Unknown Reflection

We were the last ones.

Among roaring tunes of pipe organ music, I watched Glint ride her hand-painted steed. The carousel horse bobbed up and down in slow sync with mine, the bronze pole in my hand glimmering. Lights around us illuminated a brick atrium that housed Central Park's merry-go-round—a vintage attraction held together by red framework above.

Up and down, up and down, Glint rose on her horse as she grinned an infectious smile. Today she'd decided to wear jeans and casual clothes for our special date. Her long, blonde hair had been styled into waves and featured a blue hairpin I'd bought for her in Barcelona. It'd been a week since then. And now we were fulfilling my birthday wish.

I glanced across to her. "Does this beat riding Monkey Dee?"

"Not even close! But I'm having fun! Haha!"

With no other passengers, we had the entire carousel to ourselves. It was as surreal as it was hypnotic—the platform's slow turning that let me relax while I breathed in the smell of old wood.

Maybe things will finally work out for once.

But when I opened both eyes again, Glint over on her horse had her camera pointed at me, snapping pictures.

"H-Hey!" I said. "What are you doing?"

"Being sneaky," she giggled. "You're cute when you're sleepy. Maybe I'll sneak into your room sometime."

"Now you've done it." I held up my own camera and aimed it right at her.

A photography war ensued as we both rapidly snapped photos of each other. Our laughs overpowered even the booming organ music that echoed around, and I didn't stop taking pictures until she relaxed to breathe.

"You're funny sometimes, Chance," she said.

"Makes two of us at least," I smiled.

The carousel began slowing, the music softening. I fixed my newsboy cap before hopping off the horse and waiting for Glint. She made sure her camera was strapped securely since she didn't have a purse today.

"Ready?" I said.

"Yep! Let's go."

We walked holding hands towards a brickway exit. Outside, the final rays of sunset were painting vivid hues across the sky.

It was a short trek towards bike racks hidden between trees. We were in a forested area of Manhattan I'd brought Glint to for the first time. We'd spent time exploring Central Park's attractions, from a crowded zoo to thickets ideal for birding. All day just cycling through places I'd always wanted to see with her.

She unlocked her bicycle first and proudly strutted it out. "Well? I've gotten better, haven't I?"

"Yeah. You don't even gotta wear helmets anymore."

"Maybe I'm a bicycling pro now, hehe."

She kept gloating while I crouched down to unlock my own bike. The chain rattled as I yanked it off and pulled Fate's bicycle out. I'd been borrowing hers while Glint borrowed mine.

"By the way," I said. "When I turn eighteen and get my inheritance, is there someplace you wanna go?"

"Huh? We've already been going everywhere."

"I mean like, an actual vacation. Somewhere we could spend a few nights."

Under the glow of an old street lamp, Glint's face blushed; her bravado vanished. She knew we'd never stayed somewhere overnight, always returning from our excursions the same day. But the fact we were a couple now meant more options were available.

"I-If you really want, maybe a cruise ship?" she said.

"Cruise ship?" I asked, walking my bike to her. "We don't have tons of those."

"Hmm? I thought this world had ships too."

"We do. It's just that our culture likes longer trips when mirrors aren't involved; it gives a sense of adventure. So we prefer ocean liners over cruise ships."

"Oh. It's the opposite where I'm from."

But the trip times—it didn't matter to me. As long as I was with her. Showing Glint the world had shown me what I really wanted too.

I flipped my bike's kickstand down.

Glint's glimmering eyes looked up at me as I wrapped my arms around her waist and brought her close. She didn't shy away. All I could feel were her soft breaths as I pressed my lips to hers.

We lingered under the dim street lamp, our lips still connected and moving. This was the second time we'd kissed but it felt more magical than the first.

I slowly peeled away. Her eyes stayed closed for a moment until she heard my voice.

"Birds of a feather flock together," I chuckled. "Let's just have fun, okay?"

After a confident nod, she hopped on her bike and smiled. "Mm! Lead the way."

The forests and streets of Central Park rolled by us. We rode our bikes through picturesque promenades still teeming with joggers and cyclists. Across a cast-iron bridge, around fountains gushing water, then past the Ramble's winding turns, it was another adventure through sights we'd seen before.

Ahead on the twilight horizon, a castle appeared. Its gothic magnificence loomed overhead as we bicycled under a stone wall.

"So that's Belvedere Castle up there?" Glint asked, stashing her bike in a bike rack.

"Yeah. I sorta wanted to save the best place for last."

"Hmmm . . . It doesn't look that big."

"Does size matter?"

She giggled at my attempt at flirting. "Well, size could matter, depending."

Yep. Inner demons. But I shrugged as I stashed my own bike away and glanced above. "There's a nice terrace up there, actually. Heard it has great views."

Glint was already taking the first steps up a stone staircase. "Come on then. Maybe they'll be done with refurbishments this time, hehe."

I followed right behind her. She tried goading me into a race but my legs were tired, each step feeling like I was ascending a mountain. There was zero chance anyone could compete with Glint's boundless energy.

When I reached the top, Glint was prancing around a small terrace that overlooked Turtle Pond lake. Old-fashioned lights had flickered on, helping illuminate the area for tourists lingering about. Some folks relaxed on benches, while others chatted amongst friends.

"This view is nice," Glint said. She peered over guardrails towards the lake below. "Cool ducks down there."

"This isn't the view yet," I chuckled beside her. "It's up there in the actual castle."

"We can go in?"

"It's—more of a tiny castle, yeah. Still nice inside though."

"Works for me." Glint weaved her hand into mine and waited for me to walk her along.

We waltzed through gift shop doors into a cute boutique. It was the first floor of the castle where shirts, books, and pins were sold. Racks had been rearranged since the last time I came, though a different cashier worked this time.

"Are you guys heading up?" the gruff cashier said as we walked by.

"Oh, yeah?" I replied.

"About ten minutes 'till we close. Don't take long."

"Got it."

Through a winding staircase, Glint and I trekked up, up, and up. Along the way we peered out small windows that let us see distant skylines, before we took another flight of stairs up towards the final floor.

Another terrace greeted us as we stepped outside. The small lookout—barely big enough to explore—lended Victorian vibes. Short, brick guardrails allowed a near panoramic view of the entire city around us.

"Woah!" Glint said. Her eyes sparkled as she peered around. "It's so pretty up here!"

"Careful not to fall over an edge." I watched on while she pranced about like an eager child. She was having fun, and that was all that mattered. But I'd brought her up here for selfish reasons.

I leaned back on a column. From above me, I could see the castle's highest spire waving an American flag. The breeze was soft, calming. It'd help in giving a morale boost I'd need.

"Dang. Probably can't see the Statue of Liberty from here," Glint said. She was leaning forward on a guardrail. "It's all still beautiful though. Thanks for—"

I hugged her tight from behind. She quivered for a moment before relaxing in my arms.

"Hmm? Is something wrong?" she said, looking up at me.

There wasn't any way I could hide the sentiments in my eyes. "Glint—I don't know what your life was like before, but if you're happy here, live with me forever. I want it. I want you. As long as you want me too."

I waited. And waited, and waited, and waited for her reply. We were completely alone on the small terrace that overlooked almost all of Central Park. The privacy and seclusion under a twilight sky was what I'd been hoping for.

Glint in my arms didn't move. Didn't say anything. I almost thought she was mad at me, until her hand gently rubbed mine.

"Mm," she nodded. "I'm not going anywhere. You're my whole world now, Chance. You've let me see things I've always wanted; places I've always wanted to visit."

"Then—"

"I ran away because I'm a selfish person. But you've accepted every selfish wish of mine. So, I think it's okay, if you want to be a little selfish too."

I hugged her tighter. I didn't want to ever let her go. But part of me knew she wouldn't stay forever, no matter what either of us said.

Silence. Glint and I just gazed over the horizon as the final traces of sunlight set.

Several minutes passed. After we made our way back down the castle and grouped by our bikes, I realized we still hadn't talked much. Was I too overbearing earlier? Too emotional? It felt out of character for me.

Then, I heard footsteps running over. Soft, warm lips suddenly pressed themselves to me as Glint almost tipped us over.

"H-Hey, woah," I said, holding her. "What's wrong?"

Her eyes were hard to read, but her gentle smile was clear. "It's another early birthday present, hehe."

"Ummm, thanks?"

But before I could ask another question, she hopped on her bike and sped a little ahead. In the faint light between trees, her outline waved for me to follow behind.

It didn't matter what the future held. Even if BOPO officers were hunting her down, I'd put myself on the line for her. Because in this society governed by mirrors, sometimes seeing someone else in your reflection meant . . .