"Where do you think that scoundrel has gone?" Sophia mused, perched on the steps of the garden. The garden, with its pond and tiny fountain, was a fitting backdrop for the stunning girl. Holding her chin in her hands, she said, a bit dreamily, "Should we report him missing?"
"Do you think Mr. Jason is someone who can be found by the police?" Cathy interjected, not leaving any room for Sophia's imagination. "He's a drifter, a traveler. Who knows where he might go? Reporting him won't do any good. And besides... Now that the witch is gone, he might feel there's no reason for him to stick around."
"Then... where would he go?" Sophia mused aloud. She wasn't really asking Cathy, knowing full well that she wouldn't know either. She was asking herself, "Where would he go?"
Indeed, where would Jason go?
Inside a small cabin in the dense forest as night fell, Jason gently pushed open the door. In stark contrast to the mess and gore outside, the interior was pristine and delicate, resembling a young girl's boudoir.
Neat, orderly, not overly adorned, there was a floor-length oval mirror standing out prominently in front of a chair. The mirror was framed with artistically crafted borders that looked like floating clouds, holding the mirror aloft. It was obviously something special.
Jason examined the mirror before sitting in front of it. The mirror's surface wasn't dazzlingly bright, but had a subtle hue that veiled the original brilliance, resembling a deep, serene pool of autumn water.
As Jason reached out to touch the mirror, he was surprised to find something inside that felt alive. He couldn't help but recall an interesting story.
Indeed, in that story, there was a magic mirror that could talk. Clearly, whether this mirror could talk or not, it held a certain kind of spirit, akin to the essence of a living creature.
So he smiled at the mirror.
His reflection in the mirror smiled back. It was no different from any ordinary mirror. Shaking his head, he said to himself sarcastically, "Surely, there are no talking mirrors. That's just fairy tale stuff," and turned to inspect other areas of the room. There were many things in this little cabin that surprised him.
"The witch is dead, is she?" A voice suddenly broke the silence.
Jason couldn't help but chuckle, turning to look at the mirror. Shaking his head, he said, "I thought you might never speak. Couldn't resist, could you?"
"I know you killed the witch," the mirror continued, "It's not surprising. I knew her end was near. It was only a matter of time, young man."
"Young man?" Jason shook his head, "I'm not young anymore. I've lived a long time in this world. But... compared to you, I suppose I haven't lived long enough. You're not wrong in calling me that. But your voice, it sounds like a young girl."
"You're quite observant. But I must thank you. I've been trapped here by that witch for a long time. Now that she's dead, I'm free." The mirror let out a soft laugh.
Jason turned around and stood before the mirror, looking at his own reflection. He pondered for a moment before saying, "In fairy tales, you're a magical mirror that can answer any question. You're the most powerful magic mirror. So... tell me, magic mirror, how did I come to be in this world, and how can I return to my original world?"
After he asked this question, the magic mirror fell silent.
Jason waited. After a long while, he didn't hear the magic mirror speaking again. He thought about it and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. Even if the magic mirror knew a lot about this world, perhaps even everything, it might not know anything about him, coming from another world.
With a self-deprecating smile, he turned and continued searching the cabin. This time, he was hoping to find some of the witch's dark magic books, which could be very helpful in his research on how to perfectly break the curse on the black cat. Or if he encounters a more powerful witch in the future, he would know how to deal with her.
But, unfortunately, there were no magic books here.
Jason felt slightly disappointed. After taking one last look around the room, he was about to leave when he heard a voice, "You're not originally from this world. But you've come here, and that means many things will change. Young man, I don't know how you came here or how you should return. But you can find your own way back, try, and you'll find the answer."
"Is that supposed to be an answer?" Jason looked at the mirror in surprise. It had indeed said something. He wasn't of this world, but the most critical question, it couldn't answer, "Still, I'm grateful to you. I'll find the answer in my own way."
"You'll find your answer," the mirror replied.
Jason nodded, then turned to leave.
"Hey, wait, young man..."
Jason stopped and turned back to look at it.
"Take me with you. I don't want to end up in the hands of another wicked witch," the mirror said, "I know you're kind-hearted and capable of protecting me. I'm more than happy to follow you."
"So... can you tell me where the witch's magic book is hidden?" Jason asked with a smile. "There's nothing here. I've looked everywhere."
"Go out, turn right to the third tree, knock on the trunk three times, and say: 'Bug, bug, open the door and bring out my magic book.' You'll get it. Of course... You need to learn to speak like a witch."
"No, you should do all this. That's the deal. I'll take you with me, you help me get the magic book. What do you say? Either that or wait for the next witch to place you in this dark place. If you agree, we have a deal."
"You'll find your answer," the mirror replied again.
Jason nodded, then turned to leave.
"Hey, wait, young man..."
Jason stopped and turned back to look at it.
"Take me with you. I don't want to end up in the hands of another wicked witch," the mirror pleaded, "I know you're not wicked, and you're capable of protecting me. I'd be happy to join you."
"So... can you tell me where the witch hid her magic book?" Jason asked with a smile, "There's nothing in here. I've looked everywhere."
"Exit, turn right to the third tree, gently knock on the trunk three times and say: 'Beetle, Beetle, quickly open the door and bring out my magic book.' This way you'll get it. Of course... You need to learn the witch's language."
"No, you should do all this. That's the deal. I take you with me, you help me get the magic book. What do you say?" Jason made a proposition, "Otherwise, you can wait for the next witch to put you in this dark place. If you agree, we have a deal."
"Alright," the mirror agreed.
"Good," Jason nodded, then turned to leave.
Just as he was leaving, the mirror called out, "Wait, young man..."
Jason stopped and turned back to look at it.
"Take me with you, I don't want to fall into the hands of another wicked witch," the mirror implored, "I know you're kind-hearted and have the power to protect me. I'd be happy to accompany you."
"Then... can you tell me where the witch's magic book is hidden?" Jason asked with a smile, "There's nothing here, I've searched everywhere."
"Go out and turn right to the third tree. Tap the trunk gently three times and say: 'Beetle, beetle, quickly open the door and bring out my magic book.' Then you'll get it. Of course... you must learn to speak in the witch's language."
"No, you should do all this. This is the deal, I take you with me, you help me get the magic book. Do you agree?" Jason proposed a condition, "Otherwise, you can wait for the next wicked witch to place you in this dark, sunless place. If you agree, we have a deal."
Another moment of silence followed. Then the mirror said, "Deal!" Just as it finished speaking, Jason waved his sleeve, and the mirror seemed to be sucked in by something, before it could even make a sound. It was swiftly captured in Jason's pocket, disappearing from sight.
Following the mirror's instructions, Jason walked out and turned right, finding himself standing next to the third tree. It was a towering tree that would require the arms of five or six people to fully encircle it.
Jason approached the tree and lightly tapped his pocket. "I'm about to knock, so speak quickly. You must sound just like it." With that, he knocked on the tree trunk three times.
"Beetle, beetle, quickly open the door and bring out my magic book," the mirror mimicked the witch's voice, perfectly imitating its tone and cadence.
As if on cue, a large section of the tree bark loosened and was pushed open, revealing what appeared to be a door made of tree bark. Several beetles crawled out and positioned themselves at the entrance. They seemed larger than ordinary beetles, with the leader being four or five times their size.
The leader waved its two long front claws, gesturing for Jason to wait, before leading the other beetles into the opening. After a short while, they emerged carrying an exquisitely crafted book.
Jason reached out and took the book in his hands. The beetles promptly closed the door, sealing it shut. Opening the book, he noticed that it wasn't actually a book, but rather a book-like cover with a few parchment scrolls sandwiched between the front and back covers.
The scrolls contained the witch's magic spells, and Jason recognized them at a glance.
It seemed like this trip had yielded some rewards. He let out a whistle, and at that moment, a shadow suddenly leaped from the top of the cabin and landed on Jason's shoulder.