Pinto

"I can just sleep on the couch, you know."

Glint was sitting back on my parent's bed, looking towards a blank ceiling. The room was small—almost barren—after months of rearranging things. Photo frames along the dresser remained, while a tall Repose Mirror hanging on the wall managed to reflect me by the door.

"You already slept in here last night," I told Glint. "Just pretend it's your room now."

"I'd feel bad though . . . Are you sure it's okay?"

I watched her flip on her pink bunny ears hoodie again. It was almost like Glint's defense mechanism, something she hid under when feeling stressed. Was it a habit from another world? Inherited tendencies? Years of birdwatching always made me analyze even the smallest patterns or behaviors—a habit that often made socializing difficult.

"It's fine," I replied. "You probably gotta hide somewhere from the BOPO anyway."

"Oh, yeah. You mentioned they'd be here soon?"

"About twenty minutes. I still gotta change." I looked down at my ramshackle clothes still wet from earlier. "Mopping messed me up."

"Sorry you're doing so much for me." She frowned.

Honestly, I am kinda doing a lot. Why though? "Don't worry. The problem now is wondering if our BOPO officer might assume you're a Whisperer."

It was just a second, but her ears perked up at the mention of "Whisperer", like she recognized the term. But it might've been coincidence.

She looked away before speaking. "There's something else you should know about me."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"It's just that . . . I'm not sure if it's the BOPO, but I think someone is trying to hunt me down."

Well that's problematic. "What makes you say that?"

But she shook her head. "Sorry. Explaining is hard right now."

"Ah, don't sweat it. We'll worry about—"

"B-But I don't think anyone knows my face!" Glint said. "So I probably won't be a burden for you and Fate, maybe."

"We're not gonna kick you out, haha," I gingerly smiled. "I got a friend named Chad that sleeps over plenty. It's not much different from that."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Oh, by the way . . ." I itched my head, trying hard to not look imposing. I needed to ask, without sounding mean, if she knew how long she'd plan on staying. "Actually, nevermind. I gotta go get ready now."

"Okay. I'll start sorting some of these clothes then." She reached towards a pile of shirts and jeans on the bed. "It's really nice that Fate lent me all these."

Wouldn't be surprised if some of those clothes are mine. "Yeah. She's out with her boyfriend, so it'll be just us when the BOPO officer comes."

"Should I do anything? Besides hide?"

"You're fine. I'll let you know when they're here."

She nodded. "Okay. Call if you need me."

With a thumbs up, I disappeared into our dark hallway and scurried across into my room.

In about five minutes I was suited up with a vest and red tie again. Without a dresser mirror, it was tricky getting a feel for how I looked. Though I'd need to fix myself in our bathroom more anyway.

I opened the door at the end of our hall. Darkness flourished until I flipped the lights on to reveal a lavish bathroom decorated white. Marble countertops and chic towels with tassels welcomed me while I washed my face. But when warm water finished sliding off, I glanced up to see—

A blank wall. There were times when I wished it wasn't immoral to hang mirrors in bathrooms, though maybe in some other world it could happen.

"Oh, Chance!" Glint down the hall called me.

"Coming."

I walked back into my parent's room. Glint was on the floor as she was opening drawers one by one, all empty.

"Hey, do you mind if I store the clothes Fate lent me in here?" she asked.

"No problem. Do whatever you need." My eyes drifted towards something by her knees. "What's that?"

"Oh. Newspaper." She grabbed the rolled-up papers and smiled. "I found it inside these drawers. Is it special?"

"Hmmm . . ." I waltzed up beside her and crouched. "Ah, those. My dad sometimes kept newspapers he'd wanna read again."

"Can I read them?"

"Sure? Probably old by now though."

"It doesn't matter." She shook her head before holding the paper close to her chest. "I just like newspapers. I read them a lot where I'm from."

"Woah, don't tell me you're from the past too."

"No, no. I don't think so? Hehe."

We shared a laugh together as we discussed more about ourselves, then I stood up to leave. But in the doorway I heard her call me one last time.

"Oh, wait, Chance," she said from the floor behind me.

I turned. "Yeah?"

Glint's eyes met mine for a moment, until she shyly opened the newspaper and hid herself.

"Ummm," she said, peeking, "those clothes you're wearing—they look nice."

"These?" I pinched my dress vest. "Ah. It's kinda fancy stuff I'm trying to wear more often, but thanks."

With a nod she hid behind the newspaper again, pretending to read.

Huh. Maybe Chad was onto something with this getup. In several minutes I finished combing back my hair in the bathroom, before venturing into Glint's room to mention keeping her door closed while officers visit.

Downstairs was quiet. Spotless. I'd cleaned the whole house earlier so no suspicions would be raised. Everything needed to be perfect. Without Fate, I'd be alone in confronting someone powerful enough that could end entire families.

I glanced at my watch. About time yet? Looks like it. And I reached towards a red dial on our Home Mirror, turning until a "click" sound reverberated out into the silent house.

The tall mirror remained still. A few ripples appeared on its reflective surface, though nothing was coming out. Being unlocked meant anyone with our coordinates could now just walk through.

Then, bubbling and deeper ripples started manifesting. The swishes continued until a smiling man's face wearing glasses emerged.

Black shoes stepped out, followed by someone tall wearing a striped suit. His luxurious, silk tie bore designs that looked like swirls from Van Gogh's paintings, while a briefcase he carried came equipped with golden buckles.

I stepped back to give him space and a chance to peer around.

When satisfied, he removed his fedora to bow. "Greetings, young man. May I have your name?"

"Chance." They always ask for your name.

"Chance! Yes! I have you in my notes here." He pulled out a notebook from his suit. "Thanks for calling in your broken mirror, Chance. And I appreciate the punctuality for our meeting."

"Don't mention it. Can I see your badge though?"

"Ah! Of course! Apologies for almost forgetting!" He reached into his pocket and brandished an ID badge. "I am Officer Pinto with the Bureau of Public Order. You can just call me Pinto."

"N-Nice to meet you, Pinto." I put on a forced friendly face. "Do you want water or something?"

"No need! Let us just proceed towards our scene!"

"Alright. It's on our second floor."

But as I led him through the living room and up the stairs, he kept trying small talk with me.

"Hm! Hm!" he said. "It says here in my notes that you live alone with your sister?"

"Yes?"

"Interesting. Where is she now?"

"Went out."

"Was she around when your mirror broke?"

"No." I kept my responses succinct, saying the bare minimum. Even though Pinto's personality seemed amiable, I knew it was fake. All BOPO officers responding to reports just cared about weeding information and treating everyone like criminals.

In the dark hallway we reached my bedroom door, right across from the room Glint stayed hidden in. Not a peep sounded.

"It's right in here." I opened my door.

"Ah! Quite some choice of decor!"

Pinto walked in behind me as he admired the mobster movie posters and bird photos along the walls. Duck plushies on my bed were placed ahead of time to make myself seem younger. And I'd purposely rolled my gamer chair towards the window.

"Oh! Is that Kirtland's Warbler?" Pinto pointed at a pinned photo of a golden-bellied bird.

"Yeah," I replied, impressed. "Do you go birding?"

"Hardly, haha. My father just took me out sometimes when I was young."

"Neat. My dad actually snapped that picture, so guess we both had good parents."

But then the childish glimmer in Pinto's eyes faded. He adjusted his glasses before looking away from me. "You have my condolences."

Shit. How much research do officers do? "Thanks. But it's been over a year since my parents died. I'd rather just move on."

"Quite an unfortunate accident," Pinto said. "But yes, let's move onto the subject matter at hand."

We both regrouped by my dresser. An upright wooden board on top that once held the Repose Mirror stood tilted back. Fragments of glass still remained from Glint's explosive entrance, though I'd devised another story.

"Would you mind explaining how your Repose broke?" Pinto said, pulling out his notebook.

"It's a long story, haha. But basically I was gaming last night and got really mad, so I flung my gamer chair at the mirror."

"That chair by the window?"

"Yeah. Don't know what came over me."

Pinto flipped through some pages of his notebook. "From the looks of things, there's no previous anger management issues at this house."

Tsk. "First time for everything I guess, haha."

But Pinto wasn't amused. "It's no laughing matter. You should know it's quite illegal to tamper with mirrors, even accidentally."

"S-Sorry . . ."

"Regardless, since you submitted a timely report, it'll be just a warning today."

"Thanks."

I watched him kneel down to unbuckle and open his briefcase. Inside were various tools: scalpels, chisels, hammers, several more. He put on black leather gloves before standing with tools in hand.

"While I work, could you clarify what your uncle's opinion on the matter is?"

"Uncle Fernon?"

"Yes." Pinto raised a chisel and began prying the mirror's remaining shards off. "Reposes aren't cheap. I can't imagine your uncle would be pleased about needing to purchase another one."

"I'll just use my parent's old Repose for now." Wait, crap, I shouldn't draw attention to that room.

"Ah. Understandable. I'm sure your parents would be fine with you keeping their mirror."

"Y-Yeah. It has sentimental value, so we convinced Uncle Fernon to not sell it."

Pinto chiseled away a large shard, laying it down on my dresser. "By the way, before I forget, can you turn in the other bits that originally broke off?"

"No problem." I reached into my closet and pulled out a black bag. Fragmented glass inside crackled as I laid the bag down by Pinto's feet.

"Thanks," he said while hammering. "Just gotta confirm, but all pieces are in there, right?"

"Of course."

"Great. It'd be problematic if I'd need to return looking for more."

Hopefully you don't. Earlier, I'd carefully cleaned each glass shard in the room so no traces of water remained. Beyond hiding Glint's existence though, I was compelled by law to relinquish all broken mirrors—pieces or otherwise—to authorities. If someone's mirror broke, they'd need to file a report and have BOPO's come collect the shards. For what reason, no one knew.

I chatted with Officer Pinto while he finished plucking glass off the board. He tossed each piece into the black bag, before sighing and stashing his tools away.

"Done?" I said.

"Yup. Gotta head back now with this stuff."

"Need any help?"

Pinto kneeled to pick up his briefcase. "I wouldn't be good at my job if I needed help, haha."

Through the dark hall we walked back downstairs into the living room. Glimmering light from rows of windows cast a glint onto the Home Mirror, as me and Pinto faced our reflections. His hand reached up to spin coordinates into a dial. I stood staring at my face.

"Mind if I ask something?" Pinto said.

"O-Oh yeah. Go ahead . . ."

His hand continued spinning the white dial. "It's just a theory, but I feel you've been hiding how exhausted you are. Why is that?"

Crap! After all that effort holding back yawns. "I, um, stayed up all night playing video games, yeah . . ."

"Even after chucking your gamer chair at a $2,000 mirror?"

"Can't sleep on defeats."

"Hmmm . . ." For just a moment he gave me a suspicious side glance, though shrugged it off. "Well, it's not my place to criticize your life. Might as well enjoy summer vacation after graduation, right?"

"Mhmm!" I nodded twice hard.

The mirror finished activating, revealing the foggy image of an office lobby. Pinto fixed his tie before picking up his briefcase and bag.

"Thanks for being cooperative today," he told me. "And keep on birding, k'?"

I gave a thumbs up as he ventured into the mirror and stepped onto the other side. Pinto couldn't see me anymore but I could see him. Though I gave a little wave anyway until he turned another dial and manually disconnected his Communal.

My tired, dazed reflection resurfaced. Sunken eyes peered back at me like I was guilty of something.

Don't gotta hide being sleepy now. I unleashed the biggest yawn of my life as I ventured back upstairs. The dark hall was lulling me into slumber fast. Each step became groggier than the last until I reached Glint's door.

One knock, two knocks—but no one replied to me.

"Glint?" I tried a third, harder knock. No response. Maybe she's sleeping?

I turned the doorknob and peeked inside. My parent's bed came into sight, followed by someone blonde cooing softly while she hugged a pillow, asleep.

But it wasn't surprising—she'd helped clean the house too, and who knew what else she'd been through that night. Was traveling between worlds exhausting? What else had she been through until now? But seeing the relief in her eyes yesterday convinced me that—from another world or not—she'd found somewhere to belong.

And anyone could resonate.

Yawning, I left the door ajar, to let her know it was okay to come out now.