Beyond the Glass Part 17

An hour later we reach the metal bridge. It’s completely destroyed with a huge hole in the middle. No chance of jumping that.
“I guess we will have to climb down one slope and up the other” I murmur. Everyone nods.
“AARGHH!” I scream as a deep penetrating ache flares through the whole of my head. I almost black out in agony.
I open my eyes as it dulls to a slow throb.
“Seriously Tash, this is no migraine and you have another bruise” Tommy states with concern.
“It’s nothing” I insist as I stagger forward.
“Big nothing” Laura sniffs.
Josh shakes his head in pity.
No one speaks while we climb down one slope. Everyone is fine but Sam stumbles and twists her ankle. Despite her pain she carries on. Going up the hill is tough for her. We make her go first so we can catch her.
When we reach solid ground we collapse in an exhausted heap.
Sam’s ankle is now an ugly purple. She rises with Laura’s help and we follow. Laura supports Sam as we walk (or hobble) up the path. The whole of the town centre is a wreck. Most people are camped out all around us. The only building that stands is a giant office block. Except it isn’t.
Thankfully there are no guards or electric fences. Thank God for small mercies.
It is the only thing that hasn’t be touched by fire or looters. Despite this it is ugly to look at. Built of metal and glass. Typical reflective surfaces. Typical leaders – This building will remind them and everyone else what they are fighting for and against. The building also has a large antenna protruding from the roof.
“Lets go” Josh says breaking the spell. We have all been captivated by the building’s ugliness. “We need to get in there and find a mirror so I can change control from the other side. Hopefully there will be no security. Good luck everyone.”
We advance slowly and cautiously expecting soldiers to pounce on us any moment. We reach the door and we are stopped by a small electronic nuisance: A retina scanner.
Josh grins “No probs.” He places his chin on a metal ledge and opens his eyes wide. A red laser scans them and a metal voice speaks.
“Identification?”
“Josh Simmons” He speaks clearly with authority.
“Identification correct. You may pass.”
With that there is a click as the door opens. We all march in to a plush lobby. There is a set of stairs to the left of us. They look very grand and are made of white marble. There are people rushing around but no one gives us a second glance. Surely it’s not going to be this easy?
We walk quietly following Josh down a maze of corridors. They all look the same to me, much like the lobby. All of the walls are white and the floor is coated in a lush red carpet which feels springy underneath my feet. We finally reach some toilets.
“Toilets?” I grin.
“All toilets have mirrors.” He frowns. “One sec” He disappears into the men’s room and comes back five minutes later.
“No one there. Let’s go.” Tish, Sam, Laura and I look at each other, shrug and follow.
When we are all inside Josh pulls a key from his pocket and locks the door. “There now we will have no …” He is cut short by my outburst. I scream louder than when we were near the bridge and it wouldn’t have surprised me if the people in the other world heard me. I have never felt such agony. My skull feels like its splitting in two and I can’t open my eyes.
“Tash what’s wrong?” Tommy is the first to rush to my aid.
I can’t speak as the pain is too great.
“Just get her through the mirror!” Josh commands. I imagine them all looking at him in confusion.
“NOW!” he barks. Next minute I am being lifted and then I’m sat on something round. I think it’s a sink.
“Tash put your hands out” Tommy soothes.
“I…Can’t” Each syllable takes a lot of effort and how he expects me to raise my hands is beyond me.
“Tash your dying and you know it” Josh murmurs in my ear. “You need to lift your hands.”
I do as he says but it takes me at least five minutes to lift my arms. All I can focus on is the pain.
“Ready everyone?” Josh asks. “Push!”
I am then being pushed into the mirror. For a moment I feel like I am floating and I imagine the kaleidoscope patterns and colours. Next minute: WHACK!
I hit the sink on the other side and plummet to the floor. I hardly notice the throbs in my body due to the pain in my head. The floor is cool below me and soothes my nerves. I’m terrified.
I lie on the floor and don’t move. As the minutes pass the ache ebbs away. In my state of confusion I sense the others come through the mirror. I hear someone’s tearful voice: Tommy’s.
“Is she dead?” he sobs. He sounds heart broken.
“No…” I moan as my eyes flutter open. The light is shockingly bright and I shut them again. Everyone starts milling around me as they pick me up. I open my eyes a crack and then fully. I’m looking at Tommy.
He rushes towards me and grips me in a hug. It’s so fierce that he almost breaks my ribs.
He’s a total wreck; he’s sobbing in to my shoulder, not wanting to let me go and all the time he keeps repeating “I thought I lost you.” I hug him back and we stand there for at least ten minutes.
“Who thought such a big tough guy had so much emotion?” He laughs and I wipe some loose tears on his cheeks.
“Care to explain?” He asks.
“Because my other self was beaten to death I think that’s what was slowly happening to me. Hence the bruises and sharp pains like blows.” I turn to Josh. “Thank you. I would have died without your understanding. How can I thank you?”
He grins. “Don’t mention it. My only want is to get to that control room and we are nearly there.”
“Are you ok now?” Tish asks concerned.
I nod and smile. “I’m always alright. Shall we go?” I start towards the door and stop halfway. “Do we have weapons?” I look at them all. Tish Sam and Laura pull out knives from their boots and a pistol from each of their pockets.
“I should have known.” I laugh and notice Tommy still has his rucksack.
“Mary Poppins have you got any weapons for me and Josh?”
Tommy laughs and pulls out two pistols and a set of clips. He hands one to me and the other to Josh. “Thanks. What would I do without you?”
“God only knows.” He grins at me.
“Right, who’s ready to kick some butt?” I ask as I load my pistol.