"I know you're in there little sister. Why don't you come out, and we can talk. If you don't, I'll have to come in there, and I don't want to intrude." Alastor said, his laugh filling the house.
"What should we do?!" Das asked quietly, almost panicking as he paced around the room.
"Go out there, and tell him the truth. I'm going to take the mirror and leave through a back window. Wait until I've gone, before opening the door." I said with determination to help calm the boy down." If you tell the truth, you are less likely to get in trouble, because at least you admitted defeat. Tell him everything, except where I've gone, ok? You'll be fine, just don't get nervous. My brother is just a big softy, and if this is a mirror image of him, you'll be fine. If the spirit wants people to believe it's actually my brother, then it will keep up the act, no matter with who, or where it is."
"Alright. Ok, I think I can do this. Go out the far window in the bathroom. That's the furthest window from the door. When you get out, get up into the trees, and get as far from the castle as you can. If I don't get arrested for treason, then when it's safe, I'll light a small lantern outside the window. Be careful though, because sometimes the light will those attract....things." Das said, steeling himself for what might happen.
"Open the door, starlight. I hear two voices, and I know only one person lives here. Open it now, before I open it myself." Alastor hissed through the door. I reached under the bed, and grabbed the mirror, and my old clothes. I put the dress and shoes in-between the mattress, and scooped up Lee, who had fallen asleep on the pillow next to my head. The mirror was tied to my waist with a rope Das had found the day before, and I wore no shoes to be quieter as I walked. I rushed to the bathroom, and squeezed through the small window, tossing Lee through first, then taking the mirror off to fit better, and grabbing it from Das once I was outside. Das shut the window, after hanging a small lantern outside. We nodded to each other, and I raced off into the woods, hoping that Das wouldn't get in much trouble because of me. I made it to the wall, and with the mirror on my back, and Lee flying above, I slowly climbed up the wall, finding handholds in the weather worn rocks. I made it to the top, and slid down using the ivy growing on the other side. As my feet hit the soft dirt on the other side I heard a cry coming from back over the wall. I immediately climbed a tree nearby and peered over the wall. I saw Das curled against the back wall of the bedroom, and Alastor pointing at the boy yelling unintelligibly. I was forced to resist the urge to go back in there and stop my brother but I knew if I did I was not coming back out. I turned and dashed across the tree tops surrounding me, hoping to find somewhere safe to hide.
The sun was peaking out above the mountains, and I glanced up at them, remembering how only 2 days ago, Erik and I had climbed the other side to get here. Now I was trying to escape. Lee was flying just ahead of me, directing me where I needed to go, to avoid those creatures, and to find the quickest and safest way back to the mountain. It wasn't until we arrived at the base of the mountain that I realized, everything I had brought with me was still in the castle, sitting in my bag next to the bed.
"Oh no." I groaned. "I've left everything back in my room. How am I supposed to get up the mountain? You'll have no problem, since you can fly."
"You're right. I forgot about that. What if I tell you where hand and footholds are so you can climb up?" Lee suggested kindly.
"I suppose that could work. Alright then, let's get going." I said as we started the long climb up to the summit. About halfway up I saw a platform perfectly identical to the one where I had first met my brother.
"Let's stop here for a moment Lee, and let me get some energy back."
I flopped over onto the ledge and closed my eyes for a few minutes. An overwhelming feeling of tiredness swept over my body, and my muscles ached from the climb. Lee had landed beside me and had curled up next to my head, using my hair as a bed. I scooped him up, and walked further onto the platform, and leaned back against the rock wall. Looking out, I saw the gardens and the maze in the distance, as well as the castle. Seeing the light glint off the building reminded me of the light that came from the mirror when it stole away Erik. A single hot tear rolled down my face, and I quickly wiped it away. I knew what I had to do. I slipped Lee into a pocket in the pants I wore, and I stepped up to a cave entrance in the rock. I took a deep breath and stepped through.