I raised my cell phone up to my eyes. Clicking the power button, the broken screen came to life. A picture of Marcus shown bright; his smile a welcoming reminder of home. I quickly unlocked the screen. Just days ago Marcus was the only boy I ever liked. Now I was having feelings for Owen. I laughed in my throat. "The first two boys that tell you they like you, you start to have feelings for. What is wrong with you, Hope? Get it together. You can't be with Owen. He is your reflection." A notification popped up on the screen stating low battery. "Damn it," I whispered. "I'm sure there is no chargers or electrical outlets in Tartarus." I jumped swiftly to my photos as I had done countless nights before. Most of my photos were of cats in funny poses or outfits. I scrolled through until I found one with my mother eating ice cream and smiling. The next one showed Laura making a funny face with a bit of ice cream on her nose. I giggled. I turned to another photo showing a selfie my abuelita had taken of herself trying to be cool. I noticed my grandmother's white bathrobe and remembered she snapped the photo on the day we did manicures and pedicures on each other. I chose a bright almost highlighter yellow for my nails, a poor choice in color on my part for the next day at school the snobby girls definitely noticed.

"What an ugly color," said Nancy Meyers.

"Ugh. It hurts my eyes," said Trinity Marks. I removed the color at recess feeling ashamed with myself. I never did my nails again after that.

Scrolling through even more photos of cats, I soon came upon a picture that always forced tears from my eyes. It was the last picture I took of my father before he died. The picture, while not a good one of him for he was a handsome man, had special meaning behind it. It showed him seated on the couch reading his newspaper and nothing more. The picture became special to me because it was not staged or planned like the others. The photo showed my father in the most natural way possible. Nothing extreme with fancy filters or photo edits, just a man enjoying his newspaper. I had looked at the photo many times, praying that perhaps my father would turn from the paper and look up at me through the photo, but no matter how hard I wished, the photo could never change, never be retaken. I stared at the picture until my phone finally died and the screen grew black. Even in the darkness I could still see him seated there as if waiting for me to come home. I placed the phone on my chest and hugged it tightly until at last I fell asleep.

The breeze outside vibrated the cloth sides of my tent. Crackling of the fire nearby, the chirping of insects, and the smell of smoke gave the little space a cozy feel. While the blanket around me was course, I gently pressed it against my chin imagining it to be a cat or a dog that had come to snuggle up. I breathed deeply. My mind began to move in and out of dreams. All felt as it should be, good and quiet, that is until the breeze outside stopped and the fire quieted down. The insects even grew fainter in their chatter. A dreadful silence entered my dreams followed by a soft whisper of a woman's voice.

"Hope, can you hear me?" it whispered. "You must get up. You must get up." I turned over in my sleep. My small mirror slid out of my pocket and landed on the ground. In its reflective surface a weak glow of light filtered through the darkness as another whisper pierced the silent air. "Hope, please get up. You are in danger." The light grew a little brighter. "Get up! RUN!" it screamed. I bolted awake just in time to see the light fade from the mirror.

"What in the world?" I said rubbing the sides of my face. I grabbed the mirror and turned it over in my hands. "Odd. I swear I heard a voice." I tried to lay back down and sleep but I couldn't, so I sat up, put on my glasses, and carefully scurried out of the tent to see what Owen was up to.

He was still sitting by the fire, poking it occasionally with a stick. "Hey," I said walking up and sitting next to him.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" he asked turning his gaze from the flames. "It's really late you know?"

"Something woke me up, so I figured I'd check on you."

"Is it because you were cold, cause I can get you another blanket?"

"No," I said. "It's my mirror." I handed the small mirror to Owen. He took it and studied it. "I know it is simple to look at, but it's very sentimental. My father gave it to me when I started high school. I kept it in my locker until the day I saw your face reflect in it; the day we met. Just a few minutes ago I swore I saw it glowing and heard whispers coming out of it."

"Hmm. I've heard of magic mirrors but they tend to be very rare. This is no magic mirror." Owen tapped it with his fingers. "Perhaps your Mirrorbending power activated it somehow."

"Martha never mentioned about mirrors talking as a part of a Mirrorbender's power," I said.

"Just keep it safe. It's saved our life once already." Owen handed the small mirror back to me. He turned back to the fire. "My shift should be ending soon. Then Daarith will take over. You should really try again to get some sleep."

"I'll stay here until I'm ready." I turned the mirror up towards the sky. I could see the countless stars glittering through the clearing in the trees. I looked up to see them with my own eyes but was surprised to see no stars, just a dark empty sky. I glanced down at the mirror again. Inside shone the bright stars. Back up, no stars. "That's strange," I whispered.

"What is?" asked Owen. I leaned over so Owen could see.

"In my mirror I see the stars above, but when I look up I don't see any." Owen slowly moved his gaze from the mirror to the sky. He immediately jumped to his feet ready to fight. Twisting his wrists a bright yellow light glistened from the core crystal in his WEAK. Two daggers appeared in his hands.

"Hope, get back." He motioned for me to get to my feet. "Wake up, everyone!" he shouted. "It's an ambush!" Within Daarith's tent flashed the green light of his flaming broadsword. Using the sword he ripped a hole in the fabric and jumped out. From Martha's tent shot a blast of blue light as she exited. She grabbed a nearby stick and brought to life a bright blue flame near the tip. The light grew and illuminated the forest around them. I let out a shout of terror as I looked upward.

Standing on tree limbs like silent motionless soldiers were hundreds of dark human-like figures existing in all manners of shapes and sizes. Looking like the figure I had seen across the pond, I cringed in fright. No wonder I could see the stars in the mirror and not with my eyes. The dark figures were blocking the sky, and Shadows had no reflection.

"Are those things, Shadows?" I asked moving close to Owen.

"Yes," said Martha waving her illuminated stick into the air. "See how they stand motionless and seemingly unaware. They were sent here. Probably to find us. They have us surrounded no doubt. In the trees, the bushes, everywhere."

"Why are they not attacking?" I cried.

"They are waiting," said Daarith twisting all around. "Waiting for orders. Keep Hope safe at all costs! I bet they have come for her." I was pushed into the center of the three fighters.

"I have never seen so many," said Owen. "And never in one place." Suddenly there came a whisper in the dark. The voice deep and devious seemed to come from all directions.

"Hello, Mirrorbender. It is about time we chatted."

"What is going on?" I yelped glancing at the forest around me. "Where is that voice coming from?"

"Hope, don't speak to it," said Martha.

"So that is your name," cooed the voice. "Hope. What an appropriate name for the last Mirrorbender Tartarus will ever see."

"You are not welcomed here, Shade," cried Daarith. "We will not fall for your sly words."

"My, my," said the voice gleefully. "Such a daring group to believe they have a chance against myself and an army of Shadows. I would like to speak with Mirrorbender Hope if that would be alright? Perhaps to discuss whether or not it is worth killing you or sparing your miserable lives."

"She will have nothing to do with you!" cried Martha. "Now be gone! We are no ordinary fighters. This is a warning."

"A warning!" cried the voice. "Ha! I see it more as an invitation. First one of you steals from me then you expect me to leave in peace. Ridiculous." The voice grew louder as if it were moving closer. "Now, let me speak with Mirrorbender Hope. I believe she is capable of her own decisions, is she not? Let her speak for herself, not you, sage." The voice laughed. "Come on now, girl. Speak up." Everyone turned to me waiting for a reply. I shook my head and covered my face. "Silent are we? How sad, how pitiful to learn that the 108th Mirrorbender, the one mentioned in legends and songs, the one meant to end the world, is a coward and hides her face when met with a simple greeting. That is what I get for high expectations."

"I am no coward," I shouted while removing my hands and feeling a surge of confidence. "A coward hides in the darkness; hides his face. A coward like you. Don't tell me you're afraid of a little girl. I've faced enough bullies to know your words mean nothing."

"So I struck a nerve. I am impressed," said the voice with delight. "There is a fire in you, but it is wrapped in glorious anger." The voice laughed again. "I hide my face because it was my face that led to the folly of ages past. All those who have seen it fall into ruin. I hide for your sake not mine. Call me courteous on that regard."

"Then tell me what you are and what you want with us? What do you mean I am the last Mirrorbender and meant to end the world." I could almost see the darkness creeping in the woods. Like a horrid heartbeat it pulsated amongst the trees.

"My, my," hissed the voice. "No one has told you of the prophecy. The legend that the 108th Mirrorbender will be the last of her kind, and how she will reign destruction onto the worlds."

"Destruction? Prophecy?" I turned to Martha. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"We were going to tell you when we got to Vetra. I figured if you knew the whole truth it might stress you out."

"Too late now it seems," responded the voice mockingly.

"And who are you?" I cried to the forest; my limbs shaking in fear. "Are you a Shadow? A Half-Life? What are you?" The voice whispered.

"I am the hatred in all men's hearts whether they demand sadness or good cheer. I am the fate men must all impart making me the thing all men fear. I lurk below the sun and linger behind the stars. I cry out from under a child's bed whenever fever grips them hard. I fill the empty crevices of mountains and hollow caves. I swim in the deepest oceans under the calmest waves. I command the greed of the rich and the mouths of the hungry poor. I am there when you close your eyes. I am there forever more. Wherever light exists so must I claim to be. I am darkness in the world and that darkness is me."

"What do you want?" asked Hope.

A shadowy arm stretched maliciously into the light of Martha's fire. Everyone readied their weapons. The claw-like hand pointed a twisted finger at me. "I want you... to suffer."

"Everyone get back!" cried Martha, but it was too late. A purple blast of light rushed from the clawed finger into our small group. The light hit Martha in the chest throwing her backwards against a nearby tree. She fell to the ground unconscious.

"Martha!" I screamed.

"Hope, watch out!" cried Owen tossing me to the side as another blast of purple light shot from the darkness. I cried out to Martha again seeing the light of her blue fire catch a patch of dry pine needles and begin to spread up a tree. The flame jumped from tree to tree, and soon the entire forest was covered in magical blue flames.

From above a sound of breaking tree branches alerted us that the Shadows had begun to descend. One by one their dark bodies floated to the ground. The fire caught the wind and sent burning sticks and leaves through the air. Daarith taking command over the flames turned them green and flung them at the approaching Shadows.

Owen charged at the Shadows that landed by me quickly slicing off their heads with his daggers. I watched helplessly as the Shadows exploded into clouds of dust and sand. Rushing to where Martha had fallen, I found that it was empty. Looking up, down, around, and beside the tree, I could see no sage. She was gone.

"Martha where are you!" I cried.

"I saw her rush into the woods," grunted Daarith as he took down another Shadow. "She must be going after that thing. Owen, don't let Hope out of your sight!"

From a nearby wall of blue flames, a Shadow burst forth. It grabbed hold of me in its strong arms and began to drag me away.

"Help! Someone help me!" I yelled as another one snatched my legs. Soon I was flying through the forest carried by snarling monsters. The one holding my legs opened its black mouth to reveal rows of sharp fangs. I screamed. Freeing one of my hands I started beating the monsters but my efforts were in vain. They were not letting go. "Someone help me!"

"Hope! I'm coming!" I could hear Owen crying out my name over the loud cracking of snapping trees. "Hope!" I looked over my shoulder to see him sprinting through the flames after me. Like packs of ravenous wolves, the Shadows swarmed from all sides as Owen ran to catch up. Summoning his yellow shield, he bashed the Shadows with one hand and flung his dagger at the ones with the other hand.

Recalling Martha's stories and shadows' adversity to light and reflections, I suddenly had an idea. I reached into my pocket and yanked out my mirror. I slammed its reflective surface against the Shadow's arm. The monster instantly cried in pain dropping me on the hard ground as its arm dissolved in the air. The Shadow holding my legs tripped and fell landing its face right on top of my mirror. It's face began to sizzle and blister. Sand poured out of it's wound as it cried a horrid scream. It rose hastily into the air clawing at its injured face. I watched the creature shift between its dark form and its human disguise. The disguise showed that of a young girl, no more older than myself with long blond hair. Just before the wound on the Shadow's face healed, Owen's dagger sliced through its neck dropping sand and dust on top of me. I coughed. Sand had fallen into my mouth.

"Are... you ...alright?" he said stumbling, his lungs severely out of breath.

"Behind you!" I pointed as a shadow fell from the trees above. Owen twisted around just in time. He swished his blade once more in the air. It landed without fail across the Shadow's neck. It's paper skin turned white as it's head separated from its body. I watched amazed. Like a bursting balloon, the shadow exploded sending another wave of sand on top of me. Owen grunted loudly; his muscled arm lowering to his side. His dark hair swayed in the breeze, and his face erupted with confidence and strength. He turned to me and extended a helpful hand.

"Come on...." he panted. "Get up....quickly." With his help I was soon back on my feet. I pushed my hair out of my eyes and surveyed the place around us. There I noticed the small pond we had come to earlier that night. Much like before the water's surface was calm and still.

"We are back at that little pond," I said seeing the beautiful reflection of the stars above twinkled in the water. "But it feels so different now." I was right. The pool that once reflected a tranquil scene of stars now beheld a raging forest fire. The blue flames had filled every tree. I walked up to Owen. "Thank you," I said hugging him tight. "You came for me! You saved me! You were awesome!"

"We are not out of the woods yet," said Owen while cracking a gentle smirk. "I can hear them coming. They will soon be upon us again." He raised his blade and readied his stance. In the fire's light I could see his eyes sagged heavy with tiredness. He was fighting for my life with no sleep, and here I was being completely useless.

"You can't keep fighting like this," I said with concern. "You're already worn out from lack of sleep. You need to stop."

"What choice do we have?" asked Owen glancing over his shoulder. "There is nowhere left to run, and Martha and Daarith are god knows where. Captured most likely."

"Let's just give in," I said, pressing my body against his. I was sure I could negotiate with the creatures. "I don't want to be responsible for your death."

"They're not going to kill me. Those Shadow's had many chances to do so tonight, but they stopped. That Half-Life controlling them knows I am your Glasswalker. Without me you would die. I am sure they can't afford to hurt either of us. Whatever they want with you, you are too valuable to waste. They just want to separate us. Like Martha said, we are stronger together."

That gave me an idea.

"You're right." I bent down to the pond's edge. "We are stronger together." I glanced across the still water. I could see many boulders jutting from the pond's surface. I placed my fingers in the cool water and smiled. "I can fight back. I can save us."