“Don’t be afraid to start your own change,” were the words that echoed in Reflection’s mind as she stood on a tree branch and inspecting Beehive City. It didn’t look busy, thank goodness which meant this should be easy.

Placing her hand on her chest, she took one deep breath as she hopped down. Keeping her head held high, she wanted to appear casual and confident so no one in the city suspected what she was doing. Once she was out, she can start searching for the boy with three eyes.

Just stay calm, Reflection kept telling herself whenever someone gave her a sideways glance. It’s not like most would know who she was, but it’s that fear of what could happen if they didknow her.

Picking up the pace, she stood a couple distances from a couple of school kids being taught about one of the buildings that was known to be a private learning center for magic. From what she remembered hearing from others, it contained lessons on magic that only the chosen could learn.

But that wasn’t her focus today. Right now, she just wanted to leave Honeygoo and be as far away as possible from Uvior if she can help it. She wanted to honor the girl who helped give her the confidence to run free.

The Portal shouldn’t be far, Reflection thought craning her neck to look around the corner of the private learning center. If only it wasn’t such a broad building this wouldn’t be so hard. Hurrying along before the kids or teacher see her, Reflection bolted to the side of the school.

Breathing a bit quicker, she started scooting along the side of the brick wall. Her magenta eyes widened when she spotted a faint shimmering in the distance that alerted her of a nearby Portal. Freedom!

Softly laughing, Reflection started dashing towards the light as she ignored the freezing winds whipping across her face. Nothing was going to stop her from leaving, not even the snow or rain.

As she got closer, she noticed the swirls of purple amongst the pale blue Portal that would be the exit of Honeygoo. Reaching her claws out, Reflection imagined herself whisking away through the Portal and feeling the soft snow in another land. Oh, it felt so close.

Thud!

“Gah!” Reflection gasped as she felt cold snow smash into her face as she tripped over her feet. Shaking the snow off, she turned her head to see a glowing gold chain wrapped around her leg. “Areyou serious?!”

Desperate, she started yanking at the chain feeling her breath quicken and her heart pounding against her chest as she fought to pull herself through the Portal despite the chain wrapped around her leg. Fear pulsed through her veins when she felt the weight of another chain wrap around her other leg.

I won’t…give…up! Reflection declared crawling through the snow. No, she wouldn’t let Uvior win. She was done with his crap of how he treated her.

Reaching her claw out, she squeezed her eyes shut as sharp pain stabbed into her arm as she forced it to reach into the Portal. They snapped open when hot tears formed as another chain grabbed her outstretched arm.

“My, aren’t you a persistent one?” Uvior’s voice sent chills down Reflection’s spine.

This is it, another voice tried creeping into her thoughts.

“NO!” Reflection screamed. “Let me go!”

It was no use; the gold chains were too strong as they pulled her back to where she found herself making eye contact with the Pure Being that’s been tormenting her whole life. If only she had noticed this earlier.

“Now, why is my Mimicker so persistent in wanting her own life?” Uvior asked in his smooth yet chilling voice. It always struck fear into her that he could speak calm when she just openly disobeyed him. “Your only purpose is to be someone else.”

“I don’t want that anymore,” Reflection argued kicking and yanking through the chains. It felt as the more she tried, the weaker her limbs were becoming. “If I was just a tool, why make me a living person?”

Uvior backed away from her as he opened his own Portal, one that was the color of a deep cherry red. Was he not going to answer her question? There was thoughtful look on his face as he stared at the Portal, possibly pondering why she was asking questions.

“What you say doesn’t matter anyway,” Uvior told her. When he turned his head, there was a quick flash that his eyes appeared pitch black when he looked at her. “No worries, once the process is done, you’ll be brand new.”

Pfft, like I believe those words, Reflection thought allowing the chains to pull her closer to the Portal. All she hoped was that it wasn’t the School of Reformation. Anything but that. She closed hereyes to avoid the blinding the light as everything around her faded.

***

Opening her eyes, Reflection found herself laying in some sort of pod. Holding her arm up to rub her forehead, her eyes widened at the band around her wrist. It was gold and pressing on the purple button showed some sort of number which read -100.

Is this some sort of score? Reflection wondered as she watched the number disappear. Moving herself around a bit, she might as well situate herself as she waits for whatever nightmare she’ll be putthrough.

Whatever happens, she won’t stay herelong if she can help it. Not if she wants to meet the three-eyed boy she had seen a couple months ago. The thought helped her slip into a peaceful dream.