{"id":3568,"date":"2014-01-16T16:35:59","date_gmt":"2014-01-16T21:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/?page_id=3568"},"modified":"2014-01-16T16:35:59","modified_gmt":"2014-01-16T21:35:59","slug":"the-mirror-of-souls","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/samples\/short-stories-wips\/the-mirror-of-souls\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mirror of Souls."},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This tale is based on a tweet that read<\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>If only mirrors reflected our souls,<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>instead of our skin.<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If only mirrors reflected our souls,<br \/>instead of our skin.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; C.G.Ayling (@CGAyling) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CGAyling\/status\/412277796719689728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2013<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&lt;&lt;&lt;-0-&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/p>\n<h2>Chapter 1.\u00a0 The Mirror of Souls.<\/h2>\n<p>\u201c<em>Maria!!!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paris&#8217; shrill scream slashed through the mansion.<\/p>\n<p>All too familiar with her mistress&#8217;s unpredictable mood swings, Maria hoisted the skirts of her maid\u2019s dress high and ran.\u00a0 Her sprinting feet made no sound on the solid oak floors.\u00a0 She had chosen her sneakers for the silence of their synthetic soles and because they left no marks on antique hardwood flooring.\u00a0 She slowed her frantic pace as she neared the room in which Paris habitually took her breakfast.\u00a0 She knew that the slightest squeak would enrage Paris further.<\/p>\n<p>Two deeply drawn breaths served to slow her heart and a few quick flicks of her hands to straighten her dress.\u00a0 A smile brought the appearance of a calm she could not feel.\u00a0 Maria stole a hasty glance at her watch \u2013 3 p.m.\u00a0 Surprisingly early for Paris to rise.<\/p>\n<p>Face serene, Maria opened the parlor door and stepped into the hurricane.\u00a0 A quick glance at her mistress gauged Paris\u2019 mood.\u00a0 Bad.\u00a0 Very bad.<\/p>\n<p>Lips pinched bloodless, Paris glared at her personal maid, \u201cDaddy told me you approached him about a <em>RAISE<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paris\u2019 words chilled Maria as completely as crushed ice bathed in venom.<\/p>\n<p>Maria swallowed.\u00a0 A throat suddenly tight with fear prevented her answering.\u00a0 Keeping her eyes downcast, she nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>You stupid, worthless Mexican bitch!<\/em>\u201d hissed Paris.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you know daddy\u2019s time is too important to waste on trash like you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Still unable to speak, Maria shook her head, and kept her eyes down.\u00a0 Feeling the trembling in her hands, she clasped them together in front of her and prayed she looked obedient.<\/p>\n<p>Maria\u2019s silence seemed to enrage Paris.\u00a0 After an incoherent moment Paris stamped a slippered foot and screamed, \u201cDon\u2019t try your cute shit with me you fucking whore!\u00a0 And look at me when I\u2019m talking to you!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A cruel smile of satisfaction creased Paris\u2019 lips as Maria\u2019s head jerked, revealing eyes wide in fright.\u00a0 Paris lowered her voice and ground her words through clenched teeth, \u201cYou goddam illegals are all the same.\u00a0 You come here begging for work, you claim skills you don\u2019t have, and you expect us to pay you while you learn.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Scorn curled Paris\u2019 lip into a sneer, \u201cHow many of my dresses have you ruined with your stupidity?\u00a0 Any one of them was worth ten of you!\u00a0 Then, as soon as you can perform\u00a0 the simplest of tasks without fucking them up you start pleading about your <em>starving family back home in Meh-he-co<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From the glint in Paris\u2019 eye, and the exaggerated emphasis on her last sentence, it was obvious she intended insult to both Maria\u2019s family and to Maria&#8217;s Mexican homeland.<\/p>\n<p>Paris paused a moment while she glared at Maria as if daring the maid to defend herself.<\/p>\n<p>Maria lowered her eyes to prevent Paris from seeing the outrage building in her heart.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLook at me, bitch!\u201d\u00a0 Paris said more as a hiss than a sentence.<\/p>\n<p>With insolent slowness, Maria lifted fire-filled eyes and met Paris&#8217; glare.<\/p>\n<p>Paris looked away first.<\/p>\n<p>After a few seconds, Paris shook her head. \u00a0Her voice suddenly turned all honey and cream, \u201cSo you\u2019ve got some spunk after all.\u00a0 Okay then, time for a new game plan.\u00a0 This is how it\u2019s going to be.\u00a0 Or you\u2019re gone!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Paris eyes gleamed at the surprise that flickered in Maria\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 She continued speaking in the same sugary sweet, smooth voice, \u201cYou\u2019re a good Catholic girl, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A puzzled frown appeared for an instant before Maria smoothed it away and nodded.<\/p>\n<p>Paris continued, \u201cWell so am I, and I\u2019m on the pill, so you will be too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maria shook her head.<\/p>\n<p>Voice matter-of-fact , Paris said, \u201cMaria, Maria, Maria\u2026\u00a0 It\u2019s for your own protection, really.\u00a0 I mean, if you refuse I\u2019ll have no option but to call Immigration and tell them I\u2019ve discovered you\u2019re an undocumented illegal.\u00a0 We can\u2019t protect you if they come and ask for you.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be locked up, and probably knocked up before they finalize the paperwork for your extradition to Mexico.\u00a0 We both know how overworked ICE is, don\u2019t we?\u201d\u00a0 Paris deliberately paused as she gauged Maria\u2019s mood, \u201cICE, sort of a cold name for Immigration Customs and Enforcement, but if fits doesn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0 A grimace of distaste passed over her face, \u201cI mean, you could be inside for months. \u00a0And while you\u2019re inside, who knows how many will be inside you\u2026\u00a0 You\u00a0 know what those holding camps are like.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Though clasped tight, Maria felt her hands quiver along with her knees.\u00a0 She pressed her lips together, composed herself, and murmured, \u201cBut why?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A victorious smile flashed onto Paris\u2019 face, \u201cBecause daddy likes you and I\u2019ve seen the way you look at him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maria shook her head in denial and opened her mouth to speak.<\/p>\n<p>Paris lifted a hand to silence Maria.\u00a0 As Maria\u2019s mouth close, Paris continued, voice a little softer, \u201cI\u2019m not saying anything is going to happen\u2026\u00a0 But if it does, well, things could get bad for you.\u00a0 Unless, of course, you\u2019re protected.\u00a0 We all want to protect you, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As Maria nodded as she felt a tear glide down her cheek.\u00a0 She swallowed and looked down without answering.<\/p>\n<p>Paris spoke, voice once more businesslike, \u201cThat\u2019s better.\u00a0 I think we have an understanding.\u00a0 I hope we have an understanding?\u201d\u00a0 Paris\u2019 emphasis on the last sentence made it a question that demanded an answer.<\/p>\n<p>Without looking up, Maria nodded again.\u00a0 Hot shame flushed her face.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood, good.\u00a0 Make an appointment with my doctor today, they\u2019ll send the results of your blood work to me.\u00a0 Provided everything checks out we\u2019ll keep on as though none of this ever happened, won\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Again, Maria nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGreat.\u00a0 Oh, and since we have an understanding I\u2019ll be increasing your wages from minimum to\u2026\u201d A pause as Paris made a rough calculation, \u201c\u2026let\u2019s say two hundred dollars a day.\u00a0 Tax free, with room and board thrown in.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know why I\u2019m so generous.\u00a0 Oh well, I always do what I say, so that\u2019s it then.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Acknowledging the dismissal, and fully understanding the veiled threat Paris\u2019 words carried, Maria curtsied and began turning to leave.<\/p>\n<p>Paris halted the maid\u2019s departure by saying, \u201cOh, there are more perks I almost forgot to mention!\u00a0 You\u2019ll be getting free medical, dental and vision care as well!\u00a0 That means you\u2019ll be getting monthly physicals from my personal physician, he\u2019ll take care of anything we need.\u00a0 Now come and give me a massage, my shoulders feel so tight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Without waiting for a response, Paris turned and walked to the table where she sat down and rolled her shoulders.<\/p>\n<p>Shaky knees slowed Maria as she walked behind Paris.\u00a0 She began to knead the muscles on Paris&#8217; slender shoulders and neck, taking special care to be gentle.<\/p>\n<p>After a couple of minutes Paris said, \u201cSpeaking of doctors, I have a checkup myself this afternoon, so I\u2019ll brief Mike when I see him.\u00a0 Mike\u2019s fingers are as gentle as yours so don\u2019t worry about the exam, you\u2019ll probably enjoy it.\u00a0 I know I do.\u201d\u00a0 With an anticipatory sigh she continued, \u201cYour first appointment will be tomorrow morning at nine, that\u2019ll give you time to finish daddy\u2019s breakfast.\u00a0 How in God&#8217;s name daddy can get up that early I just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maria continued the soft circular motions of her hands without speaking.\u00a0 Paris didn\u2019t like anyone except her friends speaking unless in direct response to an order.<\/p>\n<p>After another minute, Paris shrugged to indicate the massage was over, \u201cI\u2019ll have my usual breakfast and another cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Silent, Maria padded to the door.\u00a0 As she opened it Paris grunted.\u00a0 She stopped, watching the knuckles of her hand turn white as she clenched the door handle.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI almost forgot.\u00a0 I\u2019m expecting a delivery this afternoon \u2013 a gorgeous antique mirror I found in Sotheby\u2019s latest catalog.\u00a0 I got it for a steal, only two million pounds, don\u2019t know how much that is in real money, but who cares?\u00a0 I just loved the frame!\u00a0 As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it!\u00a0 I don\u2019t really care about the mirror, so I\u2019ll probably trash it and have a portrait of me put into the frame instead.\u00a0 It had such a cute Spanish name, what was it again?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Standing, Paris pointed toward a spot on the wall, \u201cI want them to mount it over there.\u201d\u00a0 She snorted in derision, \u201cBecause of some stupid superstitious hype it has a canvas cover that only the new owner is supposed to remove.\u00a0 I don\u2019t care about any of that crap, and I don\u2019t want to look at a dusty old mirror, or get antique dust all over me.\u00a0 So as soon as they leave I want you to remove the cover and polish the mirror.\u00a0 I guess I may as well see myself in it before I decide if I should keep it.\u201d\u00a0 Paris laughed in delight, \u201cGod, I\u2019m so smart!\u00a0 I just remembered the name of the stupid old thing and I don\u2019t even speak Spanish!\u00a0 It\u2019s called <em>El Spejo de las Almas<\/em>, whatever that means.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At mention of the legendary name a wave of fear flooded Maria.\u00a0 An instant later gooseflesh raced up her spine.\u00a0 Foreboding stayed with her as she turned to give Paris the English translation.<\/p>\n<p>A pang of hunger hit Paris as Maria open her mouth to speak.\u00a0 Paris shook her head abruptly, \u201cI don\u2019t care what it means in English!\u00a0 I\u2019m sure it sounds prettier in Spanish!\u00a0 Go on! Hurry up with my breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Obediently, Maria turned away, left the parlor, and silently closed the door behind her.\u00a0 She managed a few quick steps down the hallway before her trembling knees forced her to lean against the wall for support.\u00a0 Another chill wave cascaded up her spine as she murmured the English translation aloud, \u201c<em>The Mirror of Souls\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Memories from her earliest childhood rushed into her mind.\u00a0 Rapturous tales from her great grandfather about their noble heritage, along with his loving assurances that she truly was a princess, in not only nature, but also in blood.\u00a0 A real princess\u2026 she had all but forgotten those memories.<\/p>\n<p>Could this truly be <em>El Spejo de las Almas<\/em>, the very same <em>Mirror of Souls<\/em> from which her most ancient Spanish ancestors had fled almost five hundred years earlier?<\/p>\n<p>Surely it couldn\u2019t be\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Or could it?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&lt;&lt;&lt;-0-&gt;&gt;&gt;<\/p>\n<p>Will I continue with this work and take you into a world where a mirror shows you who you truly are, instead of the skin deep surface other people see?\u00a0 Honestly, I doubt it as I simply don&#8217;t have the time.\u00a0 But I do hope this premise makes you reflect on exactly what you&#8217;d see were you to gaze into such a device.\u00a0 Would it change your life, and make you flee?\u00a0 If so, what changes might you make to improve the image you see reflected in the Mirror of Your Soul?<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;d like to acknowledge the expert editing assistance lent me by <strong><em>Beth Seville<\/em><\/strong>, a wonderful person I met on Twitter.\u00a0 If you enjoy dealing with genuinely nice peaople, send a message to <a title=\"be sure to read her timeline, and her bio!\" href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/GeneralMom\">@GeneralMom<\/a>. You may tell her <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CGAyling\">@CGAyling<\/a> recommended her if you wish, but there is no need.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This tale is based on a tweet that read If only mirrors reflected our souls, instead of our skin. &lt;&lt;&lt;-0-&gt;&gt;&gt; Chapter 1.\u00a0 The Mirror of Souls. \u201cMaria!!!\u201d Paris&#8217; shrill scream slashed through the mansion. All too familiar with her mistress&#8217;s unpredictable mood swings, Maria hoisted the skirts of her maid\u2019s dress high and ran.\u00a0 Her [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":2482,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3568","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3568"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3568\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/cgayling.com\/malmaxa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}