CHAPTER 2

In two days I am supposed to leave to London with Elisaveth. She and I agreed to a plan, where we would keep my parents in the dark and yet somehow get permission for me to not go to college but to magic school.

Elisaveth said that she will handle my parents and I can't even begin to describe how nervous I was. I prayed to everything and everyone that she will succeed.

When she came to the house I let my mom answer the door, I was afraid that I would break the cover.

As soon as my mother answered the door, skepticism colored her aging face.

"Yes?" She asked, "how can I help you?"

"Mrs. Kent? Hi, my name is dr. Elisaveth Brown and I am here to talk to you and your husband about your daughter."

"How do you know my daughter?" She asked, warily.

"If you let me in, I would explain everything."

My mother moved and asked the guest if she would like to drink anything.

"Just a glass of water would do, thank you." Elisaveth responded with kind smile.

My mother went to get her a glass of water and some cookies, then she called father to come down.

They all settled down on couch, my parents on one side, looking rather worried and Elisaveth on another side, seemingly without any problem on her mind.

"So how do you know our daughter?" my father asked.

"I work at Lockwood science institute in UK. It's an institute, where we work with people of all ages, genders and nationalities to get a better sense of society. We also offer an educational option."

My parents confusingly looked at each other.

"OK, I suppose I could explain that better." Elisaveth said with reassuring smile.

"Lockwood is a research institute and college. We look for candidates to work with all around the world. With access to school records and with help of our international reputation, we are able to choose the candidates ourselves. This year we made a list of 250 possible candidates all around the world, your daughter, Kathrine in also on that list. But since we only accept 120 people, she wasn't contacted before, as she took 174th place."

"OK, but what is the purpose of this visit then?" My mother asked.

"Well, a girl, similar age to Kathrine, was supposed to come to Lockwood's with me but she pulled back her application not three days ago. And since we need people of all age groups and genders, I was sent to replace her place with another girl. The next teenage girl on that list was Kathrine."

"So you are here to take our daughter to UK?"

"Well, I am here to ask you, and her of course, it that would be OK. We found out that she is enrolled to college with similar curriculum and therefore her selected future won't suffer, in fact, she will probably learn more and get better experiences at Lockwood's."

When she mentioned 'my selected future' I snorted and almost gave away my listening-in position. I was hiding behind the wall between living room and kitchen. Trying to mentally nudge my parents to agree.

"And when does this program starts? You see, she is already enrolled to college that starts on Monday, that is in four days."

"Since we at Lockwood's are aware of the big change move to another country, continent even, brings, we organized a week-long introduction to the college. This starts on Saturday and gives our students a chance to get to know the institute and enough time to decide whether or not they want to stay there."

"This Saturday?" My father asked, and from the look on his face I would guess he might actually be considering this offer.

"But that would mean she would miss a week of classes." My mother added, obviously reluctant to the idea.

"Yes, but from the information we gathered, your daughter is more than enough clever to catch up t that. Besides in the week at Lockwood's she would be attending classes also, so that's not really a big factor. And because we are aware of the inconvenience, we are ready to pay for her ticket to London and her stay there."

"Your offer is tempting, but I still have some questions." My father said and my mother looked at him with pure disbelief.

"You are not honestly considering it," she said.

Be looked at her with comfort and then turned back to Elisaveth, "we already paid for the semester at University of Portland."

"That's no problem, because of our good connections with schools all around the world, the money you payed at UP can be easily transferred to Lockwood's. And besides, what you pay here for a semester is enough for 3 out of 6 at Lockwood's."

"I'm still not sure," my mother said, "we should talk about it."

"Look, honey, it's only for a week."

"And potentially for 3 years, we can't let her go for three years."

"Why don't we ask Kathrine?" Elisaveth suggested, "it's her decision after all."

Yeah, right.

"No, of course she would say yes. Who wouldn't like to go to England for a week, but it's our money, and I don't want to throw it away. And I don't want her to waste her life there. Honey we won't know anything about her life if she leaves. She might start doing drugs, drink and who knows what else."

"She will be well taken care of at the institute, we have strict policies and offer enough fun supervised activities for our students. Your fears will go unanswered, I assure you." Elisaveth said, trying to calm down my mother.

"Yes, I think we should ask Katy. I'll go get her."

Fuck.

My dad was coming and I would destroy all the little chances I have if I get caught now.

I jumped off the kitchen counter and ran as quickly and silently to my room as possible. I almost slipped on the stairs and that brought extra adrenaline to my brain, so when my father entered the room I was still trying to catch my breath.

"Katy?", he said, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, I was just working out."

He made a sound filled with disbelief. He knows I don't work out, like ever. "Well come down, when you're ready."

"OK.", I said and threw myself on the bed when he left.

I was trying to mentally prepare myself not to give myself away and then I went downstairs.

When I entered the living room, Elisaveth stood up and father introduced her, "Katy dear, this id dr. Brown from Lockwood's institute in UK, she has something to say to you."

I turned to Elisaveth and made a mental note to call her dr. Brown. "Hi Kathrine, nice to meet you."

I smiled in response, too nervous to form words.

"Are you familiar with Lockwood's?" She asked.

When I shook my head no, she told me similar story she told my parents.

"…so how do you feel about that?"

"I mean the first week of college seems pretty important to me, and I don't want to miss anything important" I said mainly to please my mother and to show her I can act responsible, "but I would lie if I said I wasn't interested."

She nodded: "If you have any question, don't be shy."

"So I would be staying at the institute?"

"Well at the apartment building next to it with a roommate." She answered.

"Would she be my classmate too?"

"Yes, you would be attending the same classes."

"How big is the apartment?", my mother asked, slightly less tense.

"Well, the room they would be sharing is about three quarters of this room." Elisaveth pointed around with her hand. "And you would be sharing bathroom and kitchen with two more rooms."

Seeing my mother relaxing slightly she added: "It's very spacious," for the extra effect.

"Well, I'm sold." My father started, "If you want to go, we will let you."

My mother protested silently with the look she gave my father and then added: "You will be sending us a lot of pictures this week, and I want one of your roommate too."

"And we are still to discuss your further stay at the institute." My father said.

"Well get to packing then. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 8.30 and we will go to airport together."

---

After Elisaveth left I went to my room, excited to start packing and go to London.

London.

I've never left Oregon and now I'm leaving the country, to learn magic. Honestly, how is this even real.

As I was starting to pack my mother entered the room. The not-knocking policy my parents share annoyed the shit out of me, but I'll let it pass today, as I don't want to endanger my chance to leave.

"Pack warmer clothes, it's chillier in London, and don't forget an Umbrella."

I hated my mother's controlling nature, but I knew most of it came out of love.

"Don't worry, I have it all planned." I said with a smile.

"And please be careful there."

"Mom, I'm only leaving tomorrow evening."

"I know, I know. I'm just worried. So prepare yourself to hear me say this many more times."

I giggled and she smiled.

She knew how much I hated when someone was inspecting me when I'm doing something, so she left my room.

Maybe somebody would have expected us to chat about random things, but I just don't have this kind of relationship with my parents.

--

It felt like months passed by from when I woke up till I left with Elisaveth. My day mainly consisted from lectures from my parents, warning me and begging me to be safe, to me hysterically checking my baggage and time on my phone.

I had no idea what to bring and that annoyed me a bit. I wished Elisaveth was more like Hagrid and would have at least gave me a list of things I needed.

Beside basic wardrobe, I also packed some notebooks and pens, laptop, chargers and headphones. I was thinking about packing sheets, but they would've just take too much space.

I was so excited and yet so nervous as I was waiting for Elisaveth in front of our apartment building. I was really happy my parents were at work, because this way I have successfully avoided awkward goodbye.

Elisaveth picked me up in a cab a few minutes past 8. 30 and I couldn't wait to get to the airport.

However, we never got to the airport and I started panicking that she was going to sell my organs after all.

We entered a small apartment in a very old building. When I asked her about it she told me that this is a place Gyanakas use when they are in Portland.

"And how are we supposed to get to London?" I asked, my excitement worn off.

"Don't worry. We'll get there." She said, wicked humor clear in her tone.

If it was any other person I would have been freaking out right now, but for whatever reason, I trusted her.

"Just give me a few minutes to pack everything up."

While she was running around the apartment, I decided to feed my inner curiosity and check out the place.

It was more spacious than it appeared. There were three bedrooms, all modestly decorated, kitchen with no food in the fridge and barely any dishes. There was no pictures on the walls and the corners of the rooms were decorated with spider web. The apartment didn't have many windows either, however the air inside was quite refreshing. But what caught the most of my interest was this big old mirror in the living room. It was at least six feet tall (180cm) and half as wide. It was decorated with golden frame that gave it sort of renaissance vibe. The mirror bothered me, because it didn't fit in with the room. Every piece of furniture was gray and modern. As I came closer to the mirror I noticed that it didn't capture the reflection of this room. When I looked in it I saw myself standing in the middle of much better decorated and brighter living room. The couch was beige, and the chairs matched it. I looked behind me and saw old gray furniture. I checked the mirror again and then the room I was in. I repeated the motion numerous times before Elisaveth's voice interrupted: "It's a portal."

Of course. "How does it work?"

"Pick up your bags and I'll show you."

I looked at her, slightly shocked, and moved around the apartment without any words leaving my lips.

This is going to be interesting, not just the mirror part, but the whole thing. And how will I ever get used to it?

"Kathrine." Elisaveth said, "Listen to me very carefully now. Using Looking glass isn't hard, but if you are not focused unnecessary troubles can occur."

Awesome. Imagine me getting stuck inside of that.

"All you have to do is think about the place you want to go to. Looking glass can take you to several places, this one is usually mostly used as the passage to our living quarters in London, but it can just as well take you to China or Netherlands."

"What place do I have to think about?"

"Just keep repeating 'London quarters' and you will get there."

I picked up my bag, shut my eyes and stepped forward repeating 'London quarters'.

When I opened my eyes again I found myself in the room I previously saw in the mirror.

I looked around and then turned back to the mirror as I heard "Good job." I jumped a little when I saw Elisaveth suddenly behind me, but smiled at her words.

She then appointed me to my room and gave me the instructions for tomorrow, when the school starts.

"Magic is being thought at the social studies institute?" I asked, disbelief clear in my tone. "It's not an actual institute is it?"

"It is actually, and no, magic is not taught there." She smiled then, "You'll see. I don't want to spoil the surprise for you"

I was so confused. She told me to enter the institute around 7. 30, but the introduction will start at some other place.

She was watching me trying to figure her riddles out and smiling along. When I looked at her with confusion probably now permanently shown on my face, she reminded me: "7. 30 through the doors, 8 o'clock the introduction starts, and third door to the left is your room."

I nodded.

"OK, well, I have to go now. Get a good night sleep and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye."

I went to my room, number 214, and was about to grab the door handle as they opened.

I was starting to freak out, but as I checked out the room I soon realized this place is too nice to be haunted.

I tried to enter the other rooms, just in case but the door didn't open, not even when I grabbed the handle. I thought it may have been locked, but I saw no keyhole.

"I guess the door work on facial recognition or something." I said to myself, reentering my room.

I turned on the light and looked around. The room was twice the size of mine at home. However, it was modestly furnished. There were two beds on each side of the room, two closets, a mirror and two desks.

As I was unpacking my eyes kept on diverting to the mirror. Could it be another passage way? It was much smaller than the other ones, but I just couldn't sleep well, not knowing. I stood up and looked at it.

Nothing.

Well, me and the reflection of my room. However, that wasn't a good enough proof.

"Portland quarters, Portland quarters, …" I kept repeating as I reached my hand into the mirror.

Nothing.

Good.

I imagined how stupid I would seem to anyone watching me.

After I finished unpacking, I got ready to bed and wished the sleep upon me.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day.