have never had to battle more than a small group of Blufirs at a time. Then he commented, `With that said, we are all at your service,` and Pedro thanked everybody. Next Chris suggested to Pedro, `I think it is time for us to make a bond with each other.`

`All right,` he agreed and Gray Skin quickly shut the door and Red Eyes closed the curtains of Jose’s hospital room for privacy.

Reaching into a large pouch Chris always carried around with her wherever she went, she pulled out an orange colored crystal. It was in the shape of a mouth with a tongue sticking out of it and she explained, `This is called the Tongue of Honors.` Then she broke the crystal in half. She gave one piece to Pedro and kept the other half for herself. Next she explained how the crystal would change into a chewy gel the instant it touched their tongues. Finally, she instructed Pedro to place his half into his mouth, chew and swallow it completely. Pedro not knowing how it tasted hesitated for a moment, but did it anyway. When he finished swallowing his half, he joked, `That tasted pretty good. Can I have another piece?` Chris ignored Pedro’s comment, and she placed the crystal into her mouth, chewed and swallowed her piece. `Now we are ready to make our bond, so I will recite the words to you and I want you to repeat them to me,` and she began,

I am offering myself as your servant to do whatever it takes to help you achieve your goals. I will be completely honest, faithful, and trustworthy in everything you request of me to do for you. From this moment on your goals will become my goals. As proof of how serious this bond is to me, I pledge my life as collateral.`

Upon completing their pledges to each other, Chris let Pedro know the two of them would need to be completely honest with each other from that point on. Then she explained what would happen if either one of them lied to the other person or intentionally tried to hide any part of the truth. She let him know both their tongues would be in excruciating pain for a week and they wouldn’t be able to speak clearly. Pedro acknowledged that he understood and asked if there was anything else he would need to do or be concerned about. Chris informed him there was one more thing that they needed to do before their bond was completed and asked for his right hand. Without thinking, he reached out his hand thinking Chris was going to shake it. Then he pulled it back when he noticed Chris had a sharp knife in her hand and asked, `Just what are you planning to do with that knife?`

She let him know, `We need to cut off each other’s right thumbs and keep them as collateral to seal our bond.

Pedro quickly objected and remarked, `It’s nothing personal, but I don’t want your thumb and I really need mine. Pedro then asked her if there was any other way to seal their bond and Chris answered it is the only way that she was aware of.`

After Pedro thought about it for a moment, he asked Chris, `If you made the same bond with my father, then why does he still have both of his thumbs?`

Chris commented, `Maybe it grew back.`

When Pedro realized Chris was joking he chuckled and admitted, `I can’t believe you had me going again.` Chris smiled and let him know that their bond was now completed. Then she suggested they find another place to talk so Jose could get some rest. `All right, but I want to wait here for my mom and sister to get back with my coffee,` Pedro commented.

`All right, you can meet us on the 7th floor in room number 725. There is an empty room with a very large mirror I discovered this morning,` Red Eyes informed Pedro.

`Okay, I’ll meet you there in a little while,` and he watched as Red Eyes, Chris and Grey Skin jumped through the mirror and it closed behind them. `Why don’t you have a seat,` Jose suggest. `I can’t. I am too excited,` Pedro admitted and he paced back and forth while he waited. About ten minutes later his mom and sister returned to the room. Here you go,` Lori said as she handed Pedro his coffee.`

`Thanks, I can really use a cup right now,` Pedro remarked.

`So, are the two of you finished with your talk?` Maria asked Pedro.

`Yes, we just finished and now I am on my way to meet up with Chris, Red Eyes and Gray Skin,` Pedro said proudly. I will see you guys later,` he told them and he rushed out the door. On the 7th floor Pedro quickly located room 725, opened the door and stuck his head in to make sure he had the right room. `Are you waiting for an invitation?` Chris joked. `Just checking,` Pedro said as he walked in and Gray Skin quickly closed and locked the door in hopes no one would come in and find them there. Next Red Eyes spoke up and said, `We need to figure out what our next move should be. Does anybody have any suggestions?` and he turned to Pedro and asked him, `Now that you are in charge, is there anything in particular you would like to know about or want to do?`

`Yes,` Pedro answered. `It’s time for me to take a crash course in mirror travel.`

`I think that is a good idea,` Red Eyes agreed and he walked over to the large mirror, pulled out a crystal and began explaining,` First you need to use a crystal like this one, and he held it up to the mirror for Pedro to see it but before he could finish Pedro interrupted him and said, Hold on. I have already seen how you use a crystal to open up the mirror world a few times before but this time I want to try a different approach.` Surprised by his remark, Red Eyes looked over at Chris who raised her hands indicating she had no idea what Pedro was about to do. Speechlessly, everyone watched Pedro as he stood in front of the huge mirror and began to chant loudly, `Mirror, Mirror, Jim Davis are you there?` and he paused to wait. Grey Skin immediately froze, his’s eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open the moment he heard the name Jim Davis. Chris let out a small screech, rolled her eyes and looked over at Red Eyes who crossed his hands over his chest and looked angry at the mere mention of Jim Davis’s name. At that moment Pedro was too focused on the mirror to notice anyone’s reactions and a minute later he started chanting again, `Mirror, Mirror, Jim Davis, can you hear me?` This time everyone else was beginning to get a little nervous but no one said a word as they all continued watching the mirror. `That’s odd, I thought for sure I would get a response,` Pedro mumbled loudly to himself. Oh well, the third times the charm and he gave the mirror one final chant, however this time he started shouting at the mirror angrily, `MIRROR MIRROR, JIM DAVIS,` but this time it was Red Eyes who interrupted and he complained angrily, `This is ridiculous Pedro. You really need to take this serious . . .`at that exact moment Jim Davis suddenly appeared and startled everybody in the room as he began shouting loudly from inside the mirror and said sarcastically, `Of course I can hear you, I’m not deaf!` and he started looking around the room. The instant he noticed Pedro was staring at him blankly, Jim remarked rudely, `Oh Great, just what I need Another human who wants to know his future. So what is your name boy?` Jim questioned Pedro.

My name is Pedro Reeves,` he answered proudly. `All right Pedro, you look like a nice kid. So I am going to do you a favor and let you know something about your future.` `You can do that?` Pedro asked astonished. `Yes, of course I can,` Jim replied in a low whisper and then he closed one eye for a moment as he thought about it. `Yes, I can see it in my mind and it is something very mysterious.`

`Really, I can’t wait to find out what it is,` Pedro said with high expectations.

`Oh no, I can’t believe it,` Jim said seriously.

`What’s the matter? Pedro asked suddenly alarmed and nervous.

`It appears I won’t be able to tell you what your future holds after all. So now you will have to wait until something actually happens,` he said sadly. Would you like to know the reason I can’t tell you?` Jim said whimsically. `Well let me tell you. The reason I can’t say what your future holds is due to the fact that, "I’M NOT A FLIPPING FORTUNE TELLER, THAT’S WHY,` Jim hollered at Pedro and everybody chuckled.

Well thanks for clearing up that matter for me Jim,` Pedro replied calmly and said, `If you don’t mind, I would like to introduce you to everybody. This is Red Eyes, Chris and Grey Skin,` he said and pointed to each of them.

`Yes, I already know who they are but I don’t know anything about you and why did you summons me here in the first place?` Jim demanded to know.

Pedro ignored Jim’s question and asked, `Do you know who Steven Boyd is?`

`Do I look like I was born yesterday?` Jim answered rudely. `All right, do you know that Steven is working with the Blufirs?` `Yes I do and I have to admit those creatures terrify me,` he admitted. `Good, then we can finally agree on something,` Pedro smiled. `And your point is?` `My point is, this entire planet is in jeopardy of being destroyed if somebody doesn’t do something to try and stop Steven and his friends.` `I understand that part, but what does that have to do with me?` Jim asked suspiciously.

`We are going to need all the help we can get,` Pedro mentioned. `You still haven’t told me why I am here?` Jim complained. `Isn’t it obvious? The four of us are going to try and stop Steven Boyd and we need your help.`

`Oh really, and just what are you expecting me to do for you?` Jim wanted to know. Pedro answered, `First of all, I am going to need everybody’s help teaching me everything I need to know as quickly as I can. For instance, Red Eyes is going to give me my first lesson in mirror traveling today. ` `Oh really, well aren’t you the special one,` Jim said mockingly. `However, I really doubt that is the reason you summoned me here, am I right? So out with it boy, I have a very busy schedule and I was in the middle of something very important when you rudely summoned me.`

Pedro was getting irritated with Jim and told him, `I am sure someone as famous and important as you are can’t be bothered with a someone like me. Let me guess, you were in the middle of an important movie scene, or you were auditioning for the star role in a play, or maybe you were meeting with the President for dinner? Either way, I am sorry if I have inconvenienced you in any way. `I know how important your time is, so let me get straight to the point,` and Pedro explained, `The truth is, I summoned you here because I need you to open that mirror so we can all pass through into the mirror world.`

`What, is that supposed to be a joke?` Jim protested `With the exception of you, anyone in this room can open that a mirror with their eyes closed?`

`You are absolutely correct, but I can’t and that is my point,` Pedro stated.

`Fine, is there anything else I can do for you, Oh Special One?` Jim snickered and bowed his head in an exaggerated manner. As a matter of fact, there is,` Pedro answered back.

`I’m listening, Jim answered unenthusiastically.

`All right, I have to be certain I can count on you to come at a moment’s notice whenever I summons you and I mean without exception,` Pedro declared.

`Oh, is that all. Just drop whatever I am doing and rush over here so I can open a mirror, maybe wipe your nose or perhaps I could clean your bottom for you,` Jim said negatively. Calmly, Pedro responded, `Just make sure you come whenever I call you and that should be all for now. You are dismissed, and now you can go back to whatever it was you were doing.`

`Well aren’t you the pushy one.` Jim complained again.

This time Pedro answered sarcastically, `If you don’t think you can handle it, I can always contact the Genie in the bottle instead?`

Completely caught by surprise at Pedro’s remark, Jim was momentarily at a loss for words and said straight-faced, `I beg your pardon, what did you say?` Pedro smiled and repeated, `I said if you . . .` `Yeah ! Yeah ! Yeah! I heard you the first time and people tell me I’m rude,` Jim said angrily as he vanished. A second later the mirror’s reflection disappeared and purple smoke began swirling around it’s opening. `That’s odd,` Pedro mumbled to himself. `What’s odd?` Chris asked. `That is the first time I saw a mirror with purple smoke.` Red Eyes quickly responded, `Just when you think you have seen everything, someone opens up a mirror and something different happens.` `Do you happen to know why?` Pedro asked. Red Eyes explained, `It all depends on the crystal that is used, the world you are entering and the individual who is opening up the mirror. For instance, I have seen mirrors that smoke, flash, light up, spark, and fill a room with different colors just to name a few.`

`I can’t wait to see them,` Pedro answered. `I take it, that means you are ready but before we go there is something I have to ask you,` Red Eyes said in a serious tone. `Okay,` Pedro agreed. `To begin, I have to admit that I would never have thought to ask Jim Davis for his help. Was there any particular reason you did?` `Yes, there is. I remembered Chris telling me about Jim’s unfortunate accident and how he turned himself into a mirror and couldn’t change himself back. So I figured, if anybody would know about mirrors, it would have to be Jim.` `True, but as I am sure you have already discovered, Jim Davis is a very difficult individual to deal with. Although I have to confess, I have never seen Jim interact with anyone the way he did with you just now. Normally, if someone say anything Jim doesn’t like, he gets angry, becomes rude, and then he disappears a moment later.`

`Maybe so, but under these circumstances I believe Jim will work with us.` Pedro said positively. `I hope you’re right,` Red Eyes said and then he warned Pedro, `Just remember that Jim Davis and Steven Boyd are two very different animals. Steven is an extremely cunning and resourceful being. Never take anything for granted or underestimate what he is capable of doing.` `All right,` Pedro agreed. Then stood completely awestruck knowing he was gazing into a world that was completely different than any place on earth. Without hesitation, Pedro reached out his hand and put it through the purple smoke surrounding the mirrors opening. `Wow, it feels so weird. First it felt cold when I put my hand in and now it feels warm,` he acknowledged as he pulled it out.

`Are you ready,` Red Eyes asked as he jumped through the opening. Pedro quickly followed and when he was on the other side he commented,` `It’s not as dark as it was the last time you took me inside the mirror world.` `Red Eyes then explained, `If there are only a few mirrors it will probably be dark or pitch black. On the other hand, if there are numerous mirrors it might be very bright. It all depends on where you are traveling inside the mirror world and how bright the world is you are entering or leaving.`

`I can’t believe how massive this cave is, `THIS IS REALLY COOL,` Pedro shouted just to hear if his voice would echo inside the caves and he asked, `How do you keep from getting lost?`

`I have been traveling inside the mirror world for thousands of years and I’ve learned how to get around. However, truth be known, I still get lost from time to time,` Red Eyes confessed and then he cautioned Pedro, `At times these caves can be very dangerous if you don’t know how to maneuver around in them. Not only that, but Steven and his blue friends could show up at any time and we need to be ready just in case they do. Still, at the moment I am more concerned about you.` `Me, why?` Pedro asked suddenly worried. Red Eyes reminded him, `I have never taken a human inside of the mirror world for more than a short period of time so I am not sure how your mind and body will react after an extended period of time.`

Pedro boasted, `Don’t worry about me, I can handle anything. `Red Ryes humbly admitted, `I sure hope so because it took me a few times before my body was able to adjust without losing my last meal. Still, if by chance you happen to feel a little uncomfortable or weak, just let us know and we can stop to let you rest.` Pedro agreed and nervously started rubbing his hands together knowing he would finally get a chance to see the inside of the mirror world.

Red Eyes continued, `Before we get started there are a few rules you need to learn. First, it is imperative that everyone stays close to the person in front of them and keeps their eyes focused on them at all times.` Then he advised, `You will see all sorts of weird-looking lights, movements, shadows and things moving inside the mirrors as we pass by them. If you’re not careful you could easily get distract and let your minds wonder off. If you allow that to happen, you might accidentally get yourself lost. I can’t emphasize how tempting it will be to walk over to a mirror and peak into it, but you must resist that urge.`

Pedro was curious and asked, `What do you normally see when you look at a mirror from the other side of the glass?` Red Eyes answered. `It can be anything as simple as someone combing their hair to creatures from another world.` `Will they be able to see us? Pedro asked. `Only if the mirror is opened. So just stay focused on the person in front of you. Now I have to mention that at the beginning it will be difficult to do. But with time your minds will become accustomed to staying focused on the person in front of you. Until then, you might go through short periods of feeling very nauseous. If that happens, you just need to close your eyes for a minute and it should subside. Just remember, no matter what you see or hear, you cannot wonder off. Then again, if by chance you find yourself separated from the rest of the group. Stay where you are and I will come looking for you.`

`Trust me, I won’t stray,` Pedro assured Red Eyes. `Don’t be so certain. If you get careless you could accidently end up in another world and there’s no telling what you might find or what might find you. As I’ve already stated, these caves can be very tricky and confusing. Although, there is one thing that you can be certain of and that is the mirrors can never lie. What I mean by that statement is nobody has the ability to change their physical shape while traveling inside the mirrors. Therefore, you will always know exactly what somebody looks like and now I think it’s time for us to get started. Are you ready Pedro?` `Sure, lead the way and Pedro followed closely behind Chris watching her every move so he wouldn’t lose his focus.

As they walked along the path, Pedro started thinking about the things Red Eyes mentioned could happen if he wasn’t careful. A couple of minutes later he lost his concentration and let his mind wonder. Then without realizing what he was doing, he began to stray and wandered over to the first mirror that caught his eye. Although it was glowing very dimly Pedro could sense the mirror held a deep secret and couldn’t fight the impulse to peak into it. After his first look Pedro discovered the mirrors surface was too dark for him to see what was on the other side. As he stood staring at it, his curiosity kicked in and suddenly he just had to find out what was on the other side. Without thinking he pressed his face against the glass and tried to see through it. Seconds later Pedro discovered he was no longer on the outside looking in but inside another world that was very dark, cold, and damp. Reality quickly kicked in and brought him back to his senses and he realized he was lost. How do I get back to the other side he told himself and started looking for the mirror he entered in through but couldn’t locate it?

Oh no, Pedro mumbled to himself when he remembered Red Eyes warning to him about not wondering off and getting himself lost.

How am I going to find my way back? Pedro thought as he began looking around and noticed everything looked very strange and foreign. What kind of a place is this? he asked out loud as if somebody was going to hear him and answer back. Pedro believed he was standing in the middle of an open field, but he had never seen trees that looked so peculiar. Although the tree trunks were only ten feet high, they’re branches reached out over about forty feet and they were all intertwined. Their large black and gray leaves resembled thousands of scorpion tails all snapping at each other as they swayed back and forth without any wind to move them around. The sky was dark gray with no moon or stars to shine on or help give off light for Pedro to see. The foliage which covered most of the ground was the only thing that gave off any type of light. It reminded Pedro of the grass in his own back yard and yet it was very different. Each individual plant had hundreds of thousands of long luminescent orange blades that lit up the ground and helped him to see in the distance. Pedro was surprised when he reached down and touched a few of the blades and the entire plant stopped glowing as if someone had turned if off like a light switch.

There was also a very peculiar odor that was lingering in the air and Pedro couldn’t remember smelling anything like it before. Though it wasn’t unpleasant, it made him feel uncomfortable because it was a reminder he was lost in another world. The longer Pedro thought about his dilemma, the angrier he became with himself for getting separated from his friends. `Now what am I supposed to do?` he thought as he sat down and closed his eyes to clear his mind. Oh no, he said embarrassed when he remembered his last conversation with Red Eyes. How he had assured him he would never wander off or get himself lost, but he did. Feeling upset and downhearted he started thinking about Vickie. He wondered what she would think of him if she knew he had gotten himself lost and he was beginning to doubt she would ever fall in love with him. What could I possibly giv . . .` What was that? Pedro mumbled suddenly alarmed when an odd sounding noise in the distance distracted him and he quickly opened his eyes to look around. Seconds later he saw something moving in the distance but couldn’t make out its shape. It was moving slowly and appeared to be gliding along the ground. Although Pedro didn’t feel there was an immediate threat, he couldn’t take his eyes off the shape and was glad whatever it was hadn’t noticed him. About a half hour later he realized the creature had only moved about twenty feet. Perhaps it’s a giant snail and I can outrun it? he hoped but continued to keep his eye on it just in case it wasn’t. A short while later Pedro realized the creature hadn’t moved and thought, Maybe its asleep? Then took a deep breath and tried to relax but just as he did something pinched his arm. It startled him so badly he almost let out a yell but quickly discovered he couldn’t because something grabbed him by the face and covered his mouth. When he looked up, Red Eyes was standing over him. `Don’t make a sound,` he whispered to him.

`Pedro nodded his head to let Red Eyes know that he understood what he wanted and after he released him, Pedro whispered back, `I have been watching that creature for over an hour and I don’t think it can move quickly,` Pedro let him know. `That is only because it hasn’t seen us yet,` Red Eyes said in a whisper. `So get up slowly, don’t make a sound and follow me.` Pedro nodded his head in agreement but as he stood up to leave he stepped on a large tree root sticking out of the ground. With a loud cracking noise that echoed as it snapped in two and alerted the creature there were others close by. The creature immediately let out a horrible screech and started racing towards them at top speed. `It saw us, RUN,` Pedro shouted. `Here it comes, Red Eyes shouted as he reached over and grabbed Pedro flinging him over his shoulder and took off running as fast as his legs would move.

`HURRY,` Pedro yelled when he noticed the creature had already traveled half the distance between them and saw it’s dark grey eyes glowing dimly. `I can’t believe how fast it can move,` Red Eyes complained. `You have to run faster, its gaining. HURRY!, it’s almost on top of us` Pedro screamed in panic as he watched the creature leaping into the air and it was heading straight at them. Pedro was scared out of his mind but couldn’t look away as the creature landed only fifteen feet away and he held his breath. A few seconds later Pedro watched as a mirror closed and then it unexpectedly vanished.

`That was too close for comfort,` Red Eyes admitted as he dropped Pedro on the ground and started gasping for air. Pedro was shaking uncontrollably and couldn’t answer back. When he was finally able to speak he asked, `What happened to the mirror and what was that thing?` Red Eyes explained, `Whenever a mirror is broken from the inside it ceases to exist. Therefore it will no longer be available for use and disappears from the mirror world. As for that thing, it’s called a Shcedic. They are nasty tempered creatures that can outrun just about anything I know that exists. They swallow their prey whole but unlike most other creatures that smother, swallow and digest your body over time. You are eaten alive and it slowly devours you from the outside in.` `Woe, that sounds painful,` Pedro moaned. `I’m sure it is but didn’t I warn you not to take your eyes off the person in front of you? So what happened?` Red Eyes asked him to explain. `Yes you did but let me . . .` `It’s a good thing Chris noticed you were entering that mirror when she did, or we would have lost even more time then we already have.` `I’m really sorry. One moment I was following Chris and the next I ended up in that terrible place. I don’t even know how I did it,` Pedro complained.

`It’s because you are human and your mind is too weak,` Red Eyes commented. `That is why I am going to ask Chris to follow behind you until you can learn how to keep your mind focused on the person in front of you. Now let’s get moving, and they started walking. When they reached the others, Pedro hung his head down in shame and apologized for getting himself lost.

`Don’t worry about it Pedro, it could have happened to any of us,` Chris said trying to comfort him. `I know but I was so sure it wouldn’t happen to me.` Red Eyes swiftly reminded him, `I tried to warn you how easy it is to get yourself lost. Then he instructed Chris, `I want you to follow behind Pedro and make sure he doesn’t stray off the path again. Now let’s get going,` and everybody followed Red Eyes as he pointed out some of the things to look for when traveling inside the mirror world. As he followed behind Gray Skin, Pedro was determined not to allow his mind to wander off and tried not to think about anything. Still, as hard as he tried, he couldn’t shake the sensation that his body’s chemistry was rapidly changing from the inside out. For some odd reason he began to think about cheetahs and how fast they could run. He remembered they could reach top speeds of seventy-five miles per hour and before he realized it, he was daydreaming again. However, this time when he came to his senses everybody was standing around him with puzzled expressions on their faces.

Pedro was about to ask them what was going on when he realized he had the ability to read their thoughts. At first he was confused because they were all thinking about a very big cat. They were also trying to figure out how someone was able to change their form inside the mirror world. As he continued reading their brain waves he suddenly realized they were all talking about him. That’s odd, what do they mean I changed my form and why can they hear me but not understand what I’m saying? Pedro was perplexed until he looked down and discovered he didn’t have arms with hands. Instead he had two long fury legs covered with lots of spots and he had paws with claws at the end of them. This can’t be right . . . but when he looked over his shoulder he discovered there were two additional legs with spots and a matching tail as well. I must be dreaming, there’s no way I changed myself into a Cheetah. This can’t be happening . . . and closed his eyes for a moment hoping he was dreaming. However, this time when he opened his eyes he heard Chris telling him, `We were wondering how long it was going to take you before you figured out how to transform yourself back.`

`I don’t understand,` Pedro complained to Red Eyes. `I thought you said no one could change their form inside of the mirror world?` `I did, because we didn’t believe it was possible until you just proved us all wrong.` he admitted. `I’m curious Pedro mentioned and he asked, `Do you have any idea how I was able to transform myself? `To be honest, we’re not really sure. We think it might have something to do with the combination of you’re being human, your exposure to our crystals, and the bond you made with Chris. It’s really unnatural and we would never have believed it was possible if we hadn’t seen it with our own eyes.`

`Is that a good thing or bad?` Pedro wanted to know. `It’s a Great thing,` Gray Skin answered excitedly. `Now we will have the element of surprise over Steven and his friends. They won’t be expecting anybody with the ability to change their shape inside of the mirrors, so we should be able to catch them off guard.` `That’s great, but now I another question?` `Sure, what is it?` Red Eyes answered. `If Chris saw me go into the mirror, why did it take you over an hour to find me? I stayed right where I was until you came looking for me. Not only that but I couldn’t find the mirror I entered in through.`

`It might have felt like an hour had passed by, but it was actually around ten minutes. Time in the mirror world remains fairly stable. However, once you enter another world time can change to a different speed. For instance, there are worlds where time moves at a fast rate like the one we were just inside. Still, there are others that might move very slowly and some could even feel like time is standing still. As for the mirror you entered and couldn’t find, it was a very dark world so you probably couldn’t see it.` That makes sense but now I have another question,` Pedro stated. `Is this going to take all night?` Red Eyes joked and asked, `So what is it?` `After I transformed myself into a cheetah, why is it I was able to understand what you were saying, but you couldn’t understand me?` Everybody started laughing hysterically and Pedro asked, `What’s so funny?` Chis responded, `We couldn’t understand you because you were talking Cheetah. Not to mention you gave us quite a fright when you started roaring loudly at us.` `I did?` Pedro asked surprised to hear he was roaring. `You most certainly did,` Red Eyes replied and then he remarked, `We can talk about it some other time, but we’ve already wasted enough time as it is, `he reminded everyone. `Now let’s get moving before Pedro decides to give us another surprise?` `I sure hope not,` Pedro muttered under his breath. `Just make sure to keep your eyes focused on Grey Skin,` Red Eyes warned Pedro and started walking. `I’ll do my best,` Pedro agreed. Nevertheless, with their huge legs and long strides, Pedro found it difficult to keep up with the group and had to run most of the way just to keep up with them. He was also tired and irritated with Chris who kept giving him a shove and telling him to speed up. About the fifth time Pedro was about to complain when Red Eyes made an unexpected stop. Then motioned for everyone to stop and be silent which caused Pedro to bump into Grey Skin who whispered and complained, `Why don’t you look where you are going?` `Sorry.`

`What’s the matter?` Chris whispered to Red Eyes. `I’m not sure,` he whispered back, lifted his head high and started looking around the area. `I think it’s safe to continue, I don’t see anything. All the same, keep your eyes open for any movement in the shadows,` he cautioned everybody and let them know, `It looks like we have some allies in the mirror world.` `What do you mean?` Chris questioned him and Red Eyes pointed towards the end of the tunnel leading away from where they were all standing and asked, `Can you see them?` I don’t see anything, what is he talking about,` Pedro asked. Chris looked at Pedro and rolled her eyes as she explained, `There are four dead Blufirs lying on the ground at the end of this tunnel to our left.`

`Oh, what happened to them? ` `I’m not sure,` Red Eyes said. `But I intend to find out and he walked over to investigate.

CHAPTER TWO

The Unexpected

When they reached the Blufirs remains, it appeared the creatures had all been killed by something very powerful. Blood and body parts were scattered everywhere. ´That’s Weird,´ Pedro commented when he noticed all of the Blufirs were missing their heads and asked, ´With so many body parts, how can you be so sure there are only four of them? Red Eye didn’t answer Pedro’s question. Instead, he smiled and pointed at the wall behind him. When Pedro turned around he gasped at the sight of four very long spears sticking out of the wall, each with a huge head of a Blufir hanging on the end of them. ´That is ghastly´ he objected. ´Why would anybody want to do something so brutal?´

Grey Skin spoke up and declared, ´It’s a warning.´ ´What kind of a warning and for whom?´ Pedro asked astonished. ´I believe they were left there for the Blufirs to find,` Red Eyes replied casually. ´Whoever did this is letting the Blufirs know they are