Pearl walked me through the dark forest on the small dirt path until we reached a mirror that hung on a tree. It was a full-body mirror, it looked old and rusty as if one touch could shatter the outer border. It reminded me of the groce accent mirror that my mother has hanging in the living room. "Go through," Pearl told me, pushing me to the mirror. "Where does it go?" I asked her a bit of fear lingered, and she smiled sweetly at me. "Now, my child, would I send you into danger?" Her voice was calming, loving, trusting…"Guillermina!" My mother yelled at me. My soggy clothes stuck to my body, and my hair was glued to my forehead. I slipped off my shoes, it made a squish suction cup noise as I popped my shoe off. She took one look at me "Did anyone see you?" She looked out the window quickly. I watched as her eyes looked darted around not saying a word to her."Did my friends see you?" I was in disbelief, she was more worried about her reputation than what happened to me. "Your friend's kid is the reason why I'm soaked" I raised my voice. "Lower your tone" She glared at me. "Why do you only care about yourself?"
"What happened?" Her voice was soft and loving, a tone that could trick anyone, that could pick you up in her arms and cuddle you. "They…they were talking about your drinking…" When I told her she held a she looked pissed, "Your friend said you cheated on Father" slap… "Child?" I feel Pearl hold my arm in a gentle grip, "Why are you holding your cheek ?" I didn't even realize it. "I…" It hurt but you wouldn't understand, would you? And you wouldn't hold me in your loose arms, and whisper teary-eyed apologies. "Are you scared, my child, I promise to come in right behind you" she petted my head, "I'm sorry we can't go in together but it would break the mirror, and it's off with my head"
"Off with your head?"
"Queen Cecilia is cruel sometimes.." She spoke softly, "Well, we must get going, my child before we are in trouble" her happy, sweet voice came back, and I nodded. I reached my hand out to the mirror. It reflects colors that turn a milky white as my hand goes through. "It's okay my child" Pearl comforted me, "Yeah…" I lifted my left foot and put it through the mirror. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes before stepping through. "Wow…" I opened my eyes to a room filled with mirrors and the names of the places hung above the mirrors. "Pearl, do you see this?" I asked, looking behind me with a smile. "Pearl..?" My smile dropped as I looked around, "Pearl" I became panicked, "You said you were behind me" mixed emotions sat in my stomach. "Pearl!" I yelled, "Mrs, Pearl ran late, she must see the Queen" A person in a suit and tie with a bunny mask spoke to me. "Wh-what..?"
"She was late to the party"
"Party?"
What are they talking about, what party? "The Queen's party, of course, everyone in wonderland is allowed to come" They leaned in close, their hat leaning against the bunny ears of the mask. "It would be a crime if you didn't" You could tell they tried to smile under the mask. "Where is the party? Can you take me?" They nodded and that's when I noticed the small blood-red diamond on their left hand, one you would find on playing cards. "What is that on your hand?" I asked out of curiosity, "My rank" they replied with a blank voice. We stopped in front of a mirror with a purple and pink border, it looked as if a child had made it. "You must take a trip through the cat's tail and reach the door at the end and you will find your way to the Queen's party" They spoke the last bit with pride in their voice. "But please be careful of cats, they are not too nice" They hummed as they walked away from me, entering through the mirror I came from, "Okay, Guillermina, you can do this," I told myself, "Just like mama always said…'' my mind went blank, I haven't heard my mother's encouragement in a while.