Chương 29: Through the Looking Glass

Regina unlocked her door, just glad to be home. Today… no, actually… since the inauguration, things have been a series of riddles locked in enigmas. She had been assigned to this mission, knowing virtually nothing about it. She had reported to Elios, as she was told, but the directive was vague. It was a matter of "national security." The details were "need to know" and obviously, they felt she didn't need to know much.

When she entered Elios' lab, the first thing she saw was what looked like an industrial-refrigerator-gone-wrong. A metallic cylinder about seven feet tall, mounted vertically on a heavy base. Its surface was a patchwork of steel panels and exposed wiring, looking more like a mad scientist's fever dream than government equipment.

"Get in," he had said, gesturing to the heavy vault-like door cut into its front. Regina had stared at the crackling copper coils surrounding the frame, their occasional sparks of blue-white electricity making her hair stand on end. Green crystals pulsed between the coils, casting a sickly glow that made her stomach turn. The first time through had been... disorienting. Darkness, a pulling sensation, and then she had stumbled out into somewhere else.

The air had felt different, charged with something she couldn't explain. Everything looked wrong. Too bright, too vivid. Before she could process what she was seeing, Elios had activated the device again, pulling her back.

"Again," he had said each time, making notes on his clipboard, treating her like just another lab rat in his experiment. Five more times she went through, each trip leaving her more confused and nauseated than the last. Each time she emerged into that strange place, she struggled to make sense of what she was seeing. Just as she thought she had a handle on it, she was suddenly yanked back. Regina poured herself a drink with shaking hands.

The following day she was told to change her appearance, to fit in, to go explore, to assimilate, then report back. She had been told to find someone named Seraphina and acquire the target from her. When she asked who, and, or what the target was, they simply told her, "the baby."

"What kind of baby?" she had asked.

"Whose baby was it, and why is this baby a threat to national security?" She was told it was beyond her clearance level. Upon her arrival, the last time, she was able to truly look at her surroundings. The door she had just come out of had closed behind her, and now appeared to be a tree. Elios had said all she had to do when she was ready to return was to push the button or find the knot. Now she knew what he meant. She ventured through the small, wooded area.

This was not any Goblin territory she had visited before. Then she saw them. They were not Goblins. Before her there was a sight to behold. Beautiful beings that shimmered in the sunlight. She rubbed her eyes to be sure it was all real. Were those wings? This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. She felt almost giddy inside. These were fairies. She knew it. There could be no doubt now. She could feel it in her bones. They were real!

She remembered the tales her father used to tell her about the fairies, how they were the gatekeepers to secret realms. The stories were magical, fantastical, and made her heart soar with glee every time he told her one. They were the heroines of the realms, saving lost children, banishing monsters, slaying all that went bump in the night. Regina used her shapeshifting ability to transform herself. A fairy in a power suit, she mused.

Functional yet very flattering, she thought as she stepped out from the shadows, hoping no one would notice. She casually walked down the busy street, other fairies flitting by, paying no attention to her. The feel of her pocket vibrating feverishly ripped her from her thoughts. Her drink sloshed in the cup, almost spilling out. She quickly placed the drink on the table, then pulled out the device and examined it.

She pressed the red flashing button, unsure if that would stop it, but wanting to give it a try nonetheless.

"Hello?" a strange voice asked. Unprepared, Regina dropped the device onto the floor and quickly looked around the room.

"Hello?" Regina called out to the empty room.

"Who's there? Show yourself. I'm armed, so do it nice and slow."

"Regina, pick up the device," the voice said, slowly and calmly. Regina looked down at the device. The red flashing light was now green. She cautiously picked it up, turning it around in her hand, intrigued.

"Regina?" the voice asked.

"Yes, I am here," Regina said, her voice rife with confusion.

"How are you doing this?" she asked.

"What you have in your hand is a communicator. It allows me to talk to you, even when I am not in the room," the female voice explained.

"It won't hurt you. It's not a weapon. Relax."

"I know what a damn communicator is! Who are you?" Regina asked.

"More importantly, what do you want from me?"

"Let's just say I'm a friend who could really use your help," the voice replied.

"I think it would be better if we meet somewhere I know is secure. It's for my protection as well as yours."

"What do you mean by my protection?" Regina asked warily.

"You're being watched," the voice replied.

"You're not safe. I want you to listen carefully. Go to your window, slowly, casually, then take a look across the street. Fourth window on the left side. You will see the reflection of the lens." Regina did as the voice said. She casually strolled across her living room, stopped and picked up a magazine, then flipped its pages before looking out the window. She casually looked at the right side of the building, then down to the street below. Then, she nonchalantly checked out the left side.

She didn't need to look very hard. Sure enough, there it was, its reflection sputtering like the flames of a dying candle. The streetlamp's shine glistened off a piece of equipment. In her line of work, she recognized what it was immediately.

"See it?" the voice asked.

"Yes, I'm looking at it right now," she replied, before looking back down to the street, then slowly moving away.

"How do I know that's not you?" she spat.

"Why would I go through the trouble of hiding only to tell you where I was?" Regina went silent as she thought about it.

"Don't get me wrong, Regina. We are watching you. We have been for quite some time. That is not anyone from my team."