Mei-Ling

Afterward, the pyro witch and I changed back into our casual clothes, and the teenagers promised not to say a word about us. They went on their merry way back home, and we stayed behind.

“It’s time to end this,” said the pyro witch, unwinding a spin top at the mirror, destroying the portal.

“Now, this place won’t be so cursed because of the illegal activities,” I said

“I want to know how you knew the mirror was the exit?”

“I didn’t know, but when I thought about how we ended up inside, the mirror would also be the same way to exit. Also, mirrors act as a gateway for spirits to travel in and out.”

“So, you figure it would leave us out…”

“Y-yeah,” I said, embarrassed. She leaned in, inspecting me, and walked around me.

“I never met another witch besides my mother,” she said

It’s not a coincidence Aunt Ashling is here. “By any chance, is your mother’s name Ashling?”

“Yup,” smiled the mysterious woman. “Earlier you said your name is Mainhia, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“How did you know my mother?”

“Ashling is a family friend.”

“Ah!” gasped the mysterious woman. “Are you Mai-Neng’s daughter?!”

“I am.”

She jumps, hugs me, and says, “It’s so wonderful to see you again. It’s Mei-Ling!”

Meanwhile, Aunt Ashling leans in to show Mai-Neng a picture on the cellphone. The three girls were Jayden on the right side, Mainhia in the center, and Mei-Ling on the left. Jayden and Mainhia were dressed casually, and Mei-Ling wore a school uniform.

“I held onto this precious picture of them,” said Ashling, “Mei-Ling in eighth grade. Jayden and Mainhia are freshmen in high school. I thought Mei-Ling would be lonely and sad because of our choice to relocate soon after she was more reserved.”

She swipes the screen.

“This is her two months after high school graduation.”

Mai-Neng held onto the cellphone to adjust it. The photo showed Mei-Ling standing in the doorway; she wore a mini skirt with a T-shirt and sneakers. She smiled.

“She’s so pretty, and I love her smile,” complimented Mai-Neng

“She grew to 5’6 " tall,” said Ashling

“By the time we knew it, she was already an adult; time goes by quickly,” said Wong

“What kind of work does she do?” asked Mai-Neng

“She practices spinning top tricks,” answered Ashling proudly

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Our daughter plays in a competitive spinning top tournament and is one of the top ten players around the state.”

“We are very proud of her,” Wong injected

“So, she’s unemployed,” Mai-Neng replied

“Being unemployed to do what you love is a dream job. She has a strong social media presence, a large following, and gets paid by sponsors.”

She is still the same spoiled princess with a competitive spirit and a show-off. “Mei-Ling has your competitive spirit.”

“Our competitive spirit,” butt-in Wong

“Anyhow, we are staying in town in our luxury ship at the dock.”

“How nice,” said Mai-Neng. Showoff!

“Your daughter said tomorrow you will be discharged, right?”

“Correct, so stop by to visit us before leaving.”

“Perfect, I will contact Jayden, John, and Kiden so we can all be together,” said Ashling.

-Ping Ping Ping-

Mai-Neng handed over the phone to Ashling. She looked at the messages.

“Mom and Dad, I’m home.”

“Well, we are heading out. See you tomorrow,” said Ashling, hugging Mai-Neng. “Bye.”

“Bye,”

Some time later, Mai-Ling played with the house cat. She performed a spinning top trick for the cat, Lily. The doorknob turned, and her parent stepped inside.

“Mei-Ling~” said Ashling whimsically, “Tomorrow we are visiting Mai-Neng before we head out to your talent show at the casino.”

“That’s nice; I can’t wait to see them,” replied Mei-Ling

“Do you remember Mainhia?” asked Ashling, taking off a sweater and hanging it up on the coat hanger.

“I don’t, but I ran into her this afternoon.”

“Huh? You did? How?”

“She and I fought a spider ballerina monster that lives in the mirror maze at the abandoned amusement center.”

“Are you hurt anywhere?” asked Wong, concerned

“No, I’m fine, just tired since the mirror maze was draining my life force.”

Ashling, frustrated, said, “What did I say about fighting magical monsters on your own?!”

“I’m okay, Mother and Father. Mainhia helped me and everyone else involved.”

“There were others inside the maze?”

“Yeah, I agree to help a group of teenagers reclaim their mirror maze from the monster. So, Mainhia happens to shop at a grocery store across from the amusement center,” answered Mei-Ling and chuckled. “Mainhia thought I was going to do something bad to the teenagers, but once she joined in, we realized we were all in big trouble if we couldn’t leave the mirror maze. We were going to be trapped there forever.”

Wong adjusted his glasses and replied, “Since you’re here, that means you’re okay…”

“Mhm, I’m okay.”

“Did you show your witch form to the teenagers?” Ashling question

“I didn’t have a choice, but I’m not dumb like Maihnia, giving my name to them. At the end, the teenagers promised not to reveal us to anyone.”

“Honey, calm down,” said Wong, placing his hands on Ashling’s shoulders. “Our daughter is fine.”

“She doesn’t understand how dangerous it is for us.”

“Anyhow, I’m not hungry,” said Mei-Ling, standing up and going upstairs to bed. “Night, Mom and Dad.”

“She is so inconsiderate,” complained Ashling. “I was going to make a big dinner.”

“I will eat it,” said Wong. Why does this usually happen?!