So many people run through life asking themselves who they are… Yet that question only arises when others pose it. You know exactly who you are, down to the last thought, until someone else comes into your life. Then you have to hide things, things you're afraid they'll reject you for. And you begin to run from everything you've ever known. One day you'll look in the mirror and ask yourself, 'Who am I?' You won't know, of course, because it was all lost somewhere.

In a book once, there was mention of a society that had been destroyed. All was laid out before them and they couldn't find themselves. And one, who was no more wise than the others, stood there and said that they did not have to rebuild the houses. No, the first thing they were going to build was a mirror factory.

Mirrors are our destruction, as well as our salvation.

And she could remember a mirror that she had seen once. A reflecting surface, a mirror that in itself was a sculpture meant to show you something other than yourself. Standing before it, the mirror curved so that her feet were reflected at the top while her face was captured in the bottom. In between, her body was stretched and distorted. She could not make out her clothes, but a mass of color and shapes that only became more jumbled as she walked closer.

Twice she saw this mirror, the first time being too scared to move closer towards her broken self. Then months later she was back, standing before the sculpture once more. And this time she dared walk closer, allowing herself to become ugly and distorted. There was a crevice in the mirror, just large enough for her to stand. She said some useless words, calling out to another she could no longer see, and her voice echoed back. And then, she could see something, a clearing in all that was shattered. Leaning in she pressed her face so close to the surface her nose was almost touching. And out of all the breaks she could see one clear, defined image.

Her own two eyes staring back at her.

Once more she went back to see this mirror, but it had been removed. Yet, she didn't need it anymore. She only had to define herself off of everything she knew. Her soul, not what others saw. Not what others tried to make her.

And it was this image of looking into her own eyes that bubbled to the surface as she opened her lids and gazed upwards. White lace filled her vision, kissing her face as lightly as sunlight. She was very aware of herself, of her hands that twitched in delight, her legs that itched to move. Her heart beat in her chest, flushing her skin with crimson warmth.

Sitting up, the cloth fell away from her face, fluttering down to cover the tear in another's clothing. A smile lit up her face as she realized that she was not alone. There was a small child standing before her at the edge of the cart. Bangs and curls framed the eyes so familiar, the lips and cheeks rosy. A sheer nightgown encompassed her body, the light of the room passing through as though she were a ghost.

You remembered.

The woman smiled warmly, nodding. Bouncing in glee, the girl's bangs rose up from her forehead, revealing a hole just above her right eye. And behind the girl stood a woman, one so familiar. She said nothing, but smiled gently, and apology for not realizing sooner. The dark stain on her stomach was apparent in the uniform she wore, but she did not cover it. She felt no pain.

Do I need to go now?

The woman thought this, looking at the images before her. Both of them nodded, and she set her eyes forward with determination, swinging her legs over the edge of the cart to stand.

At first she was unsteady, a rush of blood flowing to her head. Almost instinctively she put her hand around her stomach, feeling the caked and crusted blood there. Yet it didn't hurt. Pulling her hand away she looked up, standing strong.

The small child smiled at her, warning her without saying a word.

Don't forget.

Aubrie opened her mouth, her lips pulling into a smile.

"I will never forget."

The next chapter, oh so long in the making. Today I wrote, I truly wrote, for the first time in such a long time. My mind was forced into a box where creative thinking, unrealistic thinking, was not allowed. I was to be a scholar, I was to do what others expected and exceed those expectations in everything.

And yet I did not want to, not like that.

I went home and my thought one day was that they had ruined me. I became someone else, and when I got back I realized I lost something. And so, I present to you all the mirror I found myself in front of. It is an actual sculpture out there, and it holds more meaning to me than any of you will ever know.

And so I bring you this first part of my true writing, and hope that you will accept it as enough for now. It's not that amazing, and I know I can do better, but I have left you all long enough.

So, until the next time piano music pumps through my speakers and I am inspired beyond all belief, read and review.

I hope you enjoyed it. ^_^