A Life Beyond The Mirror
Chapter 3

“You must be Theodora. I’m Mrs Scott, your head teacher.” The lady in front of me threw out her hand for me to shake. She was a small woman, shorter than me, with her golden hair tied back into a neat, tight bun. Not a fly away in sight. Her skirt suit neat as a button. I put my hand in hers. I could feel the stress in her hands, but her shake was firm.

“I’m Thea. Nice to meet you.” I reply.

“This is your timetable for the week.” She hands me a sheet of paper with a list of lessons, I place it in the front of my backpack, reposition it on my shoulder, hooking my finger through the straps. “I’ll escort you to your first class. As it is the final week of school, Sixth Form are currently working on projects as part of our extra curriculum. Your first lesson is History. They are working on a project based on Welsh Folklore.”

We continued down the blue corridors. All covered with work done by pupils, Photos of sports teams and the trophies they have won over the year. Their smiling faces watching me as I go. This place was huge, no way was I going to navigate this place alone.

“Do you know any?” she asks.

“Huh?” Not sure what she was talking about.

“Welsh folklore. Do you know any?” She tutted. Not impressed by my lack of attention.

“A little.” I smile, refocusing on my surroundings. If I was going to figure out this place, I needed to concentrate on where I was going. I have the sense of direction of a broken compass.

She opened the door; everyone was already in their seats.

“This is Theodora Turner. She is a new student. Please make her feel welcome.” The head teacher declares, glaring at the entire class. I roll my eyes at the use of my full name.

“Hi Theodora. I’m Miss Russell. Would you like the to tell us a little bit about yourself?” she says, a warm smile lighting her tired face. I was not ready for this part.

“Um hi, I’m Thea. I’m from Cheshire but my Gran lives in Stackpole. We moved here to take care of her,” I say looking at the teacher awkwardly. She smiled again. Her glasses on top of her head.

“Do you have any hobbies?” She prompted.

“I like to read and watch movies.” I say with a shrug, almost sounding like it was a question with the lilt at the end of my sentence.

“Okay Thea, why don’t you take the empty seat next to Hali?” She says pointing to a smiling girl with long flowing blonde hair. She waved excitedly. Her eyes bright blue. Her skin almost glowed, she was gorgeous but in a nice way, not the kind that’s beautiful and knows it. Something was strange though. I just couldn’t figure it out.

I walked over and sat down beside her, placing my bag on the table in front of me.

“Hi, I’m Hali, like she said.” She exclaims excitedly, hiking her thumb at the teacher.

“I’m Thea, like she said.” I mimic, we both giggle a little awkwardly.

“What’s your class timetable?” she asks. I dig through my backpack to the took out the folded piece of paper out of my backpack and hand it to her.

“We are in most of the same classes, except English Lit. You took that willingly?” she asks nose scrunched in mock disgust.

“I like to read. And write for that matter. What did you take?” I ask.

“Textiles.” She says gleefully, her eyes sparkling with delight as she pulls out her skirt for me to look at. It was standard, school black when you glanced but up close you could see the dark blue details, sewn into it. Waves at the bottom of the skirt with shells and sea creatures embroidered into it. It was beautiful.

“You made that?” I asked shocked. She nodded, pulling in her bottom lip nervously.

“It’s beautiful.” She smiled shyly.

“Is there anything I need to know; you know like where not sit and all that?”

“Just stick with me, I got your back.” She says with a wink.

I hung out with Hali all morning. She told me everything I needed to know. Who to avoid, what to not eat in the cafeteria, who was going out with who, she was like my very own encyclopaedia. The conversation so smooth, it was like we had known each other for years. The easy jokes made me feel right at home in this foreign place and I couldn’t have wished for a better person to have met. She was so easy going and friendly I wish I had known her for longer.

As the bell trilled announcing lunch time we headed for the cafeteria, pulling me towards a circular table already occupied by a number of bodies. She placed her tray in one of the spare places and I follow suit. The smell of the burger calling to me like a siren song.

“These are your new friends. Eva, Rose, Rowan and Finn.” She says pointing to each person at the table. “Everyone this is our new friend Thea.” My eyes moved over them, smiling as I went but my gaze catching on Finn and staying there. I couldn’t help but stare at him. He stared right back.

“Do I know you?” he asks standing with an outstretched hand to shake my own, smiling at me. A gorgeous smile that made my heart hiccup and his warm, gravelly voice sends a shiver down my spine. He was almost exactly like my dream down to the forest green eyes and ebony hair. He was dazzling. Just, something was different, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. How was this even possible? Was I being crazy? Shit.

How long had I been staring? All I could do was stare like a dead fish. Mouth agape. I shook myself out of my stupor.

“Um hi, no I don’t think so.” Trying to divert my gaze and look casual, my voice shaky. I cough to clear it. “I’m Thea.” I say and place my hand in his warm, calloused one and he grips it firmly. As our hands touched, images of my nightmare flood my mind. Screams, smoke. The panic. I put the fingers of my free hand on my temple as the jolt sets of a throb.

His eyes light up, but he diverted his gaze quickly, pulling his warm hand away from mine and I almost miss the feeling. Lunatic. I’m God damn losing my mind. Grandma must be spiking my tea.

Hali pulled me down to sit, almost losing my balance, the way I held myself rigidly like a deer in headlights.

“So, Thea, tell us about yourself.” He suggests leaning over the table. His shoulders were muscular, his biceps even more so, it was really hard not to drink him in. Or drool for that matter.

“She’s not good at that.” Hali giggles, stating matter of fact. Snapping me back to attention.

“What do you want to know?” I ask.

“Why are you starting school now? It’s a bit late in the year. I would have stayed a home.” Eva says smiling. Not as genuine a smile as Hali, but somewhat warm to give a stranger. She’s pretty girl with her short dark hair and a fringe that just covered her left eyebrow, freckles adjourning her nose.

“I was forced.” I reply, scrunching my nose.

“Fair enough. Why Pembrokeshire?” Rose asks.

“My Grandma lives in Stackpole and needed help after a fall.”

“What’s her name?” Finn quizzed. I give him a puzzled look.

“Is this an interrogation?” Hali asks, protectively. His eyes dart away to my untouched burger.

“No! I was just trying to make conversation.” He shrugs. “You should eat that before it gets cold.” He smiles, nodding his head towards my tray. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Althea. Her name is Althea. A little bit eccentric but it definitely suits her.” I say with a giggle, lifting my burger and taking a bite, making sure not to drop the tomato sauce down myself. They all look at each other. “Do you know her?” I ask puzzled around a mouthful, my gaze darting around the group.

“Yeah, she’s my neighbour. I live a couple of streets over.” Eva replies.

“Cool. I guess. You all know her? She hasn’t done anything weird has she?”

Eva leans towards Rose and whispers maintaining eye contact with me. Oh god, they already think I’m weird. Thanks Gran.

“No, no. She’s just a local that everyone knows.” Hali reassures.

“So, do you practice?” Rose asks, her voice light with amusement, breaking away from the whispering. Her eyebrow raised, shooting me a quizzical brow. Her dark hair flowing down to her collar bone and dark eyes piercing me as she waited for my response.

“Practice what?” I reply slowly, furrowing my brow, utterly confused. Is there a sport here I should be taking up?

“See I told you.” Eva said under her breath, Hali elbowing her in the side, glaring at her with the promise of pain. I couldn’t help but smile at the protectiveness of my new friend, but the air of the table had already turned awkward. I play with my thumbs uncomfortably under the table.

“So where did you and your family live before?” Finn asks moving around the circular table towards me, so close our thighs grazed under the table now.

“Cheshire and it’s just me and my Mum. Where do you live?” I asked trying to divert some of the attention off myself. I don’t mind a little attention, but all eyes on me makes my face feel aflame. My cheeks are probably glowing embers at this point.

“Close.” He replies short and to the point. I shoot him a puzzled look, that was a strange answer.

“That’s… handy.” I smile awkwardly.

“Doesn’t mean I have to get up so early.” he shrugs, nonchalant. “Are you sure we don’t know each other?” He asks again, his brow furrowing, ears twitching. That was weird. I could have sworn… never mind. He touched his ear nervously. His eyes still on mine. “How old are you?” he asks, when I haven’t answered his first, or what fifteenth question at this rate. It feels like I’m on an episode of who wants to be a millionaire. Topic: me.

“Seventeen. Eighteen in a couple weeks.” He nods, his eyes gleaming.

“Most of us have turned 18 already. Hali is still 17, her birthday is in August.” He smiles.

“She smells like it though, right?” I overhear Eva whisper to Rose. My cheeks flame with embarrassment. No wonder they think I’m weird, I must smell. I try to slyly raise the collar of my shirt to sniff. Finn gaze drops from me to glare at Eva. She caught his glance and immediately shut up and slouches in her chair, subdued.

“Come with me.” Hali demands standing, side stepping the built-in chairs and picking up her satchel. “Eva forgot to take her nice pills today.” I fake a smile and follow suit, draping my backpack over my shoulder, and collecting my half-eaten lunch, suddenly not feeling so hungry. Eva goes to argue but Finn’s gaze bore into her. She closed her mouth and continued to mope.

“I’m sorry about her, she doesn’t mean to come across as mean, she just doesn’t have a filter sometimes.” She apologises, as we walked into the bathrooms, the heavy doors squeak to announce our arrival.

“Hali, do I…smell? Honestly, I need to know.” I ask vulnerably.

“No. Not like that.” she laughs. Hard. Which did not help. “You smell fine, Thea. Your perfume is lovely.” She smiles, genuinely.

“Well, I don’t get it. I don’t want to be the new, smelly, weirdo girl.” I say. I am trusting this stranger a little too much. I glance at my reflection in the mirror. This has been the strangest day. I look at Hali’s reflection as she fixed her eye liner and it flickered slightly, like the reflection wasn’t… right.

“Like I said, not like that. Don’t worry about it. Come on. Let’s dash.” A smile in her voice, clearly finished with the conversation.

The rest of the school day, my thoughts were consumed by the new friends I had made. But mostly Finn. How did he end up in my dream? Was it even him or am I just manifesting? Because how can I dream about someone I’ve never met? And what the hell sport am I supposed to be practicing? It doesn’t make sense. The questions swirling around my head while I sit in the classroom attempting to concentrate. It was a good job the R.E teacher put on a film, otherwise I would have been completely lost.

“You ready?” Hali asks catching me as I exit the classroom at the end of school. She moves off the wall and slides her bag back over her shoulder.

“For what?”

“To go home silly. I’ll take you.” She takes my hand so there are no arguments and leads me to the back of school, Eva was already waiting leaning against the side of the car, jumping when it unlocks with a click of Hali’s keys. “Hop in!” A smile in her voice. She had a bright turquoise blue Volkswagen Beetle. Definitely suited her personality.

“I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean any offence.” Eva says apologetically. She held out her hand towards me. “Friends?”

“Friends.” I replied taking her hand. I could feel her resistance, like she wasn’t sure about me yet.

We hop in the car, the Bahaman breeze hitting me in the face from the numerous air fresheners dotted around the car and not a speck of dust on any surface. Hali revs the engine like she’s about to start a formula one race. I resist gripping the arm rest, rushing to put on my seatbelt as I try and fail to not look like I am fearing for my life.

“So, do you have a boyfriend?” Eva asks, leaning between the seats from the back.

“No, you?” I reply, looking between them both.

They looked at each other. Then in unison. “No.” Eva continues. “But there is this nym…nerd I had my eye on.” She says as Hali shoots her a look. Eva shrugs in response.

“What’s his name?” I ask, confused by their silent conversation.

“Nathan.” She sighs, her eyes glossing over. “He’s good with Trees.” She adds in a daze, clearly thinking about him. Trees though? That’s a little weird. “Do you like anyone?” she asks me. “I saw how you looked at Finn earlier. Shame he’s already taken.” She remarks wiggling her eyebrows before looking slightly solemn.

“Oh, no I don’t think so.” I reply quickly, shaking my head. I was a little pained to hear he had a girlfriend and shock rippled through me at the out of place feeling. I barely knew the guy, but I suppose, he was literally the man of my dreams, and he looks even better than I remember.

“What was that between you two? Do you know him?” she asked.

“No just one of those faces I suppose.” I shrug off, quick to look away. I never have been a very good liar, but what? Like I’m going to tell them about my nightmares, they already think I’m weird.

“What devilishly handsome?” she replies, dreamily.

“Eva, don’t be weird.” Hali scolds. “He’s like a brother.” She fake gags.

“What? I can’t lie.” She swears holding her hands in the air. “I’ve never seen him as a brother.” She grins and Hali flaps her arm back to try and swat her. “But he’s not my type. I just like to show my appreciation.” She giggles again.

I haven’t spent a lot of time with these girls, but they are growing on me. They’re so easy going and I love the way they have embraced me so quickly.

“Where’s Rose?”

“She lives in the complete opposite direction.” Hali waves over her shoulder. “I did offer to drive her, but I think she gets picked up by her Mum or something.”

We pulled up outside my house and we all wave to a delighted Gran sitting in her usual spot.

“See you tomorrow! Do you want a ride?” Hali shouts. Leaning out of her window.

I feel awful agreeing, not wanting her to go out of her way but she’s so genuinely happy I say “Sure. Thanks.” Before turning and heading up the stone steps. Grandmother rises from her bench to wave them off, as they drove away.

“You’re friends with August’s girl, Eva was it?” she asks.

“Sort of. We haven’t really spoke much, she seems a little…blunt.” I reply honestly.

“She would be. She’s the type.” She giggles picking up her cup of herbal tea.

“Do I smell funny to you, Grandma?” I ask, it explodes from me. Like word vomit. It’s been bugging me all day.

“Why would you ask that?” She nearly chokes on her tea, her china mug clattering against the saucer as she brings it back down and turns towards me.

“Well, Eva said ‘I smelled like one.’ To another girl and I just don’t want to be that person you know? The weird, smelly new girl.” I state honestly.

“Well let’s see.” She breathes in deeply and I try not to wince away. This may be the most awkward moment I have had with my grandma, but at least she took me seriously. “Earthy tones, fennel, lemon.” She stopped abruptly. “Wait let me put my tea down. That’s all I can smell. Silly me.” I smile as she turns to me again. Closing her eyes and breathing in deeply. She holds my hand. I feel slightly freaked out and want to pull away. “Lavender with hints of gladiolus, rue and…” she smacks her lips together. Her eyes shoot open. “Monkshood.” She said with a look of fear on her face.

“Does that smell bad?” I ask, worried, pulling away so she could no longer smell me. What the hell is monkshood? Sounds like a gross sort of mushroom. I pinch my shirt before bringing it to my nose. Where the hell did she get that long list of scents? I smell the detergent that my clothes are washed in and that’s about it.

“Come with me child you need to see.” I was getting more freaked out by the minute and her demeanour isn’t helping. She hops up and urges me on, shooing me into the house, swatting my butt to make me go faster. We head towards the kitchen, as she pushes me into a chair at the table. The chair creaking at the sudden change. She immediately starts rustling in her spice rack. If she’s looking for her last ounce of sanity, I’m pretty sure it’s long gone. “I promised I wouldn’t say, but I never promised I wouldn’t show. It’s the monkshood I’m worried about.” I go to move away, a retort on the tip of my tongue as she lays her hand on my arm. “Sit there and wait.” I remain seated, looking towards the door, praying my mother won’t be too much longer.

“You’re freaking me out, Gran. What even is monkshood?” I ask, unable to stay quiet as the nervousness starts to clam up my hands. My chest tightening. My Grandmother has seriously lost her mind.

“It means a foe is near.” She said as she hurried though her pots of herbs. I roll my eyes a little. Oh god, it’s worse than I thought. She’s going to paint me with one of those charms like the one on the back door and I’m going to look like a Celt going to war. “You’ve been having those nightmares haven’t you.” She looks at me over her shoulder. My eyes widened in disbelief. How did she know?

“Well, yes.” I whisper, fear in my voice. I haven’t spoken about them since I was a child. My father would insist they would go away with age, and they did. They ebbed and flowed but they always returned. Always the same. I stopped talking about them when my Mum grew concerned. At one point I swear she looked like she was on the verge of an exorcism. So, I kept them to myself. She thought they went away, and I didn’t get holy water splashed at me by an old guy in a nighty.

“What happens in them?” she asks hurriedly constantly checking the door. Putting all the herbs into the mortar and crunching them together with the pestle.

“I’m not too sure, they are a bit blurry.” I splutter in my panic. “They’re just dreams. Fire and well this guy. Finn. I met him at school today.” I say, wondering if I sounded crazy. “It’s not demons I swear!” I shout shaking my head before realising that’s probably what a possessed women would say.

She pauses at my statement before continuing, completely ignoring my last statement. “You dreamt about him before you met him?” she asks, tilting her head to look at me.

“It’s weird, I know.” I replied covering my eyes and peering through my fingers. “Oh God, I think I’m losing it.” I add rubbing my temples. She places a small green teacup in front of me, a small sieve filled with the herbs she has prepared, balancing on the lip. She pours the steaming kettle over the herbs and drain them into a teacup.

“This should help.” She handed me the tea. The colour shocks me at first sight. It was teal. I looked at it wearily. I sniffed. It smelt like a strong perfume. Florally. Rose.

“Is it safe?” I ask, wearily.

“Do you think I would try to kill you?” she quirks her brow placing her hand on her hip. When I don’t immediately reply she continues. “It will help with the dreams and will help you see what is hidden.” She said and leaned down to bring the cup to my lips. “Now drink up.”

I drank as she requested. The tea was awful. It tasted of tree bark, and it stung my lips. “Are there…nettles in this?” I asked.

“Only a few. Trust me.” I finished the cup. “Good. Now off to bed with you.” She said abruptly waving her hands at me again like an annoying bee as she hurries me up the stairs.

“Bed? It’s not even five o’clock yet? I’m eighteen for Christ’s sake not eight!” I reply aghast.

“Not for long. Just a quick nap. It will help the tonic.” She insists, pushing me gently.

I did as I was told. My eyes starting to feel heavy as I ascend the squeaky stairs and turn to take the narrow staircase to my room. Pressing my hand on the walls for support. What did she give me? Is this what being poisoned feels like? I don’t get the time to panic because as I get to my bed, my eyes start closing and I fall backwards on to my soft mattress, and everything turns black.

I fall hard with a thud on the floor. A blanket of heat comes over me but the grass underneath me is cold and wet on my back, making gooseflesh cover my bare arms. My ears are ringing as I fight to open my eyes. With a start they open on a bang as flashes of Violet across the sky. A figure moves through the shadows towards me. No, not shadows, smoke. His desperate voice struggling to overpower the relentless ringing in my ears. “I need to get you out of here.” Finn shouts, filled with worry. His fearful eyes staring into mine as he grips my hand and begins dragging me towards the tree line. An earth-shaking blast comes from behind us followed by screams bellowing from the scene, knocking us to the ground.

“What was that?!” I shout over the ringing in my ears.

“The castle. They have taken the castle.” He says, his eyes heavy with anger and fear. As my eyes clear I see his face covered with soot, his hair a matted lump on his head and his suit scorched in numerous places. “Come on. We need to run.” He says pulling me to my feet again. His hands are coarse against my skin, but they feel so strong and safe I almost sigh until a sharp pain shoots down my arm. I jerk my hand back gripping my injured shoulder. Another bang sounds and I spin towards it.

“No!” Finn shouts but before I can turn to him, something hits me and then the darkness follows.

I wake in a sweat, gasping and spluttering for air. It takes everything in me not to scream.

“It’s alright dear.” Gran says stroking the damp hair away from my face. “What happened? What did you see?”

“Did you climb all those stairs? You’re meant to be resting!” I shout, when I could finally breathe again.

“My hip feels as good as new a few tonics did the trick, Now, what did you see?” she asks again more urgently, shaking my arm.

“A fire, it was…purple. Finn said something about ‘them taking the castle?’ whatever that means. Why does it even matter? It is just a nightmare.” I say puzzled, the haziness of sleep still muddling my brain.

She takes my hand in hers. “No dear, those are visions.”

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