Mind Playin Tricks on Me

[Thalia]

When next the boy peeked through into the room of mirrors, he was a man. Nimeda’s head tilted in consideration of this change, and she slid her gaze between the red-eyed man behind the glass and his new twin in the frame of the doorway. She was not sure if his new stature spoke of a loss of control, a reaction to the challenge issued, or a new lease of courage, and either way she had little desire to become caught in the middle of their quarrel. At least, not while at the mercy of the dreamer. She had meant to sneak the boy away from the confines of his own skull, anyway, and the intention did not change.

Nimeda hooked, and pulled. It would have been considered the height of rudeness once, though all those who would have been aghast at such poor etiquette were still dust. The experience might not be pleasant; he was not a native of this world, after all, and it had been a long time since she had pulled a stranger from his own dream.

The spinning world repainted in new images. Cold concrete sprouted lush grass that kissed the soles of her feet, and prompted a smile. Discordant music, shrill laughter, and the creak of metal faded to the meander of running waters and fresh breeze. Nimeda’s legs folded to sit where she had been standing, though her wide grey eyes remained upturned to consider the soul she had yanked along with her. A smile welcomed, curious but warm. She could not hold him here indefinitely. “That’s better,” she laughed. “Will you tell me your name, now?”